The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-09-01
BY DANIEL R. GooDLoE, OF NORTH CAROLINA.
ANNALS OF CONGRESS.

| THURSDAY, FEBRUARY IL, l79O-Continued
Mr., Smith claimed it, as a right, that tn,
petition should lie over till tomorrow
Mr.. Boudinot said, it was not unusual Il
commit petitions on the day they were present
cd, and the rules of the House admitted the
practice, by the qualification which followed
the positive order, that petitions should not be
decided on the day they were first read, Gun.
less the House should direct otherwise
Mr. Smith declared his intention of calling
the yeas and nays if gentlemen persisted in
pressing the question.
Mr.. Clymcr hoped the motion would be
withdrawn for the present, and the business
taken up in course to morrow; because though
nc respected the memorialists, he also respect
ed order, and the situation of the members.
Mr. Fitzsimmons did not recollect whether
he moved or seconded tho motion; but he
| should not withdraw it on account of the threat
of calling the yeas and nays
Mr.. Baldwin hoped the business would be
conducted with temper and moderation, and
that gentlemen would conccdo and pass the
subject over, for day, at least
Mr.. Smith had no idea of holding out a
threat to any gentleman if the declaration of
an intention to call the yeas and NAYS was
viewed by gentlemen in that light, he would
withdraw that call
Mr. White hereupon withdrew his motion,
and the address was ordered to lie on the table.
Pages 1872 TO 1871, inclusive.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10.
The following memorial of the Pennsylvania
Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery,
the relief of free negroes unlawfully held in
bondage, and the improvement of the condition
Of the African race, was presented and read:
The memorial respectfully showeth-
That from a regard for the happiness OF
an association was formed several
years since, in this State, by number of her
citizens, Of various religious denominations, for
promoting the abolition of Slavery, and for the
relief of those unlawfully held in bondage. A
Just and acute conception of the true principle,
of liberty, az it spread through the land, pro
duccd acoessions to their numbers, many friend
to their cause, and Legislative cooperation
with their views, which, by the blessings o
Divine Providence have been successfully di
rected to the relieving from bondage q larg
number of their fellow creatures of the African
race. They have also the satisfaction to oh
serve, that in consequence of that spirit of phi
lanthropy and genuine liberty which is gener
ally diffusing its beneficial influence, similia
institutions are forming, at home and abroad.
That mankind are ali formed by tho sam
Almighty Being alike objects of his care, an
equally designed for the enjoyment Of happi
ness, tho Christian religion teaches us to be
lievc, and the political creed of American
fully comedies with the position. Your meme
rialists, particularly engaged in attending
the distresses arising from Slavery, believe
their indispensable duty to present this subjec
to your notice. They have observed with rea
satisfaction, that many important and salutar
powers are vested in you for promoting tb
welfare and securing the blessings of liberty ;
the people Of tho United States and as the
conceive that these blessings ought rightfull
to be administered without distinction of colo,
to all descriptions of people, so they indulg
themselves in the pleasing expectation tina
nothing can be done for the relief of the TN
happy objects Of their care will be either omit
ted or delayed
From u persuasion that equal liberty wa
originally the portion and is still the birth
right Of all men, and influenced by the stronI
ties of humanity and the principles Of thei
institution, your mcmorialists conceive them
selves bound to use oil justifable endeavors
loosen the bands Of Slavery, and promote
general enjoyment of the blessings Of freedom
Under these impressions, they earnestly entroa
your serious attention to tho subject Of Slavery
that You will DO pleased to countenance tn
restoration Of liberty to those unhappy mel
who alone, in this land Of freedom, are degr'
ded into perpetual bondage and who, amid
the general JOY Of surrounding freemen, al
groaning in servile Subsection that you wi