Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-12-28


the supremacy Of Jesus Christ, the law of God,
and finally that Congress would enact such laws
as would, in the words Of the Declaration Of In
dependence, guarantee TO every person in the u
n'ed States life, liberty, and the pursuit Of hap
piness." Mr. Wise objected to the reception OF
che memorial, and after some confusion, the
House adjourned withou, coming to decision.
On Thursday, in the Senate, MIR Atchison in
'roduced bill to facilitate and encourage the set
Element OF the territory of Oregon, which was
referred to select committee, consisting OF
Messrs Atchison, Walker, Sewer, Merrick, and
Phelps. Among other things it grants bounty
oil 640 acres of land to each white male settler,
w,th additional gratis of 100 acres for wife, and
each child. The remainder of the day was spent
in discussing the bill to settle the title to the Pea
Patch island, which is in dispute between New
Jersey and Delaware.
In the House, the question on the reception of
the memorial presented by Mr. Adams from, c,i-
zens OF Illinois, was debated at large, and with
some feeling. Mr. Adams had TO be called to or
der, and was highly indecorous in his manner.
The question was finally disposed of by laying
the question of reception upon the table. Mr.
Adams then presented the following resolutions
OF the Legislature of Massachusetts, asking an
amendment of the Constitution:
Resolved, That the following amendment to the
Constitution of the United States be and hereby
is recommended to the consideration OF Congress,
10 De acted on according to the fifth article. The
,hrd clause of the second section Of the first ar
tcle shall read In the words following: Repre-
sentatives and direct taxes shall be apportioued
among the several States which are or may be in.
cluded within this Union according to their res
Pecove numbers Of free persons, including Indi.
ans not taxed. The actual enumeration shall be
made within two years from the date OF the adop-
ton of this amendmentin the manner provided by
the Constitution, and within every subsequent
term oil ten years in such manner as the Congress
shall by law direct. The number of Representa-.
tive shall not exceed one for every thirty thou
sand, but each State shall have at least one Rep.
| resentative:
Resolved, That his excellency the Governor be
requested 10 transmit, copy of the foregoing re-
solve, and the proposed amendment, to each OF
the Senators and members of the House Of Repre-.
sentalives Of this Commonwealth in the Cong ress
Of the United States.
Resolved, That his oxcellcncy the Governor be
requested to transmit copy of the said resolve
and amendment to the Executive Of the United
States and of the several States.
The resolutions having been read, Mr. Adams
moved their reference to select committee Of
nine members. Mr. Jameson moved their refer
ence TO the Judiciary Committee. Mr. Wise took
occasion TO give notice that he would hencefort,
cease to war on this subject. He should hereafter
oppose nothing, but leave to MIR Adams and 9th.
theirs 10 take their own course on this whole mat.
ter, and therefore he would vote for the reference
to The select committee. Mr. Holmes, of S. c.,
said " And give notice that hencelorth from this
day shall renew the baltle.-I am not vet in
despair Of the Republic" Mr. Wise" Nor ~
Many voices" Nor - "Nor l." "Nor any
body else," mingled with cries of "Nil desper-
andum;" "never say de- Yankee doodle,''
&c. The question was then discussed by Mr.
Holmes and others, but the House did not come
to vote.
On Friday, in the Senate, Mr. Benton present
ed some petitions from the Western States asking
for the protection and occupation of tn. Oregon
Territory. The Senate adjourned over to Tues
day.
In the House, the Massachusetts resolutions
were again up, and Mr. Adams made long
speech on the subject. The resolutions were f.
nally referred TO a select committee of nine mem
bers. When the House adjourned, it adjourned
over to Tuesday.