The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-06-18
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

glomeration of the bills, and declared that there
was no compromise in them. There was moth
ing of any value in the measure outside OF the
Presidents plan.
Mr.. Clay argued the question on the motion
to postpone. At proper time he would an
swer the Senator from New Jersey.
Mr.. Davis, of Mississippi, commented on some
of the Senator's statements.
Mr.. Foote said the Senator'S efforts would be
entitled to high reward from the other end OF
the avenue, if there was any thing like a sense
of merit in that quarter.
Mr.. Benton said he wished to alowall amend
ments to be offered. If any wished to offer
amendments now, he would withdraw his mo-
ton to postpone.
Mr.. Clay said he had requested the Senator
from Mo- not to move the postponement. 1T
would lead to the loss of three days Hehoped
that the Senator would now suffer the Senate
to vote on the motion to postpone.
Mr.. Yulee offered an amendment, fixing the
northern boundary liue ofTexas.
The debate was continued by Mr.. Shields and
Mr. Houston.
Mr.. Shields offered an amendment in relation
to the Texan boundary, which was rejected
yeas "a, nays %.
All the amendments offered in relation to the
Texan boundary were then rejected.
Mr. Turney moved to strike out the 39th sec
ton of the bill, making proposition to pay for
the territory of Texas.
Mr. Foote opposed the motion.
Mr.. Hale moved an adjournment at four o.
clock p. m. Agreed to. The Senate udjourn-
ed
In the House, another fruitless day was spent.
Debate on the bill to admit California having
ceased by previous resolution on the day be-
fore, the members talked the matter over under
the rule which allows five minutes for explana-
ton to any member offering an amendment
Various amendments were offered.
Mr.. Seddon offered an amendment-ln SUBJ
stance, that the Missouri compromise line shall
be extended to the Pacific ocean, "as by the past
action of the Government the benefits of that
line have been realized by the non-slaveholding
States" He contended that the North should
now give to the South reciprocal benefit; and
asked for it as from just and honorable men.
After five minutes conversation each by a
score or two of members the question was Ia.
ken on this amendment, and it was rejected
yeas 6s, nays 80.
After some further five minutes debate the
Committee rose and the House adjourned
In the Senate, on Thursday, 18th inst, the
consideration of the Compromise bill was re-
sumed
The motion pending when the Senate ad-
iourned last night was, to strike out all promo.
sitions relating to Texas.
Mr.. Webster advocated that part of the bill,
and opposed the motion to strike out
Mr.. Seward favored the motion to strike out,
tributable to this bill.
Mr.. Clay replied and defended the bill from
being the cause of the delay in the business OF
the House, and charged it on the minority.
Mr.. Foote replied to Mr. Seward, and was
very severe on him. He was called to order
several times.
Mr.. Turney advocated the motion.
Mr.. Clemens moved to fill the blank in the
bill with one million.
Mr.. Benton replied to Mr. Clay, defending
the minority, and read Mr.. Clay's speech of
February, as published in yesterdays Republic,
showing that the minority was exactly on the
same stand Mr.. Clay took there before. If
Mr. Clay lectured others, he should be without
sin himself
Mr. Clay replied that he was informed that
Benton last summer took ground in Missouri
that the admission of California was unconsti-
tutional; also referred to Benton's change of
opinion on Texas Annexation. They were as
great as his changes on this subject.
Mr. Benton read letter which he published
in March last, which refuted the charge Of hav-
ing said that the admission of California was
unconstitutional.
Mr. Clay read letter addressed by gentle
men in Missouri to member of the House, in
which it was said Benton had denounced the
admission of California unconstitutional; that
it was cowardly in the President to form a State
Government to avoid the Wilmot Proviso.-
This was his justification for what he had said.
Mr.. Benton violently denounced the letter,
and said DIR. Clay reading it had endorsed it
as his own, and was responsible. He wished
Mr.. c. had made the charge elsewhere than in
the Senate. He denounced the charge now
as Mr.. Clays-and branded it as an infamous
calumny. ..
Mr.. Clay. Irepel with scorn and indigna-
ton the calumny, and throw it back on the
Senator from Missouri with his other calum.
MES.
Mr. Benton. You may throw it back, but
you got it first
Mr. Webster called on the Chair to prevent
debate beyond the immediate question. 1t
was improper to allude to Senator's former