Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-02-04
CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS OF YESTERDAY.

PROCEEDlN6S OF ERDAi
The SENATE was not in session.
In THE House OF REPREsENTATIvEs.-Mr.
Whipple, from the Committee on the Public
Lands, who were, on the 10Th December last,
instructed "to inquire into the expediency of
appropriating a portion Of the nett annual
proceeds Of the sales and entries of the public
lands, exclusively for the support Of COM
mon schools" made a report, stating that the
Committee did not perceive either the ~neccssi-
ty or the expediency of adopting the measure,
and asking to be discharged from the further
consideration of the subject. The report was
read and laid on the table.
Mr.. Alexander, Of Va. from the Committee
for the District of Columbia, to whom the sub
jeS had been referred, reported a Bill to amend
the Act Incorporating a Company for making
a certain Turnpike Road in the County Of A
lexandria; which was twice read and commit
ted. And the same gentleman reported another
Bill, to establish a Quarantine for the District
of Columbia; which was also twice read and
committed. MIR. Thomson, of Pennsylvania,
from the same Committee, reported a Bill to
authorize the corporate authorities OF the City
Of Washington to sell certain public grounds in
the said city; which bill was read the first and
the Whole House.
The Panama subject was then taken up, and
the question before the House was Mr.. Ing
hams motion to refer the resolution, calling for
information, to a Select Committee, with in
structions to strike out the discretionary clause,
where it last occurs-that is, TO strike out the
words in italics in the last clause Of the resolu-
ton. to wit:-"and also to inform the House,
so far as in his opinion the public interest may al
io,0, in regard to what objects the Agents of the
United States are expected to take part in the
deliberations Of that Congress"
Mr.. Metcalfe, Of Kentucky, under a %convic-
ton that the debate on a mere call for informa-
ton had been sufficiently extensive, called for
the previous question, which was refused by a
vote Of 90 to IS. Mr.. Ingham then rose, and
supported his motion in a speech Of great
length. He was followed by Mr.. Storrs, Mr..
Webster, Mr.. Cook, MIR. Forsyth, Mr.. Powell,
and Mr.. Drayton. Mr.. Mitchell, of Tennessee,
moved that the House adjourn, but was notsus-
tanned; and Mr.. Mallary, of Vermont, repeated
the call for the previous question, which was
rejected by alarge majority.
Mr.. Mitchell, of Tenn. then took the floor,
and after a chaste exordum Of short duration,
burst forth into a strain of magic eloquence
so impressive-so sublime-so ultra classic
so completely SUI generis-that the effect could
not have been greater, had every flash of
his wit been a stream of electric fluid, and E.
very available idea-a thiIty-two-2ound cannon
ball.-We heard him-yes, it was our hap
DIV lot to hear him-and as soon as our nerves
regain their wonted composure, we shall en-
deavor to do ample justice 10 the western
Pericles.
Mr.. Forsyth replied TO Mr.. Webster, and
Mr.. Floyd spoke in favor of Mr.. Ingham's mo-
ton 10 refer the subject to a committee. A
motion was then made for adjournment, and
rejected by alarge majority. Mr.. Ingham
again took the floor and spoke some time in re-