Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1846-06-09
TWENTY-NINTH CoNGRESS-First sess
Correspondence Of he american.
WAsHlNGToN, June >.
SENATE

~ NShAN"4ON, juno -.
SENATE.
Mr.. Webster presented memorial from
ienry Stephens, an American in London who
avs he Is engaged in making collection of
American books Tor the British Museum. MIR. |
" vbster spoke in high terms of praise OF the |
bnlush Museum, Us an ancient useful and |
nigh respectable institution. The memorial |
Isl represent. that there is a great desire TO re
ccive information in regard 10 the United
States. and Mr Webster moved the reference
u the memorial 10 lhe Committee ON the Lii
bTary.
Mr. Ashley moved that the General Pr,
c,npiion Law b. made the special order of the
day Tor Wednesday. The motion was agreed
to.
The Dill granting alternate sections of land
Tor the improvement OF Pearl River in Miss.
was passed 10y vote of II TO 10
GENERAL GAINES.
Mr.. Cass called up his resolution (offered
Yesterday calling for the orders of len. Gaines
Tor raising troops, and desiring to know wheth
er they had been approved by the Executive or
not.
MIR. Cass said that he entertoineda very high
respect Tor General Gaines lie was brAyr.
valuable and patriotic officers. and had rem
dered good service 10 the country. But he had
passed by the President on The one side. and
General Taylor on the other, and called on
The Executive OF the States, Ills good inten-
lions were very bad presidents, and called for
correction.
lie diSclaimcd all intention Of censurino
uenerdi Gaines; but the Inquiry he had made
was necessary and due TO the Government
and TO the Army. lie had called out troons
upon his own responsibility aud without au-
thunty OF law and in violation Of the Consti-
tuition OF the u. S. These IL 600 men had
part OF them been summoned into service. and
part OF them went 10 the seat of war without
any authority whatever.
Mr Webster said that General Gaines had
been IN authority for some time I'm the South
ern Division, and it could hardly be supposed
That he was SO Ignorant OF the Laws and the
Constitution as TO order out the Militia of the
states IN violation OF law. If he had done so.
IL was certainty most extraordinary pro-
ceeding, and called for inquiry.
lie believed that the President had mower
10 cal! out The militia OF the States to repel
INVASION it was very proper power dele
gated 10 the President, and il was his provin g
to exercise this power according TO his discre-
ton. lie pr sumed, too, that he had ripht
TO delegate this power for the SELECTION of
an officer OF the Army. lie desired to know
the Jdcts in the case. The proceeding, to say
the least oi IT, was extraordinary, and without
crnsurins the Executive he desired the inior-
nation which had been called Tor.
MIR. Webster said that he had taken occa-
sion To inquire OF thost who had knowledoe
OF tn !acts, or ought TO have a knowledge OF
the facts and WAS informed that the expenses
oil The Military Department of the Govern
IA mt were now carried Oh at an expense Of
nearly half million a day.
Mr.. Sewer said he would defend General
Chimes and hat ba ,i.,,,~l,, -
sure hlm IN the indirect way embodied i'm The
Resolution OF the Senator from Michigan. He
had done well, aud had acted properly. He
deserved the applause of the country instead
Oh us Cellsure, and ii he had done differently.
he would have deserved the censure of The
country. IL, would have deserved more. and
even TO be shot. lie did Lot wait for the te. |
llous forms OF law, but met the crisis. and
met II like man. And now, when his con- !
duct was appaudcd at New orleans, and
would be be The people OF the Union, an at !
tempt was made 10 ccnsure him in AN indirect |
manner.
lie did not think il just thus to Law blame
al crisis like the present upou the shoulders
OF tins patriotic veteran.
MIR. Johnson OF La. defended the course of
General Gaines, and said that his conduct had
been appropriated by the Governor of the
State and the people OF New Orleans at a large
public meeting. The people of the State and
me south every where, approved Of General
udlnes conduct, and lie would vote for no
RESOLUTION Implying Censure upon him.
Mr.. Wesicott said that the X solution of
the SENATOR from Michigan was an act of cen
sure, whether ii was 50 intended or moi. He
cared not whether ccnsure was disclaimed or
not. lie should vote against the resolution.
Nhen the Senator from Michigan was Sec.
ictary oi war, General Gaines acted precise.
ly as lic has since done. He onlered out Vol
untoers from louisiana immediately after
i'due ) MASSACRE, aud this old veteran with his
knapsack on his back marched OF tha head of
those men and led them Tor seventy miles ON
loot against the Indians. lie thought that
cen Gaines would have been censI,red by
many w THIS country il he had MT done prc-
Cl>cly what had been done by him.
/ MI Webster said be had rot ccnsured Gen.
cio' flames aud did not regard the infoyma.
tloh received, as isr as il had been made
known, as WdrianGHg Censure II The Pms.
lient had sanctioned tie orders Of General
Games BE was responsible iUrit, aud the c.,se
presented itself to the senate in d very difIrr.
dnt Ii6ht from what il otherwise would. |
call upon gentlemen, said Mr.. Webster. io
answer ne i'ils II Gen. Taylor was put in
20 critical position as was alIggcd, Who put
IL uenerai Guine. had ordered out troons
+ 20 meet q crisis growing ont of the removal
OF me tfoaPs TO Texas or Mexico. ne was also
'hsi0le Tor this lie was determined IN
probe tins matter to the bottom.
/ desire TO know, continued Mr.. w. If in
Ihe SMOKE and fog Of this war, winch the
6o'enment b. legal & Constitutional means
| mas power TO carry on, and to prosecute to ali
( Just ends, and for oil just purposes. vbelbsr
tnc EAecuuveand those acting under him have
/ disregarjcd the law.
The discussion was further continued h.,
dessrs. Johnson Of Nil Manrum. A,.ber
biSby, Settler, Houston and Others.
Ten. Houston argued that Genera, Gain.s
u Ie had violated order, or rot obcyed order.'
"as amcn1blc to The Executive.
Mr.. Basby could see no wroug IN ,be CON.
a9,l OF ihe Executive, none in ile Resolution
o. Ten. Ca,s, none n any body b,t Gcnar'i
uiines whom hc said be- would not censnre
Nif. SEVER offered an amgudmcn; c,liine
upon the President Tor any correspondent
WIN Gcncrdl Scott and lhc Secretary at ~,
HF Na.H H. q