Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-06
Monday February 81.
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Monday February Sd.
IN SENATE.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate commu-
nication from the War Department, being re-
port of the returns of the militia OF all the States
and Territories, with their arms, accoutfements,
and ammunition.
Mr.. DAYTON presented the joint resolutions
of the LEGISLATURE of the State oil New Jersey
against the annexation of Texas; which were
read and referred 10 the Committee ON Foreign
Affairs, and ordered 10 be printed.
MIR MOREHEAD presented Joint resolutions
from the Legislature of Kentucky in favor OF
reduction of postage; which were laid on The Ia
bic, and ordered to be printed.
CANADA
By Mr.. DICKINSON: A memorial OF clti-
Gems Of one of The States bordering on Canada
requesting that if Texas be annexed to the United
States, means be also adopted for The annexation
OF Canada.
MIR. D. said tina, he did not sympathise strongly
with the petitioners. They have taken wide
margin for their local habaton; for they do not
furnish the information OF what State they are
citizens FTe moved the reference OF the memo
rial TO the Committee on Foreign Relations.
By Mr.. PORTER: A memorial largely sign
ed, from the citizens Of Detroit, Michigan, of the
same tenor as the one presented by the Senator
from New York
Mr. P. said he should best promote The views
Of the petitioners, The greater part OF whom ne
knew, and knew TO be persons OF information and
responsibility, by asking that they might be heard
in their own language. lie should therefore ask
that the memorial be read at the Secretary's desk
Mr.. FOSTER raised an objection to The recep-
ton Of the memorial as ii was intended to bring
the question of annexation into contempt lie
was Obliged 10 look al it in this manner. II may
be lawful game for those opposed TO anne1a-
ton TO play, but would it not offend foreign
power? He did not care for that power, but IS II
not evident, if this was not direct offence, ne
did not know what was lie would repeat again
that he felt no unkind feelings 10 the gentleman,
but as friend OF Texas he protested against any
attempts TO bring this question into contempt
We NAV bring il into ridcule by this course. Sir,
do object 10 the memorial, and do rot mean
offence TO any one by doing so.
Mr.. PORTER replied, and defended the fair
ness Of the petitioners, and the unexceptlonaole
character of the petition; and after considerable
debate, the affair was terminated by ordering ooh
the memorials 10 be laid on the table
TEXAS
ByMr. JOHNSON. certain resolutions from
the Legislature of Louisiana, in relation to the
annexation Of Texas.
Mr.. johnson observed that he had stated before
he had received these resolutions, that Inc ques-
ton of aunexatio on could be presented free from
constitutional objections, he would vote for it and
he said SO still. He had great doubts, however,
as to the power of Congress to provide for the
admission of foreign territory into the Union oy
Joint resolution. He would give The matter the
fullest examination, and when the question came
before the Senate he would vote on it according
to the best light before him.
Mr.. BARROW would merely take this occa-
sion 10 say, that he was opposed to annexation
in any and in every shape, at all times, and under
all circumstances The resolutions received
from the Legislature Of Louisiana leil the Sena-
tors at perfect liberty 10 act in The matter as tney
thought right He should always act on this
and every other question, as he thought right
whether under Instructions or not. II he had
been in favor of annexation, he should have op-
posed il in the shape presented 10 the Senate by
The other House lie should be prepared, when
the question came before the Senate, 10 prove
that the annexation Of Texas would DC ruinous 10
The whole South, and particularly 10 the State OF
Louisiana.
He had no! supposed that the people OF Louisi-
ana were favorable to annexation before the re-
CENT of these resolutions. He was far from re-
earding the result Of the late Presidential election
in that State as indicative of the peoples opn-
ion upon annexation He was convinced that,
il that election had been fairly conducted, the
vote Of the Stale would have been given 10 Hen
nv CLAY. He did not undertake TO say any thing
about other States; but this he would say, that, II
Mr.. Clay had no, been Cheated Vlilaiaously
cheated, in Louisiana, he would have received
the vote of that Stale He was glad that The sub
iect of the election in Louisiana was now under
investigation by the Legislature; and ne hoped
that that body would ferret out and expose the i'm
posture. and the infamous frauds which were no.
ioriousy committed, and by which alone the vote
of the State had been given 10 James K. Polk.
On the motion OF Mr.. JOHNSON, the resolu-
lions were then laid On the table.
RESOLUTIONS.
On motion of Mr. WALKER, it was
Resolred, That committee of three on the part
of the Senate be appointed, to join such COM
mit,ee as may be appointed by the House ot Re-
representatives., 10 ascertain and report mode OF
examining votes for the election ofPresident and
Vice President, and ofnotiiyins the persons elected
Of their election.
Mr.. Walker, Mr.. Woodbury. and Mr.. Day
ton were appointed the committee by the Chair.
On motion of Mr. MILLER, it was
Resoired That the President ofthe United States
he requested to communicate 10 the Senate any
correspondence or other information in the pos
session OF the Government in relation 10 the opc-
rations Of the United States squadron on the west
coast OF Africa; the growth, present condition,
and influence Of The American colonies there, and
The nature, extent, and progress oflhe commerce
Of the United States within the same.
GENERAL ORDERS.
which was The bill 10 reduce the rates OF postage.
Various amendments were proposed and discuss
ed by Messrs HUNTINGTON, MERRICK,
NILES, PHELPS JARNEGIN, BAGBY and
ASHLEY The debate was continued urtil halt
past three when the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THE TARIFF.
On motion of Mr.. JONES Of Tennessee,
resolution was adopted, calling on the Secretary
Of the Treasury for information with reference TO
The operation of the present Tariff act, during
the year ending December 81, 1914, the amounts
Of the different articles, OF free articles, &c
NATIONAL INSTITUTE.
MIR. ADAMS presented a memorial from J.
Albert, J. I. Sullivan, T. Sewall, J. q. Adams,
and others, on the subject of the National lns
tu,e, and asking the aid of Congress, which was
referred TO select committee of FIVE, 10 be ap-
pointed BY the Chair.
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.
Mr. WETAERED, from the Committee on
Roads and Cansls reported back The bin giving
the assent OF Congress 10 the act passed BY the
Legislature Of Virginia in relation 10 tue Incor-
poration oflhe Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Com
pany
MIR. BRENGLE, in replyto several gentlemen
who spoke upon the subject, said that the bill SIM
ply proposed 10 pledge the stock owned by the
Uniled States. in common with that held by Ma
ryland and Virginia, that money might be bor-
rowed 10 complete the Canal, which was now in
an unproduc,iye condition.
Mr.. WETHERED desired that the bill be put
upon its passage.
Mr.. PARMENTER, considering that it con-
tanned a very important principle, moved that il
be referred to the Committee Of the Whole on the
state of the Union.
MIR. CAUSIN advocated the passage OF the
bill, and in conclusion, said that, so Tar from the
United States being bound further than they were
now, il contained an absolute restriction
Mr. CARY, OF Maine, submitted a few re-
marks in opposition, and was responded 10 by
Mr.. WETHERED, who observed that the bill
merely authorized the company 10 borrow money
10 the extent of its stock.