Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-02-07
CONGRESS-.

Mr.. Foster. The Joint resolution from The House,
for the annexation of Texas, was referred to tho
committee on foreign affairs.
Mr.. Merrick supported the bill reducing the rates
OF postage to and 10 cents, estimating these to
be the lowest rates at which the department can
sustain itself
Mr.. Bernen, from the Judiciary committee, re-
pc ted bill IN amendment Of the naturalization
laws.
House. Most Of the sitting was spent upon a
bill to purchase 1900 copies of Greenhow's history
of the N. w. coast Of America, (Orepon0 for the
use of the members which was finally passed, l06
to 70 The Oregon bill was then taken up, when
Mr. Adams desired that the subject might be
postponed for few days. lie wanted time to ex-
anime the book Just ordered to be printed, which
said to contain authentic and iudisputabe evil
dence Of our titlo lie also wanted to know what
progress had been made with the negotiation with
the British Ambassador. He had no doubt about
our title 20 the 10th d,gree of N. Lat, but he was
not fully satisfied to the claim, as far as 81
deg 40 minutes, which is the limit in this bill lie
was anxious to have the Oregon title settled s. was
in favor Of terminating the joint occupancy of that
Territory, lie wished, however, that the subject
should be postponed short time, for the reasons
suggested by him.
Mcssrs. A. " Brown, Preston King, and c. J.
Iugersol made some remarks, when the Commit
tee rose AMI reported progress The House then,
at O'clock adjourned.
The presider, to-day sent back the Uniform
Presidential Election bill, with his signature.
TUEsDAY, Jan. 2S.
Senate. Mr.. Phelps presented petition from the
State Of Vermont against the annexation of Tex
and one ALSO PRAYING for the abolition Of Slave
nv in the District Of Columbia. The first was re-
erred to the COMMITTEE on Foreign Affairs the
second was laid on the table.
House. Mr.. Marsh, FROM the Committee on Ma
val Affairs, reported bill TO discontinue the spirit
portion of the navy ration, and provide a compen-
Xl ti-h ,va IN thn
Committee Of the Whole on the state Of the I'm
ion.
hlr e. ]. Tngeiso from the Committee on For
eign Afiars, submitted resolution, which IL
greed TO-, requesting the President Of the United
States to instruct our Minister to England to inter-
ere in behalf of American prisoners in Van Die
mans Land
Mr. Burke submitted resolution, instructinNa,Ie
Committee OH the Expenditures Of the NGvy9e-
parlmen to inquire if j. c. Zabriske of n. Jersey,
had obtained a contract from the Navy Depart
ment since 1884, and whether any officer of the
Government had any participation in the profits, and
what order had been given by the Secretary Of the
Navy and recommend such course Of proceedings
as the nature of the may require; and that
the Committee have power to send for persons and
papers.
Mr. Parmcnter said that ii was true Mr.. Zabris-
kic obtained contract for the Navy Department,
but that lie transferred il to House in New Bed
ford for a consideration Of a thousand or twelve
hundred dollars. The present Secretary however,
refused to receive from this house the live oak tim
Der for which Mr.. Zabriskic contracted, on the
ground that the contract was entered INTO contrary
to aw-not having been advertised
MIR Burke presented a letter from Eugene Nc
Donno. who says, on the authority of the late B.
NJ Voorhees, Chief Clerk Of the bureau OF
lstruction and repairs, that some two years ago &C.
Zabriske of n ]. begged Of John Tyler certain
contract representing that he had made great sac
fees in Johns services, when the President said he
should have the contract, and ordered Voorhees, to
make out the papers. Voorhees, obeyed, but before
delivering them, disagreement arose between Ia
briske and the person 10 whom nc was TO sell tins
contract. This person had originally agreed to give
Zaorske : 600 for the contract, but now refused
to give more than $1,000 Zabrske hesitated, when
Voorhees, HIMSELF aware that the transaction was
so illegal that Zabriske dare not complain handed
the papers over TO the sub-contracor and received
the $4,000. Voorhees, subsequently offered Zabris-
Ike half of the spoils, and he finally accepted the
offer. Zabriske was great Tyler mPn-Voor-
bees is dead -Tyler's tenn is too near out for an
impeachment. At least one other person is impli-
Gated in this affair
Under the operation Of the previous question: the
resolution was agreed to.
Mr.. Adams submitted a resolution, calling upon
the President of the United States, if not incom-
patible with the public interests, to communicate TO
the House copies of any instructions given by him
to our Minister in England, in relation to Oregon,
since March 4, 1871; also. u copy OF any cores
pondence which may have taken place between this
Government and Great Britain, or one Minister to
the other, since that time.
The resolution was adopted cas- 100, Nays 4.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. %.
Senate The postage bill occupied most of the
day, and various amendments reducing the rates
still more, were rejected by large maloritles.
Mr. Upham presented series Of resolutions, a
dopted by the Vermont Legislature, on variety of
subjects The Legislature favor the Tariff OF ~
the reduction of postage-the distribution of the
proceeds of the sales of tho public lands. On the
subject of Texas annexation they express the deep
and peryading hostility of the State to the meas
ure winch they regard unconstitutional, and its
irrecnnciablc 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 coop
Grafton of their Congressional dele CATION TO carry
| out their views.
House The bill for the immediate occupation
Of Oregon supported by Messrs. Duncan OF
! Ohio, Belscr of Alabama and Bowlin OF Missouri.
| There was bargain i'll reference to this bill and
the Texas resolutions, the South agreeing to vote
for the Oregon bill on condition 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 TO the United States lying west
Of the summit of the Rocky Mountains and bound
ed on the South by the iorty-second, and on the
North by the fory-iourth degree and forty minutes
of North latitude, shall constitute and be organic
ed into a temporary government, to be called the
Oregon Territory. A governor and secretary 10 be
appointed for five years, who shall reside west OF
the Rocky Mountains; courts to be erected, gem
eral assembly to be organizcd--as soon as there
shall be five thousand free white male inhabitants
over the age of iwenty-one years, they shall have
authority to elect representatives, from the counties,
townships, and districts; one fer every five hundred
lnhabitants-the term of the representative to be
two years. The General Assembly to consist of "a
! Legislative Council and House of Representa-
| tiycs-lhe former to consist of i've members, TO be
elected by the representatives. A delegate in Con-
aress is allowed. The President Of the u. S. is
authorized and required to cause To be erected, at
sntnhle nlares u line of stockade forts and block