The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-01
rHIRT Y-P n or 6 O N q r. z q.
SECOND sRsss0u.
IN SENATE.

&~AoA ~ SSus 81, 1901.
Pending the business Of the morning hour,
Dir. RUSK introduced bill granting the right
OF way for telegraph line from the Mississippi
river to the Pacific ocean,
Mr.. MASON introduced bill making further
provision for the satisfaction of Virginia military
land warrants, from claims growing our Of revo-
utionary services
Mr.. A. DODGE introduced bill to indem-
nifty Iowa and Missouri, for expenses OF marking
the boundary between said Suites All OF
which were appropriately referred.
HoNoRs TO THE BRAVE.
Mr.. TURNEY intr duced joint resolution
amendatory of the several resolutions hereto fore
passed, In relation to the gallant services and
good conduct Of Gen. Scott and Gen. TAYLOR
and others, so as to embrace presentation OF
a sword to each Of the Major Generals and Bri-
gadier Generals, who fought in tho Mexican
war; Referred to the Committee on Military
Affairs.
THE SPANISH SCHOONER AMIsTAD
Mr.. MASON'S resolution, instructing the
Committee on Foreign Relations to inquire into
the expediency of making some indemnity to
the Spanish claimants Of the Africans of the
schooner Amistad, according 10 the recommen.
dalton of President Polk in his annual message
Of l847, Was next taken up
MIR. CHASE was opposed to the resolution.
ie referred to the several treaties between Spain
and Great Britain for the suppression of the
African slave trade, and recited the history of
the Amistad case. The Africans were declared
by the Supreme Court to be free men, were
liberated, and subsequently sent to Africa. They
had been kidnapped in violation of existing
treaties, and there was not shadow of Justice in
any claim set up for indemnity for the loss of
these men.
MIR. HALE said that nothing so nblorrent as
this proposition had ever been presented to the
Senate. Under the late great Compromise mca
surcs there was to be universal peace, everybody
was to love everybody; there was to be unver-
sal peace, and harmony, and concord and glori
hcatlon. Agitation was to be put mt rest for.
ever. Now what do We see! If any member
OF the prescribed party of the North proposed
any thing here, it was immediately put to sleep
by the most effective narcotic. But when this
most abominable and abhorrent proposition
from the other side ia presented, we have no
alarm exited at all. 1t Is only proposed that we
shall voluntarily iniemnify Parcel of slave.
traders out of the National Treasury when. II
these men had been our own citizens, every mnn
ofthem, with the law enforced, would have been
hung He admonshed gentlemen not to be 5 O
sure that the moral sentiment of the North is 80
far crushed that they will submit to any out
rage OH this question of slavery. There may be
q ground swell before they are prepared for il.
Mr.. CLAY thought that as this was mere
proposition of inquiry, it ought to be adopted,
especially as It IL according to recommends.
ton of the late President Polk. For himself.
Mr.. CLAY had no fixed opinion on the subject
lie took occasion to refer to the predictions
which he had made, that the Compromise bills
would give peace to the country, and to their
exact ful6lment now. There is peace-apta-
ton is put down; or what is left of it. is like
the dying echoes Of carmon among the noun
tains.
Mr.. HALE rejoined an the subject of agita-
ton, and remarked substantially, that if any
man should place himself before the people for
their suffrages NJ the CHAMPION or as an advo-
cate Of the Compromise bills, he would feel the
weight of public opinion. His situation would
be like that Of the Dutchman-the ship was
sinking-eyery one on board was seizinc some.
thing upon which to swim ashore He seized
the anchor, and down he went with it TO the
bottom.
Mr.. MASON hoped, that as two of the sena-
tors who had spoken, had no doubt done 80 to
satisfy their constituents of their vigilance upon
everything connected with slavery. that the reso.
LUTON would be adopted He adverted to the
message Of President Polk, and to the fact that
the Senate at the time passed a bill appropriat-
ing $4,000 10 these claimants as indemnity.
After further remarks by Messrs WALKER
and CHASE.
Mr.. HALE moved to lay the resolution on
the table. Lost--9 TO 43.
Mr. WINTHROP, though always opposed to
this Amistad claim, could sec no principle for
opposing mere resolution Of inquiry.
And the resolution was adopted
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. HUNTER gave notice Of bill to amend
the warehonsing law.
Mr. HALE offered resolution calling upon
the President for the official correspondence in
the case Of the Spanish slave schooner, the
Amistad Lies over one day.
Mr. FOOTE offered resolution calling for
information Of the Secretary Of State in refer
ence to the graduation Of tho salaries of our dip.
lomaiic agents abroad. Adopted.
The bill was passed in relation to dead letters
in the post offices Of California and Oregon
providing for their examination Mt San Francisco
CALIFORNIA LAND TITLES.
The CHAIR announced private bills to be
the order of the day.
On motion Of Mr.. HUNTER, all other orders
were postponed, and the Senate proceeded to
the consideration Of the bill providing board
OF three Commissioners for the ascertainment
and settlement Of California land claims and
land titles, the question being upen Mr.. BEN
Tons amendment as modified at the instance OF
Mr.. SouLE, providing that possessory right OF
twenty years occupation within determined
metes and bounds, shall be deemed prima tacie
a good title against the United States.
Mr.. SOULE, in support Of this proposition
pleaded earnestly the cause of the old settlers in
California, acquired with the lands from the gov
eminent Of Mexico.
Mr.. BERRIEN replied against the amend
ment.
Mr.. BRADBURY suggested modification
of the amendment to limit Of $40 acres Not
in order.
And, Mr.. BENTON'S amendment was re-
jected, | ! to 81, as follows
YEAS --Messrs. Benton. Bradbury Chase
Davis of Mississippi, Dodge Of Wisconsin
Dodge of Iowa, Rhett, Seward, Shields, Soule
Yulee.-ll.