Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-04-22
The Right of Petition
The OLD AMIsrAD CASE sc.


From the recent debates in Congress, we hnd
the following which speaks for itself.
Mr.. Seward presented petition in favor OF t9e
repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law, which he
moved be referred to the Judiciary Committee
Mr. Mason said he would not object
Mr. Norris IN. H. moved to lay DIR. Stewards
petition on the table, Carried by vote OF 50 to
! ii, as follows
YEAs-Adams, Atichinson, Badger, Bayard,
Borland, Bradbury, Bodhead, Brooke, Cass,
Clarke, Clemens, Cooper, Dawson, Dodge Qowa)
Douglass, Downs, Fetch, Geyer, Gwin, Hunter,
Jones uowaL Jones tTenn,l King, Mallory
! Mangum, Mason Miller, Merits, Rush, Sebss-
tan spruance Underwood. Walker-3S.
Nays -Chase, Davis, Dodge wis., Fish,
Foote, Hale, Hamn, Seward, Sumner, Uphlm,
Wade--ll.
Mr.. Seward presented petition, asking that
Congress would take measures for the extinction
of Slavery.
Mr.. Dawson asked if the Senator from New
York believed Congress had any such power!
Mr. Seward said he presented the petitions as
he did all other petitions, because he believed
the petitioners had u right to petition.
Mr. Norris moved to lay it on the table. Gar
ried-. Yeas &c. Nays 6.
YEAs-Adams, Atchinson, Badger. Bayard,
Borland Bradbury, B:odhead, Brooke, Cass.
Clarke, Clemens, Dawson, Dodge OF Iowa Doug
las, Downs, Felch, Fish, Geyer Gwin, HamIin,
Hunter. Jones, of Iowa, Jones of Tenn, Klng,
Mallory, Maugum. Mason, Miller, Norris, Rhctt
Rusk, Sebastian, Shields, Spruance, Underwood
Waker-36,
NAvs--Dodgc of Wisconsin, Foote, Hale, Sc,
ward Sumner, Wade-6.
Mr. Hale presented petition praying for the
repea of the Fugitive Slave Law. Among 9th
err reasons, he said, which was given for the re
peal of the law, by the petitioners, was, that Il
held out to the Judge a bribe. 1t gave fee
double, in case Of conviction, to what vas glVeI
in case Of acqu.ttal.
Mr. Mangum-.how much is that
Mr. Hae-The Judge gets five dollars 1t nc
acquIts, and ten if he sends the party into Slave
nv. He moved it be referred to the Committee
on the Judiciary.
Mr.. Mangun said that he fetiDterested anc
concerned in the character ofthe whole country
He had high respect for Judges Of all sections
he could not permit such an lmputaton upon the
integrity Of the Judges of any section to pass I'M
rebuked. The petition contained libel, lou
slan1er and atrocious calumny upon the Judges
and the whole Judiciary of that part OF the coun-
try where this law was to operate. 1t should be
treated as it deserved He moved it be land OIL
the table
Mr.. Hale said that, some two years ago, the
Senator from South Carolina Mr.. Butlef), now
absent, and the Senator from Virginia Mr.. Ma
SOM, had declared they would not again objec
to the reception Of those petitions which he oc-
caslonaliy presented. file was surprised tina
they we're objected to nov.
Mr.. Mason said he did not remember that hi
had said what the Sunasos fhfr tiulR) now ssatss
but, knowing what his eentlnents then and noN
were, it was likely h. mad said SO. lie would
not now object to this petition but II the SENATE
ca lied upon him to vote, he would vote against 1t
Nv saving Tint he would not interpose objections
he did not wish to be understood as beng in ia
YOUR of any further agitation of the SUBJECT.
Mr.. Manpunl's motion was then agreed to.
Mr.. Mason, from the Committee on Foreigl
Relations, reported bill to demniFy the maste
and owner of the Spanish schooner Amistad. ii
moved it be made the special order for the 9th 0
April.
Mr.. Underwood moved longer period
Mr.. Mason moved that his bill be postponed t
ana made the special order for Monday the 26t
of April.
MIR. Hale asked for division on the question
which being done, the bill was postponed till tn
Goth of April
On the question being put of making it a spec
ial order for that day, the vote was Ayes 10, Noe
49, lost.
Mr.. Mason asked if the bill would now go o.
the Calender
The Chair said, not till the 26th April.
Mr.. Mason moved that the vote postponing tn
bill be econsi1ered, which was carried, and the
the moment TO post pone was withdrawn So tn
bill takes its regular place on the calendar.