Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-15
THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE SPECIAL
UNION COMMITTEE.

WASHINGTON Dec. IL, 1860.
The House Perous Committee OF ,hrtyhree held its
second secession to-day, Mr.. Corvin in the chair.
Mr. Humphrey, of New York, desired that gentlemen
who had complaints to make should state then and what
redress would satisfy ttem in order that it might be
whether they were valid, and whether Congress had
Ea-sS- 20 -PI'y '- hg vgeyed the people Of
and we're willing 10 live up TO and abide by il.
Mr.. TAYLOR, of Louisiana, submitted schedule OF
what the South would demand accompanied with de-
tailed remarks ard declared that in bis opinion il they
were not acceded TO- the South would scccde They
First-A change in our foreign policy which would
compel the government TO reclaim property escaping into
the territory Of foreign powers
Second-An amendment Of the Fugitive Slave law pro
ydug for the payment for fugitives not returned at val
uc at the place escaped rom to be assessed by jury oi
that yicinagc with twenty-five per cent added h,reo.
Third-An amendment of the constitution prohibiting
Congress from aboshng slavery in the District OF
Columbia and guaranteeing slave property in the Terri
tories
In the course of his remarks Mr. Taylor complained
thai Congress had refused to appropriate the money paid
by the British Government for slaves taken during the
last war and also that the foreign policy Of the govern
ment had been such that Great Britain had not been
| compelled TO pay for the Creole slaves.
Mr. Washburn of Wiscosin asserted that Mr.. Taylor
totally in error and quoted statistics to sustain him
s.lf
Mr.. Nelson, OF Tennessee submitted a proposition,
which was virtually the late Missouri compromise line
extended to the Pacific Ocean, an amendment TO the
constitution Also clause recognizing In terms the OBJ
legation to return fugitive slaves aud prohibiting all or
any Interference in the trade Of slaves between the Saes
and also prohibiting the reopenng OF the foreign slave
| trade.
Mr. Davis, of Mississippi, spoke Tor about hour ar
raignng the North for interfering with the South spec
flying complaints quoting from the works OF the widest
aboitioniss at the expense of the republicans He
cuded by asserting that IL each State would attend TO lis
| own affairs there would bo no trouble.
| Mr. Tappan OF New York. replied by quoting from
the Chicago platform 10 show that the Republicans
pledged against interfering with slavery in the States
and In favor OF protecting States against INVASION
Henry Winter Davis OF Maryland spoke in a calm and
conservative Tone deprc eating the present state Of feel
ing and all attempts TO dsnember the conledeacy. lie
suggested an amendment to the Fugitive slave law,
auirng Marshas deliver ugtves TO the district Judge
in the district escaped from and guaranteeing jury tra
ofidentity this to be in lieu oPersona Liberty bills and
guard against kidnapping.
Mr. Ferry OF Connecticut explained the Personal Lib
erty bills Of the North and sad they not in con
hict with the Constitution but intended mainly to prevent
kidnapping He said If the Fugitive Slave law m I'd
i6ed he could recommend the repeal of the Personal Lib
city bills lie said he could not violate his moral COL
vic ions by inserting provision in the Consttut on r,
coguiziug property in man.
Mr. Wnslow, Of North Carolins, spoke in reply, anC
cited the harships OF Southern masters who have been
robbed of their servants when travelling through North
ern States and especially when about TO depart for for
eign countries
General Mlson, Of Virginia, also replied, and com
mentod at length the term property in man, anC
asserted that il was misuse of terms aud argued tina
the property which has in his slave and his ser
vices is the same that has TO the labor and contro
Of bis wife, aud that it much hardship 10 sa!
that slave owner might go into the Territories, ou
should not take his slave as to say to husband that hi
could CO. bu. should not take his wife.
Messrs Morse, of Maine, Curs Of lows, Kellogg o
Illinois and Stout Of Oregon, also made remarks
The committee was quite harmonious.