Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-12-25
The Senate Crisis Committee.

The Senate Committee of Thirteen were IN
session in Washington six hours and II hall
on Saturday, considering various PROPOSE
tons to arrest the progress Of dissolution ana
give peace to the country.
The amendment to the constitution pro
passed by Mr.. Cri,enden, To settle the con
troyersy between the North and the South
finally and forever by a division OF the cuun-
try from ocean to ocean, on the parallel of
the Missouri line, WAS considered.
The vote on Mr.. Crittenden's proposition
was as follows
For the propositon--Messrs. Bigler, Crit.
tenden, Douglas, Rice nnd Powell--5.
Against it-Messrs. Davis, Doolittle, Col
lamer, Wade, ToumbS, Grimes and Hunter
-.
Messrs. Hunter, Tocmbs and Davis. never
theless, intimated III INCLINATION to 20 Tor ii
il the republicans would propose it in good
faith.
The second proposition submitted by Mr..
Crittenden, denying the right OF Congress to
abolish slavery in the dockyards and ARISEN
ais was voted against by Messrs. Cvllamer,
DoOitile. Grimes and Wade. The rcmand-
err If the cOmuittec voted fer the propnsl-
tion, but as it had not il majority of the re-
pubicanS il was defeated under the rules
adopted by the committee, that no PROPOSE
ton should lie considered adopted AID rec
commended 70 the Senate which did not G.
ceive ii majority Of the Republican votes as,
also, those opposed to the republicans.
The third clause, denying IL Congress tn"
right to abolish slavery in the District Of Co.
ium,i;., was defeated by the same vote, the
republicans ali voting against it, and the re-
.nainder Of the committee iorit.
The fourth clause, establishing the right
of transit, was defeated by the same vote.
The fifth, which is intended to perfect the
Fugitive Slave law, by requiring the several
States to LAY forfugit!ves who might be res
cued from the officers OF the law, was lost by
the Same vote, The republicans all voting III
the Negative.
Manv other propositions were offered and
voted upon, but none OF leading importance
hone that wouId meet the great exigen-
cies Of me times.
Mr.. Davis submitted resolution express
~ recognizing property in slaves, bat no
vote was taken on 1t.
Mr.. T0ombs submitted ii series Of resoiu-
tions, embracing substantially the principle
Of the Breckenridge platform, but final oc-
ton was not taken on them.
Judge Douglas submitted the following.
FIRST. Leave the people ot the organized
territories free to decide the question o 7la-
very themselves, suhjcct only to the linila-
tious Of the CunStltuunn-the courts 70 de-
eide upon the validity Of territorial laws
without any interference by Congress.
Sec md. An equitable partition Of all terri
tory we now own or may acquire between the
sections, as provided in the Missouri cont
promise, and now proposed by Senator
Crittenden.
THIRD The state Of slaves and personal
freedom in the territnric, sh"!! remain as it
was when acquired: neither Congress n'r
territorial legislatures having power t"
change IT. the courts to determine all que%-
tons involving the title Of slave property and
personal freedom, as was provided in the
Clayton compromise bill and supported by
Mr.. Calhoun in 1913.