Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-06
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY
FRIDAYS PROCEEDINGS.

WASHINGTON, April 5, P. M.
SENArE-Petitions praying for the abolition of sla
very, &C., presented respectively by Messrs Sew
ARD and CHASE.
The resolution relative to the Public Printing was
taken up and postponed till next week The bill pro-
vidng for taking the Census also similarly disposed
OF for the present
bill to supply deficiencies in the General Appro-
priaton Bill, reported the Senate and made the
order of the day for Monday.
The Senate then resumed the consideration of the
motion to refer Mr.. BELLS Compromise Resolutions to
select committee Of thirteen. Pending this motion,
Mr. BENTON had moved to except from the reference so
much of Mr.. Bells Compromise related to the adj
mission of California into the Union. The question
being upon Mr.. Benton's mott on
Mr. SHIELDS addressed the Senate at length upon thu
merits of the questions involved He remarked that he
had been instructed by the Legislature of his State to
vote for the application Of the principle contained in
the Wlmot Proviso to all Territorial Governments
hereafter to be formed. He said he recognised
the right of instruction, and would OBJ ey He be-
lieved Congress had full power over the subject Of
slavery every where except in the States He felt
constrained to vote against the appointment Of
promise commtee-sad he opposed to all section
al parties-and against the Southern [Nashvillel
Convention, because he believed it could result in moth
Ing practically beneficial, but might aid in bringing
about dissolution Of the Union. M. S. said the liberty
of the world was involved in the settlement of the pre-
sent difficulties for ths Governm should be broken
up, Free Government is at an end! He advocated
the admission of California into the nion and would
vote to New Mexico and Deseret into Territories, prov
ded the Wmo Proviso should be incorporated into the
forms of be provided for these territories
Slavery, he said had been already prohibited in these
;tor;ao hr tha low am Rxy tho
nature the people inhabng these territories were of
character which forbade all idea of their ever permitting
slavery to exist among them. He denied that equi
lbrium could be maintained in the Government OF the
United States He said he thought the outh could as
effectually rule the country by being in minority,
as it could if equilibrium exsed-scouted all idea Of
peaceful dissolution of the Union and traced the end
of Southern Contederacy Mr.. S. concluded by say
ing that he would vote for the passage of the Fugitive
Slave Bill.
Mr.. Mason repeated his urgent hope that California
would not be voted into the Union to the exclusion OF
everything else He said he felt DESTROYS to vote for her
admission but could not do SO till other questions were
disposed of.
Mr., UNDERWOOD advocated the reference of all the
questions in dispute to the select committee proposed
be appointed
Mr.. CLAY took the same ground, and thought the
most speedy mode 10 ADMIT Callonla would be TO IN
cude her in general bill providing governments for the
territories.
Mr., BENTON said he opposed to blending the con-
sideration of the admission OF California with any other
subject and desired opportunity state his
large. To give him opportunity of doing SO, the
Senate then adjourned over to Monday.
House OF REPREsENTATVEs.-The House was occu-
pied all day with private bills, quite number of which
under consideration, 1t also adjourned ever to
Monday.