Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-30
THIRTY sixth CONGREsS-second Session.

Several communications were received from the De-
partments.
Mr.. Seward presented the petition of certain citizens
of New York demonstrating against any legislation CIV
ing any protection TO slavery in the territories. Also,
the petition Of seven hundred citizens Of New York
praying for some adjustment Of the present difficulties.
Mr.. Douglas introduced bill amendatory of the act
of 1898 and the act of 1850 relative fugitive slaves.
Referred to the committee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. Wilson presented the petition of Noses Daven-
port and others OF Newburypor Mass in favor OF the
speedy passage Of the Crttenden resolutions. Mr. Will
son said these prayed for the adoption OF the amend
ments to the constitution proposed by the Senator from
Kentucky to wit
The recognition Of slavery and It's protection south Of
So So not only in territory held but in territory
not yet conquered, purchased stolen.
The denial Of power in Congress to abolish slavery in
the District of Columbia while it existed in Virginia,
or to prohibit the transportation of slaves from one
State to another or to the Territories.
Recognizing slavery to pay the owner the full value
Of fugitive slave when the marshal is prevented from
arresting him by intimidation and taking from persons
of the African race the right Of suffrage, which they
have possessed in Massachusetts, since the Constitution
was adopted by our revolutionary fathers in 1850.
To acquire territory in Africa South America, and
send at the expense Of the Federal treasury such free
negroes the States may desire to have removed from
their limits.
These petitions continued Mr. Wilson, ask for the
adoption of these honorable and humane provisions in the
change them.
The people of the free States would secure immense
concessions in making the fee of the commissioner no
greater aS remanding to slavery than for dischargng
b m as free man. Surely the prayer Of the men OF
Massachusetts for such objects ought be needed By the
| Senate of the United States Laid on the table.
Mr.. Bigler presen ed petitions from Pennsylvania IN
favor of the passage of Mr. Crittendens resolutions
Mr.. Crittenden presented large number of petitions
of the citizens Of Michigan and other States asking the
| nf
ties the people, He also presented the resolutions OF
the railroad presidents and officers who lately assem-
| bed in this city.
ALP NJ the Chair called up the special ORDER but
| before its consideration
Mr. Iverson Of Georgia, communicated the ordinance
of secession passed by the Georgia Convention and an
nounced his withdrawal from the Senate. He made q
few remarks stating that Georgia had withdrawn from
the American Union because her safety interests and
| honor demanded it. In few weeks, he said new
confederation would be formed with ample powers to
provide for its own defence The act of Georgia met
with the appreciation of his Judgment and he cast his
| fortunes cheertury with her.
If the North wished peace she could have it, and an
equitable arrangement would be made by the South for
the payment for public property within her limits and
her Just proportion of the public debt but if coercion
attempted, and resulted the South never would
pay one dollar OF her public or private obligations Cot
still king, and if blockade of Southern ports
was attempted, the European nations depending upon
ect He concluded by expressing his individual oppos-
ton to any reconstruction of the government and thank
ing Senators for the courtesy he had received at their
hands, babe them farewell
Mr.. Bgr presented certain resolutions of the Legis-
laure OF Pennsylvania.
A message received from the President OF the
United States communicating the resolutions Of the Leg
isaure of Virginia inviting conference of certain States
the fourth of February. See House report for the
message.
Mr. Mason, of Virginia, a motion to print the mes
sage made few remarks in which he explained the ac-
ton of Virginia. She had determined first to mediate
between the two sections, and secondly, to induce the
President of the United States refrain from any act
likely to bring about collision between the national and
State authorities satisfied that whenever such collision
should occur civil war, the greatest OF all calannes,
would be unavoidable.
The President had in his message expressed the hope
that the object Of Virginia would be attained The
great object Of Virginia in sending commissioners was TO
prevent the federal government from taking any step TO
produce lie trusted that in this purpose her efforts
might not prove unavaing Mr. Mason noticed the fact
that States had left the Uuicn and others would
doubedy follow II the confederacy had TO be broken
up, VrEia desired that should result and the
peace OF the continent be preserved She wished to see
in such contingency, whether other form of Union
could not be devised and reconstruction effected after
the good sense OF the people had had time to operate.
Any attempt to enforce the laws in seeding States
could only result in They had daily evidences from
that iu sezing the forts they had only done
sures of prudence and precauton, and when matters
arranged would account for every dollars worth OF
public property thus seized. lie believed these States
would refrain from every act calculated to break the pub
lie peace but not from any motives Of fear
Mr.. Hale asked the Senator from Virginia it. while
the State of Virginia appealing to the President TO
avert war; she had appealed to any other State now
cupying a warlik eattitude TO keep the peace
Mr. Mason said Virginia had sent commissioner TO all
the seeding States, asking them TO keep the peace.
On motion OF Nc Mason the message was ordered to
be printed, and a motion to print extra copies
Mr. Lemphi, Of Texas, addressed the Senate gen.
cra topics. He endorsed the right Of secession when
the arrangements entered into between the States
have been violated and denounced coercion simply
act of war The States sovereign and therefore
could at any time participate in the formation of
government and revoke all former grants of power to
any confederation Such withdrawal could not be treat
ed rebellion, neither was ground for war. 0 Tid-
cued the idea that the South had anylhng TO fear from
| slave instruction.
Mr.. Hcmphil spoke at considerable length and made
legal argument in defense of the right oil secession
| On the conclusion of hs remarks,
Mr.. Clngman obtained the floor and the subject
| postponed till Wednesday at 7. N.
After the consideration OF two bills OF a pri
| vae nature, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. Hughes, OF Maryland, offered resolution instruct
ing the Committee on the District OF Columbia 10 inquire
Into the expedency of cedng back TO the State Of Mary
land all that portion of the District of Columbia not
cupied in actual use by the Federal Government.
Mr.. Hndman OF Arkansas, asked II it would be in or
der to amend the resolution by ceding all the District
back Maryland. The resolution laid the table
| and ordered 10 be printed.
Mr.. Rice, of Massachusetts, presented petition signed
by 5000 citizens voters of Boston, asking for some
peaceaoe adjustment of the present existing difficulties
The petition wrapped in the American flag, and
received with applause from the galleries. The Commits
soners who entrusted with the mission of bearing
the petition TO the seat of government with the Hon.
Edward Everett at their head entered and took their
seats in the diplomatic gallery.
Mr.. Campbell presented the resolutions OF the Legs.
ature Of Pennsylvania expressing ardent attachment to
the Constitution and the Union repugnance TO secession
and pledgng the support Of that State in such manner
and to such extent may be required for the mainte
nance of the laws, etc.
Mr. Campbell said the resolutions expressed the sen
of the people Of Pennsylvania. Laid the table
| and ordered to be printed
Mr. Florence introduced joint resolution, proposing
certain amendments to the Constitution He wanted the
resolution 10 pass to day. there necessity Of
doing something Immediately for Cancellation aud peace
Mr. Bingham and Others objected.
Mr. Florence remarked that he desired peace, and thus
presented the olive branch. His proposition finally
| referred TO the select committee of five.
Mr.. Stanton from the Committee on Military Affairs
reported bill for the better organization of the IN itia
in the District of Columbia Ii was referred back to the
Committee Military Affairs.
Mr. Quarles, of Tennessee presented series Of
utions passed by the Legislature of that State the
effect that Convention assemble at Nashville Tennessee
whatever other place may best TO the delegates
before the 4th OF February f possible settle il pos