The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-23

waged war on that foreign trade which il was
safe for everybody TO assaii
II had been said that colonization the most
efiectual means to effect the suppression Of the
slave trade he did not think He believed that
as long there market for slaves. and a.
long as there was spot upon which slavery was
permitted and encouraged, the trade would go on
IL they were TO have colonization, he wanted TO
know which kind of colonization ii was to be. He
had seen and heard pous men at the North preach
ing up colonization as the only means Of finally
getting rid OF slavery; and he had read the differ
ent arguments used in another section of the
try, where il was stated that colonization the
best guarantee OF the permanency of slavery, be-
cause it would remove the nuisance population of
free negroes from around and amidst the slaves.
MIR. CLAY asked that the resolution might be
read IT was read. He said that the reading Of
which had just been made. The resolution was
one of inquiry only; and it was founded on OFF,
ciaI documents, which were before the Senate. and
which had been called for by the Senate. It
well known, and the official documents showed it,
that the subject Of the African slave trade, and its
being carried on in American vessels, between
Brazil and the western coast OF Africa, had been
the subject of correspondence between several
American ministers at Brazil and the Govern
ment. Mr.. Wise, Mr.. Tod, and Others and seve-
raj of the United States consular agents, had writ
ten home respecting il.
The subject was properly before the Senate in
these documents. and the resolution was one Of in
quiry only, based on the contents Of those docu-
ments II appeared that American vessels, COM
crews, sold in the ports of Brazil, on con-
dition of being delivered on the coast of Africa.
The vessels being American, were under the Ame-
rican flag, which was the only one which protected
them from the right OF search. In this way they
could reach the coast of Africa, and American
men were either discharged the coast of Africa
without the means OF reaching home, or were often
compelled in order to reach home, to navigate the
vessel back with q cargo of slaves The American
agents in Brazil all state that there is no CONNER
ca trade to induce these vessels to go to the coast
OF Africa, and all unite, the only means of pre-
venting this course, is to refuse to grant them
letters or other evidence of national character to
trade from Brazilian ports to the coast of Africa.
Mr..C. said he saw nothing in this resolution,
as had been intimated, to call for any renewal Of
that agitation the subject of slavery which had
disturbed the country. There wide distino-
ton between domestic slavery and the foreign
trade. On the subject Of the former, there was a
diversity Of opinion, and which there was agita-
ton; on the latter all were united in desiring its
suppression.
Az to the publication in the paper which had been
read by the Senator, he (Mr. C.) had nothing to
say more than toavow himself to be Of its sign
ers, and that he was prepared to discharge all the
obligation it imposed on him
MIR. FOOTE said that he was somewhat impli-
Gated in the paper which had been read from this
mornings paper by the Senator from New Hamp-
SHIRE
He then read the article alluded to- and explained
its terms. twas that of all parties have united
themselves to put down all agitation on q subject
which is calculated to disturb the country, and de-
stroy those paternai relations Of concord. harmony,
and union, which all the friends of the country
80 anxious should be secured. II, as it was sup
posed, there were men who aspired to the Presi-
dency, or other high offices, and who designed to
reach these posts by keeping alive agitation and
sectional strife, this intended to such per-
sons that they could not succeed in their object
even in obtaining the smallest office.
The CHAIR reminded the Senator that debate on
this subject was out Of order
MIR. FOOTE said that the Senator from New
Hampshire had been allowed to read the article and
to comment on il.
The CHAIR said that the Senator from New
Hampshire had been allowed to read the article be-
cause it was not possible for the Chair to know what
he was going to read, nor in what way he intended
to apply 1t to the subject under debate.
Mr.. FOOTE said the Choir had doubtless seen the
article in print several times, if not in manuscript,
before it was read by the Senator from New Hamp-
shire. He would not have said word upon the
subject had he not been of the earliest signcrs
Of the paper. 1t contained his sentiments. Such
an association OF persons, in his opinion, would
have all the desired effect, and by their influence
would quiet agitation; such effect had, he be-
lieved, already been effected to some extent. In
connection with this subject, he read several ex-
tracts from a circular signed by George Wood,
Hiram Ketchum, and others. of New York, COR
responding committee of the Union Safety Com
mittee, and said that he not ashamed to say he
was in alliance with their movement He regretted
the Senator from New Hampshire had denounced
the movement They only meant by this paper to
say they would not support any ngtator. "We and
our house serve the Lord"
Mr.. DAYTON asked the yeas and nays on the
resolution, and they were ordered
The debate was further continued by Messrs.
DAVIS of Mississippi, and BUTLER, in Opposition
to the last branch OF the resolution and by Messrs
FOOTE, BERRIEN, and DAVIS of Massachu-
sets, in support Of the resolution, of inquiry
Mr. HALE moved to add to the resolution that
the committee also inquire and report what has
been the practical operation of the laws adopted
BY the United States to suppress the African slave
trade
Mr.; HAMLIN opposed the amendment and Mr..
Mr. HALE asked for the yeas and nays on his
amendment, but they were not ordered The ques-
ton was then taken, and the amendment was re-
Jected-ayes 8, noes not counted.
The question recurring ON the original rcsolu-
ton, it was adopted-yeas Do, nays Gas follows:
YEAS.-Messrs. Atchison, Badger, Baldwin,
Bell. Berrien, Bradbury, Cass, Chase, Clarke, Clay
Davis OF Massachusetts, Dawson, Dayton, Dickin-
son, Dodge of Wisconsin, Dodge Of Iowa. Douglas,
Downs, Ewing, Fetch, Foote, Greene, Gwin, HAM
lin, Houston, Hunter, JONES' King, Mangum Mil
isr Morton, Norris, Pcarce, Pratt Rusk, Seward.
Wales, Walker, Whitcomb and Winthrop-45.
NAYS.-Messrs. Benton, Borland, l,uter, Davis
Of Mississippi. Hale, Rhett Soule, Turney. and
Yulee-0.
sPoLIATloNs NJ THE FRENCH,
The Senate resumed the consideration OF the bill
providing for the ascertainment and satisfaction of
the claims OF American citizens for spoliations
committed by the French prior to 1901
ur. BRADBURY said he was prepared to sub
init some remarks on the bill. but would forbear
doing 30 II vote could now be had.
. MIR. SMITH said that, with view to facilitate
the passage of the bill at this session, he would
move to strike out the eleventh section of the bill.
when the Civil and Diplomatic bill came up, he
would move to add this provision TO it.
The section proposed to be stricken out is as fol-
lows:
And De uJrther enacted. That, for carrying this
act INTO execution, the sum of fifty thousand dollars
be and the same is hereby appropriated to be taken
from any money in the treasury not otherwise APP
propriated.
was to take from the minority in the other House
the opportunity of discussing the bill.
MIR. SMITH said that he was willing TO have dis.
custom here or elsewhere on the BILL but this SUBJ
lect had been discussed for fifty years. and he
thought 1t time to have some action.
Inc question being taken, the motion to strike
out was agreed to-yeas u, nays 25--as follows:
YEAS.-Mcssrs. Badger, Baldwin, Berrien, Brad
pury, Clarke. Clay, Davis of Mass. Dayton Downs,
Ewing, Greene, Gwin, Hale Hamlin Mangum,
Miller, Pearce, Phelps, Pratt, Seward, Shields,