Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-17
Correspondence of the Evening Po'tl
The "Niugcr q ucstiou' TO be gitatcd in
Congrc.s.-Thc Amistnd NegrOes--The
WAsurNc1oN, December 6, 1858.

Message.
WASHINGTON, December 6, 1858.
Shall the United States pay for the Amis-
tad negroes? This is the question which
Mr.. VI .son, of Virginia, has seen fit to agi-
tats in the Senate to-day, and, on his motion,
Tuesday of next week has been specially as
signed to consider the resolution covering
that question. 1t will be remembered that
a majority of the Committee on Foreign Re-
lations reported at the last session in favor
of paving for said negroes, Notwithstanding
.hev were declared to be freemen by the
United States Court. Senators Seward and
Foot presented a minority report, showing
very clearly that the claim is neither sup
ported by the facts, OF the law, so as to au-
thorize Congress to make provision Tor its
payment 1t is worthy of note that, before
both Houses were fairly organized, or any
attempt could be made to ascertain the views
of the President in relation to our public af-
fairs, Mr. Mason insisted that private mea-
sure to pay for persons claimed to be slaves
shall be considered. No matter about the
Presidents Message no matter about the
vast number of public measures on the cal
enders of the two Houses, which should re-
ceive immediate attention. All these are OF
slight importance to Mr.. Mason. There is
"nigger question" and it must be agitated.
Everything else must be subordinate to it.
Mr. Mason demands that Congress shall de-
clare that certain freemen were slaves, and
that the government shall pay for them as
such. For the special assignment of this
question TO Tuesday of next week, every de-
mocrat voted yea except Mr.. Broderick. We
have been told that this "nigger question"
was not to be revived. This has been the
song of the Buchanan democracy Mr..
Fugitive Slave Law Mason has decreed other
wise, and he and his associates in the Adj
minis. ration ranks have begun the re-agita-
ton The President also recommends the
payment OF this Amistad negro claim.
The announcement by the President that
Kansas must remain out Of tn, Union until
she complies with the population restriction
of the English Bribery bIll' creates a sem
sation here, as the northern democracy have
favored her immediate admission whenever
she applies with legslly-constructed consti-
tuition, no matter what her population
may be. They are confused by this recon-
mendation Of Mr.. Buchanan, and some of
them denounce the policy. 1t remains to be
seen whether the administration party in
Congress will apply tho English restriction
to Oregon. If they attempt to admit her
without such application, it is doubtful
whether she gets into the Union unless with
proviso that Kansas shall be admitted upon
the same terms.
1t will be perceived that the foreshadow-
ing of the message in this correspondence
relative to the "Ostend circular doctrine,
the acquisition of Cuba, Mexico, &c. was
correct
Mr.. Buchanan has an eye to his iavorite
rlilroad scheme from FL Paso to Guaymas,
and attends to push it to something practi-
cable and profitable
The attempt to instruct the Committee OF
Ways and Means to report bill to increase
the duty on iron, coal and lead, was defeat
ed. Tbs mt yenent was made by Mr.. Dewart
of Pennsylvania, who was altogether to } fast
in his efforts to acquire popularity at home