The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-17


ing was finished.
The Clerk read that part of the journal relative to
the presentation Of certain peutons by Mr.. PErrr,
of Joel Brown and 400 others, citizens of Cincin-
natl.
The SPEAKER observed, that the question ON
the motion Of the gentleman from Illinois, Texas,
was before the House, when the correction Of the
journal was called for; the gentleman from Alabama
then demanded the previous question.
Mr.. DOUGLASS asked permission to make a
few remarks. tCries of "objected to" from all parts
The SPEAKER observed that leave could be
given only with the consent of the House; and
A division being called for, the demand was neg
atived.
Mr.. GIDDlNGS observed, that pending call for
the previous question, no other business was in
order
The SPEAKER replied, that was correct but
leave had been asked to make personal explana-
ton, which was rarely refused "
Mr.. HAMLIN called for tellers; which were or
dered.
Mr.. CoLLuM, and Mr.. ABBorr, were ap-
pointed ellers, and the previous question was called
. TIE SPEAKER 81 z The question now is, shall the
main question be now put.
Mr.. SCHENCK demanded the yeas and nays ON
M. BRfNKEREOFF inquired whether, in case
the present motion was not sustained, it would be
in order to reconsider the vote the second call for
/ the previous question.
The SPEAKER replied in the negative.
The question then being on ordering the resolu-
| tons TO an engrossment for d third reading,
Mr.. McHENRY called for a division ofth ques
tion to vote the two sections of the resolution
| separately
Mr.. SCHENCK demanded the yeas and nays;
which were ordered.
The question then being announced,
Mr.. COLLAMER renewed the call for a division
Of the question.
a Y 4 a. L 1.
preston that the division of the question would not
now be in order on two grounds; 1s that the previ
Gus question had been ordered the whole reso-
luton, and under this ORDER the question should be
taken Immediately on the whole resolution; and I'd,
the joint resolution was in the form Of an act and
hence could not be divided, but the question must
| be taken on the whole matter il at oil.
Mr.. w. HUNT wished to be excused from TO-
ting and to state his therefor. The meas
ure upon which he called upon to vote he con-
| cldsred to be one of the greatest Importance
question involving mighty interests, and embracing
results which affected the destiny Of the country be-
| yond the power of imagination. He was called up
on to record his vote upon this question without Of
| fering word of debate or amendment He de-
nounced the proceeding violation Of free discus
| sion--
| loud cries of "order, order, "chair, chair'1
| Mr.. DROMGOOLE rose and said the gentleman
| [Mr. HUNT] asked TO be excused from voting, and
for permission to state his reasons and in doing
/
err mode Of proceeding in seeking to be excused.
| Mr.. HUNT. If the House excuse me- have
no desire to abuse it's indulgence; l ask to be ex-
cused on the ground that consider member is
bound to vote without the opportunity Of speaking
| to the question. That Is the ground upon which
| ask to be excused
| The question ON excusing Mr.. Hunt from voting
was then put and carried afirmatively.
The question ordering the resolutions 10 be en-
crossed and read third time was taken and carried
ayes l41, noes So.
So the question was carried.
Mr. McHENRY here rose and took occasion to
| excuse the absence of his colleague, tMf BELL
who was confined by indsposition to his room,
and therefore was unable to be present to record his
vote.
Mr.. ROCKWELL. would ask, Mr.. Speaker,
| is the question debaables
The SPEAKER. Yes.
| Mr.. ROCKWELL here rose TO oppose the fur
Their passage Of the resolutions, and took the pres
ent opportunity TO give his reasons for that oppose
| ton, because he apprehenced he would have no
other opportunity, and would not again be able to
get the floor. He would not have spoken on the
subject had it not been for the peculiar situation in
which he was placed as a member Of the Committee
on Territories. On Wednesday last the matter was
submitted to that committees that day notice
WIS given for the next day to meet; and, on the
| came day it reported to the House. The doc
unents were not then printed, and he had no op-
portunity to examine the papers, These papers
/
were laid on the table; and he had only an OPP
portunity sufficient to examine the matter. He
proposed to do this, because many of his consttu-
ents sent their remonstrance to this House against
the passage Of this bill, and many had sent to
him the subject; so that if he delayed, he might
lose an opportunity to speak his sentiments. He
considered the question before the House was
question ofgreat interest to the country, which in its
present aspect should rise above all party consdera
| TONS His constituents committed their remon-
| c,,1 al
ton members of both the great political parties
which divided the country; and it was on behalf of
them that he would speak to-day his brief re-
marks. He would put his opposition on a narrow
ground. He was not opposed, and would not
be opposed, to territory, or the extension Of ter
ritory. He would not be opposed to the asser-
ton of their rights to territory. 1t not on
these grounds that opposition came from Massachu-
setts He believed that if the sentiments of the peo-
pie Of Massachusetts could extend the jurisdiction
Of the United States to the Pacific ocean, they
would not be found laggards, provided it could be
done in proper time and manner. The genius Of
the people Of Massachusetts had extended their ter
rtory. They had in the most able and worthy
manner set forth the claims of the country, and
| there was spirit amongst them which half a GEN.
fury ago established the independence of the coun-
| try That work was aided by the genius Of son
Of Massachusetts, whose heart and hand was in it,
who heard the boom of the guns from Bunker's
Hil--who saw the flames fitting across their hills,
until their peaceful jurisdiction was acknowledged.
| But the question before them now was one Of
different character. II was question with regard
to the acquisition of foreign territory-of foreign
State. 1t matter which, in his judgment,
could not be done in the manner in which the last
Congress had acted This Congress now proposed
to do it as acquisition of foreign State In the
last Congress there certain proceedings before
them; and it would be recollected that, in the last
Congress, there were strong arguments urged as to
the unconstitutionality Of the proceedings was
said that it could not be done by the two Houses Of
Congress acting on the part Of Texas. This was
the 10Th Congress- and it was held that this union
Of States deemed by all parties to be necessary
to their interests. II was said that the most effec
tive formal proceeding was by the treaty-making
power of government; and that there other
| mode known to the constitution of the United
States. Their relations existing between the re-
public of Mexico became part of these negotiations
l-snme of the ohieciiona urped upon that occasion