Staunton Spectator, And General Advertiser

We have been asked for information in regard to the precise character of Mr. Van Buren's vote in the Senate of the United States to restrict the introduction of slaves into Florida—which is one of the popular objections urged against him in the South, and which shows what were his real sentiments before it became his interest to dissemble.

In 1822, the bill for the establishment of a Territorial Government in Florida being before the Senate, the following proceedings took place, as appears from the journal:

"The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the consideration of the bill for the establishment of a Territorial Government in Florida; and, the bill having been amended, it was reported to the House accordingly; and,

"On the question to concur in the amendment to the 11th section, to strike out, after the word freedom, in the 14th line thereof, the residue of said section, as follows:

'No slave or slaves shall, directly or indirectly, be introduced into the said Territory, except by a citizen of the U. States removing into the said Territory for actual settlement, and being, at the time of such removal, bona fide owner of such slave or slaves; or any citizen of the U. States travelling into the said Territory with any servant or servants, not exceeding two; and every slave imported or brought into the said Territory, contrary to the provisions of this act, shall thereupon be entitled to and receive his or her freedom.'

"It was determined in the affirmative; yeas 23, nays 20."

"On motion by Mr. Mills,

"The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present,

"Those who voted in the affirmative are,

"Messrs. Barbour of Va., Benton of Mo., Brown of Lou., D'Wolf of R. I., Eaton of Ten., Elliot of Ga., Gaillard of S. C., Holmes of Mi., Johnson of Ken., Johnson of Lou., King of Ala., Lloyd of Md., Macon of N. C., Noble of Ia., Pleasants of Va., Smith of S. C., Southard of N. J., Stokes of N. C., Van Dyke of Del., Walker of Ala., Ware of Ga., Williams of Miss., Williams of Ten.

"Those who voted in the negative are,

"Messrs. Barton of Mo., Boardman of Con., Brown of O., Chandler of Me., Dickerson of N. J., Findlay of Pa., Holmes of Me., King of N. Y., Knight of R. I., Lanman of Con., Lowrie of Pa., Mills of Mass., Morril of N. H., Otis of Mass., Palmer of Vt., Parrott of N. H., Ruggles of Ohio, Seymour of Vt., Thomas of III. VAN BUREN of N. Y."