Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-19
"WEDNESDAY, May l3, lS4G.
In SENATE

IN SENATE.
Several letters from General Taylor, but Of a
prior date 10 those accompanying The message
were received and ordered 10 be printed
Resolutions OF the Pennsylvania Legislature
inslruc,ing the Representatives from that State
10 vote against The new tariff bill, were presented
and ordered 10 be printed.
Resolutions Of the New York Legislature in
favor OF reorganization OF the militia, were also
presented and ordered 10 be printed.
Among The bills repored from committees, was
bill relative 10 the transportation OF The mail be-
tween the U. States and foreign countries.
Numerous private and local bills having been
reported, the prior orders were postponed Tor the
purpose of taking up The old tortifcalion bill
from the House, as amended by the Senate com
millee.
The first question was upon increasing The ap-
preparation for The Florida reef from 100000 10
S20O,0O0
Mr. Evans made some objection 10 the in
crease Of the appropriation until farther and more
detailed information could be received.
Mr.. Yulee cloquenlly advocated The increase
and went on 10 show The importance ofiortifyng
that portion oil the coast where our commerce was
50 much exposed. In his opinion halt million
of dollars would not be too much.
| Mr. Weslcolt also srenuously advocated an
increase OF the appropriation. in view OF the
contest in which We are now involved, especial
y If Mexico should get any foreign aid, The for
LITIGATION OF that point was of the highest import
ance.
Mr. Lewis, Of the Military Committee, next
advocated the proviso. and inimaIed that the
war department had recommended S250000. He
hoped the amendment would prevail.
The question was then put, and the amend
ment was agrecdio.
hp ppy amendment
President 10 make use 81 any OF the appropria-
tons al any time after The passage of this act.
Alter some remarks from Messrs. Evans and
Johnson OF Louisiana, Mr.. Lewis explained
that this bill makes appropriation for iortica-
tons already commenced; and thai there is a new
bill vel 10 come from the House, providing fol
new notifications.
| MIR. johnson. OF Maryland, after some remarks
relative 10 the or,ifiealion al Sellers Point Flats,
moved to amend BY inserting 10000 Tor that pur-
pose.
Some explanations having been made BY mem
hers of The Military Committee, Mr.. Johnson
said he would withdraw his amendment SO lar as
il concerned this bill.
The amendment auihoiising The President 10
use the appropriation al any time, was agreed To-
after which the bill, rs amended, was passed ana
returned 10 the House.
Tie Senate then adopted resolution offered
by MIR. Bcrrien, requesting The Judiciary Com
mit,ee 10 report on the expediency oil lcslsla ton
| for carrying into effect the lth article OF ne
| ,rca,y with Spain in l195, the object 81 "hirh
is 10 prevent the fitting ont Of prlva,eefs undef
NeYican coIors from The Island ot Cuba.
The Senate then took up The Indian appropri-
alton bill from the House
After long discussion upon sundry proposed
amendments the bill was, al o'clock, passed
over informally. and the Senate went into an ex-
ecutiye session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The Speaker signed the bill authorizing the
President TO prosecute the existing war into
Mexico and the bill 10 increase the rank and
file OF the army. They were then sent 10 The
President.
Mr.. Holmes presented letter from the Secrc-
lary of the Treasury, relative 10 the steamers
now under construction for the revenue service,
which are progressing RAPIDLY towards compile
ton, and stating thai il is desirable that some ac-
lion should be taken upon the bill in relation 10
promotions and appointments OF officers IN mat
service.
The letter having been read, on motion of Mr..
Holmes, The House took up the bill 10 regulate
promotions and appointments OF officers in the
revenue service.
After some debate, on motion of Mr.. Rathbun,
the bill was re.committed 10 the COMMITTEE on
Naval Affairs with instructions TO strike ont all
after the cnacting clause, and TO report bill pro-
ydins, That all vessels now engaged in The re-
venue marine service Of the United States or
now building for The same, and under the control
OF the Treasury Department, be transferred 10
the control Of the Navy Department, Tor public
service and subject in all respects TO The reguIa-
tons thereof, as established by law.
AT two o'clock message was received from
the President 10 the effect, that ne had approved
and signed the War Bill, and The Bill Increasing
the rank and file Of the army. The increase y
about 1000 men.
The House then went into Committee OF The
Whole and after debating the West Point AGA
denny Bill for len minules laid II aside 10 be re-
ported.
On motion OF Mr.. Mckay, the committee then
took up the bill making appropriation Tor lae sup
port oflhe Army Tor The year ending SUN OF June,
lS4-
Several amendments having beer agreed TO,
Mr. Black moved an additional section TO pay
the non-commissioned officers, musicians and pri-
Yates, attached 10 the regiment OF riemen, lnfan-
Try and artillery, eight dollars month instead OF
seven. He said the dragons received eight dol
lars, and he desired 10 equalze The pay
After the amendment had been advocated by
Mr.. Hamin and others,
Mr. Brockenbrough opposed il on lhe ground
that no additional pay was necessary TO stimulate
our soldiery TO patriotic action.
Messrs Gordon, Root, Severance and Deano
severally gave their views upon The propriely Of
the recent measures Of the President relative TO
Mexico.
Mr. Douglas then took The floor and made very
animated speech in defence Of the President, and OF
The course Of the 81 10 Oregon men in general
In reply TO Mr.. Adams he reminded that gentle
man, that he, when speaking on The Oregon ques
lion. had advised that the President should take
possession Of The territory first and negotiate al
forwards. Now, said MIR. D., surely the gentle
man and his friends could not blame the Pres-
dent il he had followed their rule in regard 10
Texas7
When Mr.. Douglass concluded, the committee
rose, without coming 10 any conclusion on The
bill, and the House adjourned.
During the debate, it was elected that there is
a, the present moment abundance Of money in
the Treasury to !etray all the expenses OF the war
measures.