Washington sentinel., 1854-01-31
COngrtssi0nal.
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
senate-Monday, january 80, 1854.


The PRESIDENT pro tempors appointed Mr.
BRowN a member OF the Committee on Indian Al
fairs in the place of Mr.. ADAMS, who, al his own
request, was excused from further service.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.
The PRESIDENT pro temporo laid before the
Senate report Of the Secretary OF War, commu-
nicating. in compliance with a resolution of the
Senate information in relation 10 the wreck OF ihe
steamer San Francisco; which was ordered 10 lie
on the table, and be printed.
Also, communication from the treasury pe-
partment, transmitting copies OF such accounts as
have been rendered by persons ntrusted win the
disbursement of money, &c, for the benent OF the
Indians, from July 1851, 10 June 80, looS, lhciu
sve; together with lii OF The names OF al, p per
cred within the same period, &c, IN obedience 10
an act passed June 80 1884, entitled An act Tor
the organization of the Department OF Indian At
fairs !" which was referred 10 the COMMITTEE on
Indian Affairs, and ordered TO be printed
The PRESIDENT pro tempore presented a re-
mort Of the proceedings OF a meeting OF citizens
of New York, held al the Tabernacle in Broad
way, in favor of the adoption of measures to Sc.
cure 10 American citizens abroad the rights oil
religious worship; which was referred 10 the Com
mttee on Foreign Relations. .>#
MISSOURI COMPROMISE.
Mr. ALLEN presented resolutions of the Leg
islature OF Rhode Island, recommending the SEN
ators and representatives OF that Stale in Con-
gress 10 prevent the passage of any law tending 10
disturb the provisions of the act of March O. 1920,
commonly called the " Missouri compromise act
in regard 10 slavery; which laid on the table,
and ordered TO be printed.
pENNsyLyANIA AVENUE RAILROAD.
Mr. BRIGHT presented the petition Of George
w. Yerby, Horace M. Dewey, and others, IN iavor
OF the construction of passenger railway from
Georgetown. District OF Columbia, through Penn
syivania avenue, TO the navy yard which was re-
ferred TO the Committee on the District OF Column
ba.
Also a petition of John C. Rives, WV. Seaton,
RW Latham and others, citizens OF Washington,
praying that George w. Yerby and others may be
authorized to construct railroad from George
town, District of Columbia, along Pennsylvania
avenue to the navy yard Washington which
was referred TO the Committee on the District OF
Columbia.
SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA.
Mr.. GWIN submitted the following resolution
which was considered by unanimous consent, and
agreed TO: .Gas
Resolved That the Committee on Commerce be instructed
70 the expedency making San Pedro in the
State Of California, port OF entry. .& ..5.:'
DUBUQUE, IOWA.
Mr. JONES, Of Iowa. submitted the following
resolution; which was considered by unanimous
consent, and agreed 10:
sructed inquire into the expcdiency OF establishing
port of delivery ut Dubuque, Iowa s
REV. MR.. KING.
Mr. CASS submitted The following resolution
which was considered by unanimous consent, and
agreed 10:
Resod That the President be requested to transmit to
the Senate not incompatible with the public interest
copies commnnications from Mr. Marsh the Ameri
minister at Constantnople in relation to the case OF
the Rev. Mr.. King. Ely
NOTICE oP BILL.
Mr.. PRATT gave notice of his Intention TO ask
leave introduce bill to incorporate the National
Hotel Company, Of Washington city
NEBRASKA TERRITORY.
The Senate as in Committee of the Whole,
proceeded 10 the consideration OF the bill TO or
aanize the Territory of Nebraska
Mr. DOUGLAS. Mr.. President, when | pro-
posed, on Tuesday last, that the Senate should
proceed 10 the consideration OF the bill to organ
lze the Territories of Nebraska and Kansas, il
was my purpose only TO occupy ten or fifteen
minutes in explanation of its provisions. de-
sired 10 refer to two points; first TO those pro-
visions relating to the Indians, and second 10
those which might be supposed TO bear upon the
question of slavery. a .
The Committee, in drafting the bill, had in view
the great anxiety which had been expressed by
some members of the Senate 10 protect the rights
Of the Indians, and 10 prevent Infringement upon
them. BY the provisions of the bill, think We
have SO cleerly succeeded, in that respect, as 10
obviate all possible objection upon that scoEc.
The bill Itself provides that it shall not oper-
ate upon any Of the rights of the lands OF the
Indians nor shall they be- included within the
limits of those territories, until they shall by
treaty with the United States expressly consent
TO come under the operations Of the act, and be
incorporated within the limits of the territories.
This provision certainly is broad enough, clear
enough, explicit enough, 10 protect all the rights
ofthe Indians as TO their persons and their proper
Upon the other point, that pertaining to the ques
ton slavery in the territories, it the intention
of the committee 10 be equally explicit. We took
the principles established by the compromise acts
of1S50 as our guide, and intended to make each
and every provision of the bill accord with those
principles. Those measures established and rest
upon the great principles OF selfgovernment, tha,
the people should be allowed to decide the ques
tions oftheir domestic institutions for themselves
subject only to such limitations and restrictions al
are imposed by the Constitution of the United
STATES, instead of having them determined by an
arbitrary or geographical line.
The original bill, reported by the committee as a
substitute for the bill introduced by the senator
from Iowa, Dir. DODGE, was believed TO have
accomplished this object. The amendment which
was subsequently reported by was only de-
signed 10 render that clear and specific, which
seemed in the minds of some TO Pdmit of doubt
and miseonstrUction. In some parts OF the coun-
try the original substitute was deemed and con.
straed 10 be an annullment or arepeal Of what has
been known as The Missouri compromise, while
10 other parts il was otherwise construed As
The object Of the committee was 10 conform 10 the
principles established by the compromise meas
ares OF 1850 and TO carry those principles into
effect ia the territories, we thought il was better
to feciie ~ the bill precisely what we understood
TO have been accomplished by those measures viz
that the Missouri compromise, having been super.
seeded by the Legislation Of 1850 has become nope
rative; and hence we propose TO leave the ques.
tion the people Of the States and the territories
subject only TO the limitations and provisions OF
the Constitution.
Sir, this is all that intended TO say, if the quas
ton had been taken mp for consideration on Tues
day last but since that lime occurrences have
transpired which compel me 20 go more fully intc
The discussion. Il will be borne ~ mind that iii,
senator from Ohio Mr.. CHAsEl then objected u
the consideration of the BILL and asked for its posi-
ponement until this day, on the gvouad that ther
had NOT been time TO understand and consjde
its provisions; and the senator from Massaahl
sets Mr.. SuASEsJ suggested that the postpone
inent should be for one week for that purpose
These suggestions seeming 10 be reasonable L
senator's around me, yielded 20 their request
and consented 10 the postponsmeni 0f he bill unit
this day.
o. 4 .lsu *