Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-02-25
CONGRESS.

S'SI oueiSu ioiiOWiuS INeSoiuuOnSs
Resolred, That the war now existing with Mex
leo ought not to he prosecuted for the acquisition of
territory to form new States to be added to the
Union.
Resotced, That it ought to be sgnifed to the
government of Mexico, that the government of the
United States does not desire to dismember the Re
public of Mexico. and is ready to treat with the 90
vernment of that Republic for peace, for liberal
adjustment of boundaries, and for just n,lemuities
due by either government to the citizens of the
other.
Mr.. Webster said it was not his purpose to inter
fere with the Three Million bill by the introduction
OF these resolutions.-fle merely wished to Law
them upon the table, and would call them up here.
after, when he designed to give his views upon the
important subjects which they embraced. The bill
TO provide for the construction Of four steam fripates
for the Navy, was taken up, and passed-The
vessels estimated to cost $500, coo each. and
the bill appropriates S 100000 towards it, The
selection Of wood or iron the material is left to
the Department. The Three Million bill was ia,
ken up, and Mr.. Bagby addressed the Senate at
length in defence of the Administration, and in IA
vor of the bill.
In the House, the Three Million bill was taken
up in Committee of the Whole, and after a shor,
discussion the time for voting came. Mr. Drom-
goole moved rs a substitute for the Wilmot Prov-
so the following "That all the territory acquired
from Mexico North of $50 30' be forever free from
all anu Involuntary ScrVludC- except iur
crimes, but that fugitives from justice be surren-
dered when making their escape into any such ter
ritory. This was rejected-yeas 81, NAYS SO
Mr. Graham renewed the same amendment i'm sub
stance, and it was again rejected-yeas 81. nays
lO4. The Wilmot Proviso was next presented and
carried--yeas So, nays 50. Several other amend
ments were presented all of which were rejected
The bhl then came TO the House, and the vote on
the Mllmot Proviso resulted, yeas Is, nays LOG.
Mr. Ilbbatts, OF KY, moved to lay the bill on the
table, and the motion was lost, yeas %, nays I22
The bill was theh engrosscd, and pAssED-yeas
Is, nays l05
On Tuesday, in the Senate, Mr. Benton. from
the COMMITTEE on Military Affairs, reported bill
providing for an additional number of general off
GERS. Mr.. Badger opened the debate ON the Three
Million bill, and was followed by MIR. Pierce. OF
Md, and MIR. Sewer, Of Arkansas.
In the House, the bill for the admission of Wis
consin into the Union was passed. The Resolu-
ton OF thanks, &C., to Gen Taylor, was reported
rs amended by the Senate Mr. Thomson of
Miss, proposed that Gold Medals also be granted
to all the General Officers serving at Mon,erey.-
Inns was agreed to, but by some inadvertence the
names of the subordinate officers were inserted he
fore the officers in chief. A unaDimous vote was
necessary TO correct this error and in this form the
Resolution was returned to the Senate
On w cdnesday, in the Senate the Three MIL
lion bill was under considerations Colauitt
addressed the Senate al considerable lenrtb in sun
port OF the war and in vindcation of the President
from the charges recently brought against him up-
on the floor of the Senate i'm reference to the war
and the course of the Union"
In the House, bill to increase the duty on inn
ports upon certain articles, and TO authorize re-
ductlon oil the prices of public lands, was reported
from the Committee of Ways and Means.-Mr.
MciHay gave notice that he should call up this bill
on Monday. After some unmportant business the
fouse went INTO Committee upon Territorial bust.
ness The bill establishing a Territorial Govern
ment to be called the territory of Itaska was taken
up. After much discussion, and many questions as
to names, Nebraska Iiaska, Chippewa and Wash
ington being proposed, the Committee were brought
TO vote, and the name MIME Soro was finally
agreed upon.
On Thursday, in the Senate MIR. Butler smoke
IN favor of the Three Million bill The considera-
ton Of private bills occupied the greater portion of
the day.
In the House, the whole day was consumed in
Committee of the Whole on Territorial business.
The River and flarbOr bill was nexpectedIy offer
ed as an amendment to Territorial bill. and re-
ceived
LIN the Senate, on Friday, Mr. Calhoun rose and
offered several resolutions in relation to the NVilmot
Provso, and proceeded to address the Senate in re-
Iation TO them. AT the close of his remarks. the
resolutions were read as follows -
Resoired, That the territories of the United
States belong to the several States composing this
Onlon and are held by them as their joint and COM
mon property.
Resolrcd, That Congress, as the joint agent and
representative of the States of this Union has M
right TO make any law, or do any act whatever.
that shall directly, or by its effects make any dis
crimlnatlon between the States OF this Union. by
which any of them shall be deprived OF its full and
equal right in any territory OF the United States
acquired, or TO be acquired
Resotred, That the enactment of any law which
hon div fl,-
zens OF any of the States Of this Union from cni
grating with their property into any of the terrific
ries OF the United States will make such discrmi-
nation, and would, therefore, be violation OF the
constitution, and the rights of the States from
which such citizens emigrated and in derogation of
That perfect equality which belongs to them as
members of this Union. and would fepd directIv ~
subvert the Union itself
hesotred, That, as fundamental principle in
our political creed, that people in forming con
stltutlCn have the unconditional right to form and
ADOPT the government which they may think best
calculated 10 secure their liberty, prosperity and
happiness; and that in conformity thereto no other
condition is imposed by the federal constitution ON
a State in order to be admitted into this Union. ey
cePt that its constitution shall be republican and
that the imposition of any other by Congress would
not only be In violation Of the constitution. but in
direct conflict with the principle on which our DO
litcal system rests
MI calhoun. i move that the resolutions be
printed. l shall move that they be taken up to-
morrow and do trust that the Senate will give
them early attention, and an early vote upon the
subject.
Mr. Benton then rose and said Mr.. President.
we have some business TO Transact do not intend
10 avoid business for string of distractions.
Mr.. Calhoun. The Senator saws he cannot take
up distractions. The constitution is an abstraction.
Proprlety is an abstraction All the great rules of
life arc distractions The Declaration of Indenend
once was made ON an absfract,n and ,..hor 1 hont