The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-12-24
ongressiona
SENATE.
Washinaton, Dec. 10, 1874.

SSN 49, ~ 'NH AA'pDt l. W 'S "N1'N
intendent of the Coast Surveys, and the Re-
port Of the Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr., Crittenden of Ky. then offered q reso-
luton that provision should be made to in
crease the pay of such officers, musicians, and
p~rivates, both of the regular and volunteer
corps, who had distinguished themselves in
the Mexican War. The same Senator also
gave notice that he should at some early day
Introduce a bill for the improvement Of the
Western Rivers.
MIR. Yulee of Fla. presented a resolution
instructing the Naval Committee to bring in
a bill for the construction of a dry-dock at
Pensacola.
Mr.. Ashley of Ark. notified the Senate
that he intended shortly to introduce a bill
for the graduation of the sales ofpublic lands
The resolution offered yesterday by Gen. Cam
eron, granting 100 acres of land to each vol
| unteer, or his heirs, and an increase of pay,
was adopted. The General explained the
object. The joint resolution appointing a
committee to superintend the purchase Of
books, &c. tor the Library was adopted.
Mr.. Semple of III. rendered a resolution
calling on the President for information rela-
tive to the manner Of transmitting letters to
and from volunteers at the seat of our army's
operations. Adjourned to Monday.
HOUSE.
The motion of Mr.. Carrot Davis of Ky. re-
q~uesting documents, &c. of the President, was
the first business in order. The motion was
so modified as to make farther demands of the
President, calling on him to state, through
the Secretary of War, whether the present
War with Mexico was waged with a view to
conquest, or to what extent he designed to
prosecute it. 1t was also added, that the in
formation communicated should be received
with closed doors.
Mr.. Darragh of Penn being entitled to the
floor, rose, and made a speech of an hours
length, in favor of the Resolution. He went
into an examination of the Presidents Mes
sage, and denounced it in severe terms. The
message, said Mr.. Darragh, is a cunningly
devised instrument war is to be denounced
as a dreadful and Unnecessary evil. He dwelt
with much sarcasm and bitter comment on
the reasons assigned by the Executive for per-
the return of Santa Anna.
The gentleman sat down, and was replied
to by Mr.. Stanton of Tenn. who contended
that the resolution had for its object designs
much deeper than appeared on the face of it.
lie defended the course of the President
With regard to the question under considera-
ton, it was answered in the message. The
war was not one of conquest, but was solely to
enforce justice on Mexico.
Mr.. Seldom of Va. thought the discussion
was altogether premature. He could not eX-
actly agree with the views of his Democratic
friend on this subject. He stated what he
considered equity and the laws of nations de-
nand of us. They demand that we should
punish Mexico, and enforce naturalization
or he wrongs we have suffered. These
claims did not necessarily look to conquest
The right of the Executive extends no farth-
er than to establish provisional governments,
he has done but legislative right may
alter and amend them. He contendcd that
he message was strictly in accordance with
law.
Mr.. Boyd of Ky. obtained the floor, and fl
lally the question was informally passed over,
and the House adjourned to Monday next.
Washington, Dec. ii, 1916.
SENATE.
Mr.. J. M. Clayton of Delaware appeared
II his seat, Mr.. Mangum presented the Gre
of Mr.. Badger of North Carolina, who
vas qualified and took his seat.
The Vice President presented the annual
eport of the Commissioner of Pensions the
u IN 1ICuouIJ DCDdIIlllcllU, SiOWlI1
be number of vessels employed in the coast
ng trade, together with the annual report on
Commerce and Navigation and also the re-
ort of the State Department on its expendi-
Tres for the year.
aging F$G5,000 of bonds issued by Texas.
Mr. Benton offered a resolution instructing
he Military Committee to inquire into the ex-
nt oIInurInn 4hrnn tonnthc1 auf,, ,oo,,
} officers and soldiers, regulars and volun-
GERS, and placing them on the same footing !
18th regard to prize money. .
MIR. Crittenden's Resolution instructing the q
Committee to bring in a bill to in
ease the pay of soldiers, and to grant GER :
o fmerit and bravery when deserved, =
ter some discussion was modified, on Mr.. y
enton's motion, so as to insure the object ,
instead of instruct, and thus ,
On motion of Mr.. Sewer, the Senate pro- 7
.eded to ballot for Standing Committees a
I'd elected Mr.. Bagby Chairman of Indian i
fairs; Mr.. Pennybacker of Claims Mr.. "
La. of Pensions Mr.. Iurney of
etrenchments, and Mr.. Bright of Public
uildings, The only other changes we're an ?
in the dispatch of last night. a,
i HC SOlLlLlilClCC III Il dllC hCIC uUJilOIlZ- 80.
to employ a clerk. Petitions and memo d
us were received, and after an executive ~
ssion the Senate adjourned. to
HOUSE. ki
The Speaker announced the Standing Oh
'mmittees. The changes in the Chairmen, re
/: Mr.. Jos. Vance of Ohio, Committee on sf
anufacturcs, in the place of John Q. Adams; W
$. Mcdowell, Va. on the District of Column re
/, in place Off. M. T. Hunter; James Far pc
on Public Buildings and grounds, in place it
Orlando Ficklin. The other changes are TO
important. tn
Bowden of Alabama announced the of
ath of Felix G. Mcconnell, in a few appro- alt
ate remarks, and after passing the custom
resolutions to wear Grape thirty days, in :
.en of respect for the memory of the de- Ell
lsed, the House adjourned to II o'clock to- en-
rrow. az