The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-05-25
XXXVIth CONGRESS-FIRST SESSION
WASHINGTON, May 25

XXXVIth CONGRESS-FIRST SESSION
WASHINGTON. May Is.
SENArE.-Mr. Hunter, from the Finance
Committee, reported back the House post
office deficiency, with sundry amendments.
Mr.. Gwin moved to take up the overland
mail bill. Carried.
MIR. Clingman's resolution, that no neces,
sity now exists for the intervention of Con,
gress to protect slave property in the terri>
tories was adopted.
The fifth resolution was taken up. 1t is
as follows:
RESOLVED, That if experience should at any
time prove that the judicial and executive au.
thorlty 90 not possess means to insure ade-
quate protection TO constitutional rights in a
territory; and territorial government should
fail or refuse to provide the necessary rene.
dies for that purpose, it will be the duty of
Congress to supply such deficiency.
Mr. Brown offered the following as q
substitute for the fifth resolution:
RESOLVED, That experience having already
shown that the constitution and common law
ulalded by statuary enactment will not afford
adequate and sufficient protection to slave pro-
perry, some of the territories having failed and
others having refused to pass such enactments.
1t has become the duty of Congress to interpose
and pass such law as will afford to slave pro-
perty in territories that protection that is given
to other kinds OF property.
Mr.. Browns substitute was lost, By ayes
3, nays AZ
The fifth resolution was then adopte d.
ayes 80, nays 2. Messrs. Hamlin an
Irumbuil were the only negatives.
The sixth resolution was then reported as
follows:
RESOLVED. That the inhabitants of territory
OF the United States, when they rightfully form
constitution to be admitted as State. may
then. for the first time. like the people of
State when forming new constitution, decide
| tor themselves whether slavery as a domestic
| institution shall be maintained or prohibited
within their jurisdiction. and that they shall
be received into the Union with or without
slavery as their constitution may prescribe at
the time of their admission.
Mr.. Wilson moved the following as a
| substitute
RESOLVED, That slavery is against natural
| rights and can only exist where it is upheld by
local and municipal law, and that the constitu.
ton neither creates nor esta blshes. nor author
ICES Congress to create or establish slavery, or
| guarantees the right to any persons to take
nto or hold slaves in territory, and that
slavery being wrong in itself, and prejudicial
| to the rights of freemen and the interests of
free labor it is the duty of Congress to prevent
its extension into the territories of the United
States.
This substitute was rejec.ed-yeas 9;
nays 33.
The resolution was then adopted by ye as
33; nays %.
The seventh resolution, relating to the
fugitive slave law, was taken up.
Mr.. Ten Eyeck said be should vote for
the resolution.
Mr.. Hale was in favor Of carrying out
the provisions of the constitution for the
rendition of tugitives from labor, but was
opposed to the provisions of the act of 1850.
A discussion ensued between MIR. Hale
and MIR. Mason as to the merits of the fugi-
tive slave law of 1850.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Kennedy az
an amendment to the seventh resolution, was
withdrawn.
Mr.. Wilson moved to reconsider the vote
by which the resolution of the Senator from
North Carolina was adopted. He had voted
tor 1t, believing it to be the right as far as
it went, but be did not wish to be held re.
sponsible for any of these resolutions.
The motion to reconsider was carried and
the resolution rejected.
The Indian Appropriation bill was taken
| up, when the Senate adjourned.
HoUsE.-Mr. Fenton made an Intellectual
effort to call up his bill for the settlement
of claims of officers and soldiers of the re-
vOiutiOn, and widows and children of the
same.
The House proceeded to the considera-
ton of private bills.
About two dozen private bills relative to
the return and care of the recaptured Afri.
Oans were taken up.
Mr. Underwood moved as az amendment
that provision be made for the sale of the
negroes in Florida or setting them free in
Massachusetts. Laughter
Mr. Dawes made some reply, and MIR.
Underwood responded, hut what they said
was lost in the cries of order and call for
the police by Mr.. Cobb.
The bills were referred to the Judiciary
Committee. VITA leave to report at any
time.
WASHINGTON. May 26.
SENATE.-Mr. Latham offered an amend
ment to give authority to the State of Cali
tornia to take charge of the hostile Indians
within her limits also another dividing the
State of California into two Indian dis
tricts, and providing for the appointment of
superintendent, agents, sc. Carried.
After the fourth amendment had been
added, the bill was called up third time
and passed.
On motion of Mr.. Hunter, the Post Of
flee appropriation bill was taken up when
the Senate adjourned.
HoUsE-A number of private bills were
passed. Adjourned.