The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-11

of responsibility which would devolve upon me in
deciding a question which seems to be doubtful in
its character, inasmuch as the House of Represen-
tatives have come 10 one decision, and the incli-
nation OF the chair il TO another. The certificate
Of the proceedings in the House Of Represents
tves will be read.
The secretary read a certificate from the Ser
geant- alarms of the House of Representative
showing that the Committee on Mileage of that
House had unanimously reported To allow the
mileage OF the members from California in accord
ance with the law Of ODD January, 1918, according
to the most usually travelled route; and that the
Sergeant alarms had therefore allowed them mile
age for the route by way Of Panama.
Mr.. HUNTER. That being the state of the
case, offer the following resolution
The President Of the Senate having stated to the
Senate question to the true construction of
the act Of the Goth September, 1885, in relation to
the mileage OF the Senators from California, or
dered that It be referred to the Judiciary Commit
tee, to inquire and report whether the said act, so
far as relates to the mileage Of the Senators of
California, Is permanent or temporary in its pro-
| visions.
The PRESIDENT. The Chair hopes there
will be no objection to considering and adopting
OF this resolution, he wishes the decision Of the
committee OF the Senate, well as Of the COM
mittee OF the House Of Representatives, on the
subject. Ii would relieve him from very deli
cate responsibility, which he really feels incompe-
tent to discharge.
Mr.. BERRlEN. l wish to inquire whether
the report Of the committee of the House was sub
mtted for action to the House Of Representatives
The PRESIDENT. The Chair would state
that he understands the whole subject is before
the Committee on Mileage of the House of Repre-
sentatives to be decided upon as they think proper
IL is not necessary that their report should be sub
mitted TO the House for their action. There is no
such committee in the Senate, however.
The resolution was considered by unanimous
consent and agreed to.
A PEEP INTO THE LITERARY CIRCLES OF LoN-
DoN.-The society the literary world of London
Is conducted after this wise. There are certain
persons, for the most part authors, editors, or
artists, but with the addition Of a few who can
only pride themselves upon being the patrons of
literature and art, who hold periodical assemblies
OF the notablea. Some appoint certain evening
in every week during the season, general invita-
ton TO which is given to the favored; others IRE
monthly; and others, again, at regular intervals
At these gatherings the amuscments are conversa-
ton only, and the entertainments uno0tenlatious
and inexpensive, consisting of tea and coffee,
wine and nagus handed about in the course of
the evening, and sandwiches cake and wine at IL
o'clock. Suppers are prohibited by common con-
sent, for costliness would speedily put an end to
society to be sacrificed to fashion, The company
meets usually between eight and nine clock and
| always parts at midnight believe that these are
the only social circles in London in which mex
pensiveness is the rule, and hence, perhaps, it is
that they are the most frequent, the most social
and most agreeable. At these parties there is al
ways an amusing character, The only recoeniz-
ed test of admission is talent. If a person be re-
markable for any talent, no matter what his sta
ton in life, here he is welcome. The question al
ways asked in the literary circles is, not as in
other circles ''What is hei" but "Who is he :"
Authors, artists, editors, musicians, scientific
men, actors and singers, male and female, are
| uronDed tOoe her nd al md
onets, knights, lawyers, doctors, booksellers,
printers, provided they possess the qualification of
being authors, artists, musicians, or be renowned
as patrons Of the literature, art or music, here
meet together in temporary social equality, but
regulated so that it does not lead to familiarity
elsewhere London Lit. Journal.
The CONDITION OF THE SLAvE.-A Methodist
clergyman, who has been engaged at the South
and West in the cause Of the CoIonizatios So
ciety, has published his views ut the North of
the institution of slavery, which is hard nut for
the Abolitionists to crack. Here is an extract
| from his statement
81 have seen slavery in the West Indies, Vene-
zuela and Brazil, but nowhere have | seen it
under more modified and redeeming circum-
stances, all things considered, than ia Missouri
and Louisiana. The houses for the servants
are generally good, framed, single story build
ings, painted white, on elevated ground, with
fine groves about them. They constitute, in
many instances, beautiful little village The
slaves are well dressed well fed, and have every-
thing that will add to their social and domestic
comfort. Missionaries preach regularly to them
on the Sabbath, and many of the slaves are truly
pous. The Scriptures are also taught them by
the ministers The hours of service are less
than in factories of the North and what you
may almost be tempted to doubt have not
seen in all my travels single case of cruelty or
unkindness from master to a slave! There is
constant solicitude and care for their health
and comfort, which is rarely seen for the Irish
servants at the North; and | have seen both
master and mistress engaged in assisting Mt the
wedding of two of their servants, and upon al
most equal terms. have seen the little chill
dren playing heartily with their sooty little
friends OF the cabin, without an apparent thought
OF one being better than the other, or worse
have seen little or no unhappiness among
the colored people-no intemperance, profanity
or vagrancy among these people. | have con-
versed with them freely; visited them in their
houses, and when laboring in the feld-and my
impressions are confirmed, that ISLANDERS and
falsehoods, ut the North, have been heaped upon
the South, about these matters and that, too,
by ministers of the gospel Seriously would
| prefer being such a slave as have seen at the
South than such free colored man as have
seen at the North have never seen more
deeply pious persons than ] have found among
the planters at the South. Cruel and wicked is
the warfare waged against them by it the Meth
odist church has been divided, and now it threat
ems the existence of this blessed Union Be-
lieve me, when tell you, that the Southern
people are deeply injured and grieved by this
cruel spirit at the North. ] pray that it may
cease, and its ngitators return to sober mind"
Supreme Court of the United States.
FRIDAY, MARCH I, 1851.
No. ga. ID. Random Us. r. Toby's admins
traitor. In error to the district court United
States for Texas.
Mr.. Justice Grier delivered the opinion of
this Court, affirming the judgment of the said
district court, with costs and damages at the
rate of six per centum per annum.
No 86 A Fowler Of nj ne A MerriI