The Southern journal., 1846-03-21
! rom them. o. Ptayune.
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.
WAsHINeToN, Feb. 2S.

ult., land of Monday, Tuesday and Wednes-
day, the ID, Sd and 4ih inst. On the
2Sth ult. the Senate did not sit.
In the House, Mr.. Owen, from the
Select Committee, reported bill in re.
gard to the Smithsonian Bequest, which,
together with the report accompanying it,
were printed, and made the oider of the
day for the second Tuesday in April. The
remainder of the day was spent upon pri-
vale bills.
On the Cd inst, in the Senate, the Pre-
sIdent laid before the members number
OF memorials upon every variety of sub.
Ject. Mr.. Dayton presented a resolution
calling upon The President 10 communicate
to the Senate whether the present state
of our Foreign Relations, in his opinion.
demands an increase of the navy. Laid
over.
Mr. Atchison reported bill in favor of
arming the militia of Oregon for their own
defence.
Mr.. Breese then continued the debate
upon the Oregon resolution, "giving no.
tlce," advocating the claim of the United
States 10 the whole territory in dispute,
and insisting upon the most energetic
pollcy--n regard to taking possession
oft.
In the House the New Jersey contested
election occupied the whole sitting, without
any action being had 6pon it.
On the Sd inst, in the Senate, the Pre-
sident laid before the members report from
the Navy Department..
Mr.. J. M. Clayton offered resolution,
calling upon the President of the United
States for copies of any correspondence
which has taken place in reference TO the
Oregon question, if not incompatible with
the public interests, since the 4Ih Feb.
Laid over.
Mr.. Dayton's resolution concerning the
increase of the navy was passed over at the
request of Mr.. Sewer.
Mr.. Dayton resumed the debate upon
the Oregon resolutions. He advocated
the "masterIy inactivity" policy, in
speech which consumed the remainder of
the day.
In the House the New Jersey contested
election occupied the whole day, and gave
rise to number of speeches for and
against the sitting member, (Mr. Runk,
whlg) whose seat is claimed by Mr.. Far
lee, dem., on the grounds that The former
was elected by the votes of the students of
Princeton college, who had no right to The
elective franchise. Before the vote was la
ken, the House a1 Journed.
On the 4th inst, in the Senate, MIR. Hay-
wood made an elaborate defence of the
Presidents course in regard 10 The Oregon
negotiation. He reviewed the state of the
question, and commended that the President
now stood where he stood in August last
VIZ: upon the line of 49--and that no.
where in his message could it be shown
that he stood upon "a 90. Although he
believe our title TO be clear, he had offered
to compromise on 49, and although he had
withdrawn the offer, he still held the door
open for Great Britain to enter upon that
line. He was in favor of the "notice' as
great moral weapon in the hands of the
Executive. He thought the controversy
must be settled this year, if at all peace
ably. He would stand by the President
upon the 40, and below that line he would
not talk about inches. MIR. Haywood had
somo slight alteration with Mr.. Allen,
while commenting upon the remarks of the
Senator from Ohio, that England dare not
go 10 war with the United States,' and be-
fore he closed his speech motion was car
red TO adjourn.
In the House the New Jersey contested
election was decidedin favor of the sitting
member (Mr. Runk) by the casting vote
of the Speaker. The vote stood 96 to 96
rpon the resolution declaring the seat va
cant. When The Speaker gave the cast
ing vote in favor of political oppo-
nen, there was a general applause in the
Hall.
The House then adjurned.
Exciting Debate on the Oregon Question
In tho San,,o ~, Thn.eJ,,, H. E,L -.