Part 57

WEDNESDAY, March 14.

Government of Louisiana.

The House went into a Committee of the Whole on the bill from the Senate, providing for the government of Louisiana.

Mr. SLOAN moved an amendment, inhibiting the admission of slaves into Louisiana, as well from the United States as from foreign places.

Mr. S. concisely stated his reasons in favor of this provision, when the question was taken, and the amendment agreed to--ayes 40, noes 36. Mr. G. W. CAMPBELL proposed an amendment, withholding from the parties to a civil suit the right of waiving a jury trial. The bill provides a jury trial in all cases in which either party shall require it.

This amendment, after being supported by Mr. G. W. CAMPBELL, and opposed by Messrs. HOLLAND, SOUTHARD, and DANA, was negatived--ayes 12.

Mr. G. W. CAMPBELL moved to strike out that part of the bill which renders every person settling on lands of the United States liable to a fine of one thousand dollars, and to one year’s imprisonment.

This produced a debate of some length and more animation, in which the motion to strike out was urged by Messrs. G. W. CAMPBELL, LYON, and CLAIBORNE; and opposed by Messrs. GREGG, NICHOLSON, BOYD, SMILIE, MACON, SLOAN, and HOLLAND.

The question was taken, and the amendment was negatived--ayes 23.

SATURDAY, March 17.

Government of Louisiana.

The bill erecting Louisiana into two Territories, and providing for the temporary government thereof, was read the third time.

Mr. DAWSON moved a recommitment of the bill for amendment.

Mr. ALSTON was against a general recommitment of the bill, but friendly to a recommitment for the purpose of limiting its duration.

Messrs. NICHOLSON, SMILIE, EARLY, and S. N. MITCHILL, opposed the recommitment.

Mr. BEDINGER advocated the recommitment.

The motion to recommit was then negatived--ayes 39, noes 43.

Mr. ALSTON said, if there was no objection, he would move the insertion of a clause to limit the period of the bill, on account principally of the great powers conferred on the Executive.

This motion being objected to, by Mr. LYON, was declared out of order.

The question was then put on the passage of the bill.

Messrs. LYON, SLOAN, JACKSON, and BEDINGER opposed, and Mr. SMILIE supported its passage.

Mr. VARNUM moved to recommit, for amendment, that part of the bill that vests equity powers in the courts of Louisiana.

Motion negatived--ayes 39, noes 44.

A motion was made to recommit the fourth section, which was lost--ayes 15.

Mr. BEDINGER moved to recommit the last section for the purpose of obtaining a limitation to the act.

Motion carried--ayes 52.

The House went into a Committee of the Whole on the last section,

When Mr. NICHOLSON moved an amendment limiting the act to two years, and to the end of the next session thereafter.