Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-03-27
CONGRESS-WEDNEspaY, MARCH 70.
SENATE

SENATE.
Mr.. Fairfield, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported bill TO authorize the Secretary
of the Navy 70 make contracts Tor the supply OF
American wa,er-rotted hemp for three years
The bill was ordered 10 be engrossea lot 'hifa
reading.
Mr. Yulee offered resolution insiructins The
Committee on Financet 10 inquire and report upon
the eXpediency Of paying 10 The state OF flofiua
the amount 10 which she would have been emil
lied under the distribution act, had she been
Stale al the time ofus passage. Laid over
The resolution Of Mr.. Johnson OF La, heFeto-
fore offered, 10 furnish The reporters with copies
of the bills &C., printed for the use OF the Senate
was taken upand adopted.
THE ARMY AND THE NAVY.
Mr. Berrien offered resolution, directing the
Committee ons on Military and Naval Affairs 10
lay before the Senate the communications and es-
Inmates from the War and Navy Departments
relative 10 the proposed increase OF those branch
eS Of The public service.
Mr. Benton said the Committee on Military
Affairs, all Of whom he had consulted, except
one now absent, were ready TO lay before the Sc
nate The report and estimate OF The Secretary OF
War; and saw no Improperly in their publication.
Mr.. Fairfield said, tha, some ofthe papers COM
uunicated BY The Secretary Of the Navy were
moi proper 10 be made public, and he hoped the
resolution would not prevail.
MIR. Bcrrien said he wished The Senate 10 DC
put in possession OF the Information, and they
would afterwards decide upon the e1pedlency OF
publishing or Withholding it,
Mr. Westcou hoped The resolution would pass.
The information would be as safe in the posses.
sion OF any and every member OF the Senate, s,
would be in that of the Committee, or The Exccu-
tive and his Secrelaries-and it was proper they
should have it 10 guide lhei. action.
The resolution was then passed, and The report
and estimates from the Secretary OF War ordered
10 be printed.
OREGON.
After some unimpouant business, the Senate
proceeded 10 the consideration Of the special or
dee of the day and The Oregon debate was re-
sumed.
Mr.. Sewer addressed the Senate at length in
favor OF The House notice, and in favor OF our
claim TO the whole oil Oregon. He did not be.
lieve that majority OF The people would be in
favor Of a settlement short OF 81 deg. 40 m; and
as 10 any compromise between the mouth OF the
Columbia and 49 deg, every Quaker in the coun.
try would pu, on the uniform before they would
submit to il.
MIR. Miller OF n J. has the floor fer tomorrow
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. !.
Mr.. Adams's motion 10 reconsider The vote
CLOSING The debate upon the military bill a, three
O'Clock yesterday was laid upon the table
The House, on molten Of Mr.. Brinkerhof,
went into Committee OF the Whole.
A motion was made BY Mr. Mcconnell 10 lay
aside the military bill, and lost
The Committee then adopted an amendment
that the enlistment should be for three years, I'M
less sooner disbanded by the President, and that
The increase 10 each company of private. should
not exceed eight. The amendment was adopted.
An amendment TO increase the number OF
troops for each company from eighty 10 one hun
dred, was also carried.
A substitute 10 the whole bill was then proposed
by MIR. Hungertord Of New York, and agreed 10,
authorising the companies TO be filled with six
men EACH and TO serve for three years, unless
sooner dsbanded by the President.
The bill was then reported to the House.
Mr.. Brinkerhoff moved the previous question,
which was Withdrawn, and Mr.. Mckay addressed
the House in favor Of an amendment to the bill,
by increasing the rank and file al once 10 sixty
men, and by giving power 10 the President 10
make each company 100 men.
Mr.. Mckay renewed the motion for the pre-
vious question, which the House refused 10 Sc
cond-y yeas so, nays9l.
Mr.. Boyd moved 10 recommit the bill, Lost &c
10 60.
Mr.. HARRISON OF Ga, proceeded 10 defend the
bill as reported from his Committee. Mr.. II.
said he should bring forward another bill 10 give
the President power 10 raise $4,000 men, ana If
the exgencieS of the country required il, he was
ready 10 vote 100000, or ,0Oo,0 900.
Mr.. Davis OF Ky, put some plain questions 10
Mr.. HARRISON as 10 the exigency which the Ex-
ecntive had surmsed in the increase of the Army.
Mr. HARRISON answered that communication
had been received on the list Of December, upon
which was haSed the action Of the Committee.
Mr.. Davis wished 10 know what were The views
OF The Executive about Inc increase.
Mr.. Burt offs. c., "a member OF the Military
Commitlee) objected, as the information was con.
fidential, and Mir HARRISON then said that The in
formation could no, be communicated consistent
" with a due regard for the public interest.
The motion for the previous question was now
renewed, and seconded by vote Of 81 10 so.
The amendment OF Mr.. Mckay was rejected
by vote Of los 10 76, and The amendment Of
MIR. Hunseriord Iraisug each company 10 eighty
men, if the President thought proper 10 do SO,
and TO enlist the new troops for three years) was
agreed 10 by vote OF ll2 to 20.
A motion was now made 10 lay the bill upon
the table, and lost by vole OF 80 10 81. The
bill was finally passed, l64 10 IS The bill, if
passed, would add $500 men 10 the army.
The House again went into Committee OF The
Whole upon the bill for making appropriations
for deficiencies in former bills.
A debate arose upon an amendment 10 relation
10 distributing books, which was denounced by
Mr.. PAYNE OF Ala. The debate was continued
by Mr. Ewing, OF Pa, and Winthrop, OF Mass,
amids, much confusion, and the committee Iose
without action on the bill or amendments, when
The House adjourned.