The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-16

WASHINGTON, March 6, 1860.

WASHINGTON, March 6, 1860.
SENArE-The Vice President laid before
the Senate a. certified copy of the Kansas
| constitution, received from the President O1
the constitutional convention.
Mr. Wilson stated that the sergeant al
arms had arrested Thaddeus Hyatt, and now
moved that he be brought before the bench
of the Senate and asked what excuse he had
to offer for refusing to obey the summons oi
the Senate, and second, whether be is now
ready to answer, and that he be required to
answer such questions as may be PROFOUND
ed by the committee in writing and under
oath.
Mr.. Hyatt was brought in.
Mr.. Hale moved to amend the first inter-
rogatory by inserting reason for excuse.
Mr.. Hale said he believed the Senate had
no right to send for this citizen, and believed
he had valid reason for not coming.
Mr.. Salisbury said the questions were in
the usual form propounded in our courts of
law.
Mr.. Hale said that was the mistake to act
as though this was court of plenary
power.
Mr.. Hale's amendment was lost. Yeas
IL, nays AZ.
Mr.. Hale moved in addition that the
sergeant at arms allow him full opportunity
to consult with counsel.
Mr.. Mason thought that unnecessary, the
privilege could be allowed him.
Mr.. Hale withdrew his amendment.
The resolution was adopted--yeas 40;
nays 6.
The nays were Messrs. Bingham, Durkee,
Hale, Sumner, Wade and Wilkinson.
On motion of Mr.. Mason, it was ordered
that Mr.. Hyatt be remanded into the GUS
tody of the sergeant at arms, and be given
till two o'clock Friday next to answer the
questions propounded.
Mr.. Wilson introduced a resolution in
structing the committee on militia to con-
slider the expediency of transferring the
control of the Indians from the interior to
the war department.
Various reports and bills of no general
interest were introduced,
The military academy bill was taken up
and, on motion, its reference to the commit
tee on military affairs was reconsidered.
On motion Of Mr.. Brown, the un6 nished
business of yesterday was postponed.
The resolutions relative to the territor les
were called up.
Mr.. Brown addressed the Senate. He
said when he introduced the resolutions be
thought that they would meet the approba'
tion of all the Democrats in the chamber
but on that point he had been deceived
He then proceeded to argue the following
propositions
1. That slaves are property under the
constitution.
2. That, being property, the STAKEHOLDER
has right to take his slaves to the com.
mon territory.
3. That this right existing. the STAKEHOLDER
is entitled to protection in his property in
the territories. He held-and here be diff.
fered from the majority of his par y, that ii
was the duty of the territorial legislature
to afford the STAKEHOLDER protection, and il
that neglected its duty, then it was the duty
of congress to act. He was opposed to any
compromise of this question which sacrificed
principle. He animadverted upon the re-
| cent letter Of Commodore Stockton, in
which he supposed that the north should
concede the protection of slaves in the terri.
tories, and the south, in its turn, should
withdraw its opposition to protective tariff
For himself, he would never consent to
purchase right which constitutionally be.
longed to him.
Mr.. Brown made long and statistical
argument on the subject of slavery. He
caused to be read the acts of the Kansas
legislature prohibiting slavery and enacting
personal liberty bill. In spite of this they
were asked to rely upon the common law
and the naked decisions of the supreme
court, which were upset by such action as
had been taken in Kansas. He referred tc
the resolutions reported as adopted by the
Democratic senatorial caucus, and pro
nounced the fourth and fifth unsatisfactory
He thought it the duty of congress to &C,
for the protection of slavery in the terrific
ries at an earlier day than was provided for
in the fifth resolution. He had ample expe
rience to show the necessity for the enact
ment Of laws to protect slavery in the terri
tories. He gave notice that, when these
resolutions came up, he should offer an
amendment, that the time has now arrived
when congress should interfere; but if it was
voted down, he should sustain the resolutions
as they stood. 7
Mr.. Fitch retorted. He thought the
common law quite sufficient for the protec-
tion OF slavery. 1t grew up under that
protection, and existed under it for many
years. Whenever it was found inadequate,
he would vote for addition legislation.
The subject was then postponed.
Mr.. Fitch called attention to communi-
cation from the regents of the Mt. Vernon
fund, inviting the members of both houses
of Congress to visit Mt. Vernon tomorrow
He moved that the Senate meet to.morro "
at twelve o'clock, so as to adjourn early.
Agreed to. &c.
MIR. Gwin moved to take up the military