The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-30

the public lands IN oregon, and TO provide for the
survey, and To make donations TO settlers of the
said public lands, was ordered to cease at one
O'Clock to-day, unless sooner brought 10 conclu-
sion.
The House then went into committee on that
bill
The amendment pending one offered by Mr..
BowLIS, granting lands every irhit settler or
occupant of the public lands in Oregon &c
Mr.. GIDDINGS contended that there was no
precedent for the motion now made, aud spoke
about the patriotic services Of negroes during the
revolutionary war They voted IN seven OF the
thirteen States which sent delegates To the con-
vcnton which framed the Constitution. White
men were received from the poorhouses Of Europe,
but spcctable and intelligent colored men Of our
own country TO be excluded from the terri
tory. This was not consistent in an American
Congress; they had no right TO 80 act
MIR. FITCH said that the Territorial Legislature
of Oregon had regulated this matter by excluding
negroes. Therefore, the adoption or rejection OF
the amendment would have no effect whatever.
MIR. SACKETT opposed the amendment. The
Legislature of Oregon has no power to exclude any
portion of the people If Congress see fit To grant
to any body, white or black, lands in that Terri
tory be the legislation Of Oregon what il may, that
person has the right 10 make of the grant for
his own benefit. Suppose Congress interdict sa
very in Oregon, has the Legislature OF Oregon the
power 10 say that it shall exist theres Docs the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. FTcH) contend for
that?
MIR. CONRAD expressed the hope that the amend
ment would not be adopted. He should vote against
il for the reasons that the gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. GIDRINGs) said he should vote for II. That
gentleman attempted TO show the superiority of the
African race over the white or Caucasian, and Of
fered an apology for considering the white equal to
the black
Mr. GIDDINGS remarked that he never under
took that, but to show that white man was as good
black if he behaved himself
MIR. CONRAD considered that some concession.
He thought that the gentleman was in some degree
connected with that race and that physically, and
by the institutions of the country the blacks are
now, and are destined to be, an inferior race. He
was sorry that Ohio was not willing to allow emf
grafton of people of color TO that State Much as
they esteemed slavery to be curse, they refused
10 let the freed negroes OF Mr.. Randolph settle
there.
Mr.. GIDDINGS. They prevented by a
mere mob.
Mr. CONRAD thought il was highly unjust that
the people the Pacific coast should refuse to adj
init free blacks to settle there. 1t was good policy
TO diffuse this population over as large surface as
possible. They allow emigrants from China, and
the Pacific islands, and from all parts of the world,
to come among them, and exclude emigrants from
our own country. 1t would benefit the black as
well the white 10 duse the latter over that section
As Oregon and California were acquired at the
common expense, they should be permitted to go
thither.
Mr.. McMULLEN said that the question was,
whether persons of color should occupy the Terri
tory of Oregon on the common platform OF equality
with white persons He would not discuss the
question of slavery at this time-some gentlemen
viewing il as national evil, others as a blessing.
He should vote for the amendment for various rea:
sons. He must notice the extraordinary remarks
Of the extraordinary member from Ohio He would
be doing injustice to the constituency he repre-
scented, were he not to do so. If his constituents
were here they would scorn to notice the member
from Ohio, (Mr. GIDDINGs.)
The CHAIRMAN reminded the gentleman from
Virginia that personalities must be excluded.
Mr. Mem ULLEN. On former occasion, when
the member was laboring under great excitement,
he ma an ak he
TO move that he be allowed to address the House.
He (Mr. McM.) presented himself as the MEM
ber's friend, and the member did address the
House. And how did that member reciprocate the
favor? Why. by paying his respects to the State
which he, in part, represented. The member
would find in that State intelligent, high mind
ed and industrious a constituency as any repre-
scented on this floor. 1t is true that the Virginia
blood is of noble character, whether it flows in the
veins of the white the black man. Laughter ]
There have been found patriots heroes and states
men. II the member from Ohio should go to Vir-
ginia, he would be invited to associate with that
race of which he is the peculiar friend. He had no
doubt that the member who had eloquently
spoken of Ward and Douglass, would discover that
they we're descended from ''the first families OF
Mr.. EVANS, Of Maryland, made few remarks
in relation to the pending amendment, and was
understood to be in favor of it.
MIR. BAYLY remarked that ii was a fact of his
tory About the time Of the adoption OF the ordi
nance of 1877 there strong feeling in Virgins
in favor of emancipation. The obstacle was, there
was no place to which the negroes could be sent
potent argument relied on 10 reconcile the peo-
pie was, that the Northwest Territory would make
frstrate asylum; and we ought not to take away
from Virginia the inducement which then con-
| trolled her.
Mr.. GREEN asked the gentleman from Louisi-
! ana whether he desired TO place the whites and
blacks on the same principle of equality
Mr.. CONRAD inquired whether the whites and
blacks in Missouri had not the same equality as to
haldinO
MIR. GREEN. Docs not the gentleman know the
difference between lawful acquisitions and holding
the property and donations of public landsS
Mr.. CONRAD. Will the gentleman permit
Mr.. GREEN. ] expect the common judgment Of
the country TO give the response.
Mr.. CARTER said, we ought not TO fix on the
people ofOregon associations which they repel. The
races are separate He did not want free territory
TO become the receptacle, the poorhouse Of the
worthless blacks Of the South. He would relieve
Oregon OF the curse of making the soil the common
Mr. HUBBARD made few remarks, when the
| question taken, and the amendment of Mr.
BowLIS, 10 donate lands to every "white" settler
| was agreed to-ayes 81, noes 81.
! And Also 'including American halt. breeds"-
| ayes "a, noes 81.
On motion of MIR. SACKETT, the fourth section
was further amended, by exempting the property o.
the wife in the land from seizure for the debts of hc
husband.
Other amendments we're proposed and acted
upon
Mr.. WINTHROP said it was obvious that the bill
could not be finally acted upon to-day. IL was now
growing dark under the influence Of a storm. He
moved that the committee rise, with view Of ma
king the bill the special order after the Cafornis
message shall have been disposed of.
The committee rose, and the SPEAKER resumed
the chair.
Mr.. WINTHROP made an inquiry in relation L
the condition of the bill; 10 which
The SPEAKER replied that the two days as
Al fHa 81 ~
pred, and that the California message was emit
tied 10 the consideration Of the committee befor,
this bill.
Mr.. STRONG moved that the bill be made tn,
special order for the day succeeding the disposal
the California message. This, however, no
agreed 10.
Mr. HOUSTON moved to reconsider the vote b.
which the House resolved this morning, to adjourn
over, in order that tho House may be refitted 70
the summer. He thought that three days no
long enough. II more time was not allowed tn
workmcn would be occupied on Sunday ant
besides, on that day, very distinguished divin
of Virginia was to preach in the hall
Mr.. JONES replied that the arrangements woul
not interfere with the appointment Of the divin,
" the arrangements shall not be completed o
Monday, tho House again adjourn over.
Mr. HOUSTON repeated that the arrangement
could not be completed within the time allowed.
Mr. BAYLY moved TO lay the motion 10 recon
- IL Al.