Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-04-17
CONGRESSIONAL.
Correspondents Of Charleston Patriot.
:, WASHINGTON, April d.

a.
as usual, numerous petitions against the
annexation Of Texas, or any change 10
the present tariff act.
Mr.. Breeze introduced a bill author
izins the sale of the several mineral lands
in the Territories. He also gave nollce
of a bril- 10 abolish the West Point Acad-
emy. ~
IN the House, the consideration Of the
Army Retrenchment bill was received IN
Committee of the Whole.
After speech from MIR. Coles, an
amendment was agreed to which ahoi-
;sbes punishment by stripes in the Army
and substitute imprisonment at hard iaoor
for term Of years. not less than one, and
not more than six. r.u -
Mr. Holmes moved TO amend the bill BY
nroviding that in future no private soldier
shaII he Compelled TO attend place oi
suorsbin where such attendance is prohIo-
lied by the church TO which he belongs.
Mr.. III. made brief but pointed speech
in support Of bis amendment.
Mr.. Petit, of Ia, followed he sa'd ne
was clad 10 find one gentleman liberal
enough to agree with him in part, in cor
rec,ing the religious abuses Of the Army.
He wished, however, Mr.. II. had gone
fnr,her and abolished the obligation 10 at
TEND auy place of worship. He would,
however,. accent the amendment submitted
an ,he principle, that "half loafis better
than no bread" MIR. P. then expressed
his regret that he was prevailed upon the
other day to withdraw bis amendment
abolisbipg the Office of Chaplain in The
army. From what he had heard since, he
was convinced that those Chaplain enjoy
ed sinecure for they were very reTnlss
in the performance Of their duty. In con-
clusion, Mr.. P. hoped the law would be
amended so that the Heads Of Departments
and all other officers Of government would
he compelled to attend some place OF wor-
chin. He could not see why the private
soldier should be controlled in this respect
any more than they. :,
After further debate between Messrs.
Hale, Carroll. Black, and others The
amendment of Mr.. Holmes was rejected.
The bill was then reported to The House,
and the ameudnen of the Committee
of the Whole coucnrred IN. !,
,The bill was then read a third time and
nossed by a vote of 100 to Sc. Ii is
thought that numerous additional amend
mems will be made by the Senate.
The various reports from the minority
of the Select Committee on the Massachu-
setts resolution, were taken up and ORDER
ed 10 be printed. .r
The Pension and Fortifica'ion bills, as
amended by the Senate, were taken up
and the amendments referred.
The joint resolution Of the Senate, hx-
ing the 9Th of May as the day Of adjourn
ment, was next taken up.
Mr.. Dromgoole moved 10 postpone its
further consideration till the 18th Of May,
hv which time, he thought, the House
would be better able TO judge as 10 the
time il would require TO despatch the bu-
siness Of the country. Aflera call OF the
House, the question waa put, and the mo.
,ion:; prevailed. The vote was 81 to 70.
April 5.
In the Serale an. additional regiment OF
memorials in favor Of the present tariff,
wera nresen,ed and referred. Mr.. Buch'
anaS,alone presented fifteen from Penn
sylvania. .;oh
lies over one day. calling upon the Presl-
dem, for copies Of any correspondence be-
tween this country and Great Britain, on
the subject of annexation Of Texas. The
President is requested to say whether
Grea, Britain has attempted to interfere
in any way whatever. 1t is understood
,ba, lie real.object ofthe resolution is to
procure a copy Of the despatch Of Lord
Aberdeen, which was communicated 10 The
Presiden, at the time the new British MIN
;sier presented his credentials. This des'
natch,will shew that Grea, Britain desires
n no political connexion with Texas, but
ono of commercial character only.
MIR. Bayard called up the bill, explain
a,ory of the act TO regulate The Navy"
The bill provides that the officers and
crews Of wrecked vessels shall be COM
peusaied for their losses. provided a Courl
Martial decide that the wreck was not
caused by negligence.
!. The bill was opposed by Mr.. Allen on
The ground that it would lead to nesli-
eeuce, and defended by Messrs. Choale
and Bayard. Atihe request Of Mr.. Buch-
anan, il was then laid aside. -,
MIR. Semple offered resolution which
lies o7er.for one day, calling Oil the Pres
ideut for information, relative 10. the con-
Ji,ion of claims of our citizens against the
Republic of Columbia, and whether ii is
expedien. that The payment be enforced.
Alter the reception Of memorials against
the aupexalion Of Texas, the Cumberland
Road bill was again taken up and debated,
without any'6 final action until the adjourn
ment. -, l,saes - ooo
In The House, afterdebale, 1000 extra
copies Of the minority reportof Commit
,,ee of Ways and Means, on the tariff, was
ordered 10 be printed.
The bill providing for the Improvement
'..7. Il. -i,or, o,J riyarc VI ae then IN