EMANCIPATION.
Mr. WATERMAN offered a resolution, instructing Senators and requesting Representatives in Congress to use all honorable efforts to defeat the President's compensated emancipation scheme, which was referred to the Committee on Federal Relations.
Mr. PACKARD submitted the following, which was also referred to the Committee on Federal Relations:
WHEREAS, The President of the United States, at the second session of the Thirty Seventh Congress, submitted the project of a law or pledge for compensation to any State or States which may emancipate the slaves existing in or being inhabitants of, such States, and whereas, such law, so passed, provides for the creation of a large and onerous public debt, by the issuing of the bonds of the United States, with interest running thereon till redeemed, in payment of said slaves so manumitted and set free, and
WHEREAS, The said Congress, at its second session, did enact the same into the form of a law, with the approval of the President; and
WHEREAS, This was done in derogation of all notice to the people of the several States; that the same was intended and contemplated, and against the solemn pledges of the President and Congress, that neither had the "lawful right or power" to interfere with slavery in any of the States of the American Union, therefore,
Resolved, By the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, that the said action of the President and Congress of the United States had no warrant in the Constitution--that it was an assumption of authority not delegated by the people, or the States to the Executive or Legislative branches of the General Government--in bold and wicked defiance of the rights of the people, and the pledges made to the nation, and in manifestly oppressive to the citizens of the several States having no connection or interest in the existence of African slavery.
Resolved, That this General Assembly, in behalf of the people represent therein, do most solemnly protest against the enactment of that law or project by Congress; and that we deem it an act of common honesty to declare that the people of Indiana, already burthended by excessive taxation for the legitimate expenses of the existing war, will oppose by all lawful and constitutional means, every attempt to subject their property and industry to new and unconstitutional exactions, and for purposes so irreconcilable with the requirements of the National Constitution, and at war with the sacred rights of the citizens of the various States.
Resolved, That our Senators in Congress be instructed, and our Representatives requested, to vote for the prompt repeal of said law or pledge, at the present session.
Resolved, That His Excellency, the Governor, be requested to transmit, without delay, certified copies of this joint resolution to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress.
