The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-19
oALIFoaNIA AND rHE SLAVE QUESTIONS.

CALIFORNIA; AND THE SLAVE QUESTIONS.
On motion of MIR. MoCLERNAND, the House re-
solved itself into Committee Of the Whole ON the
state of the Union, and resumed the consideration
oil the Presidents special message, enclosing the
constitution Of the State of California.
MIR. EWING, of Tennessee, said that he repre-
sented the district In which Nashville is located
lie believed that majority Of its citizens deemed
the call OF the convention TO be held there unwse
and inopportune. This was the information he
had received from that quarter; but, at the same
time, IL was equally true that, however much the
citizens OF Nashville differed from those who had
appointed delegates, they deeply sympathized with
the feelings which had induced a large portion Of
the southern people TO call the convention; and
der all the circumstances, the people of Nashville
would feel themselves bound, by right, courtesy,
and sympathy, TO treat the members Of the conven.
ton with courtesy, hospitality, and politeness
Mr.. E. thought that there was now exhibited q
better and kndier influence in debate, and hoped
that they were approaching some rational settle
ment OF the questions now agitating the country
He opposed the recommendations OF the President
in relation TO the Territories, and advocated the
admission of California part OF series Of mea
surcs, including territorial governments for Utah
and New Mexico, without "the proviso,' and set
ting the boundary Of Texas by giving to her pc
cuniary consideration. God and nature had united
TO render this combination of measures necessary.
Whenever territory acquired was free, he would let
il remain free where slave, he would let it be slave.
If the former, SO help him Heaven, he would never
desire to erect the standard of slavery there; if the
latter, he would fight for II TO the death, until it
was made free by the people themselves.
Other points were made by the gentleman in the
course of his speech.
MIR. ASTON, of Alabama, quoted the words Of
ST. Paul. that without law there is no sin, and pro-
ceeded TO show that slavery not violation Of
the law, and was therefore sin. He quoted
largely from the Bible, to demonstrate that slavery
was recognised by God himself The Saviour did
it as we'll as the Abotionsts, who, like the giants
of old, made war against Heaven. He contended
that slavery was justified, also, by the laws of
tons and nature, and by the Constitution and laws
of the United States In the conclusion of his re-
marks, he defended this institution of the South.
Mr.. CLEVELAND obtained the floor, when the
committee rose.
The amendments of the Senate were referred to
the Committee of Ways and Means.
The SPEAKER remarked that he would be alb
sent tomorrow or the next day. By the rules, he
was required to take the chair on the opening of
the House, and was then permitted to call mem
Der to preside for him. He desired the unanimous
consent of the House to the privilege of designating
a member to occupy the chair to morrow, or the
next day, in the event of his absence.
There was no objection to the request,
And the House adjourned.
The following papers were presented under the
rule, viz:
BY Mr.. HOWE: The petition of S. Il. Hallock
and sixty three Others citizens of Crawford county
Pennsylvania, praying Congress to provide by law
tive slave in any State other than that in which he
alleged to be held to service he shall not be de-
livered to the claimant his agent except on the
finding Of jury that he is the slave of the claim
ant. Referred.
Also, the petition of l.. d. Sherman and sixty
three others, citizens of the same place, praying
Congress to repeal all laws by which slavery the
slave trade is authorized in the city of Washn pton
the District of Columbia; and that, in the event
of their non-repeal the scat Of the National Gov
eminent may be removed to some more suitable
location. Referred.
Also, the petition of Lorin Marsh and sixty -four
other citizens of the same place. praying Congress
to admit no State hereafter into the Union unless
the constitution of such State shall expressly pro-
hiblt the existence OF slavery within its limits.
Referred.
Also, the petition of Truman Hendryx and sixty
three others, citizens of the same place, praying
Congress to prohibit slavery and the slave trade in
all the Territories of the United States Referred.
BY MIR. PUTNAM: The petition of jeremiah
Roice, of Java, New York, for compensation for
property lost by him when soldier in the war of
By MIR. BENNETT: A petition of citizens Of
Toga county, New York, to secure to alleged flu
Also, to abolish slavery in the District of Co
umbia.
Also, to prohibit slavery in all new States here
Also, to prohibit slavery in the Territories of the
United States.
By MIR. HENRY: The several petitions of Everett
Velindn anu tiurty-tWo Otner CluzenS OF BROOK
line, Windham county, Vermont, that slavery
and the slave trade may be prohibited by law in all
the Territories of the United States; that slavery
and the slave trade be abolished in the District Of
Columbia, or the seat of General Government be
removed therefrom; that persons claimed as fugi-
tive slaves be entitled to trial by jury and that no
State be hereafter admitted into the Union whose
constitution does not prohibit slavery.
By Mr.. SCHERMERHORN: The petition of
twenty seven Senators of the State of New York,
praying for the establishment of new judicial dis
trict in western New York.
Aso the petition of thirty five citizens of Ogden,
Monroe county, New York, praying that slavery
and the slave trade may be expressly prohibited by
act Of Congress in all the Territories of the United
States
Also, the petition Of forty-one citizens Of the
above town and county, praying that no State be
admitted into the Union unless its constitution
expressly prohibits slavery within its limits.
By Mr.. FOWLER: The petition Of o. G. Hub
bard, and others, citizens of Massachusetts, pray
ing for the reduction Of postage to two cents Re
ferred TO the Committee the Post Office and Post
Roads.
BY Mr.. NELSON: The petition of ~ b. Black
man, ID. II. Ringer, Luther Humphrey, and forty
others, citizens of Cass county, Michigan, praying
that persons arrested fugitive slaves may be en-
titled to trial by jury, before delivered up to the
claimant.