New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-02-18
nv THIS MORNINGS MAIL.
State Debts-Colorcd seanaen-Contesfed
Eiections-Sinsie DisIrieis, &c.
Correspondence OF The Tribune.

WASHINGTON, Thursday, Feb. ls, ls45.
In SENATE, to-day: communication was re
cei,ed from the Treasury Department stating ths
amount of Customs received for the month O
January las, at about 1913 also transmitting
a COPY of the Com mission for the investigation
the affairs of the New-York Custom House.
House bill No. SAG was received, and referred
to the Committee on Retrenchmens.
MIR. WRIGHT, from the COMMITTEES on Claims
to which was referred the case of Amos Kendall
re,orted bill to regulate the laws relative to I'M
prisonmens for debt in the District of Columbia
Mr.. Inns resolution fixing the time of meeting
after Saturday at II o'clock A. NJ. was adopted
Mr.. R1yEs's resolution with reference 10 the
State Debts, the Financial Policy of Government,
SC. came up.
Dir. R. supported them at some length. He
declared the urgent and ulomentous charaster OF
the questions they involved; the necessity OF e
prompt and decided expression OF opinion with
regard ,e, them b.~Consress; tine dangerous ten
depcv of the two hundred millions stock project
the propriety Of dispensing any illusory hopes OF
relief on the part of the States which that and
other Influences may have excited, &c
MIR. ALLEN moved nm amendment, declaring
that the General Government would in no way, di-
rect or indirect, provide for the payment OF The
State debts.
Mr.. MEsR1cx considered US as one people, link
ed by common ties, and involved in a common dss-
tiny, and deprecated any attempt to divorce the
State and General Government.
He compared the passage OF these resolutions to
the refusal of a father to be accountable for his
sons debts censured this endeavor to destroy the
credit and honor of the States and without favor
ing the assumption Of their debts by Government,
demanded the distribution among Thorn of the pro-
cseds Of their swn property-the public domain.
He offered series of substitute resolutions
which declare that it is the duty Of the General
Government without delay, to make such provision
for the distribution of the Public Lands, or por-
ton of tho value thereof among the States, as will
best relieve them and the people from their EN-
barrassments and distress.
Mr.. WOODBURY. urged immediate action upon
tai, subject that they might proceed other bus-
ness. He regarded the project Of assumption one
Of the most dangerous ever Introduced and with
his constituents would meot it as almost equivalent
TO dissolution Of the Union. He considered the
Government not as child but parent of the
people, entrusted with certain limited powers which
it had no right te transcend. He hoped they
would come to direct vote upon the subject.
Mr. CONRAD moved, in order to give time for
examination Of the subject, to postpone it till
Tuesday next.
Mr. MILLER proposed farther amendments, dis
claiming all obligations the part Of the Govern
ment to assume the State debt, but declaring the
wisdom and policy of distribution among them,
Of the proceeds Of the sales of the public lands.
Mr.. CALHOUN said although the Bankrupt law
demanded immediate attention, it was nothing
compared with this, the most important subject
ever presented to Congress, and one on which they
were under the highest obligations to express their
opinions to the country and the world
Mr.. HENDERSON considered the Sonate's reso-
lutions of 1889 against the assumption by Govern
ment, sufficient expression of their sentiments.
Mr. ALLEN Numbered his anashemas against
tue doctrine as involving the almighty power of
taxation. the abrosation of State Constitutions,
and as destined to exert an overpowering influence
on the coming elections.
Messrs. BAaBY, WALKER and KING took nearly
similar grounds.
Mr.. CosxAD's motion to postpone was mega
lived by Yeas SO, Nays %, and on motion the sub
ject was postponed till tomorrow.
The Senate adjourned.
In the House, MIR. BKIaos from the Committee
on Post.Ofices and Roads, reported back by
order of the majority of the Committee, without
amendment, the Senate bill to prevent tho employ
ment of private Expresses on mail routs.
Mr.. B., dissenting from the report, offered an
amendment which provides for the abolition of the
ranking privilege except for documents sent from
the Post Office Department, providing for the pay
-f the postage of members of Congress during the
sessions out of the contingent fund, fixing the rate
of postage at cents under and 10 over so miles
by weight OF. being the unit, &c.
Mr.. ADAMS, from the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, reported the two bills for the occupation
and settlement Of Oregon, with the recommends
ton that they be rejected.
On motion Of MIR. Boris, $500 extra copies of
Mr.. WlNrHRep's Report and Mr.. RAYsER's
counter Report from the Committee on Commerce
relative to the impressment of colored seamen,
were ordered printed.
A motion by Mr.. CAMPBELL of S. c. 10 dis
charge the Committee of the Whole on the Union
from the consideration of The bill to suspend the
Ds,rc,ng clause of appointments Act in its appli-
cation to the 23th Congress, with an amendment of
Mr.FELLaeRE, to discharge the Committee from the
bill regulating the taking testimony in cases of con-
tested Elections &C., prevailed
The special order, the joint resolution of Mr.
KENNEDY of Md. relative TO the termination of
certain reciprosity treaties, was the subject Of a
very intricate and (alihosgh an important subject)
embarrassing discussion in Committee of the
Whole on the Union, during the day, by Messrs
KENNEDY, CUSHING, McKEos and others. 1t
being conceded that the lateness of tho session
would prevent action the subject at present, it
was laid on the table, ARGUS.
FlRs.-A slip from the Office OF tho Niagara
Courier informs W. that FIRE broke out in the
store of Sheppard & Clarke, at Lockport, on the
evening of the 18th, which proved quite destrue.
tiys Mes.ra. Shenhard & Clark lost oil hi;