The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-21
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
WEDNESDAY,, March 20, 1850.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Private petitions were presented by Messrs. CAss'
WHITcoMB, HAMLIS, and WALKER
SLAVERY AND SLAVE TRADE.
Mr. DAYTON presented a petition from citi-
of New Jersey, praying the abohtion OF slavery
and the slave trade in the District OF Columbia;
which was received and referred 70 the Coinmi''ee
ON the District of Columbia.
Mr. MASON moved TO reconsider the vote by
which the petition was referred and the motion to
reconsider was laid on the table
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
of Mr. CLAY's
COMPROMISE RESOLUTIONS
Mr. HALE resumed his remarks upon the sub
iect by stating the history Of Congressional pro-
ceedines upon the reception and reference OF petit
tons the subject of slavery TO show that the state
ment in Mr.. CALHouS's speech that both parties OF
the North had always endeavored TO and the objects
of the Aboitionists was unfounded in fact lie also
read various accounts showing the opposition man
Heated throughout all the free States from time TO
time in resisting all efforts of the Abolitionists
those efforts IN many cases. resulting IN mots ana
violence.
Mr.. DAWSON asked the Senator ifhe had not
forgotten a mob which took place in Dover, New
Hampshire, about that time, and III which GER
tain member of Congress had taken a art'
Mr. HALE said he had never heard OF that mob
A discussion had taken place there, at public
meeting, on the subject of slavery, and at that
meeting he (Mr. III had, as he Intended TO do to-
day. defended the constitutional rights Of the South
Mr.. ii. contended that there was but little aboii-
ton at the North, particularly in New Hampshire,
till the annexation of Texas He contended that
Texas was never annexed to the United States, but
the United States was annexed to Texas
He reviewed that portion of the speech of the
senator from Massachusetts, (Mr. WEBsTEa,)
wherein it is maintained that by the resolutions Of
annexation of Texas, compact was made with
Texas that four new States shall be admitted. He
considered that the resolutions OF annexation
themselves unconstitutional, and Of course there
no binding obligation on the part of any State
or body TO observe them or any compact made by
them. He read at large from extracts OF speeches
delivered by the Senator, to show that that Senator
had frequently and often declared the annexation
of Texas To be unconstitutional But he eonsid-
cred, that because the Wilmot proviso had become
troublesome and OF great annoyance TO the Presi-
dent and his Cabinet, the Senator was willing TO
abandon il and leave every thing to the laws of God
Where the laws Of God in 1913, when the
Oregon bill was before the Senate. Were they not
in operation ihcn-under the administration OF Mr.
Polk-as well as now, under the Administration of
General Taylor!
He read from letter written by Postmaster Cen
cral Kendall to the postmaster at Charleston, South
Carolina, TO show that the doctrine of obligations,
by public officers, superior to the laws, was recog
Missed in 1885, and that in extent it far exceeded
any thing expressed by the Senator from New
York, and which had been denounced much in
the Senate and out of it.
He examined the fugitive slave bill; and said he
would oppose it, because it related to slavery and
nothing else. He was opposed to any bill which,
by its provisions denied the right Of trial by jury
To any man, when the question 10 that man was
freedom slavery. II was for this right that our
fathers had fought and for this right they waged a
seven years war. Sooner than pass such tyran-
ncal bill, he would say better dissolve the Union,
better dissolve 1t now, and to-day. He hoped no
such bill would ever pass the Senate or Congress.
He was confident the people of the North agreed
with him on this point. he urged that the cause
of the present difficulties the undue alarm and
excitement created in Congress by the violent and
extravagant addresses made by southern gentle
men.
The subject then, on motion of Mr.. CHASE,
postponed till Tuesday next.
cALIFoRNIA.
The Senate then proceeded TO the consideration
OF the Presidents message and the accompanying
COPY of the constitution of California.
Mr.. HUNTER moved, and the subject was post
poned till Monday next.
THE COMPROMISE COMMITTEE
The compromise resolutions submitted by Mr.
BELL, on which there is motion pending, made
by Mr.. FooTE, to refer them TO select commit
tee of thirteen, were then taken up for consdera-
ton.
Mr.. DAYTON moved, and the subject was post
poned till Friday next.
THE CENSUS
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Massachusetts, moved, and the
Senate proceeded TO the consideration of the bill
providing for taking the seventh census. After
some verbal amendments
MIR. DICKINSON moved 10 strike out the words
Secretary OF the Interior and Department of
the Interior" wherever they in the BILL and
insert "The Census Board" After debate in
which Msssrs. DIcKISsoS. DAVIS Of Massachusett
HUsTER, SAIELDs, and BUTLER participated, the
amendment was rejected.
Mr.. DICKINSON moved 10 strike out the same
words and insert Secretary Of state;" which
amendment also rejected.
Mr.. DICKINSON then moved that the same
words be stricken out, and insert attorney Gene
rail-" which motion was also negatived.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD moved that the column in
the statistical table allotted for "beeswas and ho
ney" be stricken out, and ''manured lands be in
serted in its place; hich motion, after debate by
Messrs. MASGUa, HuSTER, USpERwooD, and Bur-
LER, was negatived.
discussion then ensued upon the provision re-
lating 10 the compensation of the marshals and
their assistants, and, without any further action,
The Senate adjourned.