The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-17
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.,
MooNpAY. March II


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
MoosDAy, March l6.
Messrs Dickerson, Ryall, Cooper, and Kille, the
commissioned preenders declared by the aulho
rites OF New Jersey under the Constitution and
laws Of that State not 10 have BEEN elected represen
latives appeared in their places to-day, agreeably
to arrangement with the partisan majority who voted
for their admission. They qualified, and took
the seats which belong to The Wing members, duly
elected and commissioned.
These prelenders were congratulated by their Po-
litical associaesl Il was interchange OF felica
ton among parisans upon the success of series OF
ourages on the Constitution and laws OF The land
and on tbs just and lawful representation OF sove-
reign State.
RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
Mr.. CUSHING, OF Massachusetts, asked leave to pat
| question to the Chairman of the Committee ON
Foreign Affairs upon subject deeply intert sting 10
the country, and somewhat regarding himself per-
sonally
Leave being granted, Mr.. CUSHING reminded the
House that some time ago he had presented some
resolutions calling on the Executive for information
as TO the state OF foreign relations with China and
that his colleag ne Mr. Lawrence) had presented
| memorial from certain citizens of Massachusetts,,
asking the cooperation of our Government with
that of Great Britain in preserving our commercial
interests al Canton. The memorials and resolutions
were referred. This action of Congress- Mr.. Cusa-
ing said was noticed in an English ministerial print,
in way to show great misconceptions OF the spirit
and purport of the resolutions and memorial In
proof of which he read extract wherein the Bri-
fish people were congratulated upon the implied DIS
position of the American Congress to cooperate with
il in the course pursued by Great Britain towards
/ China
| Mr. CUSHING said the purport Of his resolutions, at
least must have been greatly mistaken, If it were
supposed they had in view any such cooperation;
on the contrary he denou lced and protested against
the course pursued by England towards China, as
not only ouraging the laws OF nations, but every law,
human and divine-every principle OF humanity and
Justice He wished now to learn from the Char
and of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, whether
the intention of the Executive on this point were
such as 10 authorize the belief that our Government
designed to cooperate with England in her course
towards China.
The Chairman Of the Committee in question Mr..
PcKENs) replied that he could not BY authority state
what were the Executives views and sentiments on
the subject blu. he induced TO believe, that they
were not such as warrant the remarks In the Eng
lish paper The object OF our Government had been
and is still to establish our trade and intercourse
with China on footing occupied by other nations,
and in nowise 10 act with England in her attempts to
force the opium trade upon the Chinese.
Aner few more remarks from Mr. CUSHING up
on The nefarous nature Of the course England was
pursuing towards China the subject was dropped.
CUMBERLAND ROAD.
The House to-day came to vote which may be
regarded as decisive of the fate OF any proposition
| to appropriate money for the Cumberland Road.
| On the presentation of memorial, some weeks
ago Mr. Casey Of Illinois, moved to refer il to the
Committee of Ways and Means, with instructions
to report bill making reasonable appropriation
for The continuance of the Road through the States
of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, to be expended un-
der the directions of the Secretary OF War.
To which Mr.. PcEENs had offered an amend
ment inStructing the Committee TO inquire into the
expediency of such appropriations
And for this, Mr.. Marvin had offered substitute,
instrucling the committee also TO inquire into the ex
pediency OF reporting appropriations for improving
certain harbors and the navigation of certain rivers,
lin word, to continue the old harbor system, and
old river system of Improvement
The House came 10 direct vote Qhrough the in
s,rumenality of the previous question: on Mr. Mar
wins amendment; which was rejected.
Mr. PicKENs then withdrew his motion. And the
question being put on the motion to refer the memo
rial with the aforementioned instructions submitted
by Mr.. CASEY, was negatived-Ayes 80, nays lO5.
So The Cumberland Road appropriation is laid on
the shelf for this session at least.
The Administration has beencarrying on grand
system of juggery in regard TO this measure which,
we rejoice, has been thoroughly exposed in the
course Of this discussion.
PETITIONS &C.
This being Petition day" the remainder OF the
day was consumed in the presentation and reference