The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-06-01
FoRTIFIcATIoN BILL.

appropIidthS @'oo'"Oo i"f aiihiiiS tnc
fouihcaiIons.
The debate continued until nearly 0
o'clock 10 the evening, when the House
rose without coming to any decision on
the bill.
In the Senate on Tuesday, Mr.. King of
Alabama stated that he had certain infor-
nation, that the people in a portion OF the
state of Alabama, had been compelled, by
the hoslilties OF the Creek Indians, to ny
from their homes, without means OF subsis-
tence, and to seek refuge on the Georgia
side of the river. lie thought it was the du-
ty of Congress to do all that could be done
| by Congress to relieve the sufferings of
these distressed and flying citizens. He
asked and obtained leave to Introduce
Joint Resolution, authorizing the President
of the United States to direct rations to be
issued from the public store, for the relief
of these sufferers. The Joint Resolution
was read twice, ordered to be engrossed,
and was subsequently read third time and
passed.
A resolution to meet hereafter at IL, in
stead of IL o'clock, was adopted.
Mr.. Davis reported, from the Committee
on Commerce, bill making appropriation
for the education, in certain ports, of boys
designed for the maritime service of the u
nited States, which was read and ordered
to a second reading.
A bill to make up the deficiency in the
sum required for the payment of the south
ern volunteers and militia, who have been
in the service of the United States against
the Indians, was read third time and
passed.
The bill making appropriations for the
erection of fortifications, the purchase OF
sites, &c. was taken up and discussed.
The appropriation moved by n1r. Benton
for the harbor ofPortsmouth, U50, 600 dol
lars year for TWO years. was the propOsit-
ION pending. Mr.. Hubbard warmly advs-
Gated the proposition al considerable length.
Mr.. Webster said he was sensible of the
importance of the harbor, and would vote
for the appropriation as it originally stood
in the bill, but he was opposed TO the pro-
spective appropriation.
The ques' ion was then taken on the mo-
ton of Mr. Benton, and decided as follows:
Yeas I7-Nays l6.
A motion was then made by MIR. Preston
to strike out the clause, Ayes, IO-Noes
25.
The next proposition, by MIR. BentonJto
strike out the original appropriation for the
fortfcations at Salem, and substitute $780,
900 year, for two years, coming up Tor
discussion, the Senate adjourned before the
question was taken on this proposition.
In the House, Mr.. John Quincy Adams
asked leave to offer resolution, calling on
the President of the United States for in
formation in relation to the boundary line
between tlIe United States and the United
Mexican States; and for such information
as he might possess in relation to the abol-
ition of slavery in Mexico. Objection being
made, Mr.. Adams requested suspension
of the rules, which was not granted.
Mr.. Robertson of Virginia called mp his
resolution, declaring that Congress has no
power to abolish slavery in the District of
Columbia, and spoke at length, struggling
hard to prove the correctness of his position.
Mr.. Allan of Kentucky moved that the
Land Bill be now taken up aud disposed OF.
For this purpose he called for a suspension
of the rules, and demanded the ayes and
noes. The motion was lost by vote, l
think, of I2l to 7S. The House now went
into Committee of the Whole on the Forti-
fication Bill, and Messrs. Underwood of
Kentucky and Dunlap of Tennessee dis
cussed almost all the subjects of the day,
except the bill itself
In Senate, Wednesday, no business of
importance was transacted. The fortfica-
ton bill was debated in Committee of the
Whole.
The House resumed the consideration of
the report Of the select committee on the
subject of abolition. The question pending
being Mr. Robertson's motion to recommit
the report, with instructions to report res
olution declaring Congress has no power to
interfere with tie subject either m the
District or in the Territories.
Mr. Robertson concluded his remarks,
and Mr.. Owens demanded the previous
question.
Mr.. Williams called for the order of the
day-Iost, ayes Ga, nays so.
The previous question was then ordered
to be put by vote of LOG to 80.
The first resolution declaring that Con-
gress has no power to interfere with slavery
in any of the States of this confederacy was
then taken.
Mr.. Adams said if the House would al
low HIM five minutes time, he would prove
the resolution to be false and utterly un-
true.
The following gentlemen refused to vote
I-sM!essrs. Robertson and Wise OF va
Glascoch of Ga; Thompson and Pickens
If South Carolina. A..
H. core the vote was announced the
Be,- 4 to the special order.
House passe~ =, only were understood