American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-12-10
Baltimore GItpper.
Reported for the Baltimore ClIpperl
sath CONGRE Ss-SECOHD SESSIO
WAsHINGToN, Dec. 9, lSiG.
SENATE.


the journal
A communication from tho Secretary Of thc
Senate re- alive TO the Reg lister OF Debates was
laid on the table.
A resolution was offered by Mr., Cameron,
insruCtug the Military committee to inquire
into the cEpedlency of granting lG0 acres OF
land 10 all volunteers.
Mr. Breeee gave notice OF his intention to in
troduce bills to graduate the price OF public
lands, and to erect territorial government, &c,
IN Oregon
Mr.. Wehster presented n memorial from
Harva.d University, with reference TO the re-
mission Of duties OH the remainder Of the pats
Of the great telescope which have not yet ar
rived, which was laid on the table untlthe COM
mittee shall be appointed
The Vice President laid before the Senate
the annual report Of the Secretary OF the Treas
OTy
Mr.. Spcight moved its printing and 5000 ex
ira copies; adopted.
The clerk Of the House appeared and stated
the House had appointed committee to SUI
perrin end the purchase of books for the library
and the Senate not being prepared to appoint
their committees Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The resolution of Mr.. Davis, submitted yes
terday, calling on the President oftho u. S. for
copies ofall orders or instructions to Generals
Taylor aud Kearney, and Captains SIoat and
Stockton, with regard TO establishing Civil
Government over the conquered Mexican
provinces, and also inqulring whether the
President has sanctioned such forms Of gov
eminent as have been established, came un in
order.
Mir. HARRISON offered an amendments
Vided such Infor nation be not incompatible
with the public interests He thought it nee
essary that this should be added to tho resolu-
ton, for, in lis present form, it might elicit a
reply which would show the future operations
flhe Government and the army and the ma
Wy.
Mr.. Davis supported his resolution. lie
wished to know by what authority command.
crs OF our army and navy had proclaimed
themselves governors of Territories, and estab-
l,shed all the machineryof Civil Policy. The
President could not exercise power except as is
provided by the Constitution. II the Execu-
tive had usurped power, he wanted to know
il, so that preparations might be made, if me-
cessary, for Interior measures.
MI. Douglass asked Whether the gentleman
by the expression 'ulterlor measures meant
an impeachment. Yes. lie contended that
the Mexican provinces being invaded and con-
qucred, and Mexican government ceasng to
exist, II became the duty Of the commanders OF
our army and navy, to establish a temporary
government, until it shall be superseded by u
different one by congress.
Mr.. HARRISON looked on this as a foreign
question, from beginning to end. He said,
in the course of his remarks, that it must strike
common minds, that the establishment of civil
government was necessary for the protection OF
the people Of the conquered provinces.
Mr.. Rhett contendGd that whatever laws ex-
listed in New Mexico and California, and other
conquered provinces, existed by the right of the
swotd-we hold the territory by force OF arms
alone; the Governor was military dictator
The constitution ofthe United States had moi
yet been extended over the conquered territory
The principle on which he stood was this, tina
neither New Mexico nor California, or any 9TH
or portion OF the conquered provinces, was a
portion ofthe territory ofthe United States
Therefore the constitution ofthe United States
does not apply, simply because the territory is
not part OF the United States
Mr. Scheuck replied to Messrs HARRISON
Douglass and Rhett, and insisted that Com.
Stockton and General Kearney were not alb
solved from the obligations of their govern
ment. lie was severe on what he considered
usgrGaton OF power IN extending civil govern
ment over the conquered priynGes of Mexico
Mr. WInthrop, III the course of his remarks,
sad It seemed 10 him, that he had never seen
grusser attack on the freedoms of speech, than
that IN the message Of the President, who UNI
dertOOk to cast reproach on those who differed
from hun, or questioned the propricty of carry
ing on the war, by comparing them 10 traitors,
or guilty Of treason.
MI, Holmes, Of South Carolina, differed from
MIR. Rhott, hlS colleague There was, under
the law OF nations, no power vested in a con-
queror to extend other laws than those which
he found existing at the time of the conquest;
the conqueror only had a right to do what
self defence required.
Mr., Darragh obtained the foor, but yielded
for an adjournment.
SamIu CLEnLLA.. GE-.rnnr o. E.;ia..