Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-20

Mr. CLAY There have been some seventeen resolutions
proposed by the Senator from Tennessee and myself the
Senate The Senate has expressed opinion upon any one
Of them. And sir what has been proposed by my amend
ment Why that all these matters shall be referred 70
the select commttee-the Senate refusing 70 express any
opinion upon any Of hemgyng instructions for the
guidance Of that committee Is there mpacucaD IN Pu
suing such The Senate and
has expressed any opinion, except in upon
the resolutions that have been under
has been deliberate expression of opinion in this body
The proposition is to refer all Of the subjects to committee,
and my amendment is that will say to that committee
beforehand how they to act upon this or that subject
think that this explanation ought satisfy the Senate
have said that, when all these subjects are sent 10
that committee it win not be the duty Of that committee 70
go into consideration of all the questions at ISSUE Some TO-
pics they connect together and they may report
separate bills resolutions All that have said was that
for one would desire larger combination Of measures
than the question OF for the Territories OF Utan
and New Mexico and the admission Of California and, pos
siby, the settlement Of the boundary OF Texas IN one Dill
the other questions in separate bills trust that this view
not mpracicable If the Senate had expressed any
opinion the Senator from New Hampshire seems to sup
pose upon the various questions that are proposed 10 De
feed this committee and should refuse to give that
committee any instructions in regard to Them there might DC
ncompatbity in proposed action put the Senas
has expressed no opinion upon any OF ne oneIso
by the Senator from Tennessee myself; and the simple
question h shall refer all these matters IN body to this
select committee without any instruction to that committee as
how they shall upon the several subjects thus referred
TO their consideration
The question being put upon the amendment modified,
the yeas nays taken, and resulted as follows
YEAS Mesrs. Atchison Badger. Bell, Borland, But
her. Clay cs q Joae
King Mangum Mason, Morton, Pearce Rusk, Sebastian,
soS mas Hss.ry Bright
Chase Clarke Corwin, Davis. of Massachusetts Dayton
Dodge, Of Wisconsin, Fech, Greene, Hale, Hamn, Miller,
Norris, Phelps, Seward, Shields, Smith, Walker, Whit
comb-22.
So the amendment to the amendment was adopted, and
then, the amendment, amended, was adopted
Mr.. HAMLIN suppose it will now be in order to meve
to amend the original motion
The VICE PRESIDENT. 1t is in order.
The proposed amendment again read
Mr. CLAY. believe, that the precise proposition
that was made the other day by the Senator from Missouri,
and which voted down.
Mr.. HAMLIN. If the gentleman had waited for mo-
ment would have explained the reason why offer this
amendment. is true that another proposition similar TO
this but embracing larger number and greater variety OF
questions submitted few days since, and it voted
down. The motion Of the Senator from Mississippi now is
less extensive than them consequently the vote OF the
Senate discover the questions them cannot be
considered to exclude portion Of them
now although have myself doubt that the action OF
the Senate will be the now as It was then It my
ntenton and is also, believe the intention OF my col
league to vote for Territorial bill that does contain
express prohibition of slavery We have been instructed by
the Legislature Of State that effect and those nstruc
tons accord fully with own views Well sir being SO
instructed, and cordially approving of those instructions,
desire present this proposition the Senate, SO that may
exhibit the evidence Of my willingness to carry out that doc
ne good faith and to vote for measure by ndrection
which shall up subsequent voe and thus relieve me
from those instructions Therefore, ask that may have
the privilege of voting discover them that il they
should be connected by the committee, suppose we all
understand they to be- that them when am compelled to
against the admission of California, account of its
being connected with other questions, if that contingency
should arise this amendment will show desire to dlscon
meet them.
Mr.. CLAY. The motion made the other day is precisely
that which is offered 1t is in these words
nttiop he In
rze the said committee to take into consideration any thing
that relates the admission Of California into the Unon
That is the resolution that was voted down.
Mr.. HAMLN. do not desire to offer any other reason
than have already offered except to that upon the pro-
position then pending committee was then raised, and
nothing grew of il. There expression of the
opinion Of the Senate it is but under that motion no
committee raised, and the motion subsequently with
drawn. r. under the present notion committee is be
raed doubt not there will be- desire to record my vote
! in favor of separation of the subjects.
Mr. CASS. Mr. President would suggest to the honora
bic Senator from Maine whether he would not his object
in better by awaiting the report Of the committee,
and then by moving separate California from the other sub
jecs should be associated in the bill with any other
The Senator desires that his position should not be msun
dersood and therefore wishes to have vote now upon this
question As to the appointment of committee, there is
danger Of misunderstanding because he has announced
his objection to the measure and will record bis vote against
it. He presupposing that the committee will unite various
subjects in the BILL and wishes in advance in effect to
pronounce upon it. This Interpretation may not be correct
There may be such reason and in that this
would be wholly unnecessary would be mere work
Of supererogaton If the contrary, the union should
take place, will then be competent for the Senator to
move separation, it is 10 move prohibition against
it. The subject will be just much in power then
and will be much proper to act in that case
for shall then be dealing with existing facts and not with
imaginary ones
And this same error as to the course of the committee
seems pervade all discussions upon this subject is
assumed that because different subjects to be referred 10
this committee they must therefore be included the
bills and the one therefore, made dependant upon the other
and this assumption, made it appears to without
the least authority, then urged decisive argument
against this proposition of reference
In the first place, has right to assume that
such will be the case, and make this bare assumption
ground of opposition to the proceeding agree with the
distinguished Senator from Kentucky that committee
would thus unite all the questions referred to it. consider
such course out of the question much as not to
furnish, the cautious for voting against
this go further sir do not believe that there
will be any further union Of subjects in the bill than the
junction Of the admission Of California with the governments
of the Territories and great fitness in that But sir
should the committee 60 further, and include TOPICS
what effect will that have Just ALL in opposition TO
the will of the majority.
Gentlemen suppose that the report of the commit
tee 10 be like the laws Of the Medes and Persans subject
any alteration amendment whatever And the Senator
from Maine evidently upon the suppositon when
he makes his motion beforehand guard against particular
of action the part of the committee which he hap
pens to dsapprove. And permit me here to remark that
great deal has been said about understanding among Sna
ors-a Of the leading mbers of this body, and
much more Of the This is certainly making
great Of very small II is Of little