Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-02-15
he District, he Thought it perfect.

abolish slavery IN the District ne thought 1t perfect-
lv constitutional
The sixth resolution declares it expedent to pro-
hbit the slave trade in the District This Mr. Clay
said was no more than has been done in several
slave States, Kentucky and Mississippi among the
number The resolution was not intended to inter
fere with the transfer of slavery between the people
of the District but only to prevent their being brot
in from the States merchandise. He anticipated
little opposition to this resolution
The seventh resolution declared that more efectu-
al provision should be made by law for the recovery
of fugitive slaves. Upon this resolution Mr. CLAW
cited instances to show that the constitutional proy
sion for the recovery of slaves frequently viola
ted in the free States and that the laws on the sub
ject were defective
The eighth resolution declares that Congress has
no power to abolish the trade in slaves between the
States This question, Mr.. Clay said, had been de-
cided upon by the Supreme Court, and its decision
was generally submitted to, although some partial
difference of opinion existed.
These Mr. Clay said were all the resolutions he
had to offer They were intended to cover the whole
ground of controversy between the North and the
South, and he begged that they might be considered
together, as q whole and not separately. Mr. Clay
then went into history the Missouri compromise,
remarking, that although by some means he had got
to be looked upon the author of that compromise
he had in truth very little to do with it. The line
of sc 80, known the Missouri compromise line,
originated in the Senate, and proposed by Sena-
tor Thomas, of Illinois, he, Mr.. Clay, being at the
time Speaker of the House The only portion of that
compromise which he originated was that relating
to the admission of free coored people into the State
Mr. Clay concluded with review OF the progress
of the country in all the elements of greatness. He
pointed to the prosperity under the Union-to the
evils which disunion would infict-to the bloody and
desoatng way which would ensue-to the miserable
fragments into which this great country would be
split and finally, to the military despotism which
must eventually be the fate of country weakened
by divisions and by intestine strife. From all
these complicated evils, he affirmed that only
protection is in Union and in the constitution which
he prayed heaven to preserve.
Immediately upon the conclusion of MIR. Clay's
speech, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. Thurston introduced a resolution requiring
the committee on the Post Office to enquire into the
expediency of establishing post routes in Oregon
Adopted.
Resolutions and memorials were presented from
various States in regard to the establishment of post
routes, &C., which were referred.
Mr.. Thurston introduced a resolution instructing
the committee on the Judiciary to inquire into GER
tain possessors rights claimed by British subjects in
Oregon under the treaty between the United States
aud Great Britain in relation to that territory Re-
ferred to the committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Boyd sent to the Speakers table series OF
resolutions, declaring it to be the settled policy of
the States of the North American Continent to per-
NIT no European Intervention in the affairs of the
American Continent North of the Isthmus of Darien,
therein by any European misunderstanding the SOW
eregnty of the Central American States all the
territory claimed by them and repudiating British
intervention in the affairs of Nicaragua declaring it
expedient that the United States should acquire a
right Of way for canal Nicaragua, and mex
pedient to allow the British to have anything to do
with it.
Objection being made, the resolutions were not re-
ceived.
Reports were received from Committees upon sub
1yofo
munications received in relation to the expen
ses of the War Department, and the House took UP
the joint resolution for the purchase of the manu-
script of Westinghouse Farewell Address, which was
finally passed. We made mistake in our last re-
port, in saying that Mr. Carriers amendment, limit
ing the amount to 81 900, had passed. It did not
pass The resolution allows the Library Committee
to buy it up if it be had terms deemed proper
The Senate bill for paying the State of North Car
Dina for money, &C., advanced by her on account OF
the Mexican volunteers read twice and referred
to the Committee on Military Affairs.
The House then went into Committee of the Whole
on the state of the Union, for the purpose of taking
up the subject of the expenses of collecting the
enue, when Mr.. Morton obtained the floor for per
sonal explanation. Mr.. M. said that it had beer
said that he was not genuine Wing, and he wished
it understood that he full-blooded Wing. (Mr
Morton is the member from Virginia to whom allu
sion was made when it was said that the Wings haC
obtained but half member.) He then proceeded t.
deliver speech upon the slavery question. At the
conclusion of Mr.. Ms address, the Committee rose
and the House adjourned.
THURSDAY, Feb T.
| SENATE.
| Mr.. Mangum made some personal explanations il
| regard to matter between member OF the Senate
| Mr. Borland, and Col. Washington, arising out O
some observations made by the former gentleman il
the debate on the subject of purchasing the manu-
script of Washingtons Farewell Address, which tn
latter gentleman understood as rejecting upon him
The matter had been honorably and amicably set
tied
Mr. Hale brought in budget of ant-slavery peti
tons, all of which were rejected.
MIR. Underwood, of Kentucky, having voted for tn
reception of the petitions he took occasion to assg
! his reasons for so doing which was not because b.
approved of their prayer but because he did not wis
to interfere with the right of petition.
i Mr.. Douglas having the day before voted agains
the reception of the Wilmington resolutions, explain
ed why he did so. He said that he was determined
to produce agitation upon the slavery question
whether coming from the North or from the South
Mr.. Douglas proceeding with his remarks, whel
he gave way for an announcement from the House o
the death of Mr. Newman, and of the adjournmen
of the House in consequence.
After some conversation the usual resolutions Wer
passed, and the Senate adjourned.
\ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
/ The House was chiefly occupied in receiving re
ports from Committees. The only business of publ
Il Importance seems to have been the debate in Com
mttee of the Whole, the joint resolution limitn,
the expense of collecting the for the presen
fiscal year, and Mr.. Vintons amendment thereto
Messrs. Jones, Winthrop. and Toombs, participates
in the debate. Messrs. Vnton and Winthrop urgin
the propriety of increasing the amount which Nigh
be expended for the purpose of collecting the
nue. for the present fiscal year. in accordance will
nv and Messrs Jones and Toombs arguing agains
that sroestion and in favor of adhering the limi