The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-04-03
COugVeSu.

The senate is still discussing the Oregon ques-
ton. |, meets on an average four days in a
week, and aboni one speech is made ia day.
the general belief is that the "noice" will pass
that body, so qualified to give England to un-
dersland that the i9h parallel would he accept
ed by this country as a compromise
Considerable excitement prevailed in that bo-
dy, and indeed extended over the whole city, in
consequence Of the appearance OF an article IN
;he Times" newspaper printed at Washington,
charging that number OF wing senators had
held caucus at the residence of the BRUSH min
liter, having Tor its object the framing OF such u
resolution To be passed through the senate as
would meet the APPRECIATION ui the British 60
,ernment and ensure the settlement ct the Ore
gin question, aud ii was insinunted that the
amendment, proposed by Mr.. C0lquiu was the
result of The caucus. simultaneously with the
appearance of this article ia the Times, the Mis-
sour Republican reached Washington, which
contained letter from lis correspondent making
the same charge. The matter was brought be-
fore the senate by Mr.. Colfuitt and the whole
charge pronounced false, and a committee APP
pointed to investigate il. One Of the first wit
nesses summoned by the committee was &. I.
NJ. Davis, of the Alton Telegraph, who nc.
knnwedgcd himself the author OF the letter in
the Republican, and on his refusing to comply
with certain requirements of the committee, he
was put in charge of the sergesnt-at-arms, and
lie has, however since been released The eJ-
tor of the Tines was also summoned, who gave
number Of names as the authority for his state
ment. On the individuals being called, none OF
them appeared to know anything about the al
legged caucus. After thorough investigation OF
two days the committee reported to tho senate
that they could find no foundation for the char
ges of the Times newspaper except idle rumors,
and groundless suspicious, and the matter was
dropped.
The house was engaged in discussing the river
and harbor bill al the rate Of ten speeches day
until the 10Th, when the debate, under the resolu-
ton, was brought to a close. Three DAYS more
were then taken up in voting upon amendments,
and finally on the Goth, after ole Of the severesi
struggles ever witnessed, the bill was passed by
a vote of llo 10 o., Wentworth, Baker, Doug
lass, and Smith of this state voting for it, aud
Ficklin and McClernand agains, it.
Com. Crane. head of one Of the Bureaus in the
navy department, committed suicide on the 18th
in his office, by cutting his throat with razor.
The subjoncd from the Chicago Democrats
correspondent, under date OF March goth, i. all
we have from Washington worthy OF notice in
addition to the above:
Something strange is now on foot. The SEN
ate has adjourned over from Thursday to Mon
day and the chairman Of the committee of for
eign relations has given notice that he shall next
week. ask the senate to sit with closed doors
upon business Of the most urgent nature,
at is said that we shall then be called upon to
90 TO war with Me yico
at is said tha, we shall then be asked TO pur-
chase California.
cit is said MrPeekenham has made fresh offer
in relation to Oregon, and tina, Mr. Polk has
asked advice Of the senate.
These are all the ii, is saids that have reach
ed me-