New-York daily tribune., 1844-02-23
r he Presidents Reply to Mr.. p ckenha IN .
n fIa rdS nea q recelvc the as
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.


WASHINGTON Wednesday, Feb. 81.
In SENATE, after the presentation OF petitions,
in favor of the reduction of postage, &c,
Mr. EVANS, from the Committee on Finance,
reported bill to provide for the remission of du-
ties on railroad iron in certain cases.
Mr. ARcHER's resolution calling on the Presi-
dent for any information from the accredited
agents Of Government, showing any abuse OF the
flag Of the United States In subservence TO The
African slave trade, and IN violation OF the laws
and policy of Government. Also, for any cores
pondence between this Government and the Min
lister Of Portugal IN relation to the taking away
of slaves, the property of Portuguese subjects,
from the territories of that power IN vessels
owned and employed by the citizens of the Unit
ed States, was adopted.
Mr.. TAPrAN's Joint resolution for an amend
ment to the Constitution to limit the terms OF
the Judges of the Supreme and inferior courts,
on his motion was made the special order for
the I'd Monday in March.
Mr. SEMPLE, on leave, introduced bill to re-
model the Consular establishment Of the United
States.
Mr.. BATES addressed the Senate at length upon
the Tariff. This whole discussion is of quite a
novel character. Acknowledg ged by nearly all
the Senators not regularly in order, and conduct
cd with no expectation of resulting in action upon
the subject of the Tariff, it partakes of but little
interest.
The House resolution accepting the sword of
Washington and the staff of Franklin, was con-
CURED in yesterday, (and overlooked in my letter.
In the HOUSE Mr.. WITHERED, another Wing
member from Md, was qualified and took his
seat
The vacancy in the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, occasloned by the resi- gnation of Mr.
GlLMER, is supplied by the appointment of Mr.
HAMMlr of Mi; and that ON the Naval Commit
tee by the resignation of Mr.. WISE, by the ap-
pointment of Mr.. HERRIcK Of Me. Mr.. PAR
MENrER, long member of the latter committee,
succeeds Mr.. Wise as its Chairman.
On motion of MIR. DUNCAN, and with no seri-
oas objection, the vote was reconsidered by which
the bill to provide for the appointment of uni
form day of holding Presidential elections
throug hout the U. States referred to the Com
mlttee of the Whole on the Union and the bill
was made the special order for two weeks from
to-day, Wednesday.
The discussion Of the 2lst rule was continued
during the morning hour by Mr. BURT of s. c.
He replied to Mr. BEARDsLEY, noticing particu-
larly his declaration of the universal acknow-
Judgement of the evil of Slavery as an abstract
question, and denounclng the utterance of all
with the concerns of the South.
Mr.. BEARDsLEY explained that he had cautious
Iy abstaincd from meddling with the domestic
concerns of the South-not that he had feared or
supposed he had no right, but because he had
chosen so to do. He had spoken of the question
merely IN the abstract. 1t was really singular in
this age and in this place if for the exercise of
the freedom OF discussion one member was to at
tempt to characterize another as impertnent He
threw back this epithet to the gentleman with
whom it had originated.
MIR. PAYNE Interposed to stop Mr.. BIS expla-
nation, and Mr.B resoiutely maintaining his right
to the floor, yielded him by Mr.. BgRr,) some
warm words passed between the two gentlemen.
Mr.. BURT, resuming, made disclaimer, par
tial at least, of any design Of personal reflection
upon Mr.. Beardsley. He proceeded strongly,
and with much warmth, to argue the Southern
side of the question; denying that the right of pc
tition was violated by this rule; urging It's con-
tinuance to avoid giving any encouragement to
the Abotlonsts, whose whole principles and ac-
ton he denounced In most unsparing terms ar
guing against the power of Congress over slavery
in the District of Columbia; threatening if the
debate upon this subject should ever arise it
would be the last one ever engaged in by the
American Congress &c, &c.
In COMMITTEE of the Whole on the Union, Mr..
CAMPBELL, OF 5. c. In the Chair the Indian Ap-
preparation and the Pension Appropriation bills.
after some conversational discussion, were passed.
The House adjourned ARGUS.
The NEw-ORLEANs FIRE.-The American of
yesterday publishes an extract of letter from
gentleman in New-Orleans which states that
the newspapers have given exaggerated accounts
OF the late disastrous fire in that city. The
writer estimates the amount of cotton destroyed
at from to 4,000 bales.
- The AMERICAN MUSEUM has the best attractions in
the CITY, Tomorrow Will be great day there being the BEN
eat and last appearance Of Mt. and Mrs. Western.