Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-01-21


Interesting Congregational History OF the
Amistad Case.
Mr.. Giddings writes from Washington to
the Ashtabula Sentinel, giving an interest
ing Congressional history Of the famous
"Amistad" case. lie says:
On the third day Of the session, Senate.
Mason obtained vote making the bill to
pay for tho Amistad slaves, a special order
for tho next Tuesday; but has suffered it
to lie over until near the close Of the fourth
week fear it will rot come up al this
session. 1t has always passed the Senate
without discussion, but several Senators
have looked into it. and are now prepared to
speak upon it.
HOW NGERsoLL BACKED DOWN.
1t is an interesting case 1t came up in
tho House of Representatives in l944 for
the FIRST time, on motion to print extra
copies of the report Of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, in favor of the claim 1t
was my fortune to lead the debate in oppo-
sition to the motion. Mr.. Adams designed
to speak on the same side, after the Chair
man. Mr.. Ingersoll should have replied to
me. The morning hour only was allotted
to the subject. occupied the first morn
ing, and when l concluded, Mr.. Ingersoll
obtained tho floor, and | well recolleet that
some excellent friends were alarmed at the
bolduess with which | had attacked the re-
port, saying that Ingersoll was one Of tbs
ablest members of the House, and would OBJ
lteratc me whenever he should speak. But
/ had become somewhat accustomed to such
deliberations, aud said to them l had the
most perfect confidence that Mr.. Adams
would furnish as much cause for InCersoll tc
fear, as Ingersoll did for me to entertain ap
prehenson. Mr.. Adams felt deep inter
est in the subject, and prepared for severe
examination Of it.
But when tho next morning camo, Inger
soil saw tho intention of Mr.. Adams, and
quailed before it. He backed down an(
actually voted to lag his oDn motion oi
the table. escaped ;he castigation whicl
my friends so much feared, because Inger
soil dreaded the rod which Mr.. Adams ha,
prepared for him But the old patriot wa
disappointed. He desired TO give an ex
pose of the case, and after his return ut tht
close of the session, he published the speecl
) he had intended to make for tho benefit o
his constituents; and now after tho labo
, of nearly fifteen years, members Of Congress
have looked up that speech, in order I,
prepare for the discussion, which, l fear
will not take place.
l TIN. IA Asr SPEECH M, z,t1,, NAS rtoorrFN1
Four years after this transaction, tn
Senate amended our civil and diplomat
=, appropriation bill, by inserting fifty thou
sand dollars to pay for these slaves III
r Adams had 5eon prostrated by paralyti
E shock. He was SO conscious of its effect
that he would neither speak nor write 70
the public eye. His friends had great
: desired letter from him addressed to th
! public or some friend as a farewell memeu
/ to; but he refused. His son, Hon. c.. +
l Adams came with him to Washington
, His entrance in the Hall after the member
had so long regarded him as dead was
most interesting scene. Southern Slave
: holders who had bitterly opposed him j
former times, now wept at again seein
him. All business was suspended as b
entered the Hall. He was feeble and pale
Holmes of South Carolina, taking him b
the arm conducted him to his seat, an
then addressed few words to the House
/ congratulating the members on once NOR
seeing their venerable associate in his sea
: The veteran Statesman responded in fe'
words, but his voice was too feeble to b
: heard, except by those nearest to him. H
: continued to meet with us, but made no al
tempt to participate in any discussion, unit
the amendment of the Senate providing fc
the payment Of these slaves came up fc
d discussion.
t On that subject his feelings would nc
e permit him to remain silent When b
was announced as having tho floor, th
house was instantly in the IN st perfect cor
fusion. Members in all parts Of the Ha
: left their seats and gathered as near as po.
t sible TO catch the last words Of the illustr
4 Gus Statesman. All seemed conscious ths
it would be his last speech. The reporter
> unable to hear him in their places, and Ut
G mindful of the rules, rushed within the ba
o paper and pencil in hand, to sketch h
last public address. That speech was DE-
voted to an exposure of the insulting clair
approved and recommended bv Polk an
n Pierce, and twice by Buchanan, and no
/ pressed upon the Senate. 1t was, truly tn
! last speech of my veneratod friend. A fo
days afterwards we bore his uuconsciot
J. body from the Hall. He fell in the plaC
If from which he had spoken. He died, as
r werO opposing this claim.
j LOOK TO THE HOUSE.
d The amendment to the Senate was The
- defeated; and as often as that body h
, passed it, the house has defeated it. | ha,
l. spoken upon it three times, and Hon.
d C. Leach, of Michigan, spoke upon it la
y year. These four speeches are all that h,
been made against it since Mr.. Adam
death but the slave power appears dste
mined to pass it. To give it up would
truth be a surrender, or rather an admission
Q that they cannot sustain their fundement
doctrine, for it involves the entire issue no
9 between the parties.
: SALE OF Paws in BEEcHER's CHURCH.
i The annual sale of pews in Plymout
n Church, Brooklyn, shows how the Socict
n