The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-12-25
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
rmrRrY-sEcoND coNcREss-rIRsr SESSION.
SENATE.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER l8.

SENATE
THURSDAY DECEMBER 49,
Mr.. Underwood presented the memorial of
John A. Rajan, proposing to execute plan
discovered by him for draining the lands over
flowed by the Mississippi and its tributaries.
on condition of grant Of portion of the land,
reclaimed which was referred to the Com
mittee on Roads and Canals
Mr.. Gwin, agreeably to previous notice, ask.
ed and obtained leave to bring in a bill grant
ing the right of way for, and to aid in the
construction of line of telegraph from the
Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean; which
was read a first and second time by its title
and referred to the Committee on the Post
Office and Post Roads
Mr. Fetch, agrceably TO previous notice
asked and obtained leave to bring in the fol.
lowing bills:
A bill to authorize the State of Illinois to
select the residue of the lands to which she is
entitled under the act Of I'd March, 1927.
granting land to aid that State in opening a
canal to connect the waters of the Illinois river
with those of Lake Michigan and
bill to revive and continue in focce for a
limited time the provisions of an act relative to
suspended entries of public lands.
The said bills were read a first and second
time, and referred to the Committee on Public
Lands
The following engroSsed bills were seyerally
read third time and passed:
A bill for the relief of Margaret L. Worth ::
and
A bill to provide compensation to such per-
sons as may be designated by the Secretary
: x e 70 -. 80.
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A message from the House of Representa-
tives, by Mr.. Robb, Chief Clerk:
"Mr. President The House of Representa-
tives have passed the following joint resolu-
tons:
"Joint resolution providing for the binding
of certain documents
Joint resolution to authorize the Postmas-
ter General to legalize certain contracts for the
transportation of the mail in California and
Oregon and
"Joint resolution providing for the printing
of additional copies of the journals and public
documents
In which they request the concurrence of
the Senate
Mr.. Hale made personal explanation in
relation to his remarks on the question wheth-
er slavery was or was not abolished in the
territories acquired from Mexico by the opera
ton of the Mexican laws He read from the
Congressional Globe the report of speech
delivered in the Senate by Hon Thomas Corwin,
late Senator from Ohio, to the effect that
Senators coming from a slave State, with a
very few exceptions, all eminent lawyers on this
floor from that section of the country, have
argued that you have no right to prohibit the
introduction of slavery into Oregon, California.
and New Mexico while on the other hand,
there is not man, with few exceptions land
some highly respectable,) in the free States
learned or unlearncd, clerical or lay who has
any pretensons to legal knowledge but believes
in his conscience that you have a right to
prohibit slavery
Mr.. Badger offered An amendment to the
Compromise resolution of Ms. Foote, which
was agreed to-yeas "a nays not counted. The
resolution now stands as follows:
A Resolution declaring the Measures of Adjustment
to be dcfnitivc settlement of tho questions grow
| ing out of domestic slavery.
| BE al resolved That the series of measures
embraced in the acts entitled An act propo-
| sing to the State Of Texas the establishment of
| her northern and western boundaries, the re-
| linquishment by the said State of all territory
claimed by her exterior to said boundaries, and
of all her claims upon the United States, and
to establish Territorial Government for New
Mexico" approved September 9, 1850; "An
act for the admission of the State of California
into the Union" approved September 8, 1850;
" An not to establish n Territorial Government
for Utah" approved September 9, $780, "An
act to amend and supplementary to an act en-
titled An act respecting fugitiyes from justice,
and persons escaping from the service of their
masters, approved February l2, 1893" approx
cd September IS, 1850 and An act to sup
press the slave trade in the District of Column
bia" approved September 20, 1850, commonly
known as the Compromise Actsn are, in the
judgment of this body, n settlement in princi-
pie and substance final settlement of the
dangerous and exciting subjects which they
embraced and ought to be adhered to by Con-
gress until time and experience shall domon-
strate the necessity of further legislation to
guard against evasion or abuse.
Mr.. Foote spoke ut length in favor of the
resolution, without concluding, and the Senate
adjourned
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10.
Mr.. Hunter presented the credentials of Hon
John J. McRae, Senator appointed by the Gov
ernOr of Mississippi to fll the vacancy occa-
stoned by the resignation of Hon. Jefferson
Davis.
Mr.. Miller gave notice of the River and Har-
Dor bill
A resolution was adopted, authorizing the
Committee on Printing to employ clerk.
Mr.. Gwin submitted resolution, which was
adopted, calling upon the Secretary of the Ma
Wy to lay before the Senate all correspondence
in relation TO fiogging in the navy.
The Presidents message was taken up, and
the subjects alluded to therein were appropri-
ately referred.
The Compromise resolution was taken up |
and Mr. Foote addressed the Senate in further |
reply to Mr.. Rhett and in Indication of the |
Union, and ~ consequence against secession |
He adverted to our past history, and charged |
that Mr.. Rhett had been preaching the doc
trine Of aggression by South Carolina on the |
United States and read extracts from that |
gentleman's speech to prove the assertion |
We might be alarmed in consequence Of the |
hostile preparations being made by South Caro-
lima were it not that the co-operationists sue
ceeded in a recent contest in that State, and
the Senator (Mr Rhett) and another gentle
man were the only two elected a. the represent
atives of separate State secession.
Mr.. F0ote concluded, and Mr.. Rhett obtain
ed the fioor-whereupon, the Senate adjourned
until tomorrow.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20.
Mr.. Seward presented memorial from the
Industrial Congress of the city Of New York,
asking such modification Of the foreign policy
Of the Government as will admit its interven-
ton in behalf of the oppressed subjects of other
countries to shake of despotical Governments.
Referred to Committee on Foreign Relations.
The joint resolution expressive Of the sym
patty OF Congress for the exiled Irish patriots,