Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-08-11
~TWENTY-NlNTH CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SATURDAY. AUGUST S.-EvESISG SESSION.
The amendments Of the Senate 10 the bill 10
regulate the proceedings in the District Courts Of
The United States, and for other purposes, were
read and agreed 10. (Several otihc provisions Of
this bill very materially change the judicial sys-
lem OF The United States.)
Amendments OF the Senate 10 snndry House
bills were taken up, read, and concurred in.
The Senate bill, 10 provide for The more effec-
tual publication OF the laws Of the United States,
was passed, being opposed by messrs. G. Davis
and Winthrop, and sustained BY Mr. Briggs.
A Committee Of Conference was appointed on
the disagreement of The two Houses in regard to
The Civil aud Diplomatic Appropriation bill.
MIR. Sims, Of South Carolina, moved that The
speech of each member shall not exceed a quar-
ter Of an hour in length.
After some talk, il was decided that a quarter
Of an. hour was TOO long, and that, considering the
hot weather, len minutes was long enough.
This important mailer having been settled, the
Senate bill, authorizing the President 10 issue lei
tiers OF marque against Mexico in case she shall
bill 10 amend The postage law, was also referred.
The amendments OF the Senate 10 The West
Point bill were concurred in.
Mr.. Mckay having drafted a bill 10 carry out
the views of the Presidents message in regard 10
Mexico, BY appropriating the Two millions asked
for. the House went into OF The whole
upon il.
Mr.. White Of New York was rot willing to
vote Tor The bill. When The war commenced,
Congress had given The President thirty millions
to "conauer peace" This being the case, he was
averse now 10 appropriate money for opytng a
peace.
Mr.. Winthrop argued, that we have territory
enough already, without buying California, how
ever desirable ii mightotherwise he. Besides, he
thought il was taking an unfair advantage OF
Mexico, TO force her 10 sell il now.
MIR. ]. r. l%ngersoll hailed The message as a
measure of wisdom and humanity. He would
willingly vote the Two millions to end the war.
MessIs. Rockwell of Connecticut, Garrel
Davis, Ewing ii Tennessee, and Wood OF New
York opposed The bill. I
Mr.. Order argued, that the war in The frs
place was totally unnecessary. II we had want
ed California, we could have bought il without
spending The immense sums we had in war. He
would, however, vde for this bill, and hold The
President Responsible.
Mr.. WiImot thought the President ought 10
have furnished The House with all The information
in his possession, relative 10 This business. He
was averse 10 legislating in the dark. Besides,
if the bill should pass, he wanted TO move an
amendment 10 the effect. that in case Of the ac-
QUESTION Of California, neither slavery nor in
voluntary serviiude shall eIis, there, except Tor
crime, on conviction thereof. He concluded by
moving an amendment 10 that effect.
Mr.. Hunt OF N. Y, was opposed 10 the further
acquisition Of TERRITORY, especially in The South.
Mr.. Sims Of S. C.. e~llogized the message, and
commended that the Presiden, had behaved with
great magnanimity towards Mexico.
MIR. Adams gave his hearty assent TO the bill.
The message OF the President was, in the words
of a certain gentleman, refreshing" With re.
gard 10 slavery there was no necessity for any
amendment, as Mexico herself had already abol-
ished il in California.
After further debate, the amendment of Mr..
Wilmo, prohibiting slavery in California III case
il shall be acquired, was agreed 10.
After The rejection of numerous proposed
amendments, the bill was reported 10 the House,
when The amendment prohibiting slavery was
concurrcd in.
After an Intellectual motion TO lay II on the
table, the bill, as amended, was ordered 10 be en-
crossed by a vote OF yeas IS, nays 70. The bill
was then read a third time and passed without a
division, in the following form:
Whereas, a state of war now exists between the
United States and the Republic of Mexico, which
it is desirable should be speedily terminated upon
terms just and honorable 10 both nations And
whereas assurances have heretofore been given
10 the Government of Mexico that il was the de-
sire oilhe President to settle all questions between
the TWO countries. on the most liberal and salts
factory terms according 10 The rights OF each and
The mutual interests and security oil the wo coun-
tries And whereas the President may be able
10 conclude a treaty of peace with the Republic Of
Mexico prior 10 the next session OF Congress, il
means for that, objec, are at hi, disposal: And
whereas, in the adjustment of so many compli-
Gated questions as now exist between the Two
countries, it may possibly happen that an eIpen-
dilure Of money will be called for by the stipu-
lation. Of any treaty which may be entered into:
Therefore,