Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-01-03
Correspondence Of the Charleston Courier.

sies.
Correspondence Of the Charleston Courier
WAsHINGToN,.D Dec. 26.
II is strongly surmised that The Van Bu-
rem majority Of the House have deter
mined 10 rescind the 2Ist Rue, excluding
abolition petitions. The majority against
Mr.. Adams motion 10 abolish The rule.
some weeks ago, was only three. and pro-
cecdings since that lime have reduced il.
Mr.. A. also stated III his speech that many
who voted for the rule had told him pri.
vately that they wero opposed to it, and:
in favor Of giving it up.
The Committee appointed 10 revive the
rules have agreed TO recommend TO the
House resolution abolishing the 2lst rule,
(so called on the ground HAT i! does not
restrict members, in effect, from offering
and debating papers touching slavery;
that it takes up too much lime to combat
the opponents of tho rule; and that it has
the appearance at least, of infringing The
right ofpettior. The true reason for the
movement is, thai it is just now very en-
barrassing to the friends Of Mr.. Van Bu-
ren. in the Northern and Western States.
We shalsee what tho Southern members
will DO in rcgardlo the matter.
Mr.. Adams is to have Select Commit,
tee on his Massachusetts Resolutions
against tho representation of The three
fiihs of the slaves. The Committee was
not announced to-day, though i, was ex-
Nho l,at
sort Of a report Mr.. Adams will make on
the subject. 1t is matter surprise that
such proposition should come from a
Legislative body; it is in fact PROPOSE
lion to repeal tue Constitution.
The Senate did little or no business to.
day. Some petitions were prescned.-
Mr.. Barrow's resolution calling for the
correspondence and information in refer
ence to The claims Of American cillzens ON
Mexico was adopted.
The resolution Of Mr.. Benton. asking
for the proceedings oil The Court Martial in
the case of P. G. Buell., was adopted, Mr.
Benton stating that the case was so extra
ordinary as to justify the interference Of
Congress. The Scuate spent some time
IN executive session.
In the House. Today, Mr.. King, of N.
Y, moved 10 refer petition on the subject
Of postage TO the Committee on Post Of.
fee aud Post Roads, with Instructions 10
abolish the franking privilege. The pc
ti,ion was referred, but without The iustruc-
tions.
Mr.. Wilkins moved the suspension Of
the rules in ordct to offer resolution, in
siruc,ing the Committee on Naval Affairs
10 report bill for the construction of war
steamers on the Ohio. frr the purpose OF
harbor defence, or TO be used as vessels OF
war al sea, or to be employed III the reve-
nue. service. Rejected.
Mr.. Adams moved that the House 60
into Committee of the Whole on the Pres
! idenl's message. Lost.
The States were called in order for pc
tirions. After going through with the call,
| Massachusetts was again called TO order.
MIR. Adams then presented petition,
praying The abolition of slavery and The
slave trade in The District of Columbia
the separation Of the petitioners from all
connection with slavery; that commercial
relations be established with Hayti and
that neither Texas nor Florida, nor any
new slave State be admitted into the Un-
ion.
The Speaker decided that the petition
was excluded by the 2lst rule. He ad-
mitted that portion of it was admissible.
but he would moi separate il into distinct
paris. lie rejected it as whole.
Mr. Adams appealed from the decision.
The point he made was that one or more
of The prayers was not especially excluded
by tho rule.
The yeas and nays were taken on the
appeal, and the decision Of The Chair was
affirmed-yeas los, nays do.
The Committees were called for reports.
Mr.. Parmentcr, from the Committee OIL
Naval Affairs, reported bill TO authorize
the President to direct transfers o. the navy
appropriation in certain cases. Mr.. P.
said that the bill required no new appro-
priation. He hoped it would lie on the Ia
ble, and not be committed, in which case
it would not be reached for months.
His object was to enable the President
10 transfer some appropriations, in order to
provide for the continuance of repairs ant
equipments, which had been suspended.
Mr., Cave Johnson opposed the object Of