New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-18
xxxI,t CONGRESS-. e.. second Session

o his colleague Mr.. Cass, reelected for six years
ON the 9TH of March next.
PETITIONS.
For ard against the amendment Of the Patent
Laws.
Mr. MILLER Of n. }. presented petition for a
line Of Steamers to Africa
Mr. HAMLIN presented petition that Naval
vessels be sent to California to bring some Amer
leans now there. Also, petition from Maine,
praying for the repeal or essential modification OF
the Fugitive Slave Law. IL was moved that it
be referred TO the Judiciary Committee No OBJ
lection being made, it was referred
Mr. BUTLER of s. c. said he did not care
whether petitions were referred or not He would
have nothing to do with the subject The law
might be repealed or not
Mr.. ATCHIsON of Mo. moved that the vote re-
ferrirg the petition be reconsidered He saw no
reason why the petition presented by the Senator
rom Name should be referred, and the same pc
,ition presented by Senators from New-YOrk
should be laid on the table.
Mr.. HAMLIN, Of Me, said the Judiciary Com
mittee had the subject OF the modification OF the
Fugitive Slave Law before it, and Bill to that
effect introduced by Mr.. Bright, of Ind, having
already been referred TO it. This petition was
signed by most respectable persons In Maine:
Petitions had been presented, praying the repeal
AZ the law. which he had moved TO lay upon the
table because the Senate bad so decided, and not
because he thought it correct
Mr. CHASE, OF Ohio, opposed the reconsideration
The reference was Just and proper.
NJ BFKRIEN OF Ga, pointed out the difference
between this petition and Mr.. Brights bill. The
latter was 10 declare that the law OF SO oe not
repealed. The Maine petition was to repeal the
Fugitive Slave Law Of 1850
Mr.. SEWARD of n. y. said the Senate records
showed that Petitions TO make Slavery Laws
more stringent, are received and referred. BIZ
20 make Fugitive Laws more rigorous IS also re-
ftrred. Petitions for the modification oil the law
of 1850, and to make it less rigorous are refused
reference When Senator from Pensy lvanla
presepts such petitions they are received and re-
Tered while petitions of the same kind by SEN
stor from New York are laid on the table. de
would vote against reconsideration, because ne
was in favor Of exact justice to all alike also De-
cause he thought it unjust to deny consideration
10 any petition sent to the Senate whether signed
hv the elite or by others more humble. II 1t was
the object Of the Senate to suppress agitation thus
vas the wrong mode TO effect It, Congress ior
wears refused in some form or another 10 receive
petitions on the subject Of slavery and the effect
was 70 cause instead of quieting agitation, and
was q denial of the right OF petition,
Whether the Senate received the fet'tlohs
and laid them on the Table, or whether they re-
used TO receive them at all, it would be denial
Of right Of Petition. he was In favor OF receiving
Petitions, and considering them all, Congress by
enacting the Fugitive Slave Law, had attempted
to force On the Free States the Political ECONOMY
OF Slave States, and experiment will IN TINS case
as in all others, have reactlng effect, hSe sle
attempt of England to force Catholic Ireland to
adopt the Religion Of Protestant England.
directly contrary effect will be produced, wnesher
petitions are received or are not They Will con-
tinue TO be presented, and their numbers VIII ac'
cumulate, and those who fancy agitation has oeen
Quoted by refusing to consider petitions, VIII ais
cover their error. He had never introduced any
subject TO produce agitation. he contented MN
aaf xxsffh akofa on
Senate and had never addressed the people oy
speech or letter since the passage OF Dill, Win
tie object of producing agitation he was contehs
70 leave the subject TO the people, but wneh tue
people petitioned, their petitions shouid DC CON
sidered. ,.-.:,:o
hetween Briebts bill and this petition de
tbopebt Briebt's bill was proper III lt.
self and was sorry it had been introduced
because Of the abuse OF It as precedent ior as
turbiug the settlement OF last session. ne de'
MED that Senator SEWARD was right IN saying
that unless The Senate considered all petitions IL
was denial OF the right OF petition
Mr.. BRADBURY of Me. said It made no practlca
difference whether the petition was referred OF
rot Petitions presented by Senator cooper o.
/ Ia were now before the Committee aiso Mr
Brghts bill. The Committee had considered the
subject and bad come to the conclusion that any
LEGISLATION at this time on the subject was whoHy
slider on the table. He then withdrew his motion
Mr. BUTLER OF :. { considered the acts OF las'
session as temporary obstacles only in the way
the stream Of ianaticism. He had said It last ses
| sion. and now would have nothing to do with tns
/ subject and when petitions were sent TO Commit
/ tee he had declared he would have nothing to d(
/ one way or other with them. He would DO no
/ thing 10 resist the reception or references OF any
petition or bills, for you might as well attempt Il
| paoiiy maniac by singing lullsbys as to sttemp
/ ty concession to arrest few fanatics
! Mr. Hale of n. H, said the Fugitive Slave
bil had workings very various in various sections
Under it slave was returned to his MASTER Il
/ New York; in Philadelphia free man was kid
mapped anu cent into slavery. he was retained
however In Boston the bill was worked 50 a
- enable the mob 10 take the alleged Fugitive
/ rom the Court House. There was little con
formity 10 the operations of the bin. He was 70
the repeal Of the Fugitive Slave Law tie care'
little for agitation here, and would 80 before tn