The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-23
r HIRET-FIRsT co NaREes.
SECOND SESSION.



sEcQHn SESSION.
WEpsEsDAr, Jan. ~, 1851.
ThsCIiAlR laid before the Senate a communi-
cation enclosing abatement Of the contingent ex
| penses Of the Treasury Department.
Mr.. CLAY, MIR. J0NEs, aud MIR. DiCxNs0H pre-
scented petitions. Mr.. EEwARD presented me-
mortal from citizens OF New York State, praying
for free farms to settlers the public land; ALSO
memorial in favor Of arbitration instead Of gun
powder, for the settlement Of disputes between
civilized nations; also. petition for the repeal Of
the Fugitive slave law. Laid on the table
Mr.. YULEE reported bill providing 10 pay
naval medical officers for professional services on
land, the same a. army officers similarly employed.
rHE woaLD's FAIR AT LONDON.
| Mr.. HAMLlN. of the COMMITTEES on Com
merce. to which was referred the proceedings OF
the Executive United States Central Committee Of
this city, in regard 10 the collection of articles for
exhibition al the World Fair in London, asked
that the COMMITTEES be discharged from the further
consideration Of the subject, which was agreed to-
PUBLIC LAAps. N.
Mr.. BENTON offered resolution instructinp
the Committee on the Public Lands TO inquire in
to the exPedency Of suspending the auction sales
of the public domain.
The resolution for the printing of the land laws,
all in one book, was rejected, II to -.
THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.
Inc RESOLUTION o. MT NLAr, inStrucuDg the
Commiuee on Commerce TO inquire into the expe-
diency ofmaking more efectua provisions for the
suppression Of the African slave trade. and espe-
cally in reference to the policy Of Withholding sea
letters from United States vessels trading from the
Empire Of Brazil TO the west coast Of Africa, was
taken up.
Mr.. HALE had a word to say upon it. and
read the congressional circular published in this
mornings National Intelligences, in which the
sgners pledge themselves to oppose the election
of any candidate for Office who il disposed to re-
open the agitation of the slavery question. Mr..
HALE thought that those who brought forward
this resolution, and advocated il, liable to be
ostracised under this circular, for il laid open the
whole question Of slavery. He read letter from
Mr.. Hammond, of South Carolina, to Thomas
Clarkson, of England, of January %, l845, show
ing that all the measures taken to suppress the
African slave trade had only increased its horrors.
Mr.. HALE also spoke Of the colonization scheme
as designed TO strengthen and foster the institu-
ton of domestic slavery. He commended that all
the colonization, and all the squadrons in the
world, would not suppress the slave trade while
there was profitable market for them. 10 sup
press the traffic we must abolish the markets.
Mr.. CLAY, in view Of the number Of Ameri-
can vessels engaged in the slave trade between
Brazil and Africa, urged the adoption Of the
solution. There is no commerce whatever be-
tween Brazil and Africa but the slave traffic. In
regard to the circular which had been read, Mr..
CLAY admitted himself signer, and was prepared
to act up to ii.
Mr.. FcOTE also admitting himself signer Of
the circular, undertook explain it's objects, in
order to relieve himself of all censure from his
connection with that document He was several
times called to order by the Chuir during his ex-
PLANTATION, from which it appears the only object
Of the circular was to put down agitation.
Mr.. HALE followed, and was about speaking
of a certain secret meeting in one of the basement
rooms of the capitol, when he called to order.
lie then said ne was going to give piece of his
tory; but as the senator from Mississippi was re-
pentant. he would forbear.
Mr.. DAYTON called for the yeas and nays on
the resolution, which was further debated by
Messss. FoorE, JOHN DAVIS, JEFFERSON DAVIS,
BERRIEN, and CLAY, when
Mr.. HALE proposed to amend by instituting
an inquiry into the practical effects of the exist
ing measures for the suppression of the African
slave trade.
The amendment and resolutions were debated
further by Messrs. HALE, FoorE BUrLER, HAM
LIN, and others, when the amendment was re-
jected
Mr.. CLAY'S resolution of inquiry was then
adopled-yeas As; nays9.
FRENCH sPoLIATIoNs.
The bill Of FIVE millions, for the payment of H.
abilities of,he Government, growing out of French
spoliations on American trade, was resumed as
the special order of the day.
Mr.. BRADBURY spoke briefly in support Of
the bill. 3er sNtI
Mr.. SMITH moved to strike out the llth Sec
ton appropriating $4,000 to carry out the OBJ
jects of the bill. HIS purpose to facilitate its
passage; an appropriation in the House requir-
ing it to DE referred to the Committee of theWhole
for debate. aa5
Mr.. TURNEY objected to the striking out II
would have the effect Of applying the gag law up
on the House, and cutting of all debate under the
previous question.
Amer other remarks between Messrs SMITH,
TuRNEr and BERRlES, the motion Of MIR. SmIrH
was carried-yess 81; nays IS, as follows:
YEAs.,Messrs; Badger. Baldwin, Berrien, Brad
bury, Clarke, Clay, Davis of Massachusetts,
Dayton, Downs, Ewing, Green, Gwin, Hale,
HamIin, Mangum. Miller, Pearce, Phelps, Pratt,
Seward, Shields, Smith, Spruance, Underwood
Upham, Wales, Winthrop-27.
NAYs--Messrs. Atchison, Benton, Borland
Butler, Cess. Chase, Davis Of Mississippi, Daw-
son, Dickinson, Dodge Of Wisconsin, Dodge Of
Iowa, Douglas, Felch, Foote, Hunter, Jones,
King, Morton, Norris, Rhett, Rusk, Soue, Tur-
ney, Whiicomb Yulee-25.
Mr.. RUSK moved to amend the bill so as TO
disallow any indemnity whatever to any assignee
or insurer Of the original claimants under these
sprl ations.
Debated by Messrs. RusE, WALKER, RERR,EN,
BRADBURY, BoRLANp, CLAY, BUTLER, and john
DAVIS, and rejeced-25 to 80
Mr. BORLAND moved to adjourn. Lost-24
to IS.
Mr. FOOTE then appealed that he wished
little more time to consider upon the merits of
this before voting upon the question Of engross-
ment, and at his suggestion, accordingly,
The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES