Washington telegraph., 1850-05-08

opposed to capital punishment, and, if called upo
to pass sentence of death, he would prefer re
| signing to executing the duty. The Senator'S liz
| would be safe, matter whether tried for hi
| conduct here elsewhere.
The chair here called The Senator to order, an
continued firmly 10 resist any attempt at person
! aIities.
Mr.. Borland resumed in order, and declared
himself entirely Indifferent to Mr.. Benton's praise
| or censure.
Mr.. Benton replied if the Senator repeat the
expression alluded to. he would commit breach
OF the rule which forbids personal reflections, ano
would say thing in itself untrue (Cries o
"order," amid which Mr. Benton took his seat)
Mr. Clay said he had no present intention Of
replying to the parliamentary argument Of the
Senator from Missouri.
Mr.. Benton's motion was then laid on the table.
HOUSE After considerable discussion of the
various amendments, Mr.. Richardson's resolution
OF inquiry was adopted.
April 23
SENArE.-Mr. Webster gave notice that after
next week he would take the earliest opportunity.
without interfering with the California bill, to move
the Senate to take up his resolution in relation to
giving portion Of land to actual settlers.
HoUsE-The committee to investigate charges
against Mr.. Ewing was announced, viz. Messrs
Richardson, Vnton, Brown, of Miss, Rockwell,
Hall, Evans, of Nd, Ross, Aston, and Durham.
Mr.. Evans, of Nd, asked leave to introduce a
resolution which he had read yesterday, for a
committee to inquire into the defalcation of Dem
by, Collins, Whtmore, and others under the late
Administration. He remarked that the Demo-
Gratis, yesterday said they would pass it.
Mr.. Cobb objected.
April 25.
SENATE.--Numerous petitions were presented
and referred.
HOUSE Mr. Stanly asked leave to offer reso-
lution that a select committee be appointed to
Investigate the charges against Thomas Ewing,
aud inquire which OF the clerks appointed by him
corresponded for newspapers; also, what persons
hoiding Office under the last administration as
CLERKS heads of bureaus, commissioners, or asSis-
tant post-masters general, wrote for or edited
misrepresentation cOmpensations and salaries
who wrote "Bundecund Essays" and what Office
he held Whether during the canvass for the Presl-
dcncy, any Of them absented themselves from their
various Offices to make electioneering speeches,
and were called to subscribe money to operate
against Gen. Taylor.
Johnson, of Arkansas, said, ~ object to such
trash"
Stanly said that the objection came with good
grace from party which seemed anxious for all
investigation. If it was trash it would be proper
material for the consideration of the gentleman
fiom Arkansas and suitable material for his aP-
probation.
Kaufman said, "Is not this the same resolution
offered on Monday, and to which Mr.. Toombs
objected?'
;StanIy said, "No, sir, it is not the same"
Some confusion ensued and the Speaker knock
ed loudly to suppress it.
The House took up the resolution declaring that
the term or honorable discharge in the acts giving
extra pay and bounty land 10 those who served in
the Mexican war shall mean any discharge except
for denquences of duty. Referred to the COM
mittee of the whole on the state Of the Union.
Stanly, of Tenn from the naval committee,
said that three memorials OH the subject OF the
expedition to search for Sir John Franklin had
been referred to them, and he wished to report
joint resolution authorizing the President to accept
and attach to the navy the two vessels built by
Henry Grinnell to proceed to the Artc Ocean in
sea rch of Sir John Franklin and his companions.
johnson, of Arkansas, objected
Bavy moved to refer the resolution TO the COM
mittee of ways and means
The Speaker said the resolution had not yet
been and would now be. 1t authorizes the Presi-
dent TO receive the vessels and detail from the
navy such commissioned and warrant officers and
seamen as may be necessary and willing TO engage
in the expedition, and supply them with suitable
i -tons for not exceeding three years, aud give
the use Of all the necessary instruments that can
be spared from the navy. The officers and men
in all respects to be under the laws OF the navy
unit: their return, when the vessels shall be de-
livered to Mr.. Grinnell.
FUGITIVE SLAVES. - The New York
Journal of Commerce, thus argues the
fugitive slave question on scripture author
itv. We wish some of those blind faLa-
tics of the North, with their mouths full
of religion, but with but little of it in
their hearts, would study their bible on
the subject more than they do at present:
The necessity of surrenderiDg fugitive
slaves we regret, but cannot avoid. What
ever the Constitution requires OF us III
that matter we will perform. unless we
shall become convinced-Which we are
not at present-that it is clearly contrary
70 the law of God. On this point we
cannot overlook the facts that when
Onesimus. the slave of Philemon, ran
away from his master, and fled to Rome,
where he was converted under the in
structions of Paul. then prisoner, the
latter did not smuggle him off by the un-
derground railroad, nor conceal him in
some garret or cellar of the metropolis.
but sent him back to his master, with
most courteous, affectionate and christian
letter 'beseeching' Philemon to set Onesi-
mus at liberty; but a: the same time pro-
missing. under his own signature, to pay
him whatever might be due by Onesimus.
whether including service or not does
not distinctly appear from the record)
and to indemnify him for any wrong
which the latter might have committed.
Our own views in reference to this matter
are just like Pauls, as expressed i'll his
letter to Philemon. If a slave should
escape to us from his master, we would
use our best endeavors to secure his free
dom-not by violating the rights of pro-
perty as recognised by law, nor by getting
,,,, or oountonon,.inu a rnoh hut Inv friend