State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-01-05
CONGRESS-.
MnNnAY. December u.

SENATE. Mr. Niles, appointed Sen
ator from Connecticut to supply the vacan-
cy caused by the dea,' of the Hon. Nathan
Smith, appeared to day, produced his ere
dentials from the Governor of Connecticut,
aud was sworn.
Mr. Webster offered the following rcso-
luton, which on his motion, was consider
ed, and adopted, neDline diSSe1ltiente.
"ResoIved, That the Committee on FL |
nance be instructed to inquire what meas |
ures should be adopted by Congress, in
consequence of the destruction of merchan- |
die and other property by the late fire III
New York.
In introducing the Resolution, Mr. Web |
stcr expressed his hope that some measure
of relief would he devised to meet the
strong excited expectation which prevailed
among the community that something
would be done by Congress for the suffer-
/ ers by this most calamtous fire. He re-
ferrcd generally to the practice which had
existed of relieving those who had suffered
from similar cause, on tormCr occasions;
and adycrtcd to the extension of the time
for the payment of duty bonds, as one of
the modes of legitimate and uneXceprion-
able relief whchS congress could provide.
lie declined recommending or even pro-
posing, any specific mode of relief, until
the REPRESENTATIVES, from New York, who
are in Immediate correspondence with their
constituents, and We're better qualified 10
act on the subject, should call up the sub
iect in the other House; and all he now
nsl>.d was the adoption of the resolution,
so til t the question might he ut once SUB
mitted for the consideration of the Commit
tee on Finance.
Mir Ewing introduced his bill to define
and settle the Northern boundary of Ohio.
lie made n very argumentative speech on
the occasion, TO illustrate the provisions of
the Bill, which is the same as has been
twice passed by the Senate since he has
been Senator, and lost in the House for
want of time to act upon it; and also in
reply to the arguments which had, at various
; times been urged against the measure.
After he had concluded, Mr. Morris, his
colleague, introduced a resolution and pre-
, amble, in which different adjustment Of
; the Boundary Line is contemplated.
Mr. Calhoun moved the reference of so
l much of the Message Of the President as
refers to the transportation of lncendlary
+ Publications by the mail, to special COM
e mittee, on the ground that the subject i'll
. voved Il complicated inquiry which did
, not come within the range of duties assign
tu 10 lnG oIuululN GluDuHiS tolIIiIttCc VI
e the Post Office and Post Roads.
s MIR King of Ala. maintained that it was
= an inquiry proper for the Standing Com,
G miltec, and that the raisiug of Specia
5 Committee, would be likely abroad, TO give
S a party coT,plexion to the matter, or, at any
;, rate, to rais a. an importance which i
y did not merT.
# Mr. Grundv also advocated the reference
r to the standing Post Office Committee o
IS which lie was the Chairman. He sugges
e ted TINT the general government could dc
very little in the business, except througl
i the Post Office.
y Mr. Preston replied that the duties of thu
IS Pest Office Committee were properly llmi
if ted to the regulation of the Department
t., Post Routes, &c. but that this suggestion
y of The President must be delberated ON, il
II conneXion with the constitutional power
of the government. He did justice to tin
h feeling which prevails among all the intel
y igent part of the Northern and Eastern
sections of the country, hostile to any in
/ reference of the government with tn
is slave holding States, and especially advers
lie to the circulation of incendiary documents
y He expressed his apprehension lest tn
IS subject should become entanglcd with par
he ~ movements and thought the best way 1
Re avoid such result, was TO send II to
st Special Committee.
Mr. | cieh advocated the reference To
4, Special Committee ON peculiar ground,
" and because the subject involved constitu
le tional questions OF great deicacy. IL
L. united in the tribute which had been pa
= 10 the correct feeling which prevailed Il
le mong the intelligent classes ofthe Norther
he sections Of the Union
~ Mir buchanan expressed his qualification
lg that the impressions Of Southern gentle
We men were so Justly favorable to the citizen
e, of the North and added that he had yet 4
G. find one intelligent man there who dit
er not discountenance any interference will
the slave holding States, and did not set hi
ia ace against the incendary publications
Is, But he commended that the inquiry render
y ed necessary bV the recommendation il