Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-08-27
From the Washington Uaion, Aug. IL.
The Two Million ADDropriatiOu

From the Washington Union, Aug. IL
The Two Million Appropriation.
As some confusion to exist in the public
mind relative to this appropriation, shall present
bret summary OF the facts TO our readers This we
are enabled to do by the removal Of the injunction of
secrecy from the proceedings of the Senate
On the 18th instant the President made con6den-
dial communication to the Senate, in which he pre-
sented the reasons which recommended an appropra-
ton OF money, to be used, if needed IN concluding
just and honorable peace with Mexico. He also
brought to their view precedens for similar APP
preparations, during the administration of Mr. Jefer-
son.
The Senate, promptly responding TO the views of
the President, adopted the 9th instant the follow
ing resolutions, which had that day been reported
from the Committee on Foreign Relations by Mr.
McDufhe, its chairman:
al ResOired That the Senate entertain strong desire
that the existing war with Mexico should be terminated by
treaty of peace, just and honorable both nations and
that the President be advised adopt all proper
Tor the attainment of that object.
49, ResOired further That the Senate deem it advisable
that Congress should appropriate Of money enable
the President conclude treaty Of peace limits and boun
daries with the republic Of Mexico, and be used by
in the event that such treaty should call for the expenditure
of the money so appropriated, any part thereof"
The first resolution passed by nearly unanimous
vote but two votes being recorded against it, those
of Mr.. Atchison, of Missouri, and Mr.. Rusk, of
Texas.
The second resolution passed by vote of 80 to 49,
which stands recorded in the executive journal of the
Senate follows
"Those who voted in the affirmative aie
"MessIs Allen, Archer Ashley Anterior, Bagby, Benton
Breese Bright, Calhoun Cameron, Cass, Chalmers
Crittenden, Dickinson Dix Evans Fairfield Houston
of Maryland, Johnson of Louisiana Lewis McDufe
Mangnn, Niles Rusk, SEWER Speisht, Sturgeon, Tuney
WEBSTER, WescOtt, and Yuee.-33.
"Those who voted in the negative are,
"Messrs. Atchison, Barrow, Beuen Cilley Thomas Clay
ton, John NJ Clayton Davis Greene, Hannegan Hunting
Jernsgn Miller MOrehead. Pearce, Phelps, sempe,
Simmons, Upham, and Woodbridge-l9."
1t will be perceived from this vote that il was not
party question Messrs. Archer, Corwin Crittenden,
Evans, Johnson Of Maryland, Johnson of Louisiana,
| Mangum, and Webster-eight wing senators-having
sanctioned the views of the President; whilst Messrs
Atchison, flanagan and Semple, voted against the
| resolution.
| The appreciation of the Senate having thus been
given by very large majority, both to the propriey of
the measure and to its policy and expedency the Pres
dent, the Sth Instant sent to beth houses of Con-
gress public message recommending the appropria-
alton. bill approPrlating 600 was reported
to the House Saturday last by the committee of ways
and means. Whilst this bill was before the house,
an amendment moved by Mr.. Wilmot, of Penn
sylvana, declaring, in substance, that slavery should
not exist in any territory which might be purchased
from Mexico Mr.. Adams himself (who supported
the appropriation admitted in debate that such
declaration wholly unnecessary, as slave
ry did not exist in any part of Mexico, and it could
not possibly be the intention of the administration to
introduce 1t by treaty. The proposition however,
cited the feelings of many of the southern representa-
tves, and produced long debate at period of the
session when time was invaluable 1t finally pre-
vailed; and then many original friends of the
voted against the bill account of the amend
ment but nevertheless it passed the House by ma
orty of six votes. Had it not been for this amend
ment the majority in its favor would have been very
large. Thus the propriety and expediency of the
Presidents recommendation sustained by over
1 &C. Al
| frmation of that Of the Senate
| The bill, being sent to the Senate, was taken up
for consideration on Monday morning. Congress hav-
/ ing previously fixed upon twelve O'Clock that day
as the time Of adjournment There was but one mode
of preventing its passage, and that 6y speaking
| against time. One member of the Senate was found
(and we trust there but one) willing to enact his
part The Hon. Mr. Senator Davis, of Massachusetts,
= began argument against the measure, and contin-
ued to speak until the announcement was made that
the House had actually adjourned and the business
of Legislation was at an end. Although repeatedly
requested by Mr.. Lewis, chairman of the Committee
Finance, to suspend his remarks so as to allow
/ him 10 offer resolution TO prolopg the session OF
Congress for few hours, he absolutely refused the
face of the nation, to yield the floor for this purpose.
The consequence that not only this bill, but sew
era other important measures of legislation were de-
feated So also were all the pending nominations
for Office. This digni6ed work has been one morn
! ings Job of "honest John Davis" The vote of his
colleague, Mr.. Webster stood recorded in commend
alton Of the measure; but this did not deter him.
Such trick was never before. to knowledge,
resoried to in the Senate of the United States. Con-
duct so calculated to impair the character of that
dignfed body, in which the whole country has deep
interest, should receive such stamp of public con-
demnation as will, in time to come, prevent any one
who may be honored with a seat among the Senators
of the United States from yenturing upon the like ex-
pedient
I " =-=-.-s-