The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-31

The morning hour was devoted, as is usual to
the reception of memorials, reports of Commit
tees, &c.
Mr.. Seward presented several joint resolutions
of the Legislature of New York, one expressing
appreciation of the Land Reform. resolution in
troduced by Mr.. Webster some time since. Mr.
Webster announced his purpose to call up his res
olution 80 soon as the report of the Commissioner
of the Land Office was published
Mr.. Cass presented memorial from certain
citizens of Maryland commencing the PROPOSE.
tons made for the relief ofthe Hungarian refugees
and asking similar relief for many native refugees
in the State of Maryland, "who are oppressed
by poverty more enduring than Russian barbara
ty or Austrian cruelty" 1t was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr. Davis from the Select Committee on the
Census, reported a bill for taking the census.
After some conversation, in which Mr.. Foote in
Dictated his indisposiiion to act upon the bill or
any other question, until the Territorial Cues.
ton was settled the bill was made the special or
der for Thursday.
A resolution was adopted calling upon the Pres
ident for information respecting our relations
with the Central States Of America
The Senate then took up the special order, the
fugitive bill, reported by Mr.. Butler Of South
Carolina. On this bill, Mr.. Mason Of Virginia
addressed the Senate at length lie charged the
Northern people with disloyalty to the compro-
misses of the Constitution lie characterized their
Legislation the subject of fugtives from service
AZ intended practically to nullify the Constitu-
ton. lie did not believe that this bill or any
other they could procure would be nm efficient
remedy for the many evils complained Of lie
stated that there was but one way to obtain re.
dress, and that was by reprisals by the suffering
States on the commerce and property Of the cti-
zens of the offending States
Having closed his remarks Mr. Seward asked
leave to lay upon the table and have printed an
amendment, proposing TO strike out all after the
enactng clause, and insert FIVE sections, securing
to the alleged fugitive the right Of jury trial and
the habeas corpus, and placing claimant and
claimed, in the eye Of the law, upon an equal
footing.
Mr.. Foote objected to the printing, and by
unanimous consent, at the desire Of MIR Seward,
proceeded to assign his reasons Ills reasons were
sectional and personal, and at their close he with
drew his objection to the printing of the amend
ment.
Mr.. Seward asked that the subject be passed
over informally, for the purpose Of giving Mr..
Chase Of Ohio an opportunity TO speak on the
bill II had been his intention to address the
Senate to-day, but n severe domestic bereave-
ment (the sudden death Of a beloved sister, had
prevented.
The Senate nd ourned
HOUSE or REPR ESENTATIvEs.
MIR. Disney asked leave 10 submit resolutions
affirming the power Of Congress over the District
Of Columbia, but it's obligation TO be bound by
the will Of the people in matters Of domestic con-
cernment-that there need be no conflict between
these two things, as Congress may retrocede the
District, and select as the seat Of Government an
other locality where no embarrassment shall arise
out Of the question of Slavery that the people
Of every separate community, whether they do or
do not reside in Territory Of the United States,
have an exclusive right to regulate their own do
nestle concerns, &c- &c.
Leave was not granted.
The rest Of the day WAS consumed in the re-
ception Of petitions. One presented by MIR.
Crowell from citizens Of Ohio, for the establish
ment Of q Congress of Nations to settle interna.
tional controversies, he wished to have referred
to Select Committee A motion to lay on the
table, was lost. Mrkstantou moved to refer to