Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-05-13
Congressional.
Washington, Monday, May

Washington, Monday, May g.
SFNATE.-Hha Indian appropriation bill was
taken up.
Mr. Trumbul of Illinois objected to some of
the items, but the bill finally passed without
amendment-26 against 0.
The bill appropriates over a million and a
quarter of dollars. Adjourned.
Housh.-A message from the President of
the United States was received, accompanied by
four immense bundles of manuscript, which
were piled up in the centre aisle.
Mr.. Jones OF Tenn, facetiously observed
that from their bulk, they must involve the
safety and perpetuity Of thecountry. (Laugh-
ter.)
The message was read, by which it appeared
that the documents contained copy OF the
correspondence relative to Indian affairs in
Washington, Oregon and California.
Mr.. Morgan of New York said that five
clerks were employed nine months in copying
it.
Mr.. Jones of Tenn, remarked that the War
Department had yet to reply to the resolution
which called forth this monster document from
the Interior Department.
The House, after various suggestions, laid the
documents on the table, and refused, by a large
Noue, W pfiHt tleul. Au.ouIHeu'
Tuesday, May 4.
SENATE,-Nr. Douglas Of Illinois made an
intellectual effort to have the Oregon bill taken
up.
Mr. Johnsons (of Tennessee) printed bill
was read and Mr.. johnson explained its scope,
sayiug that it economies q million of dollars
annually, besides imposing checks on extrava-
gance and plumber.
The bill then passed-nem. con.
Adjourned.
HousE.-The Senate bill for the admission
of Minnesota into the Union was taken up.
Mr. Kingsbury of Minnesota caused to be
read printed remarks stating the reason why
Minnesota should have three Representatives,
and saying that the government had not been
put to a cent of cost in preserving peace in the
Territory, while Kansas comes into the Union,
bringing the infamy of opposition to the laws
of the United States
Mr.. PARROT of Kansas asked on what au-
thority Mr.. Kingsbury based that statement.
Mr.. Kingsbury said it was contained in
speeches delivered on the floor.
Mr.. Parrott did not think it was contained
in any speech save the one just read, and if
the reason stated was the only explanation the
gentleman had to make, good taste would have
suggested his leaving out that expression.
Mr.. Kingsbury was willing the country
should judge of its propriety.
Mr.. Sherman of Ohio moved substitute,
providing that the constitution of Minnesota
be submitted to new Convention, on the
ground that it does not conform to the consti-
tuition and laws of the United States. No such
Convention as contemplated by the enabling
act, had ever been held. The law prescribed
that it should be composed of 7S delegates, and
| there were l0S. There were two separate and
hostile parties, who got up what they called a
constitution. In the election of delegates. the
example set in other Territories was followed
and was covered all over with fraud. He OBJ
jected, among other things, to the clause per-
mitted aliens to vote, and expressed the hope
that Minnesota would come into the Union de-
Gently and in order The time had come when
Congress ought to put a curb on the Terrific
ries, and require them to obey the laws.
Mr. Kingsbury replied that Minnesota had
CONFIRMED more closely to the laws than any
other Territory
Mr. Garnett of Va, contended that MINES
ota had not complied with the enabling act,
nor the territorial law. Under these clrcum-
ces, he must regard this as an application d.
noUo for admission. He argued that there was
not population in Minnesota for more than
one representative, let alone three, as Mr.. Ste
phens proposed Adjourned.
Wednesday, May 5.
SENATE-On motion of Mr.. Douglas the bill
for tn admission of Oregon was read.
Mr.. Mason of Va, was Ignorant If Oregon
possesses sufficient population, or can afford tc
the charges of State government.
Mr.. Douglas said the vote on the Constitu-
tion was 1000, which would indicate IS ,O0(
population, although it was propably more
and doubtless 10000 over the number with
which we admitted Kansas?
Mr. Seward of n Y.-Did I understand the
Senator to say that we have admitted Kansas.
Mr. Douglas-I will answer the Senator very
unequivocally. So far as this Congress is con
cerned, we have admitted Kansas. If she de
sires to come in under that bill than our actor
is final and conclusive-if she does not 50 de-
sire, then when we have not.
Seward INDUCED in quiet laugh, but made
no reply.
Mr.. Gwin of CAL said few words in favor
of Oregon as a law-abiding and respectable ter
ritory.
Mr.. Seward of New York said the Oregon
Constitution has a clause excluding from tn
Territory persons of African descent, although
free. Great as his objection was to voting 70
the admission of State with any such pro
vision, yet Oregon is an old settlement, inhab
tied by an industrious and respectable popula
ton, and it is not good to retain colonies O.
territories in condition Of pupilage longe
than necessary. There are States whose admis
sion he would not vote for with a million of in
habitants, and others he would vote for wit
| IN 0nu bo yunnl1 vnto tn admit Ornrop
Mr. Benjamin of Louisiana would ADM
Oregon, but in future would demand that
census be taken before the admission of
State.
Mr. Fessenden of Maine objected to the ad
mission for the reason that negroes are citizen
; in Maine, equdl with whites and the Constitu
ton of Oregon denies them entry into tina
State.
Mr.. Ttrumbull of Illinois was opposed to til
admission for reason which he stated at SON
length and moved that the subject be postpone
till December.
Mr.. Wade of Ohio drew attention to til
clause that classes Chinaman with negroes
Mr.. Wilson of Massachusetts said Massach,
sets would welcome free Oregon, and woul
: expect him to vote for it /; But at the risk
mourning censure from his personal friends, /
r would refrairf There was clause in the col
, stitution which he considered unchristlan an
unhuman. He showed the injustice whit
would arise to colored sailors landing in Oregon
and made spiritual defense of the 5000 colo
ed population of Massachusetts,, which pa
of his speech was not very reverently receive
1 by the Southern senators.
+ Mr. Iverson Of Georgia would also vote for
postponement, because we have no data shown
sufficient population.
! Mr.. Mason of Va, thought the free Stat
s. were becoming wiser in preventing the contar
ination of free negroes in that respect mitatil
/ Virpinia Dire pynnrienoa woe han;n,,.