The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-05-30
CONGRESS.
rHIRTY.PIRST CONGRESS- FIRST SESSION.
SENATE.
TrEsnAY. MAY d. $50.

the amendment pl Jp0Sed Dy the gentleman from
Mississippi, Mr.. Davis, which, in point Of fact,
assumes that slavery exists in those Territories
but he could consent to so modifying the amend
ment as to prevent the Territorial Legislature
from excluding or admitting slavery there. lie
urged also that the plan Of the Executive was
and settled but one question. viz
the admission Of California The proposed bill
would settle the whole subject of slavery There
are, however, said Mr.. Clay, few miserable men
who live upon agitation, men who are never salts
fed until they can place themselves at the head
of a little clique Of agitators and, fastening them
to their tails, 60 to the Democratic party and say,
"Take me, | am good Democrat, and | will
bring to you this capital which have, and insure
yonr success :" or 90 to the Wing party and SOY
fa~v ems assIaAsolA>sS rLoO. 4 pos
sess, aud viii enable your party 70 triuuph over
their adversaries" venture TO say they will be
hushed into silence by the indignation they will
meet everywhere, in their vain and futile attempt
to proong that agitation which has threatened
this country with the most direful calamity which
in all the dispeusations of God, could bef;.ll it,
WEDNESDAY, MAY 90, 1850.
The Vice President laid before the Senate a
communication from the State Department, giving
information as to what steps had been taken upon
the memorial of the administrator of and the
attorney for the heirs Of General Thaddeus Kos-
ciusko, against Alexander de Bodisco, Minister
from Russia accredited to this Government
A message was received from the President of
the United States, transmitting copies of CORES
pondence between the Executive Department aud
General Persifer Smith and Brigadier General
Riley, respecting the transactions of the Conven-
ton in California.
MIR. Seward presented a petition of citizens of
Salem, New York asking that a Government
ha apnp loyaJ IN Inl
the United States to Frankfort, in Germany;
which was referred 10 the Committee on Naval
Affairs. S-..-
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
bill to revise the Patent Laws and promote the
progress of the useful arts, and after amend
meuts by Messfss.s ese oAsa Underwood WINS ,,os,
poned till Thursday.
The Omnibus bill being before the Senate,
Mr.. Upham replied to Mr.. Soul6 briefly in an
swer to the declaration of Mr.. s., that peon sla-
very existed in Vermont. After which,
Mr.. Downs obtained the floor, and spoke at
length in favor of the Compromise.
Mr. Pratt offered the following amendment,
which he said was acceptable to Senators on all
sides of the Chamber in which was a substitute
for that Of Mr. Davis Of Mississippi.
Mr. Davis's amendment proposed to prevent
the Territorial Legislature from passing any law
which should interfere with those rights of prop
erty which grow out of the institution of slavery
as it exists in any Of the States of this Union
"That the legislative power of said Territory
shall extend to all rghtfu subjects of legislation
consistent with the Constitution of the United
States and the provisions of this act but no law
shall be passed interfering with the primary dis
posal of the soil, nor to introduce or exclude
African slavery
propose further, after the word slavery"
to insert the following
+" Provided, That nothing herein contained shall
be construed to prevent said Territorial Legisla-
ture passing such laws as may be necessary for
the protection Of the rights of properly Of any
kind which may have been or may be hereafter
lawfully introduced into said Territory
So that the section will provide that we have
no power to pass any law either TO introduce or
exclude African slavery. believe this amend
ment will meet with the appreciation of those who
are disposed to support the bill
TnrDen.v, NM pa. isa0 .
Mr.. Chase presented petition of citizens Of
Marietta, Ohio, asking the adoption of measures
for the adjustment of international difficulties by
arbitration which was referred to the Commit.
tee on Foreign Relations
Mr.. Chase presented petitions asking for the
prohibition of slavery and the slave trade in the
District of Columbia and the Territories of the
slave States, and also for jury trial to fugitive
slaves.
Mr. Corwin presented petitions on the same
subjects
Mr. Hale introduced the following resolution
Rtsoiued, That select committee Of three be
appointed by the Chair, with instructions to in
quire and report to the Senate what alterations
or amendments of the rules Of the Senate, If any,
be necessary, relating to admission on the floor of
the Senate.
After discussion by Messrs. Hale, King, Man
gum, and Foote, the resolution was agreed TO !;
and the Chair appointed Messrs. Mangum, Foote
aud Hale, said committee.
The Compromise bill was again taken up, and
Mr. Soue took the floor, and spoke in reply to
Mr. Downs. lie spoke Of his duties, and his
determination TO fulfil them. He remarked upon
the manner of the Senator from Kentucky as
being little overbcaring, but he would not COM
plain of it, The South had been losing consider
able ground ever since the honorable Senator
from Kentucky offered his Compromise. What
has become of the hope that the territories back
of the Sierra Nevada were one day to have access
to the ocean, What had become Of the delusve
promise Of suitable boundaries ~
The Wilmot Proviso was commended by its
boldness. With the advocates of that Proviso, II
was Provso or no Proviso. Why did not the
friends Of the South, in the committee Of thir
teen, meet the question: Mr.. Soule considered
that the amendment offered by the Senator from
Maryland Mr.. Pratt was assent 10 the posi-
ton which he took the other day. The amend
ment removed the objection to the original sec
ton, as it provided for the protection Of slave
property. Mr.. Sould replied to the argument of
his colleague, Mr. Downs.
Mr.. Foote took occasion TO explain that the
proviso offered by Mr.. Pratt was agreed upon,
Ia, 30 inpo
Mr. Pratts amendment was agreed TO on all sides
before the honorable gentleman from Louisiana
MIR Soue) spoke. 1t was universally satisfac-
tory to the Southern Senator's II his colleague
(Mr. Davis) had not in his amendment used q
term-ownership--w was to some objection
able-though not to hm-his colleagues amend
ment would in like manner, have been adopted.
Substantially, no amendment had been made In
the original clause. tt
Mr.. Hale rose to say that the Senator from
Mississippi had fallen into an error in saying
that the Senators all around had agreed to the
amendment, and for himself he should not assent
TO Il. lie preferred 10 treat the original bill as
O totality.
Mr.. Soul6 proceeded to argue that the fugitive
slave bill was interesting TO Louisiana ms well as
TO Kentucky. But the slaves escaped from Lou
isiana by every boat that came into her ports and
run upon her rivers. They went away in ships
from the ports. Louisiana lost many every year
lie proceeded to comment on the provisions Of
Of this fugitive slave act The weaker party
should be more careful of its rights when
stronger, the South would yield none. Even II
the South be beaten, he would not say that he
was for disunion
Mr. Mason next obtained the floor.
The Senate adjourned.
FRIDAY, May q, 1850.
Mr. Corwin presented several petitions against
Slavery in the Territories against the admission
Of more Slave States; for the abolition Of slavery
and the slave trade In the District of Columbin,
and in favor Of jury trial for fugitive slaves
The bill reported from the Committee on FL
nance, to establish branch mint at New York,
4aIn