Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-01
COngrfssionaI..
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION.
senate.--Monday July 81, 1854.

senate.--Monday July 81, 1854.
Mr. MASON moved that the Senate proceed
TO the consideration Of executive business.
Pending which, by unanimous consent, the fol-
lowing business was acted on.
EspEY's REPORT.
Mr.. COOPER moved that 5000 copies of Pro-
lessor Espey's Fourth Meteorological Report, be
printed for the use Of the senate: adopted.
Mr.. FOOT, from the Committee on Public
Lands reported resolution directing the payment
TO Charles Gordon, 81, 500 for services performed
in 1889, as dranghlsman for that committee: laid
over
COMMITTEE CLERKS.
Mr.. EVANS moved that the resolution SUBJ
mitted by him, providing that the committee clerks
appointed since the first of January last, shall be
paid only from the date Of their appointment; and
the motion was agreed 10. After some debate the
resolution was adopted.
POST ROUTES.
Mr.. RUSK reported bill supplemental 10 the
act establishing certain post routes and the same
was considered and passed.
RATES OF POSTAGE.
Mr.. RUSK, from the Committee on the Post
Office and Post Roads, reported back the House
bill, modifying the rates of postage, &c, with Sc
veral amendments The bill was considered, and
the amendments were agreed 10.
Mr.. BRIGHT desiring time TO examine the BILL
III was postponed I'LL Tomorrow
3 Mr.. SUMNER, from the Committee on Pen
sions, reported back the House joint resolution
directing the accounting officers of Treasury 10
adjust the accounts Of William Woodbury., late
pension agent at Portland, Maine, and asked its
immediate consideration; it was then read third
time and passed.
The question was then taken on the motion of
Mr.. Mason, and decided in the negatve-yeas 10,
nays 81.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION.
Mr.. HOUSTON moved that when the Senate
adjourn to-day, il be to meet tomorrow at half.
past 10 o'clock in order TO enable him to make an
explanation in relation to matter of some import
ance to himself He expected 10 occupy the time
of the Senate for half an hour. The motion was
aged to-
PENSIoNs-FUGITIvE SLAVE LAW.
Mr.. SEWARD, from the Committee on Pen
sons, to whom was referred the bill from the
House for the relief of Betsy Nash, reported the
same with an amendment He explained the i'm
porance of passing the bill AZ the present time
The bill was considered and the amendment was
agreed TO.
Mr.. ADAMS moved TO amend the bin by add.
ing thereto an additional section directing the
Secretary of the Treasury TO pay certain amount
Of money TO the widow of James Batchelder. late
ly killed in Boston while aiding the United States
marshal of Massachusetts in the enforcement Of
the fugitive slave act
Mr.. STUART said that this amendment would
necessarily open the whole slavery question 10
discussion. He moved that the bill be postponed
I'LL tomorrow, and the motion was rejected-yeas
l6. nays SO.
The reports in the case Of Mrs Nash and in III >
case of Mrs Batcheder, were read.
Mr., SEWARD addressed the Senate in opposi
hon TO the amendment. Its being passed now.
and added 10 Ibis bill would not secure its own
passage, but would defeat the highly meritorious
case of Mrs. Nash. He objected further 10 the
amendment because the law in the execution OF
which Batchelder was killed, was regarded by
many as unconstitutional. The supreme court OF
one State had declared il TO be constitutional but
BY wisconsin TO be unconstitutional. He agreed
with the Wisconsin courts. He objected 10 the
amendment because il was a departure from The
policy OF the government TO given pension for in
uries arising in the civil service of the United
States.
Mr.. WELLER appealed 10 The Senator from
10 Withdraw the amendment, as il was
evident that the abolitionists intended 10 occupv
the whole day in debating it,
Mr. CLAY defended the report made by himself
Mr.. JONES and Mr.. WILLIAMS controyerted
The statements contained in the report signed by
Messrs. SUMNER and SEWARD.
Mr.. CASS said that he had been unwilling to
lake up any measure 10 delay the River and Har-
Dor bill. But he was in favor of this measure
This government gave pensions TO those who
were injured in defending the flag on the battle
field. This man fell in the hottest cause in which
man could fall, in the defence ofthe Constitution
Of his country, when ii was ruthlessy and violent
" assaed.
Mr.. WADE hoped the amendment would be
withdrawn
Mr.. RUSK, though he would I've unwilling 10
start this measure now, he was also unwilling 10
II under the threat that il was TO be de-
bated.
Mr.. STUART said tina, while he believed the
10 return fugitive slaves was made
Imperative by the Constitution that the fugitive
slave act was clearly constitutional and if il was
not efficient enough TO carry out the requirement
Of the Constitution, he would vote 10 make il so.
Yet he could not vote for this measure believing as
he did, that no pension should be given for civil
services.
Mr.. BRIGHT also opposed the amendment
The question was then taken, and the amend.
nent was adopted-yeas 35 nays Ia.
YEAS-Messrs. Adams, Atchison, Bayard. Bell.
Benjamin, Brodhead Brown, Butler. Cass. Claw
Dawson, Dodge Of Wisconsin, Dodge of Iowa
Evans, Fitzpatrick, Geyer, Gwin, Houston. Hum
er, Jones Of Iowa. Jones of Tennessee. MALLORY
Mason, Morton, Norris, Pearce, Petit Pratt
Rusk, Sebastian, SliJell, Thomson of New Jersey
roombs, Toucey, and Weler-35
NAYS-Messrs. Bright, Chase, Cooper, Fessen.
len, Fish, Foot, Gillette, Rockwell, Seward.
md Walker-l4.
Mr.. SUMNER moved 10 add to the hill =,
amendment that the Fugitive Slave act be, and
he same is hereby, repealed.
The CHAIR (Mr CooPER) decided the amend-
nent 10 be out OF order.
The bill, as amended was then ordered 10 +,
bird reading-yeas 81, nays IL,
And was then passed
Mr.: SUMNER, pursuant 10 notice offered 10
Introduce bill for the repeal fthe Fugitive Slave
ct.
Mr.. NORRIS submitted that the senator could
My ask leave 10 do 30.
The CHAIR so ruled
Mr.. SUMNER then asked leave TO Introduce
he bill and was proceeding to debate it, when
Mr.. GWIN called him 10 order.
The CHAIR decided that the question of leave
vas not debatable.
Considerable discussion ensned by way Of or.
lanation, in which several points N OIL. -.