GDG- a lawless mob has assembled within the District of Columbia,

[Dennis Lawrence]

Tuesday, April 25, 1848.
Washington, DC.
	

Imprisonment of 80 slaves who escaped on steamer docked at Georgetown 
provoked outburst in "National Era," abolition paper, and mob threatens to 
dismantle press. This precipitates heated debate in House. Finally Brown of 
Mississippi moves to table subject to prevent its going "to the country to 
a greater extent than it had already gone out."

  Lincoln votes aye; and motion passes

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

House Journal --TUESDAY, April 25, 
1848.  http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?hlaw:7:./temp/~ammem_CHiQ::

A message, in writing, was received from the President of the United 
States, by J. Knox Walker, his private secretary; which was delivered in at 
the Speaker's table.

The House resumed the consideration of the following resolution, with a 
preamble, presented by Mr. Palfrey on Thursday last:

Whereas, common report has represented to members of this House that a 
lawless mob has assembled within the District of Columbia, on each of the 
two nights last past, and has committed acts of violence, setting at 
defiance the laws and constituted authorities of the United States, and 
menacing individuals of this body and other persons residing in this city; 
therefore,

Resolved, That a select committee, of five members, be appointed to inquire 
into the facts above referred to; that the committee have power to send for 
persons and papers, and to report facts, with their opinion, whether any 
legislation is necessary or expedient in the premises; and that they 
further have leave to sit during the sessions of the House.

The question being on the amendment thereto, moved by Mr. Venable, by 
striking out the word "five," in the resolution, and inserting in lieu 
thereof the word "nine;" by inserting after the word "appropriated," in the 
same the words "by ballot," and by inserting after the words "referred to," 
the following:

"And that said committee be authorized to inquire into and report to this 
House, whether any member or members of this House were instrumental in 
procuring the slaves who were recently decoyed from their owners in this 
District to leave their owners, and whether the said members of this House 
have not been guilty of felony in attempting, or aiding in an attempt, to 
kidnap slaves."

And, after debate,

Mr. Albert G. Brown moved that the whole subject be laid upon the table;

And the question being put,

     * It was decided in the affirmative,
     * Yeas ... 130
     * Nays ... 42

They yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present,