Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-16
GongrsssiOnaI.

C0ngrfssiOnal.
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
Senate-W ednesday. February rs. 1854.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate Lieutenant
Gibbons part of the report of the exploration OF
the valley of the Amazon made under the direc-
ton Of Lieutenant Herndon OF the United states
navy.
DUTY ON SPANISH VESSELS.
Mr.. HAMLIN reported back the bill 10 repeal
the act imposing tonnage duties ON Spanish yes
sells.
WASHINGTON CORPORATION. h853
Mr.. DAWSON, from the Committee on the Dis
trict of Columbia, reported bill comforting addi-
tonal powers the corporation OF the city OF
Washington.
TEXAS NAVY.
Mr.. RUSK introduced bill 10 provide for the
surviving officers Of the Texas navy.
FRENCH sPoLIATIoN BILL.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the
bill making provision for the settlement OF the
French spoliation claims and it was read third
time and passed.
BILLS PASSED.
bill to establish land district in Florida, TO be
called Tampa district
A bill making San Pedro, in California, port Of
entry and delivery.
A bill ceding to the State of Ohio the public
lands remaining unsod and Incorporated in that
State.
bill rehnquishng to the city Of Dubuque
certain town lots in that city.
bill making Pilatki and Baytown, in Florida,
ports of delivery
RIVERS AND HARBORS.
Mr.. STUART submitted the following resolu-
ton
Resolved That the Committee on Commerce be and they
are hereby instructed to report to the Senate Mt early
day reasonably be prepared bill making APP
propratons the Improvement Of harbors and rivers
PROTECTION TO OFFICERS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Mr.. TOOMBS submitted the following reso-
luton:
Resolved, That the Committee the Judiciary be in
structed inquire whether further legislation Is ne
cessary protect the ministerial officers Of the courts OF
the United States in the discharge Of their respective
duties and that the committee report by Dill or
NEBRAsKA-sLAyERY.
On motion of Mr.. DOUGLAS, the Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration of the bill to establish
territorial government for Nebraska.
The last clause in the 18th section is In these
words
aThat the Constitution and all laws Of the United
States which not locally napplcable shall have the
IS elsewhere within the United States except the sh
ton the act preparatory to the admission OF Missouri
s S Sn Il.
monty called the compromise measures and M hereby
declared inoperatiyeHl
The question pending was the motion OF MIR.
DOUGLAS to strike out the words within brackets,
and insert in lieu thereof the following:
switch being inconsistent with the principle
intervention by Congress with slavery in the States and
Territories recognised by the legislation Of 1850 conf
cared imperative being the true intent and
meaning of this act not to legslae slavery into any Ter
the people thereof perfectly form and regulate their
domestic institutions in their own way subject only TO the
Constitution of the United States'
Mr.. HOUSTON resumed his remarks upon the
bill He did not see any urgency for its passage,
though he would endeavorto conclude his observa-
lions to-day. He repeated his views of the Indian
character, and their faithful performance ofa their
undertakings. There was not an instance known
ofth having violated treaty. He knew a man
who could civze every Indian on the borders
within ten years, if he were given the means spent
during that period in maintaining garrisons, &c.
That man was Ben Mccullough, OF the Texan
rangers.
He thought he had given sufficient reasons for
voting against the bill. He was opposed 10 COM
bining the three measures of Nebraska, Kansas,
and the Missouri compromise into one measure
He was utterly opposed to any interference
with the Missouri compromise. He read letter,
published in the Richmond Enquirer, OF February
9th in which his opposition 10 this bill was pro-
phesied, and his conduct and motives condemned
He was not angry with this writer he did moi
hate him, but with reference to the slime he natu-
rally left in his path he would avoid il, as he had
other things in his day, by stepping over il. He
first read the Richmond Enquirer when little
boy, in Rockbrdge county, and then thought It
the only newspaper in the world. 1t was then
paper of great authority, but since then had
changed hands and politics. He claimed no charity
from the Enquirer because he was Virgnan.
He had never received anything at the hands of
his native State, for whom he had the greatest
reverence. He would laud her for her virtues,
and for her infrinities pity her. While opposed
the bill because of its PROVISIONS relating to The
Indians he felt still more repugnance to 1t be-
cause Of its provision for the repeal of the Mis-
souri, compromise. He had always stood firm
upon that compromise, and the south had sus-
tanned him for so doing. That compromise formed
part of the supreme law OF Texas, and, as the
representative of that State, he was for standing
by il under all circumstances
He would also stand by the compromise OF 1850
He was the only senator now in this body who
had voted for every one Of the measures OF 1850
In voting for them, he never supposed he was vot-
ing for the repeal of the Missouri compromise
Those acts were adopted by their friends as final
settlem mt of the slavery agitation, and, as such
the people had endorsed it by approvalo or acquies
cence. Would not the repeal of this Missouri
compromise lead TO agitation and excitement
Would il not. by setting the example Of putting
aside one compact Justify others hereafter in
trampling the measures of 1850 under foot
He said that he had been accused of opposing
The administration by resisting this bill He
thought he was supporting the principles upon
which the administration came into power. The
ffth resolution of the Baltimore platform declared
that the democratic partywould resist all attempts,
in Congress or out oft, TO renew the slavery agi-
tation, in whatever shape color the attempt
might be made. The nominees Of the party, in
their acceptance Of the nominations, cordially APP
proved of that resolution. On that principle he
had supported them, and on that principle they
hid been elected. In opposing the renewal of the
81 rery agitation by disturbing the compact of
,fr0, he was giving his support 10 the principles
avowed by the present President,
The south did not require-did not ask for this
measure Its passage would be disastrous to the
south in the end and gave her no immediate adj
vantage Slavery would never be carried TO these
Territories, and the passage of this measure would
lead TO nothing but to awaken again sectional ex-