The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-05
In CONGRESS- OF THE u. STATES,
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 8. 1880.
I'm CONTINUATION.

L
SENATE.
| Mr.. PEARCE. Mr. President suppose If in
order offer amendment the original bill before the
question is taken the substitute
The PRESIDENT The question is upon the amend
ment offered by the senator from Mississippi.
Mr.. PEARCE. That is substitute for the original
bill Will not be in order TO amend the original bill
The PRESIDENT. 1t will be in order to amend the
Mr.. PEARCE. Mr. President, then move the
amendment Of which gave notice the other day have
modified my amendment, and part of il in manuscript
The amendment was read by the Secretary as follows
Add al the end of lhe bill the following
And be further enacted, That said corporations and
the said levy respectively shall be- and they hereby
groes reside within their respective ims
and to remove theretrom all FREQ negroes residing
with the laws and mads be made touch
ing such residence or the prohibition thereof and TO
force such removal or piance with such ordinances
by line and Imprisonment at labor either at their dis
sEo.. And be it further enacted, That il any free per
persons within the District of Columbia shall inve
or induce any slave O. nves 10 un 1 away om hs
her. or their owner or lawful shall
or escaping from the lawful possesso such
slave or slaves shall harbo slave slaves with the
intent assis him, her, them escape from
of such possessor person persons
shall be liable Indictment in the criminal court Of the
iesson otherwise, shalt be imprisoned il the penent
a'y not more hsp sn = nor ] e aa e,sS IN
slave or slaves 60 induced persuaded, or inced 70 run
away, or assisted IN running harbored with the
intent to assist HIM. her, Them, running away,
Gaping from service shall actually away and
aforesaid ofsuch enlcine. persuadng assist
harbormg shall also be sentenced by the said
Of the same, be and by the said
court 10 be recovered by execution in OF other
judgments.
Mr.. P. Mr.. President, | wish to explain the ef.
feet OF these amendments The first amendment have
offered at the instance of the corporate authorities of
Washington lis object is to restrain the free negroes of
the This dROrderV. and rublesOme
ton Of the popuatio is constantly increasing by fresh
supplies from other Sates and appears proper to devise
negroes in this District have increased since the last
census from between four and five thousand 10 between
eight and nine thousand The free labor Of the States is
driving out this portion OF the population, and they
in consequence OF this, becoming more and depre
datos the peace of the communy and the corporate
authorities desire have adopted such regulations
Ia force in Maryland They desire to have such regula
tons, and the power TO enforce them. This is plainly
the objec, of the first amendment and think have
planned that proposition sufficiently.
The other amendments for the purpose OF guaran-
teeDg 10 the citizens and residents of the District the
CURLY OF their property and to provide adequate means
for the punishment OF those no attempt 10 carry oil
slaves to endeavor induce them TO leave their masters.
We know, sir that systematic efforts are making to carry
off the slaves OF the residents OF the District and OF gen.
uemen who temporarily sojouraing here An instance
OF this kind occurred but recently. These individuals
seem TO be acluated either by sort of false enthusiasm
they have combined and determined violate the law by
force TO carry out their purposes We have that
have threatened and over again. to and them in
carrying out their nearious purposes Such being the
case SIR, II IS the duty OF this government to apply
remedy, and put an end il. IL seems to me that It
Senate to make some provision having this object in view
do not know who doubt that il is the duty of this
government 10 provide remedy for these evils, for
the Senate any further Every body will the propriey
OF the provision; and / cannot for the life Of me,
how ii can be inconsistent with the bill; ! should be
very reluctant 10 vote for the bl unless some such
| amendments as these adopted
Mr.. CLAY. Mr.. President several OF the objects sug
gested by the honorable senator from Maryland may be-
and doubt not are, very proper for consideration II
| he had introduced them separate bills II he will
bring in separate bill to accomplish these Objects far
as can cooperate III Ills passage Will cheerluy do
if il be in proper form but do hope that with this
bill, which has the simple and single object OF abolish
ing the slave trade IN the District OF Columbia we shall not
be called upon 10 pass code for the coored popu
laon OF this District, free and bond Here Is question
which will suggest itself in relation 10 OF the amend
ments the senator has off red Our colored population
has increased and is increasing, and il becomes grave
and serious question what shall do with them. II we
send them out of the District where shall they go This
is subject which requires much consideration
Another proposition OF the senator in regard TO the
enticing OF slaves away from their will go
far as any one to punish by suitable laws those who Try
TO ence away slaves but the punishment prescribed in
the amendment think, is rather too The act OF
persuading negro away from his master may in many
cases be very reprehensbe but in of children born
In slavery where their parents persuade them 10
away, would punish, but the punishment should be
moderate In of of these aboliiionists who
ana cnneaVOfs 10 enuCe away
slaves, would have the punishment severe.
But sir, what intended TO say was IN reference to the
amendment offered by the senator from Mississippi, and
might make nearly the remarks respecting ha, Of
the senator from Maryland The subject relating to the
abduction OF negroes may perhaps reqpir. legislation
and If bill is introduced, will look into il but
not be satisfied have ii introduced when have
gle object before al this time. The question is wheth
at this late period OF the session, shall embrace
other and various subjects in this bill hope such will
not be the shall not dwell upon these matters,
but shall feel myself constrained to vote against the
amendment, although ! would vote for il in another
form and in separate bill.
| Mr.. BUTLER. Mr. President, / do not wish 10 de-
tain the Senate but as chairman OF one OF the com.
mttees, have had opportunities of getting great deal
OF information to the population OF this District, and
particularly upon this subject great number OF free
OF color here, and from the records OF the
criminal court it appears that than half Of its
time is taken up with these They come here and
slave pen which has been mentioned make this state
ment in order to show the state of the Many
OF them who come here peaceable Industrious and
respectable and make good servants but large number
of them vagabonds given up to all kinds Of vice.
Mr.. PRATT. Mr.. President il to that very
much more importance attached to the under
consideration than merits Its sole object, the dis
ngushed senator from Kentucky says to abolish the
slave trade in the District OF Columbia Now sir deny
the District Of Columbia and therefore the sole object
OF this under consideration is to do that which
requires no law for its accomplishment Now, sir, the
subject which embraced in this bill has been looked
upon throughout the country OF momentous con.
sequence; much that the convention which met at
Nashville makes it one of the grounds upon which this
Union s TO be dissolved II question OF 80 much I'M
4 ~ II T.