Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-12-20
Twcmty-Gfth Congress.
SECOND SESSION.


Preston, Benton, Linn, Walker and Nicho-
as appeared and took their seats.
Il Several reports from departments were
presented and ordered to be printed. A
message was received from the President
enclosing special report from the Secretary
of the Treasury, on the subject Of the defal.
cation Of the late Collector of New York. Ii
was read aud ordered to be printed. A large
number OF petitions were presented. Several
members gave notice Of certain bills which
they should ask leave to introduce, mostly
bills which have heretofore passed tho Sc.
nate, or have been reported by Committees OF
that body. Portions of the Presidents mes
sage were referred to appropriate committees.
Rev. Henry Sllcor was chosen Chaplain
lie had 81 votes, Rev. Sep,imus Tuston Is,
and there were five scattering. After an
executive session, the Senate adjourned.
In the House of Representatives, five
members attended who had not before taken
their seats this session, among whom was
MIR. Smth Of Maine,w who has recently arrived
from England. The Committees were an
nounccd, mostly in conformity with tho ar
rangement Of last session. The committee
OH Mr.. Adamss bill, to prevent giving or nc
ceptlng challenge to fight duel in the
District OF Columbia, consists Of Messrs. Ell
more, Grantland, Coffin, Rarridcn, Clark
Grcnnell and Henry. Several reports, chief.
y from departments of the government, were
presented and ordered to be printed
Several documents were communicated 10
The House by message from the President
Among them was report on the Subject OF
the Smithsonian Legacy, consisting Of a cir
cular addressed by the Secretary of State in
July last, "to persons versed in science, and
familiar with the subject Of public education" }"
requesting statement Of their views on the
best mode of disposing Of the fund, and the
answers which had been received.
The subject Of the Wisconsin election was
referred to the committee on elections. The
following resolution previously moved by Mr..
Dromgoole, in amendment Of the rules, was
taken up and discussed, viz z:-Thdt "in oil
cases Of election by the House, the votes shall
be taken rira roce." After considerable de-
bate, motion to lay the resolution on the
table was gatived-yeas 81, nays l25.-
The previous question was then moved ant
sustained, and the question on the resolution
being taken, it was adopted-ycas l26 nays
c5. Mr. Adams suggested, that in relation
TO certain elections the rule would be uncon
stItutonal-it being required that in voting
in the choice Of President the House shal
vote by ballot. The resolution was modified
on motion Of Mr.. Shcrrod Williams, by in.
serting after House" the words " of its off,
GERS" The use of the Hall was granted to
the American Colonization Society on Tues
day evening. and the House adjourned.
In the SENATE, on Tuesday, report was
presented from the Commissioner of public
buildings, which was ordered to be printed.
Several petitions were presented and refer
red. A number Of bills were introduced in
pursuance Of notice. Among them by Mr..
DAVIS, n bill to allow interest to the several
States for disbursements in behalf OF the Uni
ted States, during the late war-a bill TO make
a certain allowance to the executor OF Loan
mi Baldwin, deccascd-and a bill for the re.
lief of Thomas l.. Winthrop and others
Several resolutions, directing specific inquir.
les by committees, were adopted, and after D
short executive session, the Senate adjourn
| ed.
II In the House Of Represcntatives,th the Jour
nal having been read, Mr.. Haynes, of Geor.
| gia,moved that the House go into Committee
OF the whole on the Presidents Message
Motion lost.
II Petitions and Resolutions were then re-
ccived from the several States. When New
Hampshire was called, Mr.. Athcrton askc,
leave to present the following resolutions -
"REsoLvED, That this Government is Of limited pow
ers, aud that by the Constitution Of the United State
Congress has jurisdiction whatever the nsttI
lions oi Slavery Ia the several States o the Concdcrnc
II "HEsOLyED, That petitions for the abolition Of sa
II very ~ the District Oi Columbia and the Territories %
the United StAcs aud against the removal Of slave
rom one state To another, part Of plan Of opera
lions set ON foot 10 affect the Institution Oi slavery b
the several Sthics, and thus Indirectly Il destroy tina
III Institution within their several limits.
N "REsOLyED, That Congress has no right "a do tha
indirectly which u crDi do directly, mud thai the agr
taiion of the subject ~ Slavery IN the District Of Column
ba, or in the Territories, msnns with the viev
OF disturbing Overthrowing that institution in the
veral States Is ngainsi he true spirit and meaning
the Constitution, an Infringement Of the rights Of To,
states affected, and breach ui The public iah whIl
they entered into this tOnlclgracy
"REsoLvED, That the Constitution on the brdb.
principles ~ equality among the members of this Con
iedcracy, nnd lIat Congress, in the exercise OF it,
the institutions Of portion of the States another
with view Of abolishing the one ~ promoting the 9th
| tr.
"REaoLvPp Therefore, that all attempts on the par
uf ungrcss abolish slavery IN tbc District oi Colrn
ba, or the Territories or To prohibit the removal q
slbve- from state To stnie, or tO discriminate between
the orstitutiuns Of one portion oi the Coniedehcy an
auoihc with the views aforesaid aud in vontnn oi t
Constitutional principles which the Union ui hcs
States tests. and hey ond the jurisdiction Z" ongrr.
and That ever, petition. memorial osin"
cs' whHie rr to Slavery aforesaid. or the abolition
hf"f sirl ru the presentation thereof, without on
NHih'f action thtrrOu. hp ltd ~ lie table wine "
printing ifUlihg, cCtutU ot reference