Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-13
rwExTy-EIoHTH coNaREss--sds. -.
Wednesday,, Dec. II, 1874.
SENATE

navy department. Referred 10 the Commlltee on
Naval Affairs
Farmers and Mechanics Bank OF Georgetown, for
a rechauer; which was referred 10 the Committee
on the District
Mr.. BUCHANAN presented memorial from
Mrs. Mary Reside, widow OF Land Admiral
Reeside, for balance due from the Government
for services TO the Pos, Office Department.
Mr. BUCHANAN moved It's reference TO the
Judiciary Committee
Mr. MERRICK, as Chairman ofthe Commit
tee on the Post Office, claimed its reference 10
said Committee, as coming properly within It's
purview.
A debate followed between Messrs Buchanan
when the question on The reference was had, and
carried in favor of the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. ATCHlSON presented the credentials of
the reelection OF Thomas III. Benton; which were
read
MIR. HUNTINGTON introduced resolution
asking for the latest official correspondence be-
tween France and the United States, on the sub
ject ofthe annexation ofTexastolh the United States.
Lies over one day.
Mr.. JOHNSON introduced resolution in
slructing the Judiciary Committee TO inquire in
to the expediency of amending the naturalization
laws. Lies over
Mr.. BAYARD introduced bill for the relief
OF certain contractors with The Government
Referred 10 the Committee on Naval Affairs
Mr. TAPPAN gave notice ola bill to estab-
lish the National institute.
Mr. BENTON reported his bill oflast session
for the annexation of Texas 10 the United States.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Fo-
reign Relations.
Mr. BAYARD gave notice ola bill for increas-
ing the pay OF certain officer. ofrevenue cutters Of
the United States
Mr. NILES offered a resolution asking of the
President the disposition Of the public moneys,
and the authority in law for their distribution in
trust for the Government: which lies over one day.
THE OREGON NEGOTIATION.
The resolution of Mr.. Allen calling for infor-
nation of The state OF The negotiations concerning
the Oregon Territory (moved Yesterday came
up in course; and the question being upon
agreeing to it
Mr. ARCHER Chairman Of the Committee
on Foreign Relations, moved that the resolution
be laid upon the table. He had had a con:ersa-
ton with the Secretary of state which had l-lt
the impression on his mind that the papers in
question could not at present be communicated
without prejudice 10 The interests of the country.
Mr.. ALLEN wished this call 10 be maze on
the President and 10 submit the question OIL eS-
pedency or inexpediency Of complying with The
call to him, and not that OF any body else
There could be no reason why the papers rela-
ting to this subject should not receive the same
publicity as that which has already been given
with respect to the negotiations pending with
Mexico. There could be no mysterious matter
in this negotiation regarding Oregon, rendering
il necessary 10 veil the inquiry from The public
eve.
Mr.. ARCHER referred TO the Presidents Mes
sage with respect TO the negotiation relative 10
Oregon, and reiterated his opinion that the De-
partmeni of Stale is the proper organ Of the Ex-
ecutive in regard 10 the cxpediency Of the propos-
ed communication, and that it has ALREADY ex-
pressed It's opinion. The opinion OF the Secretary
OF State upon such poin, must be considered as
that OF the Chief Magistrate The object Of this
resolution he regarded, under The circumstances,
as indecorous towards The o!her branch OF The
Government, and likely 10 be prejudiciai 10 the
interests involved in the negotiation -In,i!aa,ing
also that the motion had its origin in party spirit.
Mr.. ALLEN denied that the spirit OF party in
any way influenced his course. The negotiations
between the United States and Mexico had rela-
ton 10 question Of boundary the same ubec:
as had those pending with Great Britain relative
10 Oregon. Disclaiming ali desire TO press an
| indelicate inquiry upon The President. Mr. Allen
said that his resolution was not a direction. OF
even request for Information, bui a guarded in
| quirr, depending for its answer upon The decision
of the President 10 It's prophet: and effect upon
the public interests. The only question between
him and the Senator from Virginia was. whether
the communication 10 The Senate should be YER
bal, such "a he had made, or written and placed
on the record. II was, in his opinion, quite as III
delicate 10 ask The question Of the Secretary of
State as 10 ask it OF the President His motion
originated in a wish TO see now the question
stands, in order that The Senate might he prepared
10 act upon any proposition on the SUBJECT which
might come before il. His own desire was Known
10 be 10 extend the Shield Of the Governuen, over
lne inhabitants OF Oregon, and TO protect our ma
,ional rights and interests.
| Mr.. ARCHER rej1incd mainly TO the edec:
! that bis own opinion coEcurred with that of Ia,
Secretary of State, thai il would be preludicial 10
The pablo interests, ct The pressn! state ct The
negotiation concerning The Oregon question, 10
furnish The papers and information asked Tor.
| The question was then taken, without further
debate, on agreeing 10 Mr. Aliens resolution,
BIZ yeas and nays and decided as follows
YsAs-Alessrs. Allen, Ashley, A,cheson, Ath-
eron, Basby, Benton, Breese, Buchanan. Col
quit Dickinson, Fairfield, Foster Of New York,
flanagan, Henderson, McDufie, Niles Pearce,
Rives, Sturgeon, Tapp.n, Walker, White, Wood
bridge, Woodbury-a.
NAYs-Messls. Archer. Barrow, Berrien, Clay
| ton, Crit!enden, Evans, Foster OF Tennessee,
Francis, Huntington, Mansum, Merrck, Miller,
Morehead, Phelps, Porter, Upham-lG.
So il was
Reso,pcd, That the President be requested to
lay before the Senate, if in his Judgment it may
be done without prejudice 10 The public interests,
| copy OF any instructions which may have been
given 10 the American Minister in England on
The subject OF the title 10 and occupation of the
Territory of Oregon since The 4lh day Of March,
1871; also copy OF any correspondence which
may have passed between this Government and
that Of Great Britain, or between either of the
two Governments and the Minister Of the other,
| in relation 10 that subject since that time.
The Senate then went into Executive session
| for few minutes and afterwards adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. HOUSTON moved that the rules be sus-
pended, and that the House resolve itself into
Committee Of the Whole on the state ofhe Union,
for the purpose Of taking up bill in relation 10
the public lands.
MIR DUNCAN said, that should the motion
prevail he would move that the committee take
up the bill fixing uniform day for the election
of electors of President and Vice President of the
United States.
The question was then taken and decided in The
affirma,ivc-aves SO, noes 36.
So the House resolved itself into Committee Of
the Whole on the state Of the Union (Mr. John
son of Tennessee IN the chair)
ELECTION or ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE
PRESIDENT.
Mr.. HOUSTON observed that he had no hos
tile feeling whatever 10 the bill introduced by the
gentleman from Ohio He voted Tor it at the last
session, and might do so again; bu, the bill TO
which be had referred was equally as important
for the country, and should be acted on al as ear
" period as possible. He therefore mov@d to
lay aside the bill with regard TO the election Of
electors, which wa. now regularly before the com
mi,ee, and take up the bill for the graduation OF
the price OF the public lands.
Mr.. DUNCAN asked if this question was de-
bateable2
The CHAIR informed the gentleman that it
was not
MIR. HOUSTON, with The expectation that The
bill Of the gentleman from Ohio would probably
be aisnnsed nf in the cnurSc OF an hour Withdrew