Newspaper Page Text
COKfiVCOL UiuL
Washington, D.c. 17, 1837.
Mr. Calhoun appeared in the S: mite to day
ai.d to< k his seal. He appeared to be in ex.
celleiit health.
After 8< me unimportant business, petitions
And memorials were called lor,from the differ
ent States. Mr. Wall from New Jersey (V.
B.) preset ted a memorial from sundiy citizens
df New Jersey rctnonstraiing against the an
nexation of Texas to the Unitn, sit (I moved Io
hy it on the table. Mr. Preston instantly rose,
and condemning in the strongest terms the ef
forts of political fanatics to force the subject
on the attention <4 Congress, gave notice that
he would, nt an early day, inlrod tce a nr asttre
for the annexation oi Texas to the Union.
He felt compelled, he said, to take this course
in conicqueitcc c.f the cor.duct of certain gen
tlemen here, at:d of their constituents. The
memorial was laid on tire table.
Mr. Wall then presented a petition praying
for lb® abolition of slavery in the District of
Columbia. Mr. Grundy immediately moved
to lay it on the table; but withdrew it at the
request of Mr. Clay of Ky., who rose to en
quire of Mr. Wall, and other Senators from
those States whence the most of these petitions
proceeded, whether the feeling in relation to
this exciting subject was not on the increase
in those States—w hellier that feeling was con
fined to the District of Columbia, or extended
to other objects—w hether, especially, many
persons had eot been drawn into this business
of applying to Congress, by the idetl that the
right of petition had been invaded by the course
pursued at the last session in relation to these
petitions?
Mr Clay decla red that his opinion was
known and unchanged,.that Congress ought
not to grant the prayer of the petitioners; but
bethought it was a matter deserving weighty
consideration, whether to refer the petitions to
the Committee on the District of Columbia,
and from them obtain a report, was not better
calculated to calm the public mind, and pro
duce that harmony and tranquility so much to
be desired.
In reply to this appeal, Messrs. Wail of N.
J., Swift and Prentiss of Vi.. Niles of Conn.,
Davifs of Mass., Hubbard and Pierce of N. H.
successively spoke; and the substance of their
testimony was, that the feeling on the subject
was on the increase, and that one of the most
productive causes of that increase was, in
their opinion, the course of the majority at the
laat session, which was viewed by their con
stituents as entirely prostrating a high consti
tutional right— the right of petition. This
was the burden of their evidence, mixed up
with a great deal of associated matter, sug
gested by the remark of the Southern Senator,
who took part in the debate. The discussion
was long and animated.
Mr. Calhoun treated with scorn the idea of
arguing the question with the Abolitionists by
way of a report. The cause of the growth of
the feeling existing in the North, was deeper
than that gentleman represented. It origina
ted in the wildest fanaticism, that set all law
and constitutional restrictions at defiance. It
must be met in limine, instead of concession,
the most uncompromising opposition ought to
be made to it. It was the only question that
could destroy the Union. It was potent enough
for that. He would vote for a joint rule of both
Houses, prohibiting the introduction of all pe
titionsfer abolition tn the District of Columbia,
that were not signed exclusively by citizens of
the District.
Mr. King of of Alabama thought the course
adopted at the last session ought to be persist
ed in—raise the question, on the reception,
and then promptly lay that question on the
table. Mr. King said the excitement in the
North was promoted by political agitators;
and referring to a remark of Mr. Swift, that
file feeling on the subject of the right of peti
tion was participated by men of all parties, he
declared lhat the Smith would know no parties
on this question; but all would unite to defend
their rights.
Mr. Davis of Mass., controverted this state
ment of Mr. King, and contended that Aboli.
tion wag never made a political question until
it was made so in Congress.
Mr. Rives of Va., argued for the propriety
of the course hitherto pursued, as stated by
Mr. King. He referred to the report of the
Select Committee of the House, of which Mr.
Pinckney was chairman, and said it had done
no good.
Mr. Preston spoke with great eloquence.
He urged strongly ths consideration that Mr.
Pinckney’s report had contributed to yan the
flame of fanaticism. The attempts at concil
iation had failed; and now another measure
* ought to be resorted to. The doors of Con
gress ought to be closed entirely against the
Abolitionists. He maintained that the right
of petition would not be touched by such a
Course.
Mr. Cuthbert of Ga., took the same ground,
and further remarked, that Mr. Clay’s course
was calculated to disturb the calm which the
former course of the Senate had produced in
this body on the subj -ct.
Mr. Clay reminded the Senator of Georgia,
that the calmness existing in the Senate did not
prevail in the country : and his object was
to adopt such a course as would continue us
in the condition of a united, prosperous and
fraternal people. The course proposed was
contrary to his notions of the right, of petition.
He thought Senators went too far in saying the
present was not a case for argument. He
thought a successful appeal to the reason and
deliberation of most of the petitioners coukl
bu made, which would separate the candid, re
fleeting, ai d patriotic from tbe mere fanatic
and intermeddling portion. He adhered to his
opinion that a report would be beneficial.
Mr. CalTioun replied. He acknowledged the
sincerity, and patriotism of Mr. Clay— but dif
fered with him entirely on the mode of treat
ing the petitioners. He said with emphasis,
that he cared not how his course might effect
the North. He gave that section up. But
he was anxious to keep the keenest sensibility
of the South awakened to these attacks. He
considered the present a question involving th >
existence of the white people of the South;
and also the existence of this union ; and the
South ought to h ive made this issue at once.
He acted on no sectional ground, but he was
anxious to promote the union of the South on
this question.
Mr. Clay rejoined. He said he too was
anxious to promote union— not however, the
union of a section—but the whole union of
these states, one and i- divisible. He did not
look onlv at the section from which he came.
He wished to tranquilisc every part of the
country. He regreted to differ from a gentle,
man for whose abilities he had so high a res
pect as he had for those of Mr. Calhoun ; and
thought an appeal to the enlightened opinion of
the North would not be unsuccessful. No
ground had yet been lost by argument. Mr.
Clay said he indulged no despondency about a
dissolution ofthe union—but that, if Mr. Cal
hetin, instead of a joint rule prohibiting the in
tfodmi'ioii of these petitions, would propose a
joint rule that any member who speaks of dis
union sh ill bo instantly called to order, he
would concur in such a motion.
Mt, Calhoun said tn reply that there were
some cases i s regard to which.wcre we to rea
son we would destroy the moral instinct of our
uaure; and the prop'.-eition for the abolition
I id’slavery in this District was one of them.—
He illustrated the idea at length.
Mr. Clay iemarked that tile cases adduced
by Mr. Calhoun,such as a memorial forabol
ishieg the Christian’s Religion were not in
point because Congress had clearly no power
over the subject. Bui a maj irity of the Sen
ators thought Congress possessed power over
this subject of abolition in the District of Co
lumbia.
This debate I will notice again. The ques
lion on the reception was laid on the t.ible by
a vote of Ayes 25 nays 21.
From the Correspondent of the Charleston Mercurj - .
Washington, Dec. 18.
Mr, Calhoun took his seat in the Senate to
day. Several Abolition memorials having been
presented, Mr. Clay look occasion to address
some enquiries to the Northern and Eastern
members relative to the numbers of th 4 ! Aboli
tionists, and the fact whether their principles
arc extending in the community,and their num
bers on the increase. A long discussion fol
lowed, in which it was distinctly stated by se
veral Senators from New England, aboli
tionism was rapidly increasing throughout their
States, and further, they attributed it to the
manner in which petitions had been treated by
Congress. The fact as stated by these gen
tlemen is true ; but the reason has no founda
tion. The increase of abolition!itn depends
on other causes than the action of Congress.
It is destined very soon to control the ballot
box in all the Non-Slaveholding States, and
even now it has a very decisive influence upon
the course of the Northern and Western mem
b.rs.
In the House, to-day, some hundreds of Abo
lition and Anti-Texan petitions were presented.
The motions for referring them, were sevcial
ly laid on the table. Mr. Adams made some
attempts, as usual, to get up an excitement,
but he was suffered to go on without interrup
tion, except from the Chair, who kept him
within the rules. The other day, when he
made a very inflammatory allusion to what he
called “the spirit which murdered Lovejoy
and gave his habitation to the fl ames,” it was
very difficult, (as I understand, for I was not
here at that time.) to prevent your Represen
tatives, Messrs. Rhett and Legare, from reply
i.ig. lam very glad they did not. A discus
sion, in Congress, ought to be avoided, if pos
sible, because it would needlessly agitate the
country on the subject, all which will play into
the hands of the Abolitionists. But I do not
believe that a general discussion can long be
avoided. Mr. Slade, of Vermont gave notice
to-day of his intention to address the House on
the subject, if he can get an opportunity, which
he can easily have by speaking on a motion
of reference. The continued agitation the
subject here during the present winter, will no
doubt, lead to other “Alton tragedies.” and
give more martyrs to the cause of Abolition, —
and that is precisely what the Abolitionists
want.
Mr. Adams presented, to-day, a memorial
from some Northern Peace Association, pray
ing Congress to accede to the proposition of
the legislative authority of Mexico, for the
adjustment es our difficulties w ith that Gov.
eminent, and moved its reference to a Select
Committee, with iistructio' s to read it, consid
er it. and report upon it. He will, to-morrow,
speak in support of the motion. He made
some remarks complaining of the omission by
the President of the notice of the proposition
alluded to in the memorial, and also stated that
one Standing Committee ofthe House, mean,
ing that of Ways and Means, had reported
upon Resolutions without considering them, or
even reading them, according to the admission
of six out of nine of the members, It is not
improbable, therefore, that a debate upon our
relations with Mexico, will spring up from this
motion.
A correspondent ofthe Baltimore American,
gives the following version of the debate in
Senate, on the 18th inst. of which asketch is
given in the letter of our Washington corre.
spondent : — Charleston Courier.
“The Abolition of Slavery in the District of
Columbia has boon the question, the everlasting
question, which has consumed the time ofthe
Senate from noon until four o'clock.
‘•Messrs. Clay, Calhoun, Preston, Rives,
Roane—a large majority in fact of the Sena,
tors from all sections ofthe country, took part
in the discussion.
“The debate was long, spirited, and drew
forth much of the acrimony and bitter feelings
of the Senators from the South, North and
West. The discussion began on a petition
presented by Mr. Wall of New Jersey, praying
tor the Abolition of Slavery tn the District of
Columbia, A motion was made to lay the pe
tition on the table. -
Mr. Clay, o£Ky. begged that the motion
to lay upon the table should be withdrawn ; the
motion was withdrawn. Mr. Cay took the
floor and said he was anxious to learn from
Senators representing the free States, what
were the causes and what the extent of the
Anti-Slavery feeling in the North? Was it u
pon the increase or upon the decrease ? Was
not the increase caused by supposition on the
part of the petitioners that the right of petition
had been invaded by a refusal on the part of
Congress to receive and refer petitions? Would
not the petitions decrease if they were referred
to a committee, and a report, a calm, dispas,
siooate, tranquil, reaso: ing report, be presen
ted for the consideration ot’the American Peo
ple? Such was the purport of the questions
presented by Mr. Clay.
“Messrs. Wall of New Jersey, Prentiss and
Swift, or Vermont, Niles, of Connecticut, and
other Northern Senators, all responded affirm
atively to the questions of Mr. Clay. Without
exception, they said that the) believed tiiat a
reference of the petitions would limit agitation,
check discussion, heal the public wounds, and
in a measure end the getting up and reception
of petitions.
“The discussion branched out —Northern
and Southern feeling both became enlisted, and
the discussion finally seemed to rest with Mr.
Clay and Mr. Calhoun. The South-Carolina
and Kentucky Senators both addressed the
Senate three or font times, and with much
warmth of feeling. Mr. Calhoun persisted in
his determination against the reception of pe
titions.against all reference, all reports and all
di -cussion.
“Mr. Clay as warmly persisted in favor of
reception, reference, consideration, and a re
port from the Committee against the prayer of
the petitioners. The Senator from S. Caroli
na said the question of Union and Disunion
hung upon the result. Mr. Clay answered
that he believed no such thing, lie felt con
vinced, he said, that the people would listen to
reason, to argument anti to all dispassionate
appeal most willingly and with universal re
spect. Disunion he did not fear, and he wish
ed the Senator from South-Carolina would, in
stead of opposing the reception of petitions,
bring in a Joint Resolution that every member
of Congress should be called to order by the
presiding officer when he even made allusion
to disunion. For himself he would join heart
and haiid in the support ot such a measure.”
From the Correspondent of the Charleston Courier.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 1837.
To-day, a most important question was de
cided in the Senate. It was even a test ques
tion on the all-engrossing subject of abolition,
A long and animated discussion arose on a pe
lition of 115 females, presented by Mr. Wall,
of New. Jersey. Mr. Wall wished its refer
ence to the Committee on the Dasti kt of Co
lumbia. This was followed by a motion to 1..v
the former motion o;i the tabic Mr. Clay, in
the most ardent manner, tug d the r< f recce,
on the ground that the increase of these pctili
ons rnd the importunity of flic abolitionists,
was grounded more upon the feeling that the
right of petition had been i vadeel bv Congress,
than with the hope of t fleet i. g the abolition <4’
slavery in tin District. Hu contended that,
were the petitio: s referred, and were the
Committee to r< port by a calm and deliberate
address to the people al large, appealing tothe
feelings and urging the utter impossibility of
cxrat.tii'g the prayers ot the petitioners, would
allay the feeling at present existing in the pub
lie mind on this exciti g subject. In this.
Mr. C. was strongly support d by Messrs.
Davis, Swift. Allen. Pierce, ’ > all ami se
veral other Northern rnemb rs, and violently
opposed by Messrs. Calhoun, Grundy. ( lav
of Ala.. King, Rives, Roaxi:, Cuthbert, and
others ofthe South. Messrs. Calhoun and
Preston, in the most decided and impressive
manner, contended that Co gr< ss ought nor
even to receive the petitions—lt was an ntva.
sion of the sacred rights of the S ulli, and ur
ged the comparison, whether it was most fit
ting to respect the feelings of a select few of a
fanatical and misguided class, or whether to
protect the life, liberty and property ofthe en
tire South It was a question (Mr. C. con
tended) that would admit of no argument —nor
would he, or his constituents, longer argue the
point with them. The whole South had view,
ed with resignation and calmness, this constant
encroachment on their rights, and they were
fully prepared, if Congress would not protect
them, to protect themselves, be the result what
it might. It was on this subject and this alone,
even were all others combined, that a dissohi
tion was to be feared. O i the other side,itjwas
contended that the District was common pro
perty of the North and South, and th : right of
all should be respected. Mr. Clay had no
fear of a dissolution from this or any ether
cause, and would compromise wi'hthe Sena
tor from Carolina (Mr. < .) to reject, all peti
tions on this subject, if he (Mr. Calhoun)
would establish it out of order to allude to a
danger of dissolution hearafter. Mr. Cal
houn did not believe that the end and aim of
the petitions were limited to the District—he
did not believe that, they would deliberately
expend SIOO,OOO upon this limited ground,
where there were no more than 2,000 slaves.
No—it was their object to carry on the war,
and ultimately embrace the whole Union, in
volving all alike in utter ruin and desolation.
The debate continued with much warmth till
near 5 o'clock, when the motion to lay on the
table was carried.
Yeas.—Messrs. Bayard, Benton, Black,
Brown, Buckanaa, Calhoun, Clay of Ala..
Cuthbert, Fulton, Grundy, Hubbard, Ki g,
Lumpkin, Linn, Lyon, Norvell, Preston, Rives,
Roane, Robinson, Sevier- Strange, Walk r.
White, Young—2s.
Nays.— Messrs, Allen, Clay of Ky., Clay
ton, Crittenden, Davis. Knight, McKean, Mor
ris, Niles, Pierce, Prentiss. Robbins, Ruggl-s,
Smith, Smith of In. Swift, Tallmadge, Tipton,
Wall, Williams. —20. 1
Absent— Mouton, Nicholas, Southard, ;
Spence, Webster, Wright—6.
This vote,compared with that of last session, I
gives the abolitionists a great accession of
stength. The last vote taken, resulted but 6 ;
in their favof.
I
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19. j
I
The Senate is again this morning thrown j
into a dreadful state of excitement, in co-ise- -
quenceof the presentation by Mr. Swift, of
the resolutions of the Legislature of Vermont, I
with instructions and memorial, for the abuli- j
tion of slavery in the District and Pentones,
in any new States that may hereafter be ad- 1
m'ttted ; to prohibit the slave trade between
the States,und against the annexation of Texas. !
On his motion to print and lay the documents ;
on the talle, a discussion arose similar tn char- ,
acter, to that of yesterday.
Mr. Calhoun desired that the resolutions ,
might bu received and laid on the table, pled.g- ;
ing himself, to call them up as early as lu- j
could prepare himself to place the matter in .
its true ligh f .
Mr. King, thought the paper a high toned, '
deep and deliberate hbel and insult to the (
South, and hoped it would not be received. <
The debate was continued a considerable '
time, till finally, Mr. Swift withdrew the me
morial, with a notice he should represent it on .
Tuesday next. He subsequently offered a large
numberofpetitions from Vermont, on the same
subject, which were rejected. During this
debate, the galleries were crowded with spec
lators and the floor with Members of the House
all eager listeners, to a subject which it is but ;
too evident, will lead to much excitement in j
this Congress.
From the Correspondent of the Chronicle & Sentinel.
Washington, Dec. 19:h, 1837.
The subject of Abolition of Slavery and the
Slave trade in the District of Columbia, and the
annexation of Texas, weie again brought up in
the Senate to day, by the presentation, by Mr.
Swilt of Vermont, of a report and resolutions,
adopted by the Legislature of that State, pro
testing against the annexation to the Union of
Texas; or any state whose constitution tole
rates the existence of Domestic Slavery; af
firming the power of Congress to legislate on
the subject of Slavery in this District, and in
the Territories of the United States; and in
structing the Senators, and requesting the Re
presentatives of Vermont, to carry into effect,
by all means in their power, this Report and
these Resolutions.
Mr. King of Alabama, demanded the ques
tion of reception. Mr. Calhoun moved to lay
that question on the table ; and thereupon arose
a It.ng and desultory discussion, which was
principally confined, however, to the effect of
the motion to lay on the table the question of i
reception. At last, at the suggestion of Mr.
Clay, the Report and Resoluiious were with- j
drawn by Mr. Swift, who gave notice that he
would present them again on Tuesday.
The States were then called in their order j
for petitions and memorials.
Mr. Wright ofN. Y. introduced a BiP for |
compelling the Banks of the District of Co
lumbia, to resume specie paymentsin January.
1838 This was read twice, and referred to
the Committee ot the Finance.
The Senate then went into Evecutivc busi
ness,
In the House, Mr. Everett of Vermont, who .
had been appointed to fill the vacancy occa
sioned by Mr. Fletcher declining to serve on
the Com nittee of Wavs and Means, said, that
after what had occurcd tbe other day, when
Mr. Fletcher was attacked by his late col.
leagues, he could not consistently, with his
friendship and respect for that gentleman, ac
cept the appointment: and he, therefore, asked ;
that the House would excuse him from serving
on that Committee.
The House did excuse him.
The President’s Message was then taken up
in Committee ofthe whole, for the purpose of
referrcnce to the different Standing Commit
tees. ’The motion for referrii gso much of
the Message as relates to the Finances, to the
Committee of Ways and Means, being un-dei
outH €v tt SO It <$ ♦
' co:rnder:iti:> •, Mr. Duncan of Ohio addressed
■the 1 Luise i.i simpoi tof ihu moli-.;ti. ’b- was
• billowed by Mr. Hokey ofG orgin, on the
.■ time aide. Neither of lhes" gentlemen i.fler-
- J <<iiy satisfactory reasons tor i"ioi g the
j grciil question of the coil. try—ofthe time—to
; th : s-.i-L incut of whicii, ail id-iirope. as w. il ti.»
i .‘uur rtca, is looki ig with deep" concetti, ton
, t'ommittw Willi six members to three oppose d
| to fie popular will, as declared at the le.cet.t
■ electioi s.
j M. V. illiarns, the new Represent",live from
! Tennessee, made an admirable sp< eel: i.i reply ;
■ and he was so lowed by -Mr. Cushing of Mass,
j who took in extensive review oi the exp ri-
! incutsof the Administration, and lhe history of
■ the Ins! few years: and concluded with oft’ r-
! ing a st rip s of resolutions, dt ciarkg that the
t influence es the Executive, has f,r some years
i p.ist, been i .erensi .g, and ought to be dtmiti-
I i.-'li-d : and th.it those parts of 11*.- Message
relating to the Finances, ought to be r< fi rn d
to a select Committee, with instructions to re
port such measures as .-hon'd tend to secure the
liberties, and promote the prosperity of th.
con tr' .
'I he Committee then, on motion of Mr. Un
d; rwood, rose, n ported progress, au.l obtained
leave to sit again ; and lhe House then ad
jc.-rned. ' M.
Extract of a letter from a hl ember of Congress,
to the joditar ofthe Charleston Mercury, dated
Washington, D c. 19.
Things have nt last come to a head. To
day, one ofthe Senators from Vermont, offer
ed a menu , rial from the L' gislature of Vi rmont,
against the annexation of'Texas into the Un
ion, '.ij-o.i the ground of slavery—a d calling
for the abolition of slavery in the District of
Columbia, and the suppression oi the slave
trade, as it is called, between the States. It
is no longer an affair of ignorant, misguided
fanatics. 'The other day, tbe whole Massa
chusetts Delegation demanded a Committee
upon these matters, from whieh slave-holders
should he excbidcd, and to-day, a Sovereign
State in the Confederacy gives its high s-mc
i tion to tin se insolent aggressions. The truth
! is, the Smith is no l-.nger respected or feared.
If this Congress passes without some decisive
move upon this vital question, we will d< serve
the ignominious fate which inevitably await
us. If’the People at home coukl sec and hear
what their Representatives arc compelled to
experience, the Union would not last a day.
From the Correspondent of the Chronicle Sl Sentinel
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20th, 1837.
Th« Committee of Ways and Means is pro
perly constituted nt last. Mr Pope of Ky.,
was announced by the Chair this morning as
having been appointed to fill lhe vacancy pro
duced by the resignation of Mr. Fletcher. Mr.
Pope is well kiiown to be decidedly in favor
cf the establishment of a National Bank. He
and Mr. Smgeant of Philadelphia, are the only
membcis of the opposition on lhe Committee.
The rest, seven in mimber, arc all in favor cd
the divorce, and collecting the public dues L.
gold and silver. This is the justice of the
party and the speaker!
'The House has been, during the whole day,
in considerable excitement, produced by the
course of an Abolittion representative from
| Vermont, named Slade. This man presented
! a petition from sundry citizens of that State,
praying for lhe abolition of slavery in the Dis
! tnct of Columbia, and moved that it be reter
: red to a Select Committee. He retained pos
! session of the floor, and said he w ished to
j speak in support of the motion. Having, in
. the course of his remarks, complained ofthe
i course pursued in summarily checking discus
' sions, by motions to lay on the table, which >
! he declared were so habitually made, that I
j whenever a petition was offered, the Speaker j
i seemed to turn to Southernmen as if anticipa-1
! tinir a motion to be made tor laying ot; the
I ° ’ I
. table-
Mr. Wise instantly rose, and renuirkiug
■ that he had most frequenty made this motion
; asked whether Mr. S meant to say there was
! any preconcert between him and the Speaker
; Air. Slade disclaimed having made such a
charge. Air. Wise then declared, i.i the most
j emphatic manner, that there had been no ar-
I raiigetneat oi’auy kind w ith the Speaker, or
i umoag the members of tlie southern d j!< ga-
Alr. Dawson of G-, demanded ati cxpia.ua
' tion ofthe remark of Air. S., th it had the pro
ceeding adopted here been proposed in the
! British Parliament, it would have made the
j cheek of the mover mantle with shame.
Mr. Slade said he intended no personal ap
plication of the remark to any southern gentle
man, nor to reflect in the slightest degree up- ;
on their motives.
Air. Slade then was proceeding to discuss i
i the General question of shivery, w hen he was (
; called to order by the Speaker, on the ground |
! that it had no reference to the question to com
-1 mit. This member then said he would so tar
i modify liis motion, as to instruct the Commitve
to report a bill for the abolition of slavery and
the slave-trade in the District of Columbia,
and that he would then be able to discuss the j
whole question.
A great sensation was produced throughout ,
the House by this announcement.
Mr. Legare of S. C. arose, and with great i
solemnitv implored the member from \ ermoi-t ,
to consider w ell w hat he was doing before he J
stepped on the ground. He assured the mem- ;
bet, that if it was true that the spirit he had j
referred to, the spirit ofthe Abolitionists, could
not be repressed, nr chided by constitutional (
restrictions, that spirit would encounter anoth
er, to the full as uncompromising and energet
ic. I f the question was forced, the South
would readily take up the g u illet thrown
down. There is nothing, he said, that justili
id a Christian man in uttering the things,
which he and his friends had been obliged to
listen to, day after day. He entreated that
member to pause for his own sake.
Mr. Dawson of Ga. then asked Slade to
give way, that he might make a motion to ad
journ, for the purpose of procuring some con
' cert of action among members oi the South.
Slade plecluied: and was proceeding to
I read from the statutes of South Carolina, lor j
i the purpose of showing, as he said, w nat I
slavery was.
Mr. Wise called him to ordei on the ground
I that he was now trespassing on the question
of slavery in the States.
Mr. Legare moved lh.it the House adjourn,
'The Chair decided the motion ivas out ot or- j
der, as Air. Slade had not yielded the floor.
Slade then proceeded. In the course ot
his r-* marks, he alluded to the CotisfilU ton ot
Virginia, and the character of slavery in V if
giniu ; and was proceeding to read from the
Constitution of that State, when Mr. AA ise
called him to order again, on the ground that
he was wantonly agitating ths abstract
question of slavery in the Slates.
The (’hair said there was another point.
I that the gentleman could not proceed lo read
a printed book, w ithout lhe permission of the
House.
By this time, great commotion pfvailed in
the Hall. Mr 1 . Wise said thv member trom
Vermont had been speaking to the whole sub
j,.ct—on slavery in A'irginia—slavery in South
Carolina —slavery in this District; mid he
now called upon the representatives ot Virginia
not go " ith him to a committee room, and con .
' suit W!:::t they should do to me.i t the case.
“Agrc-.d! .Agreed!” Was shout. <1 liom all
parts of the II:.IL
Air. flols y <>f Ga. c- iled rm the Georgia
j del g:.:ion to take thes-mie course.
j Mr. Rhett ot S. C. called upon the whole
; Sci.;|i<-r- D>:h gatioa to css■•n.ble imini diutclv
i ii) the .Cvmmittee tootli of the District of
j Columbia,
Alum.-it all I’m mmnb' r.s from the slave-hold
t: g Str.ten l 1 |< fl the Hail i >.■ a body.
Air. All Kn'y oi N C. moved that the mem
: b r should not bo allowed to proceed, as he was
I ce’tai Iv out of uiilerl The ayes and Goes
j were <k tnaaded on this question ! AV hen Air
: Reiicher moved that the House adjourn :
' u Im Ii motion prevailed.
| Just as the Speaker declined the vote on the
I motion to adjoiirr., Air. Ctiirq bull of S. C. ap-
I pear.d at th.; Bar; and invited all the mem
! b. it from the slave holding Stall s to join the
melting in the Committee Room.
Timl Assembly are still deliberating at lhe
tim this 4- spu'.ch is closed. M.
F.cm tin C.jircrpor.dcat of the Charkston Mercury.
WASHING TON D e. 20
Agitation in Congress—-Meeting of the South
ern Members of the House of lleprcsenta
tires
The aho’.i ioi: question his come to a crisis
in the House, which cannot be evaded by th.:
Sou.hern members.
A Vermont memorial praying the immediate
abolition of slavery and lhe slave trade i.i the
District of Columbia, having been presented
some days ago by Mr. Slade, he this morning
call- d it up. and moved its reference to the
Committee on the District of Columbia, with
1 instructions to reporta Bill in conformity with
the praver of the petition. Mr. Slade spoke
at length, in support of the motion, and exp res
t'd his surprise that the House had determined
to suppress these petitions, and all debate tipmi
them, while the feeling and voice of the coun
try was tn favor ofthe free discussion of lhe
subj ct. He satd that, in England, such a
thing as the contemptuous treatment of a peti
tion. was U known, that, so inconsistent was
it with lhe spirit ofthe British (Constitution,
that the proposition to suppress a petition on
any subject, would bring the blush of indigna
tion upon the cheeks of every member. He
alluded to lhe preconcert by which all these
petitions had been as soon as presented, laid
onthe table. Mr. Wise interposed to deny
anv preconcert on the part of the Southern
members, and Mr. Slade expiat ed that he
meant only such a concert as was the result
of a common feeling on the subject. Mr.
Dawson, also, several times interposed to re
quire explanations, which were followed by
disclaimers from Mr. Slade. Mr. S. went i..to
a defi itian of slavery, and an argument to
prove that in the abstract it was mconstAe.H
with ilie laws of God, tbe principles of Ch.is
tianiiy nnd the Constitution, The opinions
of the North, he s.tid, were made up on this
subject. The spirit which assailed slavery,
could :ot be repressed aiy more th.m the light
ofthe sun.
Mr. L°gare interposed, to implore ill. mem
ber to pause —for the sake ot the North—for
lhe s..ke of the commo.i peace which all prized
—to pans ■, and give some reflecti n to the
consequences of lhe course he was pnrsiii :g.
ft’tin re was, as the member said, an irrepres
sible spirit at the North on this subject, he
would assure him that he Would er.cou iter an
equally stubborn spirit on the part of lhe South.
He would, not, in view of his constituents, his
lumily. and his home, sit here,any longer, and
witness ta nely their aggressions upon the
rights and feelings ofthe South.
Mr. Slade said he respected and apprec'ated
the feelings of the gentleman from South Car
olina on this subj- ct. though he could not sym
pathize with th-’tii; but his duty to his con.
stii lents inquired that he should present th- ir
views on this question. He proceeded until
he was called to ordi r by Air. Vt ise, for al
luding to, and discussing slavery i ) lhe States.
’The Chairs fid it was out of order, but Air.
Slade' disclaimed intention to bring in anv
thi ,g but the abstract question, which the
Chair said was in order.
Mr. L -gare rose and moved and A j >urn
ment, hut the question was not in order, as
Mr. S. h.id the floor. proceeded
till about tvu ./clock, when he was referring
to some Virginia authorities, as he called th m,
about slavery, Mr. Rhett here rose to m ike a
que4iot), but yielded the floor to Air, Wise,
who, as the subject of slavery in Virginia was
amiin referred to, begged, without the slight
est feeling of exeitemm.t, he said, to call upon
the Representatives of Virginia to retire,
with him, from Tun llotsE, for the purpose
of deliberating upon the course proper fur them
to pursue.
Air. Holsuy, of Georgia, rose and made a
simi'ar appeal to his colleagues.
Mr. Rhett stated the Soulil Carolina Dele
o, tion had already signed a paper agreeing to
"neetat 3 o’clock, this day, in the Committee |
Room of lhe Committee ofthe D. strict of Co- ■
hlbia, for the purpose of consulting upon their j
course at this juncture; and remarked that as
the subj'Ct of slavery in this States had been
introduced as a topic ofdiscussio n here, it wi s
proper for the whole Southern Delegation to
withdraw and devise what should be done.
Mr. Roberson, of Virginia, seconded the
suggest ion.
Air. Slade attempted to go on, but was per- 1
emptorily called to order by the Chair, who j
stated he Could not proceed without the per- ,
mission ofthe House, if any objection was
made. Mr- McKay and others objecting, Air.
Slade asked leave to proceed in order.
Mr. Rancher moved that the House adjomn '
Air. Slade asked the Yeas and Nays, whieh
were ordered, and were, Yeas 106, Nays 63.
So the House adjourned.
Before the adjournment, Mr. Campbell an
nounced that tli<‘ members representing ’tie
Slave-holding Suites, were requested to as
semble iiiini- diately in the Committee Room
ofthe D.strict, of Coliftnbia.
From the Farmer’s Register.
REPORT OFTHE SOUTHER CONVEN-
TION.
[A convention of delegates ofthe merchants
ofthe southern suites, and of all others inter
ested in the commercial pr sperity of the
souib, some mouths ago was invited, and ac
cordingly was held, at Augusta, Ga., on the
1511. of October. The d. legation was numer
ous, and able-and there is ground for hope that
th< ir movement will be zealously followed up.
and sustained, by the entire south until our
agricultural and commercial interests are
released from paying tribute to New York.
Whether the particular measures, first propos
ed, w ill be of much or any i ff- ct, we know
not; but the spirt which dictated them, it sui.
ficieiillv diffused and active, must bi ing about
liberal on from our piesent state ot commer
cial bondage. The southern slates, and more |
especially Virginia, formerly possessed a fair
proportion of ships, and foreign trade: now,
I) >th h ive almost eensed to exist: and though
southern agriculture still furnishes much lhe
greater part of all lhe products expoited from
the United States, yet nearly the w hole trade
of lhe south, both of import and export, is car
ried on bv northern merchants; and every bale
of merchandize exchanged, by a southern plan-
j ter of merchant, is made to pay a heavy transit
j toll, or tax, to New York.
If the great preponderance of bank capital,
and government deposites, in the northern
cities have caused ’his deplorable state of
southern trade, the present wretched state of
lhe ciirrcncy, and distressed condition of lhe
1 people, may produce a more than compensa-
Hing bent fit, by destroying, forever, ibis artifi
t rial and, to us, ruinous course of trade. 'The
I bubble of paper money has been recently so
| distended us to burst; and much as the accom
panying and consequent calamities are to be
deplored, they at least offer benefit to the south,
it properly availed of, in putting down the tm
nalural and factitious advantages given to the
north, by the combined operations of banking
and of government.
The following report was prepared by Go '.
McDuffie, as chairman of the committee to
j w hich lhe subject was referred; and was ad
opted without opposition. The convention
also passed a resolution recommending another
meeting of delegates from all the southern and
soulh-w', stern states, in Augusta, on the fiist
Monday in April, 1838, to continue the con.
sideration of the objects of this convention, and
| the i itercsts of the people repr sei.ted. We
I hope that the call v ill be properly responded
. to, and that the south will not lose the present
opportunity to recover and maintain her lost
ground.
Numerous and respectable as was the atten
dance nt this meeting, there we"e no delegates
except from South Carolina and Georgia. The
absence of all others was caused, not by a want
of interest in the object, but by the doubt w heth
! er it would be possible to rec’encile the couflict
i ing claims of various towns —and the belief
i that it was better not. to be represented in the
<-onventio:i, than to be represented and out-vo
ted. It was therefore best, perhaps, that the
first meeting was so constituted as to be un
animous, and not to be drawn off from the
consideration of the great object, to the dis
cussion of conflicting and petty sectional in
ter: sts. it is hoped that the next convention
wi I exhibit a full reprcseutatioti ofthe south
ern people and their interests—and that every
member will iaq actuated by a patriotic deter
mination to furego, if necessary, the effort to
gain any separate and minor, benefit, (hat may
: conflict w ith the great obji cts of general in
! ten st to the w hole south.. Such separate
| efforts would, indeed, be totally fruitless; for
j if the united influence ofthe whole, cannot
I give a new dilection to their trade, for the
j general benefit of the south, it will be a vain
j and hopeless attempt for any fragment of the
I sot th t<-i urge its peculiar and separate interests,
iin opposition to lhe majority. Our great com
: tnercial channels and marts had better be any
j where in the south, (on the Atlantic coast,)
i than where they have long been fix d.—Ed.
j Far. Reg.]
soutnrrn
Athens, lai. Saturday, Bee- nibcr 30, 1537.
STATES RIGHT’S NOMINATION.
0/7* The fo'low iug gentlemen were nomi
nated as candidates for Congress, at a meet
ing of the States Rights Delegation at Alil
i lecffietille, on Monday last :
JULIUS C. ALFORD,
EDWARD J. BLACK,
WALTER T. COLQUIT,
MARK A. COOPER,
WILLIAM C. DAWSON,
RICH’D W. HABERSHAM,
THOMAS BUTLER KING,
E. A. NISBET,
LOTT WARREN.
The CegiKia’ lire.
This body adj urned on Tuesday morning,
jat 1 or 2 o’clock. In the absence of lhe
Milledgi ville papers of that morning, we know
but little of lluir final action, except such as
we have been enabled to learn from persons
who were pr< sent on the occasion. Among
I other tilings, we learn that the Bill of Air. King,
affording the ct.dit of the State to incorpora
ted internal improvement companies, was final
ly lost, as also tlie Bill cf Air. Goodwin,
which contemplated the prohibition of thecir
culation of the Bills of the United States
Bank. The Bill introduced bv Dr. Powell, as
Chairman of lhe Committee, in relation to the
lnsurat.ee Bank of Columbus, met a similar
late.
A bull lion.
AA’egive place to-day to the litters of vari
ous correspondents, detailing the scenes in |
both houses of Congress on the 18:h and 19th !
inst., on the introduction of abolition petitions !
and lheir disposition, to which we refer cur’
readers.
This question, involving r.s it doe's not only
our rights, but our domestic peace and quiet,
seems at last to be verging to a crisis, if il has
not already arrived at that poi t. l:i this state
of things—what shall lhe slave-holding States
do? is a question whii h is on the tongue of
every citizen in tbe community, who feels an
interest i i the peace and tranquility of his '
fireside, or the pruteciii-in of the institutions of
the country. It is indeed a question of absor
bing interest, and one that, under our present
excited feelings, we cannot pretend to answer.
But it is nevi rthi less a question, w hi< h the
foreboding aspect of lhe times forewarns us
must soon be answered—answered decisively
and promptly by every citizen of a slave-hold
ing State. When lhe time arrives—if it has
not already—we feel too much confidence in
the spirit and determination of the sons of the
South, not lo augur for them a decision worthy
of th< mselves and the cause which moves them
to action.
Opposed as we have ever been tothe recep
tion of these incendiary petitions by either
house of Congress, and much as we have de
precated the inevitable results w Inch seem now
to be lowring upon us ai d threatening such
direful consequences, we will not now stop in
the present state of our feelii gs, to hold up to
the People’s merited scorn, those members ofj
Congress from slave-holding Slates, w ho have j
so largely aided in placing us in a situation in ,
w Inch we may be required to calculate the j
value of a government, hallowed by the blood
of the purest patriots that ary age could boast.
For to this question it now seems we must
come; and when lhe time shall hive arr veil,
we shall h ive the melancholy reflection in ta- '
king a retrospect, that it has been brought on [
bv the degeneracy of those in high places,
w ho. rather than throw off the shackles of par- I
ty, hive sacrificed all most dear, either in a!
national point of view, or in lhe peaceful and i
quiet relations of’ social life. Had these fire- I
I brands of our national councils been rejected
I at the onset, it would not now be our painful
duty to chronicle the agitating scenes which
are distm Ling our national councils —our re
presentatives would not daily be compelled to
submit to insult and lhe denunciation of their
constituents—nor w ould our house hold gods
be threatened with that desecration, which
seems so certainly to await them and us, unless
we speak out in a voice not to be mistaken—
evan by fanaticism itself.
♦
Judge Alfred Iverson, has r<signed bis scat
on the Bench of the Chattahoochee Circuit,
and his vacancy was filled by the diction of
Joseph Sturges, Esq., late Clerk of tbe House
of Representatives.
Wc omitted to mention m our last, that th®
Legislature of Suiith Carolina had adopted re
solutions, almost unanimously approving of
lhe Sub Treasury Scheme.
Our filn.il Road®
Our readers are referred to the communica
tion of “One who Knows,” for some inter
esting facts connected with this important en
ierprize.
Dr. Chapman, of Philadelphia, has consen
ted at the request of a committee of'Medical
Students, to deliver an eulogium on the life and:
character of the lamented Dr. Phisic.
Farmer’s Keg-ister.
In another column will be found the con
tents ofthe Farmers’ Register for December,
together with lhe proposals of lhe able and en
terprising editor, to which we invite the atten
tion ot those who desire to patronise the work-
We have so often had occasion to speak of the
great merits of this valuable work, that we
deem it scarcely necessary to say more, than>
that its useful.icss increases with its patronage;,
and such is its general character— devoted a
like to agriculture and the improvements in
the Arts —as to render it a desirable acquisi
tion to every planter in the country, as well a®
lhe patrons of internal improvements.
Fen THE WHIG.
Georgia Hail Road.
Air. Jor.cs,— Permit me through your paper
to make the following facts known in relation
to this enterprise:
Tin road is now finished and in successful
• operation for more than 50 miles from Augus
, ta, with a travel of more than 50 passengers
per day, besides large quantities of freight.
Mr. Hyram Wilson, with a spirit of acco
modation w liicli d ies him great credit, has four
horse post coaches from the head of the Rail
Road to Athens and Gainesville, by the wav nF
Washington, and another line by the wav of"
Greensborough, Dr. Paulin’s new bridge.
Watkinsville, anil to Athens—so that there is
now a daily line from Athens to intersect the
Rail Road. 'The Rail Road will also afford,
great facility to travellers in private carriages
or on horse back. By traveling in this way
until they intersect the Rail Road, lhev can
leave their horses at the head of lhe road, nt.d.
nave them well kept until their r< turn. The
common road trom lhe up country, through
Crawfordville, is generally very level and firm.
'Travelers by this route, will save labor, ex
pense, and gain time, with lhe pli.isue of a.
ride on the best road, in every respect, in the
United States.
The Rail Road is daily progressing, and 1
w ill be entirely completed to Crawfordville, it>
little more than one momb.
I a'so learn tli.it considerable quantities of'
cotton is left at the head of the road, and at
Warrenton, lo be forwarded bv the Rail Road
to Augusta; aid 1 am glad to know that
Agents are prompt and ready to attend to the
receiving and forwarding by this speedy con
veyance,
’The public are apprised that 2500 shares of'
this stock will be offered for sale on Tuesday,
9-h January. I will only state two more facts!
Th< se who purchase, will now have the Road
to help the Bank to give them Dividends:—
lhe other is, that the original stockholders have
had p. id to ibem. in the shape of Dividend®,
8 per cent, per annum on their whole invest,
me t in this enlt rprize ; and < f course come
to the conclusion, that nett is the. time to inrest.
ONE WHO KNOWS.
From the New York Evening Star.
77ie I'uff Direct.— For the amusement ofour
readers abroad we copy the following adver
tisement from the Sun, to shew ho ,* w u do the
clean thing n these parts:
0/T" RELIGIOUS DANCING SCHOOL!”
—The R'-v. I. GOWARD, wife and daugh
ters, teach "Yal zi g and dancing, at 92 Hud
son street, tin C hristian Principles, viz :—ne
rum, no late hours, no blackguards, no inde.
cent steps or figures, no high charges, no fret
ting, scolding, and sw earing at pupils, no bad
characters. Ate. <kc. We tench all the regular
scientific steps nnd figures in only 6 hours.
A great variety of fancy and stage dancing,
taught piivatclv. by Mr. und Mrs G. pupils of
CELESTE.
0/7" Thtirsdav evening a b ill and concert nsi
usual. Leader Mr. Ta* lor. Conductor, Mr.
Gowanl. Fancy Dancing, Hornpipe,&c. dec.
asusu il. Elocutivt Singing. &.<*,
N. B. —52 Branches taught a whole year
to a w hole family for just w hat they can give?
All ages and classes are taught the Piano, Harp.
Accordion,&c;. Writing. Dancing,and Walt,
zing, <Cc., each in only Six Lessons, or forever’
Professor G teaches 100 tunes in 6 hours on
any 12 different instrument®. Ladies, com®
and sec !
From the Correspondent of the Savannah Republican.
('army’s Ferry, Dec. 15.
’This day the steamboat Santee came here
from Fort Mellon, with Micanopy, Cloud, Co
a-hadjo anti twenty-four Warriors, with their
families—making in all seventy-eight men,
women and children. 'The news from Fort
Mellon, is as follows: the Indian deputation
has failed in lhe main parts, 'i'hc above Indi,
aim, with nine or ten more, came in by their
solicitations. A • sterday, four ofthe®*, includ.
ing Sam Jones' Nephew, ranaway. Col,
Twiggs sent thirty menafter them, but without
success. Four were sent out as runner® and
one or two sent w ith a horse to Jumper, to rid®
in (he being reported sick) but they took tlin
liberty to jump the horse off'. I conversed
with one ofthe Indians (who speaks the Eng-