The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-12-26
Congressional 4.
"Wednesday, Dec. I3.


. colleagues, against the annexation OF Texas, 10 II
select committee.
The. question pending was the motion of Mr.
Howard TO refer them to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs.
L/5Mr, J, @. ADAMS said he had been robukod
Ion this floor at the last session for having declared
his opinion, that the annexation of Texas would
produce the dissolution of the Union. Such, how
ever was his deliberate opinion and he here reer-
ated it in the most solemn terms, That annexation
would produce ipSO taCtO, dissolution Of tho Union
1t was now known not only that the republic Of
Texas originated in fraud and conspiracy, but also
that the lare administration had been cogniaant of
that conspracy,no to say aiding and abelting it. A
letter disclosing all hc particulars of this conspiracy
rob the republic otNeXco ofthe territory ofTexas
sent the late President in 1880, had lately been
published in pamphlet, to be had at all tho book
stores in this city, and written by person who had
been in the confidence of that administration, and
in office under it-(Dr. Mayo)
The Republic of Mexico had passed law Cor the
emancipation of slaves, and for the abolition Of
slavery in that country. And the overturn Of this
humane and wholesome law, and the re-estabsh.
ment Of the detcstablo institution Of slavery was
made the foundation of the conspiracy.
These matters, Of high Importance when the
question of annexation under debate, did snot
fall within the proper consideration Of the commit
tee of Foreign Affairs and if the matter were
lorred to them, they would probably SO Judge. Be-
sides, there were circumstances in the constitution
of that committee, which made the subjec unfit for
lis consideration. Six out of its nine members
slave holders and he took it for granted that every
STAKEHOLDER in this Union ripe for the admis-
sion Of Texas. That was the interest, that was the
move-(Ierc Legare broke in, called Adams to
order, and appealed to the gentleman not to go on.
Adams insisted ppon his right to the floor. Rhett
sprang up, but was put down again by the Speaker
Several voices called 60 on, and Adams went on)
He said that it useless to attemptt to gag discus
sion great public interests. If il did not come
| ont to-day it would come it tomorrow. These at
tempts TO suppress information, whether they were
made IN committee of ways and means Of which
we had Il specimen this morning, or by murder and
arson, in the killing of Lovejoy at Alton, and
the setting fire to the building containing his print
ing press-(At the name of Loveoy, half dozen
members called to order; the Speaker decided that
the allusion to Lovelov was out of order; many
voices cried go on; some objected; and after
justification for half an hour, upon points of order,
Adams permitted to proceed. There no
confusion in the House; and though great interest
was evinced in the question, the members kept with
in the bounds of decorum) Adams proceeded 10
enforce his objections to the committee of foreign
affairs, Insisting that every proposition was entitled
to be referred TO committee favorable TO it; since
otherwise it was impossible to do the least justice to
the petitioners.
1t might indeed be suggested, as 1t had been in
certain newspapers, and he believed in the official
organ itself, that the administration, the President,
were opposed to the admission. The absence of
this topic from the message stuffed as that document
was, with provocatlves to war with Mexico, was
the proof positive to his mind that it the nen-
ton of the administration to go to with Mexico
in the hope to prop the oterng institution Of slave
ny III this country, by the annexation. Some such
powerful secret motive was absolutely necessary to
lmpel nation like this into war upon such shall
low preteXts as were set up in the message. Here
the Speaker interposed, and declared that nothing i'll
the message in order. Adams insisted that the
war with Mexico and the annexation of Texas were
precisely the thing The tspeaker-Any al
lusons to the with Mexico arc bout Of order
Adams--lfI did not know exactly what this House
is composed of, would appeal from that decision.
As it is, however, will wait till the mouth of free
dom is opened little wider in this hall. After
some farther observations on the constitution of the
committee he asked for he took his seat.
Wise moved to lay the whole sub ect on the table.
This motion is not dcbatable. Rhet and others
were very earnest with him to Withdraw his mo-
lion, and give them an opportunity to reply. But
he refused The question taken by yeas aud
nay, and decided in the affirmative. Yeas, 1877
Nays, GS.
In the SENATE, Davis's BILL authorizing the gov
eminent vessels to cruise on the coast during the
winter for the relief of distressed navigators, was
passed to DO enacted. 1t down The House, !
and was read and postponed TIL tomorrow.
Friday, Dec. 10Th.
The SENATE did not sit on Friday.
The House resolved itselfinto committee of the |
whole, J. @. Adams in the chair, and took up the
Presidents Message for reference When the rcso-
luton for referring much Of the Message re-
ates to the Finances of the country to the commit
tee ways and Means, Mr. Cambreleng proposed to
modify the resolutions us to refer all that part
relating to the reissuing of the bills of the late u b
Bank to the committee on the Judiciary. This
modification was accepted.
Mr. Wise then tool; the floor and commenced
speech.
He said that he against the whole motion of
reference and he entered at great length, into his
reasons for this opposition. He expressed his graft
Cation that the PreslGcnt's message was at last
tcod by the House; and commented with keen sar-
casm upon the neg lect it had received.
Though sent in at an extraordinary crisis, it fell
still born from the press.
He reviewed the circumstances of the country at
the opening the extra session; and then directed
the attention of the country to tho nature of the
remedies which proposed by the adminstra-
ton, for the accumulated mschieis that afflicted the
and weighed down all its high and impor-
tant interests
The great panacea the sub-treasury system,
and giving to the Executive more patronage and
power-to collect the public dues in specie-to tax
the people in compelling them TO pay specie, to
give the public officers of government their salaries,
10 divorce the government from banks-to place
the custody of public moneys In officers appointed
by the Executive
These were the great restoratives proposed. Tho
bill embracing them was passed by humble, dis