The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-28
1F WASHINGTON THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY Is, 1850


from Louisiana would that his resolution was one
OF inquiry merely into the expediency Of removing those
tobslructions Besides il imperative upon the gov
eminent TO have the streams navgabe, and to make them
80 when obslrncted by the order of the government
These distractions were created during the invasion OF
New Orleans, by Gen Jackson who caused them to be
placed there 70 prevent the British from approaching
| the city. And now are we to be deprived OF all
the advantages of the navigation Of the strea because
the obstructons have remained for years. and per-
chance Il may inure some who are there now' II may
nave he effect OF relieving the city OF New Orleans from
the dangers of inundation by carrying off the surplus
waters that have been OF so much injury to that noble
city Other outlets Of the Mississippi may have to
be opened, IN order to carry off the surplus water, and
save that fine city from inuadaon and ultimate ruin and
also TO improve agriculture
He lMr X asked for nothing but that the Committee
on Commerce would take the subject under consideTa
ton. and inquire calmly, deliberately and extensively
possbe and hear all that the senator from Louisiana
have 2 and i they found i % would b
IL he had no disposition TO do anything or have any
thing done to injure The city Of New Orleans, but Re
her He trusted that there would be no objection to hav
the subject go 70 the committee, and that they would
inquire into the matter
| The resolution was then adopted.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr.. BRIGHT, in pursuance of notice, asked and OBJ
tanned leave to bring in bill to reduce the price Of the
public lands in the Great Miami reservation in the State
OF Indiana, and bill directing the sale OF marsh lands
in the counties Of Jay and Adams in the State of Ind
ana; which were read first and second lme by unan
Lands.
Mr.. DOUGLAS gave notice Of his intention to ask
leave g Introduce bill to reduce and define the limits Of
the military reservation at the mouth OF the St Peters,
the Territory OF Minnesota and to the rights of
the actual settlers thereon
MR. CLAYs CoMPRoMIsE-sLAyERY
On motion by Mr. BENTON, the Senate resumed the
consideration OF the resolutions submitted by Mr. CLAY,
in relation to the adjustment Of the questions in
yersy between the States Of the Unon arising out Of the
Mr.. BENTON. Mr. President: II has been affirmed
and denied on this floor that slavery was abolished in
and propose to read passages from Mexican
law for the purpose OF supporting my opinion In do
ing this, shall have recourse 70 authentic law publica,
tons in Mexico and shall produce the laws which
rely, both in the original language and in English
translation. ! begin with the decree Of the President
ed in the city Of Mexico the year 1885, and which is
the eleventh volume OF the laws of Mexico, officially
published under the orders Of the supreme government
will read the title page TO show its auhentic and off,
cial character. Thisisit:
"Recopacion de eyes, decretos. bandos, regamenios
crcnares proydencas de los supremos goderes otras
laga."
In English this title reads thus:
sCollectoa ofaws, decrees procarnations regulations
circulars and official orders OF the supreme powers and
other authorities OF the Mexican republic made by order
Of the supreme government BY the lawyer Baso Jose
Arrilaga." AM
From this title il will be seen that this volume, from
which propose to read the decree Of 1929 is not only
authentic and official, but that ii is the work of law
yer acting under the orders OF the supreme government
and supposed to know what were and what were not
he laws Of q ms hs cognIy WIN .1s exposition o. me
read the decree II stands thus page 2l3 under the
month Of September, 1929:
"Dia Decrsto del gobisso virtsd de faesitade
"Aboiiefon de- Ia esciavfsd sn Ia rspGblca Queda
saene lbss los que hassa hoy 50 haban 90.
mo esclavos. Cuando las crcumstancias del earo 10
los termos que dlspusieren las eyes (Se crculo e mis-
da secre,aria de relaciones pubico en- BAN
liz EsaLsm, "Day is Decree Of the goprnenf IN mir
tIs Of .rtraordinary poicus J.,
shed in the republic. Consequently those Tree who,
uni now, have been considered slaves. When the
slaves shall be indemned manner by the
sws sc@ss.d tas ;s"s q M day from @ y Dpa,s
This is the decree OF Guerrero, the validity of which
has been disputed and not without reason, II nothing
further had been done. II was decree, and not law
and decree upon Legislative subject II
utve decree upon matter OF legislation. and its validity
was questioned at the time. Two years afterwards.
that s 70 say in the year 1881 the General Congress
dent Guerrero, in virtue o the extraordinary powers con-
ferred upon him, and the 18th OF February OF that
year passed law in relation to them This law classi
fed the whole Of these acts annaed some classes con-
rmed others, and reserved for the future revision
of the General Congress- This latter class appears 10
have comprehended the decree Of the 18th September
1899. in relation TO the abolition Of slavery and In
these words:
80 Todas las leyes, decretos regamentos, ordenes
vdencias que vrtud de las ctsdas acutades
ordinaras expidi6 e goberno, del del Poder
legislative, ujetan Ia calcacion del Congreso Gcner
al quedsndo desde ahora sin vaor hasa su revision por
las camaras."-p 30
IN Eagi. 90 All the laws decrees regulations, ORDERS
and instructions, issued by the In virtue OF its
powers which Of legislative cogni
zance, will be subject 70 the Of the & osnsl ,
Congress- remaining from this time without force until their
by the chambers"
This act is cautiously drawn. II does not annu the de-
cree OF the 18th Of September II does not confirm II
admits its validity up that tme but suspends It until
the General Congress should act upon It This action
took pace-took place in April, ls37-and will now
read the act which then passed II is in the same
authentic collection of the laws of Mexico--Arraga's
colleciionrom which have already read and is vol
ume thirteenth Of that collection At page 270 OF this
volume, under date OF April 5th 1897 we find this act OF
the General Congress:
"Dia Qaeda aboda Ia esciavifsd en- Ia spuoiiea san
ercepciou aigspa"
81 Qneda abolda sin exception aguna Ia esclayitud en-
po presente ley, por el deceto de Is de See-
de l5z9 (Rseopacion de Sses, 2S) seran indem
nizados dci de eos Ia caca-
con que haga de csdades pesonaes cuyo efcc'o
noInbraIa un peo por Ell comisario general quien
haga Ell dueno caso de discordia
un ercero que nombraa e acsde constitutional respec.
que pueda nerponerse recourse agnno de esta de-
tcmnacion La ndennzscion de que haba este articulo
tenda uga especo de los de Texas que hayan
tornado pare la evolucion de aque departamlento (S
ceno en- ismo dia por 81 nrissrio del i~foio % psb-
In EseLsH, '.Das slavery abolished IL tas repsbie
al Slavery l. aboli she'd without any exception in the
whole public The OF slaves manumited by
the decree OF the 18th OF Sepcmber
1929, tRecopacion Of that month, zlsl shall be ndem-
niHed for their value (ds sos) according the
sl, mi qualities