Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-12-31
Congressional.
TUESDAY,, Dec. 2.

TUESDAY,, Dec. ~.
In SENATE, Mr.. Rusk introduced q reso-
luton inslructiDg the military committee TO
inquire into the proprie,y Of increasing mill
tary posts also instructing the post office
committee TO inquire into the expediency Of
transporting free mails 10 the army.
Bills were reported establishing a general
preempton TO actual settlers OF the public
lands, and providing for the sale Of the min .
eral lands. @ +sfE.'[ .''
Mr.. Barrow's resolution, calling upon the
President for information IN relation to ne
gotiations with Santa ANN at Havana, was
postponed ill Tuesday week. ..,.,....-
Mr.. Sewer introduced resolution OF in
quiry into the expediency Of constructing a
railroad from Missouri to the Coumbis rives.
In the HOUSE,. Mr.. Martin introduced .
resolution to allow volunteers engaged in the
Mexican war 10 receive their letters by mail
free OF postage. The house refused 10 sus.
pend the rules 10 receive the resolution. ~
The House then went into committees OF
The whole on the reference Of the Presidents
message to appropriate committees; ana
Messrs. Morse and Martin defended the
course Of the President in reference to the
Mexican war. 49,.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23.
SENATE.-Mr. Breese, ,on leave, introduced
a bill TO organize q territorial government in
Oregon. Mr.. Dickinson presented bill re-
lstive to the u. s. District Court Of New
York. The Committee OH Roads and Canals
reported a bill to relinquish the Cumberland
Road to the States through which il Psses.
The Committee on Naval Affsirs were in
slructed TO inquire into the utility Of iron as
material for the construction Of vessels Of
war, and providing for the repairs Of gov
ernment vessels by contract. The Com.
mittee on Printing reported against prInting
the memorial Of the Society Of Friends in
New England TO bring the Mexicsn war 70
a speedy close. III
HoUsE.-.Un Unsuccessful attempts were
made to introduce sundry resolutions. Sever
al bills, not Of a general interest, were re-
ported. Mr.. Douglass reported bill TO es-
,ablish Territorial Government in Oregon,
which was made the order Of the day, for the
fret Tuesday Of January. The Committee
of tho Whole resumed the consideration of
the Presidents message.
THURSDAY, Dec. "a.
SENATE Mr.. }. M. Clayton presented
petition signed by men Of all parties, praying
that Congress should use speedy and efficient
means for terminating the war with McKee,,
and ensuring an honorable peace. Nj.
Clayton said he coincided with the views of
the memorialists, and would do all he could
to cooperate with them, bu, he could see no
way TO obtain peace but fighting out the
way.
The Committee on the Judiciary reported
the House Bill for the admission Of Iowa,
without amendment. Mr.. Yulee moved an
ame ndment to prevent division OF the lnnds
granted for public improvement 10 any other
purpose. After some debate, the amendment
was voted down, 40 TO g and the bill finally
passed.
Bills were reported from the Finance con-
mit,ee to establish branch mints in New
York and Charleston.
The Senate then adjourned over until
Monday.
HoUsE.-The House refused to suspend
the rules in order to call upon the States
for resolutions, &c.
The resolution offered by C. J. lngersoll,
yesterday, for closing the debate on the
Presidents Message was postponed.
The House then went into Committee Of
the Whole on the Presldent's Message.
Mr.. Gordon made a speech in defence o.
the war. Mr.. Root followed, and pronounc-
ed the war unjust and unnecessary.
Mr.. Bowlin also made a speech which
concluded the debate. The Committee then
rose and the House adjourned over till Mon
day.
MONDAY, Dec. %.
SENATE.-A message was received from
the President. Mr.. Johnston, Of Louisiana,
presented a petition from sugar planters.eom-
planning of the tariff Of lS46. which reduces
the duties ON foreign sugar and moasses,
and asking the restoration OF its former rate
of duties existing under the tariff OF 1874
A debate ensued, after which II was referred
TO the Finance Committee.
The Vice President signed the bill for the
admission Of Iowa into the Union. The bill
providing for the purchase Of the papers OF
Alexander Hamilton then came up for con.
siderstion. II finally passed by vote of26
to IL. The Senate went into Executive ses'
sion and adjourned.
HoUsE.-Mr. Sawyer obtained the hoor
and The debate was continued BY Mr.. BAKER,
Of Illinois, who has just returned from Mexi-
CO. He explained the difficulties under which
the volunteers attached to the army are Ia
boring. lie adverted TO the increase OF the
army aud the vigorous prosecution OF inc
war, and offered joint resolution suihofls'ng
the Secretary Of War to deliver clothing to
the officers Of the army for the use Of the vol
uniecrs. The committee then rose and tho
JOINT resolution was reported to the House.
Mr.. Harrslson offered a joint resolution,
providing for the refunding to the several
States the expenditures necessary Tor the
substance of the volunteers previous to
their being mustered into service OF the v.
States. II was read twice aud referred 10
the Military Committee.
The committee on engrossed bills report
cd The bill for the admission of Iowa into tho
Union, and il was signed by the SpeskeI--
The debate on the Presidents Message was
ordered, by o vote Of 02 to n, TO DO closed