Friday, February 17.
Erection of Louisiana into two Territories.
The Senate resumed the third reading of the bill erecting Louisiana into two Territories, and making provision for the temporary government thereof; and on motion to amend the bill, by striking out of section 10th, the words:
“And no slave or slaves shall, directly or indirectly, be introduced into said Territory, except by a citizen of the United States removing into said Territory for actual settlement, and being at the time of such removal bona fide owner of such slave or slaves:”
It passed in the negative—yeas 9, nays 19, as follows:
Yeas.—Messrs. Anderson, Baldwin, Cocke, Dayton, Nicholas, John Smith, Stone, Venable, and Wright.
Nays.—Messrs. Armstrong, Bradley, Breckenridge, Brown, Condit, Ellery, Franklin, Hillhouse, Jackson, Logan, Maclay, Olcott, Plumer, Potter, Israel Smith, Samuel Smith, Sumter, Wells, and White.
On motion to expunge from the same section, after the word “slaves,” the words “and every slave imported or brought into said Territory, contrary to the provisions of this act, shall thereupon be entitled to and receive his or her freedom:”
It passed in the negative—yeas 11, nays 17, as follows:
Yeas.—Messrs. Anderson, Armstrong, Baldwin, Breckenridge, Cocke, Dayton, Jackson, Nicholas, Stone, Sumter, and Venable.
Nays.—Messrs. Bradley, Brown, Condit, Ellery, Franklin, Hillhouse, Logan, Maclay, Olcott, Plumer, Potter, Israel Smith, John Smith, Samuel Smith, Wells, White, and Wright.
On motion to insert, in the same section, line 3d, after the word “States,” the words “or from any State authorizing the importation of slaves from any foreign port or place:”
It passed in the negative—yeas 8, nays 13, as follows:
Yeas.—Messrs. Brown, Hillhouse, Logan, Olcott, Plumer, John Smith, White, and Wright.
Nays.—Messrs. Anderson, Armstrong, Baldwin, Bradley, Breckenridge, Cocke, Condit, Dayton, Ellery, Franklin, Jackson, Maclay, Nicholas, Potter, Israel Smith, Samuel Smith, Sumter, and Venable.
And having further amended the bill, and filled the blanks, it was agreed that the question on its final passage be postponed until to-morrow.