The republic., 1852-01-14


Of 1850; and, it has never been heard of in tn,
United States, apprehend it was never acted upon
by the Colonial Legislatures Ii grew out of the
action Of the late Mr.. Turnbull, who was, / believe
| OF the mixed commission in Cuba and an agent o
this government in matters connected with the
slave trade. He was in Washington about two
years since, and while there saw many persons o
Maryland, Virginia, and other southern States, re-
spectng the free colored people Of those States and
communicated the result of his observations to this
Government
The following is the letter Of Mr.. Lawrence to
LospoS, November g. 1851.
Ny DEAR SIR; have iust received reply IL
my note to Lord Palnerston, accompanied by Lord
Grey's explanation Of The despatch to which called
his attention
| am assured that he never intended to sanction
or suggest entering into any arrangements with
regard to slaves not first known to and approved
by the masters, and that so far from supposing
that any American would or could complain Of the
proposed arrangement, il WAS believed the slave
holders would receive il with satisfaction and ioin
IN carrying it into effect
1t appears that Lord Grey has been aware for
some time that tho West India colonies suffer
ing for the want OF an adequate supply of labor A
gentleman from these colonies directed his atten
on to the fact that there were in of the slave
holding States large number OF free blacks whom
the whites would be glad to have removed, and
who would meet to certain extent the wants of the
colonies. Knowing it to be the policy OF the savc
States to rid Themselves Of such population, he
thought measure contemplating such a result
would be favorably received by them.
He was farther led to suppose, on the authority
OF certain American gentlemen, communicated to
him through the same channel, that many slave
holders would avail themselves of such oppor
tunity TO eInancpate their slaves if they could be
| assured OF their being removed from the country.
tie was informed that the laws forbade cmanc
patton, unless the liberated slaves were also re-
moved, and that the expense of this prevented per-
sons who would otherwise emancipate their slaves
| from doing SO. But it was said would
be acceptable which would enable such persons to
remove their slaves from the country when libe
| rated without expense to themselves
| With this view he prepared plan which should
aim at the employment in the West India colonies
OF free blacks from the United States; and should
also offer to the planters the prospect, not only Of
removal of their liberated slaves without expense,
but OF recovery OF portion of their value also.
lie recommended this plan TO the colonies and
wrote the circular IN question, in the belief that the
want of labor would be sufficient from these two
sources with the assent and cooperation of the
sayeholders and the governments of the slavehold-
| ing States
1t is to be regretted that with such an end in
view language should have been employed car
bic OF different construction; but this panation
appears to deprive 1t OF its Objectionable character
With great consideration, i remain, dear SIR very
] faithfully yours,
(signed) ABBOT LAWRENCE
On motion of Mr.. BAYLY, of Virginia, the mes
sage and accompanying documents were referred
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and ordered
| to be printed.
| The SPEAKER laid before the House commu-
ncation from the Treasury Department a skiing for
an appropriation Of S29 $50 to meet contingen
cles; which was referred to the Committee of
Ways and Means
Also, communication from the same Depart
! incnt, with estimates from the War Department,
requiring additional appropriations for the support
OF the army for the current seal year the previ-
Gus appropriations for some Of the items being al
ready exhausted; which referred 10 the Com
nittee Of Ways and Means
! Also, communication from the Department Of
/ the interior, submitting certain estimates of ap-
| preparation necessary TO meet the deficiencies in
| the ysar ending June 80, 1852.
Mr.. HOUSTON moved that it be referred TO the
Committee OF Ways and Means
Mr. JONES, OF Tennessee, suggested whether IT
/ would not be better to return the communication
| TO the Secretary Of the Interior, and ask him to
transmit the estimates according to law. He be-
heved that the course had heretofore been for the
estimates TO be sent 10 Congress through the Secre
/ tary Of The Treasury.
! Mr.. STANLY remarked that if the Secretary Of
the Interior was guilty of any neglect Of duty il
was unintcntiona; therefore, to return to him the
document with reprimand would be without
cause After the committee shall have had the
subject under consideration, they could report
resolution, II they should see proper but to throw
the paper back in the face Of the Secretary Of the
Interior would be unbecoming TO the House and
uncourteous to him.
Mr.. JONES. IL was uncourteous TO send the re
port here.
Mr. HOUSTON remarked that he had made no
objection 10 what was said by the gentleman from
Tennessee, for the that the suggestion Of the
gentleman might bring the attention Of the heads
Of Departments 70 the subject of which there bad
been complaint. He believed, with the gentleman
from North Carolina, that to return the paper 10
the Secretary Of the Interior would be too strong
rebuko; and that the gentleman from Tennessee
had said sufficiently, and in effect, to the heads Of
Experimentation must 60 according TO law
hereafter"
Mr.. JONES replied II would not certainly be
any stronger towards that Department than the
course Of the Department towards this House The
law requires that the several Departments shall
make their estimates 10 Congress through the
Treasury Department and the Secretary of the
treasury s required TO make hs report directly 10
Congress. This, be believed, had been the uniform
practice since lac had been member Of the House
II the gentleman from North Carolina thought that
TO return the paper would be n rcbuko TO the Sec
rotary Of the Interior, he would move TO lay upon
tLc table, that the estimates might be sent to the
House in the proper manner.
The motion was agreed 20.
Mr.. JONES, Of Tennessee, understood that
similar communication from the War Depart.
r1cnt had been referred 10 the Committee Of Ways
and Meons and therefore be moved 10 reconsider
the vote.
Mr.. HOUSTON expressed the hope that tho
&c ntleman would not nsist upon the motion nc he
was Of the opinion that the estimates Of the War
Department had come regularly and properly
through the Secretary Of the Treasury.
Mr.. JONES said that, IL this was So he would
withdraw HE motion. lie then moved 10 recon.
slider the vote by which the communication from
the Department Of the Interior was laid upon the
table and 10 lay the motion to reconsider on the
table
Mr.. BAYLY, OF Virginia. The House has acted
under mistake, | am satisfied.
Mr.. JONES asked for the yeas and nays, which
were ordered.
MIR JOHNSON, Of Arkansas, moved that the
House adjourn.
Nj. HOUSTON asked the gentleman to with
draw the motion, IN order that certain Senate bils
/ upon the table mig be taken up and referred to
/ the appropriate committees
/ Mr. JOHNSON ncquiesccd. But
Mr.. HARRIS, Of Tennessee, renewed the mo
\ tiOn, which prevailed; and 80
The House adjourned.
NOTICE oT BILL.
| BY Mr.. YATES : A bill 10 grant TO the States of
llhnOs, Indiana, and Ohio, the right Of way and
portion Of the public ands 10 aid the said States in
making that portion Of tho Northern Cross railroad
IN the state " llIinois, lying between the Missis
sippi and Illinois rivers, and in extending said
/ road from Spring field, Illinois, to the eastern liuc
Of said State and thence through the States Of In
I diana and Ohio to Toledo Lake Erie.
MEMoRIAL.
! by Mr. MOORE of Pennsyv vanis: The memo.
/ rial OF John p. Dumas, Of Philadelphia asking the
/ appointment Of a committee claims of his father