Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-02-17


Nobody replied to him-but Immediately after
his speech, the Senate went into Executive Ses-
sion.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MIR PETRIkEN asked leave to present petit
tion-to which objection was made.
The SPEAKER stated that there were two con-
hcting orders for the day. Yesterday II was or
dered that the debate on the Penson Bill should
cease. and the various amendments be voted on
and the day before, this day was set apart by spe-
cial order for the Steam Boat Bill He could only
reconcile them By appropriating the morning hour
10 the Steamboat Bill, and then to the Pension Bill.
Mr. BRIGGS observed that IN that case all de-
bate would be cot off on the Pension Bill He mo-
we'd the plsirone nent of the Steamboat Bill till
morrow.-But afterwards modified the motion,
postponng Il ruesjSy next. Which motion, as
modhei, was carried.
On motion of MIR BRIGGS, the rules were then
suspended, and the House resolved itself into
Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union,
(Mr Clifford OF Maine, in the Chair) and resumed
the consideration of the bill making appropriations
for the payment of Revolutionary and other PEN
sions of the United States for the year IS4l.
Mr.. SMITH, of Indiana, being entitled TO the
floor addressed the committee briefly, in opposition
10 the amendment to the bill offered by Mr.. Waddy
Thompson, appropriatng 5 100000 to the extn-
guIshment oil the Florida war. He gave notice Of an
amendm nj 10 the amendment which he should Of
fer. he regarded il dishonorable way Of bringing
this war TO close Of buying of those Indians.
lie appealed 10 the party IN power not thus TO
bring close; but rather to leave il for the next
Administration, with their military chleftain at the
head, TO bring 1t TO close. He concluded by offer
rag an amendment, providing that this appropriation
be cons dered as part payment OF the United States
10 the Semnoles for moneys due them.
MIR. BRIGGS made few remarks in reply TO
the gentleman from Indiana, (Mr. Smith) and in
support OF the amendment. Headvered TO the mis-
cradle appeal Of the gentleman TO his party, to OPP
pose this amendment, when It was founded on a re-
eUfa FINN fhatr Tha
der general in Florida had recommended il as a
matter ofhumanity and economy; and ne should vote
for IL.
The hour Oftwelve having arrived, the debate
was closed.
Mr. GRAHAM, Of n. c., offered an amend
ment 10 the amendment, providing that no money
should be paid the lndilns, until they were landed
west of the Mississippi; which was accepted by
MIR. w. Thompson, as a modification OF the amend
men;.
Messrs CRABB and CAVE JOHNSON offer
ed amendments, which were decided by the Speaker
not in order, and thus rejected.
The question was then taken on the amendment
20 the amendment offered by Mr.. Smith, and the
amendment lost.
The amendment of MIR. Thompson as modified,
then adopted; and the Committee reported the
bill and amendments 10 the House.
Mr. WARREN then, in a few remarks, in an able
manner, supported the amendment. IL wss most
mignanmous towards feeble enemy, when had
already been shown that we are capable OF conquer
ing them, thus Ia settle this war Ia concluding, as
his remarks were not OF a character which required
an answer, he moved the previous question, but
Withdrew II at the request Of several members.
II was then renewed by Mr. CROSS, and sns-
Timed by the House.
The main question was then taken by yeas and
nays on the amendment, and carred-yeas 1853,
nays II.
The bill was then read a third time and passed.
On motion Of MIR JONES Of Virginia, the House
then resolved itself into Committee Of the Whole
H. a ftr 49,, r
the bin making appropriations for the civil and dplo.
matte expenses ofhe Government for the year ls4l.
Nc CAVE JOHNSON made an in,fsefuai at
tempt TO postpone the consideration Of the BILL that
the business the Speakers table which had been
there for long time, might be acted on.
Mr. BELL OF Tennessee, at the call Of the Speak
er, took the Chair.
The bill was first read, after which by sections.
The section nPpropratlng "lor stationary, fuel
and printing, and all other contingent expenses Of
the House Of Representatives, twenty five thousand
dollars" was debated at mach length.
Mr. CRhBB inquired OF the Chairman Of the
Committee on Ways and Means why it was that
this sum was proposed for the House and in ano-
Their section thirty five thousand dollars for the Sc.
nate2 Aud why the Senate used more than the
Housed
Mr. JONES replied thu, partial appropriation
had been previously made for both House and Sc.
nate, making the aggregate amount for the House
double that OF the Senate.
Mr.. LINCOLN then made a few remarks show.
ing hat there had been much waste in this item Of
contingent eXpenses-and after some remarks elm.
cidatng that position moved 10 strike out "tyenty.
fvo" and insert Fifteen" thousand
Mossrs. JOHNSON, Of New York, and PROF.
FIT, Of Indiana, remarked st some length IN sup
port Of the amendment
Mr. UNDERWOOD believed better mode Of
eaecting an economical change. would be 10 allow
members certain sum- and let them be their own
hnancers.
Mo JOHNSON, Of Va. opposed the amend.
menL
Me- GRAHAM, Of North Carolina, moved To
strike out the whole clause
MI LINCOLN then withdrew his motion, To give
way 10 the motion Of Mr.. Graham
This motion was debated az some length bv
Mossrs. EVERTT, MORGAN. LEWIS WI
LlAMS, TlLLlNGHAST and BYNUM IN re
support, and by Mr.. EVANS IN Opposition
MI EVANS oOntended that this fund ttbs esti.
mates for which had already been reduced s55 600 b,
tho COMMITTEE Of Ways and Means) was not ,,o,s
than sufficient 10 meet the demands that would Ia
msde upon " and be repudiated, with much ami.
nation, the charges which the House made ogains,
itself IN the Shape Of corruption and plumber
lie Did not say there might have been individual
instances Of abuse. lfany man has been guilty o
that, u was his own matter. But he did not ltr lev,
that The unjust appropriations Of stationery amour
ted ~ long session, 10 more than three thousan,
dollars, It's experience was that there was no sucl
waste, and plundering, and extpvagance ns the,
were chatzing themselves with. lie was oppose,
20 striking Out the appropriation; It was no NOR
than was nccessary- The estimate, as he had stated
had already been reduced $4,000 in the Commit
tee Of Ways and Means. and that, lie thought, wa
what The Secretary % the Treasury would call
very vigorous reduction" II gentlemen were W II
ling 10 dispense with stationery altogether, 30 wa
hc-vas,ly more willing than he was to receive So
fpf be share, of 20 put Jaw upon the statute boo
de0ouncing themselves.
So MONROE thanked che gentleman fror
Maine, Mr. kvANsl flr hs speech, Il contsined Pee
eis.lyhs own scntiments, though much better e.
yress,d The gentleman deserved the thanks Of III