Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-01-08

soAcu up anu VdSocus ANO OtueI OuSiutSS Vi
terest was transacted. The Senate adjourned O.
yer to Saturday.
In the House, Mr.. Rathbun, from the commit
tee on the Judiciary, reported bill requiring tina,
all officers of the Government shall hereafter be
appointed for four years, subject 10 a new ap-
pointment Of four years the officers to be seect-
ed from the Congressional districts. and the Dis
trict of Columbia to be regarded as one Congress
sional district. Those already in Office, to be d.
vided into four classes-one class to retire each
year. The bill was reported unJAr instructions
from the House, and it is thought will pass.
bill making appropriations for the improvement
of certain rivers and harbors was reported by Mr.,
Tibbatts, which was referred to the committee oil
che whole. Bills TO establish line Of stockade
forts to Oregon, and regulate the trade and inter
course with the Indians, were also read and re.
ferred to the same committee.
On Friday, in the House, Mr.. Ewing, the mem.
Der elected from Tennessee to supply the place
Of DR.. Peyton, appeared and took his seat. Mr..
Cunningham, Of Ohio, offered preamble and
resolutions on the Oregon question, substantially
endorsing the positions assumed in the Presi.
dents Message, in these words :-"Whereas, the
rejection by the British Government of the liber.
al proposition lately made by the President OF
the United States, to compromise and settle the
respective claims Of the two countries to the Ore.
gon territory, has terminated all negotiation upon
this subject. And whereas, by the extraordinary
and inadmissible demand of the British Govern
ment j, is made manifest that no compromise
which the United States ought to accept can be
off AL .l.~ Al a.
to the whole of the Oregon country included with
in the parallels Of 42o and $40 40 north latitude,
and extending from the Rocky Mountains to the
Pacific Ocean sis clear and unquestionable"-
And that any further attempt on the part of the
United States to settle such title by surrender
of any portion Of said country, would be sur
render of the honor, the dignity, and the true in
terests of the common people: Therefore be
1t resolved, that it is the imperative duty of
Congress to adopt Immediately such measures
as will fully protect citizens who now
do, or may hereafter inhabit that country, and
efectuaiiy maintain our just title to the whole
of the Oregon country"
The House refused to suspend the rules in or
der to receive the resolution by vote of rs to
80. Mr.. HARRISON, of Ga. reported bill for
raising two regiments of mounted riflemen, and
for adding additional number OF men to each
of the regiments of artillery, infantry and dra-
goons, ii deemed necessary by the President
Mr.: H. moved that the bill be referred to the
committee of the whole, and made the special
order of the day for Tuesday. On this motion
an important debate arose. Mr.. Houston object
ed to making the bill special ORDER Mr.. Doug
Iooc Incl sol "a 4
per to the hot haste displayed by Southern men,
bers on the Texas question. He was for carry
ing through the Oregon question, if not with the
same velocity, at least with the same boldness
Mr.. Adams also spoke. lie said he was opposed
to any increase of the army or navy until notice
was given to Great Britain. He was in favor Of
giving that notice at the last session. and would
have proposed it at the opening of the present
session but for the discourtesy with which his
propositions are usually treated. He was for the
occupation of the whole territory, but at the same
line he was for doing nothing until we had dis
charged our treaty obligation of giving notice.
MI. AS remarks produced some applause among
the members and in the galleries. The House
adjourned without deciding the question.
Ia the Senate, on Saturday, Mr.. Breeze, of H.
linois, introduced bill directing the President of
the United States to sell the reserved Mineral
Lands in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, which
was read twice and referred to the committee on
Public Lands. The Senate spent some time in
Executive session.
In the House, Mr.. G. ]. Ingersoll spoke en-
the Oregon question. He bounced upon Mr.
Adams at once. reminding him that it was when
he was Secretary of State that we had entered
upon the unfortunate alliance upon this question.
He thought if we surrendered the territory North
OF the 18th degree we would give up the best
part of the country. Still he said he was for
compromise and peace.-Nor did he think that
the notice to terminate the joint occupation would
bring war; he hoped to see the question uIti-
mately settled by the emigration and settlement
of our own people. If war comes, however,
England must be the aggressor, and if it does
come, said he, never let peace return while Eng
land has one foot of ground upon the American
continent. Mr.. HARRISON of Ga. here interposed
in the debate. He had reported his bill, he re-
marked, as part of the peace establishment, and
he was afraid, if England listened to this discus
sion, she might conclude that we intended to
make war against her with two Regiments of Ri
nemen F.. There was nothing in the bill to give
war complexion to it, and he considered the de-
bate altogether uncalled for. He concluded by
demanding the Previous Question, but the House
refused to second the call. Mr.. Darragh, of Pa,
followed urging energetic action in regard to the
maintenance of our right to the whole of Oregon
Mr.. King, of N. Y. said he thought our Govern
men, had committed an error in Offering the 49lh
lourao IF l.,;,