Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-15
CONGREss-IsT SESSION
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18th, 1850.
SEN ATE

| Mr. Clay presented the petition OF William S. Whtmor
and others praying that the United States the pay
ment OF the Texas bonds Referred to the Committee Of
tho judiciary
On motion of lr. Dickinson the Senate proceeded con
slider the amendment ut the House the Joint resolution
slspendng for limited time the act limiting the expenses
| di collecting the revenue from customs.
Mr. Dickinson explained the amendment and stated tina
the Committee on Finance were in favor OF adopting it,
Mr. King called up the bill respecting the payment, from
Brazil to United States claimants.
The bin read third time and passed, after remark.
from Mcsss. Clay Houston and Pearce II establishes
board Of one commissioner and secretary.
The following message was received from the President
the United States on tho subject Of California.
10 tie Senate Of the United States
transmit herewith To the Senate for the information o
that body authenticated copy ri the "Constituoa OF tie
State OF California, received by me om the Hon William
VI. Gwn. H. TAYLOR.
WAsHSGroS, Fen. Is, 1850.
Mr.. Douglass moved that the message and Constitution
be referred 10 the Committee on Territories.
Mr.. Bnton suggested that re expected the Senator from
Kentucky tir Claw 10 move reference 10 select com
miitcc
lr CLAY had no desire he said TO take the lead but
the desire of the Senate he would make the notion
Mr.. Footc moved that the subject lie the table. He
wanted 10 make motion that would dispose Of the whole
subject. Motion lost.
Sir Benton moved select committee Postponed till TO-
morrow.
inessagc received from the President of the Unec
States in reply 10 resolution respecting Nicaragua, the
Canal. and the Mosquito country.
EFT. but will do u proper time.
aIr. Douglass made some remarks the subject. He
wished know whether Hscs treaty had been rtpudaed
Al O'Clock the order o; the day (- Cays resourions)
taken up, and tie ladies' admitted the hoor.
Mr. Jefferson Davis addressed the Senate. He said
which had filed his mind with apprehension was
the Indifference OF the majority OF the people 10 the dangers
Of the present crisis lie had risen to proceed the dis
csSon 10 which the Senator from Kentucky lr Clay had
the other day challenged He ready then, but could
not get the floor till now.
He had hoped from the Senator compromise that would
have brought calm and sunshine the country but he
grievous disappointed both in the propositions and the
views urged in their support The Senator had reDued the
evil 81 a5otonism but nc had considered evil par
ty On the contrary the evil from the Of party
II the parties had preserved their integrity there would
have been room for third party. Nor did the evil
arise from passion but from cold, calculating de-
termination promote national ends by the aid of anati-
csm He TOOK up the subject of letter addressed by Mr.
Clay 10 committee in Ohio las, summer He declared that
less than the compromise Missouri line the South would not
take.
war against slavery III the Territories in the District OF Co.
luniol. and 1t arscnas forts and dockyards tie
- aF:n that slavery Was recognized BY the Constitution
and that therefore slaves we've property in all the Territories
OF the United States He viewed the object of this
DC political power and not harmony.
He said there were no concessions in Mr.. Clays plan,
from the North the South. Was il a concession 10
take money OF the Treasury promote the purposes Of
abotion The constitution framed raise money
10 carry on emancipation But MARYLAND was not alone in
terested in the continuance OF slavery in this District The
whole people had right in this District He
swercd Mr. Clay by reading of his speeches. made in
1898.
Mr. Davis controvered the proposition OF Mr. CLAY that
slavery did not exist by lave in the territories acquired from
Mexico.
Mr.. Davis did not conclude and the Senate into
Executive session; after which, the Senate adjourned
Al the moment Of adjournment Mr. Foote offered the fol-
lowing:
Resolved That the message Of the President this day re-
ceived the subec, OF admitting California State into
the union with the accompanying documents be referred TO
special committee OF fifteen TO be chosen by ballot whose
duty shall be TO consider the same and also take into
consideration the various propositions before the Sc
nate relating to the subject in connection with the
question OF domestic slavery in all its various bearings and
10 report if they find it practicable do So plan for the