The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-01-27
Monday, January "a, 1859.
SENATE.


Resolutions of the Legislature of Pennsyl-
vania, nstructing the Senators and requesting
the Representatives of that State to aid in pro-
curing such modification of the present tariff
as would furnish adequate revenue for the
wants of the Goyernmentsand adequate protec-
ton to American industry, were presented by
Mr.. Bigler.
Mr.. Cameron in few remarks expressed his
entire concurrence in the object of the resolu-
tons, and stated his conviction that if the
President of the United States would display
the same zeal in the cause of tariff reform as he
had manifested in behalf of the Lecompton Con-
stitution, the present Congress would not ad-
journ without enacting such remedial measures
as were asked by the people of Pennsylvania.
| Mr.. Slidel, from the Committee on Foreign
Relations, presented report and accompanying
bill relative to the acquisition of the island of
Cuba. The terms of the bill are already known
TO the reader.
Mr., Mason briefly remarked upon the CON
tents of the report by which the bill was recon-
mended to the Senate. While agreeing to the
presentation of the latter, he did not concur In
all the arguments of the former and vas under
stood to express his special dissent from the as
sumption that the extension of our borders was
the settled policy of the Confederacy.
Mr.. Seward presented bill, on behalf of Mr..
Foot and himself embodying the views of mi
nority of the committee, This blu provides
that the President of the United States shall
report to the Senate, at the next regular session
ofCongress, a statement of the relations between
the United States and Spain, and the progress
of any negotiations between them, as also the
condition of the army and navy of the United
States, so far as their services may be needed
to meet any complexities growing out of our
relations with Spain. The bill also provides for
all extraordinary session Of Congress during the
approaching recess, in case the same should be
made necessary, in the Judgment Of the Presi-
dent, by the state Of our negotiations with the
Spanish Government.
Mr.. Seward then proceeded TO criticise the
terms of the majority report and bill The prop
ositions they contained seemed to him utterly
impracticable, if not ridieulous, in view Of the
recent declarations of thoSpanish Government,
denouncing as an insuh the language of the
! Presidents message in gard to the purchase
of Cuba, This bill tend a to make Congress a
party to that insult, and was nefeoyer urged
at tine when our owncitizens were called to
critically scan as provisions In view of the
low state Of the Treasury, the present moment
vas not the most opporttne to the eonsidera-
ton of such a measure, lpd for himself, before
abnegatiug his function IS a part of the treaty.
making power, he desired to be informed re-
speeding the status which the free-white, the
free-colored, and the slave population of Cuba
were expected to hold ea their admission into
orr pnisa under the terms of treaty to be
negotiated by the ExecphFs.
| Mr.. Bayard briefly sustained the majority re-
port, and Mr.. Foot as briefly expressed his con-
| cprTenee in the views of Mr.. Seward.
| Mr.. FoeHbs replied &c. the arguments of Mr.,
Seward No abnegatiqs IF senatorial preroga
tive was involved in the passage of the bill,
which merely risked Thirty millions of dollars
upon the success of the negotiations, leaving
the ssss.e free to ratify or reject any treaty
that might be fornsa For himself, he thought
Cuba so essential to The country, nc. he was
willing to run the risk for the purpose Of pro-
curing the island, He desired to raise no ques-
ton in advance respecting the status of the in
habitants of Cuba, in case it should be annexed
to the Union. We could settle such questions
among ourselves. end in negotiating with for
eign countries, the President should let be en-
barrassed by our sectional quarrels. He wanted
the Congress of the United States to declare to
the world its policy with reference to Cuba, and
if France or England. Or both combined, should
ipterpose objections, be was willing to meet the