The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-25


sundry private bills ..
PETITIONS.
Mr.. HUNTINGTON presented memorial from |
citizens of Middlesex county, Connecticut praying
alteration in the rates of newspaper postage, and
opposing any change in the rates OF letter POSTAGE
which referred to the Committee the Post
Office and Post Roads
WAR MEETING IN NEW YORK.
Mr. DICKINSON presented the proceedings of
apublc meeting Of citizens OF New York. IN relation
to the existing war with Mexico, and rendering
their services in its prosecution.
In presenting the above, Mr.. ID. said
Mr.. PREsmEsT; | have the honor TO present the |
proceedings of public meeting recently held in the
city of New York in view Of the existing state of
war between the United States and Mexico. IL has |
BEEN and doubtless truly, represented one Of the
largest most enthusiastic, and patriotic meetings
known TO that great city and 10 one acquainted
with its people, the proceedings show that every
business interest and political division not only
represented but merged In one great party, having
only for its object the interest and honor of our
country; earnest Of which, they tender to the
government every facility afforded by that city, for
carrying on the war vigorously, as will appear from
the resolutions.
senting these proceedings, as a representative OF
New York, | experience degree Of pride and graf
Ihcation which no language can adequately de-
scribe. These proceedings warmly commend the ac-
ton Of the government, and avail myself Of the
occasion 10 say that the bill which received the ac
tion Of Congress recently, and Is now law, has my
entire appreciation, and would have had my vote had
| been present.
In presenting the proceedings Of this meeting, in
view Of the late gratifying intelligence, cannot re-
frAn from congratulating the officers and members |
Of this meeting upon victories more recent and sue
ceases triumphant than those TO which their |
proceedings 20 appropriately respond. But the /
generous sentiment and elevated patriotism which
breathe in every word OF these resolutions, speak
for themselves and are too briefly and truly elo-
onent to be withheld from the Senate and the public,
ard desire their reading
The resolutions were then read by the secretary,
and with the other proceedings, were laid upon the
table.
Mr. BAGBY asked leave to Withdraw from the |
files of the Senate the papers Of Catlin, Peoples
Co; which granted.
Mr.. CORWlN presented the following resolu- |
ton; which was agreed to:
RssOlpsd That the Committee the Judiciary be in, |
Of holding the circuit and district courts Of the United
States for the district Of Ohio
THE MINERAL LANDS.
On motion Of Mr.. WOODBRIDGE, the report
Of the Secretary Of the Treasury, transmitted the
Senate few days since, in relation to the mineral
lands in the Lake Superior region, in Michigan and
Wisconsin, ordered to be printed for the use OF
the Senate.
uARBoRs OF LAKE ERIE. |
On motion OfMr. DIX, the report Of the Secreta- |
ry ofWar and the accompanying documents, in rea-
ton to the improvement of the harbors of Dunkirk |
and Cataraugus, on Lake Erie, was ordered to be |
printed for the Of the Senate.
REPORTS OF coMMrrrEEs.
MraJARNAGIN, from the Committee on Indian
Affairs, reported blu for the relief of Samuel w
Bell; which was read, and passed to the second
reading. The accompanying report was ordered TO
be printed,
Posr-RourEs ExAs.
On motion Of Mr.. RUSK, the Senate took up the
bill establishing certain post-roues and for other
purposes, which was considered as in committee Of
the whole, and, having been amended, was reported
back to the Senate, the amendments concurred
in and the bill ordered to be engrossed for third
reading.
BY unanimous consent the bill was then read q
third time, and passed
On motion Of MIR. DIX, the previous orders were
postponed, and the Senate considered as in com,
mittee of the whole, the "bill supplemental to az
act providing for the prosecution of the existing
war between the United States and the republic Of
Mexico"
The bill provides among other things for the ap-
pointment Of two major generals, and four briga |
dier generals, in addition to the present military
adjustment
An amendment heretofore submitted by Mr.
ArcHisoN, providing that these officers shall
be dismissed from the service at the close OF
the war, within three months thereafter, was
taken up, when
Mr.. DIX submitted few remarks in opposi
ton thereto many officers might in the course Of
the war become distinguished, and too valuable
to the service to be properly dismissed therefrom;
and yet the effect Of the amendment would render
their dismissal obligatory.
Mr.. WESTCOTT said he opposed to the
amendment of the honorable senator from Missouri.
The honorable senator from New York had ad-
vanced some Of the reasons which Influenced his
opinion, in better manner than he could have
done; but he (Mr. w } had an additional reason.
This was the operation and effect Of the amend
ment if adopted, upon all the officers of the regu-
lar army of superior rank now in service, and who
might be promoted under this law. 1t would be
harsh and unjust towards them. Arms is their
profession. The amendment seemed to anticipate
that the President would appoint all these addition
al generals allowed by the bill from citizens now
in private life. Mr.. w. said he saw no such d.
rection to the Executive in the bill and he trusted
it would not be the case. Certain he was it would
not be satisfactory to the country. Now if this bill
passed with this amendment, and General Taylor
should be promoted to brigadiership major
generalship, as soon as the war was over he 10 to
be dismissed from the service. Mr.. w. said those
who had not devoted whole lifetime to service
in the army, but who went into a brigader or ma
jor generals place in the regular army at one leap
could not complain of the effect of this amendment,
to themselves. Unless the amendment was mod
flied to prevent such effect to the officers now in
the regu ar army who may be promoted, and who
would be dismissed when they had closed the war
for their gallantry in closing it, he should vote
against it.
Mr.. ATCHISON explained the object which in
duced him to offer the amendment, which that
at the end Of the war, the government might not be
trammelled with an unnecessary number of major
and brgadier generals If the law was passed with
the amendment which he proposed, the officers APP
pointed would understand their engagement, and
would expect to fulfil their coniractto wit: dis
missal at the end Of the war. Although this would,
as had been remarked render the dismissal of all of
them obligatory, if any Of them became of such
value to the service that it was thought expedient
to retain them, it would remain In the power of
Congress then to take such action would provide
for them. ....... .------.
After some remarks by Mr.. MANGUM, the
hour of o'clock having arrived, he moved that the
bill be laid on the table, and that the Senate should
proceed to the consideration Of the special order;
which WAS apreed to.