The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-22
lIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
FslpAy. February 81, 1850.

FRIDAy, February 81, 1850,
SENATE.
BRANCH MINT AT NEW YORK.
Mr.. SEWARD presented the resolutions d ane
Legislature Of New York relating 10 brhheh Mint
at the city of New York
sLAvERY-cALIFoRHIA.
Mr. SEWARD presented the resolutions of the
Legislature of the State of New York relating TO
the prohibition of slavery in the Territories the
abolition of slavery and the slave trade III the
District of Columbia and in favor of the add
mission Of California State Laid on the table
and ordered TO be printed.
PnIvArE PETITIONS
We're presented by Messrs. DICKINSON, DoUoLAs,
FELcH, PRATT, and CHASE.
CHEAP POSTAGE.
Memorials praying reduction of postage were
presented by Messrs. COOPER, STuRoEos, JONES,
Mr.. COOPER presented petition praying
modification of the tariff.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi, from the Committee
on Military Affairs, in pursuance OF special re-
communication OF the Secretary OF War, reported
bill to increase the commissariat oi the army
MIR. BRADBURY, from the Committee ON the
Judiciary, reported bill for the relief OF walter
Cotton.
Adverse reports were made on several private
claims, which, together with several others here
tofore made, were taken up and concurred IN.
ourRAeEs BY THE AUTHORITIES JArAN, &C.
A resolution, heretofore submitted by MIR. HAM
LIN calling upon the Secretary Of State to commu-
ncate information in relation to alleged outrages
American sailors; and other Information about
establishing commercial agencies at Siam, and
about the independence of the Oriental nations,
and the proprety of having diplomatic agencies at
those sovereignties, were taken up, amended, and
passed.
LAND LAWS.
Mr. FELCH, from the Committee on Public
Lands, reported resolution directing inquiry
into the expediency of publishing the land laws,
and the opinions of the Attorneys General thereon;
which was passed.
AN EXECUTIVE MESSAGE
was received from the President of the United
States, by Colonel Bliss, his private secretary
INDIANS AND INDIAN TITLES IN OREGON.
Mr.. ATCHISON moved, and the Senate pro-
cecded to the consideration of the
Bill authorizing the negotiation Of treaties with
the Indian tribes of the Territory of Oregon and
the extinguishment of their titles TO the lands lying
west of the Cascade mountains, which was taken
up, and explained by MIR. BELL, and then post
poned till Monday.
On motion. il was ordered that when the Senate
adjourn, il adjourn till Monday.
WIDOW GENERAL WORTH.
Mr.. BORLAND, pursuant TO notice, introduced
bill for the relief Of the widow Of Major General
Worth
Mr.. FoOTE introduced bill TO amend certain
Inent for Oregon and Act to establish terrific
rial government for Minnesota.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
of Mr. CLAWS
COMPROMISE RESOLUTIONS, (sLAvERY)
Mr.. MILLER said that after the excitement dis
played in the debate yesterday, and in view of the
great distress and alarm throughout the country,
II might not be somewhat calculated to allay that
excitement to announce that the President of the
United States left this city this morning for the
purpose Of attending the laying of the corner stone
of another monument to Washington. He hoped
that that monument would be raised and stand for
ever as a bright memorial of the beauty of that
Union founded by Washington. The people OF
this country were never more prosperous than at
PIesent-aii the various branches OF industry were
advancing in the path OF utmost prosperity. But
never before the representatives of the people
uore distressed and perplexed than at present. We
are at peace with all the world. Every where our
representatives received with honor On every sea
our commerce The glory of the country
was never 50 bright at the present day. The
thirty stars of the Union never shone SO brilliantly
as at present But here, in Congress, all was alarm
and confusion. He did not despair of the Union;
he firmly believed that 1t would continue until God
destroyed il.
He then proceeded TO the examination of the
raj alleged aggressiops by the North upon thu
South. The FIRST of these chargcs-that the north
ern people and the northern legislatures made ever
opposition to the recovery of fugitive slaves, eithe
by actual force, or legislative enactment. Thi
charge he pronounced, far as Il was made agains
New Jersey, to be uniounded in fact. The secon'
charge was, that the whole North was combined 10
the purpose Of abolishing the domestic slavery an
the slave trade in the District Of Columbia. Thi
equally untrue in fact The North have ha
majority for years, and also have always enter
tanned firm belief that Congress has the power q
abolish il, but have never attempted TO exercise tina
power No bill for that purpose has beel
passed, even been reported by committee.
The argument OF Senators that the power TO ex
clude slavery from the territories not vested II
Congress by the Constitution, because such power
fexercised would be destructive Of the great prin
ciple of equality which that Constitution wa
based, was examined and pronounced TO be unsound
The passage Of any general law to operate on tn
people Of all sections Of the country alike COOL
not violate any principle Of equality. The exclu
sisn Of slavery or the prohibition Of slavery in th
Territories destroyed no equality, for IL was app
cable 10 all sections; the northern man and II
southern man alike prohibited from carr
ing slaves to the Territories.
The next question considered the prophet
Of admitting California. Mr.. NJ. recapitulated Il
history Of the events at the last session. wberef
the several measures TO give California Territori
government were defeated. The action Of the DC
pie Of California IN forming State guvernme
was necessary, under the circumstances, for sc
protection. The conduct Of the President in III
matter commended Characteristic Of Il
high and patriotic principles Of the man.
The people Of California had settled the subie
Of slavery there What advantage would II be
the South TO refuse her admission into the Unoi
Would il not bring back the question Of slavery
be settled by Congress in forming her Territori
government
Mr.. NJ, without concluding, gave way to a m
ton 10 adjourn and then
The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.