Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-01-08
VOL. IN--No o. As
From the Correspondent Of The Boston Atlas.
WAsHryGroN, Monday, Dec. 20.


the subject of debate in the House. The
question being on the reference OF the Pres
ident's Message relating to the territory,
Mr.. Williams Of N. Carolina said that 1t
ought to BE- referyed to the Committee on
the Judiciary He contended that there
were many important questions to be de-
termined before Michigan could be admit
ted into the Union. The subject had beeu
already before the Committee on the Ter
r;torics, and they had declined acting upon
it; and the Committee on the judiciary
was the only one to which it could be ap'
propralely consigned. Mr. Mason Of Vr.
g,nia said that the question to be decided
was whether Michigan should be admi''ei
into the Union. The people Of that Terri.
tory had met and adopted Constitution,
and now claimed to join the Confederacy.
1t was the province Of the Committee on
the Territory to consider their application
The question Of their Southern boundary
was not the main question, out was alto
gcther subordinate to the main question,
which was, shall Michigan be admitted
Gentlemen ought not tn permit 1t TO 81
embarrassed BY any controversy about the
boundary.
Mr. Wh,tlesey of Ohio, a clear headed
and straight forward business man, armed
cap apple with q panoply Of facts, over
threw the specous reasoning OF MI Mason
without much difficulty. He denied that
the admission Of Michigan was the nam
question to be decided. Tue settlement OF
the boundary line was the main question.
1t was whether Michigan could prescribe
It,,,tf n bo- nd IN oth pr
power to meet in convention and to lorna
constitution, winch should take from
neighborng state part Of its territory
Mr. Whutlesev stated that the running OF
the boundary line according TO the prescrlp'
ton Of Michigan would take from the dis.
trct which he represented one hall, ana
nearly the same from that Of his colleague
1t would deprive Ohio Of some thirty thou
sand Of her inhabitants.
The discussion upon :he question OF ret
erence continued for some time, and sever
al gentlemen from Ohio spoke 10 relation
to 1t. The motion to commit to the Com
mi,tee on the Judiciary was first in order.
and being put, it was decided in the atflr-
native: lis to II.
The rules and orders of the House hav-
ing been suspended for the purpose, the
motion TO reconsider the vote referring that
par, of the Presidents Message relating to
the disputed boundary between Ohio and
Mic5gan t. select coin.ai'tre, was Gale"
up and debated. At the head Of this com
mittee is Mr. J. @. Adams, who is the
avowed champion Of Michigan in this con-
troversy. Ohio. through her representa-
tives. manifested grea. anxletyto transie.
the consideration Of hei cause to tribunal
where 1t had not been prejudged; and one
gentleman gave as reason tor re-cons'u-
erng the vote tina; the fact the chairman
OF the select committee. 10 whom the sub
iect had been referred was openly in favor
of the assumption of Michigan. This
a'lusion brought up Mr. Adams, who stood
his ground manfully, and seemed resolved
| TO maintain bis post as Chairman. lie
spoke with more than his usual fire, and
asked with some Indignation, if one indvld
ual among a committee Of seven, having
no interest save that Of justice and truth 10
the Issue Of the question, should not Do
permitted, even though he might entertain
preconceiveI opinions, to have voice IN
the preparation Of a report, which was only
to present the merits of the case, when
! twenty nine members from Ohio, Illinois
and Indiana would vote, who were notorl-
ously Committed upon the subject. Mr.
Adams spoke in harsh terms Of the conduct
of Ohio, and more than limited at her blood
thirsty intentions in sending her troops n
maln' ain iorclble possession Of the disputed
territory. He sad it was owing more to
the discretion Of the President than to the
forbearance of OHIO, that the controversy
had not assumed fiercer and more objec
tionabe aspect.
Mr. Bethany StOrer Of Ohio, replied 10
! Mr. Adams with courtesy but with fimDess
and animation. Mr. Storer promises to be
one of the leading orators in the House.
He has tine vnlcc, n hSppy flow of Ian
guage and all the other qualifications OF
good and commanding speaker. In his
reply TO my predecessor he vind'cated
the state of Ohio from the ASPIRATIONS
which had been cast upon her, and argued
| that there was manifest improperly in
impannellng a juror, who had already in
his own mind decided the case under trial.
After some further debate. the question
upon che reconsideration was taken, and
Ohio carried the day, by vote Of 100 10
II. 1t was then moved TO refer the mes
sage to the Committee on the judiciary and
this motion was carried without debate
These decisions indicate the final course Of
the House, in relation io Michigan and
Ohio. The territory must consent to Yield
TO the decision Of Congress in relation 10
her Boundary before she can be admitted
intothc Union. There was one fact stated
by Mr. Storer in his speech today. which ]
believe not to be generally known. The
President declared to Mr. Lyle some time
since, that if Congress should pass any bill
admitting Michigan before her boundary
Inc was definitely fixed and agreed upon.
he would clap his vnto upon 1t. After
snch declaration. viii the collar men re.
fuse 10 60 right Nj Adams, in the sonrse
of his remarks, complained thar the newly
| elected representatives. from Michigan had
not been admitted upon the floor of the
| Ilonse ltwond have been good Joke TO
have ADMITTED representatives when
| Delegate had already taken his seat; 10
have recognized Michigan at the same time
as Terrrory and State.