The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-19
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, December IS.

Mr. BRIGGS, Of Massachusetts, reminded the
House that few days ago, his colleague Mr. Fletcher,
was excused from serving on the Committee OF Ways
and Means He, Mr. Briggs, has been appointed to the
vacancy by the Speaker But under the circumstances
OF the case he thought il would be improper for him to
accept the situation and this the opinion Of all his
colleagues, with a few exceptions. He therefore,
spectfuy asked TO be excused from the service; and
the House then directed that the vacancy be filled
Various petitions and memorials then presented
by nany members. ...t&
Mr. BOON offered resolution directing the Com
mttee the Public Lands to inquire into the expe-
dency Of reducing and graduating the price Of the same,
and afordng pre-emptive rights to actual settlers
agreed TO. ..~. " -..
Mr. FILLMORE presented memorial from many
members OF the bar and Others citizens OF Buffalo, pray
ing the abolition of imprisonment for debt
Several memorials were presented by members from
Pennsylyan New Jersey and New York, praying the
abolition of slavery in the District, and demonstrating
against the annexation Of Texas; laid on the table
Mr.. BRONSON Of New York, presented the fol
lowing petitions, viz:
Petition Of Mary Snow, widow of Jonas Snow, Re-
volutionay soldier now deceased, praying for pen
The petition OF Chauncy Calhoon Of Watertown. N.
y praying for the payment Of the balance due to hun
from the u. States for work done the Madison Bar
racks, Sackets Harbor
The petition Of sundry citizens of jefferson county,
n Y, for the construction of ship canal around the
falls Of Niagara. @ Ill
On motion Of Mr. BRONSON, the following resolu-
ton adopted:
Resolved That the Committee on Roads and Ca
nails be directed to inquire into the expedency Of con-
strucng ship and steamboat canal around the Falls of
Niagara-and that the Report Of the Secretary OF War
the House Of Representatives ofthe l4th April, $780,
together with the maps and accompanying documents
numbered 2l4 Of lst session Of Oath Congress) oge
Their with all other papers on file with the Clerk of this
House relating to that subject, be transferred to SAID
Committee.
Mr. ADAMS presented the memorial Of the Massa-
chusets Peace Society praying Congress to accede TO
the proposition made by the legislative authority OF Mex
ico for the adjustment Of the difference between that
country and this. y.
Mr.. ADAMS moved that the petition be referred to
select committee with instructions to read deliberate,
and report upon the same.
Mr. HOWARD submitted whether the subject had
not been fully referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations by the reference Of the Presidents message
to that committee far it relates to foreign affairs
Mr. ADAMS said the subject Of the proposition of
Mexico was not alluded to IN the message OF the
President and for that he had made the notion
He also said that the gentlemen composing the Stand
ing Committee, had made up their minds on this sub
ject
The CHAIR called the gentleman to order.
Mr.. ADAMS made, he said two motions first, the
motion above given, and second, motion that the
mortal be referred to the Committee on Foreign Rela
tons, with instruction to read, consider, and report
thereon.
Mr. HOWARD asked whether the gentleman from
Massachusetts had known instance in which the
Committee on Foreign Relations had made report
without considering the subject reported upon me-
moral without reading
Mr. ADAMS was obliged to the gentleman he said,
for an opportunity say distinctly that he had never
known an instance in which that committee had report
ed on petitions without reading them but another COM
mittee ways and Means had done this, and SIX out
Of nine OF its members admitted it, ..~
The subject was laid over till tomorrow.
Mr.. ADAMS offered resolution calling forsthe COM
muncaton of the pamphlet alleged to have BEEN pub
lishcd by Senior Garrosiiza.
Mr. ADAMS presented several petitions for the abo-
tion Of slavery the District OF Columbia and several
reinonstrances against the annexation Of Texas the
reference Of all which he moved and the motions Of
ference were laid on the table.
Mr.. ADAMS also presented petition from certain
citizens Of Duxbury, Mass. against the abolition OF
slavery the reference to which he moved TO the Com
m,ee on the District, and the motion laid on the
table. y.
Mr. SLADE, Of Vermont, in presenting several aho-
ltion petitions gave notice that he would tomorrow
address the House on the subject.
After the presentation Of many memorials relative TO
slavery and Texas, which together with the motion for
the reference Of which were laid on the table,
The House adjourned.