The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-08


and we have heard something OF it from travellers there
We do not know its minute operaonsits relations TO
wards bs si short s for oae q
profess 70 have such information would authorize
me to undertake to legisate upon the subject do hope
that the honorable senator from Wisconsin will withdraw
lit Is not much fitting subject for the consider
alton OF that local Legislature which propose bythis
By some other BILL to establish, than for who
for that locality twill be to them importantthey will
understand It. is oppressive. and tyrannca and in
furious, they will repeal itihey will prohibit ~ There
will be no prohibition upon the exercise Of this power
DO really think that i is taking up our precious time,
when we have important amendments before us u
siion and let US proceed to the amendments upon that
other species OF slavery, which has largely attracted
our attention But il the senator persists ia the motion.
on Of the United states As understand it-and donot
profess to know much about tit is description OF
serytude sprngng out Of contracts and contracts be
the basis OF it, il would be violation OF the constitution
Of the United States to undertake TO overthrow i BY our
Mr. SEWARD Mr.. President have asked the yeas
and nays upon the amendment Of the senator from New
Jersey for the purpose Of recording my vote against IL
shall with great cheerfulness record my vote in favor o
true that have been six months engaged here. in en-
deavorng to admit California; and have spent all the
days o. those long sx months in endeaycTng e arrest
unworthy OF our to prevent slavery Of Indians.
Of any class OF men, Weare told that we know
nothing o. not enough about this peon slavery e egs
constitution Of New Mexico, and to undertake to give her
another and to subver the constitution of Utah. and to
give her another We ought therefore, TO confess thai
we understand the systems which have prevailed there
and the systems which we are putting IN their place
Now, sir, at least know this, in regard to peon serv
ated there, either by law by contract If it is created
by law, without the consent and will Of the slaves then
is void and ought to be abolished II be created BY
contract, then there is still less dculty for hoh this
truth to be sefevdent that all men created equal,
and that they have nalienabe rights and that amongst
Mr. PRATT. Mr.. President desire to call the al.
tenton Of the senator from Wisconsin, and also Of the
ator from Missouri to the decree to which they referred
for which they argued find, by looking il that this
is not the ordinance by which this description fservtude
was originally established; that even il il applies 10 this
subject within the limits of the Territory, about which
we are now egisatingf it does apply, q is only mu
nicpal regulation in reference to that subject within that
Territory It's not the law BY which i was established
the Territory within which that description Of servtude
exists and believers not applied at all to the Terrific
ry which is under consideration. II is ordinance
respecting the employment OF Indians:
known all persons residing in jurisdiction OF
Monterey that the magistrate Of .asd jurisdiction and the
II is Decree therefore. affecting whole ds,rict-the
district of Monterey. II is signed, believe by Gen
Kearny. and established by people since The con-
quest OF California, and applicable TO that district OF coun
Try in reference 10 which this amendment does not ap
ply. II applies TO California, the Pacific Il does moi
apply to the Territories 10 which this bill applies. de-
sire correct the senator from Wisconsin, on my left,
Mr. WALKER,l in reference TO this law. It's not the
original law by which this description OF sefyude was
created Now il that be the law OF custom, il viii be
necessary for us to understand IT, Bni occurs TO me,
subject, that il this territorial legislature, which
about TO establish, has any peculiar duties per-
form,it would be to legisate upon The subject about
which to legislae. Can suppose-can
the senator from New Jersey supposethat American cl-
zens inhabng that country, and forming territorial
legislature, would not legislae with propneiyi am
antir llluof hat he left n
believe have the power 10 pass such an amendment
as proposed therefore hope the amendment will be
MIR. HUNTER. am op posed to legislating upon this
subject for the well given by the senator from
New Jersey and others. In the 6rst place, we are ALL
the nature OF The Institution However, | am inclined TO
think from what have that il is institution al
ALL tbs not an institution known TO the Mexican laws
am much afraid, if we meddle with this subject will
go much further than we design-we may deprive the
iaborer Of the support OF his labor and services by
tract II Is essential 70 make hs labor valuable and me-
cessary to carry on society in the organization OF those
districts have Obtained from Mexico So FAR as have
been able TO ascertain from what il is not
institution known 10 the Mexican laws II arises out
OF custom, and originally from the Spanish law There
were certain officers in each municipality, and they as
signed Indians that should take It upon themselves by
weeks by turns-that is, so many through each week
TO labor for the Spanish propetors They assigned
TO the Spanish propnetors OF the soil around Finding
this against the spirit Of the age. in the year 1912
that repealed and II has become custom, and.
as understand II is that custom which now exists The
persons who employ these poems sell them goods what
price they choose and these Indians ignorant and
improvident, resulted this species OF servude and
this prolonged servtude. II owing 10 the mprovi-
dence and reckessness OF the Indian, which
remedy by any law As understand il, there are laws
in relation this matter that any Indian who pays his
debts is entitled to be released from servitlde, and car
upon application to the proper authorities, be relieved
is owing 10 his mpovidehce that he becomes thus IN
servitude. II is not hereditary bondage. do not see
how destroy the relation between master and ser
want: 1t cannot be done in the other counlIles OF The
world There is, perhaps, peculiay in relation 70
this subject and one alone. believe, sir the one By
whom the debt is required may require the specific per
Torrance OF the contract IN service and IN labor, and
there may be punishments If he does not conform 70 IT.
ia n relation between the Indian and the landbolder
which exists long he lives unless terminated by
paving the debt similar 10 that of apprentices. That is
question known to our laws. Now, submit TO the Sen.
ate whether, upon matter OF this Importance and with
our little knowledge, ought 10 be legslatng and
especially when 1t has been well SAID there wil be-
territorial legislature, composed OF persons cognzanto OF
the circnm and understanding the nature OF the
institution, who well know how TO remedy u, and who
will have the power do IT, VIII not be lar better 10
leave it to them and apply whatever remedy may be re-
qusite in relation this matter II seems 10 me Il will
Be better than to legislaie upon contracts.
MIR WALKER Mr.. President, the senator from
Maryland Mr. PRArrl would have been more correct IN
correcting me, if had been wrong. But Mr. President
the position in which he seeks to place Is in
which did not place myself did not read this ordi-
with the idea of bringing il before the Senate as
the foundation OF the system OF peonage bui as epec
men OF the kind Of legislation by which tits maintained
as sample OF the laws which have been passed ~ the
various departments OF that country regulating real