William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

[178] vote referring the petition of J. Sella Martin, Robert Morris, and others, to the next General Court, was advocated by Mr. Whiting, of Plymouth, who said this was not a time to make invidious distinctions between the different classes of citizens.

Mr. Cole, of Berkshire, spoke in opposition.

The vote stood, for reconsideration, 11; against it, 22.

In the House.—Mr. Stebbins, of Boston, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill, ‘withholding certain aid from the people in the so-called seceded States,’ which was referred to the Special Committee.

Mr. Drew, of Dorchester, asked leave to introduce a bill to strike out the word ‘white’ from the militia laws. Leave was refused,—yeas 56, nays 139.

May 20. In the Senate.—Almost the entire day was occupied in debating the bill ‘in aid of the families of volunteers.’ A number of amendments were proposed, some of which were adopted, others rejected. The bill, as amended, was ordered to a third reading. Laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.

In the House.—Mr. Bullock, of Worcester, from the Joint Special Committee, reported ‘resolves concerning the present crisis’ (five in number).

A debate arose upon ordering them to be printed, in the course of which Mr. Durfee, of New Bedford, said the resolves could not be fairly understood by the House from merely hearing them read. He wished to see them in print.

Mr. Drew, of Dorchester, spoke at length. In the course of his speech, he attacked General Butler, for offering, to the Governor of Maryland, Massachusetts soldiers to put down a slave rebellion. He said the war was a means of emancipation, and complained of the Legislature for retaining the word ‘white’ in the militia laws, which forbids a portion of our people from taking part in the struggle.

Mr. Stevens, of Boston, could not see any thing objectionable in the resolutions, and was in favor of their immediate passage.

The resolves were ordered to be printed.