Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-18

rHfRrY THIRD coNaREss--rIRsr sEssIok
Senate, Tuesday, July IS, 1854.

Mr.. Adams moved to take up the bill grant
ing a pension to tho widow Of James Batchel-
der but objection was made, and the bill was
not taken up.
MIR. Sumner presented the memorial Of the
Pennsylvania Society for the promotion q the
abolition Of Slavery. This was the Society
which enjoyed the confidence of Washington,
and ranked among its members Benjamin
Franklin and Richard Rush. This memorial
was signed by its eminent President, DR.. Wis
tar. The memorial demonstrates against the
injustice and unconstitutonality of the Fugi-
tive Slave Act. They call attention particn-
larly to the tenth section, which declares the
record made up behind the back Of the al
legged fugitive, conclusive evidence Of slavery
and that under this section q oolored freeman
of the North may be sent into slavery, notwith-
standing he may be able to produce the most
positive evidence of his freedom. The memo
rialists represent this to be no imaginary case.
The papers accompanying tho memorial
showed that, in the case of Davis the alleged
fugitive was sent to Georgia as slave not
withstanding the most undoubted evidence OF
his freedom.
Mr. S. then said that the danger which this
provision threatened, the liberty of the free
man, was sufficient to demand its repeal. IL
was maxim of the common law that it We're
better that ninety-nine guilty men should es-
cape than that one innocent man should suffer.
He urged the Importance Of carefully guarding
the liberty Of the humblest citizen. The Sem
ate had marked its appreciation of this princi-
pie, by honoring Captain Ingraham for his pro-
lection of one man.
Mr.. Clay said that The Senator had quoted
a maxim Of the common law. But there was
q maxim of the fathers Of Israel equally true,
A. H. 4
he was tired Of hearing the repetition, day after
day, of the hackneyed phrases INDUCED in by
the gentleman.
Mr.. Sumner said that he was prepared at
all times to meet anything said here in the
course CT argument. He was ready to meet
any man who kept himself within the rules Of
order and debate, for such a man was his peer.
But that man who did not keep within the
rules of order and debate was not his peer.
Mr.. Dawson explained the facts of the case
of Davis and denied tho correctness of the
statement, accompanying the memorial, of the
facts Of the case. He deprecated at length
these discussions and agitating allegations be-
tween the people Of the different sections.
Mr. Rusk objected to the reception Of letter
accompanying the memorial, and containing
charges grossly false against the officers Of the
Government.
The letter was read.
Mr.. Bayard said he knew the writer of the
letter. He had prosecuted him. and obtained
large verdic.s against him, for aiding slaves to
escape He would not believe any statement
made by the writer of that letter on the subject
of slavery.
Mr. Sumner explained how the letter had
come into his hands, and Withdrew it.
Mr.. Benjamin Intercepted the Senator as
4 Al. ~ ~
return fugitive slaves.
Mr.. Sumner said that, before answering that
question, be desired to ask another Was it
constitutional to seize free colored citizens Of
Massachusetts,, throw them into prison, with
out any charge of crime, and upon the failure
to pay certain jail fees, to be sold into absolute
slavery?
Mr. Benjamin said such acts were not con-
stitutional
Mr. Sumner then asked, would the Senator
vote for an act of Congress to secure to those
colored citizens the rights guaranteed them by
the Constitution?
Mr.. Benjamin said THE was an unusual
course. He wanted an answer to his question,
and was himself interrogatcd.
Mr.. Sumner said the Senator would have to
answer that question, and he would then an
swer the Senator.
Mr.. Gwin moved that the subject be laid
on the table, and it was agreed to-yeas 81,
nays Ia.
The Homestead bill was again taken up.
Mr.. Stuart introduced his proposed substi-
tute.
MIR. Weller addressed the Senate in favor
Of giving to actual settlers portion the public
land at n low cost He also discussed Know
nothingsm, and anti foreignerism, and denoun-
ced them both as unjust.
Mr.. Benjamin followed in opposition to the
bill.
House of Representatives., July Is, 1854.
The Speaker announced the business first in
order to be the bill regulating the rates of
postage on newspapers and periodicals.
MIR. Kerr, from the Committee on the Post OF
fee and Post Roads by general consent, report
ed bill for the relief of Thomas X Glenn, flor
the correction Of on error OF the Department.
certified to by the Postmaster General J which
was passed.
Mr. Phillips asked the general consent to
his introducing, from the Committee on Terri
tories, a bill declaring tho southern boundary
Of New Mexico TO extend to the southern linn
its Of the territory recently acquired from Mex
leo under the Gadsden treaty He stated that
the territory was without law for its protection
and government
Mr.. Chandler asked il this boundary could
not be defined.
Mr.. Phillips was understood to say that the
treaty settled that and the terms used were
definite enough for the present purposes
Mr.. Peckham objected to tho reception of
the bill.
Mr.. Davis, from the Committee on the Dis
trict Of Columbia, asked consent to his report
ing the Senate bill for the incorporation Of the
National Hotel Company Of Washington City
Mr.. Walsh objected
The bill regulating postage was taken up.
Mr.. Odds said he did not zee the gentleman
from Virginia Mr.. McMULLENl in his seat !;
aud as he had nothing further TO say on the
subject Of this bill, he would demand the pre-
vious question.