The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-12


ings Of the Smithsonian Institute, and looking little
ike iail as any dwelling in Washington II man
comes here with gang OF slaves and has no house IN
which to board them, what Is The necessary consequence
Why for the time thai he is here, he lodges them 10 Jail
for safekeeping. Ii is act OF nhumany 20 deprive
him OF the right OF keeping his own slaves in his own
house, where they might be kept comfortable. II would
be an act OF faulty the part OF any slayeowner to put
his slaves in such confinement as would endanger their
health. He regards them merely as property, and takes
care OF that property az properly az man who bad any
know the odium which exists against that class have
grown up in community which feels It, have sym
pahy myself for them, and do not intend 10 direct any
remarks TO that point II is the question of power to
which have invited the attention OF the Senate This is
one long stride the constitution TO rampe upon that
species Of property against which the government is ar
Mr. PRATT. The senator from Mississippi reiterates
the opinion that citizen OF the United States other than
save-d dealer could not put his slaves IN rasau when
he is going through the District OF Columbia in the depot
for the purpose OF safekeepng under the provisions OF this
bill.
Now, sir, the difference between is in this In the
first place. under The clear construction, as IT appears 70
me, which the senator must place upon the BILL he VIII
read il acknowledgements the clear construction Of the
bill ITSELF citizen OF the United States being slave
holder would have right 10 put his negroes in depot
here unless he intended to carry them elsewhere to be
sold as merchandise. Independent Of that under the
4th section Of The Maryland act. which is the law OF the
District of Columbia, there is express legislative agree
ment to the effect Now, sir comparing the bill
itself, in this provision OF IT, with the corresponding pro-
vision of the Maryland act, and there Is not doubt IN
my mind--there can be no doubt--hat citizen may
place his slaves here in depot without the intention OF
carrying them elsewhere for the purpose OF selling as
merchandise That submit to the Senate, is the clear
manifest construction of the language OF this amendment
itself Then take the law of the District OF Columbia as
il standsthe 18th section OF the Maryland act 70
which have reteTed-and there will be nothing N the
law which can be construed as TO yacae me right Of
any person merely travelling or residing IN the District 10
depose his slaves for safekeepng in such manner as be
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Mississippi The senator and myself
differ | ask him to answer single question how we
can ascertain what the intentions OF those who bring
slaves into the District Shall we arrest every man who
comes here, and make him enter into bonds that ne will
not sell his own property II is his property he has
right to sell i his property Or you please, as mer-
chandise You must seize every man who comes here,
and make him give bond that he will not dispose OF
this property. you would attempt to carry out such
provisions is now proposed 10 enact How else can
you reach him No man comes here and hangs out Z
this species OF property There is other way of get
ting al him, you cannot know his intention except by
arIss,ing him. and making him give bonds see and
Maryland explains it, But. then, see too the effect oil
it and the construction that must be put uponit.
Mr.. TURNEf. ! only wish to say that between
these two propositions cannot vote at all do not be-
eve 1t is in the power OF Congress to interfere with the
subject OF slavery in this District in the Territories
in the States. They have no power, or control over it.
The question now is, whether will make the admis-
sion OF the power OF Congress TO egsate upon the sub
ject-which totally deny--or whether we shall exer-
else species OF police regulation amounting TO nearly
slavery in the Dist riot OF Coumba the amendment
sues the power to regulate the conduct and even the in
tentons Of those who travelling through this District
with their slave property. am not willing 10 sanction
either OF these extremes by my vote ltwoud place me
in false position to vote at all, and desired merely 10
give the reaso ms why cannot vote at all
The question being then taken upon Mr.. PEARcE's
amendment, it rejectedyeas 10, nays 26-as fol-
lows:
YEAs-Messrs A,cb.on, Bell, Berrien, Dawson, Downs
ssS Sss " Uadar%S s saa Yu Ii f' musk
NAY5-Nessrs Badger, Baldwin, Benton, Chase, Clay
eoN. Dodge es. Esos
Jcnes Mangnm, Norris, Seward, Shields Smith, Spru
ance, Surgeon, Wales, Walker, Whitcomb, and WIN
The question REQUIRED on the motion by MIR. Mason
10 strike out the two first sections OF the bill.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD asked for division OF the ques.
ton and the vote being taken striking out the hrs
section, i, resulted-yeas IS, nays 3o-as follows:
YEAs-Messrs A,rn,-oa, Berrien, Butiar, Davis o.
Mississippi dawson. ~ns, Houston, Hunter, KING, Ma
son, Morton, P,sn Russ Sebastian, soue' Tarney Un
NAYs-Mes.r, Badger, Baldwin, Bell, Benton. Bright
Dodge Wisconsin, Dodge Of iowa. Ewing Felch, Foote
Greene, Hsmln, JONES' Mangun, Norris, Phelps Seward
WSssomb s. and wintarop~So. '''sA' "'' "''
So the motion TO strike out the first section was moi
agreed to.
The question being then taken upon striking out
the second section, it was rejected-yeas H. nays 81
as follows
YEAs-Me..rs. Atchison, Bamweu, Berrien, Boiler
Davis of Mississippi, Dawson, Downs Houston Hunter
Mason, Morton, Pratt. Rusk Sebastian, Soaie, Turney
and Yuse-I7.
NAYsaMcs.r, Badger. Baldwin, Bell, Benton, Brigh,
Chase, Clay. Davis Of Massachusetts, Dayton, Dickinson
Dodge Of Wisconsin, Dodge OF Iowa, Douglas, Ewing
Fech. Greene, Hamin, Jones' Mangum, Norris, Phelps
Wales, Walker, wbitcom6. and winthrop--sl.
Mr.. DAYTON offered the following amendment, which
was read
"In the Sd line OF the 9Th section strike all after the
word power and insert tbs iolowingi
ITO pass all necessary ordinances police laws not in.
consistent wi the constitution, touching the residence and
within their respective jurisdiconai limits aud enforce
such ordnancesor laws, upon the breach thereof by fine
and imprisonment, either, at their discretion"
Mr.. BADGER Mr.. President would suggest to the
senator that the section he proposes TO amend has been
made In committee, and is not subject to amendment
now
The PRESIDENT Il is an amendment made in com.
mittee, and Is not subject TO amendment II will be
subject TO amendment when reported to the Senate.
Mr.. SEWARD. MIR. President, 10 II in order now 10
move to strike out the bill, and insert another onel
The PRESIDENT Certainly sir.
Mr. SEWARD | make that motion. | propose Ia
strike out all alter the enacting clanse, and insert
Of Columbia and all persons held in bondage therein shall
be free. The Secretary OF the Interior shall audit and pay
70 all persons holding slaves within the District, the time
effect, damages as they shsl suffer
by the passage thereof and the OF hundred thou
sand dollars hereby Appropriated carry this into
ecuion, ont OF any money in the treasury not otherwise
$3.50 An election shall be held in the District OF Co
umbia, TO ascertain whether this bin approved by the
people thereof Those who approve the shall express
their appreciation by ballot containing the words,
opposed shall vote by ballot containing the words,
Against emanc pation In the District Al persons