Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-01-01
Congress-.

Very little of interest has been done in Con-
rrcss beyond the very thorough exposure of the
duplictv and untruth which characterize the
message of the President, the debate which has
almost exclusively occupied the House.
Both Houses adjourned from Thursday, to
| Monday the 2Sth.
FRIDAY, Dec. lsth.-Thc SENATE did not sit
to day.
liousE.-NIr. Boyd, from the Military Com
mittec. reported bill to increase the pay of vol
untcers two dollars month from commence
ment of the war, and granting 100 acres of Land
to all serving to the close of the war. unless
sooner discharged. Reported to the Committee
of the Whole.
The House then proceeded to orders of the
day
| A large number of private bills which were
passed over last session, were takcnup and final
" passed The House then adjourned
SATURDAY, Dec. l9th.-The SENATE did not
sit.
The HOUSE was engaged exclusively on pri-
vatc bills.
MONDAY. Dec 2lst.-Thc SENATE had a short
Session, and were occupied chiefly by routine
business.
In the House the bill admitting Iowa into the
Union was read the third time and passed. The
order of the day (resolutions referring parts OF
| the Presidents mcssagc) was then taken up, and
several speeches made thcrcon-and the House
adjourned
TUESDAY, Dec. 22.--In SENATE, Mr. Rusk IN
troduced a resolution instructing the military
committee to inquire into the proprcty ofincrcas-
ing military posts also, instructng the post Of
flee committee to inquire into the expcdiency of
| transporting free mails to the army
al.
debt for information in relation to negotiations
with Santa Anna at Havana, was postponed till
| Tuesday week.
Mr. Sewer introduced a resolution Of inquiry
into the cXpcdiency of constructing railroad
| from Missouri to the Columbia river
In the House.. Mr.. Martin introduced rcsolu-
ton TO allow volunteers ged in the Mexican
war to receive their letters by mail free of post
age. The house refused TO suspend the rules to
receive the resolution
The House then went into committee of the
whole on the reference Of the Presidents mes
sage TO appropriate committees and Messrs.
Morse and Martin defended the course of the
President in reference to the Mexican war.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23d- Scnqtc-Mr B7ccsc
on leave, introduced a bill to organize a terri
torial government in Oregon The committee
on Roads and Canals reported a bill to rcnauish
the Cumberland Road to the States through
which it passes. The committee on Naval af-
fairs were instructed TO inquire into the utility of
iron Is II mltcrial for the construction of vessels
OF war, ana providing for the repairs Of govern
mont vessels By contract. The committee on
Printing reported against printing the memorial
of the Society of Friends in New England to
bring the Mexican war to speedy close
On Mr.. Mangum's motion the resolution not
to print was laid on the table
HousE-unsucccssiu attempts were made to
introduce snndry resolutions Mr. Douglass
reported bill to establish a Territorial Govern
ment in Oregon, which was made the order of
the day, for the first Tuesday of January. The
committee Of the Whole resumed the consider
alton OF the Presidents message.
| Mr.. Martin, OF Wisconsin. brought in bill
to organize a territorial government for new
territory to be called Minnesota
Mr.. Mcclellan. from tae committee on Com
morcc, introduced the llarbor and River bill of
last session, with certain items stricken ont.
which had been oh ocicd to BY Mr. Polk in his
veto message. The bill was passed first and
second reading and referred TO committee OF the
Whole.
| In committee Of the Whole on the President.
message, Mr.. Bailey replied TO Mr. Washing
ton Hunt, and sought to Justify the United
States in carrying on Il war of conquest arnins,
Mexico. Mr.. Garrett Davis spoke warmly on
the other side, and was followed by Mr. Stan
ton when the committee rose
Mr. {. J. lngcrsoll moved that the debate on
the PRESIDENTS message should terminate at
two O'Clock on Thursday, but before the ques-
ton was taken, the House adjourned.
THURSDAY, Dec. oith-Senqte.-Nr. ]. NJ
Clayton presented a petition signed by men of
al parties. praying that Congress should use
speedy and efficient means for terminating the
war with Mexico, and ensurinr an honorable
peace. Mr. Clayton said he conceded with the
views of the mcmorialists, and would do all he
could to Cooperate with them, but he could sec
no way to obtain a peace but fighting out the
war lie would therefore vote all the means
asked for the Government The idea that any
party in this country was opposed TO the Govern
rnent he thought was absurd
Inc Committee on the Judiciary reuor,eI tho
House Bll for the admission of Iowa, without
amonlmcn', and the b Il finally passed.
Bills were reported from the Finance commit
tee to establish branch minis in New York md
Charleston. "''0
The Senate then adjourned over until Monday.
iphSe.-fersonai explanations were made by
Aiessr4. Barclay and Martin.
lhe re oIutol offered bye. J. Inycrsoll, yes.
tcTd"y, Tor closing the debate on the Presidents
Message vas postponed
IN, House then went into Committee of the
Whole on Presidents Message
Mr. Gordon made sprcech in defence ofthe
war Mr. Root followed, and pronounced tho
war unjust AMI unnecessary.
AR boWiin also made speech which con-
c!uded the debate, The Committee then rose
and the House adjourned over till Monday
Tel. Cor. n. Y. pa.