The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-02-12
CONGRESS-.
MoNpAr. Jan. %.

MIR. Dix OF New ork, TOOK Tue seat OF VAR.
Foster. The joint resolution from the House,
for the annexation OF Texas, was referred to
the committee on foreign affairs.
Mr.. Merrick supported the bill reducing
the rates Of postage TO S and 10 cents, estima-
ting these 10 be the lowest rates at which the
department can sustain itself.
Mr.. Berrien, from the Judiciary committee,
reported bill in amendment of the natural
ization laws.
TUESDAY, Jan. 2s.
MIR. Phelps presented petition from the
state of Vermont against the annexation Of
Texas; and one also praying for the aboli-
ton of Slavery in the District of Columbia.
The first was referred 10 the CommIttiee on
Foreign Affairs-the second was laid on the
table.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Marsh. from tie Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported bill to discontinue the spir-
it portion of The navy ration, and provide
compensation in lieu thereof; which was re-
ferred to the Committee Of the Whole on the
stale Of the Union.
Mr. Burke submitted resolution, instruc-
ting the Committee on the Expenditures of
the Navy Department. to inquire If J. c. LAB
riske Of N. Jersey. had obtained contract
from The Navy Department since ISL, and
whether any officer Of the Government had
any participation in the profits, and what or
der had been given by the Secretary Of the
Navy. and recommended such course Of pro-
ceedings as The nature Of the case may re-
qure; and that the Committee have power
to send for persons and papers.
, SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 90.
The postage bill occupied most Of The day.
and various amendments, reducing the rates
still more, were rejected by large majorIties.
Mr.. Upham presented series Of resolu-
tons, adopted by the Vermont Legislature,
on a variety Of subjects. The Legislature
favor the Tariff of '42-the reduction OF pos
tage-the distribution of the proceeds of the
sales of The public lands. On the subject Of
Texas annexation, they express the deep and
reryading hostility ofihe State to the meas
ure, which they regard as unconstitutional,
and its irreconcilable opposition TO slavery,
which they say ought not to be extended over
one inch more Of territory. or prolonged by
one moments duration Of time. On all these
points they request the cooperation of their
Congressional delegation TO carry out their
views.
HOUSE.
TIE bill for the immediate occupation of
! Oregon was supported by Messrs. Duncan Of
| Ohio, Belser of Alabama and Bowlin Of Mis-
souri,. There was bargain in reference to
this Hill and The Texas resolutions, the South
agreeing to vote for the Oregon bill on con-
dtian that The Western members should vote
for annexation.
The following is an abstract OF the Oregon
! bill now before the House:
/ The bill proposes that, after its passage, all
the country belonging 10 the United States
! lying west OF The summit ofIhe Rocky Noun
tans and bounded on the South by the forty
second, and on the North by the forty-fourth
degree and forty minutes North latitude,
shall constitute and be organized into a tenn
-porary government, to be entitled the Oregon
Territory. A Governor and Secretary TO be
appointed for five years, who shall reside
west of the Rocky Mountains; courts to be
erected, general assembly 10 be organized
as soon as there shall be five thousand free
W bite male inhabitants over the age of twen-
ty-one years, they shall have authority TO
elect representatives from the counties, town.
ships and districts; one for every five hun
bred inhabitants-the term Of the representa-
tive to be two years. The General Assem-
bly, 10 consist of Legislative Council and a
House Of Representatives-the former TO con-
sist offiy members, to be elected by the rep
resentatives. A delegate in Congress is al
lowed. The President of the U. S. is author
lied and required to cause to be erected, at
suitable places, line of stockade forts and
block houses, not exceeding five in number
from some point on the Missouri river, on
the most practicable route TO the south pass
in the Rocky Mountains and TO cause forti-
fcations TO be erected al or near the mouth
of the Columbia river. Six hundred and for
ty acres of land TO be granted to every male
inbahitant Who shall cultivate the same for
five years; to every married man. in addition,
one hundred and sixty acres TO his wife, and
the like quantity TO the father for each child
under the age of eighteen years lie may have,
or which may be born within five years.
THURSDAY, Jan. 80.
The Postage Bill was further considered.
HOUSE.
Messrs. Thompson OF Mississippi, Owen
Of La. aud lIamEn of Me. supported the Ore
gon bill.
Mr. A. V. Brown, in reply to a question
from ]. R. Ingersoll, said that no clause in
this bill would conflict with the claims Of 9TH
er Governments.
Mr.. J. r. Ingersoil of Pa, spoke at length
in favor of waiting to terminate the joint oc-
cnpancy before organizing a Government
over the Territory.
Mr.. Elmer of New Jersey m adoseveral OBJ
jecfions TO the bill. He agreed with the gen. !
teman from Pennsylvania, that if American !
citizens had been executed by England, it /
would be just cause of war. He would also |
draw from issthat five executed any British |
subject, it would be just cause of war with us
by England. /
FRIDAY, Jan. 81. !
Mr.. Saunders reported bill to establish a
uniform rule of Naturalization, and to repeal
all existing laws on that subject. Read and
referred.
The House being in Committee, the bill to
establish Territorial Government in Oregon
was taken mp, when
MIR. A. V. Brown offered an amendment,
making provision that the terms of this bill
shall not come in conflict with any treaty
'tipulations that may exist with the British
Government, in relation to Oregon.
MIR. Brown is the author of the bill-this
amendment does not seem to leave much
worth quarrelliug about
Mr.. Adams rose. when. as usual, the MEM
,ers generally crowded rouod him He v.s