Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-05-15
Congressional.
WAsHINaToN, May 5.


WAsHINaroN, May 5.
SENATE.-The morning was occupied II
the consideration OF private bills relating t.
California.
A joint resolution of which Mr.. Sewart
was the author, giving three years full pay
of her deceased husband to the widow o
Capt Herndon, amounting to 81 900, wa
Messrs. Iverson, of Ga, and Slidell, of La.
opposed it.
Mr.. Benjamin, of La, paid warm tribute
to the calm courage of Capt. Herndon. and
hoped to God his case might be made pre-
cedent for American officers.
Mr. Seward said that Mrs. lIerndon bro't
this matter to his notice, and in bringing il
before the Senate he was influenced by the
incident that the last that was known of the
gallant officer was that he sent by rescued
passenger his watch to his wife, that being
the estate he left her.
The resolution passed, ayes so nays 8.
Mr.. Hunter called up the West Point Ac-
ademy appropriation bill.
Mr.. Hall, of N. H., said the Academy
was useless and nuisance, and that better
General could be got out of New Hamp
shire lawyer; Franklin Pierce, for instance
who so far outstripped the West Pointers
that it made him President.
Mr.. Houston, of Texas, sid that Presi
dent Van Buren was West Pointer, but it
was doubted whether the curriculum of a
West Point education would be needed for
every officer of the army. Too much atten-
ton to military details made martinets rather
than soldiers.
The bill passed by % to 9.
Mr.. Benjamin submitted aresolution which
was adopted, asking for information from
the President as to what steps had been ia
ken for the protection of the American com
mercc at Tampico and other ports of Mexico
during the present distraction in that coun-
try.
The Vice President notified the Senate OF
the resignation of Senator Biggs, of North
Carolina.
Mr.. Mason's resolution in regard to Para
quay was taken up. Mr.. Mason was igno.
rant that Oregon assessed sufficient popula-
tion as can afford to pay the charges of a
State government.
Mr.. Douglass said the vote on the Consti-
tuition was 1000 which would indicate %,
600 of population, although it was probab-
ly more and doubtless 10000 more than the
number with which We admitted Kansas.
Mr.. Scward-Did I understand the Sena
tor to say we have admitted Kansas?
Mr.. DOuglas-I will answer the Senator
very unequivocally. So far as this Congress
is concerned we have admitted Kansas. II
she desires to cone in under the bill then our
action is final and conclusive if she does
not so desire then we have not
Mr.. Seward INDUCED in quiet laugh, but
made no reply.
Mr.. Gwin made few remarks in favor OF
Oregon as law abiding and respectable ter
ritory.
Mr.. Seward said the Oregon constitution
has clause excluding from it persons of AZ
rican descent although free. Great as his
objections were to voting for the admission
of State with any such provision, yet Or
egon is an old settlement inha abiicd by an in
dustrous and respectable population, and it
is not good to retain colonies or territories in
a condition of rupage longer than neces-
sary. He would vote t. admit her.
Mr.. Benjamin, of La would admit Oregon,
but in future would demand that census be
taken before the admission of State.
MIR. Fessenden, of Me-. objected TO the ad-
mission, for the reason that negroes as citi-
zens in Maine are equal with whites and the
Constitution of Oregon denies them entering
into that State.
Mr.. Trumbu!l, of ILL.,, was opposed to the
admission, for reasons which he stated at
some length, and moved that the subject be
postponed till Dec.
Mr. Wa6e. Of Ohio, dlew attention to the
clause that classes Cinnamon with negroes.
Mr. w lson, of Mass, said that Massachu.
sets would welcome free Oregon, would ex
pect him to vote for it, but at the risk of Cen.
sure, even from his personal friends, he would
refrain. There Was clause in the Consttll-
tion which he considered unchristian and in
human. He showed the injustice which
would arise to colored sailors landing in Or.
egon, and made a spirited defense of the
5000 colored population of Mass, which part
OF his speech was not very reverenty receiv-
ed by the Senate.
Mr.. Ivc:so would also vote for a post
poncment, because we haye 10 data showing
a sufficient population.
Mr. Mason thought the free States were
becoming wiser, in preventing the contami
nation of free negroes, in that respect imitat
ing Virginia. Dire experience was beginning
to teach the African race who were thcil
friends. So many negroes were dying to re-
turn to slavery that Virginia and Texas have
been compelled to provide means to permit
them to do so.
Mr.. Green briefly explained that the popu
lation Of Oregon was sufficient, inasmuch aS
there were 10000 on the poll list.
Mr.. Brown made facetiOus remarks, offer
ing to let Massachusetts, and New York have
as many free negroes IS they wanted
Mr.. Hale drew attention to the treaty
|
of Cinnamon from civil rights. He also
claimed for New Hampshire the earliest
abolition of slavery, which he said took place
in 1775. He would not vote for the admis
son of Oregon with this Constitution, thi:
side of eterty
Adjourned.
Houss.-Mr. Clingman, of n. c., from the
committee on Foreign Affairs, reported &
French Spoliation bill. it being an exact copy
of the one vetoed iy President Pierce. HI
had oeen instructed to ask for the postpone
ment of the subject until the 10Th of May.
On mott n Of Mr.. Shorter, Of Ala, tho
consideration of the subject was postponed
until the first Monday in January next, by
66 against 81.
Mr.. Clncman addressed the House on the
subject Of the report which he made yester
day concerning inc capture oI zen. Walker
maintaining that the arrest was without
authority of law, as we cannot introduce
troops into foreign country. The act o
Com. Panlding. in its effects, was calculated
to aid British and not American interests
He held that we ought to exercise influence
in Nicaragua to secure the right of way, and
trusted that the treaty making power of the
United States will not allow any regulations
to be made by which our interests will be
damaged.
After speaking of the non-fulfillment o
the Clayton Bulwer party, he said that the
best mode of &, tting rid of all attending
d faculties was to abrOgate it,
He urged thar we had the best claims
We have now on the coast Of Africa a
squadron in connection with Great Britain
to sun, rpss slavery aud vet Great Britain is