The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-01-29

titled TO a participation in such disposal
Of them with the new He moved, as an
amendment, that instructions to that effect
be given to the committee to whom the bill
is to be referred.
~ le
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.
SENATE.--Mr. Clay's resolution directing
an inquiry by the committee on commerce
into the expediency ofmaking more effectu-
al provision for the suppression of the Afri-
can slave trade, and especially into the
propriety Of refusing sea letters to Ameri-
can vessels trading between Rio Janeiro
and the Western Coast Of Africa, was
taken up.
Mr. Hale read publication in the morn
ing papers which pledged the signers of it,
being members of Congress, to support no
man for the office Of Presidents Vice Pres
ident, Senator, member of Congress, or
member of a State Legislature, who was
in favor of disturbing the compromise acts
Of the last session. He said this resolu-
ton commenced the agitation of slavery,
and he feared the signers OF that paper
would themselves be subject TO its os,ra-
cisn. 1-e F'
Mr.. Clay replied, defending his resoIu-
ton. and ayowed himself a signer Of the
paper alluded to. and his determination to
carry out the pledge.
Mr.. Foote followed. defending the paper,
and avowing himself one of the signers:
The debate was further continued, and
the resolution was adopted-yeas 40,
nays 8. The nine noes were Messrs.
Benton, Borland. Butler, Davis. of Miss,
Hale, Rhett, Soule. Turney, Yulee.
~I1oUsE.-Thc deficiency bill was taken
up, and Mr.. Robinson, Of Indiana. went
into general review of the pension de-
partment; the general impression being,
from what was to be collected from expla-
nations from other members, as well as
what was stated by that gentleman, that the
department is in a very inefficient state;
and it was asserted that the duties were for.
merly better performed by the Secretary
of War.
Mr.. Hampton, Of Pennsylvania, follow
ed in q long speech. abounding in statis.
tical information connected with the iron
interests of his State; where he stated
about 600 900 persons are dependent upon
the iron works for support. Of course his
object was 10 recommend an increase OF
the present tariff, which he said he wished
modified so as to improve all other inter-
ests.
A good deal Of impotence was mani
tested during the reading of this speech,
particularly after three o'clock had ar
rived, the usual hour Of adjournment; and
when he had finished his remarks the COM
nittee rose and the House adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %.
SENATE.-The Senate took up the French
spoliation bill. ...
The Senate then proceeded TO the con-
sderation Of Executive business, and at.
ter some time the doors were opened, and
the Senate adjourded. ...
lIoUsE.-The bill to encourage agricul
ture, commerce and manufactures, by
granting to every head Of family lot
of land, to the extent of one hundred and
sixty acres, was read first and second
time. hlsI
Mr.. Johnson, Of Tennessee, spoke in
favor Of the bill, and contended, that while
bounty lands were being given to soldiers,
and was appropriated for the benefit of
corporations, colleges, schools, lunatic asy.
,lums, and various other purposes, those
men who would receive lands and cult
vate them, and become useful and efficient
Citizens. had hitherto been neglected.
Mr.. Hilliard, Of Alabama, followed on
the same side, who expressed himself in
favor of giving the public lands TO the peo-
pie, in the largest sense of the term.
Mr.. Carey, of Pennsylvania, opposed
the measure contemplated in the bill.
Mr.. Green, Of Missouri, then addressed
the House, and the debate took quite a dis.
,cursiye range, involving the claims of the
sold States tothe public lands, which it was
lnow proposed to give away-political dii
.ferences, and other subjects quite foreign
40 that contained in the bill.
saa The morning hourhaving expired whicl
aiiTwas agreedto appropriate to the consid
,seration of business ON the Speakers table
AR. Bayly. of Virginia, moved that tn.
(. House resolve itself into committee Of tn,
sswhole ,enthe state Of the Union, when til,
Deficiency bill again cameu up for discus