Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-01-24
CONIGR Es S.


Tor the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law, and NOV
ed their reference Lad on the table.
MIR. Yulee, from the Naval Committee, reported
back the joint resolution allowing Naval Surgeons,
when doing land service, the same rations as Army
Surgeons, and it was ordered to be engrossed
MIR. Clay's resolution directing inquiry INTO more
etectual measures to suppress the African Slave
trade by preventing American vessels and seamen
from engaging in the trade, and to refuse sea letters
to vessels trading between Brazilian ports and the
Western coast Of Africa, was taken up.
Mr.. Hale said that he found in a morning paper
the following arcle:-To crafty the public curiosity
IN regard to the character of paper which 1t Is I'M
derstood is being signed by many members OF Con
gress, we have procured copy for publication IN
our paper of to-day. ''The undersigned members
OF the 3lst Congress of the United States, believing
that renewal of sectional controversy upon the sub
ect Of slavery would be both dangerous to the Union
and destructive of its objects, and seeing mode
by which such controversy can be avoided except by
strict adherence to the settlement the eof, effected
by the compromise act passed at the last session OF
Congress, do hereby declare their intention @ MAIN
tain said settlement inyiOate, and to resist all at
empts to repeal or alter the acts aforesaid unless by
the general consent of The friends of the measure,
and to remedy such evils, if any, as time and expe-
renee may develope; and for the purpose of making
hisresoution effective, they further declare that they
|
Senator or Representative in Congress, or as mem
Der ola State Leglslature,an of whatever party,
who Is not kno yn TO be opposed to disturbance of the
settlement aforesaid and TO the renewal in any form
of agitation upon the ject of slavery
MIR. Hale said he did not know but those who vo-
ted for the resolution which he proposed might
within the ostracism Of this document published to
crafty public curiosity. Though he thought public
curiosity would not be satisfied until names of sign
II 4
this subject was to be discussed without touching on
grounds forbidden by this publication How
g trade to be discussed when the article of trade
was not to be mentioned Or alluded to? How could
the slave trade be discussed without abiding to
slavery? And if slavery be discussed would not
agitation be renewed, and all taking part in it be
liable to the ostracsm Of the document? He had
little fear of any such thing, however, and would
say what he desired on the subiect-tIe read from
a letter of James Hamilton of South Carolina, to
Clarkson of England, upon the subject of the slave
trade, from which it appeared that measures were
adopted to suppress the slave trade although the eff
forts of the aboitonlsts and others shown TO
have been most injurious as early as 1887.
The annual number of slaves imported from At
RIGA he said did not exceed IS 900, and the mortality
during the passage was not over niue per cent in
1910. The number annually imported was 100000
and the mortality on the middle passage was 20 a
80 per cent. Mr. Hamilton further argues that if
measures of prevention be Withdrawn and the trade
allowed to continue in vessels affording comfort to
slaves, then humanity would not be shocked by so
great mortality. The slave would then be brought
from slavery and darkness at home, and given the
knowledge of humanity. He also argues that slave
ry is an institution ordained by God from the time Of
Moses and sanctioned by Christ and his apostles. IL
to bring savages from darkness and 10 place them
in the God ordained and Christ sanctioned Institution
was so horrible and il.araS TO excite the recent
great outbreak Of philanthropy, he could a.----
lie had long remarked thai when the nor,h was
put to the will on thsrs subject Of slavery,
humanity of the foreign slave trade.
Now, instead of mourning over the defeat of free
dom and the surrender Of eyerythinga the last ses
ION to slavery there is an excitement about the for
eign trade. He had no respect for such philanhro
Ply, which permitted the battle to be lost at home
and then turn all efforts against foreign trade, which
everybody can safely denounce
Mr.. Clay asked for the reading of the resolution
1t was read. Mr.. Clay said that the reading of this
resolution was the best answer to the speech ius
made.
The resolution did not afford an opportunity &c
renew the agitation Of the slavery question. There
was wide distinction between domestic slavery
and the foreign slave trade As to the publication
IN the morning papers, be saw no connection be.
tween it and this resolution He openly avowed
himself as one of the sgners of that paper, and hi.
intention to adhere to its terms so far as he was cal
led upon to do so.
Mr.. Foote said he was implicated in the publica.
ton alluded to by Mr.. Hale The purport of thai
publication was, that sgners Of all parties had united
toput down agitation of all subjects tending to renew
dlscord and sectional srfe and all subjects having
the effect to destroy the internal relations, concord
and union of all portions of the country twas sup
posed that there some persons in some sections
who aspired to the Presidency and other high Offices
and desired to reach those positions by keeping agi
tation alive. This was merely to warn such persons
it any did exist that old party ties would not be adj
lered to; but so far as the influence and efforts o
those who signed it could be exerted, such persons
could not succeed even 10 the smallest office.
The Chair said that the debate was out of order
Mr. Hale offered an amendment directing further
inquiry into the practical operations of laws to sup
press the slave trade. He said the statements of MI
Hamilton, which he had read, were not his own con-
yicions.
MIR. Butler was opposed to the slave trade, bu
would vote against any bill refusing sea letters tC
vessels going out of Brazil
Mr. Hale replied. and asked the yeas and nays OF
his amendment
This was rejected, and the resolution agreed to
yeas As, nays9.
The French spoation bill was next considered
and the 18th section stricken out
l. Mr. Rusk's amendment, that no payment shall BE-
made to any assignee or insurer, was, after consid
cradle debate, relected-veas 25, nays 30--when thu
Senate adjourned without further action
House. = After transacting some unimportan
business, the House went into Committee of th,
Whole on the bill to supply deficiency in the expend
lures for the year ending June next; and after
lengthy and undressing debate, the Committee ros
and the House adjourned.