Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-05-02
PROCEEDINGS In CONGRESS
EXTRACTS FROM OUR DAILY REPORTS.
IN SENATE.
THE OREGON BILL.

HE OhEUON BILL.
The motion of the Senator from Illinois (Mr BnRRsRl 10
reconsider the by which the bill from the House Rep
extend the protection of laws Amer-
citizens in the territory of the United States westward Of the
Rocky Mountains referred TO the Committee the Ter
ritories coming up in its order for consideration
Mr. ALLEN and said; The BILL he believed refer
red the Committee the Territories He presumed the
effect Of the reconsideration Of the vote by which that refer
ordered would not necessarily be to change its dec
ton He merely for the purpose OF saying that he hoped
this bill would be referred committee Che quite
Indifferent what committee y and he would say further that
he hoped the committee which should be charged with the
consideration Of the subject would may be, afford
the Senate opportunity OF acting upon IT,
II beyond doubt that the convention now subsistng
between Great Britain and the United States in reference to
to the Oregon territory would be terminated. Whilst
that convention subssed the citizens of the United States be-
yond the Rocky Mountains had the stpnaons Of that
venon protect them against British Legislation and against
the existing laws Of England being enforced there But
when that convention should DO terminated citizens would
have law, treaty, convention nothing whatever to
protect them They would be precisely in the situation
that British subjects in their to British urs
dcon and British law, and to other This being the
seemed to him matter Of the utmost importance that
this act something like H. should pass speedily posi-
be and should take the place of the convention
of protecting citizens to be in force the time the
venion expired The remoteness Of the territory and the diff
fcues which Nature had nterposed to rapid communication
between the United States and the shores of the Pacific would
render impossible to give effect to the bill in less than six
months after the day Of its passage II they put end to the
convention without providing for extending laws
citizens they would be virtually turned British iurs
dcon and subject British laws without being entitled to
the privileges of British subjects He trusted therefore, with
out having preference for any particular committee, that
whatever committee the matter might be REFEREED oppor-
uniy would speedily be afforded for the Senate upon
that law might be prepared to take the place of the
convention, which would be terminated probably in about hr-
teen months and essential that the eight
sand American citizens settled there should have the benefit
Of the protection Of laws the time of the expiration
the convention.
Mr. HUNTINGTON said he understood the Senator from
Illinois have vew in the motion for reconsideration which
he had made the reference Of the bill to other commit
he hoped therefore, the Senate would treat the matter
that point Of view There important features in the
BILL and Of those important features the extending
laws the who territory of Oregon In this view, be-
important question whether the bill ought not to be
modified but he did not propose go into this subject
the single question to what committee should be refer
red He thought if It to be referred to any standing
committee, the to which it already referred the
most appropriate
II would be perceived on an examination Of the BILL that
there provisions in it which would perhaps render pro-
per that there should be reference of those different
to committees appropriate the consideration of each TWAS
not usual in the Senate however convenient to dis
tribute the different parts Of bill among different committees
He did not know that done almost imprac
tcable to pursue such If the BILL then, 60
any particular standing committee, the Committee the Ter
rtores in his judgment the most appropriate
Mr.. SEWER suggested posponemen of this subject, in
order proceed the consideration the special ORDER being
the bill for the payment of claims for French spoatons prior
to 1900. The Senator from New York Mr. Dx) being en-
titled the floor and being DESTROYS proceeding in his reply
to the arguments of the Senator from Delaware.
Mr.. ALLEN desired to say single word He did not
think there any necessity for proacng this discussion
His object barely to get rid of the question He had
preference of any committee another He per-
ecty willing that the subject should 60 the Committee
the Territories His only desire that should be speedily
disposed Of He would ask his friend from Illinois with
draw his motion for a reconsideration.
Mr.. BREESE tlereupon withdrew the notion and the
Senate proceeded the consideration Of the bill providing for
the payment of claims for
FRENCH SPOLIATIONS PRIOR TO 1900.
Mr. DIX, who entitled TO the floor, addressed the Sen
ate at considerable length in opposition to the BILL and in reply
to the arguments of the Senator from Delaware, (Mr NJ
CLAYTON
On motion of Mr. FAIRFIELD who will be entitled to the
floor on this question the Senate proceeded the
consideration of Executive business and after time spent
therein the doors opened and the Senate adjourned
CLAIMS AGAINST MEXICO.
Mr.. JARNAGIN, in pursuance of leave, introduced a
joint resolution regard TO claims of citizens Of the United
States against the Republic of Mexico.
Mr. j. desired that it might be read second time by its
The reading of the joint resolution having been called for
it was read as follows:
Joint resolution in regard claims citizens of the United
States upon the Republic of Mexico
Whereas since the thousand eight hundred and
public authorities of the Republic of Mexico
have repeatedly peperated and permitted and
otraes upon the persons and property OF unondng citizens
OF the United States equally in violation OF the obligations Of
existing treaties Of the principles of law and justice and
whereas the Government of the United States recognising
imperative obligations its citizens the enjoyment
Of their just rights and to enforce by suitable proper
remuneration when these rights nnged by any foreign
Power have for series sought obtain
Mexico for these reiterated and aggravated wrongs friend
y and pacific and whereas the Government Of
Mexico has on several occasions admitted we'll the
currence Of the outrages complained Of the obligation
thereby imposed II fully make compensation for such
wrongs, but has nevertheless permitted the
without redress thus degarding her high obligations
well solemn promises and whereas that portion Of
these claims which have been denvely ajudicaed by
bunal constituted for that object by the Powers has been
allowed to remain unpaid, violation Of the precise
treaty spuaton and the funds soemny pledged for
their liquidation to be diverted other objects
the Government Of Mexico pertnaciously oms do Justice
IN the premises and has also percmpoy refused receive
eced every pacific which has been her. thus
leaving to the Government OF the United States only the alter
native OF the absolute abandonment of the rights
Of its citizens, which is bound by every obligation both
and implied vndicatc and sustain
effective measures for their yindication
BE therefore resolved By The Senate and House of Repre-
senfaiDes 81 the United States Of .7mecd in Congress
sembLed That the President he hereby
point three suitable persons commissioners together with
to act their secretary who shall constitute board to
hold its sttngs the city of Washington early to
be liked by the President that the said board when organic
ed shall be authorized and empowered receive hear
amne and finally decide all claims Of citizens of the United
States upon the Republic Of Mexico which shall be
each respectively, and from time to time report the
geher with sccnct of the and character of
each claim received and allowed the Secretary Of State
Aud the said board in its said audcaons shall be governed
by the law OF nations the treaties between the two Powers
and by the principles and rules established and embraced in
the unraed executed by their respective penpoen
aries the Goth November S43 And the said board shall
have power appoint clerk to aid in the performance Of its