The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-03-14
CONGRESS-.
THTRTY.FlRST COyCRESS-FIRST SESSION.
SENATE.
WEDNEpAY, MARCH 6, 1850.

"WEDNESDAY, MARcH 6, 1850
Mr. Turney presented the resolutions of the
Legislature of the State of Tennessee in favor of
the Union and against all infractions of the Con-
stitution.
Mr. Chase presented the petition of F. p.
Green and fifteen hundred citizens of Cincinnati,
in favor of Land Reform asking that the Public
Lands be granted in limited quantities to actual
settlers, who are landless He expressed entire
concurrence with the prayer of the memorial, and
on his motion it was referred to the Committee on
Public Lands
Mr.. Seward presented two petitions from citi-
zens of Honesdale county, Pa; one praying that
slavery might be excluded by positive law from
the Territories of the United States; the other
that the right of jury trial might be secured to
alleged fugitives from service or labor
He moved that they be received and referred to
the Committee on the Territories.
The yeas and nays were ordered and the vote
on this motion stood
YEAs--Messrs. Baldwin, Bell, Bradbury, Chase
Cooper, Corwin, Davis of Massachusetts,, Dodge of
Iowa. Dodge Of Wisconsin, Felch Hale, Jones
Norris, Pearce, Seward, Smith Sturgeon, Walker,
and Whitcomb-l9
NAYs-Me ssrs. Atchison Berrien, Borand,
Butler, Clemens, Davis of Mississippi, Dawson,
Dickinson, Downs, Hunter, King Mason, Nor
ton Pratt, Rusk, Soule, Turney, and Gulee-lS.
SO the petitions were received and referred.
BELL and Pearce, Senator's from slave States,
voted in the affirmative The only member from
free State voting nay, was Mr.. Dickinson Of
New York. While the question of slavery in
the Territories is under discussion every day in
both Houses of Congress, Mr. Dickinson votes
| against hearing the sentiments of the People on
the subject Precious Democrat
On motion of Mr.. Hunter of Virginia rjsolu-
ton was adopted, asking information of the Chief
Executive concerning any correspondence on file
In relation to the claims of American citizens for
indemnity for slaves deported by British officers
from the United States in contravention of the
the treaty Of 1883.
The correspondence Of the British Minister
with Government in relation to the reciprocity
Of trade between the two countries was taken up,
and after debate was referred to the Committee on
Commerce.
We have explained this correspondence in
another place
Mr. Walker Of Wisconsin the resolutions of
Mr.. Clay being taken up, addressed the Senate
for ab0nt two hours in an argument to prove that
slavery was prohibited in the territories acquired
from Mexico, that it was a local, municipal insi-
tuition and could not be introduced in the Terri
tories except by positive law lie was frequently
interrupted.
The subject was then laid over till twelve o'clock
next day
THURSDAY, March 7, 1850.
The Senate was crowded at On early hour. The
ladies had taken possession of the Chamber, and
the Senators were obliged to accommodate them
selves as they best could On motion of Mr.
Foote, by unanimous consent, the fair occupants
were permitted TO retain their places
Mr.. Walker, who had the floor arose and very
gracefully yielded it to Mr.. Webster, to hear
whom this vast audience had assembled. His
speech is published in full in the Era
After he had closed his remarks, Mr.. Calhoun
arose to correct some errors into which the Sena-
tor from Massachusetts, had fallen. The acqusi-
ton of Florida was the result Of an Indian war
that Of Louisiana, of the policy of securing free
egress for the produce Of the Western country
and Texas was acquired, not to extend the area
of slavery, but for the purpose Of giving security
to the inhabitants of the South or the main |
positions of Mr. Webster's speech he expressed
high appreciation. lie said
"Having made these remarks, let me say that !
took great pleasure in listening to the declarations
of the honorable Senator from Massachusetts, upon |
several points He puts himself upon the fulfill
ment Of the contract Of Congress in the resolutions
of Texas annexation, for the admission Of the four
new States provided for by those resolutions TO be
formed out Of the Territory Of Texas. All that
was manly, statesmanlike, and calculated to do
good because Just. He went further; he con-
demned, and rightfully condemned and in that he
has shown great frmness the course OF the North
relative to the stpulaions Of the Constitution for
the restoration of fugitive slaves but permit me
TO say, for ! desire to be candid on all subjects
that il the Senator, together with many friends
on this side of the Chamber, puts his confidence in
A ba uh;nh has boa, tod here fnrther IN
extend the laws Of Congress upon this subject, IL
will prove fallacious 1t is impossible TO execute
any law Of Congress until the people Of the States
shall cooperate.
heard the gentleman, with great pleasure, say
that he would not vote for the Wilmot Proviso,
for he regarded such an act unnecessary, consid-
ering that nature had already excluded slavery.
As far as the new acquisitions are concerned, am
disposed to leave them to be disposed OF AZ the
hand Of nature shall determine. II Is what al
ways have insisted upon. Leave that portion Of
the country more natural to a non-slav eholding
population TO be filled by that description OF pop
ulation and leave that portion into which slavery
would naturally 40, to be filled by slaveholding
population destroying artificial lines, though
perhaps they may be better than none. Mr.. JEFF
ferson spoke like n prophet Of the effect OF the
Missouri Compromise line. am willing TO leave
II for Nature TO settle; and to organize Govern
meuts for the Territories, giving all free scope to
enter and prepare themselves to participate in
their privileges We want, sir, nothing but JUS
tice when the gentleman says that he Is willing
TO iesve II to nature understand he Is willing To
remove ell impedimenfs, whether real or imngin.
airy. II Ii consummate folly to assert that the
Law. prohibiting slavery In California
and New Mexico is In force and have always
regarded II son
Mr.. Webster, replying briefly to some remarks
OF Mr. Calhoun, did not express any dissent from
his dogmas concerning the Mexican laws He did
refer 10 California for the first time, ~ follows