The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-01-30
Congressional.
Correspondence Of tie Boston Atlas.
WAsHINGroN, January IS, 1S

| uaIlty OF the Unlteu states, was taken up on mo-
| ton of Mr.. Buchanan. He said that the law,
it now Stood seemed perfectly sufficient to rcgu-
late the trade in, and transportation of arms so
| far as it was carried on by sea- Citizens of the
United States had perfect right, by the law of
nations, TO supply bellgerents with arms, running
the risk, however, of confscaton, if captured.
This risk taken by the individuals con-
| cerned, and the neutrality Of the nation was not
violated. But these prnci pies did not seem well
TO apply to the case of cotcrninous nations. To
supply insurgents just over our lines, with arms
and ammunition, was Il thing which could not
be justified. This matter was generally arranged
by treaty. We had three coterminous nations,
the British Provinces, Texas and Mexico, whose
rights in this matter ought 10 be protected and
this Bill was intended to authorize the seizure Of
arms and ammunition intended to be transported
over our boundaries, for the aid and comfort Of
insurgents against the governments existing there
The further consideration of the bill was post
poned until tomorrow, and the Senate went into
the consideration of private bills.
Washington, Jan. l8, 1888.
In the House, the first thing in order the
report OF the committee on elections upon the
subject of the Mississippi election. That report
is merely n statement Of facts.
Bronson OF New York, offered a resolutions,
" That Messrs Prentiss and Word OF Mississippi
We're not entitled to seats as members of the 25th
Congress-"
Wise submitted the following resolution, IRE
solved, That Messrs. Prentiss and Word have
leave to be heard at the bar of the House touch
ing their right to seats OF representatives from the
State of Mississippi"
Howard submitted n written statement from
Messis Claiborne and Gholson, in reply to the
statement of Prentiss. which had been printed
and distributed to the House and he requested
to have it read and printed.
The Speaker said that this proposition was not
now in order.
On the suggestion of Bell, the resolution sub
QlitteI nv Wise mOtlifiaI nc m
10 the precedent in the North Carolina case.
Foster of New York insisted that Prentss and
Word ought not to be admitted on the floor, but
merely TO appear at the bar
He argued that they had no right to debate
alternately with the members of the House, but
merely to submit an argument in defence of theiv
rights, and he offered an amendment which sub
stiruled " at the bar for "svithin the barr
Wise replied to Foster with great severity, for
raising questions how and where these claimants
ought 10 sit or stand during the argument.
He said that the only object of the claimants
made 20 mn he and h Who We're q4 he eso4s sp
deny them their rights.
Bell protested against Fosters course as evil
IDENTITY intended to narrow down TO the lowest
possible degree, the privilege granted to the claim
ants. He asked if there was anything in this
case which called for particular rigor! Ho
maintained on the other hand, that the circum-
stances of this case such as TO demand
greater than customary Indulgence. The claim
ants come here not so much in their own behalf,
ms in the name of the people of Mississippi, to
sustain the laws and constitution of that State.
Nothing, however, asked, more than was
granted in the North Carolina case
Reed of massachusetts said the practice had
been for sixteen years, for members claiming
seats TO have seats in tho body Of the House.
Cushing maintained that the claimants had an
unlimited right of debate upon the question OF
their rio hit to seats. Such had been the practice
in all former cases and such ought to he the
practice in this. The design of the gentleman
from New York to limit them down to single
speech, was entirely inadmssihe.
Foster argued and explained and to get rid OF
his amendment Wise moved the previous CUES
,ion The motion was seconded by the House.
The main question was ordered. and the original
resolution was carried.
Whereupon the Speaker ORDERED! seats 10 be
prepared for Messrs. Preniss and Word within
the bar of the House.
Howard now insisted upon having the state
ment of Claiborne and Gholson, which he had
presented read to the House.
Wise said he would state fact of which per-
haps the gentleman from Maryland was not
aware The statement of Prenuss was prepared
by hum Of his own mere motion and printed ana
distributed Mt his private expense. Claiborne
and Ghoson might do the same
The Speaker refused to receive or put any
motion or hear any member, until me prePara
tons for the reception OF Messrs. frentlss ana
Word had been concluded, and those gentlemen
had taken possession of their places ..
CshoIson who, notwithstanding his rheumatism,
had come into the house upon this occasion, m
ouired of Howard, if he had novel the printing
Of the paper he had offered. Howard said he
had not nasmurl ms the paper had not yet been
received. file had asked to have it prlnted.J
Gholson then said in very arrogant amt,
blackruard tone, that he md his colleague ana
not come here to beg charity of the House, and
though they might not be so able as some others
to have printer, they did notnoW ask any cnnr-
i;y from the House, AMI he would tell the gen.
tleman from Virginia. that bis nslnuation 10 tnat
was unworthy of him and the seat he occupied.
; Several voices cried order, and Wise rising in
bis place. said with great calmncss, pointing to
Gholson who sat behind him, eff mpudence and
ignorance will make blackguard, there is one.
Gholson, in his ees'acy OF passion, oreu p T;.
something about villain and loafer," but his
!: 20 q SLa,,is anl rannipg of