The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-13
CONGRESSIONAL.
TSvsnty~nls,th Congrsss.
Second Semsion.

Second Semxion.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1877
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The Journal having been read,
JOHN NORRIS.
On motion of Mr. POLLOCK, 1t was ordered that the
Committee of the Whole House be discharged from the
further consideration of the bill for the relief of the ex-
ecutors OF John Norris, deceased and that ii be recon
mitted to the Committee Of Claims.
Mr.. SEABORN JONES' who held the floor from yes
terday, addressed the committee He commenced with
searching review of the true causes OF the war showing
that they to be found and found only IN the acts
OF Mexico herself In view of this facttat the coun-
try is Just war-war by the action OF our en-
emy he read every lover OF his country should
be ready--to afford every means Tor the prosecu-
ton of The war; or to obtain an honorable peace. 1t
was not time now--t was not the duty
OF an American citizen an American represent
alive TO throw obstacles in the path which should
delay or prevent the earliest accomplishment OF these
objects Mr. then proceeded to discuss the WImot pro-
vso; which he pronounced unjust to the south--an at
tempted breach of the rights guaranteed to portion OF
the Staes-inexpedient, and calculated, persisted n
produce mischief to the country, and rupture OF the
glorious Union. He further discussed the Bible argu
in behalf of slavery in answer TO the assertions
which had been made in the course OF the debate par
ticulary by the gentleman from New York Mr. WooDl
that it is contrary to Scripture-the law OF God.
Mr. WOOD desired 10 correct the honorable gentleman
in relation 10 or two OF his remarks. He (N1r. W)
neither deacon class leader, as was the gen
tienan. His remarks were responsive to those OF ae
the member from South Carolina mir. Snsl and in re-
ply them he had insisted that the spirit and general
teachings OF Christianity were opposed to the institution
or heather dispensatiun The former allowed polygamy
as well as modified slavery He would thank the gen
teman to read the 18th OF the gath chapter of Deu
Mr. JONES replied, and having concluded
Mr. w. HUNT next addressed the committee He ex-
pressed his decided opposition to the further acquisition
of territory the ground that they already possessed
much for the welfare advantage of the coun-
try that it would introduce of into the coun-
try foreign TO its present population IN every respect
which would prove new and powerful element OF dis
cord that they had right to acquire territory by con-
quest; and that such acquisition inconsistent with
the national honor Again, the avowaI OF a determine
ton to acquire territory from Mexico, by force of arms,
would render il almost impossible to conclude peace
any rate not until the war had been long protracted
He would not attempt to reply Systematically to the re-;
preceded him. He had understood that that gen.
tleman was most eminent man at the bar--partc-
ularly in the defence, OF crimnals-and ne was GER
tanly competent to address them; but he had to-day
appeared before them in entirely character. He
had brought the Bible to the House, and had given them
learned theological disquisition to prove that slavery
Divine institution, enoined upon mankind This
not the first time that Scripture had been perverted
APPEARANCE OF MR.. ADAMS.
The Hon JOHN QUINCY ADAMS here made his APP
pearance upon the floor of the House, and the members
rising to receive him. he conducted to the seat
. MI Mr. ANDREW IN JOHNSON who remarked In com
pance with the understanding with which selected
this seat at the OF the present session.
now tender the venerable member from Massachusetts
the seat which then selected for him, and will further
congratulate him on being spared to return to this
House.
Mr. ADAMS responded 1t is with much pleasure
that again return to your midst. Had power
friends and the members Of this House for the honor
which has been done But enfeebled as am by dis
case, | beg that you will excuse me
Mr.. HUM then resumed his remarks, and said that the
an n ad i'm with
emotions OF pleasure and gratitude. He concluded
discussing the question of the war, believing that if it
tnued the more money would be found necessary to OBJ
tain an indemnity from Mexico, If 1t could be obtained
at all. 4 aaa 4Ea4
Mr. HUDSON was the next speaker Had he been
permitted to follow the gentleman from Georgia, he
might have been induced reply to the Scrptura argu
mens which he adduced; but he was satisfied that that
gard to the present exgency. could fail perceive
he remarked, that they were placed unnatural po
siton. A conquerng republic was a solecism. He
was totally opposed to the war, he believed it to be
war of conquest The Californian expedition could
have been set foot with other view and the fact
that conquest the object of the was evident
opposed to the war also the ground that il was con-
tray to every principle of reason and justice When they
with their attempted to dsmember sister republic, 1t
presumption to expect that He who the Judge OF
tons and the God OF battles, would smile upon their efforts
Entertaining these views, he felt to be his duty vote
in favor Of withholding both and means for the pros
questionable right to withhold supplies whenever any
exigency required it. But reluctant he was to s,is
tain countenance the war, any respect he should
feel duty which he owed to the soldiers already in
the field, to the of humanity, to afford them what
ever supplies were necessary for their comfort This APP
preparation was prospective however and he there
fore totally opposed to it.
Mr.. JENKINS then addressed the committee He en-
deavored to show that every measure OF Importance
which the President had recommended had been carried
into effect, far the action of the House concern
ed Every had received the support of the House
There was not therefore, single reason for saying
gentleman had done, that those who were opposed to the
WuMoT proyso, opposed to giving support to the
administration. The President, he reminded Them asked
for the appropriation of three Millions for the pur-
to procure peace The objections which had been urged
without keeping this fact in view, therefore unjust
and groundless. 4
An important message from the President being here
announced
Mr.. JENKINS gave way to motion that the COM
prevailing the committee accordingly rose and reported
The following
MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
then submitted and, [cres of "read read u on mo-
ton, IT was read
TO the Senate and House Of Representatives Of the United
States: all
Congress- by the act of the 18th of Nav last declared
that, by the of the republic of Mexico state OF
exists between that government and the United
States y and or the purpose of enabling the govern
mcnt of the United States, to prosecute said TO
speedy and successful termination authority vested
the President to employ the nava and military forces
of the United States"
II has been my unalterable purpose since the CON-
mencement of hostltes by Mexico and the declaration
of the existence of war by Congress- prosecute the
in which the country was unavoidaby involved with