The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-12-30
q Dirt ietb Congress.
lST SESSION.

In inc oenatc MI NeDSter appeareu anu
took his seat
Mr.. Dix presented petition from Amer
lean officers in Mexico, asking relief for dis
abled officers, &c.
Mr.. Hale presented tho resolutions from
the Legislature of New Hampshire, against
the extension of slavery.
from the Legislature of Connecticut.
Mr.. Calhoun called up his Resolutions on
the Mexican war. An interesting debate
cnsucd and the 4th of January was appoint
ed for their consideration.
Mr.. Allen wished to ascertain whether Mr..
Calhoun intended to deny the right or pro-
priety Of taking territory for indemnity.
Mr.. Calhoun replied that his objects were
merely to guard against the results into which
we were hurrying ourselves inconsidcrately
"a result which might throw into our hands
the whole nine or ten millions of Mexican
people. After destroying their nationality,
he thought it important we should know be-
fore we went further what our true object
was in reference to the subjugation Of terri
tory. In the course of the debate, Mr.. Cass
stated that the Committee on Military Affairs
would soon be prepared to report a bill to
increase the army, which ought not to be i'm
peded by the discussion Of resolutions which
seemed to him to have no practical bearing.
The death of Mr.. Dromgoole was announc-
cd the usual resolutions were adopted, and
the Senate adjourned.
The House was mostly occupied with the
presenting of petitions, memorials, &c.
Resolutions requesting the President to
communicate instructions relative to the re-
turn of Santa Anna; declaring it inexpedi.
ent to raise more money by loan, asking for
instructions to Mr.. Slidell by what authority
the civil government establishes territories i'll
Mexico-all laid over.
A resolution by Mr. Grinncll, instructing
the judiciary Committee to inquire whether
the President has authorised the fitting out
of vessel to carry officers of the army and
navy to the Mediterranean for surveying the
Dead Sea, and whether the President has
such authority, or Congress the power to pass
to improve the harbors and rivers of the
United States, was adopted.
Mr. Washington Hunts resolution, instruct
ing the judiciary committee to inquire into
the expediency of establishing commercial
reciprocity between the United States and
Canada, in view of the admission OF the pro-
duce of either into the other, on a footing of
equality was adopted.
Mr.. Petit offered a joint resolution, declar-
ing that in the Judgment Of Congress, gov
eminent has power to improve rivers, where
ever it may be found necessary to facilitate
the transportation Of military stores, &c , and
to improve harbors and inlets, whether on
the Atlantic or Lake coasts, wherever neces-
sary to the security of the lives of seamen, or
the protection of government vessels.
Laid over, after the decision of several
motions.
TUESDAY, Dec. 81.
In the Senate, Mr.. Dix of New York, in
troduced a bill to repeal the act of March
to testimony-read twice and referred
Bills were introduced directing the Secre-
tary of the Navy to purchase the patent right
to the nautical ventiIator; and to divide Ar
kansas into two judicial districts.
On motion of Mr.. Dayton, resolution was
adopted directing the judiciary committee to
enquire what further Legislation is necessary
to carry into effect the treaty with France, in
relation to the mutual surrender Of fugitives
from justice. Adj.
SLAVERY.
In the House, Mr.. Giddings, Of Ohio, pre-
sented petitions praying the adoption of the
necessary measures to abolish slavery in the
District of Columbia.
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, moved that the
petition be laid on tbs table.
A motion to lay the regular order of bust
ness on the table to refer this memorial, was
rejected, 81 to 81, the Speaker giving his
casting vote in the negative. 1t lies over
Mr.. Cobb, of Georgia, initiating an in
tcntion to debate the question Of referring.
THE MEXICAN WAR.
Mr.. Bolts offered a resolution calling on
the President for information relative to the
Mexican war.
Mr.. Adams introduced resolution calling
on the Secretary of State for information re-
lative to claims on Mexico under the conven-
ton of 1889, which was adopted.
Mr.. Vinton, of Ohio, Chairman Of the
Committee on Ways and Means, on leave,
reported bill making appropriations for the
supply of deficiency in former bills Of appro-
priation for the support and maintenance of
the army in Mexico for the year 1848. The
bill was referred to the Committee of the
Whole, and, with the letters of the Secretary
of War, the Commissary General, ordered to
be printed.
Mr.. Vinton gave notice that he would move
tomorrow to 60 into committee and take up
this bill.
After the transaction of some unimportant
business, the House resumed the considera
ton of the special order of the day viz:-the
resolution of Mr. w. A. Richardson, Of ILL.,,
proposing that the prosecution Of the war in
Mexico be continued.
Mr. Stevens, of Georgia, offered q substi-
tute, proposing that the troops of the United
States Army be withdrawn from Mexico
aud that negotiations on the subject of indem-
nifty, such as had been suggested by Mr.. Clay, !
in his late speech, at Lexington, be opened
with Mexico.
The subject WAS warmly debated by Messrs.