Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-01-11
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY

CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.
In Senate, Friday, Dec. 90, MIR. Web.
ster appeared and took his seat. Several
petitions and memorials were presented
and referred. Mr.. Grundy reported a
bill tor establishing board of commits
sioners for the examination of individual
claims against the United States. MIR
Morris. of Ohio, submitted a series Of
resolutions by way OF amendment to the
resolutions offered by Mr.. Calhoun, in
reference to the Slave question. They
will be found in another column. Mr.
Morris remarked in Offering the resolu.
tons that Mr.. Calhoun's appeared 70
him TO be virtually an attempt to stifle
public oPinion-it seemed that either The
principle or right Of free discussion mus,
be put down, or else a man must be stigma.
tized as an abolitiouist. He said he en-
tered his opinion in favor of free discus
sion. and in favor of the right of private
opinion in all cases, and despite of all
considerations or compromises. Mr..
Calhoun in reply observed that one mo-
tive and object of his resolutions was that
II there was disease it mi ht be brought
TO the surface. Here now was the creea
OF the abolitionist sect avowed In this
body. Itamounts to this, that one state
has right TO interfere with the institu.
tons OF another, s. to attack us in our dear.
est rights. 1t was well to have a full un-
Outstanding on the subject. His first
and great desire was TO preserve the
Union, but if that was impossible, then
(and he would boldly avow it) his next
most ardent desire was for the South to
save itself. He had not said one word
against the liberty of the press or against
the freedom Of speech Mr.. Davis SUBJ
mitted resolution calling on the Secre-
tary Of War for information in regard TO
the number OF troops employ ed, and the
expenses incurred in the Florida war,
&c. The bill authorizing the relin-
punishment of 10th sections of school lands
and their relocation was read a third
time and passed. The bill providing for
the punishment OF certain offences against
the u. States was taken up, and after he
ing SO amended as to change the punish
ment from death to Imprisonment at
hard labor, was ordered to be engrossed
for third reading. The bill providing
for the settlement of the claim of the ex-
ecutrix OF Richard K. Meade, coming
up Tor consideration, considerable discus.
Sion arose on an amendment offered to
the bill, which required the con- mission.
ers ii they wholly disalIowed the claim
to report their opinion with the grounds
OF it. Mr.. Clayton stated that the claim
amounted to $500, 900. and that allow.
ing it, would open the way to similar
rejected claims Of 35,0OO,OOO. The
amendment was adopted, yeas 30, NAYS
lO. Mr.. Clayton moved 10 insert the
words 'as it (the claim existed origin.
ally against SPAIN" in order to prevent
the evidence of the Spanish tribunal De-
ing taken as which was a.
greed TO. The bill as amended was
then ordered to be engrossed Tor third
reading. The bill providing Tor The E.
rection OF an Insane Hospital in the city
OF Washington was read and some a,
mendments made, but the Senate adj
Journed before it got through The bill.
The Senate did not sit on Saturday or
Monday On Tuesday, the bill for the
Z M of