Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-11-24
but the vote was ono Of alarming closeness,

On the following day, Mr.. hing, under
a leave to make personal explanation, de.
livered long speech. in which he plainly
proclaimed and gave warning that the
North would insist upon the application of
the Wilmot Proviso to any territory that
might be acquired from Mexico. His re-
marks produced no little excitement, and
led to warm debate ofthe sectional ques-
ton touching the Mexican territory, the
matter before the House being bill for
the increase Of the army This debate
might be pro6tably analysed, but we have
not space to do so here. 1t forms an inn
portant part of the history of the Oregon
bill 1t may be clearly shown from the
speeches of Northern members that the
extension of the Wilmot Proviso to Ore
gon was not recognized by them as in con-
formity with the Missouri Compromise,
but was prefaced by an admoni,ion that
the North meant to apply it to all territory
whether South or North Of Sc, 80. We
return then to the Oregon bill.
The army bill after the debate referred
to had been finished, was passed on the
11th January. On the same day, the Ore
gon Bill was taken up. and what 1t contain
ed many be learned from the following ex-
tracts from the Globes report:
JANUARY II, 1S47.-The House. on mo-
ton of Mr.. Douglas, resolved itself into
Committee Of the Whole on the state of
the Union, Mr.. Hopkins of Va. in the Chair,
and proceeded to tho consideration of the
bill to establish the Territorial Government
Of Oregon.
The bill having been read through was
taken up by sections.
Mr.. James Thompson said: Mr.. Chair
man, rise to make an inquiry ofthe hon.
orable gentleman whe reported this bill. 1t
will be recollected that at the last session of
this Congress; l had the honor to offer to
the bill for the organization of the territory
Of Oregon, an amendment to provide a
gainst the introduction of slavery into said
Territory. desire to know what pro-
vision this bill contains on the subject:
whether it contains the amendment then
offercdl If not desire to renew the amend
ment.
Mr.. Douglas replied by reading the 18th
section Of the Bill, which extends the pro-
vision of the Ordinance of 1857 to the
Oregon Territory. and said he presumed
the gentleman would find slavery express
ly prohibited by that ordinance.
Mr. Thompson said he knew this to be
so. Ifthat Ordinance was, as he had no
doubt it was, in force at this time. he would
reflect on the subject until the section came
before the committee.
Mr.. Douglas in reply read the follow
ing portion Of the 18th section of the bill
which he Thought would fully satisfy the
gentleman inquiry, viz:
"SEc. 12.-And be it further enacted.
That the inhabitants of said Territory shall
be entitled to enjoy all and singular the
rights and privileges and advantages grant
ed and secured to our people of the terri
tory of the States northeast Of the Ohio
river, by an article of compact contained
in the Ordinance for the government Of
said territory,on the 18th day OF July 1887
and shall be subject to all the conditions,
and restrictions, and prohibitions in said
articles of compact imposed upon the peo-
pie of said territory"
The second and third sections were pass
ed over without amendment.
Other sections of the bill were consider
ed, and the committee Of the whole rose
without concluding the subject.
JAN. 18th. The House again took up, in
committee, the Oregon bill.
Mr.. Bnrt moved to amend the 18th sec.
ton, in the 7th line, between the word "and
and the word SHALL" by adding the fol,
lowing words:
"Inasmuch as the whole ofthe said Ter,
ritory lies north of sc deg 80 min. north
latitude, known as the line of the Missouri
Compromise"
JAN. 18th. The House adjourned to
attend tie funeral Of Senator Penncbacker
JAN. 18th. The consideration of the
Oregon bill was resumed. and Mr.. Burt
spoke at length in favor ofhis amendment.
The main point of Mr.. Burt's argument
was, that if the North refused to adopt his
amendment it would be tantamount to a
declaration that slavery was restricted in
Oregon because the Northern majority
claimed the right generally TO restrict slave
ry in all the Territories, and meant to exer-
else it. Mr.. Petit of Indiana, hot Free
Soler, replied, accepted Mr.. Burt's issue,
and advocated at large the Wilmot Provi-
so. Thus, before the vote on Mr.. Burt's
amendment, Southern men werefully warn
ed ofthe consequences ofrejecting it. Again
we cite the record.
JAN. 15th.-The Oregon bill was again
taken up in the committee, the question
being on the amendment, of Mr.. Burt. The
vote was taken Immediately, by tellers, as
usual in committee of the whole, and the
telers reported in favor of the amend
ment 20; against it, 72. So the amendment
was not agreed to-"
The different sections of the bill being
gone through with,
The committee then rose, and the chair
man reported the bill to the House.
Mr.. Douglas moved the previous ques-
tion,but withdrew it at the request of
Mr.. Burt, who moved to oamend the 18th
section in the 7th line, by adding between
the word "and" and the word "shall," the
words:
"Inasmuch as the whole Of the said ter
ritory lies north Of Sc deg. and 80 min.
North latitude, known as the line Of the
Missouri Compromise"
Mr.. B. renewed the motion for the pre-
vlous question.
The previous question was then second
ed and the main question was ordered TO
be put.
The Speaker stated that the main ques-
ton was on agreeing to the amendment Of
fered by Mr.. Burt.
The vote was then taken on the amend
ment by yeas, and nays, and decided as
follows-yeas 50, nays lib. e1
SO the amendment was rejected.
This vote was strictly sectional, and, OF
course, Col Johnson, with the other South
r. I