The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-12-30
Bolts, of Va, Toombs, of Ga, and other

t.
AGAINST the war, which he declared to be I'M
inst and uncalled for-and that it was sue
war as had been provoked by American az
oression, being brought about by the unau-
thorized acts of President Polk. In the
course of his remarks, Mr.. b. took occasion to
denounce with much severity the course pur-
seed by the President in relation to the pro-
secution of the war, which he severely scru-
tinted and condemned.
Mr.. Thompson, of Indiana, in the course of
the debate, proposed that negotiations should
be entered into with Mexico, in relation to
Upper California, Monterey, the bay Of San
Francisco, and that final measures should be
adopted, with view to determine and mark
out the boundaries between Mexico and the
United States-such boundaries as would Sc
cure full indemnity to the United States, by
the acquisition of territory, and that would
remain perfect boundary between the two
countries.
Mr.. Toombs, of Georgia, was opposed to
all territorial acquisitions or conquest, of any
portion of Mexico. He argued that the
movements of the American army, directed
by the President, resulted in producing the
war, and after some further discussion, the
whole subject was laid over.
RIVERS AND HARBoRs.
Mr.. Wentworth offered resolution, de-
claring that Congress was invested with
power to improve harbors, open rivers, &c.
&C., for the purpose of facilitating commerce,
and adding to the defences Of the country
The resolution passed after some debate.
Ayes 1870, Noes 3D.
A bill was introduced by Mr. Robert Smith
for the completion of the Cumberland road
through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.
Notice was given of bill to make Brooklyn
port Of entry. ADJ.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. %.
In the Senate petition from Mrs, Eliza
beth Hamilton was presented by Mr.. Green,
praying Congress to purchase 1000 copies Of
the Hamilton papers.
Mr. Hale presented two anti-slavery petit
tons, and made strenuous efforts to induce
the Senate to depart from its settled practice
of not receiving petitions Of that import.
The question of non-reception being put, Mr..
Berricn moved to lay that question on the ia
bic, which was decided in the affirmative
Ayes 33, Noes 10.
Mr. Ashley, from the Judiciary Commit
tee, reported bill to amend the acts regua-
ting the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme
Court in certain cases. Passed.
Mr. Cass, from the Military Committee, re-
ported bill to raise for limited time an adj
ditional military force, and gave notice that
he would call it up at the earliest opportun-
ity.
A resolution offered by Mr.. Westcott was
adopted, directing an inquiry as to whether
any alterations are necessary in the Patent
laws.
The Senate then went into Executive SEES
sion, and after n short time spent therein, adj
journed.
In the House the States and Committees
were called upon for memorials, petitions, re-
solutions and reports.
| A resolution was adopted authorizing the
Speaker 10 appoint joint Committee on
| Printing on the part of the House.
Mr.. Lincoln Of III. offered a resolution re-
lating to the several messages of the President
on the Mexican War, and requesting Of HIM
information on numerous points touching the
causes of the war and the right of the United
States to territory between the Nueces and
the Rio Grandc.
Mr.. McCelland presented resolution,
calling for statistics of the commerce on the
Western Lakes.
Mr.. Kaufman offered resolution of inqui-
ry as to the eXpediency of authorizing Post
masters to receive subscriptions and transmit
moneys for newspapers free of postage
On motion of Mr. Vinton the House re-
solved itself into Committee of the Whole on
the State of the Union, and took up the bill
appropriating a million of dollars to supply
deficiency in the appropriations for the Sub
sistcncc Department., Mr.. j. II. Ingcrsoll in
the Chair. Mr.. Vinton stated that the csti-
mated deficit for the year is fraction under
four millions, but this bill is intended only to
meet drafts daily expected from the South,
amounting to half a million, and for half a
million expected by the first train from Mex
leo to Vera Cruz.-There was only about
100000 now at the command Of the Subsis-
tence Department to meet these drafts.
On motion of Mr.. Pollock the Committee
rose and reported the bill to the House with
out amendment. 1t was then passed unani-
mously.
A message was received from the Presi-
dent, communicating the Report of the Sec
rotary of the Navy relative to Floating Dry
Docks authorized by the act passed last scs-
sion.
On motion of Mr. Vinton the House again
went into Committee of the Whole, and took
up the annual Message of the President.
Mr.. Vinton offered a series of resolutions for
the reference of different portions of the Mes
sage to appropriate Committees.
Mr.. Clingman offered an amendment in
volvng the question of slavery in new terrific
ny, upon which he made speech, and then
withdrew his amendment.
The Committee rose, and reported pro-
gress.
A resolution offered by Mr. Brodhead, as a
substitute, ordered to be printed and referred
to the Committee of the Whole.
A resolution was adopted that the House
tomorrow will adj ourn over to Monday.
Adjourned.
THURSDAY, Dec. 90.
In the Senate sundry memorials and peti-
tons were presented.
Mr.. johnson of Maryland, submitted res
olution calling on Government for the cost of
the war, the number of the killed and wound
ed, and the number of men at present engaged
in the service.