Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-04-22
CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS OF YESTERDAY.

INrHE SENArE-A resolution was introduced
BY Mr.. Benton, for an inquiry into the expe-
diency Establishing an Arsenal in the State
Of Missouri
The bill au,horising a subscription for 1000
shares to the stock Of the Louisville and Port
land Canal Company, gave rise to some debate,
from which we learn that the Canal has been
commenced with force adequate 10 its COM
pletion. and that its successful accomplishment
is certain. The Canal is to be 100 feet wide at
the top, and il will have four feet water at the
lowest stage Of the riyer.-lt is less than two
miles in extent. The annual loss, which has
been here sustained by the commerce Of the
West, is estimated TO be upwards OF half mil
lion of dollars.
The bills Yesterday ordered to third read
ing, were passed and sent TO the House Of Re-
representatives..
In THE HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIvEs.-T
usual business of the morning, which was Who'll
" unimportant, having been disposed Of, Mr.
Crowninshield moved to postpone the orders
Of the day, preceding the report of the Com
mit,ee Of Foreign Affairs on the proposed Mis-
sion to Panama; which motion prevailed, and
the House accordingly took up that subject
The FIRST question, presented for consideration,
was the resolution reported by the Committee
of Foreign Affairs as yesterday amended by the
House-it follows:
"Resolred, That in the opinion ofthe House it
is expedient to appropriate the funds necessary
to enable the President Of the U States to send
Ministers to the Congress of Panama THE
House however, in expressing this opinion, do
not intend TO sanction any departure from the
settled policy Of this Government, that in ex-
tending our commercial relations with foreign
nations, we should have with them as little po-
iilica connexion as possible; and that we should
preserve peace, commerce and friendship with
all nations, and form entangling alliances with
none 1t is therefore the opinion of this House,
that the Government of the y. States ought not
10 be represented at the Congress OF Panama,
except in Diplomatic character, nor ought
they to form any alliance Offensive, or deien-
siye, or negotiate respecting such an alliance,
with all or any of the Spanish American Re-
publics; nor ought they 10 become parties with
them, or either of them, 20 any joint declara-
ton for the purpose of preventing the interior
ence of any Of the European Powers with their
INDEPENDENCE or form of Governmental to any
compac, for the purpose Of preventing Coloni-
cation upon the Continent Of America, but that
the people of the United States should be left
free 70 act in any crisis, in such manner, as
their feelings of friendship tosards these Re
publics, and as their own honor and policy
may, at the time dictate.
When the resolution had been read, the
Chair stated that the question before the House,
was the motion made the evening before by
Mr.. Powell Of Virginia, to lay the amended re-
solution on the table. The object Of Mr. Pow
ell. was 10 orrest an unnecessary debate at We
ry late hour, which object was accomplished
immediately afterwards by an adjournment.-
The motion had therefore become useless, but
Mr.. P. not being in his place to withdraw it,
as was his intention, the>question was put, and
decided in the negative,
Several gentlemen explained the motives
which would govern their votes on The resolu-
ton as it now STOOD. Those who declared
their intention of voting in the affirmative, were
in favor of the Mission, but also in favor OF ex-
pressing the opinion of the House on the great
policy Of the Government in relation to Its To-