Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-02-14
From the Ral.imore Sun.
Thirty-First COngress--2d Session.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7.

WASHINGTON, feD. =.
In Senate Mr. Seward presented two pet.
tons from New York, praying the repeal OF the
fugitive slave law. Laid on the table.
Mr. Winthrop said that he had received on
"Wednesday last, from the Secretary ofthe Com
of Massachusetts; q certificate OF the
election of Hon. Robert Rant6di, Jr., to seat
in the Senate till March 4th.
The Secretary instructed him either to present
it to the Senate or hand it to Mr. Rantoul on
his arrival at the seat Of Government MIR. X.
not having arrived, he was unwilling to retain
his seat by the act of his own discretion. He
therefore presented the credentials, thereby un-
Outstanding that according to the report OF the
judiciary Committee, the office OF the sitting
member was terminated. Mr.. w. then retired.
Mr.. Clay raised the question of privilege, and
urged the right of Mr.. Winthrop to retain his
seat till there was evidence of Mr.. Rantoul S
acceptance. -,
Mr.. Davis, of Mass, offered a resolution de-
claring that Mr.. WinthroPwas entitled to his
seat till Mr. Rantou appeared to take the place.
Mr.. Butler contended that the credential be.
iug presented to the Senate, an acceptance of
the office by the person elected was to be pre-
sumed, and Therefore the vacancy had been
filled as provided for by the legislature. MIR.
Wiathrop's right had terminated.
Mr.. Davis, of Mass, followed in opposition,
contending that the vacancy was not filed till
the person chosen was qualified, &c.
Mr.. Rhett contended that the senators aF-
pointel by the governors to fill vacancies; had
no right to seats after the meeting Of the legisla-
ture whose duty it was to fill the vacancy.
Mr. Clay repl d, contending that no elec-
ton waseompleted till the person chosen ac-
scepted the office. There being no evidence
that Mr.. Rantoul had accepted the office, he
urged that M. Winthrop's right continued.
Mr.. King sale, that, under the precedents,
Senators appointed by Executive authority had
arightto hold their seats ill the vacancy swas
filled by the Legislature, or until the Legislature,
adjourned. The credentials now submitted
showed the Legislature had filled the vacancy;
the Senate had nothing to do with the accept
ance by the person chosen.
Mr.. Hale said that Massachusetts ha 4 Ger.
tilted to the Senate that thevac aucy had been
filled by the legislature; the Senate had no right
to say to Massachusetts that she had not done
so. - =
Mr.. Rhett repeated his views, and offered a
resolution declaring that seats of Senators ap.
pointed by Executive authority were vacated
.by the assembling Of the Legislature whose du.
tyi wsstofill the vacancy.
:, The debate was continued, Messrs. Borland,
:Rhett ond Berrien sustaining the positionssof
Mr.. Rhetfs resolutions, Messrs. Downs, Brad
bury, Walker. Seward and Underwood the po.
sitien thet Senator's appointed by the Governors
had right 10 occupy their seats till the Legis-
lature filed the vacancy; and that the preseuta-
ton of the credentials was evidence to the
Senate thatthevacsney wasflled: Messrs. Rask
Clay, and Davis, Of Mass, contending that such
vivacity was pot filed till the person choseniby
the Legislature should signify his acceptance OF
he-ottice. -
II motion to lay the subjecton the table was
reiected-yeas %, nays 25.'
And, without any vote, the Senate adjourn
ed. ~
We have been kindly permitted by friend
to make the following extract from Il private
letter to him. and which he received yesterday.
tits from source well informed as to the al.
fairs of the Government at Washington and its
bearing to South Carolina. Its author Is Oh
who is entitled to unlimited confidence. -.
WAsHlNsroN, ID. c.
My Dear Sir:
-
The impression is generally entertained here
that il Sonth Corolina determines to secedu
alone las suppose she will without doubt do
that neither the President or Congress will at.
tempt to coerce her. They apprehend if a
collision eusues, that the whole South will at
once espouse thescaus Of South Carolina, and
that general disruption OF the Confederacy
would then be inevitable. Many OF the North
ern and Western men say, they will allow us
to 90 pcaceably, and that i'll the course ofa
few years, we will be knocking at the door for
re-admission. l tell them, that when we Offer
to return, they will he glad to receive u.s. The
politicians here, are much puzzled at the retrac.
tory course Of the gallant little PGipetto State
[Spartun.
DEATH OF 4 REVOLUTIONARY