After some skirmishing, the bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time. It was then vehemently denounced, and a series of motions was made to delay or stave off its passage. At last Mr. Morris allowed its postponement to June 13th, on which day, after further denunciation, it passed the House,—Yeas 90, Nays 62.
June 15th, the House bill was laid before the Senate, when Mr. Sumner said: “I am instructed by the Committee on Slavery and Freedmen to move the immediate passage of that bill. The Senate understands it; the House of Representatives has acted on it; there is no need of debate; and I ask to have it voted on at once.” Mr. Hale, of New Hampshire, objected, as he wanted the morning hour for morning business. Mr. Powell, of Kentucky, moved its reference to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Sumner wished it referred to the Committee on Slavery and Freedmen. The Senate refused to order the reference to the Committee on the Judiciary,—Yeas 14, Nays 21. Then, on motion of Mr. Sumner, it was referred to the other Committee. Mr. Sumner, anticipating such a reference, had already obtained from the Committee authority to report it promptly, without amendment, which he did at once, and asked for immediate action. Objection being made, the bill was not considered at that time.
June 21st, Mr. Sumner moved that the Senate proceed with the House bill, which, after earnest debate, was ordered,—Yeas 25, Nays 17. The Senate then took a recess till evening, when other business was considered, including the question of opening the street cars.
June 22d, Mr. Sumner moved to proceed with the House bill. Mr. Hale, of New Hampshire, opposed the motion, as he desired the Senate to take up some naval bills. The motion was lost,—Yeas 14, Nays 22. In the evening session, Mr. Sumner moved again to proceed with the House bill. Mr. Chandler said: “I will spend to-night with great pleasure with the Senator from Massachusetts on his bill; but to-morrow I shall demand the day for the Committee on Commerce.” Mr. Saulsbury moved to adjourn, saying, “Let us have one day without the nigger.” The motion was lost,—Yeas 8, Nays 28. Mr. Reverdy Johnson wished to secure an opportunity for Mr. Davis to speak, and he was now absent. Mr. Sumner replied: “The Senator from Kentucky has had ample notice. He knew that this bill would be moved as soon as I could get the floor.” Mr. Johnson insisted, when Mr. Sumner said: “The public business cannot wait. Again and again has this measure been postponed in deference to the Senator from Kentucky.” The motion to proceed with the bill was adopted,—Yeas 26, Nays 12. Mr. Lane, of Indiana, then moved to proceed with executive business. Mr. Powell said: “You cannot get a vote to-night.” Mr. Sumner: “Let us try.” Mr. McDougall: “It is not possible to take a vote to-night.” Mr. Howard and Mr. Wade: “We can get it by morning.” Mr. McDougall: “It cannot be done.” The motion for an executive session was lost,—Yeas 15, Nays 22. Mr. Saulsbury then moved that the bill be indefinitely postponed, and the question resulted, Yeas 11, Nays 25. Mr. Lane again moved an executive session, which motion was lost,—Yeas 16, Nays 22. Mr. Powell then moved that the bill be postponed until the first Monday of December next. Pending this motion, Mr. Riddle, of Delaware, moved an adjournment, which was lost,—Yeas 12, Nays 22. In the course of these dilatory motions, Mr. Sherman remarked that he was willing to give Mr. Davis an opportunity to be heard, and then said: “If Senators propose to resort to these parliamentary tactics, these interminable propositions for delay, merely to defeat a vote upon a bill which the majority have a right to pass, I am perfectly willing now to go into a contest of physical endurance.” At last the bill was reported to the Senate without amendment, with the understanding that Mr. Davis should be heard upon it the next day, when Mr. Powell withdrew his motion, and, after the consideration of executive business, the Senate adjourned.
June 23d, Mr. Davis addressed the Senate at length. Mr. Saulsbury moved to strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the words of the Constitution concerning fugitives from service, with the addition: “And Congress shall pass all necessary and proper laws for the rendition of all such persons who shall so as aforesaid escape.” The motion was lost,—Yeas 9, Nays 29. Mr. Johnson moved to amend the bill so as to keep alive the Act of 1793, saying: “The amendment, as the Senate will see, makes this bill like the one that we passed after debate.” This motion was also lost,—Yeas 17, Nays 22. So the Senate reversed its former decision on that question. The bill was then passed by the vote, Yeas 27, Nays 12, and was approved by the President June 28th.
Here was the end of all Fugitive Slave Acts, and another blow at Slavery.