Scene in Uncle Sam’s Senate
Dublin Core
Title
Scene in Uncle Sam’s Senate
Subject
California
senate
free state
slavery
senate
free state
slavery
Description
This is a political cartoon depicting a heated moment in the senate debate about admitting California as a free state, during the Compromise of 1850. On the left, Mississippi senator Henry Foot is pointing a pistol at the senator of Missouri, Thomas Benton on the right. Although both men were restrained, it shows how divisive the issue of unfree labour was in the United States and why the Compromise was passed – it delayed the secession of Southern states.
Immigration played a part in this debate because many people settled in California during the Gold Rush, bringing labourers with them. The labourers were able to renegotiate their wages and working hours. However, “contract” labour (slavery), was still used until it was made illegal in 1852 through state legislation.
Immigration played a part in this debate because many people settled in California during the Gold Rush, bringing labourers with them. The labourers were able to renegotiate their wages and working hours. However, “contract” labour (slavery), was still used until it was made illegal in 1852 through state legislation.
Creator
Edward Williams
Publisher
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
https://www.loc.gov/item/2008661528/
https://www.loc.gov/item/2008661528/
Date
17 April 1850
Contributor
Leah Guy
Rights
Library of Congress
https://www.loc.gov/
https://www.loc.gov/
Language
English
Type
Visual - illustration
Identifier
19th century California
Files
Collection
Citation
Edward Williams, “Scene in Uncle Sam’s Senate,” The American Pacific Rim: Colonisation, Conflict and Connections, 1800-Present, accessed May 3, 2024, https://theamericanpacificrim.omeka.net/items/show/172.