The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-06-11
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
WAsuINGroN, June 3, 1850.

SENATE.-A message was received rom tle
President of the United States in compliance
with the resolution of the Senate inquiring in
relation to the recent expedition against Cuba,
transmitting reports from the several heads of
Departments, containing all the information in
possession of the Executive relative to the sub
iect, and stating that no information has been
received establishing the existence of any revo-
lutionary in the island Of Cuba among
the inhabitants of that Island. The CORES
pondence discloses the fact that repeated at
tempts have been made under the direction of
foreigners enjoying the hospitality of this coun:
try, to get up armed expeditions in the United
States for the purpose of invading Cuba, and
shows that the Government has been faithful in
the discharge of its treaty obligations with Spain
and in the execution of the acts of Congress.
The message was read and orderod to lie on
the table.
Mr.. Seward presented the proceedings ofa
meeting of citizens ofSyracuse, New York.
The first resolution condemns the loss of
time in the action of Congress, which the meet
ing considers rs having resulted from the et-
forts of the shareholders in the South to give
unreasonable and unjust preponderance to the
interests of their local institutions
The second resolution declares that in the
opinion of the meeting, and, as they believe, in
the accordance with the universal and unani-
nous sentiment of New York, California is ell
titled to admission into the Union with her
present condition, without restriction or limlta-
ton, and without reference to any other ques-
ton now before Congress.
The third asserts the constitutional power Of
Congress to prohibit slavery in the Territories
ofthe United States, and protests against the
passage of any law for the establishment of
Territorial Governments in New Mexico and
Utah which shall not contain the Wilmot Pro.
viso.
The fourth protests against the passage Of
any law for the apprehension and surrender OF
fugitives from labor or service which shall not
recognise the right of the writ of habeas corpus
and of trial by Jury in the State and in the coun-
ty in which the claim is attempted to be ell
forced.
The fifth asserts that it is the duty Of Con.
gress to pass laws providing for the security of
all persons, inhabitants of free States, whose
business or inclination leads them temporarily
into any Of the slaveholding States.
The sixth protests against any legislation in
Congress by which the continuance Of slavery
in the the District Of Columbia, beyond the
time when it's abolition may be demanded by
public opinion, or become necessary or expe.
dient in the Judgment of Congress itself, shall
be effected, or by which such abolition may be
made to depend on the assent of any adjoining
State, and expresses desire for the removal
slavery altogether from the national capital.
The seventh expresses anxiety and alarm at
the attempt to induce Congress to assent to
eompacts and compromises tending to compel
or restrain the action offuture Congresses.
The eighth declares that if the Constitution
was formed upon the plan of compromises to
feeling and opinions then existing, it by no
means follows that the system of compromise
should be perpetual until the end of time.
Mr.. Webster, by unanimous consent, asked
and obtained leave to introduce bill amenda-
tory of an act respecting fugitives from justice,
and persons escaping from their masters, ap-
proved 18th July, 1893; which was read and
ordered to be printed.
On introducing the bill, Mr.. Webster remark.
ed that at an early period of the session. he turn
ed his attention to the subject of preparing
bill in respect to the reclamng offugitive slaves,
or preparing some amendments to the existing
law on that subject He conferred with many
eminent members of the legal profession, and
especially with high judicial authority who
had more to do with questions of this kind, he
supposed than any other judge in the Uni
ted States After these consultations and con-
ferences, he prepared bill amendatory of the
act of 1893, intending, when the proper time
came to lay it before the Senate for considera-
ton. He now desired to present It to the SEN
ate, as it was prepared some in February last:
He moved to lay it on the table, as it seemed
to be now altogether uncalled for.
The bill was as follows:
A BILL amendatory of An act respecting fu.
gitives from justice, and persons escaping
from the service of their masters" approved
February 18th. 1893.
Be IL enacted by The Senate and House o Re-
presentatiues ofthe United States Of America in
Congress assembled, That the provisions of the
said act shall extend to the Territories of the
United States; and that the commissioners who
now are, or who may hereafter be appointed by
the Circuit Courts of the United States, or the
District Courts, where Circuit Courts are not
established, or by the Territorial Courts of the
United States, all of which courts are author
lied and required to appoint one or more com