Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-26

rHIarY-rHIaD CONG Ess---rIasr SESSION.


THIRTY-THIRD coSoREss--rIRsT SESSION.
Senate, Wednesday, April 20, 1854.
Mr.. Sumner presented memorials from New
Hampshire, praying that the Missouri Com
promise be not repealed.
Mr. Seward presented similar rem0nstrances
from citizens of New York.
Mr. Norris, from the Committee on the Dis
trict of Columbia, reported adversely upon the
memorial praying that Pennsylvania avenue be
paved with the Russ pavement.
Mr. Pearcc, from the Committee on the Ii
brary, reported bill authorizing the purchase
-of tho portraits Of the first five Presidents OF
the United States, painted by Gilbert Stuart;
said portraits to be placed in the Presdents
mansion and appropriating five thousand
dollars FIR that purpose.
Mr.. r.. said these paintings were originals,
and he thought it highly proper that the Gov
eminent should secure these memorials Of the
great men they represented.
Mr.. Hamlin said he would prefer the bill if
it included the purchase of portraits Of all the
Presidents
Mr.. Pearce thought the bill would do for tho
present
The bill was then considered and passed.
On motion by Mr.. Fish, it was ordered that
Friday next DO fixed for the consideration OF
the adverse reports Of Committees ON Private
Claims
The Senate then resumed the consideration
of the bill making appropriations for the SER
vice Of the Indian Department for the year
ending June 80, 1855.
Mr. Sebastian moved to amend the bill by
providing that the President shall have full
power to change the location Of any Indian
observation-disclosures
Mr.. Stuart moved to amend the amendment
by providing for separation Of the duties OF
the Governor and Superintendent Of Indian
Affairs in Minnesota.
These amendments were debated at length !;
after which, the latter was rejected, and the
former agreed to.
Numerous other amendments containing APP
propriations to carry out treaties lately con-
clnded with the Southwest Indians, were offered
and adopted.
House Of Representatives., April 26, 1854.
Mr.. Houston, from the Committee Of Ways
and Means, by consent, reported bill making
appropriations for the defrayment of the ex
penses Of the Post Office Department for the
year ending June 80, 1855; which was refer
red to the Committee of the Whole, and order
ed to be printed.
Mr.. Parker, from the Committee on the Ju-
dietary, by consent, reported bill to regulate
the salaries Of the district judges Of the Uni
ted States courts; which, on his motion, was
referred back to that committee, and ordered
to be printed
A subsequent motion, by Mr.. Houston, to re-
consider this vote, failed
Mr.. McDougall from the Committee on Mil
itary Affairs, reported back, with an amend
ment, House bill for the decentralization Of
California for moneys expended in repelling
the inoursions and depredations Of Indians !;
which was referred to the Committee of the
Whole on the state Of the Union, and ordered
to be printed.
The bill for the distribution of the public
lands among the States, for educational and
other purposes, known rs Benefits Land Bill,
being the special order of the day, was taken
up, and Mr.. Bennett proceeded to speak at
length in explanation and support oft. This
bill proposes instead Of special gifts, to give
to each State 10000 acres for each Senator
and Representative to which it is entitled in
Congress
Mr. Disney next obtained the floor, but yield
ed for moment to Mr.. Perkins of Louisiana,
who thought the passage of the bill should not
now be pressed, as gentlemen were absent who
desired TO be heard upon it.
MIR. Disney expressed wish to DO heard in
reply to Mr. Bennett, but would give way for
a motion to 20 into Committee of the Whole,
If he could obtain the floor upon this subject
tomorrow.
Mr.. Hester here moved to 90 into Commit
tee, which motion prevailing, Mr.. Chandler
took the chair and Mr. Harris, of Mississippi
proceeded 10 finish his speech, in opposition to
the Nebraska Kansas BILL commenced on Mon
day.
Mr.. Harris said he was instructed to vote for
this bill, but that was when it was on the
wing! He might be instructed TO step across
tho Mississippi river ut its source, and not be
bound to obey the instruction where it expands
into sea.
Mr.. Harris reviewed and analysed the bill,
and was especially severe upon the oily, cheat
ing Interpretations respecting the Missouri
Compromise, the neither enacting nor prohib-
iting Slavery, the absurd permission to State
or Territory to keep Slavery in or out, as it
pleases.
He denounced tho Badger proviso, and said
it was a Wilmot Proviso 1t repealed what
ever of law there was in the Territories and
left slavery without legal protection there
And where is slavery, without special legisla-
tive authority? The Constitution does not,
under the decisions of the Supreme Court Gre
ate or establish it, In state of nature, it has
no existence. The bill before us permits the
people to prohibit or establish slavery. Under
II, the white man may make slave of the
black man; or, the black man may prove VIC
torious, and enslave the white Nothing is de-
fined
MIR. Hester followed in an elaborate speech
also in opposition to this bill, and contending
that it would violate our faith alike with the
Indian, as pledged in our treaties and as
pledged between ourselves in the Missouri