Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-01-15
me Amistad Case...Inreresring history

The venerable Mr.. Giddings writes from
Washington to the Ashtabula Sentinel an inter-
esting Congressional history Of the famous
Amistad case, which the President in his eager
ness to serve the Slave power has again thrust
upon Congress with favorable recommenda-
ton Although Senator Mason, of Va, on the
third day of the session in hot haste obtained a
vote making the bill to pay for the Amistad
slaves special order fer the next Tuesday, he
has thought it polite to let it lie over for weeks,
and Mr.. G. expresses fears that it will not come
up this session Heretofore it has passed the
Senate without discussion, but Mr.. G. says sew
eral Senators have looked into it, and are now
prepared to speak on the measure. .-.a
HOW INGERsoLL BACKED DOWN.
1t is an interesting ease 1t came up in the
House of Representatives in 1874 for the first
time motion to print extra copies Of the re-
port of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, in ia
vor of the claim. 1t was my fortune to lead the
debate in opposition to the motion. Mr.. Adams
designed to speak on the same side, after the
Chairman. MIR. Ingersoll should have replied
to me. The morning hour only was allotted to
the subject. 1 occupied the first morning, and
when l concluded Mr.. Ingersoll obtained the
floor, and well recollect that some excellent
friends were alarmed at the boldness with which
l had attacked the report, saying that Ingersoll
was one Of the abIest members of the House,
and would obliterate me whenever he should
speak. But had become somewhat accus-
toned to such CELEBRATIONS, and said to them l
had the most perfect confidence that Mr. Adams
would furnish as much cause for IngersoIl to
fear, as Ingersoll did tor me to entertain appre-
hension. Mr.. Adams felt deep interest in the
subject, and prepared for a severe examination
ofit. AN-ts -t- =.
But when the next morning came, Ingerson
saw the intention of Mr. Adams, and quailed
before it. He backed down and actually Uoted
to lay his Olca 1lotioR on the table. l escaped
the castigation which my friends so much fear
ed, because Ingersoll dreaded the rod which Mr.
Adams had prepared for him. But the old pa
triot was disappointed. He desired to give an
expose of the case and after his return at the
close of the session, he published the speech he
had intended to make for the benefit of his con-
stituents: and now after the labor of nearly IF
teen years, members Of Congress have looked
up to that speech, in order to prepare for the
discussion, which, / fear, will not take place. ]
THE LAST SPEECH OF THE OLD MAN ELOQUENT
Four years after this transaction, the Senate
amended our civil and diplomatic appropriation
bill, by inserting fifty thousand dollars to pay
for the slaves. Mr.. Adams had been prostrated
by paralytic shock He was so conscious of
its effects that he would neither speak nor write
for the public eye His friends had greatly de-
sired letter from him addressed to the public,
or to some friend as farewell memento; but he
refused. His son, Hon. F. Adams, came with
him to Washington. His entrance in the Hall,
after the members had so long regarded him as
dead, was most Interesting scene. Southern
shareholders who had bitterly opposed him in
former times, now wept at again seeing him.
All business was suspended as he entered
the Hall He was feeble and pale. Holmes,
of South Carolina, taking him by the arm,
conducted him te mis- seat, and then addressed
a few words tofhe House, eongratulating the
members on once more seeing their venerable
associate in has seat The veteran statesman
responded in few words, but his voice was
too feeble to be heard, except by those nearest
to him. He continued to meet with US, but
made no attempt to participate in any discussion,
until the amendment OF the Senate providing
for the payment of these slaves came up for
discussion. i -a
On that subject his feeli1gss&ould not per-
NIT him to remain siIents When he was an
nounced as having the floor, the House was in
stantly in the most perfect confusion. Members
in all part of the Hail left their seats and gather
ed as near as possible, to cltch the last words
of the illustrious Statesman. All seemed con-
seious that it would be his last speech. The re-
porters, unable to hear him in their places, and
unmindful of the rules, rushed within the bar,
paper and pencil in hand, to sketch his last pub
lie address.
That speech was devoted to an exposure of
the iasilting claim approved and recommended |
by Polk and Pierce, and twice by Buchanan, and !
now pressed upon the Senate. 1t was, truly, |
the last speech of my venerable friend. A few |
days afterwards we bore his unconscious body |
from the hall He fell in the place from which |
ne had spoken. He died. as It were, opposing |
this claim.