The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-09-26
CONGRESS-.
SENATE.
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER I1lS5O

Mr.. Dickinson, from the select committee on
the memorial of Miss Dix, asking grant of land
for the destitute insane, reported bill
heSenate had under consideration bill from
the House, creating a surveyor general in Ore
gon. 1t contained a provision giving to every
person emigrating to Oregon the next five years
half section of land After much debate, the
time was limited to three years. A motion by
Mr.. Mason of Virginia to strike out so much of
the provision as extends the gratuity to foreign
ers who shall have declared their intention to be-
come citizens was rejected, as follows:
YEAs-Messrs. Atcbison, Badger, Baldwin,
Barnwell Bell, Berrien, Clarke, Davis of Massa-
chusetts, Davis Of Mississippi, Dawson, Dayton,
Greene, Hunter, King, Mangum, Mason, Morton,
Pratt, Sebastian, Spruance, Turney, Underwood,
and Wales-23
NAYs-Messrs. Benton, Bright Cass, Chase,
Dickinson, Dodge of Wisconsin, Dodge Of Iowa,
Douglas, Felch, Foote, Fremont, liamln, Hous-
ton, Jones, Norris, Rusk, Seward, Shields, Smith,
Soule, Sturgeon, walker, w niss~snb, winthrop
and Yulee-25.
The Southern men voting against this iliberal
motion were Benton, Foote, Houston, Rusk Sou
IL, and Yulee
The bill was reported to the Senate when Mr.
Mason renewed the motion to strike out II was
-rejeoted-yeas "a, nays 26. The bill was then
ordered to be engrossed.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER IS, 1850.
Mr.. Hamlin, from the Committee on Com.
MERGE, reported bill for the free navigation of
the st. Lawrence and for reciprocal trade with
Canada.
Mr.. Chase, pursuant to notice. asked leave to
introduce bill to prohibit slavery in the Terrific
ries of the United States.
Mr.. Clay said that he felt constrained to oppose
very had been settled, and the country was now
at peace. lie was opposed to the introduction of
any measures TO disturb that settlement. The
questions had been put at rest, and he was OPP
posed to any disturbance of them.
He asked the yeas and nays on granting leave.
Mr.. Cass said that he coincided with every word
that had been uttered by the Senator from Ken
lucky And he then moved TO lay the motion to
receive the bill on the table.
Mr. Chase asked that the motion be Withdrawn
for moment, to enable him to explain
Mr.. Cas- withdrew the motion
Mr. Chase said that he had no intention to pro-
yoke any lengthy discussion on this subject lie
had no desire to prevent the transaction Of the
pressing business Of Congress by the introduc-
ion Of this measure at this late stage of the SEES
zion. lie did not think, with the Senator from
Kentucky, that this subject had been settled. As
q L. 4 IN =.
ect at this late period Of the session, he would
his bill
The motion to grant leave to introduce the bill
vas then withdrawn.
The anxiety to exclude the "agitating topic"
extended 10 only one aspect Of Ii. The Slavery
men desire to gag their opponents, but to retain |
'or themselves absolute freedom Of speech and |
sction Mr.. Pratt Immediately moved TO take up |
MS bill to prevent the abduction Of slaves from |
The District. Mr.. Hale said he agreed with some
things said by Mr. Clay the country wanted |
peace he was opposed 10 the introduction Of any |
or disturbing measure.
Mr.. Clay said this bill was not an aggression
but a measure Intended to prevent sggressions
Mr.. Chase announced that if the motion to
'akeup the bill were persisted in, he would renew
his bill, just withdrawn.
The bill was then taken up, and Mr. Hale said |
hat he desired to give those friends Of the aboli
ion Of slavery in the District, who were waiting |
for the right time, an opportunity to place their
votes on the record on plain question. lie moved,
therefore, that the bill be referred to the Commit
Zee on the District Of Columbia with instructions
10 report a bill to abolish slavery in the District
IF Columbia lie asked the yeas and nays on the
motion, and they were ordered.
The question was taken on the motion, and 1t
was rejected--yeas 0, nays Al.
YEAs-Messrs. Baldwin, Chase, Davis Of Mas
chusetts, Dodge of Wisconsin, Ewing, Hale,
Iismlin, Seward, and Winthrop.
NAYs-Messrs. Atchison, Badger, Barnwell,
Bell, Benton, Bright, Butler, Cass, Clay, Cooper,
Davis Of Mississippi, Dawson, Dayton, Dickin-
,on, Dodge of Iowa, Douglas, Downs, Feloh, Foote,
Fremont, Gwin, Houston, Hunter, Jones, King,
Mason, Morton, Norris, Pratt, Rusk, Sebastian,
Shields, Smith, Soul6, Spruance, Sturgeon, Tur-
ney, Underwood, Wales, Whitcomb, and Yu-
ee-4l.
After some discussion the bill was postponed
ill tomorrow, and the Senate soon after went |
INTO Executive session.
THURSDAY, SErrgsBrR 10, 1850.
A bill grantiog portion Of the public land to
Florida, TO aid in the construction OF railroad
,rosu pacsacoIa IN Mani 0otnery WAS ordered Ia |