The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-11
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
MospAv, FEsRuAar 10. 1851.
SENATE

4 ~ n i
The CHAIR laid before the Senate a communica-
ton from the Secretary OF War, transmitting, in
compliance with resolution Of the Senate, copies
of the report of Colonel Mccall in relation to the
population and military resources OF New Mexico.
Also, q report Of tho Secretary Of the Treasury
with an exhibit of contracts authorized by the De-
partmcnt during the years l649-'50; q statement
OF payments made at the Treasury during tho year
1850. and statement of expenditures from the ma
rine hospital fund for the same period.
Also, report Of the Secretary Of the Treasury
communicating . report Of the computation of
manual Of tables, TO be used with the hydrome
ters recently adopted for use in the United States
CUSTOM houses, prepared under the superintend
ence Of Professor A. D. Bache by Professor McCul
loeh.
AN of which were referred, and ordered to be
printed.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE Law.
Mr. HALE presented thirteen petitions signed
by over thousand inhabitants OF Massachusetts
principally OF Boston, praying the immediate re-
peal Of the Fugitive Slave law; which, motion Of
MIR. BADGER, were laid on the table,
LINE OF STEAMERS TO AFRICA, coLosizArios OF
FREE NEGROES, AND SUPPRESSION OF THE SLAVE
Mr.. MASON said that there had been sent to
HIM two petitions, one signed by majority of the
members Of the Legislature Of Virginia, and the
other by majority Of the members Of the conven.
ton in session in that State for reform of the
constitution Of Virginia. He stated the prayer Of
the memorials to be that line Of steamers may be
established to run between the United States and
the western coast of Africa. Although one Of the
memorials was signed by q majority of the Lcgis-
ature, he understood it was indicative only of the
individual opinions of the signers, and not any
expression OF the sentiments Of their constituents
He could not consider the petition as coming to him
In the nature Of instruction. He took occasion Il
say that his opinions did not coincide with those
the petitioners. He did not believe that Congress
treasury for the disposition of free negroes. He
moved that the memorials be referred to the Com
mittec Commerce, and. in consideration of their
respectable sources, moved they be printed; which
motions were agreed to.
The following is a copy of the petition of the
members Of the Legislature:
To the Honorable the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentafices Of the United States In Congress assem-
blsd:
Your memorialists, the members of the General
Assembly of Virginia, respectfully represent to
your honorable bodies that they have adopted this
method to express their warmest appreciation Of
the principle OF the measure now before Congress
to establish limo Of steamers to the western coast
OF Africa. The passage of such bill, with such
notifications the wisdom of Congress may de-
wise, will, in their opinion, emnently encourage
the emigration of the free cOlored population from
this country to Liberia will also greatly increase
our steam navy, and thus obviate the necessity Of
maintaining at great expense to our Government
and risk of the health and ivcs of our officers and
seamen, squad now upon the coast, in itself in
sufficient in the suppression Of the slave trade
and will rapidly extend the mail service and COM
merce Of the United States These all objects,
by universal consent greatly to be desired, especi
ally in national point of view. Situated as vir-
ginia is. with free colored population of 53757,
the presence of which is destructive both of the
curity and moral habits of her slaves, and the
moval of which, from her limits, has been for many
years an important object Of her domestic legisla
ton "a legislation which, though liberal in its
spirit, has been defeated in its objects by the
pense of transportation to Africa-an expense too
onerous for single State to sustain. Nor can her
citizens fail to feel interest in every plan that
will increase and extend the rapidly growing COM
merce Of the United States This plan, we are also
satisfied. will introduce into Africa legitimate,
peaceful, and valuable commerce in the place OF
the infamous slave trade, and will eventually lead
TO the civilization of that immense, distant, and be-