Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-09-20
Congress.

a+or a1eet from California and Mr.. BarnWell OF >.
C. those of Mfr. Fremont, Mr.. Barnweli remarking,
that although he had opposed the admission OF CALI
ornia as unconstitutional he had no objections to
Mr.. Fremont personally
MFR. Davis of Miss. moved reference OF the Gre
dentias to the Committee on the Judiciary He did
not believe that the constitutional requirements had
been complied with.
Mr.. Clay opposed the motion to refer, which was
Eost by a vote of SO nays, to II yeas
I Messrs Fremont and Gwinn received the oath OF
flee and took their seats. Mr.. Fremont drew the
hort term, and Mr. Gwinn the long one Fremont's
E.rm will expire on the 4th of next March Gwinn's
In the 4th March. 1855 Mr.. Fremont gave notice
Il several bills.
/ On motion of Mr.. Clay, the Senate took up the
ill for the abolition of the slave trade in the Dis
riot, Various amendments were offered and lost.
MR. Seward offered one for the abolition Of slavery in
Ehe District.
/ Mr.. Seward was severely censured by Messrs.
Mangum, Mason and Dawson Mr. Winthrop said
lie should vote against the amendment so indscreet-
" brought up by Mr.. Seward, although he believed
IN the principle. Pending further debate on the a
'mendment, the Senate adjourned.
In the House, Mr.. Bokee of N. Y, asked leave,
which was not granted, to offer resolution instruc-
ting the post-oce committee to enquire into the ex-
pedency of so altering the contract for carrying the
mail between this country and Europe as to require
steamers to call at the port of Galway, in Ireland.
The Speaker stated that the day before, an error
had been made il adding up the vote upon the bill
to supply Deficiencies in the pay and mileage of
members, &C., by which the bill appeared to be de-
feated. The correction passed the bill.
The House then took up and discussed the report
Of the select committee appointed to investigate GER
tain alleged improper payments made by Thos Ew-
ing late Secretary of the interior. Passed over
without any action.
MIR. Boyd stated that the members elect from CAL
ifornia in attendance and desired to be sworn
in. MIR. Venable opposed their admission, and moved
that their credentials be referred to the committee
on elections. The question of reference occasion
ed considerable discussion, which was not concluded
when the House adjourned
On the 18th instant, the Senate took up the bill
for abolishng the slave trade in the District Mr..
Stewards amendment abolishing slavery in the Dis
trct was pending Mr.. Seward offered to withdraw
it if it would embarrass the BILL but would offer it at
another time. Mr.. Downs objected to the withdraw
al if it to be renewed and it not withdrawn
Mr.. Clay admitted that Congress had full power
the entire subject, but argued that it would be
violation of good faith, while slavery exists in Ma
ryland and Virginia. Mr.. Seward and Mr.. Hale
spoke in favor of the abolition. A very bitter and
excited discussion arose between Mr.. Winthrop and
Messrs Davis, Butler Downs, and other Southern
Senator's in regard to the treatment of free negroes
in Southern States. Mr. Winthrop read a letter
from Captain Romlett, stating that there had been
O00 franz OIorod in,nr SOnn1 in New Orleans
800 in Savannah 500 in Charleston and 500 in Gu
ba. These statements pronounced false by
Messrs Downs, Davis, and Butler. Pending the dis
cussion, the Senate adjourned.
In the House. the question, taLon admitting
the Representatives from California to be sworn in
and decided in the affrmative-yeas 100, nays SO.
Mr. Boyd then introduced Mr.. Geo w. Wright
and Mr.. Edward Gilbert, the Representatives fol
California, and the Speaker administered to them
the usual oath to support the constitution of the Uni
ted States
A majority and minority report was received from
the Committee on Elections, in the case of John s.
Lttell whig, John S. Robbins, Jr, democrat, the
sitting member from the Fourth Congressional Dis
trict of Pennsylvania. The majority report in favor
of the sitting member the minority III favor of the
contestant. The report Of the ma orty adopted
without division.
The next business was the report of the Select
Committee on the of Thomas Ewing. late Secre-
spoke in censure of the conduct of the Secretary
Mr.. Bayly contended that the House had consti-
tutional power in the Mr.. Richardson, of Hi
nois, considered Mr.. Ewings corruption so great,
that were he still in Office, he would prefer articles
of impeachment against him. Mr.. Bayly thought
Mr. Ewing not guilty of corruption. but only mistake
of Judgment Mr.. Brown said that the purpose of
the Committee in their report to arrest the pay
ment of similar claims in future.
Mr.. Bayly concluded his argument against the
power of the House in the premises Mr. Durham
argued in favor of the power and right of the House
to make such Investigations He contended that the
action of the Secretary had been knowingly and will
fully corrupt. Mr. Richardson followed agreeing
with Mr.. Durham. Mr.. Outlaw argued in favor of
the right of the House to order Investigations in
of corruption, with view to arrest improper
ton on the part of public officer, but denied the
existence of corruption in the of the late Secre
tary of the Interior.
Mr.. Millson then obtained the foor but yielded
to motion that the House adjourn.
On the 18th the Chair laid before the Senate the
memorial of the State authorities of New Mexico,
asking admission into the Union. This was laid on
the table.
The bill to suppress the slave trade in the District
of Columbia, taken up.
Mr.. Clay expressed the hope that the vote would
be taken without further debate.
The discussion was continued by Messrs. Soule,
| Berrien, Winthrop and John Davis.
! The amendment offered by Mr.. Seward abolishing
slavery in the District was then rejected, yeas S,
nays As.
Those who voted in the affirmative, were Messrs.
| Chase of Ohio; Dodge, of Wis; Hale, of n. H.;
Seward of N. Y; and Upham, of Vermont
| The bill was reported with Mr.. Pearces amend
1aents.
| Mr. Clay hoped that the Senate would reject the
amendments They would defeat the bill.
On motion of Mr.. Dickinson, the bill was laid on
the table, and the Senate took up the House bill to
DIFF thn