Washington sentinel., 1853-11-11

BURTD as an honorable man, could ask no pledges
from him, and would not Z; and that the gentleman
from Indiana, If he was an honorable man, would
not give any pledges therefore, he, Mr.. b. could
get no information in that way. But il was due 10
himself and 10 his southern friends say that they
had understood the gentleman as standing where
the resolution relating TO Texas had placed him,
not that he was southern man, but, most dis
tinctly, that he was not Wimot proviso man
that he occupied the position of certain gentlemen
on both sides OF the House upon that question
and, therefore, that he was a fair man. not COM
mitted 10 the south, and not committed 10 the
north. These considerations had induced him.
(Mr. b. and many OF his southern friends 10 vote
for the gentleman from Indiana. And he begged
his honorable friend from Virginia-irom the Ac-
comac district--who had more minute information
on the subject than he, MIR. b. possessed TO rise
up now and state what communication had been
made 10 him. He referred TO Mr.. BAyLY.
[Cres on both sides Of the House, g Hear BAYLY
hear him. 81 hR tSstE
Mr.. BAYLY. | take pleasure in responding TO
the inquiries of my friend from South Carolina,
Mr.. BURT.1 II was known that had served in
the twentyeighth Congress with the member from
Indiana, Mr.. Brown 4 and when he began TO he
spoken of as speaker, frequent inquiries made
Of me as 10 his opinions and votes on the slavery
question. Among others, such inquiries weT
made of me by my lriend from Georgia, Mr.. well
BoRsl | told him that no one could have taken a
more unexceptionable course. When a gentle
man from Massachusetts, [the late speaker Of this
House, Mr. sWINrHRoP,l had, in 1915, moved an
amendment to the Oregon bill containing the prin-
ciples of the Wilmot proviso the member from In
diana, Mr.. BRowN,l voted against il and that,
upon all other occasions, far as / knew, lie had
voted with the southern democracy upon all ques-
tlons touching the subject OF slavery. / assured
him that no one could present fairer record In
addition to this, also informed him that knew
the member while he was in Office, and ] thought
| knew his sentiments well; and that / would
pledge myself he was opposed 10 the agitation Of
the subject OF slavery andsthe Wilmot proviso in
every form and shape in which il could be pre-
sented. lie MIR. WELBoRNl suggested to me to
have conversation with the member / did so.
told him of the pledge had made for him. He
assured me was perfectly safe in doing SO. This
remark repeated TO many gentlemen besides my
friend from Georgia. MR. WELBoRN.l
Having said thus much in response TO my friend
from South Carolina, Mr.. BURT,l feel il due 10
say word or two in reference TO myself Sir,
had known of the existence and character Of the
correspondence which has just been read, and Of
the interviews preceding it, no earthly consdera-
tion would have induced me TO vote as / did
And | am quite sure that such would have been
the feeling of the great mass of the members
this side of the house.
When the gentleman from North Carolina Mr.
STANLYl and the gentleman from Massachusetts
Mr. AsHMUN made their remarks, / was highly
indignant, as the House saw at the time. thought
their insinuations most unfounded and illiberal.
But II rejoice now that they were made, and
thank them for them. They have led to dis
closure 10 which the country was entitled; and il
has been made in time, thank God to save us
from load of obloquy.
Mr. HARRIS, Of Tennessee, (AIr. BURT further
yieldingJ said he was one of those who had re-
uctantly voted for the gentleman from Indiana,
Mr. BRowNl upon three several votngs. He
had done so, being deceived by the assurances Of
that gentleman, made to southern gentlemen upon
this floor, as TO the position which that gentleman
occupied. He felt il due TO himself and to the
constituency which he had the honor to represent
upon this floor, TO ask of this house (what he had
no hope they would grant) for leave to change his
vote from Mr.. BRowN, and place it upon the re-
cord for some gentleman who wore but one face
for some gentleman, who is fyae either to the
south or the north for some gentleman, sir, who
is not pointing back with one hand 10 record that
is favorable TO southern views with assurance
that that record contains and reflects his present
views, while al the same moment he is signing
pledge 10 violate every principle ofthat record with
the other. Hetherefore asked leave of the House
10 change his votes, for they had been cast under
a misrepresentation of the facts in relation TO Mr..
BROWNS true position, and even then reluctantly
Mr.. BURT resumed the floor. remarking that
he had but word more to say. They had all been
assured that the gentleman from Indiana, who had
been made so conspicuous on this occasion, was
committed against the Wilmot proviso. They had
had fun assurances of this character from that gen
teman and his friends. He ventured TO say, il
they had known of this correspondence, and the
gentleman's answer to the gentleman from Penn
sylvania, there was not southern man in this
House but would have regarded il an insult TO be
asked 10 vote for him. r
Mr.. LEVIN next addressed the clerk, and was
recognized. but yielded TO
Mr. VENABLE, TO whom the floor was given.
tGreat confusion prevailed
Mr. INGE said he moved 10 proceed TO another
voting.
Mr.. vENABLE, however. held the right TO the
floor, and Welded momentary 10
Mr. BROWN, OF Indiana, who wished TO say
one word, that he might not be misunderstood.
He said he stood by what he had said 10 his south
ern friends to the letter In reference to the ex-
tension of slavery-which he believed none OF
them asked TO be effected by the direct order Of
Congress-Ha a distinct proposition, by way Of am
amendment TO territorial bill, were made in this
hall to extend slavery, he should vote against it,
Mr.. VENABLE said, feel il due 10 myselfthat
shall be relieved from occupying apparently,
false position A day or Two ago declared that
in no event could vote for a freesoiler or an
aboltonist. ! afterwards voted repeatedly for the
gentleman from Indiana, Mr.. BRowN;l and the
developments of this morning have disclosed the
fact that that gentleman was in correspondence
with the gentleman from sPennsy ylvania, Mr. WII.-
MOT, the putative father Of the Wilmot provso as
10 the arrangement of the committees, The re
marks Of the gentleman Mr. BRowNl himself in his
vindicaton, disclose hsopposition to the extension
OF slavery, and his willingness TO give 10 the peo-
pie ofthis District vote the subject OF slavery
i was ignorant of all these facts but from letter
received from that gentleman during the late Presi-
dental canvass, was irresistiby led 10 the con-
clusion that he was utterly opposed to freesoilsm
in all its aspects. called on him in the course
OF the last few days. aud before voted for him,
and asked him whether he had changed his opin-
ions on those subjects. He replied in the mega
tive. Had known the transaction opinions
disclosed this morning, Icould not have voted for
him and as soon as thc.correspondence between
him and MIR. WiLMoT was acknowledged, de-
manded that it should be read II has been read,
and the House and my constituents viii see that
ii have voted otherwise than had pledged my
selfto vote, have been acting under misappre-
hension of facts after due diligence TO acquant
myself with them, To be deceived presupposes
no derection in duty, il proper measures have
been adopted TO get possession the truth.
Mr.. ROBINSON next addressed the House
saying that he regretted exceedingly that he fell il
his duty TO take the floor on this occasion, but
there appeared to be something like ground-swei
here against his colleague, Mr.. BRowS,l or, at
least very Unnecessary and gratuitous state OF