Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-03-01
10 Guard against abuses, and the adoption o

novy.yard among members Of Congress was
destructive of discipline, corrupting in its in
Aucnce, and highly injurious to the public SER
vice.
Resolved. That the President and Secretary
Of the Navy. by receiving and considering the
marty relations Of bidders for contracts with
Inc United States. and the effect Of awarding
contracts upon pending elections, have set an
example dangerous to the public safety, and
deserving the rcproof Of this House.
Resolved, That the appointment by the Sec
rotary n, the Navy Of Daniel b. Martin, chief
engineer. a. a member Of the Board Of Engi-
necrs, to report upon proposals for constructing
machinery for the United States, the said Mar
tin at the time being pecuniarily interested IN
some Of said proposals, is hereby censurcd by
this House.
80 o'clock. p. M.-Thc House is still in ses-
sion, but the proceedings have been dull and
unintercsting. Various gentlemen have been
maxim: speeches. principally on the subject Of
the tariff. But few members are present.
FRIDAY, FEbRuAEy %, 1850.
SENATE.
Mr.. Clay. from the Committee on Commerce.
reported q joint resolution giving the assent Of
Congress to acts Of the Legislatures of .Arkan.
sas and Louisiana. relating to the removal OF
the Red river raft; which was passed.
Mr.. Yulcc desired the final vote OH the Postal
bill, as agreed on last night.
The vote was taken. and the bill passed by
yeas 80. navs 81, as follows:
Yr,s-Messrs. Allen. Bell. benjamin. Brown. Chestnut.
Clay. Clingmsn, Davis. Fitch. Fitzpatrick. Green, Hammond
Hunter. iverson, Johnson Of Tennessee, Jones. Mallory.
Mason, Pearcr, Folk. Reid, Flee. Sebastian, Shields. ssiieii,
Stuart, Toiabs. Ward, and fuire-@
N,ys-M.ssrs. Higher, Cameron. Chandler, Clark. Coli''
m-r. D ron, pooliitlc. Douglas. purkre. ~Fessenden. Foot,
Poster. Hale. IIamln. iiarlSn. k-nnr,ly. kins, Lane. Pugl.
Seward. Simmons, Saith, Trunhuil. Wade. and Wright.
The title was amended So as to read, AN act
establishing certain post routes, and Tor other
purposes"
Gihc bill passed, raising the rates Of postage
from three to five cents, and abolishing the
rranking privilege for all the departments and
members of Congress
Mr.. SlidcIl said that il the consideration Of
the Cuba bill was commenced now, il would
bc continued until a final vote was had upon
il.
The Question was taken On 4 motion TO take
up the Cuban bill. 1t was agreed to-yeas 50,
nays -.
Mr. Mallory proceeded to finish his speech
OH the bill. lie quoted the policy Of Jefferson,
who said that if we were justified III g,ing IL
war for the acquisition of Territory, 1t would
be in the case Of the Island of Cuba. He re.
viewed the commercial benefits to he derived
from the acquisition Of Cuba, and explained
the anomaly that the exports 10 The Island
from the United States are much less than the
imnorts. He did not believe that the acquiSi.
ton Of Cuba would ProtcStantiSc it, as had
been alleged in the island; but. on the contra
rs. the Roman Catholic faith would be un1is-
, turhcd.
, If Cuba were annexed to the United States,
he contcndcd that the slave trade on the island
would be entirely dcstroyed; but he wished to
disconncct this question Of slavery from the
subject. 1t had never done any good during
its discussion for the last twenty years, but. on
the contrary, had produced many evil effects.
The Creole population OF Cuba were opposed
10 the slave trade.
Mr.. NJ. explained how the slave trade he
tween African and Cuba was carried on.
lie advertcd TO this to show how easily the
trade might be broken up if the island belong
( ed to the United States. lie believed that the
longevity Of the slave was greater in Cuba and
Florida than any portion of the United States.
: Spain attributes to-day her tenure solely to
I the Slave trade in Cuba and he quoted Gen.
+ Concha to support this assertion. lie believed
! that Great Britain had forced upon Spain the
alternative Of permitting the United States to
get possession Of the island Of Cuba or Of liberia
tins al the slaves imported since the signing of
her treaty in 1918. England and Spain had
both avowed their opposition to the acquisition
Of Cuba by the United States. He would ask
il there is any one who would not aid this .Ad-
ministration in preventing such 4 catastrophe
as that of freeing the slave population oil the
island.
Mr.. NJ. read from British dispatches to show
the truth of this and he believed that the
United States should intervene to prevent the
determination of Cuba, and to secure it for
our national defence. These two questions
were of Importance to the American people
Great Britain had asserted that she would not
look with calmncSs upon the acquisition, and
! if we desired to obtain the island, now was the
time. He referred to the present miserable
condition Of the African colonies, and cited
that Christianity had affected them bnt little.
In looking Mt this question Of Cuba from her
past policy. for on such the Opposition based
their arcument that of Spain being able to
hold the colony, he denied that she had the
power. and quoted the weakness Of former
Spanish sovcreigns in support Of his remark.
The inability Of Spain 10 govern herself had
often been manifested in the last fifty years.
there being 4 constant reign Of anarchy, and
having the most corrupt court on the face Of
the earth. while the people remained loyal and
true. Had England seen such an island so
near her coast aS Cuba, she would have seized
it instantly. One Of her leading statesmen, in
looking to the acquisition Of territory. had
exclaimed Gentlemen, when | see the temp.
: tation, | am astoniShcd ut my own moderation.
lie was opposed TO the stand-still policy adj
vOcated by the opponents of this measure
The growth Of our country was contrary to II.
Every little village and city in New England
was 4 rcfltatiCn Of il. Her SOILS and daugh-
tiers had left homes there and gone into the
new Territories and carved out wealth and
fame. and in a later day returned to their New
England homes laden with proofs Of their pros
pcrity. We were not surprised at the acqni.
sition OF territory. Even the other day. when
the distinguished Senator from Virginia tMr.
%llunter) was speaking Of the growth Of our
country. a message was received announcing
the birth of the tliirty.third State into the
Union. No surprise was manifested. The
| stand.still policy would not work with Amcri-
cans.
We had suffered long enough from ontrages
against our citizens and our flag from Spanish
authorities. Americans had hccn imprisoned,
and taken from beneath the stars and stripes.
and no apology given; and when we demanded
redress. ii appeared that they could afford OPP
portunity TO do wrong, Nut could not do right.
lie believed that when all peaceful measures
had been exhausted, it was time to take action
for these wrongs, and teach Spain that wher-
ever Americans went there they were protect
cd by the American flag, and this government
would uphold it
Mr.. Dixon addressed the Senate in opposi.
ton to the bill, and quoted American statesman
! in opposition to it. He read from the Ostcnd
manifesto to show the first change Of or policy
towards Cuba.
he thought that all the advances to Spain for
| the acquisition Of Cuba had been as insulting
rs the ingenuity of diplomats and politicians