Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-12-17

notice of bill To sell the mineral lands
and bill TO grant public lands in Micbi-
gan to that Slate for completing internal
Improvements. Senator Breese OF Iii.
nois gave notice Of bill TO graduate the
p'ice oiihe public lands and regulate the
snle thereof, a bill to est ablish a terrific.
rial government in Oregon, and bill to
establish land Office in Oregon.
House. Mr.. Davis's resolution call
ing on the President for copies Of all or
ders to generals or commodores relative
~ ,he establishment Of civil governments
IN territories conquered during the war
with Mexico, came up in order. The
question being on its adoption, Mr.. Har-
alison, of Ga. presented as amendment,
the wmds-'if not Incompatible with the
public interests" fle questioned the
~xprdiency Of an imperative call on the
Executive for information Of this char
actcr. The publication of the official
correspondence mig ht prove detrimental
10 our national interests, by giving the
enemy possession of our views and plans
Iopted IN the prOsec ulion of hosliliies
Mr.. Davis disclaimed any desire or in
irn,Ion Of procuring the publication OF
any hing calculated to have that ienden-
ry. lie wanted merely to obtain in
formation as to orders directing the es-
IabIishpent oi civil governments ia con-
qmred territories. lie proceeded to
speak at length, To the effect, that il il
appeared that the President had acted
contrary Ia the Constitution, he (Mr.
Divls) was prepared for such ulterlor
a~ssmes as The integrity of the Consti-
tn'lon and The safety Of tins Union
mig ght demand.
Alter sonn remarks from Mr.. Doug
lass Of Illinois and others, Mr.. Darragh
al Pa. obtained the floor when The
ll"use adjourned.
THURSDAY, Dec. ID.
SESArE.---The Vice President presented the
Report of the Secretary of War, of the killed
aud wounded in the battles of Palo Alto and
Rcsaca de Ia Palma. Also, Report of the Su-
perintendent of the Coast Surveys, and the
Report of the Secretary of the Treasury. Mr..
Crittenden, ,ofKcEtucky, then ordered a resolu-
ton that provision should be made to increase
the pay ofsuch officers, musicians and prlvates,
both Of the regular and voluntee corps, who had
distinguished themselves in the Mexican war.
The same Senator also gave notice that he
should at some early day introduce a bill for
the Improvement of the Western rivers. Mr.
Lewis of Alabama, offered resolution author
izng the Vice President to appoint all stand
ing Committees. This was warmly opposed
by Messrs. Westcott of Florida, aud Mangum
of North Carolina; to these Mr.. Lewis replied.
The motion was put, and lost by vote of u
TO 23. On motion Of Mr.. Sewer, of Arkansas,
Monday next, at o'clock, was designated as
the time for the election of committees. Mr..
Ashley, OF Arkansas, notified the Senate, that
hc intended shortly to introduce bill for the
graduation If the sales of public lands. The
resolution offered yesterday by General Cam
eron, granting 100 acres of land to each vol |
unlerr or his HERS, and an increase of pay,
was adopted. The General explained the OBJ |
j"ct. The joint resolution appointing a com
mittec to superintend the purchase Of books,
4 c., for the Library, was adopted Mr.. Sem
Pile, of Illinois, rendered a resolution calling on |
the President for information relative to the |
manner transmitting letters to and from vol /
untcers at the seat of our armys operations
Senators were allowed the privilege Of with
drawing papers, &c. On motion of Mr.. Arch. /
or of Virginia, the Senate went into executive /
session, after which it adjourned to Monday.
iIoU sE OF REPREsESTA rIvEs.--The motion |
documents, &c, of the President was the 1
first business in order. The motion was so
mod fed Ms to make further demands of the |
President, calling on him to state, through the /
Secretary of War, whether the present war
with Mexico was wagcd with view TO con-
quest, or to what extent he designed to prose
cute it. II was also added that the informa-
ten communicated should be received with |
closed doors. Mr.. Darragh, Of Pennsyl- \
yan:a. being entitled TO the floor, rose, and
made speech ofan hours length, in favor of
the resolution. Finally the question was in
formally passed over. Several executive com
muuicati1ns were received and the House
adjourned to Monday next, in order to allow
Tie Speaker an opportunity to appoint the usual
CO!l ntocs.
Ia SENATE, on Monday, Dec. Ia, the stand
iug committees were bailoted for and elected II
In the ilousE. the Speaker announced the
S'aad,ug Committees, and after passing the II
customary rcsolutons on the announcement /
of the death of the Hon. Felix g. Mcdonnell, /
Of Albania, the House adjourned to IL III. on
Tuesday. Il
Rams SPoKT.-On Monday last FIVE fn
back whales rnicrcd Proyuncetown hsrbor.- Il