The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-19
THIRTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
MONDAY, February IS, 1850.
SENATE.

the spirit ratlons IN the navy,
Mr. BRADBuRy presented several memorials of
the same character.
CHEAP POSTAGE.
Messrs. SEWARD, HALE, DICKINSON, HAMLIS,
SoULE, and BERRIEN presented memorials praying
IL reduction of postage.
CoopER, DOUGLAS, DICKINSON, TuRNEy, King,
MASON, RUsK, FETCH, SEBASTIAN, DopeE of Wis
consin, SouLE, CLAY, WHrTcoMB, BRADBURY, and
DODGE OF Iowa.
Messrs. COOPER and SruReEoS presented petit
tons, numerousy signed, praying modification
of the tariff.
SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1912.
Memorials praying that the soldiers of the war Of
1912 be allowed bounty land, presented by
Messrs. CoorER, HALE, and King
WORKS OF JOHN ADAMS.
Mr. WEBSTER presented the memorial of
Messrs. Little and Bunn booksellers, asking that
Congress might subscribe for copies OF work 10 be
published, comprising the diary and other unpub-
hshed works Of John Adams.
DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION.
Mr. CLAY presented petition of James A. Della
cour, praying that the Senate would expcl from
their body any Senator who would dare 10 present
any memorial or proposition to divide the Union.
Laid on the table.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Several private bills were reported from the Com
mittees, and placed on the calendar.
UNITED STATES COURTS IN FLORIDA.
Mr. Yulee moved, and the Senate proceeded to
the consideration Of the bill to amend the several
establishing district courts of the United States
in the State of Florida and provide for writs of
error and appeals from said courts And the same
was read third time and passed.
RESOLUTIONS.
Several resolutions heretofore submitted calling
for information from the Department Of the Interior
as to the amount of moneys expended in harbors,
lighthouses, &C., in the land district Of Milwaukee,
resolutions directing inquiry into the expediency
of several matters connected with Wisconsin and
Iowa; and a resolution directing an inquiry into
the expediency OF liking salary for the collection
ofcusIoms for the district of Middletown, Connec
ticut, were taken up and adopted.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi, submitted the follow
ing resolutions, which were adopted:
Resolped, That the memoir and map of rcconnois-
sance of the Typographical Engineers, showing the
operations of the army of the United States, in
Texas, and the adjacent Mexican States on the Rio
Grande asked for by resolution Of the Senate of the
Sth August, 54S, and the files of the Senate
be printed for the use of the Senate.
Resolred, That in addition TO the usual number
there be printed two hundred and fifty extra for the
use of the Bureau.
Mr.. SEBASTIAN submitted resolution which
was adopted, directing inquiry into the expedi-
ency of establishing certain mail routes in the State
Mr.. DODGE, of Wisconsin, submitted the follow
ing resolution, which considered and agreed to-
Resoired, That the Committee on the Judiciary be
instructed to inquire into the expediency of estab
fishing circuit courts Of the United States in the
States of Wisconsin and Iowa.
Mr.. SEWARD submitted the following resolu-
ton, which considered and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Committee on the Public
Lands be instructed to inquire whether amend
ment of the act Of 18th February, ls47, so to
thorize the sale assignments of land warrant:
before they are actually issued at the Office is
sary expedient.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
Of Mr. CLAWS
COMPROMISE RESOLUTIONS, (sLAvERy.)
Mr.. DOWNS said that when the resolutions were
first presented, he had felt himself called upon
state some of the strong which would Undue,
him to oppose them. Having then opposed them
and having had no opportunity TO state why he wa
impressed with the firm conviction that those reso
lutions contained doctrines which were not only
dangerous TO the South, but destructive of the hes
interests OF the whole country, he thought himsel
called upon now 10 state those reasons.
The Senator from Kentucky had said that all tn
several questions involved in the subject of saver
should be settled at once, and the Senator from
Mississippi but stated the great surprise of th
whole South, when the Senator from Kentuck
had changed his views, and now favored the ad
mission of California without any settlement of IN
other subjects.
The Senator from Kentucky said that his resolu
tons contained nothing of concessions the PAL
OF the South. One Of them stated that slavery di
not exist in California. Was not this concession
There was no concession 10 the South, except pei
haps in the resolution declaring thatit was nexpe
dent to abolish slavery in the pstric q oYte.Ils
but in the IN winch this resolution wa
couched, there was a concession of the power to d
so; and when he reflected that such resolution
had been passed years ago, and saw that it was nc
observed, he could not but consider that il i
effect nothing more than a concession by the Sout
of the power 70 Congress.
He had hoped that in the terms Of the resolution
that California ought TO be admitted into the Unio
with Z" suitable boundaries" there was measur
whereby something might be done TO settle tn
subject but the course OF the Senator in advocatn
the admission of that State had shut out all hope
that subject.
Mr.. CLAY explained that when he inserted theS
words he had not seen the constitution Of Gallo
MIA, and did not know but what in il was inserte
provision that IL the boundaries did not meet Il
approval Of Congress they might be altered. !
was not now committed in favor Of the boundari
as laid down in the California constitution; but
might be that Congress would have no aftermath
but 10 adopt them.
Mr.. DOWNS said that Il made but little diffe
ence whether California had such provision in h
constitution or not. Congress had the power
alter those boundaries, and had exercised tn
power in the cases Of Florida and Iowa.
The action Of Congress at the last session on q
Walker amendment was commented upon.
that amendment the whole difficulty could ha'
been settled. But it was defeated in the House
the friends OF the incoming administration throue
the efforts Of the Senator from New York, IN
SEwARD,) and distinguished gentleman who fe
days after became a member Of General Taylor
Cabinet.
Inc South mad done every thinR 10 settle IN
measure, and if disunion did come, he would CO
tinue 10 attribute IL 10 this action on the part
the incoming administration.
The action Of the convention Of California in G
GLIDING slavery, and the whole movement there
form n State government, was attributed 10 the a
ton Of the Government. Hence, why the sudd
change in the sentiments of the people there W
had gone from Georgia, Mississippi, and other sla
States? II evident that the whole affair "
settled here, and the remark that the prohibition
slavery was done unanimously, was, IL Of any fort
direct evidence that the thing made to orc
here, and sent out 20 them for adoption.
The despatch Of Mr.. Clayton 70 Mr.. King "
critically examined, and from its language II "
contcnded that Mr. King went out with directic
20 urge the formation Of State government, and
exclude slavery, because by doing they woI
accord with the sentiments of majority in Congre
and hence the Administration would be rcliey
from any controversy, that majority would
prove their action, and admit California Sta
The convention held in California not
convention Of the people there. The scnat
elected were not in that country one year. Th'
who voted for them in the legislature
there over six months. When the fair express
Of the sentiments Of the people Of California ca
20 him, be would reco gnise IL and approve Of