Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-09-14

senator rom New York. which would control my VOTE il
there other reason in the natter He proposes 10
take from the National Treasury Of money 10 pay for
the to be emancpated by the provisions of his
amendment would like very well learn from that Sena-
tor or from any other Senator by what provision Of the
constitution, by what authority, by what power
appropriate money from the Treasury for the purpose of pay
ing for emancpaed slaves know Of Besides that,
know of no State and shall be very glad to be informed
there s in which where slaves have been emancpaed
payment has been made for them II has always been done
think, IN another way-by prospective SYSTEM by pro-
vision that those born after certain period of time should be
free arriving at certain sge According the provisions
of this amendment they be emancpated at once, with
out making any provision taking any care hem and
pay for them out of the National Treasury If slavery to
be abolished in this city, should be done by gradual sys
tenn, as has been done in all the States where has been
abolished.
know well that private property may be taken for public
use, by making compensation therefor. But then it would
become public property And well ask what is TO be
done with this public property When thus take il, and
thus contribute from the treasury make it free, what is to
become of Il is not and cannot be- public property in
the of the constitution and the provision of the cons
tuition certainly cannot apply in this case.
shall vote against the amendment for the which
have briefly stated 1t has connexon with this bill
And no authority in the constitution which gives the
power to pay for the slaves SO to be emancpaed And
shall vote against the bill abolishng slave trade in the
District OF Columbia, it has with subjects that
are, IN my opinion, improperly there am for taking these
questions, as have all Of them, sngly-each by tseso
that each Senator vote according the dictates ofhs
Judgment While desire to vote to abolish the slave trade
in this District will not do it ysu connect with subjects
which nave no necessary and proper connection with And
thus, cannot be permitted vote for the object which
desire, IN direct and positive way will do upon this
sion what have done all ohes-voe against the whole
desire to favor such bill pass, and which will
abolish the slave trade in this District; and regret that
amendmens which pass, and may defeat the BILL
have been offered My Judgment therefore, dictates that the
best policy to vote against all amendments which change
the character Of the BILL endanger PASSAGE and shall
do So ~
Mr.. CLAY. have risen, to say very few words on this
subject because do expect trouble the Senate much
oener during the remaining time of the session. am very
dsssous that this Question should be brought speedy
mination. constrained, however, by my position, to
make few remarks And, first on the question of power
have always held that under the language of the constit
tom being investment Of power in Congress of exclusive
legislation this District in all whatsoever there
listed full and complete power this whole subject But
reference the abolition Of slavery within the District have
maintained what continue maintain that while the
institution, exists in Maryland now, or while il existed in
Maryland and Virginia before the ietrocesson would be
gross violation Of good faith exercise this power though
fully and completely conveyed by the language the
| stitution.
But sir the question before the Senate is totally differ
ent not the abolition of slavery the District So
far from opening that subject the committee intended in
tended, and believe such will be its effect that the
trade BILL passed substantially in the form in which it
reported, should give and security the maintenance
of slavery within this District until exhausts itself BY the
know very well that has been contended now as formerly
that the general expressions contained in the constitution
GLIDING that which vests in Congress exclusive power
legislation here in all whatsoever, subject mta
tons which contained in the constitution. There
limitations contained in the constitution which operate
upon the exercise of the power of Congress- when applied
this Districts such for example, that Congress shall estab
sh religion, and shall not abolish the freedom Of speech
ofthe press They the restrictions Which contained
chiefly in the amendments the constitution There may
possibly be in the body of the constitution ITSELF But
there no restriction, and challenge the production Of
restriction there be one which restraints the exercise of the
OF Congress trade foreign alien to the District
and in which the District has not particle of interest
Sir repeat it. the power Of Congress the District is
the power Of legislation in all whatsoever And yet
the argument against the power is that there cases. and
this is of them, in which the legislative power of Con-
cannot be exercised there be such cases. they
to be found in the limitations of the constitutions and those
limitations must be produced and shown be applicable
the power But there such limitations in this
think therefore, that the power Of Congress the sub
ect Of the slave trade in the District be questioned
The truth is that Congress has put that trade here has
been shown by the Senator from Maryland, (Mr PRArr
by enactment of Congress that this trade stole
into the District and has continued to exist here And is
possible to maintain that Congress incompetent repeal
its own laws, to pass enactment the effect of which
will be to abrogate the effect of those laws No, sir.
With regard to the question of the abolition Of slavery,
repeat have always put upon The ground that in good
faith towards Maryland, ought not, while the institution
exists here disturb within the District But in refer
to this particular question Of introducing slaves for sale
within the District far from acting in opposition to what
the ancient policy Of Maryland, in prohibiting and sup
pressing il, act in precise conformity with that policy.
Her law the time Of the cesson by her of this District
has been repeatedly shown declared that any slave brought
within the State should be free That the of Mary
land the time the District ceded by that State the
United States.
Mr.. HANLIN made further remarks in reply to Mr..
Mason, for which we have not room.
long debate ensued in which Messrs. Sc WARD, BUT
LER, FOOTE, DICKINSON, WINTHROP, EWING,
| HALE, NORRIS, DAVIS, Of Mississippi, DOWNS,
PEARCE, and others, took part
Pending the question the amendment, the Senate adj
journed
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER IL, 1850.
| The PRESIDENT The presiding officer has received
from Mr.. Weightman letter requesting him to lay before
the Senate certain documents One Of these documents is
memorial from the Convention which framed the constitution
of New Mexico and another is from the Legislature. The
letter goes into statement with respect to the proceedings
had BY the population of New Mexico and strongly urges that
some steps may be taken to them State government The
letter can be if any Senator desires it, and such DISPOSE
ton be made these papers the Senate in their wisdom
may devise.
Mr.. SEWARD. ask for the reading of the memorial
The memorial read as follows:
Memorial the Legislature Of Nsuv .Merico the Congress
Of the United States of america.
The Legislature of New Mexico the Congress of the
United States respectfully represents
That by the treaty Of Guadalupe Hdago the faith Of the
United States pledged to protect the inhabitants Of
and the full exercise their religion without restriction.
That ubon the expiration the year mentioned in that