The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-26

Low % w. III Stiles, charge daffaires 10 Austria
his salary from tbs 10Th day Of May to the 5otf
day Of June, l645. and 10 pay the same out OF an
unsxpended balance Of tho appropriations for saia
Tss ofthe charge d'afiares OF the United States"
Mr.. c. briefly explained the object of the amend
msnt, stating that IL had the appreciation OF thu
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and that the pro
priey OF i was sustained by letter from tho Sec
rotary Of State.
M. MclLyAINE moved to strike out the item
making an appropriation for the transportation OF
troops, &c, in Texas.
Mr.. Mel spoke in so low tone that not one
word in twenty was heard on the len OF the ehsn'
lie was understood 10 60 into general ulseuss,1
of the policy Of the annexation OF Texas, anu ~ ''e
.nbseouent military movements there; referring 10
The bearing the annexation had on the suolec' OF
slavery; and protesting against me exPenul.u,e "
the public money in any such uneonsituuohai 90
Mr. BRocKENBRoUGH gaze notice Of, and ex-
planned the necessity for, an amendment which ne
should offer when in order for the purpose OF trans
lsning part Of an appropriation made al me iss'
session OF Congress for the purpose OF paying the
,xnsnses of the legislative council Of Florida None
~ This appropriation had been expended. He
wished 70 transfer that appropriation, or 80 much
Off as was necessary (for he believed but small
mart would be necessary TO pay arrearages TO per-
rons for services rendered under the laws OF the
United States in prior Legislative councils OF Flor-
ds. The legislative council OF Florida had the priv
iege by Law of the United States Of sitting seventy
DAYS; but the act Of Congress only n7de appropna-
tons for fifty days The very fact OF the Territory
going into State obliged them TO sit longer-to SIT
sixty five aays--at an expense beyond the amoun,
NJ anoropriations provided for. The services had
actually been rendered, the debt was due. He sent
no the amendment TO the clerks table, where 1t
was read for information.
Mr. DOUGLASS, in reply 10 Mr.. MelLyAIsE,
required at some length to the history OF the annexa-
ton Of Texas, and to the accompanying measures,
especially indicating the action Of our government
in sending into that territory the army OF oceupa-
ton, which was designed (he sad) as precaution-
AIRY msasure-a Of defence against threaten.
ed hostiIties OF Mexico and with intention OF
making an aggressive movement on Mexico. The
State Of Texas had accepted the terms Of our resolu-
ton; and the union although the ormslIties had not
all been gone through with, was substantially, and To
all inients and purposes, complete; and Texas was
as much entitled to the defence Of the general gov
eminent as any State Of this Union. The compact
was formed was rreyscable, and was binding upon
every man in this Union, whether he, before that
time was for or against the annexation. But II was
immaerial whether the compact was complete or
not. II our government had seen ft 10 make the
proposition Of annexation to Texas, and, by that
means, had brought down upon her an invasion, II
was our duty to defend them. Mr.. d. paid high
tribute TO the sasacity, the promptness and efcien-
cy with which the movement had been Character
ized, both on the part Of the Executive who had
planned and directed and Of the officers and soldiers
who had executed, and were still engaged in this
service. ..
He digressed briefly into the merits of the annex
alton policy, and spoke OF it as measure which
had worked out its own vindcation in all sections Of
the country. II was great measure, which appeal
ed to all our interests, alike commercial, agricultural
and manufacturing; which was an important step
towards driving Great Britain from the continent,
and which, in all its results, would promote the go-
ry and honor Of our republic In no district in the
country could the people now be appealed to against
il with any hope Of success, unless il was by work.
ing upon their passions and prejudicea In this con-
nexon he spoke in terms Of strong reprobstion and
contempt ofthe manner which the subject Of slavery
had been dragged in upon this and upon other
sions by few members Of the House--no matter
what the subject under consideration-for the pur-
pose Of making political capital at the North. He
considered II a species Of demagoguism to enable
men to get into Congress who Otherwise never
would occupy seats here.
lin this portion Of his remarks, Mr.. d. yielded for
explanation to Mr.. GIDDINGS, and on a point Of
order to Mr.. CULVER.
He came from free State but he believed this
agitation could do no good, but, on the contrary,
harm TO all sections Of the country, we'll to the
slave himself, and tended to keep up heart burnngs
and jealousies between the North and South He
had no favor the fanatics upon either extreme (for
he believed them about equally fanatical) Were
these frequent inAammatory appeals, this Juggling in
the subject Of slavery, and connecting it with the ia
riff, with the river and harbor bill, &C. and all these
movements the part Of abolitionlss, intended to
prepare the people Of the North, by exciting their
jealousies for combination to dissolve this Union
He had recently seen that petitions had been pre-,
ssnted 10 the legislature Of northern State in favor
Of dissolution Of the Union. He repeated his re-
greet that the member from Pennsylvania, or that any
other member, had felt il his duty 10 connect this
subject with any measures which were dear to him
mr. d. But if the question of the improvement Of
rivers and harbors to be sacrificed or be required
to Join in this fanaticism, this nsidious attempt to
excite one part of the Union against another, they
would find him copdemning every combination Of
that kind for the purpose Of preserving the peace,
harmony and durability Of the republic. He
should listen with no 'complacency to any such
threats Tor limitations. For one, he intended to
vote to reduce the tariff, and all he feared that
the committee would not bring in bill that would
60 far enough. He intended furthermore to con.
nue to vote for river and harbor improvements. and
his southern friends upon the other side could no,
drive him from it so long as the measure was
within the provisions of the constitution and the
wants ofthe country. .
Mr.. d. touched upon other points; in the course
Of his remarks further giving way to Mr.. Nell
Mr.. STANTON gave notice Of an amendment he
intended to offer, and explained it in few words.
Mr.. MCKAY obtained the foor with view Gas
he expressedl of making some explanations of vari-
Gus items of the bill.
Mr.. CHAPMAN, (and others who were contest
ants for the foor raised the point of order that Mr.
McKAr, having spoken once, had no right to the
floor again while others wished to speak. 81
A scene Of confusion and disorder followed, which
was finally terminated by Mr.. McILvAINE offer.
ing to withdraw his amendment, md Mr.. MCKAY
waving his claim TO the floor,
Mr.. g. DAVIS was next recognized by the chair,
and occupied the floor during most Of his hour,
taking wide range Of discussion. He FIRST protested
against the hot haste with which this bill was being
pressed through under the conduct Of the chairman
Of the Committee of Ways and Means. A bill ap.
propriatng Gas he computed) nearly two millions
and sought to be passed by the committee in two
days. Connecting this with the military bills, and
the recommendations in reference to an increas,
of military defences, received by the military com
mitiee from the executive department, and not pre-
sented TO the House, he asked the honorable gentle
man near him, Mr.. BuRr,l and the committee
whether the committees of this House were tn
organs of this House or the organs Of the govern
menR By what right did the Committee on Mill
fart, of ~, Eoo, ia