The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-04-25
TO BE Continued
CONGRESS-.
THIRTY.FIRST CONGRESS- FIRST SESSION.
SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, Arm II, 1850.

| WEDNESDAY, APRIL ~, loOO
Compromise Commitee--A Suggle-A F}GcdS
A great many anti-slavery petitions were pre-
scented by Messrs. Hale, Seward, and Hamlin, ant
ordered to lie upon the table. Amer the despatch
of the morning business the Senate took up tn,
special order, being the motion Of the Senator
from Mississippi to refer the resolutions o.
Messrs Bell and Clay to select committee o.
thirteen. To this motion, when the Senate ad
journed last Thursday, the following amendment
was pending;
Prorided, That nothing in this reference shall
be 80 construed as TO assert or imply the exist
ence of any power whatever in Congress for the
abolition by Congress Of slavery within the
States nor to authorize the suppression by Con-
| gress of the slave trade between the States; nor
| that Congress ought to abolish slavery In the
forts arsenals, dock yards, and navy yards of the
United States nor that Congress ought to abol-
ish slavery in the District of Columbia.
{This amendment Was modification proposed
by Mr.. Clay and accepted by Mr. Benton Mean
time, Mr. Clay, having had time to think the mat
ter over, concluded to back out from his modifca-
ton of Mr. Benton's amendment, and extricate
the motion of Mr. Foote from embarrassment
The reader will have observed that Mr.. Clay
has abandoned the position which secured him
temporary sympathy at the North, and has re-
sumed his natural place. at the head ofthe slave
holding delegation
Mr.. Clay moved to amend the amendment by
striking out all after the words Pr0pided, That
and inserting "the Senate does not deem II ne
cessary to express in advance any opinion, or to
give any instructions, either general or specific,
for the guidance of the committee"
Mr. Clay, in submitting bis amendment, said
that he deemed the amendment Of the Senator
from Missouri entirely unnecessary.
Mr. Benton I accepted the modification pro-
posed by the Senator from Kentucky In spirit
of comprehensive amendment 10 really his
own-and now he proposes TO rub II all out
Why, sir, / will withdraw the amendment, and
fall back on my original one.
Being Withdrawn, the amendment Of Mr.. Clay
went with IT,
Mr. Benton then renewed his original amend
mept 10 withhold from the consideration Of the
committee the abolition Of slavery in the States,
the suppression Of the inter State slave trade the
abolition OF slavery within the forts dock yards,
and arsenas Of the United States the abolition of
slavery in the District Of Columbia, and every
subject not specially referred to 1t.
Mr. Clay renewed his amendment as subsi
tute.
Mr. Benton thought the proposed amendment
amendment being TO make resolution or propo-
sition better, but this was an attempt to battle
the design Of his amendment altogether. lie
said that the great object was speedy action.
They had but three days and q half this week.
In that time, If they would take up tho Califor-
MIA bill, they could dispose Of II. But send the
subject 10 this compromise committee, and there
would be delay Of two weeks or more. The
committee would report perhaps In few days
but their report would not be taken up in the alb
sence of the six Senators who, by order of the
Senate, were TO wait upon the remains Of Mr..
Calhoun TO South Carolina--and they would be
absent one or two weeks
Mr.. Benton, for the purpose Of reaching the
California bill at once, moved TO lay the subject
OF appointing a committee on the table, but with
drew IL ut the instance Of Mr. Clay, who proceed
ed to urge the appointment Of the committee.
lie charged on Mr.. Benton and those who with
him opposed the committee the responsibility Of
delayi action on California. Let them submit
and they could all then 60 TO work.
Mr. Benton. ! propose the point Of my objec-
ton, II there be any point in II, to his specious
amendment. My objection TO It Is, that II Is an
independent resolve to govern the conduct OF the
Senate. IL has nothing to do with the business
which Is included In the motion But the Sena-
tor from entucky makes proposition, or renews
one made yesterday. Il Is nothing more nor less
than that q jury should 20 out with the case, and
after the Jury has gone out with II, the counsel
and advooates may proceed to argue II. We have
been sufficiently advertised Of the fact that that
Jury Is 10 consist OF the distinguished and leading
members Of the Senate These distinguished and
leading gentlemen will 90 out, and while they are
delibersting, why, the remAinder--thoss perhaps
who would necessarily fall into the category Of led
msmbsrs-mAy be amusing themselves with dis
cussing the subject and presenting their views
and whenever the jury Of thirteen shall have made
up their verdict, they will come in, and whoever
may happen 70 be upon his feet at the moment
win have to take his seat, and will be cut of OK.
actly where he stood the delivery Of the verdict