From the
wording, one would be led to suppose that there was some other
category into which a man might be put besides that of free or
slave! But it may be observed, that on this subject of slavery the
framers of the Constitution were tender-mouthed. They never speak
of slavery or of a slave. It is necessary that the subject should
be mentioned, and therefore we hear first of persons other than
free, and then of persons bound to labor!
Such were the rules laid down for the formation of Congress, and the
letter of those rules has, I think, been strictly observed. I have
not thought it necessary to give all the clauses, but I believe I
have stated those which are essential to a general understanding of
the basis upon which Congress is founded.
The Constitution ordains that members of both the Houses shall be
paid for their time, but it does not decree the amount. "The
Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their
services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of
the United States." In the remarks which I have made as to the
present Congress I have spoken of the amount now allowed.
