Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-05-06
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
MONDAY, MAY /, 1854.

MONDAY, MAY !, 1854.
IN SENATE.
The PRESIDENT Of the Senate laid before the body
communication from the Postmaster General transmit
ting information in relation to the annument Of con
tract with j. W. Kelly; which was referred to the Com
mittee on the Post Office and Post Roads.
Also an act of the Legislature Of Rhode Island to
verse and annul the judgment Of the Supreme Court
that State for treason rendeed against Thomas W. Don
June 25th lS44 which wasread and ordered to lie
the table.
MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS.
The following memorials aid petitions were presented
and referred to appropriate committees:
BY Mr.. ATCHISON Fromclerks employed in the Uni
ted States Armory at Harper Ferry asking an increase
Of compensation.
By Mr. TOUCEY: Two memorials from citizens of West
Sueld Connecticut asking increase of duty cigars
Also from citizens of the same State in favor Of cheap
ocean postage.
BY Mr. HAMLIN: From ciizens Of Aroostook county,
Maine asking the establishment of certain mail routes
By Mr.. MORTON document in favor # the estab-
shnent of mail route by steamboats, between Chatta-
hoochee and Columbus.
By Mr.. COOPER: From Geo W. Harris, asking Con-
gress to vest in him the copyright to the l3h l4h and
18th volumes of the Pennsylvania State Reports.
By Mr. CHASE: From certain citizens of Morrow coun-
ty Ohio, asking Congress to Immediately repeal oil laws
passed the subject Of slavery fugitive slaves in
the Missouri compromise and ee the whole subject to
the people in the respective State or Territories.
By Mr.. THOMSON, of New Jrsey: From citizens Of
Burlington New jersey in fayorof cheap ocean postage
Also, from Horato Gates Cook, asking to be allowed
the hapay to which his father entitled for Revou-
tionary services.
Also, from John Garvn, asking indemnity for taking
care of and supporting Thomas Garv, who became an
invalid in consequence Of exposure during the late war
with Great Britain.
Several petitions also pEesentedn favor of secur
ing the right Of religious tolerance to American citizens
abroad and against the repeal Of the Missouri compro
mise, SC.
MEMBERS EXCUSED FROM SERVING.
Mr. HAMLIN asked to be excused from serving the
Committee en- Printing 1t q committee that re-
qured almost daily attention lnd besides he was on the
other working committees, which required much labor
He would necessarily have to b. absent from the Senate
for brief period and therefore hoped he might be ex-
cused
The Senate having excused Mr. HAMLIN, the Chair ap-
pointed Mr. JOHNSON to fill the vacancy.
Mr.. SMITH asked to be excused from serving on the
Committee on Printing and the Committee on Post
Offices and Post Roads for the remainder OF the period
that he should continue in the body.
Which having been agreed to- the Chair appointed Mr.
FEssENpEN to the Committee Printing, and Mr. SEWARD
to the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads.
SUSPENSION OF THE NEUTRALITY LAWS.
Mr.. SLIDELL submitted the following resolution:
Resolved That the Committee Foreign Relations be in
tructed inquire into the expedency of authorizing the
President of the ULed States during future recess OF
Congress suspend by proclamation either wholly par
ay tho operation of the act in addition an act for pun
hment of certain crimes against the United States approved
10th April lSlS and also of the act supplementary there
approved 10th Of March, 1885, should in his opinion the
publ interests require such total partial suspensions such
suspension exceed the period of twelve months and
the which shall have induced the President to pro-
claim it to be communicated to Congress Immediately on Its
irst meeting thereafter.
Mr.. SLIDELL said Although the resolution which
has just been read is its face simply one of inquiry
think it proper to state at this tme the motives that
have induced to present it. consider it one OF great
Importance. 1t is not brought forward as mere for
may, but the basis Of substantive direct, and, as
hope prompt legislative action am quite conscious of
the gravity of the responsibility assumed by Senator
taking the initiative in such matter; but with the
rm conviction entertain Of its necessity should feel
that was recreant to my duty to the naon and espe-
cia the State that sent here to shrink from
It, The duty, moreover, is distinctly imposed upon me
the action Of the Legislature Of Louisiana On the 10th
Of March last joint resolutions the subject of Cuba
were unanimously adopted. have since been IN the
daily expectation of receiving official notice Of them but
from neglect to forward copy or from come irreguary
Of the mail they have yet reached the delegation in
an authentic form have copy which believe to be
correct but do not feel at liberty to present 1t formally
as am advised that it would not be in conformity with
the usage of the Senate to do so.
Some months SINCE Mr. President, was as skeptical
as any one on this floor could be about the existence of
any concerted plan to Afrcanize Cuba use the word,
for the that has become fashionable but be-
cause it plainly conveys to my mind at least, without
periphrasis the complex ideas Of emancipation, consca
tion page, murder devastation and barbarism. Past
experience has led to be surprised at nothing that
England might attempt to prevent the possession OF THIS
island by her great commercial rival rival
destined to be- in very few years. II IN fact she be not
already, in that respect her recognised superior Still
could not bring myself to believe that Spain, with oil
her pride and obsnacy would prefer the destruction OF
fourshng colony peoped by her own sons to the pros
pect of its transfer future perhaps distant day.
by honorable and peaceful negotiation, to friendly ma
ton for price that would extrcate her finances from
that gulf of seemingly hopeless bankruptcy in which they
have been long plunged. If the Senate will indulge
will state now, briefly possible, the reasons
that have led to the full conviction Of wel-under
France is certainly confdant, and probably partici-
pant for the Africanization Of Cuba.
On the 9Th Of April, 1852, Lord Malmesbury, British
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs directed his Minis
at Washington, in with the French Minister
to propose Government "a tripartte convention,
by which the three nations should bind themselves seve
rally and collectively, to renounoe both now and hereaf
ter all intention to obtain possession Of the island Of
Cuba and dscountenance all attempts to that effect
the part Of others" This proposition was made to Mr.
Webster then Secretary Of State but no definite reply
made to it while he remained in Office His success
sor however Mr.. Everett under date Of ls December
1852 declined the overture in paper which will be for
remarkable in diplomatic history its high
toned nationality and vgor Of style corresponding with
the Importance of the question Let us now trace the
origin Of this joint proposition Of England and France on
the Goth October 1851 Lord Pamerston, then British
Foreign Secretary writing to Lord Howden his Minister
at Madrid says
"With reference to the passage in NJ Mirafoes note in
which he states that the Spanish Government cannot under
mend which would prove very injurious the
tves Of Cuba when they also recommend that the Spanish