Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-05-01
THE ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE.

The Indians and free negroes were sent
west. About the time they were to- start,
Watson purchased of the Creeks their claim
TO all the Seminole sldvss, TO whom they
were entitled under their contract with Jes-
sup. lie faied to get them, however, until
they, with the Indians, were landed on the
territory west of Arkansas. 1hither he sent
his agent with orders from the War Depart
ment to all our military officers in that region |
to assist him in catching the negroes, pro-
vided they could do so without boodshed,-
This could not he done, aud Watson failing |
to get his hands upon the negroes, modesly !
asked Congress to pay him for all slaves that
he couldn't catch The claim has been
pending some twelve or fifteen years. thad
often been before the Committee of Claims.
From that Committee it was removed, not
one of whom was in favor Of its passage, in
1912, and put into the hands Of the Com
mittee OH Indian Affairs, over whom james
Cooper, now Senator from Pennsy vania, at
that time presided This Committee report
ed in favor of the claim. Subsequently, per-
hups in 1915, while Governor Vance, of Ohio,
presided in the Committee Of Claims, this
case of Watsons was referred to them and
they reported bill for his relief
II came up in the House for consideration,
Mr.. Dicky, Of Beaver, Pa, spoke against it,
and the friends of Watson were content TO
let it rest among the unfinished business
1t again came before the House some three
weeks since, and was discussed part of two
days, and finally passed on Friday of last
week by n vote OF 40 to SO.
1t is perhaps the most fragrant example of
Northern seryity on record.
The first question for the members to de-
fnrr.iun stsoa IN fbp giunifrnitnn of fba
word "ptmicr," used in the contract. All
agreed that horses, cattle, kettles, blankets,
aud hogs were included in the term but
some Northern members appeared TO doubt
whether it included men, women mud chill
dren. But portion of Northern Wings
and Democrat gravely decided that colored
men and colorcd women were Legitimate
plumber.
The following is n list of the Northern
members who voted for the bill:-Nessrs.
Appleton. Scudder, Mass. Brooks, Dean,
llaws, ShermerhOrn, Sutherland Martin, n.
Y; IIibhard, Peasloe, n. H.; Chandler Nc
Nnir, Khuns, Robbins, Andrew Parker, Pa.
Stuart, Penniman, Mich; Taylor, o.; Price,
n. J.
The next question was whether n Briga-
dicr General has constitutional power to con-
vert prisoners of war into Sidues! These
Northern Representatives voted that they
had.
Then came the question whether such
an inhuman and barbarous contract ought to
be sanctioned by Congress of prolessed
Christians, and these Northern men voted in
the affirmative.
Then more embarrassing question arose.
What have we 10 do with this purchase of
slaves by Watson from the Creek Indians p
To this il was replied, that our Commission
er of Indian Affairs approved the sale, and
therefore the nation was bound TO make up
Wotson'S loss, aud these Northern men so
voted.
On looking over the debate, do not find
that single Northern or Southern member
expressed the least Indignation nj being COM
PEELED to sit in that hall and legislate on the
price of human flesh. On the contrary,
most of those who spoke expressed desire
to regord the case as though it were claim
for cattle or swine. No one denied the right
in this Government TO deal in or uphold the
traffic in mankind. believe however that
Mr.. Stuart, of Michigan, was the only North
ern man who bowed so low as to openly ad-
vocate the claim. Some four years since,
he moved, in the House, reconsideration OF
the vote by which the claim Of Pacheco for
" siuNt Hdb bCNll lNJtNANh, hllN SpStNu
in favor of his motion. That case was con-
signed to the tomb of the Capulets, and this
case coming up he gave full evidence of his
unlimited servility hy advocating this claim
of Watson's. In order to use him to the best
advantage, the slaveholding Speaker placed
him in the Chair AT the time the bill last came
up in Committee, and he well performed the
Infamous task assigned him, by refusing the
floor to every Northern member who was
supposed to be in favor of human freedom,
aud giving it to the friends of the bill When
reported 10 the House the previous question
was called, and all further debate was cut off
ought TO say that Judge Newton,o Ohio
John w. Howe, of Pa, and some others had
studied the case thoroughly and were anx-
ious to expose its absurdity, but they were
not permitted to speak upon il. ought also
to say that Mr.. Sweeizer, of Ohio, opposed
the bill maniuIly, though he had but small
opportunity of examining it.
1t has yet TO undergo the ordeal of the
Senate, where there is no previous question,
and trust that Northern men will be heard
in that body
wish that every lnboring man in the free
States could he fully informed of the man
ner in which he is thus compelled to con-
tribute OF his hard earnings TO make up the
speculation Of this slavcdealer.
Yours.