The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1859-01-21
Interesting Congressional History of
the Amistad Case.

ington to the Ashtabula Sentinel
giving an interesting Congressional
history Of the famous Amistad case
He says:
On the third day Of the session,
Senator Mason obtained II vote
making the bill to pay for the Amis
tad slaves, II special order for the
next Tuesday; but has suffered it tc
lie over until near the close OF the
fourth week. fear it will not com,
up at this session. 1t has always
passed the session without discuss.
ion, but several Senators have look
ei into it, and are now prepared tC
speak upon it.
VOW INGERs0LL BACKED DOWN.
1t is an interesting case. 1t came
up in the House of Representatives
in lS44, for the first time, on mo-
tion to print extra copies of the Re-
port OF the Committee ON Foreign
Affairs, in favor of the claim. 1t
was my fortune 10 lead the debate in
opposition to the motion. Mr.. Ad.
ans designed to speak on the same
side, after the Chairman. Mr.. In
gersoll should have replied to Inc. -
The morning hour only WAS allotted
to tho subject. | occupied the first
morning, and when concluded Mr..
lngersoll obtained the floor, and |
well recoilect that some excellent
friends were alarmed at the holiness
with which had attacked the Re-
port, saying that Ingersoll was one
ol the ahlest members of the House.
and would oblitcra'e mo whenever
he should speak. But had become
somewhat accustomed to such oblit.
eraiions, and said to them | had the
most perfect confidence that Mr.. Adj
ans would furnish as mnch cause for
Mr.. lngersoll to lear, as lngcrsoll did
for me to entertain apprehension
Mr.. Adams felt a deep interest in
the subject, and prepared for severe
examination If it..
/ But when the next morning came,
lngersoll saw the intention of Mr..
Adams, and luailed before it. He
backed down, and actually voted 10
lay his own motion on the table. |
escaped the castIgation which my
friends so much feared, because In.
gersoll dreaded the rod which Mr..
Adams had prepared for him. But
the old patriot vas disappointed -
lie desired to give an expose of the
case, and after his ieturn at the close
OF the session, he Published the
speech he had intended to make, for
the bcneft Of his constituents apd
years, members of Congress have
looked mp TO that speech, in ordcrto
prepare Tor the discussion, which, |
tear, will not take place.
TUE LAST SPEECH OF THE GOLD MAN
ELOQUENT
Four years after this transaction,
the Senate amended our civil and
diplomatic appropriation bill, by in
sertinI fifty thousand dollars TO ay
for these slaves. Mr.. Adams had
been prostra,ed by paraIytic shock
lie WIS go conscious OF its cilrcts
that he would neither speak, nor
write for the public eye. His friends
had greatly desired letter from him
addressed to the public, or some
friend, ~ Il farewell mtmcuto: bul
he refused. His son, Hon. Q. +,
/. Adams, came with him to Washing
ton. His entrance in the hall, aItrl
the members had 50 long regarded
him AS dead, was most interesting
; scene. Southern shareholders wh'
had bitterly opposed him in torne
times, now wept at again seeing
him. All business was suspended
US he entered the hall lie vas fee
BILE and pale. Holmes, Of Soutl
, Carolina, taking him by the arm
4 conducted him to his scat, and theI
addressed few words to the House
congratulating the members on one
more seeing their venerable associate
in his scat. The veteran Statesman
responded in "A few words, but hi
} voice was too feeble TO be heard cx
cept by those nearest to him. ii
G continued to meet with us, but mad
d no attempt to participate in any dis
8 cussion, until the amendment of th
Senate providing for the payment q
: these slaves, came up Tor discussion
: On that subject his feelings woul
= not permit him to remain silent
J. When he was announced as havin
% the floor, the House WAS instantly i
the most perfect confusion. Men
Ut bers in all parts OF the hall left the
Il seats and gathered as near as poss
ble, to catch the last words of the i
lustrious statesman. All SCENE
=. :" conscious that it would be his In
70 !, speech. Tho reporters, unable
- hear him in their places, and M
~ ~ mindful of the rules, rnshed with
~ ~ tho bar, paper and pencil in hand,
"A sketch his last public address.
~ ~ That speech was devoted to a
= exposure of the insulting claim al
~ proved and recommended by Pol
~ ~ and Pierce, and twice by Buchana
~ 30 and now pressed npon the Senat
", w. 1t was, truly, the last speech Of II
% venerated friend. A few days ate
a, wards we bore his unconscious boo
ns ''a from the hall. He iell in tho pla'
,'o 'o from which ho had spoken. /
v died, as it were, opposing this clair
Il. LOOK TO THE HOUSE.
an The amendment to the Senate W
ok then defeated !; and as often as tn
an body has passed it, the House hi
IN 1ainoted n have sDOkcn upon