The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-02-04
Congressional.
WdShinqt0n. jan, %, 1847

the Secretary OF the navy was directed to re
port the causes which induced the return c
the frigate Cumberland and the steamer Mis-
! sissippi from the Gulf Of Mexico. Mr. ille
offered II resolution setting forth that speed,
and honorable peace with Mexico is exceed
ingly desirable that the Constitution does no
provide for holding foreign territory, nor 70
| incorporating nations with the Union, anC
that the President be requested to withdraw
, Cur troops to some point in the United State
on or near the boundary line. The resolution
was laid over without debate, and will come
up tomorrow.
In the House, Mr.. Stephens Of Georgia, ask
ed leave to introduce joint resolution declar
ing that the war with Mexico is not waged
with a view to the conquest or dismember
ment of that republic by the acquisition OIL
any portion of her territory that it is the
desire of the United States to terminate
hoStilities on terms honorable TO both par
ties.
Objection being made to receive the resolu-
ton, Mr.. Stephens moved suspension Of the
rules, and demanded the yeas and nays--yeas
76, nays SO.
Washington Jan. rs, 1847
In the Senate, Mr. Archer presented the
credentials of MIR. Mason, the new Senator
from Virginia, who was qualified and took his
seat
Mr.. Benton, on leave, made a speech in
vindication of the President for having pro-
posed the creation of the office of Lieut.. Cen
eral Of the Army. The plan vas his and not
the Presidents. In September the President
had offered him the mission to France, which
he positively declined. In November he sent
for him and asked his opinion relative to the
future conduct of the war He (Mr. Benton)
gave his plan and afterwards put it in writing
but would not disclose it. He would say, how
ever that it required one head for the whole
army and that the war should be prosecuted
vigorously liying on the enemy and levying
General jackson had offered
him the comman of the army in 1886, in
Benton) was the military superior of every
General now in the service. He mentioned
these things only to vindicate the President
The Treasury Note Bill was then taken up,
Debate ensued by Messrs. Evans, Lewis,
Huntington, Cameron, Speight, Niles and
others. Some unimportant amendments we're
proposed, but at 3 O'clock without action the
Senate adjourned.
In the House ,Mr.Rathbun rose to question
of privilege. The Secretary of the Treas
ury had been required by resolution of the
House several weeks since to furnish certain
in regard to secret agents employ
ed by the Department. The information he
now understood was to be withheld until near
the close Of the session.
Mr., Bailey, defended the Secretary, and
said he should move to rescind the resolution.
Mr. Gerret Davis then offered resolution
for select committee of inquiry with power
to seni for persons and papers,
A long and spirited debate ensucd, partici-
patel in by Messrs. Davis, Collamer, Carroll,
Rathbun, Henly, Dromgoolc, and Schenck.-
The resolution was finally laid on the table
III to 3,
Mr.. Schenck offered long series of rcso.
lutions in favor Of prosecuting the war by
the Mexican ports, leyying duties
on articles imported thereinto, and against
war Of conquest. The House refused to re-
ceive them
The House went into Committee Of the
Whole on the amendatory bill to increase the
pay Of Volunteers and Regulars in the army
and to grant Bounty Lands to them in certain
cases. The amendments having been debat-
ed, the Committee rose and reported progress.
A resolution was adopted to close the debate
on the bill tomorrow.
Resolutions of the Kentucky Legislature
we're presented by Mr.. Toonbs, to increase
the pay of the Volunteers. Adjourned.
Washington Jan. 26, 1917.
The Senate spent the whole day in debate
on the Treasury Note bill, which was ordered
to be cngrosscd.
The House spent most of the day On the
bill to increase the pay and grant lands to the
volunteers and regulars, but without any final
action upon it.
Washington, Jan. q, 1917.
In the Senate, the Treasury Note bill was
read third time and passed, Yeas AZ, Nays
2
Mcssrs. Cilley and Corwin, of the Post Of
flee Committee reported a joint resolution to
provide for the transportation of the mail to
and from the Army in Mexico.
Mr.. Cilley's resolution to withdraw the
troops from Mexico was taken up, and after
some remarks, Mr.. Cilley made an explanation
and the resolution was laid on the table
Yeas II, Nays 0. Mr.. Calhoun was not pres
cnt.
In the House, Mr.. King of Georgia, offered
q Joint Resolution directing the President to
procure gold and silver medals for the officers
and men Of the French, Spanish and English
vessels of war, who aided in rescuing the sea-
men Of the brig Somcrs. Passed.
The bill to increase the pay of and grant
bounty land to the regulars and volunteers of
the Army was finally passed as amended, III
to 19.
Mr.. Schenck moved suspension of the
rules to introduce his resolution relative to
the withdrawal of our troops from Mexico to
the east bank Of the Rio Grandc, which was
negatived by vote of % to 100.
The two Senate amendments to the Treas
ury Note bill were agreed to, and the House
adjourned.
Washington, Jan. %, I847,
Mr.. Upham presented aresolution from the
Legislature of Vermont against the Mexican
War and the acquisition of Slave Territory
Mr. Cameron presented u memorial from
citizens of Pennsylvania, praying aid in the