Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-06-18
CONGRESS.

reported the Sub-Treasury bill with amendments.
which were laid upon the table and ordered to be
printed MIR. Hannegan's resolution to fix the 10Th
Of July for the adjournment of the two HOUSES of
Congress, was called up, and some conversation
had upon it, in the course of which Mr. Dayton re-
marked that he understood that the Minister of
Great Britain had some definite instructions i'm re-
gard to the Oregon question, if not an ,,tinat,u,,
He thought, therefore, if day were named for
adjournment it would not only make Congress but
the Diplomatic men work up To it, He said he
was opposed to waiting to act upon the Tariff or
Sub Treasury. Mr.. Sewer remarked that thew
We're not in a condition TO adjourn. Means had to
be provided for the Mexican war; and for the ordi-
nary expenditures OF the Government. As to the
Tariff and Subj reasury, the Wings were not re-
sponsible for action upon them, and they might ma
turaly enough be for putting it Off but it was other
wise with the friends of the Administration Mr..
SEWER stated in reply to what the Senator from
Massachusetts Mr.. Wcbster) had said in reference
to the Military expenses of the Government, that
they were but 100000 day for the Army and
Navy. Mr.. Webster rejoined that he had not spo-
ken upon his own authority, when he said the ex-
penses were nearly half million day.-He had
spoken upon very good authority, and he thought
the estimate would not prove much out of the way
The resolution was finally postponed-yeas 81,
nays FL The bill TO provide for the payment of
French spoliations prior to 1900 was passed. The
President laid before the Senate the correspondence
of the War Department with Gen. Gaines, and
also with Gen. Scott, which had been called for.
In the House, the bill to construct a canal from
Rock river to Lake Michigan was passed. The
day was chiefly spent in Committee of the Whole
on Territorial business. The bill in relation to the
boundary of Iowa was fixed in Committee as defin-
ed in the Constitution adopted by the people of
Iowa.
On Tuesday, in the Senate the Post Office APP
preparation bill was under discussion The amend
ment giving $4,000 for the commencement of
contract for carrying the mail between New York
and Liverpool, occupied the whole day.
In the House, Mr.. Vinton, from the Select Com
mtee appointed to investigate the charges against
MIR. Webster, made report. The Committee
state that it is not true that Mr. Webster used any
portion OF the secret service fund without the know
ledge of the President, or for his own USE Mr..
Iyler says In his testimony that Mr.. Webster acted
under his direction, and made no use of the public
money but such as was warranted by HIM. TIE
Committee report two resolutions, one in favor of
sealing up the important evidence submitted, and
filing it among the archives of the House. MIR.
Brinkerhoof, one of the Committee rose to submit
ment, was letter from F. o. j. Smith, which the
majority thought ought not to be printed. Mr..
Jones said it would be unjust, it would be iniqui-
tous to publish the letter, unaccompanied by the
full explanation which appeared in other parts of
the testimony. 1t was finally agreed to print the
reports with the whole of the evidence. The fol-
lowing bills were taken up and passed-For the
admission OF Iowa into the Union as State-To
enable the people of Wisconsin to form Constitu-
ton preparatory to coming into the Union-For the
sale of Mineral Lands in Iowa, Wisconsin and Hi
nois. The bill for the increase of Army officers
was received from the Senate, and Committee of
Conference appointed by the House.
On "Wednesday, in the Senate, a resolution offer
ed by Mr.. Turncy directing the Judiciary Com
mittee to enquire into the expedency Of exempting
volunteers during their service in the war from ar
rest for debt, was taken up. Mr.. Johnson express
ed the opinion that there authority to pass
such a law. Mr.. Berrien said he was certain there
was not. The resolution was rejected. The sup
Elemental War bill then taken up for the pur-
pose Of acting upon the amendments of the House.
A committee of conference was recommended but
a debate arose, which continued until o'clock,
when it was arrested by Message from the Presi-
dent--supposed to be upon the Oregon question.
"a Executive session was then moved and carried
In the House, Mr.. Pillsbury, the other member
from Texas, appeared and took his seat The bill
reported by Mr.. Rathbun, from the Judiciary Com
mlttee, to secure more equal distribution of the
offices of Government among the States was taken
up, and gave rise to some debate. Mr. Sawyer de
clared that 'to the victors belong thespoils'' This
he said had been the rule of his public and private
life. He claimed, as one of the successful party,
that there should be none but Democrats in office
lie knew, for he had taken pains to enquire, how
many Clerks there were in office in Washington
and just how many Wings and Democrats, and
Just what States most Of them came from, and all
about them. There were 73O Clerks, 235 of whom
were Whigs.-Thesc Wings he said ought to be
turned out and Democrats put in their places. No
vote was taken upon the bill
On Thursday, in the Senate, Mr.. Dix, from the
joint committee of conference on the Paymaster's
bill, made report, recommending that the Senate
rccede from its amendment requiring the Paymas-
tiers to hold their offices permanently and that the
House recede from its amendment requiring the dis
charge Of three of the additional Paymasters at the
close ofthe war. The report was concurred in. The
Supplemental War Bill was farther discussed.
The Senate rejected the amendments of the House,