The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-29
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION.

TUESDAY, May 2s, 1850.

SENATE.
Petitions were prerented by Messrs NoRRIs,
STURGEON, and DoDGE OF Iowa.
. The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate
communication from the Navy Department i'll ref
erence to a resolution calling for information re.
specting extra allowances to naval officers. Laid
on the table and ordered TO be printed.
JOSEPH p. WILLIAMS
MIR. SEBASTIAN moved, and the Senate pro-
ceeded TO the consideration of the bill for the relief
of Joseph r. Williams; and the bill was then
dered to be engrossed for third reading.
WALTER COTTON
Mr. BRADBURY moved to take up the bill for
the relief of Walter Cotton, and the question, after
debate, being taken. was decided in the negative.
NOTICES BILLS.
MIR. FELCH gave notice Of bill to amend the
act entitled 'An act TO raise for limited time
additional military force, and for other purposes
approved 18th February, lS47
Mr.. ATCHISON gave notice OF bill for the
lief of the heirs and representatives Of Colonel Alex
ander G, Morgan.
ENLARGEMENT OF THE CAPITOL.
Mr. HUNTER, from the Committee on Public
Buildings, 10 whom had been referred a memorial,
accompanied by plans and estimates, Of Robert
Mile, respecting an enlargement OF the Capitol,
made report. He said that the subject was one
which should be considered Jointly by the commit
tees Of both houses; consequently he reported a
solution amending the rules Of the Senate, as 10
enable the Committees on Public Buildings Of both
houses 70 act jointly.
The resolution was then adopted, and the Secre-
tary was ordered TO inform the House thereof.
REMOVALS FROM OFFICE.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
OF the resolution heretofore submitted by Mr.. Brad
suRY, calling for information respecting removals
from office since the 4th Of March, lS49
Mr.. WEBSTER moved to postpone the subject
till Thursday next
Mr.. TURKEY said that he desired to make some
remarks in reply TO his colleague, Mr. BELL,) re-
specting prescription in the State Of Tennessee.
Mr.. WEBSTER then withdrew his motion to
postpone.
fence OF the high character and reputation Of Jesse
b. Clements who removed from the office Of
marshal Of the eastern district Of Tennessee. He
read numerous letters from prominent Wings in
that State, bearing evidence in support Of Mr..
Clementss character; and their remembrance
against his removal. He also referred to the
OF the removal OF Mr.. Chester marshal Of the west
ern district Of Tennessee, against whom charges
could have been made. He alluded TO the cir
cumstances attending the removal Of Mr.. Mcneil,
who was postmaster in that State. He was
old man, and had been a soldier in the last
The entire voting population Of the neighborhood,
and the ladies, all united, without distinction Of
party, in a remonstrance against his removal. His
successor a man who had Just attempted TO get
up Democratic newspaper, and failed; then issued
a prospectus for a Wing paper, and failed; and
finally started a neutral paper, which was eventu-
ally made Wing paper.
After abiding 10 other cases be declared that,
30 far az he was informed, no person removed from
Office in that State could be charged with any want
OF capacity, fidelity, or integrity.
Inc resolution was then postponed TIL thursday
next, 10 up after the disposition Of the bill 10
establish branch mint at New York.
THE SPECIAL ORDER.
The Senate then resumed the consideration Of the
Compromise bill The question pending a
motion TO amend the 9th section as follows
Strike out the words " in respect o." and insert
thereof words exclude.'
and insert after the word " slavery the following
Provided, That nothing herein contained shall
be construed to prevent said territorial legislature
from passing such laws may be necessary for the
protection OF the rights u property of every kind
which may have been may be hereafter, con l.
formally TO the Constitution and laws Of the United
States, held in or introduced into said Territory.
Mr. UNDERWOOD addressed the Senate upon
the bill He examined at length the doctrine 40
often advanced in the Senate, that Congress had
power whatever slavery in the Territories, and
that il had right 70 prescribe rules or regulations
the property of citizen when carried into the
territories OF the Unien He did not accord with
this position. lie believed that Congress had The
whole sovereign power over the territories on thi'
subject as well as upon all others. He examined
the various positions assumed by Senators in the
discussion this subject, and urged that the beet
course 10 pursue 10 leave the subject entirely in
the bands Of the people Of tho Territories, 10 be deci
ded by them. He opposed 10 that portion Of the
section relating TO limitation Of the powers Of ter
ntoral legislatures. He argued that diffusion Of
slavery over extended area would benefit the
slave, and all attempts to conhne il to b present
contracted area were not in accordance with the
spirit Of philanthropy II slavery a curse, and
the people Of the Territories desired TO take some
portion Of IL 10 the relief Of the old States they
ought 70 be allowed 10 do So
ntwerea blessing, then il would be improper and
unjust 10 them 10 prevent them from introducing il
into their limits The diffusion Of slavery was not
an increase Of it. There were now one or two