25. Giddings's resolution for the abolition of the slave trade in the District of Columbia. [§ [28.]]
1848, Jan. 17. Mr. Giddings described the seizure of a colored man employed as waiter in a colored boarding-house in Washington. He then offered the following resolution:—
"Resolved, That a select committee of five members be appointed to inquire into and report upon facts aforesaid; also as to the propriety of repealing such acts of Congress as sustain or authorize the slave trade in this District, or to remove the seat of the Government to some free State." Resolution laid on the table.—House Journal, 30 Cong. 1 Sess., 250; Cong. Globe, 30 Cong. 1 Sess., 179.
26. Hall's repeal resolution for the District of Columbia. [§ [28.]]
1848, Feb. 28. Mr. Nathan K. Hall offered the following preamble and resolutions, which were read, and, debate arising thereon, it was laid over under the rule, viz.:—
"Preamble.... Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be, and they are hereby, directed to report to this House with all convenient speed a bill repealing all laws of Congress, and abrogating, so far as they are operative or in force in the District of Columbia all the laws in the State of Maryland which authorize or require the courts, officers, or magistrates of the United States, or of the said District, within the District of Columbia to issue process for arrest, or commit to the jail of the said District any runaway or other slave or fugitive from service," etc. Resolution laid over under the rule.—House Journal, 30 Cong. 1 Sess., 450, 453; Cong. Globe, 30 Cong. 1 Sess., 390.
Resolutions. Bill of 1850.
27. Giddings's resolution inquiring into the condition of the District of Columbia jail. [§ [28.]]
1848, April 18. Mr. Giddings introduced the following resolution:—
"Whereas, more than eighty men, women, and children, are said to be now confined in the prison of the District of Columbia without being charged with crime or any impropriety other than an attempt to enjoy that liberty for which our fathers encountered toil, suffering, and death itself, and for which the people of many European governments are now struggling; And whereas said prison was erected, and is now sustained, by funds contributed by the people of the free as well as of the slave States, and is under the control of the laws and officers of the United States: