Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-12-26
CONGRESS.

The only thing of generel interest before the
Senate, to-day, was Mr.. Atchison's bill proyi-
ding for organizing the territorial government
of Oregon. 1t was read twice, Win a view Ii
reference, and Mr.. Atchson made the custom
airy motion Of referring his bill to a friendly
commlttee-that on territories. This, Mr.. Ar
cher opposed, on the ground that as the pro-
visions Of the bill might conflict with the ar
engagements under negotiation between this gov
eminent and Great Britain, relative to Oregon,
it ought to go to the Committee on Foreign
Relations, where it could be kept back till the
negotiation was determined Messrs. Atchi-
son, Allen, Bagby, Buchanan, Benton, Breese,
and Foster of New York, showed that the bill
could not interfere with any foreign power, as
It solely related to extending our jurisdiction
over our own territory. and giving protection
TO our citizens who resided In thai territory
Mr.. Woodbury. suggested the propriety d re-
ierring the matter 10 a special committee, and
Messls. Breese, Walker, Bagby, White, and
Merriek advocated its reference to select
committee as heretofore. The reference to the
Committee on Foreign Relations was further
argued by Messrs. Archer, NIorehead, and Bay
ard. The debate was animated on these prop
0sltions. The motion CT reference 10 the Com
mttee On Territories was decided in the mega
llve-yeas 81, nays q. Mr.. Archer's mo-
ton Of reference to the Committee on Foreign
Relations was also negatived-yeas 20, nays
4. On motion of Mr.. Atchison, the bill was then
referred TO select committee of five, appointed
by the Chair, viz: Messrs. Atchison, Walker,
Rlves, Crittenden, and Allen. Several bills
Of private character were ordered for engross-
nent; and the bill settling the title of the Pea
Patch island, in the river of Delaware, was
passed. The Senate then adjourned over till
Monday next, to give time to the standing COM
Enitteess to attend to the business before them.
In the House, resolution was adopted, on
the motion of Mr. L. j. Morris, directing tho
Committee on Ways and Means to inquire in
to the expediency Of reporting bill to continue
the magnetic telegraph from Baltimore to New
York by way Of Philadelphia. Mr. Weller, in
pursuance Of notice given, obtained leave and
introduced joint resolution annexing Texas to
the United States; which was read twice, and
referred to the Committee of the Whole on the
state of the Union. A message was received
from the President of the United States on the
subject of our relations with Mexico and the
affairs of Texas; which will be found in cur
regular report Of to-day's proceedings The
House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole, (Mr. Cave Johnson in the chat !, } and
resumed the consideration of the bill to gradu-
ate and reduce the price of the public lands,
&C., when Mr.. Ficklin of Illinois, who had the
floor, addressed the committee at length in sup
port Of the BILL Mr.. Causin followed in oppo-
siticn to it; after which Mr. Robert Smith, OF
Illinois, obtained the floor, when the commit
tee rose and reported progress. A number Of
petitions and memorials, as usual, were han
ded in, and referred under the rules Globe
of December 10.