The Southern journal., 1846-02-28

floor and the committee rose.
A resolution was then adopted calling
on the President for any correspondence
that may have taken place upon the Ore
gon question since the annual message was
sent to Congress--provded the same could
be done without compromising the public
interest.
The House then adjourned.
/ February 4ih.
In the Senate petitions were presented
by Messrs. Benton, Cass, Dickinson John.
son and Sturgeon.
MIR. Benton from the Committee on
Finance, to whom was referred bill to
abolish the duty on salt, reported. it back
without amendment.
Mr.. Niles reported bill to authorize the
?. M. General to enter into contracts for the
mail service in Texas.
The Senate after the transaction of some
private business went into Executive ses,
sion, and after the doors were opened, ad-
journed.
In the House Mr.. Holmes asked leave n
present resolutions from the Memphis Con-
vention.
Mr.. Tibbatts offered resolution 10 close
the debate on the Oregon question on the
9th inst, which after much discussion was
rejected by close vote.
The House theE went into Committee
of the Whole, and resumed the Oregon
debate.
Mr.. Bell, Of Kentucky, defended the
notice in qualified form. He argued
in favor of the right the Uuited States
to the whole of Oregon. His speech
commanded the undivided interest of the
House.
Mr.. Chase, Of Tenn, took the floor on the
"Whole Of Oregon side.
Mr.. Jones, of Ga, supported the notice,
but accompanied his speech with an amend.
ment, which he offered to the resolution
reported by the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, to the effect that the people had
confidence in the President, and in case
negotiations were resumed, were wilino
to confide the adjustment of the matter tc
him.
Mr.. Gentry, of Tenn, then got the
floor, but gave way to melton of Mr.
Mckay to lay aside the Oregon question
for the purpose of taking up bill to pro.
vide for the payment Of an agent to be
sent to Texas to take possession Of the
public property in behalf of the United
States.
This bill gave rise 10 long debate, al
the end of which the committee rose, ano
the House passed the bill and sent it to The
Senate.
The House then adjourned.
February 5th.
| In the Senate the credentials of the
r Hon. J. w. Chalmers, elected Senator from
Mississippi to fill the unexpired term o
the Hon. Robert J. Walker, were pre-
sented.
A bill was introduced 10 increase tn.
Navy of the United States, by adding to i
that of Texas.
!, The remainder of the day was consumed
in the consideration of the bill to increase
the navy by the construction of ten wal
steamers. Mr.. Westcott occupied the Aoo
in favor of the bill, till the Senate went inte
!, Executive session.
In the House a resolution was passed tt
close the debate on the Oregon question OF
the 9th inst.
The House then went into Committee
of the Whole and resumed the Oregon
debate.
The important fact was elected by The
debate that negotiations had been resumed
between the British Minister and Mr. Blu
chanan upon the subject. Mr.. Gentry, o
Tenn, in the course Of an interesting ane
able speech against giving notice, inquired
of the Chairman of the Committee or
Foreign Relations &c. J. IngersolD if ne
f go'iations had not again been commenced
between the two Governments. Mr.. In
gersoll answered in the affirmative, ant
expressed the belief that this renewed cor
respondence would be laid before Congress:
without delay.
! MIR. Dargin, of Ala, at the conclusion
of Mr.. Gentry's speech, which was Gu