Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-01-28
Congress.
SATURDAY. Jan. Is.


Mr. Benton introduced bill authorizing grants
Of land to oe made to the soldiers now scrv-
ing in the war with Mexico. Mr. B. moved TO
dispense with the usual method of reference.
and proceed at once 10 the consideration of the
proposition. A long discussion cnsued. as to
whether the bill should be read second time or
not. On motion of Mr. Clayton, the bill was f.
nally postponed, by the casting vote Of the Vice
President.
The army bill was next taken up-thc ques-
ton pending being Mr. Badgers substitute for
Mr. Camerons amendment, granting land to the
non-commlsioned officers and privatcs, a brief
conversational debate here arose, when, on mo-
ton Of Mr. Benton, the bill was reconmittcd to
the Committee on Military Atlairs. with instruc-
tons TO report section granting one hundred
and sixty acres of land to all non-comuissioned
officers and privates now serving in the Mexican
war
The Senate then went into Executive session,
and Immediately after adjourned.
HOUSE. a bill was introduced, read twice,
and referred to the proper committee, establish
ing additional post roads in Texas.
The Oregon Territorial bill WIS taken up.
Mr. 1amlin took the floor in opposition TO the
extension of slavery, and advocated the right of
the General Government to prohibit slavery in
newly acquired territories.
Mr. Iiowden of Alabama, followed and con.
tended that the General Government possessed
no inherent power not expressly delegated Iy the
States.
Mr. Broadhcad inquired where, then, the Gov
eminent obtained the power to acquire territory
at all ?
Mr. Thompson, of Pa and Mr. Mcdaniel, of
Mo-, continued the debate
The bill finally passed by vote Of 1873 to 81.
Sundry communications from the President,
relative TO the War, Treasury, and Post Office
Departments, were received.
The house then Adjourned.
MONDAY, Jan. 13.
SENATE. The Vice President appointed Cen
Cass a Regent of the Smithsonian Institute
Mr. Sewer presented his instructions from the
Legislature of Arkansas, against the payment of
the claims on the Fretch Spoliations. Mr. Breesc
was appointed Il member of the Committee on
Commerce, to fiji the vacancy caused by the
death of Mr. Pennybackor. Mr. Johnson OF Nd,
offered a resolution. asking the Secretary Of the
Treasury, whether the Sub-Treasury eIbarrass-
ed the operations Of the Treasury, and whether
it ought not to be suspended or repealed The
bill to create the Office of Surveyor General of
Oregon, was Cngrossed for the third read
ing. The graduation bill was then taken up, but
was postponed to Monday next. The Senate
went into Executive session, and then Adjourn
ed
House.. An effort was made to change the
hour OF meeting 10 o'clock, but it was unsuc-
cessful. Mr. Preston King moved the suspen-
sion of the previous orders, with view 10 ena-
bic him to introduce his two million bill, which
was lost-yeas so, nays 100. On the motion of
Mr. Houston, the House went into Committee of
the Whole, Mr. McLeland in the char.
The bill to increase the pay of non-commss-
Toned officers and privatcs, regulars and voun-
teers, two dollars per month, and to give hun
! roo n nd 81 tu ,f LAM t,Lo
up. An amendment was offered, making the in
crease of pay three dollars month, which was
adopted. Other amendments were proposed, and
a long discussion ensued The Committee rose
Mr. lIungerford had leave to introduce bill to
provide for the deposit of monies, received from
customs and public lands, in the treasury, and
the payment OF persons engaged in collecting
the same, and for other purposes
TUESDAY, Jan. 10.
SENATE. Mr. Sewer, from the Committee on
Foreign Relations, reported bill placing three
millions Of dollars at the disposal of the Presi-
dent during the war with Mexico; he said that
a speedy close of the war would result from the
appropriation. lie asked for a consideration Of
the bill at an early day.
MIR Benton, from the Military Committee, re-
ported back the Army Bill, with amendments,
granting land 10 non commissioned officers in the
war with Mexico. Mr. Berren moved to amend,
by inserting officers and volunteers. Mr. Benton
said If the amendmen; for officers and volunteers
prevailed, he should offer an amendment to in
clude the officers of the Regular Army. Mr.
BerrIen advocated the claims of the volunteer
officers Mr. Benton opposed him. He thought
tEat the officers of the army were better entitled
10 these provisions than were the volunteers.
a long debate ensucd, after which Mr. Berriens
amendment was rejected, by vote of % to 26,
the Vice President giving the casting vote in
] Sauprul
offered, and rejected. Adjourned.
HOUSE. A resolution was adopted TO close
the debate on the bill TO increase the pay of the
volunteers at 2 o'clock to day. The bill was
then taken up in Committee OF the Whole Mr.
Slarkweather and Mr. Boyd addressed the Com
miltee. On motion Of Mr. Boyd, the Committee
of the Whole were discharged and the bill was
referred 10 select committee. Mr. c. J. Inger-
soils resolution for printing 5000 copies of the
report Of the last sessions Committee of Foreign
Relations on Mexican affairs then came up; Mr.
Rathbun opposed the printing. Mr. lngerso
defended the administration the war, and the
resolution. Communications were then received
from the War Department, together with state
ment of certain expenditures Of the last year, as
requiredby law also q communication from the
Adiutant General, in reply 10 the resolution
calling on the President for the number OF volun-
tecrs and officers mustered for service in Next
CO, lot tHc speClllGu Terms Ol lllTGe, SIN, ana IL
months also for the number who have died in
service, and those who have resigned, and those
who have been discharged.
A communication was received from the Treas
ury Department relative 10 Mr. Gracio, Of the
Revenue Service The House went into Com
mittee Of the Whole, Mr. Cobb in the CHAIR on
the Indian Appropriation Bill, which was read,
and the Committee rose. A resolution was a.
doptcd TO close the debate in five minutes after
taking up the bill again in Committee. A mo-
ton was made to adjourn, which was lost The
bill was again taken up by the Committee of the
Whole. An attempt was made to report the bill
to the House, which was lost, and the Commit
tee rose and reported progress Adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 20.
SENATE. A memorial was presented from cit
liens of the District Of Columbia, praying that
convict labor be excluded in the construction of
the Smithsonian buildings. The consideration
of the bill to increase the Army was again re-
sumed, and long debate ensued. An amend
ment offered yesterday by Mr. Corwin was adopt
ed 30 TO lS, which gives 100 acres of land to
such as serve more than year in the war; and
so acres TO those serving less than one year,
Debate then ensued, and on an amendment offer
ed by Mr. flanagan, to appoint ch0plalns for the
army pending which, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE. The resolution offered by C. J. In
gersoll, for printing five thousand coles of the re.
port of the last sessions Committee on Foreign