The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-16
THIRTY-FIRs CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
FRIpAY, February is, 1850,
SENATE.


SENATE
CALIFORNIA.
The VICE PRESIDENT said the first business
in order the motion TO refer the Presidents
message and the accompanying copy of the con-
sttution Of California.
Mr.. SEWARD moved, and the subject was post
poned for one halfhour.
Private petitions were presented by Messrs. Arch
IsoS, SEWARD, WALKER, HALE, RUsK, BRIoHT,
BESroS, and WHTcoMB.
CHEAP POSTAGE.
Messrs. SEWARD, HALE, CHASE, CAss, and WHIT-
COMB, presented petitions praying reduction OF
postage.
rLoGGINo AND sPIRiT-RATIoNs IN THE NAVY
Mr.. SEWARD presented several petitions pray
ing that hogging and sprit-rat may be discon-
unued in the navy
PUBLIC LANDS.
Numerous memorials, praying that the public
lands may be granted in limited quantities to
tual settlers, without cost, were presented by
Messrs WALKER, Cas-, BENTON, and CHASE
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
Mr.. DOWNS, from the Committee ON the Judi
ciary, reported bill TO amend the act entitled an
act to amend the rules Of judicial proceedings in
the United States circuit and district courts of Lou
isiana.
Adverse reports private claims were made by
Messrs. DAYTON, NoRpIs, HAMLIN, BoRLANp and
FETCH.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION.
Mr.. FOOTE said that in the report of yesterdays
proceedings, published in the Republic, the ac-
count OF that portion wherein he called to or
der by Mr. DODGE, of Iowa, was calculated, if al
lowed to pass uncorrected, to convey the impression
that something unlind or personal had taken place
between that Senator and himself; whereas the
kindest and wsrmest friendly relations existed be-
tween himself and that Senator before that event,
and the same friendly relations continued still, UNI
changed and unaltered.
RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. WHITCOMB submitted the following reso-
luton, which lies over under the rule:
Resolved, That the President Of the United States
the last session of Congress John Webster was re-
moved from the post of pilot on board revenue
cutter the lakes the date of the order for his
moval, and the.day on which his pay such pilot
ceased. Also, that he cause to be transmitted to
the Senate copies of all charges, complaints, pa
pers (if any exhibited against the said John Web
ter; and to inform the Senate whether he has had
an ,9ppsSrpiYn%niI,TY, Of being heard thereon
which was considered by unanimous consent and
agreed to:
RESOLVED, That the Committee ON Finance be in
structed to inquire into the expediency of pro-
viding by law for the payment of a fair compensa-
ton for the services of all such persons as have
been or may hereafter be appointed designated
repositories" under can act to provide for the
better organization of the, Treasury, and for the
collection, safekceping and isbursement. of the
public revenue. Approved 6th..August, 1885,
Messrs. KING and BRIGHT presented other reso.
buttons directing inquiries into the expcdiency of
establishing certain mail routes in the States of Ala
bama and Indiana
CALIFORNIA.
Mr.. SEWARD moved, and the Senate proceeded
TO the consideration of the notion refer the Pres
dents message, and the accompanying copy of the
California constitution.
MIR. BENTON said that the instructions to the
committee, moved by him, opened wide field OF
inquiry; and 1t had been suggested to him, and he
adopted the suggestion, to postpone the considera
pfth carha 4. H., Al
fore, TO postpone it till Monday-thc subject was
too large to be acted upon extemporaneously
Mr.. FOOTE said the Senator from South Caro-
lima had the floor; perhaps he would rather go on
Mr.. BUTLER said he was willing to say what
he had to say, to day.
Mr.. BENTON then withdrew the motion to post
pone.
Mr.. BUTLER said that he rose more for the pur
pose OF indicating the course he intended to pursue
IN relation to this matter, than from any intention
to debate the subject at length. He had his duty
to perform-they all had duties to perform-and L
was but right that they should so meet every ques-
ton in spirit of candor and calmness that the
Senate and the country might know that they were
disposed to discharge their duties He was in favor
OF full consideration OF this subject and opposed
10 any reference Of il TO a committee till every
Senator has had full and fair opportunity Of cx-
pressing his convictions ON the question: and, when
such an interchange Of opinions had taken place,
the committee would be better advised OF the senti
ments of the Senate, and make such a report az
could be acceptable as an adjustment of the diff
culties.
There was, the Senate well knew, a storm
ahead; indeed, they had already felt it's first agita-
tons.
He would solcinny say TO the majority-to those
who now had the power in Congressional it was
unwse for them to separate this question Of the ad
mission Of California from the other questions in
volving the subject Of slavery. When il once
acted upon, all control over it would be gone and
that control once parted with can never be re-
r.T.E l. liz
there mode of getting her out again and
then there was no power having control of the
matter.
He was surprised yesterday when such dispo-
sition was manifested 10 hurry California into the
Union; coming, that manifestation did, from
such an imposing source. To those who are thus
anxious he would say, that If California once
admitted, the many subjects involved in her case
are placed entirely beyond the control of Congress.
This subject should be trcated--and he was dis
posed TO treat it in calm and dispassionate man
ner-in good temper, and with an ardent desire to
what is right. He as desirous as any one to
save the Union, If that can be done with justice TO
the rights Of his constituents.
The Senator from Kentucky had said, on ycster-
day that be owed allegiance 10 the South, East,
North or West, and would recognise no allegiance
to any southern confederacy; that his allegiance
was due, first, TO the Union and next TO Kentucky
MIR. CLAY said that he did not remember havin z
used the words north, south, east and west, but
they expressed what he did say--that ne knew nei-
Their north nor south, but the whole Union
Mr.. BUTLER said that he differed from the SEN
ator from Kentucky in the order Of his allegiance
He (Mr. 3D. owed all his allegiance to South Caro-
lima, and through South Carolina to the Union. He
owed no allegiance TO the Union, save what he owed
through South Carolina.
lie did not think of dishnion; therc-were none at
the south who dreamed Of disunion ms a thing to
their advantage; on the contrary, he knew that
the people there would rejoice to- morrow II their
representatives could procure an honorable adjust
nent Of this difficult subject-not a compromise,
for they had nothing TO compromise--butan adjust
ment.
The majority, then, should weigh this subject
well before they act. There could be no compro-
mise. The South had nothing more 10 yield--no-
thing to comPfomise; and being in the minority,
and powcrlcss, they looked TO the majority to pro-
pose some terms for settlement. II he had his way
he would willingly refer this whole subject TO north
crn men, and sec what sort of a measure they
would report
lie was not prepared TO say that California would
not be admitted as State, but she could not
be admitted under present circumstance The
people Of California had framed government for
Themselves. They had, in so doing, committed an
act Of usurpation. He meant nothing offensive by
applying this term; but he used II in is strict legal
meaning. The Constitution Of the United States