Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-02-28
Thlrty-First Congressional session.
THURSDAY, Feb. 2

son. and, after debate, the same was ordered to be
engrossed for third reading.
The House amendment to the deficiency bill was
concurred in.
The postage bill was taken up and discussed, and
the Senate adjourned
In the House. the bill for increasing the efficiency
of the naval service was referred to committee of the
whole The House then took up the military acade-
my BILL and laid it aside. The bill relative to In
dian affairs was taken up, and several amendments
adopted The bill was then read third time and
laid aside to be reported to the House Various 9TH
er bills. which had been previously agreed to, were
read third time and ordered to be engrossed and
passed
FRIDAY, Feb. 2lst.
SENATE-A message was received from the Presi-
dent in response to Mr.. Clays resolution asking for
information relative to the negro riot in Boston
The message will be found in another column
| Mr.. Clay moved the message be referred to the
committee on the judiciary. He addressed the Sen
ate in terms denunciatory of the conduct of those
who took part in the affair at Boston. particularly
the white under whose instigations and induce
ments the deluded negroes urged to take these
steps. He denounced, in very measured terms,
the proceedings of MIR. Geo. Thomson, of England.
| Mr.. Hale followed pronouncing the proclamation
of the President impoltic, unwise, unnecessary,
futile, idle, weak proceeding.
Mr.. Clay replied, and Mr.. Hale rejoined with
much warmth.
Mr.. Mason contended that the law could never be
| executed without change in the sentiment of the
people of the North To surrender up fugitive slaves
duty required by the constitution. Massachu-
sets had laws upon her statute books which forbade
the execution of the laws by her officers and cit-
zens. He held Massachusetts false to her federal
obligations.
| MIR. Cass agreed with Mr.. Clay. He justified the
acts of the President, and had fear but he would
do his duty.
Mr.. Dickinson followed contending that The law
could and would be executed.
Mr. Clay continued the debate with Mr.. Hale.
Mr.. Butler contended that the law was worthless,
as any law would be- The North had determined
relentless war upon the institutions of the South and
no legislation could avert the certain doom of the
South.
Mr. Davis, of Mass, contended that the affair at
Boston was one of those cases which might arise
anywhere.
After further debate, the message was referred to
the committee on the Judiciary and the Senate ad-
journed.
In the House, several private bills were passed.
The House then resolved itself into committee of
the whole, and the bill granting appropriations for
the Post Office Department was taken up and dis
cussed during the remainder of the day.
SATURDAY, Feb. %.
SENATE.-The chair announced the first business
in order to be the motion of Mr.. Clay to refer the
Presidents message, concerning the occurrence in
Boston, to the Judiciary Committee.
We clip the following sketch of the debate which
arose on this subject. from the Baltimore Sun.
Mr. Downs addressed the Senate for than hour
defence of the Compromise of the last session. and
particularly of the efficiency and proprety of the fugitive
law. He maintained that the Compromise had been acqui-
esced in by the people, and that would be adhered and
portion of strictly executed and carried good
faith.
Mr. Clemens defended the President who had done his
duty and patriot. He regarded the f. gve
law having been successfully carried every where
cept Boston He did consider the mob evidence
that there the law would be executed obs
occurred everywhere
Mr. Borland contended that the compromise had been
complete failure The South had been deuded with idea
that this fugitive law would be executed
ident it would not and could not be executed Nor ag
taton quoted. Discussions had already taken place
this session. and strange say had taken place
sitions introduced by the author of the compromise
Mr.. Turney also took the ground that this law
executed and would not be executed and the compromise
had utterly failed in its design.
Mr. Chase conceded with the two last Senators in their
opinion the compromise He regarded the decision of the
Supreme Court in deciding that it the duty the
States to execute the provision Of the constitution for the
covery of fugitive slaves expungng practically that
| vision from the constitution.
Mr. Dodge, of Iowa, followed in defence of the compro
mise He regarded the law having executed every
where except in Boston He did consider he mob
Boston indicative of Massachusetts, sentiment prefer
red supposng the demonstration Springfield against
mscreant Thompson better expression of their feelings
He was very severe upon the white abolitionists.
Mr.. Douglass followed. He commended that say the flu
ny the people of the free States IT,
o it the duty the States execute the law say
it would not be executed imply that every officer
citizen of the States false demonstration and false
God for by refusing support the constitution their oath
to do so was violated.
But the Supreme Court had said the constitution was
peratve that the slaves should be delivered and
the duty of every citizen, whether State officer not
obey and execute the imperative requirements of the cons
ution and refusal to do be false the country
He alluded to the mob in Boston, and attributed it the
vaiuous combinations of white who have urged the
groes do openly what they had the themselves
to do. He declared the mob but part of long pre-
medtated scheme to resist the law.
Mr. Cass followed in defence of the compromise acts ane
in maintenance of the proposition that the fugitive law
been Except in Boston, and would be successfully executed
Mr. Berrien obtained the floor the subject postponed