Washington telegraph., 1850-05-01
CoNGkEssIeNAL Summary
w ASHINGToN, April


Mr.. Clay called the attention of ~
Senate to the fact that great portion y
these petitions were printed and wordas
similar, 70: the purpose Of showing tho.
there was a concerted movement amo,'
the abofitlonists to misrepresent pubiss
sentiment III various sections of the con-,
try hy sending these petitions in bl,,,l
to be circulated inSidiously and re,n.S
them to the Senate.
Mr.. Hale called the Senator IN o,a.-
for speaking without motion being nsus
ing.
MIR. Clay took his sea. greatly excited
and demanded a statement of the nor,
of order.
After some discussion on the poin, os
order. MIR. Clay proceeded in strain ~
strong denunciation of the Aboitiop;s,. ~
the North. He said they were the slaves
worst enemy. He also intimared ,,,,,
MIR. Hale had made the slavery opes,;os
a sort of hobby on which he had riddss
into power and place and that individual:
OF this character, although pretending ID
be TRENDS OF the slave, were in fact onv
friends to themselves.
Me- Hale declared his determination, a
do his duty i'll his humble way, desn,e
| all loud words, or threatening and abrs,vo
language. He then presented ano,ha,
anti-slavery petition from New York
MIR. Rusk raised the question of recen
ton, and submitted some remarks IN do.
nunciation of the petitions presented ves.
terday by Mr.. Seward, praying for tho
enrolment of blacks in the militia of no
United States.
MIR. Butler followed IN about the same
strain oi argument as MIR. Rusk. Hs
closed with expressing the hope that the
issue between slavery aud anti.slaverv
might be speedily settled Let he final
issue be now made, for, until il was made
we should never have a settlement of this
question-we shall Lever have settle.
ment until an issue jeopardizing the Union
is made and met
Mr.. Foote followed in some remarks
He denounced the incendiary petitions.
announced his intention TO scrutinize the
i appointments of the administration. and
would oppose The conhrma ton of all those
who had been made through The inau.
ence of abolition agitators
/ On motion Of Mr.. Clay, the petitions
7, presented yesterday by Mr. Seward, ask.
i ing the enrolment of blacks in the militia.
was taken mp.
1 MIR Clay moved that its prayer be re.
jected
i Mr. Seward briefly explained that he
had presented the petition in accordance
with his views of the right of petition.
The yeas and nays being taken on Mr..
Clay's motion, it was unanimously adopt.
ed.
/ The Senate then resumed the con>ide.
ration of the census bill. After debate
and the adoption of numerous amend.
ments, the bill was reported TO the Senate.
The amendments were then concurred in,
and the bill passed
A short Executive session was held
subsequently,, and then the Senate ad-
journed.
HOUSE The Speaker stated that Mr..
McLanahan, on the Galphin committee,
would necessarily be absent for few
days, and therefore had asked 10 be ex-
cuSed from serving on said committee.
On motion of Mr. Burt, Mr. McLana-
han was excused, and the Speaker was
authorized 10 appoint another III his place.
The committee on Revolutionary Pen
sioners reported bill explanatory OF GER
tain acts granting five years half.pay 10
widows aud orphans OF those who have
or may hereafter die Of wounds received
or diseases contracted in the Mexican
war, or going to or returning from the
same.
The Speaker said he had received
letter from MIR. Gentry stating that he
was unable to attend the meetings OF the
Gaipnin committee and Of the House.
and asked TO be excused from serving as
a member.
Mr.. Burt regretted the necessity which
induced the application, but he found him.
self compelled TO yield to the request OF
the gentleman, and would therefore move
that another member be appointed in
place of Mr.. Gentry, which was agreed 10.
The House then went into committee
of the Whole upon the California mes
sage.
Mr.. Ross maintained that Congress had
no power either to establish or prohibit
slavery in the territories
MIR Duer followed Mr.. Ross taking
the opposite ground. When Mr. D. has
concluded. the House adjourned.
April II.
SENATE.-Gen. Cass presented ,oint
resolution of the Legislature OF Michigan
resembling the instructions TO the senators
and representatives i'll Congress from thai
State, TO vote for the Wilmot Proviso.
lie expressed his pleasure in presenting
these resolutions, and considered them
peace offering. He hoped they would
be received as such.
The Senate then resumed the coHsde'
ration of bills and resolutions on the SUD,
Ject of slavery. which MIR. Fooe haa
moved to refer to a select committee o'