The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-23
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
WEDNESDAY,, May %, 1850.
SENATE.


Private petitions presented by the VICE
PRESIDENT, Messrs SEWARD, WEBSTER, and
SHIELDS.
Mr.. SOULE presented the joint resolutions of the
Legislature of Louisiana in favor of photographic
cal survey of the delta of the Mississippi by the
typographical bureau, and grant to the State of
Louisiana of all the public lands within her limits.
He moved the reference of these resolutions to the
Committee on Finance, with instructions toinquire
into the expediency of providing such means as
may enable the Typographical corps of engineers
to supply sufficient force to enable them to effect
with the least possible delay thorough survey of
the delta of the Mississippi, and to report the same
to the Senate.
MAJOR TocHMAN
The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a
communication from the Secretary of State in re-
Spouse to resolution of the Senate calling for in
formation respecting the memorial of Major Toch-
man, concerning the conduct of Mr.. de Bodsco, and
his interference in the Kosciusco case. Ordered to
be printed.
CALIFORNIA AND NEW MEXICO.
message received from the President in
response to resolution of the Senate calling for
copies OF all instructions, orders, and correspond
ence between the Government and the military au-
thorities of California and New Mexico. Laid on
the table
THE BARK "coRNwALLIs."
MIR. SOULE moved, and the Senate proceeded to
the consideration of the bill from the House, lying
on the Presidents table, granting register to the
English built bark "Cornwallis;' and the bill was
read three times, by unanimous eonsent, and
passed.
THE INVASION cUsA.
Mr.. YULEE said that he had intended to move
TO take up to-day the resolution calling for informa-
ton respecting the naval armament sent TO Cuba;
but the Senator from Tennessee was anxious TO
dispose of the patent bill, he would allow it to lie
over till to- morrow.
THE PATENT LAWS.
The bill to amend the act to promote the progress
OF the useful arts was taken up.
MIR. NORRIS moved TO amend the BILL by strk-
ing out the 4th, 9th, 7th, Sh and 9th sections of the
Messrs. NORRIS and HALE supported the mo-
ton, and Mr.. TURNEY opposed Il. Pending the
question, the bill was postponed
THE SPECIAL ORDER.
The Senate then proceeded TO the consideration
Of the special ORDER being the bill for the admission
Of California as State into the Union 10 provide
territorial governments for Utah and New Mexi-
co; and making proposals 10 Texas for the settle
ment OF her northern and western boundaries.
Mr.. UPHAM read the article in the constitution
OF the State Of Vermont commented upon yester-
day by the Senator from Louisiana (Mr. SoULE)
as authorizing system Of servitude greatly
sembiing the institution OF peonage in force in
Mexico. Mr.. U. explained the force and meaning
of the article as not justifying. authorizing
cognising any thing Of the kind.
Mr.. SOULE replied. disclaiming any intention
to reflect upon the laws Of Vermont.
The question pending upon motion by MIR.
DAVIS, of Mississippi, TO amend the following por-
ton Of the tenth section of the bil-"That the lie.
gislative power Of said Territory (Utah) shall
tend 70 all rghtful subjects Of legislation, consist
ent with the Constitution Of the United States and
the provisions Of this act but law shall be passed
interfering with the primary disposal Of the soil,
nor IN respect 10 African slavery" &c.-by adding
| thereto
Provided, That nothing contained in this section
shall be 20 construed 20 prevent the territorial
legislature from passing such police or other laws,
or providing such remedies as may protect the
owners OF African slaves in said Territory, who
may remove to said Territory, in the enjoyment Of
such rights as they may possess under the Consti-
tuition and laws Of the United States.
Mr.. PRATT said that he held in his hand
amendment which he believed generally
ccptable 10 the friends Of the bill. II substi
tute for the amendment Of the Senator from Mis-
sissippi The amendment was 10 strike out the
words Gin respect to-" and insert in beu thereof
the words "to introduce exclude;" and 70 insert
| after the word slavery" the following:
Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be
construed TO prevent said territorial legislature
passing such laws may be necessary for the pro
lection Of the rights Of property Of any kind which
may have been or may be hereafter lawfully intro
duced into said territory.
! Mr.. DAVIS, Of Mississippi, said that he would
accept the amendment, because II contained exact
ly the substance Of his own amendment. That
amendment had been greatly misunderstood.
| Mr.. DOWNS addressed the Senate in reply TO
the objections urged against the words in the tenth
scction-"nor in respect 10 African slavery" He
/ urged that those words secured every thing that
the South were rejoccd TO take in the Clay ton COM
promise bill. He thought that those words alb.
soutcly necessary 10 restrain the territorial egisa
ture from passing any Law excluding slavery. He
would very readily vote for the amendment Of the
Senator from Maryland. The bill required many
amendments before he could vote for IL, but he de-
sired tossy that he thought IL unjust denounce the
bill in advance, and before opportunities given
TO change its provisions. He replied 20 the objec-
tons urged against IL because OF the language of
the report accompanying the bill The bill should
\ be examined for itself He had heard il said that
| this bill compromise, that the South gained
nothing by IL. lie thought the South gained much
by the bill II IL gained all IL asked il would be
| compromise. He would move, at the proper time
10 amend il by restricting the limits Of California;
such an amendment he thought necessary and Just;
| but even If that were not amended, he saw much
| in the bill 10 recommend IL TO him. California had
| been Lost by the rejection Of the Clayton compro-
| mise. This bill extended the principle Of non in
| reference TO the Territories, which there was
good TO suppose we're susceptible Of slave la
Dor. He thought this was great thing which the
South was given by this bill.
His colleague had found fault with the action Of
| the committee in respect 10 the amendments re-
ported 10 the fugitive slave bills He then exam.
ined those sections, and said they were wholly I'M
Objectionable 70 him. and should be 30 10 the whole
| South. AZ the best commentary them, IL his
colleague would move, when that bill comes up, 10
strike out those sections he would find that the SEN
stor from New York (Mr. SgwARD) and some
others OF that kind would vote with him.
He asked southern men who declared their oppo-