Washington sentinel., 1854-06-28
C0naressI0nal. O.
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
senate.--Monday, June 26, 1854,
TENNESSEE RESOLUTIONS.

Mr.. BELL presented several resolutions and
memorials of the legislature of Tennessee in favor
of a repeal of the duty on railroad iron, or the
pension of the collection of the same for two years
after the completion OF the road on which il is
laid in favor of the Pacific railroad for some
protection TO the east branch of the Mississippi,
made necessary by the construction of evees on
the west bank; in favor of pensions 10 the sur
vivors OF the of 1912 in favor Of bounty lands
to theTennessee mounted volunteers, and in IA
vor Of the same allowances for horses, &C., lost
in Indian wars are now made in the case of
other wars. All of which were appropriately re-
ferred.
SLAVE TRADE.
Mr.. CLAYTON, from the Committee on For
eign Relations, reported by the unanimous drec-
tion of that committee bill making provision for
the more effectual suppression of the African
slave trade in American vessels.
Mr.. G. explained the bill a, placing more restrc-
tions and responsibilities upon the sale and trans
fer of American vessels IN foreign waters, so as TO
prevent their making voyages 10 the coust of
Africa under the American flag.
SLAVERY IN THE TERRITORIES.
Mr.. CHASE gave notice that on tomorrow he
would introduce bill TO prohibit slavery in the
Territories Of the United States.
BLACK WARRIOR AFFAIR.
Mr.. JOHNSON, from the Committee on Print
ing reported in favor of printing two thousand
copies of the House document containing the Pre-
sident's message and other papers relative TO the
Black Warrior affair and other alleged wrongs
committed by the authorities of Cuba upon Ameri-
can citizens; and the report was agreed 10.
FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
The Senate then resumed the consideration of
the motion by Mr.. ROCKWELL. to refer to the Judi
cary Committee the memorial presented by him
from clizens of Boston, praying the repeal of the
fugitive slave law
Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, addressed the SEN
ale upon the subject He said that, for the right
ofpetition he had the most entire respect. He in
way desired TO compute improper motives 10 the
senator who presented this memorial His re-
spect for the right OF petition was so great that he
believed his satanic majesty might petition that
high court which he had insulted and from which
he had been hurled. But il was by the motives
and intention of petitions that they were 10 be
Judged. If such petition was presented from
motives of mischief and wrong, then the petit
toner would deserve to be doomed to deeper in
fanny, if possible, than that into which he has
been cast.
If this petition be sent here with proper de-
sire 10 promote the good OF the country, then il
was entitled 10 alLrespect but il sent here 10 pro-
duce mischief and lead 10 agitation and strife,
then il deserved the contempt of every good man.
This was but one of many petitions already sent
here, and if il had come unattended by other cir
cumstances il would have passed unnoticed. He
had seen the prayer of this petition attempted TO
be practically carried out, but there were only
four senators who would lend the sanction Of
petitions said TO be the result Of the passage
OF the Nebraska and Kansas act; but he did not
believe it. He looked upon them part Of a
system of measures having for their object to
trample upon the Constitution Of the United
States.
He referred to the recent events in Boston in
resisting the fugitive slave law, and said that the
blood Of the first and last defender Of theliberties
Of the country, Warren and Balchelder now min.
gied together.
\ ~ -
the meeting of members OF Congress opposed TO
the Nebraska and Kansas bill, and put number
of questions as TO who were at the meeting, &c.
He called attention TO the fact that it did not say
meeting of the members of Congress opposed to
the act nor Of portion of them, but was carefully
worded to read '.of members opposed" &c
He read many extracts from il, and commented
with great severity upon them. He said he could
not believe that any one southern man gave the
sanction of his name TO the sentiments ofthe ad-
dress. He was happy to believe that not one
southern man was at that meeting.
The address professed great friendship for the
compromise acts of fifty. Ofthose whose names
were signed 10 il, he knew but the Senator from
Vermont When, he would like TO know, had the
that Senator become champion of those meas
ures.
After commenting upon the address and its
many fasifcations of history and of fact he sug-
gested TO the author, whoever he was, TO abandon
politics and turn his attention to works Of fiction.
He had no doubt but he would rival Sue or the
author Of the Arabian Nights, for he did not know
any work ofthe same number of sentences contain
ing so much pure fiction this address.
He repelled the statement of the address, that
the south in passing the Nebraska bill had a
covered design Of dissoVing the Union, and erect
ing southern confederacy. 1t was false and
wicked charge, and such one as no gentleman
who knew anything of the south would make.
He looked upon the petition for the repeal of
the fugitive slave law, and one for the dissolution
of the Union as equal. No man could believe that
this Union would continue one day after the re-
peal Of that act. If, as it was said the test TO be
put TO all wings was the repeal of the Nebraska
BILL the repeal of the fugitive slave law and the
degradation of the south, then he had to say good
by 10 his whg friends, with whom he had acted
all his life.
ROCKWELL followed, defending the char.
acter Of the petitioners He said that all they had
asked was the repeal Of an act of Congress only
four years old II this was treason he knew not.
The repeal of the Missouri compromise had
created an unprecedented feeling at the north.
and il was increasing, and would go on demand
ing the repeal Of this fugitive law. II was true
riot and homicide had taken place in Boston, but
the authorities of Massachusetts and of Boston
had disposed of that matter. Threats Of disunion
no longer were arguments at the north either for
or against any measure.
Mr.. JONES asked if any Of the signers Of the
memorial had taken part in the resistance to the
laW lately IN BOSTON,
Mr.. ROCKWELL said he was not aware that
any Of them had.
Mr.. JONES replied, and asked the senator if he
believed the Union would continue after the repeal
Of the fugitive slave law.
Mr.. ROCKWELL said that he had said he did
not believe the Union could be dissolved.
Mr.. JONES said that the senator was very much
mistaken.
Mr.. SUMNER followed. saying that ifthe Union
could not exist without law so unjust aud wrong
the fugitive slave law. then ii ought not TO exist.
He argued at lengtheagainst the law, and run a
parallel between the Boston stamp act, and the
Boston resistance TO the fugitive slave law.
Mr.. BUTLER said that fugitive slave law
ought TO be unnecessary. The States themselves
ought to execute the Constitution.
II the feeling at the north was so great il could
hardly be satisfied with any report of the commit
tee on this memorial
When Otis spoke in Fanueil Hall, and Han
cock acted, Adams wrote, he would remind the
senator they did so as representatives of slave
holding people.
He asked if this law was repealed, would Mas
sachusetts execute the Constitution and deliver
up tie slaves to the south.
Mr. SUMNER. If the senator asks me if
wou d give up slave, say Is the servant dog
that he should do this thing.
Mr. BUTLER replied with warmth, and called
attention TO the senator's denounced of the duty
imposed by the Constitution as dogs duty. The
senator considered il dogs's duty 10 execute the
Constitution winch he had sworn TO support
Mr.. SUMMER I recoOnixe NO such Obliga-