The republic. [volume], September 04, 1850, Image 2

About The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853

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THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
first session.
Tcesdav, September 3, InVI.
h E N A T r..
I'rlili iiw wore presented by Messrs. Rusk, Ti uxtv,
Davi of Mississippi, Dickinson, and Hell.
kELTON FfLTON.
Mr JONi.s. from tlu Committee on Pension*,
ri ;i' i't' ,1 u bill granting a pension to Mielion Fel
ton.
.Mr. DICKINSON in.oli- a lew remark* in favor
ot ih. immediate cdiiMderatiim of tiiat bill, and it
wilt iln.-idried, read a third time, and pissed.
ACCOUNTS OF I 01.. r. m. dctleb.
Mi XTi'IIlStiN, in,m the Committee on Indian
' ti.iiiH, reported u joint resolution amendatory ol
tli j in i n r.Motion nnllioriziiiir a settlement of the 1
m. . warns ot tli** late Col. Pieri IM Hotter, and the
sitae v.4* considered and passed. i
,v mow or col. u un
Mr Ht'TLKlt submitted a resolution, directing
n i.i ,niry t>y the Committer on Military \tfaiis
the expediency ?>! reporting a bill granting *
ti\ e vor-' | rush 11 to till-widow i t Col. Zcrun
M. Cua. Laid over.
CIBVEVOR UKNLHAI. IN OBKOUN.
DOl'ULAS moved, and tlic Senate proceed
. : i i tin i onn Icratii 11 of the bill from the House
.f the olle c of Surveyor General of the Pub
Lite - in On g?m,.ne! to provide for tlie survey
an I ma.i?.' dona liuiia for tlic scllU rs of the said
public lands.
I lie I'liinniittee 011 Public Lands in (lie Senate
n p. rit 11. a.- an amendment, to an ike out a provii
: 11 i m lupting tlie interest which the wife should
) >.\e in tla muds r.f land from all liability for tlic
a bt> nl the husband. This auieudincnt wua rcj.
i ! di- vi an 17, nays 21
Mr. DAVIS, of Mississippi, submitted an amendlie
at, vb'i'li, alter debate; was modified to read as
1./.. w Add to die bill?
And that u. li put linns of tlie publie lands as may
i . . -'ci.ate., e.i.oer tbe authority of the President
oftl.e I t.i I Si itos, for forts, magazines, arsenals,
a. I: ;. i and otber re edfut public uses, shall be
1.i'vi .1 and excepted Iroin tlie operation ol tins
I'roviJ''/, I'liat if it shall be deemed ne
i . . n l b. jud riii'-nt of the President to include
in : i:. v . I..- - nation tiic improvements of any
s r in ale pi. vions to the pnes-age ot this act, it
. in mh Ii < i-- , be the duty ol the Secretary of
V. ir o. cause tbe value of such improvement to be
rtuii.' I, and the amount sons, erlained shall be
j.a: i tin party i utitlrd thereto, out of any money
ui the t ea- iry not otherwise appropriated.
Penning (Ins arm udinent,
Air. C1..W moved, and tbe bill was postponed
til. to morrow at 11\ o'clock.
71.R SLAVE TRAlifi IN THE lilSTKlCT OP COLUMBIA.
.Mr l l.AV moved, and the Senate proceeded to
tie i '.molt ration ol the bill to suppress the slave
tr ide in tin Oi -: rii t of Columbia.
Mi. .-aid lli.it lie had no intention to enter into
r.ny ii .'thy ui-' --ion ol this bill; it had already
I. a :oliy.. : Iteil and considered. Ho would con I
r i marks to a mere explanation ol tlic bill,
'ihr. : "it'ieb i was to abolish the slave trade
:u t' Htftitc t el' Columbia. It was to suppress
trait. w Ir.. li w as called the clave trade in this
I!; it w.i- to prevent tlie inlroduetion of slaves
i trici troin uihci slave States, and plae. i
lie in in tlie depots here for purpoees of sale.
.iv'id which were brought hero were but i
> i r. iy, it in trodiii i'il into the District for the 1
i I i in i--i' rr for Uiern here; i*u< h a
i . v hardly known; but tbey weie brought
l.ei , ami ii''i siu- I in these depots, to bo there rel
iucd till such tin,.- a.i they could If transported 1
r uthirn market-, or sin soulhi i n cities of M->.
hi aui New Oia-ana. '1 In- inhabitants of this
I) iricthaxc no interest or cone* in in this trade; 1
arrii i i y ; * irons from other places. The
in . i..hunts !' to -Dew ict have no interest in the
trade except in the obloquy witii which it la conr
li red i.j those w ho arc oppos* d to it.
1 tus hill oi.l not prohibit the owner of a elavr in
i I), r.cf fi m .o llinjrlnin toanothcr inhabitant of
1) :ri nor u. 1 it prevent .in inhabitant of
* 1 'is11 t 11. in going t>cyond the District and
in- mi in a l t\f.<i hi* own use*. The bill wn*
nly the lev iv.iI 1 if a law of .Maryland, lie said
H t"...1 .. u'. i-ieirto*!, from one of tin- corporate
iliioriur.s i f this city, thai there was at tliiu time 1
hut one v 1 these iiejioti- for riaies These depots were
tioluiiig la than | rival* jaifa, whit li were open to |
: o public inapt-* lion, examination, or any of the
oilier discipline which is olwcrved in public pu- 1
- in Tf. s hill broke up these- priv ate jails, and '
put an t id to tin foreign ?la->c trade, ami exi
1 i led Jr .in t! n D.atrn t a tralln in wliich tfic inhabitants
have no iuterest, except perhaps in the
o.i luui w inch it atla. I i s to tiie cny
lie looted some vi i hal amendments, wWi h w ere
adopted, ami t e hill was re.a I as followA
HILL t*i iuppi J the -l.ivr trad*- in l!i< District
ot Columbia.
He 11 iimdiif l'j Iht Senate find //onif of lltprr
emtalim oj the t'mtrd .Statu of America in ( 'on
ierrii cntiiMid, 1'hat from and after the day
f n* xt, it sball not lie lawful to bring into tin
District of t - luint i.i any slave whatever, lor the
j urpusi of Ik-iiig sold, or for the purponcof being;
h. <-d in depot, to be sulieequently transferred to
any oilier -Male or place to be sold as merchandise.
An l if any slave shall fa- brought into the raid
Di-trtot by its owner, or by the authority or con
sent ?f its owner, contrary to the provision* of this
.i r ii' h ( it** n'tall lh**i nr. n .iImI
;u fit'-.
s?. . And l* it fiiiOu! tnaeUd, Tbtl it shall
and lit y I" Iswful for cat h of the Corporation* of :
: \S i I ,"' II Ui.'t t.n.rpi ti ?n, from '
t ni< to time, and aj often aa iniy he necessary, to
tth it? . hre tk up nod aliuliah any tit pot or place of
oonfiucinelit oi slave* brought into the said Dis- '
ti t a.-t mer< liandue, contrary to the provision* of
t> t, hy nut h appr> priau mean* as may appear
to either of the and ( or|Miration* expedient and
proper. Arid the imc power u hereby t rated in
tin- levy i ourt of tVa-hiug'-on county, if any at- .
tempt shall la; irindc ?ithin it* jurisdictional limit*,
tii-uhl -h a ilc|Mit t>r place of confinement for
| . . , ' ' "I I ).- I I , I . I I,!' I ' I til j
disc for *rfh < ontrary to this at t.
Mr f'OOl K submitted, n? a sulwtifiitc for the
[' t tin f i .rio. lamina that it propose..! to
' i' ' ; ' itt . tic i:ii?
t\ i-hii .'ton and I,nil .'down, this whole subject,
t j |?- by tin in tti-p. sK-ti of. as titer should think tic
- ?*ary for tin Ir own welfare ami happiness
j I" - 1 f ... -i!-i r ! i.n.o .in 1 .n - ft
the follow.ng-.
i ha frm i and ?ft. r the date of the approval of
ll > a. t the corporate authorities of lite t ity of
VV.t-hiiisrtoo. f'.r that part of th" rtsirty of tVsili
ii .- in lying rt t ami south o| Koe.k Creek, and the
: turir. t' -vn, f-,r that pail
I / : W n i vsti:r n-.rth an ! v est
f It'irk Creek, ?).all have power, ? iijun those lim
,l., rcsjHi lit- y, t i regulate hy law tlie ingress in1'
11 -If I !< i i, ..I
i spleoft iW, ? hcther free or elarc, and to refhii
sic the i e? tent e of all persona of color now resnfi,
r or her, after to re,. |? within tfie said limits ret
: .in i,i' .f If. i .
i , ' J ,, ,
i.nii to enforce all surli regulations ami prohibitions
I y suitable penalties, imprisonment at labor, ami
l ' I .'loll Im l' rid I ;ie limits of said Ihstrii i
Inc.t M M mmmM 1 im hi' nM
ri<r|i-x>lc MitiNnlix. within the mpMtive ItmiU !
I' -i/nat'd in tlie firel ?< < tmnol till* art, ahall have
|a>virtoiiitit( aurh ri pnUliona and to paaa ruth
ivvi - a* may t>e< xpedi< til and nrreeaary t<> guard
,'iinai the kidnapping or ntidurtion from the Dia
< . I r }n < II- Iff . .? .
tn [utimh liy hne, nut i *< filing
dollar*, and hy linpriaomnent in the
i; trnti.ary - <?nm >n iail, or by corporeal -hat
' . y 11. I \ i ! - l i initn i l iia'.a * I n may |
I i onvntcd nf bavin? forced or attempted in lurtr,
Hirainat the luaa nf tlioae or jx nation*, rrapeclively,
! Ii * If ' "I n <v in? 1. fn.t;y< d, or ab l " t
rd, or of havm? attempted to kidnap or abdu- t", nr
I niiirr or <1. y any slave (rum llie District id
Columbia.
>ei.. 3. And Itr 11 furthir enaetrd, That in caaca
w lirre tlirrr i? rood ground to Wlievt, and win rf ,
one or nmre i itit'an aliall alate nndrr oath that J
If 1 - ' i * 'ii t ' ''-it any dored per?on
II * ticrn lafoufTlit in? t 1 l?i?tr rt ol Columbia and i
lii ld a? a alavc, who ia entitled U? freedom-that
any ' olored pei -on hsa la-en placed in custody 01
iiitiiieinint through error or thai any colored
j: i r* (ii U about to be aent from the Diatrn l of Co
loin''!* aa a alave, who ia entitled to freedom, then,
ami in either ol the aeid caae*. on the appli< ation
of the parly or a friend of the party Intrreated, ->r
"ther person, the privilege of-thc writ of habeas
< .rpna ahall tie caiended to aurh ffcety, with at iew
ol bringing the point at iaaua and the facta of the
< .1 ? before ? .lulge of llie Circuit Court # the
I nit'd hniti I t ih Diatrictof Columbia, who ahall
i i le act or i.ii(r I , the lawaof the Diatrirt ofColum
' !r ' V 11 I[.r i <nnIri?.
remand to > oatoojr or imprisonment, in ' onforinity
a Kb the rv idao<e, Ui'-facta and In m i* in IIki ur That
II law* or rc/ulattoiia made t>y ihr > nr|?ir*lr an
thoritiee of i ity of Waahmrton under tlie pro
v<?i'>tiaof (hi* m i, aliall tie nuhjrct to the reviaion
tj ' nsrrea*, and, if not diaappruved, ahall rrinain
iii force.
.Mr. UCNTER ?aid that he regretted that thiabill
had Ik in i wiled opal tl.ia time, or at thia atari of
ttii- *> i..11. H ' onai'lered that ita effect would be
any tin it ir hut iitrin ninua upon the country. But
?? ilic i. i:..r from K' niu^ky had felt it to be hi*
duty to i all up thia lull, he (Mr. If ) alao felt It to
be in* duly to nppoei , nnd to atate the reaaona ,
why he ahoulii oppi,- the hill, lie could not but re
f a' rm ( firat and a ere*l etep toward* tbe
a 'olttlon of avi r/iii thia I) atrict. Thia bill af
fi < t< d in no,email degree a question In which hi*
.State li ui a df p arid a vital interi at; artd (hat qucai
ui ?aa the aUvc trad' between tlia Statea Thia
. .. ;* to aioliah the ala-> e trp<J? between the S'?l?* (
and the District of Columbia. This was a great
step toward* an interference by Congress with the
slave trade between the .States. That Congtcss had
any pown over that slave trade between the States,
he contended was denied by the decisions of the Su
pr. inc Court. Every soutlicru State laidsimilar
grounds. The exercise ct such a power by Congress
? j.- . leui ly and unmistakably unconstitutional,
and lie considered that it was eaually unconstitutional
for Congrtsato repeal the slave trade
between the Stales and die District of Columbia.
He referred to thctuse of drover and Slaughter,
dc. idcd by the Supreme Court, and to the arguments
ol .Messrs. Clav and Wkdstir, counsel in
that c ir? , us show ing the unconstitutionality ol any
interference by Conprc-s with the mIhvc trade !> tween
the States, and by implication the unconstitutionality
of any art interfering with theslave trade
In |wee 11 the States and this District. He contended
that it this decision of the court, and the positions
taken by the eminent counsel, were now correct.
i. otign - s [>nii mi power toaoonsn tnc stave t ra11 e in.
lli ill Dial riot, so long as slavery was recognised and
i untinued in tin District. The Ktutr s hodlhe power
over tlii'i subjee', and could within their respective
limits make audi laws and regulations aa they
should deem necessary for their own protection.
Itul Con;.uss h id not that jurisdiction over this
District as to authorize it to pass anv law all- i tine
or injurious to the trade helwccn tin States Would
any one contend that Congress hud the power to
proluhii the sale in this Diatrict ol cotton fabrics ]
Is-, ausc they were brought into it from any ol the !
Slates of the I nion.' Certainly not. When: then,
he ashed, mi long as slaves in this District were re
cognised and considered as property, was the power ,
given to prohibit the sale of one species ol property, I
w hen the same power as regards other property I
could not be i laimcd?
If Congress had the power to prohibit the sale of
slaves which may he brought into this Distrii t to
. itizeus of other Mates, it had the powt r to prohibit
the sale of slaves by one inhabitant of the District
tu another. This power, when once recognised and
acted upon, v.uuld not stop here. Uy gradually
diminishing the power of the inasterovcr the slave,
or over tin disposal of that .slave, the abolition ol
slavery, if it do not expressly follow, will be in I'll,
t accomplished, lie - lid that he knew that what
he could say could not defeat this bill. A majority
wa re in ii? favor, hut in that majority were many
who iliil not believe Cotigre-s had the powi r to
abolish slavery in this District. He appealed to
them to consider this hill and its clients.
He said that e\en did lie believe that Congress
had the constitutional power to pass this hill, he
w ould oppose it on the grounds ol expediency. J'h j
evils of the slave trade -the forced niiirratioii. the
parting' offamilies and of kind ted, may exist, but j
on the whole he believed, ami was confident, the
slave trade between the Stales had worked great
betu fits, nut only to tie whites but also to the slaves.
I'pon this point he enlarged, citing many authorities
to sustain the position that the slaves were lien( fitted
by the trade, allowing them to be gradually
removed to i i lunate suitable to their labor and
nature.
lie expressed the opinion that ol all kind.- ol legislation,
sentimental legislation w as the w irst. lie
respected the motives and honored the intentions
ol those w ho proposed this species of legislation,
but tie considered the various effort-, in this country
and elsewhere to prevent the Afriean slave trade,
had been injurious to the African race. Nowhere
in the wor hi, it had been said,were there i hi re miliums
of Africars so happy,cont< nted, utul well provided
for, as were the slaves of North America. lie
contrasted the condition of the slaves in this country
widi the Afri ans in their native country, and
maintained that the bondage litre was nothing,
la'ken with ail the surrounding circumstances, to
iliat felt hy tin- natives in Afriia. Wherever the
African could be found lie was a slave and a - ivant;
whctliei in Africa, under the sway of a Fellah chief,
ur in any other part of the world, the African was
to l>e found in servitude. Hy breaking up the slave,
ti a.le, you ile, troy the men lis hy which tin African
could be removed from the darkness and ignorance
at home, to other iaudi of civilixed and christian intelligence.
The means of emigration afforded by
the slave trade was the only means afforded the Af- !
i i> on race of ad vain ing or improving his condition. |
lit again adverted to the mutual benefits which
the slave trade afforded to the master and slave, hy j
permitting thein to follow the progn is of profit, |
itc , and he opposed this hill because it in principle
wa-i to ell it the confinement of the two within j
I lie i i present circumscribe.) limits.
Ile opp-ised the hill Is i a use he looked upon it
m the commencement of a warfare on the slave j
ti .11 le between the States, w hii li Iru-lt; he consider l
i I necessary to the jiesce, happiness, and prospi i i- j
ly Imlb of the masters and the slaves.
lie said that he knew that his t ntiui'iit* would
be oiisroiistrued; and that they would lie pronounced
as iiard, and perhaps 11 del Him tritics. lint I
lie i. illy lei t tor die welfare of the slaves. He was di?
posed and w ould do anything in Ids power to lie ne
til tin in. lb had a deep interest in the welfare of
the neirro rii r. anil in niiis.siiiri1 ilii. t,iIt lis t> .
lieved .lie v. an advancing their welfare and future
CKj i a* well ua that of lua own rare
Mr. PKARl'K ssul that thr amendment of the
Senator from Mississippi (Mi Foot*) proposed
to plai c tin. power of ena. line law? on this niihjci t
in tor corporation* of Washington and (liorgi
town There ?a* no tribniuil liefore which offences
could he tried The < riininal louitof thi* county
had all power* coulerred on it which were provided
hy the lawn in force when it wn* established, or
whi h nuphl he conferred upon it hy subsequent
law - Thrae *u! -.equerit law* n* supposed were to
belaw*of Congrt**, upd not of the corporation.
To remedy tin*, he proposed to amend the amend iiu
nt hy inset ung, at tin end of the aei ofid section
tin re,. I, the following:
" And that the i riininal court of the f>i*trii t of
Columbia shall have juried let ion of all case* in violation
of such regulation*, law*, or ordinance ? as
liny tie made or paa?ed by the said corporation in
pursuance of tine act, and shall have full authority
lifter indictment and ronvi< tion to enforce the penaltii*
prescribed hy (aid regulation* or or li- 1
naucea."
Mr. CLAY *aid that he dratted to say a few
Words in reply to what liad filh-n from the Senator
(mm Virginia, lie did not intend to (IiIImv tii.it
Senator over the wide range lie had taken, nnd
particularly not ovi r that portion wherein he dt |
f rilx-d the licnctits derived by the Africans from
that trade whi< h had met with t't*- condemnation
and execration ol nearly all mankind.
There were two cause* of complaint on thi* subj
< t. tine was the suppression of the slave trade,
and the other tire abolition of slavery in thi* District.
It the slave trade lie almlishcd lit re, lie thought the
great .body of the North would lie satisliid, and
also a <rcat part ol the South. They all looked
upon this tratli- here as wiuny, and considered
It should he put at an end.
Ih- then adierted to the rase ol Crover and
Slaughter, i ited hy the Sen.ibir Iroin Virginia, and
explained th< dtviston in that ease. That rase h<
onsidered as no authority against thr ronatilu
, , ..... ... .u,.K.?"? ....
alave trade ut thia I hatrict, over which t'onjrrc#^
had exclutite legiaUtive jurisdiction in nil <aa<*
whaUocvcr.
lie advocated the paamge of the bill aa reports,
lb- could not nupport rithrr the amendment or the
aiiicndiiirnl to it. 'I hey embraced varioua aubjet
U which would re'|uiri much i oiiaidrration.
I'hr bill ha<l but one object, and that vrai underrtuod
l?y the Senate. The ainenduienta contained
|iro|>oa:tiona which would rc.pnre investigation.
I'hry propoaed a eliaogc in the municipal law* of
the (halrn.1. They might he right and proper,
and if intrutin. < I tia acpaiab me aaurra, lie might
aupport them; but at tfiia lute day of the aeeaion,
and I ookinc nt their impi>rlancc, he preferred tlmt
they fthould not l>c adopted.
Mr. DdlV.N'M naid that there waa no immediate
or prca-nng neceaaity for the paarngr of thia act tit
thin moment. Congrtwa had t een in acaaion lor
nine montha, arid little beyond thia aubjeel of
alaverr had been dincuaacd or a. tid upon, lb
thought aortic time ehould be given lor other buai
new II.; waa np|macd to thia trill. Me knew nf
nothing which rc'joirori'ita immediate paeaagc. lie
iht Ml gld it . oubl tie ?af< iy laid aaidr for a lew day*,
nt leant till action wan had rlae where upon what
the Senate had already done, lie moved the hill
lie |Kn<t|ioiie<l till thia day week.
Mr. ('LAY thought the hill ahould lie acted tin at
this liiuc, Hti'l < ailed fur the y? ** and nay* on the
motion. an<l they *crc ordered.
Mr FOOTKoppoaed the motion to postpone, and
r a plained and adv-xated Ida aubatitutr. Hi mrid
that it liarl been *u1itintte'd to the Mayor of WashI
Of loo, and had met with that irentlrman'a hearty
approval He considered that. if In* amendment
were adopted, it mould reault in the breaking up ol
thuee depots for the?ale ofalavef, which he detested
a? much a* any one e|?e He accepted the amend
inent proposed by .Mr. Pi?n.i a? a modification of
hia own
Mr. DOWNS and Mr FOUTE continued thede
irate
Mr. PRATT ?*|H thai he and In* colleague liad
aa iriin h interest in tliia hill n* ?ny other*; hut, a*
therr wa* an rler turn to lie he|r| in hia State to-(nor
row, and th?y Mil rleaired to he presejit there, lie
hoperl the hill would be postponed.
Sir MANUI M ?a:d that he desire d t?vote in
fare*- of thi* hill in anuie aliapc, and larpcd it mould
lie postponed, a* he would not otherwise t>e enabled
to vrite for it He mrould have to lie absent for s
few days.
The question mrss then taken, and the motion to
fiostpone was rejected -yea* J3, nay* 21 as folown.
YF.AS ? Meaara. AtrhUon, Badger, narnmell,
Bell, Berrien, Butler, Davis of Mississippi, Daw.
son, Down*. Foote, Houston, Hunter, King, Mangum,
Mason, Morton, Pearre, Pratt, Busk, Sebastian,
Soul*, Turney, and Yulee--23.
NAYS. Mea?r?. Baldwin, Benton, Bradbury,
Bright, Clarke, Clay. Cooper, Davia of Maaaachusett*,
Dayton, Dukitiaori. D,?dge of Wisconsin,
Dodge of Iowa, Ewing, Felch, (irecne, Hamlin,
Jones, Seward, Shu Id*, Smith, SpruaiK e, Stur.
geon, Inderwood, Walea, Walker, Whitcornh,
and Winth rot >-V.
Mr fEARCE inquired whether ?n ??ttnt]mcnl
could be offered to the original bill, pending the
(jii slio on the substitute ? >
The CHAIlt replied that it would be in order.
' U ith the substitute and (lie bill were open to amend
ment.
Air. I'EARCK then submitted the following |
anieiidiuent:
.hut it it furtkei enacted, That if any lire perion '
or persons, within the District ol Columbia, ahull
outice, or induce, or atteinpt by persuasion or other
ineun* to entice or induec any alave or slaves to run
away lrotii his, her, or their owner or l.iwlul possessor,
or ah.ill in any manner aid, abet, or a-sist
any lave or alavca in running away or escaping
11out the ownrror lawful possessor ol such si .vc 01
slaves, or shall harbor any elu\ c or slav oa with the 1
intent to assist him, her, or them, to escape from 1
the service of such owner or possessor, such person 1
or persons shall be liable to indictment in the criminal
court of the District of Columbia; and upon
conviction by verdict, confession, or otherwise,
shall be imprisoned in the penitentiary not mote
than ten nor less than two years.
Sr.i . --. .tnil hf it Jurtlur enacted. That in case
any slave or slaves so induced, persuaded, or enticed
t > run away, m assisted in running away, or
harbored with tiie intent to assist him, her, or them,
in running away, or escaping from service, shall .
actually run away and escape from the service of
j the lawful owner or owners, any person r >nvicted
| itr aforesaid of such enticing, persuading, .assisting,
or harboring. shall also he sentenced by the
said court to pay to the owner or owners of said 1
-lave or slavis, th< value ol the same, to he assessed 1
and determined by the said court, to be recovered
by i xertilion as in cases of other judgments.
Anil be it fiirthie enacted, That the said corporalions
and the said levy court respectiv ely si hi 11 be and
they are hereby invested with the power to prohibit
tilt' i!i)ln ili.r of lit-f ni'trrm , (<> rmiili* williin tliinr <
respective jurisdictional limits, ami to remove |
llicrefroiii ull free negroes residing, or coming to 1
reside therein, who shall neglect or refuse to com1
ply wilt) the laws and ordinances made or to bo
; made touching such residence, or the prohibition
j thereof; and to enforce, such removal or a coutpli \
: unot with such ordinances, by fine and imprison!
mi nl at 1 ihor, or either at their discretion.
.Mr. l'K ARL'K explained that lor the nib net s conI
templaled by the first branch of his amendment,
the I tw ot ftlary land, of 17!)(>, providetl (inadequate
pmiishinent. The penalty was a fine, to go i0 dm
1 owtier, of two hundred dollars. The olfcneea cov!.
ered by this part o'f the amendment were frequent
j and most dariug and infamous. lie desired tofor|
nirh an adequate remedy, as the best means of pre- '
! venting their recurrence.
The second branch of the amendment afforded a '
means of protection airainst the vast increase of '
free n< grcc.s. This class of population, he had been
informed, had become a pest upon society here. '
Mr. CLAY opposed the amendments as part of 1
this bill. They would be proper if there was a code 1
of laws for tin District befoie the Senate. UecoulJ '
not support tin in as part of this bill. I
Mr. Ill 1'LLK nai I that from information laid i 1
before one of tin committees, he had ascertained '
that twi*-thirds ol the time of the criminal court ol 1
this District was taken up in the liial of free tie
groes. 1
Mr. I'K VTT -aid that this subject of the slave
1 trade in (he District was greatly misunderstood 1
in the country. It was an affair of very little importance,
certainly not of such importance as to 1
.ill fi r the action w hich the Legislature of Virginia
had resolved upon. That Legislature had ro- '
( lived that, upon the passage of any law by Congress
prov idnig for the suppression of the slave 1
trade hi this District, the Governor was to convene
tin !- gisluture to take such steps lor redress as
might l>e supposed necessary lie eonsideied the 1
11111>oi lane < ol me s>;:>j?t1 liau l>< rn greatly in igm
lied, lie tlien referred to, and read, tlie law of
Maryland of 17%, which prevented the introduc
lion of slaves into that State, except hy persons nr
luully ruining into the State to itoiuc there, and
the penalty ol making' the slave free if brought in
under any oilier lircumsUn, t o That law, he said,
had been extended over this Distri l by tjie act ot
Congress in 1 *01.
Thus it-stood until Congress, hy the act of .May,
declared that persons might cotnc into this
District from Maryland with then slaves, t out
the ai t of Congress of lt|J, persons residing in Alexandria,
or in that porti n of the District ceilei J hy : ,
Virginia, could not tic brought into that part of the ;
D:strn t ceiled hy Maryland.. Congress, hy ttic act
of IM-2, did away with that difficulty. There toeing |
at this time no part ol the District save that ceiled I
hy Maryland, the law now is, tint no slaves can In
brought into this District, except from the Stole ol
Maryland. Th w hole slave trade Jn tin* District I
cons in I -<!, then, entirely in those slaves brought I
here from the state of Maryland; nootber Slate had |
the least possible interest in the question of the al>o ;
I it ii >n of th it slave trade, lis then argued ill favor
I of the constitutionality of the bill. '
lie said tliat as Ins stale was the otilvr one deeply
I interested in this kill, and us he and liis colleague
wcic compelled to Is absent to-morrow, he inoveit
the postponement of the hill till Monday next.
And the motion was disagreed to -ayes It, noes ;
n .. _
I lie question ri curring on Mr Pcaihe' aiucii-i
I metil tn tin- lilll,
Mr. I NDEKWdOD asked for & division of the"
question, lie could vo'e for tlic first branch of it,
but that part relating to free negroes be could not
vote for.
The question was then taken on the first branch
of the amendment, and it was agreed to -yeas "-b, I
nays 15?as follows. I
\ FAS ? M' srs. Atchison, Barnwell, Benton,
Berrien, Bright, Butler, |):n is of Missi.seippi, Dawsoil,
Dickinson, Dodge of Iowa, Downs, Foote,
lb oston, llonur, Jones, King. Mason, Morton,
Pratt, lluslc, Seliastian, Soule, Sturgion, Turney, I
Underwood, and Whitcomb- -Jft.
.NAYS.-- Messrs. Baldwin,Clarke,Clay, Cooper,
Davi? of Massachusetts, Dayton, Dodge of W iseoniiin,
Kwing. (Irecne, llunlin, tv card, .Smith,
Sprnancc, Wales, and Winthrop?I j.
The accoinl branch of the amendment was also
agreed to veas 24, >i?y* It, as follows:
YK.YS.? M<-srs. Atchison, Harnvcll, It.nton,
Berrien, Hi ight, Butler, Davis of Mississippi, Daw
-on, Diikinson, Dodge of Iowa, Downs, Foote, |
Houston, Hunter, Jones, K:nir. Mason, Morton, |
Pratt, Built, Sebastian, Soule, Turney, and \Vhitcomb?24.
NAYS Messrs Baldwin, Clarke, Clay, Cooper,
Davis ot Massachusetts, Dayton, Dodge oi Wisconsin,
Kwing, Ft leh, Greene, llatnliii, Seward, Smith,
Spruance, Sturgeon, Underwood, Wales, and Wintlirop?
It.
Air. r uu ir, raia mti no wwmi.ii nu objection'
wht made. withdraw hi* nubnlitutc.
>1r. HER HI EN arkcd what would be the effect
now upon the amendment* ju*t adopted if the rubDilute
of the S. nator from Muri^sippi were agreed
to'
The ('II UK replied that if the auhatitiitc wen
agreed to the amendment* jurt adopted w ould be
oil ioken out. No objection bring made, the rub
Miltitc war withdrawn.
Mr. MASON moved that the Senate adjourn.
And then, by a vote ofayea J*, now no* counted, '
The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
P ARLI.VMENTAR V MAMl'AL.
Mr. STRONlt, troth the Coinmittrcon Rule*, re
ported a resolution, authorizing the. Clerk of tin
lloure to contrat t w ith Major It. It. Front h, for the
? oinptlationof a Parliamentary Manual. II. prr red
the importance of aut h a work, and allowed the in
oiivrniencc v. lot h rt roll* from a want of a proper
know ledge of the role*. The incatiiiig and the
l oiurtrurtiona whit li have been plat ed upon them
for a D rier o( yenrr rhonld la; untie ratoo.I, in order
to the facilitation of htimurar. lie raid that no man
was more competent than Major French to com*
pile the work, having been < ulinrt ted with the
Moure for fifteen year*.
Mr JONES opporrd the rraolution ; and eon
eluded by moving to lay the whole ruhject on the
tab! . lie, how ever, withdrew the motion byre
: 'picnt of
Mr. SI'IIENCK, who did not l?e|it ve that what
are . tilled llir rule of the iloure are worth eon
glorurrating; and therefore lie pro]Kited to ntrolirdi
inerti, and to he governed hy the parliamentary
law. lie thought, with the gentleman who pre
ceded him. that the rule* arc defective and the dceinonn
contradictory. Hence no good would remil
Iruin a roinpilation ot tlicm. The ruler were 1
a inner of incorraiatenciew.
The SPEAKER decided the proposition of Mr.
| S< mtjn k to l>e out of order.
Mr. SCIIKNt K ?li<l not appeal Irotn the decision
of tin! Chair; and on iii* motion tin resolution w?i
laid Upon the tabli'.
riweioiia.
Mr KL'LLKR. from ti c Committee on Printing,
reported a resolution, in favor of printing five
thousand ' opn-a of n report madr to the lloii*c hy
the i retary of War, giving ttic name* of tlioae
pl*< ed on the pcimion roll since October, l*'2.">.
Mr JONES maile a few remark* ag.iinst (lie
printing, and Mr. Kl'ELKH in ita favor. And the
morning hour having expired, the auhject ?n not
diipowo of.
r i. a * * sot-ndarv aitt.
The House pr<* redtxl to tl?e rotunda ration of the
special order?the htll proponing to adjust the
i Ti * ia Immidary.
The quest Krfl pending ir.ia on the motion of Mr.
Rfirt, to recommit the bill to the l>>tiiini? of the
Whole on the state ol the Union, with inatrueti in*
to report it with an amendment prohibiting slavery
in the territories acquired from Mrsieo by thr
treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Mr. DAN'JKI, sent to the Clerk's table ft rutialitute
for Mr. Root'* amendment, in effect to report
art additional Section to thn hill, repealing all
a< la of Congress Aim h prohibit African slavery in
the territories of the U nited Ntav<?; so as to extend
the principle* of non-intervention into the teriito
ri?*. lie slightly modified it, (a queaiion of order
having been raised, and the Speaker having tie
( claretTit not to be ill order,) and tliua it was freed
fromobjection. After preliminary nbaervationa, he
, pondfipned the (nrasagc vf the frtinJcnt in rala
THE REPUBLIC.
lion to the Texas boundary, 4tc\, as erroneous and
dangerous, nut only to tin- pence of the country,
but perliupu to th. perpetuity ot the I nion. 11c was
far frolU being a dismiiouist; and il he ever should
become so, it would be because his noli slavcholding
brethren would fore t him t" take that position.
Il< trusted that tin I n' " would long survive, but
be loved tbc r iglds which th Union intended losoi
ure heller than the Union itself, lie was in favor
ut rights in the Union it he could; out of it if lie
must. His object was to enforce and secure the
lame regard for the principles of justice, the same
inviolable regard for the public faith in the administration
i>f our domestic nlfiirs betwee u the States
mil the chili rent sci lions of the Confederacy which
characterises the proceedings ol the Government
abroad, in our diplomatic, relations. It there were
any disuninnisU, be believed it was because 111-11
have lost all hope of obtaining justice. Although
lie belii ved that the number of tbein is small, it the
North continue to in ir t on iiijustie cand to trarnplo
the Constitution und< r loot,and inanile.t a purpose
to ceeehnle the South from a common territory, the
property of all the States, acquired by a common
blood tttid treasure, the numbt i of elisuniouisU will
be increased, lie bad lint yet ibundune I the hope
that liia northern hrcthre n would do the South
justice. If the South could Is united, and take a
lirm stand, the. North would do tbein justice. Asa
.either u man, he v. as willing I t nun-intervention,
Iiv abolishitrg all laws ti -trie ting slavery from the
territories, and adding an additional article to tlic
I 'on-lituli >11, putting it out id' the power of even
three-fourths of the kittles touthvt the institution in
the Slates, without the e<iH-n.'UI nil the- slavcholding
Stati -i. Then we should havs no agitation
litii 11 Abolitionist ami free - i 1 re. Ad to the hill j
under t onMileration, he would sooner vote ten it:il- j
lioiiHof (lolliirri to defend Texts than he would to
i nsure her dismemberment taking from her a j
portion of her territory, lie maintained the right
d Texas to the boundary, whi< h she claims, from
the month to the soma t of the IIio Grande.
.Mr. McDOWELL was understood to say that he
would not have risen on this occasion if the proposition
to r<strict slave iy had not been otiered. And
lie took the liberty to remark that it was his fortune
twenty years ago, while a ineniher of the
House of Delegate.', to address to that laxly aspect h
on the subject of slavery, w hit h he cstuuineu with
Ireetloul. I h.il spo h had been "referred to in holh
branches of Congrtss hy the friends of the proviso,
in overwioutrht arid unmerited i neoiniuni. lie did
not mean to review the - litimenl at that time ex.
pri ised, but he meaut ts say that, whether light
jr wniiig-, truem false, nevertheless they were ullered
in the right pin e, addressed to the light anlience,
and lnvoked the U' tiou of the rightful authority.
They were spoken in the Legislature of
Virginia, and spoken to tne people. Tney related
to an institution established under their own laws,
tml they only had the rignt to modify, abrogate, aMiitinue
it. Congres- utter had the puwi i to ai t
jii the subject, in any way wliah ver. L'ntil Congress
lias this authority, it is unwise and luischieviu
; utterly powerless foi a good purpose, hut powerful
fi r evil The v. hob Control should lie Lik- 11
lioin tho.-e who are alien to the institution, and n t
with those who are contKCted with it. The -ubjr. t
should Is- left to the interests and wisdom of those
who, i:i the Providence of God, have slavery in
their midst.
He ohjc-. ted to the proviso because it was uuroiiftitutioiial,
harsh, and unnecessary; because it
w as ;m ollcnsivc violation of the rightn of States to
-nntiiiue slavery. The first object of the provi-o
was to i\e all the territory now ill, and all which
v r will a >mo into the Union, to the free States,
wliethet hy diplomacy or hy conquest; and the
whoh-Soutli, whatever amy he her relations and
(attributions to pro ui. it?no matter how sac
stood in the front tank in tl-c hum of sacrifice ai d
a -nin 'bh- service?is to I - thrust out fioin the body
if In i a-s abates, buffeted and wouuded in spirit.
II maintained lliat the W ilui.it proviso, in all its
rngth and breadth, was an undisguised, deliberate
disunion proposition which would pr? vent one
action of the Union from increasing Hud dividing j
practicable to produce any otlier result.
Suppose the S uttj were1" restrict the North, sayrig'
that she never nlioul I emend lier linger beyond
k r pirison hour , wliih' tin South would appropriitoull
the territory ever liken intu the I nion, to
nalte slave-holding State- ol it. Had the South iblowed
up such measures f Had they made attacks
>n the morals mid h hits >t thought of the North ?
Ic u-ked gentlemen in nil r.>n-ci; nee and manliness
to say whether, it tli.s had boon the ease, their
ndignation and wrath would not have boiled over?
Would they not h ive regarded it as n dereliction of
ight, and u departure I otii brotherly affection?
tV'ouhl their ( i nstituent- h ive heen still Would
here not have been an uprising among the north- i
i n people? Would Kan uii llall have Ihcii voic ess
and dumb' All Ntw Kngland would have
iiirot as a living eoal, and not a particle of the
Weal would have heen found nut to resist n prop.)
iition, which, coining liotn themselves, tlicy have
labored so long anit m lalKirioiisly to fix on the
South.
Mr. M. I), contended far equality and justice to
the South, who asked no Uvors, but only immunity
from Umdagr; and he made an eloquent appeal
to the North to unite with iirr to put an end forever
to domestic duseiision. Ttrc hour to whii h he was
limited in debate expired, when
Mr. HOhMKS roso to address tin; House ; and as
there was a desire expressed on the part of the majority
that Mr. Mc Dow kll should conclude what
lie intended to say, the gentleman from South
Carolina yielded for that purpose.
(conversation took place, mid points of order
were raised, in the tmd?t uf much confusion. Finally,
Mr. McDOWKIJ. arc to resume tiis remarks,
but another point ot order was isi cd, and he tea k
his scat.
Mr. HOLMKS then u lilre. - <1 the House, lie
was u ndcr?lood to say tint the whole question was
ii misunderstanding. I ?< y were pursuing!! w rong
ou'se. The fraiuers ot the ('.institution roiniiiittcu
mi error in not providing n balance of sections m
well a?anequality of Suite- If California *1100111
be admitted, the iunctiuiisol Government would lie
thrown into the baud* of the North, through legi*
lation ; in other word*, the majority create* an absolute
tyranny, became it -ulj . w the industry of
the m hole South to (to rules which they produce
He urged that the abolition of slavery would <J.struy
the southern country, und that no auuthcrn
country could lluiirish with. utrlsve labor. Experiment-to
dispense wiili it h > I failed. The South
would never submit, unleae she intended to aurrender
tbertitire contud ot her laborrr* toothers,
who constitute an absolute tyranny. In risi-tancc
only ttierc v. as safety.
Mr. WILLIAMS obtain i tin iloor, and gave
way to
Mr. McCLERNAND.wlw withdrew tlte motion
heri tofore made by thai to Commit tlie bill to (tie
C iimnitt' C of the V. holt n the (late of the Union,
lie did co, he and, to ihvrtt the queilion of compltralion.
| .Mr. ROOT had ir.ovjd to amend the motion?
instructing the commitfc-< to itqairt a rl?n#c pro
hihitmg Slavery in th< 1 crritorii-s- -and this fell
with the withdrawal ot Mr. MiCiicnasii'ii iiid-.
lion, as did alao the nmmdmcnt to (his, proponed
hy Mr. Dapibl ill the earlier part ol the day, vft:
to repeal the lawn whick prohibit African slavery
in tlic 'i erritorica. ]
Mr. Ul'KT rose to a qi< stion of order?that the
gentleman from lllinoa could not withdraw the
motion to (CNiituit, after the instructions hud Iwen
mnvi d. lie Raked the I hair to decide tlie point.
I ic M'E \ l\KR suid that the gi idleinan Irom II
liuois bad the right to withdraw .
Mr. MEADE uiqiiii'wl whether th gentleman
from Tennessee (Mr. tS illiahs) yielded the lh*ir
to the gi nth-man Irom Illinois, that h> might withdraw
the motion to commit.
The SPEAKER rep? a led that the gentleman had
n iigbt to wilhdraw.the motion.
.Mr. WILLIAMS tail that lie yielded the tloor
for explanation.
Mr. .MitLERNAND remarked that he had
availed hi met If of t he t curtesy ol tlie gentlemnii to
make tlie motion.
Mr. WILLIAMS moved the prexi' u< question
Mr. HI KT ih>irnt to ark w li.il would lie the t (Terl
iii i ii" prev mum question ni tin - *ing< 01 tin inur in;
wished io know whetlicr, if the previous question
Imulil be usutiried, tlie I louse would not be constrained
to Mil- on the two amendment* p< tiding;
Hint whi ther it vi ould lie in order to move to reduce
tin amount in tiic bill, ten million.-, to a smaller
sum.
I he SPKA K KK replied, that if the previous que*
lion should be lutUiuiid, it would not be competent
to move to amend. The llouse would lie brought
to vote I ret, on the amendment ol the g> n'lern in
from North ( arolina, (Mr. Clinomam,) and then
on the aiiiriojineiit i?f the gentleman Iroui Kentucky,
(Mr. Novo;) and then on the third reading
of th? bill.
Mr. HIDDINHS wished to renew the motion to
roininit the bill to the Committee of the Whole on
the atate of the Union.
The HPEAKER aaid that he had repeaterlly derided
that a rtirmlrr ran not yield the floor tor the
purpoae of enahlmg another to make a motion. It
M as not nei saury tor the gentleman from Tennessee,
( Mr. UI.IA Ms.) to yield Ihr ll mr, tor the gentleman
trom Illinois, (Mr. Mi Clem a af?d,) to with
draw the motion to commit tlie liill.
Mi UK VTHKKSTON appealed to Mr, Wu i ia -is
to Withdraw till demand lor the previous question..
He wished to of] r a sultstitiite for the hill itself. He
was sati fi-d that the gentleman did not wish to
eut oil all amendments, and desired to give the
House an opportunity of voting on Ii in pro|H>*ition.
Mr. 8CHKNCK deaircd to know the condition of
the question. Was the motion to commit withdrawn?
The SPF.AKF.R replied in the affirmative.
Mr. SCHKNt k And the previous question
moved?
The M'F.Akr.It made a similar responae,
Mr. HCHKNl'K askul whether, if the demand fur
the previous queation was sustained, there would la;
an opportunity to move an amendment?
Tne SPKAKKit replied in the negative.
Mr. CAK I'KK moved that the House adj.,urnj and
tlie question being taken, it was loat?yeas 19, nays
132.
The question recurred on seconding the cleinaiid
for tlie previous question, when
Mr. ElVING moved that there be r rail of the
House; but the motion *aa disagreed to.
The House then refused toneeond the demand for
the previous question?ayes 76, noes 92.
There was much contusion in the hull.
Mr. MeLANE, of Maryland, moved to commit
the. bill and amendments to the Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union.
Mr. ROOT. I cencw the instructions; (namely:
to report a slavery prohibition clause.)
Alter the confusion, through the ellbrts of the
Speaker, ceased,
, Mr. McLANE moved to commit the hill to the
Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.
Heshould not give way. and intended to move the
previous question. [ Voices : "Do it now." "I,<"V
iiave it." | For himself, he wanted the bill and lh<umendmcnJKo
pass the House; and he knew, and
every l'lnut'nma kih w, m:u u mere annum ne jii
oppoi tunity afforded to load down the hill and the
amendment with other amendment*, with such a
r inhination aa was usually formed in the present
ntate of nHaim, the passage of the hill would be impossible.
The House could vote on the reference as
a test question, wliieh lie thought would he as at ceptable
us any that eould he suggested oti either fide
He was only anxious to ascertain the real strength
of the hill at it now ntands. He should acquiesce in
the tense of the House, whatever it might l>c. And
he moved the previous question.
Mr. VINTON moved that the House adjourn;
and the motion prevailed?ayes 71, nays "7.
THE REPUBLIC.
WASHINGTON:
WEDNESDAY MORNING, SEPT 4, 1S60.
Congress.
In the Small, yesterday, the hill to suppress
the slave trade in the District o| ( olumhia was
under eoiisideratioti. Two amendments?one
making it a penitentiary offence to entice or
iiuliiee a slave to run away; and the oilier conferring
upon lite levy e'ourt and corporations of
the District power to prohibit immigration of
free negroes?were adopted.
The Huny uj H<i>iTsmlatiw\i resumed the
consideration ol tlit* I cxas IJoundary hill: and.
pending a dcininul fur the previous question
una molioii made by Mr. M< I.am. to commit
tin' hill to the C'ommitteo of the W hole on the
slate of the I ition, the I louse adjourned.
From the Mobile Advertiser.
"That California would ultimately coute into tin
I'nioii B9 a free State, and, if divided, that two free
Slates would present themselves instead of one, to
the minds of all southern men of intelligence who
were not blinded by their support of IVIr. Polk and
the Rli xican war, was h result certain to follow the
acquisition of that territory from Mexico. On the
ratification of the treaty, southern Senators were
warned of this certain result?this 'manifest destiny'?were
notified fully of the danger in advance;
but they disregarded these warnings, and voted for
the ratification of the treaty. They had full and
fair notice, of the consequences, and no voted w ith
tin ir < yea open, unless they were wilfully blind and
totally regardless of the future. It ia, therefore,
too late for these Senators or their friends to come
forward now, and threaten to dissolve the Union,
because California i- alxiul being admitted upon
her own terms. Sui h threats arc the evperlalivc of
folly, as much bo as wcic the resolutions of the
M i.-sai husctts Legislature, that the annexation ol
Icxus a disautution uf the 1.moil.
Threats ?f disunion at tin North, if Texas, with
her hundreds of thousands of square miles of territory,
\va? annexed, would have been just about am
ridiculuus as arc tlx: present threats at the South to
ihtfolvt thr I'niou, if California is admitted with
her present boundaries. There ran ho no question
ul tlx constitutional power of Congress in the picmiser,
nnd, but for the sectional question involved,
California would never have been opposed by the
very parly which, as a gi neral rule, has hastened
the admission of new States, because they invarialJy
came in Democratir. Our humble voice was
raised against the acquisition of the territory, because
we believed that, in spite of all thcrflbits ol
the South, frtt States would lie formed out of it, and
our anticipations arc about to t>c realized. Thr
only hn/>c of the oppouents seems to he in disunion,
a remedy, in our opinion, which the people
will never for a moment adopt or approve.
California, under the 'manifest destiny' administration,
was practically admitted a free Stale into
this Union when the final vote was taken in the
Senate on the ratification of the Mexican treaty, as
every southern Senator well knew when he voted
for that treaty. But, in order that Mr. Polk might
obtain 'indemnity for the past and security for the
future,' Mexico must I*? dismembered ?so much
ot her territory tak< n, over and above 'indemnity
for the past and sec urity for the future,' as to cost
the United States ( ovcrnnir.nl $ lt,lUU,lli:0, and
witli it questions of such sectional importance as to
threaten a di?inenibrrincnt of this glorious Union.
These arc our securities fur the future!"
It is, indeed, quite " l?si late" fur leaders of
the Democratic party to ruin it forward and
threaten to dissolve the I'uioti Itecatun Califor
nia is alsutt to he admitted into the L'nion upon
her own terms, and with the limits prescribed
in her constitution. It is quite " too late" fur
those lenders to threaten to dissolve the L'nion
beranse slavery is likely to Is- excluded from
all the territory acquired from M< \ico. as well
by the iaws of nature as by the local laws
already existing there; and Is-canse Congress
will not remove the impediment* lytrrpostd hy
those local laws, b) declaring them null and
void, or hy expressly repealing them. The
acquisition of the territory was the result of
Southern Demoeratir policy.
The Wilinot proviso i's<-|f j.. the legitimate
offspring of that policy.
The annex at ion ol T*\a*. in it? origin, was
eminently a Southern Deuns'ratic meaaure.
On parly grounds ami for party purposes,
merely, the Deinorratie |?rly of the .North
lent that measure an unwilling, hut alternately
a successful support.
Having thus contributed to the acquisition
of a l?rge extent ol ulnrt territory, w hen they
saw that a further acquisition of territory
would inevitably grow out of the Mexican war,
to save themselves at home, the Democratic
members of (. ongr?-ss defined it necessary to
Jake ground in ad vance of its acquisition, and
to declare that, when armored. slavery should
In- forever rxcliHl?il therefrom.
It wns a Northern Democrat who intrndnwd
the proviso.
L |?in it* introduction, every Democratic
mi inbf r of the I loose from the Noflh, Mvr
tbr? -it we recollect rightly?voted (:?r it.
The re election to Congress of the author,
the lion. Dat in Wii.mot .after ho hail intro
dueed it, was ?if <uir memory dnea not fail na?
hailed Willi delight by the IJnioti newspaper
ol this place. We shall he obliged to tin Union
to corrrrt us, if wo are mistaken in this.
The Whig members of Congress from tlm
North said, in substance, to thr Democratic
mmihcrs from tlir Smth: " We Ho not want
this territory. Hut if you will insist upon its
acquisition, wo give you fair warning wo shall
vote to exclude slavery therefrom.
The Democrats of the North, on the other
hand, with a few exceptions, either openly announeed,
or aequieserd in the annunciation of
some of their sjwakers. that they intended to
vote men and money for the vigorous prosecution
of the war?that they were in favor of insisting
upon a territorial indemnity for the expenses
oceaaioned thereby, and that it was with
them a Jized purpoir, a fettled principle, that
into no part of the territory thus acquired <
should slavery e\er bo introduced!
Thus forewarned by both the Whigs *ind
Democrats of the non-slaveholding States, the
Whig members of both Houses of Congress from
the South rallied almost to a man to prevent tin
contemplated acquisition.
Mr. Stephens introduced a resolution to
that effect in the House of Representative-;,
but it failed; every Northern and Southern
Whig voting for it, and every Northern and
Southern Democrat voting against it?except
perhaps one Democratic member from the
South.
Mr. Heiiimkn made a similar anti-acquisition
movement in the Senate, but it failed; every
Whig member from the North and the South,
with perhaps one exception, being in favor of
it. and every Democratic Senator from the
North and the South resisting it.
From tlie linto the question of the uitrodue
(ion of slavery into tin: territory began to be
discussed, the Democratic leaders argued ve
bemenlly that the soil and climate were totally
unfitted lor slave labor?that the feelingsof the
I then resident jiopulation were opposed to Af
riean slavery?and that therefore it was inijx.s
sibli it could ever cross the Rio Grande. Thus
argued Robert .1. Walker, James lie
i h vnan, and Lewis Cass.
The u hide Detnocratie party of the South
committed itself during the last Presidential
canvass to the doctrine of mm intervention by
Congress.
lioth parties at tin North and at the South
bold to the principle that the people of a Territory,
w hen forming a State Constitution, preparatory
to their admission into the I nion as a
State, have the exclusive right of admitting or
excluding slavery.
iu view of these facts, then, we repeat, it is
altogether "loo late" lor Southern Democrats
to seek to "kick up a fuss" generally, or to dissolve
the I'nion in particular, because slaves
cannot be taken to the whole, or the half, or
any part, of the territory acquired from Mexico.
Such conduct on their part is excessively alienrd
and preposterous, and wholly without justifiea
tion or excuse.
"No part of the world lias shown the same capacity
to meet the growing wants of the cotton
manufactures as the United States; but, even in
that vast lield of enterprise and skill, the power of
producing sufficient quantities seems to have reached
its limits. Other coon tries era (tmllr well
adapted by climate and noil? the East and the
\Vc9t Indies, and the coast of Africa, fur example;
hut many years must evidently elapse hcl'ore the
necessary machinery can be brought into play;
and, in the mean time, exclusive dependence on
one country is attended with serious evils. Until
abundance ran be secured, the manufacturer must
be crippled in his operations, prices will continue to
rise, the demand will correspondingly decline, ami
the millions of pi rdons engaged in this branch of
trade will have their means of existence seriously
endangered. A cotton famine is scarcely less lamentable
in its effects on society than a famine in
the cereal products.
" To meet this impending evil, many ingenious
schemes have been devised ; but nil that we have
seen propounded fall far short of any immediate
practical result. One of the most feasible has been
put lorward by Mr. (J. K. Porter, a gentleman well
known by his able > ontributions to the rummer, ia I
and manufacturing statistics of the country. Mr.
Porter's substitute is tlax. lie advocates the growth
of tlax by the farmers in England and Ireland, and
shows that it would not fail to pay ; while the par.
tial adoption of new machinery would he more
than counterbalanced by the advanlagcauf a regular
trade and a uniform supply."
f /1 'ilmrr anil Smith'* Timet.
Tlu- cotton planters hav< witnessed the va
rinus efforts of the Knglisti manufacturers to
rid themselves in some degree of their dependence
upon the vicissitudes of the American
crop, with comparative indifference. They
have had t faith in the success of such endeavors,
with whatever zeal they might be
mirsoiil \ 11 s*n?ri?M?n h..rot..l..r.. >mk.
ranted this confidence in their failure; hat the
fact that the effort is |>crsistcd in, in the face
of every discouragement, may well he record
rd as strong evidence that it will not he abandoned
so long as new fields of ex|?criiiient re
main to lie tried.
The motives which urge tin Knglish tuanu
I'aetnrers to multi|ily the sourcesof their supply
of the raw material, a failure in w hich em
perils the daily bread of four millions of people,
need no elucidation. All that skill, en pi
I tal, and enterprise can do to accomplish their
end w ill We done, and that these will always
prove unavailing is too much to expect. Kvery
successive short crop in this country increase#
tin inducement# to perseverance. Such a crop
i- that which has now Is gun to he gathered,
and we find, in antieipatiou, renewed discus
sions of the practicability of raising cotton elsewhere,
and a I si j of substituting other materials
j lor clothing.
The present v alue of cotton in Kngland, wc
are informed by the T.ondon Kcnmmiutt. is from
| fifty to sixty |?er cent, higher than at the name
tine in l^l'.t. This is not accompanied by a
pro|s?rtionale increase in the i-ost of fabrics, he
mm ii diverts the mahctare froaa Uhm ia
which (he material constitute* the great portion
of (In- \ alue l<> tli.me in w hi<-h lainr is tti*> larger
element. So tar as ihe coarser fabrics continue
in lie produced, it is at an enhanced cost which
tend* to diminish the power to purchase them,
and to encourage the prodnetion of wool and
lla\ as substitutes. The Uromnnint, of August
I "tli. contains statements--.how mg that w liilc the
|nantity taken fur consumption by Hritish
inaiiufactiirrrs, in the first six months of the
present year, was 'Ivi.'TVf hales lis* than the
amount taken in the corresponding |icriod of
lasl year, the e\|*irts of cotton manufactures
for the six months of I8.1O exceeded those of
1H41* by $"?,:V'ill,?)23 in value. This exhibits
an increased necessity tu go abroad for customers
with a diminished production of fabrics,
and i? the inevitable result of high prices and
short crops. The same returns of the Hoard of
Trade from which we gather the above facts,
exhibit a very large increase, amounting to
about fifty per cent, in the importation of wool,
and the Kcnnnmiat comments upon it "as a
striking evidence, when taken in connexion
with the recent large advance in the price of
Knglish wool, how much more price depends
upon a good trade and an active demand than
on the rpiantity imported." flow much of
this active demand is a consequence of the i
effort to substitute wool for cotton, it might lie
worth while for the planters to inquire.
It ifl obviously the policy of the cotton prow
cm to meet the efforts of Kngland, to diminish i
her dependence upon them for supply, hy cor- <
responding endeavors to build up their own in
dependence of the markets of Liverpool and
Manchester for demand. This can only be
done hy increasing the demand nt home. The
home demand for the purpose of manufacture
depends upon the number of looms and spin- ,
dies, but, as we have accn hy the experience i
/
F
1 ? ' 1
uf England, the demand for manufacture is
one thing, that for consumption U another. The
latter defends upon maintaining anil increasing
the production of other commodities, and the
general prosperity of national industry.
Dccrcuac in Imiul^inUuii.
The Tribune furnishes the following st a lenient
of the n urn In r of emigrants who have
landed at the |>ort of New \ ork during the
month of August, and of the countries whence
they came. It will he seen that the number of
aliens arriving is 10,(X>8 less than in the corresnondintr
month of last vertr.
wiiKm: nio.M.
Knglaud 9,5.*>3 Sardinia 162
Ireland 1,610 Africa 10
So ollnnd 1,284 Bermuda'. 56
Frame 1,631 Smith America 0
Holland 2,294 New Granada 174
Germany 804 Weal Indies 92
Norway 518 British N. America.. 155
Sweden 301
Total , 18,562
CITIZKNS.
The whole number of citizens arrived from foreign
porta during the month wua 1,213; of whom
380 were from Englund, and 562 from New Granada.
L.\6T VEAH,
The number of aliens arrived in August, 1849,
was 28,570; ul citizens, 589? totuj, 23,169.
AOORKOATKS.
Arrivula in 8 months, i860 152,040
Do. in 8 months, 1849 181,113
Decrease 29,073
We have repented!) railed attention to tlia
fact that immigration is falling oil", and attributed
it In tin: diminished employment and remuneration
for labor, under the operation of the
existing tariff. To this it has been answered
that the decline in immigration was casual and
temporary, and that the current would soon set
in. with its accustomed volume. When is the
prediction to be accomplished ? The only certain
progress in free trade, not partial or restricted.
but absolute and perfect, is that which
is made by attracting individuals from abroad
within the circle of States where it is secured
by the Constitution. Our present policy, instead
of advancing, retards that progress.
From tin Jack ton (.Mitt.) Southron.
'IV m?i and the General (iovcrmurnt.
In our paper of to-day will be found the message
of ttie President and the letter ol Mr. Webster respecting
ibc tlilficulty between Texas and New
.Mexico. We admire the spirit which runs through
both of these productions. They address themselves
in so frank and manly a manner to the reason
and intelligence of all, that they must necessarily
receive the closest scrutiny and respect of every
candid mind. A friendly and conciliatory tone is
most clearly manifested towards Texas, while, at the
same time, they intimate with becoming delicacy
the necessity under which the President will be
placed in case Te.xae h iuld commit any overt act
with respect to the in itt-r in dispute. They show
that Mr. Fillmore is the man lor the emergency,
and that he is ready uud w illing to maintain inviolate
the rights of each and every citizen who seeks
protection under the broad gia of the Constitution.
The President assuinrs to himself no right or authority
to decide what is, or what is not, the true
boundary line between Texas and Mexico, lie
distinctly says liiat nothing is more remote froin
his wisli than to prejudge or prejudice the claims
of either party in the slightest degree, lie takis
for his guide the fact?a fact which is undeniable?
that in the war with M< xico the province of New
Mexico was conquered by General Kearny in the
caily part of the contest?that Texas exercised at
that time no authority' or control whalcvrr over
that region, but that Mexican laws, Mexican customs,
and Mexican institutions were alone acknowledged,
when General Kearny was appointed military
governor there by President Polk, lie shows
that since the conquest, now four years.it has been
held in undisputed per session by the United States,
lie docs not design that this should in any way affect
any < !aims that Texas may have to the territory,
but that the United States, having originally
acquired possession, is entitled, by the principles
nt i-nnilv ?t ,,t i,.l..rr.. I. ... l? I...IS l< .? ?!l 't
whole ditficulty shall be fiirly and properly adjusted
by the proper tribunal*.
The President intimates no intention of invading
Texas, lie simply wishes that thing* may remain
as they were under Mr. Polk'.* administration, with
a </"?" military government; and this state of af:
i, i !.i int< i t. p'. r vi-, * hdat C'linri ess in the
mean time may propose measures which, when
agreed to by Texas, will definitely' close the question.
This position is not only eminently just to Texas,
but it manifests a conscientious desire on the part
of the President to act strictly according to his oath
v.* an i x utive He evin. . no desire to
skulk or avoid the true issue before him, but states I
(dearly and rinphati illy what be thinks he ought to
do, and we doubt not he will be as good as his
Word. '1 exas can now understand with whom she
has to deal, and should she presume to lay aside
constitutional remedies and resort to forcible means
imi-. tan in. . ?v vi. t.ni at the head of
Government one who is resolved to do his duty without
hesitation and at all hazards.
This qui si ion of the Texan boundary ought to be
settled instantly and satisfactorily. It is the key
to the diffii ulties whk h now etnliarrass the action
of the national councils. It overshadows s*ll other
in-. .. . i.. in, , . .... - ".n as this I Is inn al-ly
adjusted, ail the other eontrovcrsira will be at once
i k)t< d. It was the solemn duty of the last Congress
to have put an end to this sectional strife, hut, as
this not done, it becomes the part of all who
care for tlie t'nion to use their heat rlTorh to avert
any dangers which may threaten.
Thrrc is one feature of this matter that should
attract the attention of every thinking inan. And
this is the attempt on the part of aoiue to connect
tlig difficulty with Texas with the slavery agitation.
What possible identity there is in the nature
of these two '|uesti?n? we are at a loss to determine.
Many are so hold and reckless aa to delarr
that it is the intention of the North to hrihe
Texas hy means of ten millions of dollars, in order
to strip her of her territory, and make it into a free
State. Nothing can he more aliaurd; for if the cession
shall he made, New Mexico will still have a
territorial government, with freedom to eetabliah or
11 is' ard slavery as her inhabitants may wish.' The
real design of agitating three two questions in connexion.
hvi its origin in a wiah to involve the South
in active hostilities sgainst the General Government.
Hence we see certain presses prate and
blualer in the cfioiccAl billingagate about the incon- ,
testable rights of Texas; advising her citterns to
assert and maintain without delay her claims at
the point of the bayonet. The spirit of disunion
rankles in many bosoms, and all that is wanted is
a pretext to precipitate at once the country into
civil war. They pant for an opportunity to show
their eertionsi phrenzy amid bristling steel and advancing
columns. Nothing would delight them
more than to see Texas actually engaged in hostilities
with the General Government.
We trust, however, that no such opportunity
will srise. The whole difficulty is likely soon to *
be arranged. A bill, proposed hy Mr. Pearc.c, of
Maryland, defining the boundaries of Texae, has
passed the Senate hy a large majority?the Texan
Senators both voting for It. This bill proposes
that Texas shall surrender her claim to all territory
nortii of the line, commencing at the inter ret:
... ,.f il,? toil,I. ..# ......I Lwiiritlld* with I
llie parallel of .W 3 north latitude: running
thence on that parallel to the 1 (13rd degree of weat
longitude ; thence aouth to the 32d parallel of north
latitude, and along llmt parallel to tic Km Grande;
and thence down that river to the Gulf of Mexiro;
and in conaideration of thia surrender, Texaa ia to
he paid ten millions of dollar*. .Should thia paaa
the llnuae -a matter almoat certain to occur- and
become a law, we may expect peace and tranquillity
once more to ait enthroned in the heart* of all
lover* of the Union. Fanatics, political abolitioniata,
di*urioni*taper ??, and agitators in general,
may then hang up their harpa and cease to disturb
'he community with thtir discordant strain* of
deep breaking mu*i.
I