Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-04-18
By Telegraph.
CONVERSATIONAL.
WASHINGTON, April 8


ton Of the morning business, the Senate proceeded
to the consideration Of the special order of the day.
being MIR. Foote'S mntion to refer the resolutions OF
Mr.. Bell TO a select committee of thirteen.
Mr.. Douglass gave notice that he would, after Mr.
Benton should conclude his Speech ask the Senate to
take up the California bill.
Mr.. Benton proceeded 10 address the Senate q,
length He said il proposed to make the ad-
mission of California part of system of measures
for the settlement Of the whole question OF slavery
agitation. He opposed tlis mixture of sub
jecs having no anities; and was in favor OF giving
the admission of California seperate consideration,
and decision upon its merits. She was a
State, and should not be mixed up with anything be-
low the dignity Of State. She had washed her
hands of slavery at home, and should not be mixed
up with it abrrHd
He (Mr. b. was opposed to mixing the question
of the admission of California with all the questions
which slavery agitation had produced, and making
one general settlement Of the WHOLE in the nature of
compact of compromise. The subjects are
LIST. The creation of Territorial Governments in
New Mexico and the remaining part of California.
I'd. The creation of a State in Texas, and the
reduction Of her boundaries; the settlement of her
dispute with New Mexico: and the cession of her
surplus territory to the United States.
Sd. The recapture Of fugitive slaves.
4lh. The suppression of the slave trade in the
District of Columbia.
9th. The abolition Of the slave trade in the slave
States; and,
6h The abolition of slavery in the United States,
and the non-enumerated catalogue Of oppression and
encroachments upon the South.
This the list of subjects; and he was against
the mixture. for applied to the whole, in the
lump. and to each seperaie ingredient.
California, he said, had the right to be treated
other States have been when asking admission into
the Union; none Of which subjected to the in
dignity of having their application coupled with the
addition Of Inferior and foreign questions
The question of territorial government brought up
the Wilmot provso the principles involved had al
ready been settled by California herself for the pur
pose of removing all impediments 10 her admission
to make her admission dependent precedent settle
ment with respect to two neighboring Territories.
The Proviso involved the controverted constitution
nlity, and therefore should be mixed up with
subject, clearly, beyond doubt, constitutional.
He was ready TO vote for governments to the Ter
rtores and believed that slavery was extinct in New
Mexico and California, and cannot be revived any
part of either, without positive enactmens.
He was ready to vote them governments without
any provision the subject of slavery, but mix
the question. He was ready TO vote upon the Tex.
question: and to vote upon the proposition for the
re-capture Of fugitive slaves but not to tie them to
proposition for q new State. California had moth
ing to do with these questions--no interest
necton with them. For sixty years the question oil
Slavery in the District of Columbia, and slavery in
the States has remained untouched therefore, there
for the agitation and fedrs professed
in the Slave States. He desired to do with all these
questions Congress had done for sixty years-le,
them alone. The fact that the slave market is az
good and better now than sixty years ago, was an
evidence that there is danger to the rights of the
slave States Not only was there no danger, but he
argued that Congress had, by the act of Northern
men, added slave territory and this shows its dispo
sion to build up instead of defeating the slave hold
ing interest.
Il Mr.. Benton commenced upon the anomalous con
dition of California, and urged the strong necessity
for her immediate relief, and closed with an elO
quent alusion to the destiny of the country tia,
Pacific.
Mr.. Clay submitted few rems rks in relation 4
his proposition the California question. He salt
the only difference between his views and Mr.. Ben
toms was, that he believed California would be mos
speedily admitted by combination with other meas
ures, while the Senator from Missouri believed tn
admission of California would be successful as
independent measure. MIR. Clay disapproved hearti
ly of the combination of the minority. He il
: favor Of meeting argument with reason. and wheI
, , he found himself in the minority to submit. He de
MED that California State; she never could b
such until she received the seal and sanction of Con
gress, who might, tomorrow. act her into terrific
ry. The proposition now pending. was to settle th
) questions in controversy, by compromise. He wa
: in favor of an honorable adjustment, especis H.
E among our brethren, where if we concede anythin
. il is to our own counrymen.
3 Mr.. Benton rejoined contending that the admi:
sion of Missouri provided for in joint resolu
tion.
Mr.. Foote remarked that his motion to refer III
a the subject involved to a committee who should rs
!. port by bill otherwise, without distinctions
connect Two or more subjects in one.
: WASHINGTON. April l0th
n SENATE-Mr. Hale presented from thirty to fort
d petitions against the extension of slavery. &c.
M Il. N l. l.
= all such petitions to he Secretary without Stain
g their contents. thereby saving time. The motioI
, however, was not insisted upon.
Mr. Clay called the attention of the Senate to th
fact that these petitions printed alike, and
b, said il was concerted plan among aboonists, an
designed to produce imposition on the public sent
d ment.
}. The Chair suggested that the petitions have a
IS ready been passed upon.
e Mr.. Clay warned the senate and the countI
IS against incendiary petitions and said that Mr.. Ha
i mounting the Negro, not the horse. to ride in
v power.
e At the conclusion of Mr.. Claws remarks, the "a
e lery and other parts Of the Senate Chamber man
Tested their applause by capping Of hands. whic
was, however, suppressed.
:. Mr.. Hale replied.
: Mr.. Rusk in few remarks, partly concurred in
= that MIR. Clay had said on the subject.
After further discussion, Mr. Clay moved the reje
ton of the petition offered yesterday by Senator Se'
- ard, which carried.
The Senate then took up the Census bill, upon whi
it was occupied until adjournment.
HoUsE.-After the usual routine business
i Mr.. McLane excused from serving on the Cor
9 mittee which is investigate the charges again
: the Secretary Of War in reference to the Gaph
~ Claim.
al The Chair was authorized to fiI the vacancy.
50 The resolution granting pensions to the widows a
orphans Of soldiers who had died Of disease
70 while in the service of the United States. tax
D up and ordered to the third reading.
On motion reconsider, warm and confus
eo dehafe anrunp m and the molion WAS finally laid