Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-05-28
FROM WASHINGTON.
MONDAY, May 1S.

ltu CTCClHg ule HllllldTy committee to in
to the eXpedency of increasing the number of off
GERS Of the general staff of the army. and of pro.
yding for the more efficient organization of volun.
teers.
The bill to repeal the proviso to the naval appro
priation bill now in force, which limits the force of
the navy to $500 men, was taken up and passed,
without opposition.
On motion of Mr.. Fairfield, the bill which was
reported in the early part Of the session, for the
construction Of ten war steamers, was reconmitted
to the committee on naval affairs.
Tho bill 10 increase the number of paymasters
in the army, and to make the appointment perma-
nent, taken up and after brief explanation
was finally passed.
HousE.-ln the House resolution was adoprod
calling on the Secretary of War for information in
relation to the survey and examination by officers
OF the Typographical corps, Of Sandusky BAY. on
Lake Erie, and the plans and estimates for improv.
ing the harbor and putting the same in state of
defence.
The House then went into committee of the
Whole, and took up the army appropriation bill.
Mr. Mckay sand that in consequence of the in.
crease OF the rank and file it would be necessary
te increase the appropriation for pay, subsistence
&c. some 100000.
Mr. Sins, of s. C., opposed the pcudIng amend.
inent to increase the pay of privacs to $40 per
maintained that the Executive had been guilty of
no improprety, under tho law of nations, in prose
cutting the war with Mexico
Mr.. Lumpkin, Of Georgia, followed in a written
speech in defence of what had been done by the
Executive. Mr. l.. argued that the President could
not properly have acted otherwise than he has done
lie respected the nniHIous Of those who had voted
against the bill TO declare war, and gave thomcred-
it for their sincerity in ayowlng their willingness
to vote supplies.
Mr.. Tombs, of KY, made a very animated speech
and denounced the bill which passed Congress for
prosecuting the war, as preiaced by an averment
which was not true. Mr.. II. declared that the war
was ware aggression on Mexico, and u usurpa-
ton Of power.
Mr.. Chapman continued the debate in one of his
Characteristic speeches, in which the Federal
Wings were denounced, and Mr.. Polk and the
"Denocracy" were highly Landed.
MIR. Order followed, and said that the war was
an Executive war. He argued that peace might
have been preserved and our difficulties with Mex
leo settled in an honorable manner if the Presi.
dent had chosen to send commissioner TO treat on
tie boundary question, instead Of a minister plen-
potentldry, which tunCtlunarv the Mexican Govern
ment had never agreed to receive. lie CHARGED
the administration with desire to make wal and
said that If the same efforts had been made to pro
serve peace, as had been used to prosecute war.
peace might have been preserved.
TUESDAY, Nav 10.
Mr. Benton, from the committee on military af
fairs, which committee had been directed to INQUIRE
into the eXpedeucy of making farther provisions
TO promote the efficiency Of the volunteer force au-
thorzed by law, reported Gan act supplementary
70 an act entitled an act for the prosecution of the
EXISTING war between the Republic of Mexico and
the United States and for other purposes"
The bill to provide for the adjustment of sus
pended presumption claims in the several states and
territories, passed.
On motion of Mr.. Lewis, the Senate proceeded
TO The consideration Of the bill making appropra-
tons for the support Of the Post Office Department
for the year 1S47.
MIR. Speight said it WAS not his intention TO Cd.
pose the passage OF the bill-but he launched out
al once into violent attack upon the cheap post
age system, which he denounced as scheme to
keep up high taxes.
Mr.. Niles replied that the committee had not
thought it their duty to recommend any change
lie was surprised at the denunciatiun of bill |
which was one Of the most beneficial that had ever |
been enacted. As to til stage lines, they had
hitherto been burden of million year on the |
Department, and had nothing to do with the con- /
veyance OF the mails Mr. Niles said he had re-
Gently learned from the postmaster at New York |
that the Increased number of letters passing hr ugh
his Office was astonishing Mr.. N. was of opinion
that alter the next lettings the Department would |
cease to be burden upon the Treasury.
Mr.. Calhoun inquired what had been the falling !
Oil IN the revenue as compared with last year.
Mr.. Niles said he believed it was about As per
cent. on the first six months
The bill was passed over until Tomorrow.
HousE.-ln the House it was agreed to take the J
army oil out OF committee at o'clock to-day
Mr.. Mckay had moved to add to the amount of !
The appropriation two millions to meet the expenses
attending the Increase of the army to $4,000 men.
This makes the gross amount of additional APP
preparations on account Of the war; seventeen mil
lions.
MIR. Dromgoole made speech on the Mexican
tft,tt 49, A.. ID
constitutional ground, in taking position opposite
Matamoras. He maintained that from this point
he had right to pursue any force that threatened
him, on the other side of the river He compliment
ted Gen. Ampuda with the opinion that, by his
Proclamation, he had put himself without the pale
OF natlonal law, and ought to be tried and punish
ed-when we catch him-for man stealing. As
TO the boundary he was not surprised that it was
disputed by the opposition. They had disputed and
given up every boundary.
MIR. llbbatts, Of KY, made an argument in sup
port Of the title Of the United States 10 the Rio
Grande as the boundary line.
Mr.. Black, Of South Carolina, spoke in support
Of his proposition TO increase the pay Of troops to
ten dollars a month.
Mr.. Washington Hunt pronounced the act of the
Executive, IN making war upon Mexico, unconstl.
tutonai, and urged that the people W, uld hold the
authors OF the war responbe for the stain it had
brous ut upon the country But as we were in a
"uI, ne uusled IL "Oud oe SO prosecuted that IL
would be brought to speedy conclusion. He
was opposed to protracted and lingering war, and
was IN favor Of an early and magnanimous peace,
Considering that Mexico was a feeble power the war
would not, he hoped be prosecuted in fell spirit
OF revenge, but IN humane and generous manner
AIR. Cooke, OF Tennessee, though an ardent op.
poLeht OF Tie administration, as to all lis internal
policy was IN favor OF continuing the war and
prosecuting It with yigor There was no disputed
territory, except where a hostile force was found
Mr.. Mchays amendment was agreed TO- The
amendment faIsng the pay Of the soldiers was de.
clared out Of order.
an amendment cutting down the allowance for
travel 10 officers Of the army and navy to six cents
mile was carried-yeas lO5 nays %.
-. This is one way of returning thanks TO General
Taylor and his army.
The bill Passed-yeas 49, nays none, and the
House adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, May 90.
SENATE.-The Committee on Finance reported