The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-12-26
CON CIR E S SIGNAL,
WAsnrNGroN. Dec. 10.

House, as well as an INSTRUCTIVE one WI
Gentry, who now standsin the front rank of I
able g. ready debaters, took the floor on ref
erence to the Presidents Message He en-
tered into concise examination ofthe vari-
ons positions advanced rs the cause of the
war; and then demonstrated their inconsis-
tency with each other His exposition of
those parts of the document in which Mr.
Polk nflirms the Rio Grande, from its mouth
to its source, was the western boundary OF
that "same Texas" which was annexed to tho
United States, and then declares that Gener
al Kearney has established Il civil government
in New Mexico, and at Santa Fe, its capital
lying many miles east of the right bank OF the
Rio Grande, and according to the statement
of the President, within the legal limits and
Jurisdiction of the State ofTeXas, was master
ly conceived and executed with degree of
power and ability that carried convi ction TO
every impartial mind. lie exposed the ials-
ty ofthe declarations of'the administration,
that this was not Il "war of conqueSt," by quo
ting from the instructions Of the Secretary
of War TO the notorious Stevenson, directing
him to take possession of California, and TO
hold il as territory of the United States.
Speaking of the results that must inevitably
| flow fronithis wholesale scheme of anneXa-
lion, he said there was no use of blinking the
question. The North would never consent
! to the extension of slavery over the vnst re-
gon extending from the Rio Grande TO the
Pacific. 1t was orr duty, therefore, TO meet
the issue Roi0, and to prevent that fearful
struggle which would shake the stability of
the Union, from its centre to its crcumer-
ence. whenever it was proposed to embrace
the enormous results ofthis conquest under
the sectional influences of the South.
Mr. Kennedy, of Indiana, replied, and pro-
ceeded to charge upon those who stood up
in defence ofthe Constitution, disposition
to uphold the cause of Mexico. Mr. Gentry
reioined in II manner which will make Mr.
Kennedy and his Loco Foco allies long re-
member that under the cloak ola war plan
ned and declared by the President, they shall
not perpetrate the most tlagitons outrges on
the charter of our public liberties; nor Justify
usurpations, in comparison 10 which, those
which consigned Charles the First to the
block were wild and deluded drenmings of
| Il disorded brain.
Mr. Hudson followed, in ii speech charac-,
terized by that sound discrimination, logical
power and calm augmentation which dis
tinguishes him on all occasions. In war as
well us in peace, said he, we owe II paramount
duty to our country and constitution, which
must be performed at every hazard ofperson-
al popularity and at every risk Of political
consequences. He then entered into NM
ute analysis ofthe Message, proving ito be
il specious and Ingenious misrepresentation
of lacts in order to misead public opinion,
I; and to create the impression that, so far from
the President having exercised the war max
= ing power, in violation of the authority vest
ed in Congress, as he did do, Mexico had
struck the blow, and thus rendered hosilities
inevitable.
SENATE. On Mr. Turneys motion the
Military committee were instructed to make
inquiry concerning the expediency of full
pay for the term ofservice of volunteers dis
charged by sickness. Mr. Crittenden present
ed bill for improving western rivers.
The Chaplain was elected on II second bal
lot. Rev. NJ. Slicer received 81 votes, Tus-
ton Q, scattering7.
HOUSE. Mr. Pollock moved TO suspend
! the rules in order to offer resolution in
structing the Committee OH Ways and Means
to report Il bill for the repeal ofthe tariff Of
1916, aud remodel thUt of lS42-lost 73 to
\ ITO.
HOUSE. DEC. Il. Mr. Winthrop offer
ed resolution calling on the Secretary of
War to furnish a statement of expenditures
for hnrbors, roads, and Notifications in the
several states and territories. The House
proceeded to elect Chaplain.
On the third ballot, the Rev. Mr. Sprole
was elected He had one hundred and three
votes Dewy forty-eight; Sinsley, eighteen;
and Storrs three. Mr. Douglass, from the
Committee on Territories, reported bill for
the admission of Iowa into the Union. Read
twice.
HOUSE. Dec. 18. Mr. Boyd from the
Military Committee, reported bill to increase
the pay of volunteers two dollars month
from the commencement of the War, and
granting 100 acres ofland 10 all serving TO the
close ofthe war, unless sooner discharged.
Referred to the Committee of she whole. Mr.
BOYD moved to 90 into Committee and take
up said bill. Mr. Mckay said the bill was
important. Time should be allowed 10 eX-
anline it before it was taken up. The vote
was then taken Oh Mr. Boyd's motion and it
was lost
On Saturday the Senate did not sit, and the
House attended to no public business.
SENATE. WASHINGTON, Dec. 81, MIR
Barrow offered resolution calling on the
President to inform the Senate whether any
agent had been sent by him to Havana IN re,
ation to Santa Annals return to Mexico, and
calling for all correspondence in relation
thereto-Laid over.
MIR Breese, bill creating the office of 5 W.
yeyor General of Oregon.
Mr. Brodbead moved Il suspension OF fhe
rules TO introduce n Resolution requiring the
Secretary ofthe Treasury to inform the House
Oh what articles the duties imposed by the
act of 1916 can be enhanced, to what extent
and what additional revenue would accrue
therefrom.
The ayes and noes were demanded upon
the motion to suspend, which was lost, CD to
81
Bills were introduced to graduate the sales
of'the public lands; to provide for the ascer-
tainment and satisfaction ofclaims for French
| s,,1LintinnS. for the announcement of the Mis-