The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-06-06
HOUSE OF REpR EsENTATIvEs.
TUESDAY, May %, 1850.

TUESDAY, May 90, 1850.
The House went into Committee of the Whole
| on the state of the Union.
Several bills relating to the Territories of
| Minnesota and Oregon were taken up, acted
upon, and laid aside with the recommendation that
they be passed. Subsequently, when the Commit
tee rose they were reported, and the House passed
some of them
A bill to create the Office of Surveyor General
and to provide for the survey of the public lands
in Oregon, and to make donations to actual set
tiers gave rise to much discussion.
Mr. Bowlin moved to amend by combining the
donations to whae persons.
Mr.. Sackett made q few remarks against that
motion.
Mr.. Thurston, in explanation, said that the
Legislature of Oregon had legislated against per.
hitting negroes TO come into the Territory, be-
cause they usually went into the woods with the
Indians, and labored TO excite them against the
whites.
Mr. Sackett continued his remarks against
shutting the blacks out Of the Territory, and de-
nying to them the advantages proposed to be held
out under this section to other settlers.
On motion, the Committee then rose, and the
House adjourned.
"WEDNESDAY, May 20, 1850.
The House resumed the consideration Of the
remainder of the bills in relation to the Terrific
ries reported yesterday from the Committee Of
the Whole on the state OF the Union, and finally
passed them ID then resolved itself into Com
mittee Of the Whole on the state Of the Union,
and took up the Oregon survey and donation bill,
the question pending being the amendment Of
fered by Mr.. Bowlin
Mr.. Giddings opposed the amendment In re-
marks which will appear hereafter.
The hour Of o'clock having arrived, the time
a L.
lin (by arrangement withdrew his amendment
MIR. Fitch renewed it, and after n few sugges-
tons, withdrew IL.
Mr. Saokett, renewing II, addressed the Com.
mittee to show that the Legislature Of Oregon
had no right TO prescribe blacks Such ms were
citizens Of the United States should have every
facility for, and inducement TO emigrate TO Ore
gon Mr.. s. Withdrawing the amendment to the
amendment, IL was renewed by
Mr.. Conrad, who spoke for five minutes TO
show that the gentleman from Ohio Mr.. Gid
dings had argued in favor Of according privile-
ges to negroes In Oregon which his own State
had refused them. lie, however, believed 1t 10
be the true policy Of the Union, aud more espe-
cially Of the South, that they should be didused
as much ~ possible. lie was, therefore, for per-
hitting and encouraging free negroes TO settle In
Oregon Mr.. c. having Withdrawn the amend
ment,
Mr.. McMullen proposed TO renew H.
Mr.. Evans Of Maryland made point of order,
viz: THAT no gentleman could withdraw an
amendment TO be renewed In order TO open de-
baten
The Speaker decided against the point of or
der, the practice OF the House being different.
MIR. Evans took an appeal and the question on
the appeal being put, the decision Of the Chair
was sustained
Mr. McMullen next naldressed the Committee
in favor Of the amendment The remarks Of the
gentleman from Ohio were highly offensive. On
former occasion, when that member Mr.. Gid
dingsl appealed to know whether he was without
friend In the House who would move TO permit
him to address the House, he (Mr McMullen)
had done 20 on that occasion. In return, that
gentleman had maligned the State (Virginia he
had the honor Of In part representing. Here
Mr.. Mem went on TO show that the remarks Of
the gentleman from Ohio were highly improper
and offensive. Having withdrawn the motion TO
amend the amendment, II was renewed by
Mr.. Evans, who argued for FIVE minutes In Its
favor While he knew that the presence Of the
free-negro race Ia large numbers In Oregon
would grievously iojure the Territory, be admit
ted that 10 get them there was desirable for the
interest Of the South.
Mr.. Y. having Withdrawn the amendment,
Mr.. Bsyly renewed II, and remarked that he
was prepared 10 show that TO put distractions ON
the emigration Of free negroes was violation Of
the spirit Of the Ordinance Of 1857. Virginia
had been induced to consent 70 the enactment Of
the Ordinance by the argument that the North
western Territory would afford place 10 which
her FIRE negroes could And o refuge.
Mr. b. having withdraw tbs amendment,
Mr. Green renewed II, and spoke for i've min