The republic., 1851-02-15

poaled, becauDe they are a law abiding people.
1t is a law Of the land He took occasion to
sey that the gentlsmen who had signed the
pledge had bound themselves for all time to
come, even to the extent of opposing any measure
having for its effect and tendency the exclusion of
slavery from the Territories. Territorial govern
ments have been established for New Mexico and
Utah; and it not said that slavery about to
be engraited In New Mexico. According to a state
ment recently published in paper of this city at
this time there are slaves in New Mexico. While
southern gentlemen are under no obligation what
ever to forego any thing with regard to slavery,
northern men have bound themselves not to resist
slavery going into the Territories.
Mr bohEE regretted that, on an occasion like
this, his honorable colleague should call in question
the action Of those associated with him as Repre-
sentatives of a common State, (New York; He
was proud to avow himself sgner Of the pledge;
and whether il be said by his colleague, or by
any other member, he (Mr. B.) had the con-
viction that he had been actuated by sense of
duty; he would repeat he surprised that his
colleague, for whom he was pleased TO say he en-
tertaned respect, should have undertaken to assai
any portion Of the delegation.
Mr. CONGER said he had assailed nobody, nor
had he impugned the honesty, integrity, and pa
triotism OF anybody, not even Of those who signed
the pledge. He felt free to notice the pledge, be
cause the pledge circulated from aisle to aisle,
and from desk TO desk. He felt free to comment
on il as part of the history Of the times in the
spirit Of kindness.
MIR. BOKEE had only 10 say, in reply, that while
the honorable gentleman was incapable Of misrep-
resentng any one, he had taken occasion to sit in
judgment on the action of his colleagues, and had
ventured an opinion that those who signed the pledge
would be repudiated by the people While he agreed
with the sentiment responsibility to their
sttuents, he objected to the gentleman's impuaton
ofmotives to him, and to the expression that his
stituents would not sustain him for signing the
pledge The gentleman from Ohio Mr.. GIDDINos)
asked whether would turn out and catch a fugi-
tive? ! would (said MIR. b. rather turn out and
catch those found in resistance to the law than the
fuoitiv&nxxe.
Mr.. CO301oDunpid that his colleague had ualG
apprehended what he had uttered He did notYay
that those who signed the pledge would be repu-
dated by their constituents, but that the pledge
would be repudiated by the northern people. He
had no right to say that the constituents Of the
gentleman would not sustain him; nor did he hear
the question propounded by the gentleman from
Ohio
MIR. BOKEE said that the gentleman had right
to his opinion, but he mr. 3D. denied the construc-
tion which the gentleman had given to the pledge.
But he took the position that those who signed it
consider that the agitating questions were settled
by tho measures of Compromise. No matter what
objection there might have been to any Of them,
they were settlement the entire question; there
fore those who continue the agitation, the signers
Of the pledge were bound to oppose, and on that
position he placed himself nor was he to be moved
by the cry of"catching slave
Mr. GlDDINGS l find myself Unexpectedly
alluded to by the gentleman from New York, Mr..
BoKEE.) ! addressed myself to another gentle
man, in a low tone, in an interrogatory. The gen.
tleman has right to say that he can turn out and
catch negro, and that his constituents turn
out and catch painting fugitives, put irons on their
| trembling limbs and take them back to bondage.
he is willing to boast of that, have objection.
lam willing he shall rise before the country, and
the world, and play the bloodhound; but deny
his right to drag me into the scrape. II is matter
between him and the people, and his constituents
| and his God.
Mr.. JONES reviewed the condition of the trea-
sry, compared expenditures under Wing and
| Democratic administrations, and spoke of the es-
Inmates for the present and the next fiscal year.
Mr.. BOWIE supported the River and Harbor
bill.
Mr.. CROWELL argued in favor of protection
70 domestic manufactures, in advocacy of the i'm
provement of rivers and harbors, and against the
Fugitive Slave law, being needlessly harsh, un-
necessarily offensive, and calculated to rrtate the
portions of the country in which slavery does not
exist.
At five minutes to ten O'Clock the committee
(nins members only being presently arose, and. by
unanimous consent, an adjournment took place
until to day at eleven o'clock
PETITIONS PRESENTED UNDER THE RULE.
By Mr.. KERR: The memorial of Samuel Ham,
blcton, jr., Howes Goldsborough, and ninety 9TH
ers, citizens of Talbot county, Mary land, asking
for the establishment of line of mail steamships