Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-12-31
Congressional Proceedings.

In the Senate, there was some skirmishug on
the subject of the war. Mr. Calhoun aud MI
Cas- said Just enough to make it certain that
more will follow. Mr. Cas- denied that the com.
plete conquest of Mexico was desired by the
Executive or any body else; but Mr. Calhoun
showed as to the "any body else" that the SEN
ator from Michigan should know better, and re-
ferred to the proceedings of meetings, applauded
by the official paper, where the conquest OF Mex
leo was avowed All the present evil in regard
to Mexico, Mr. Calhoun argued, had arisen from
acting without declaration of war, or decla-
ration of some sort. Action upon his resolutions,
he commended, should precede action upon the
war bills, as Congress ought TO know what was
designed before money was appropriated, or
more men allowed.
House.-DIr c. J. Ingersoll proposed to carry
out the wishes Of the Executive in regard to the
Italian States, by abolishing the office of charge
des dtdires to Naples and Sardinia, and substi-
tuting full mission to the Papal States. The
committee on Foreign Affairs are charged with
reporting upon this proposition.
Mr. Holmes, of S. C. started a new idea for the
time by embodying a resolution calling upon the
States TO pay over TO the general government
the amount of money deposited with them under
the act of 1886. This money is to be called for
in lieu Of the loan now demanded by the Sec
Rotary Of the Treasury.
There was something like show of hands on
the internal improvement question Mr. Petit,
of Ind. introduced resolves, going only into the
question of the power of Congress over public
highways, upon which munitions of war are car
ried, and over lake improvements. The Adj
ministration members were disposed TO resist
them as going too far, and the majority thought
they did not 60 far enough. They were laid
over for amendment and debate.
Other proceedings in the House were of an
exciting character. A new member from Hi
nois, Mr. Richardson, sought to make demon
stration by series of resolutions, declaring the
present war to be just in its origin, and to have
been prosecuted IN the spirit of justice, and only
with the view Of obtaining an honorable peace
The previous question was at once sprung upon
the House. in order to force action in the alb
sence Of Wing members. Two motions were
made to adjourn, and lost-one by the close vote
of 30 to 50; and it was not until call of the
House was moved on the Wing side and car
ried, 104 to 81, that the Administration members
abandoned the fight at a late hour in the after
noon.
TUESDAY, Dec. 81.
The Senate transacted little business of i'm
portanee. The Judiciary committee was direct
ed to inquire into the expediency of legislating
further in reference TO the treaty between the |
United States and France for the surrender of |
fugitives from justice.
In the House Mr. Giddings presented me-
mortal from citizens of his district in favor of
I he repeal of all laws recognizing slavery in the
District of Columbia A motion to lay the me-
mortal on the table was rejected, 81 to 81, the
Speaker giving his casting vote in the negative.
IL lies over, Mr. Cobb of Ga intimating an in
tention to debate the question of reference.
Mr. Vinton, from the committee of WAYS and
Means, reported a bill making appropriations to
supply deficiencies in the subsistence of the vol
ufteers, for the year ending June, ls4s.
The resolutions in favor of the war, offered
yesterday by Mr. Richardson, were taken up and
considered. Resolutions of an opposite charac-
ter were moved as substitutes, by Messrs Bolts,
Stephens, Richards, Thompson and Toombs.
The previous question was moved, but not sus.
tained and the resolutions lie over.
Mr. Wentworth offered resolution, asserting
the power OF Congress to construct such harbors
and improve such rivers as may be necessary and
proper for the protection of our navy and COM
merce, and for the defence of the country
Passed, 1873 to 81.
Mr. Smith, OF Ill. presented a bill for the COM
pletion Of the Cumberland road through Ohio,
Indiana and Illinois, to Missouri.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. %.
In the Senate, Mr. Hale presented two anti
slavery petitions, and made strenuous efforts to
induce the Senate to depart from its settled rule
question of reception being put, Mr. Berrien
moved to lay that question on the table. Car
ried, SO to 10.
Mr. Cas-, from the Military committee, report
ed bill to raise for limited time an additional
military force, and gave notice that he should
call it up at the earliest opportunity.
In the House, Mr. Lincoln, of H. presented
resolution calling on the Executive for informa-
ton respecting numerous points connected with
the Mexican war.
MIR MeClelland presented resolution calling
for statistics of Western Lake commerce.
Mr. Kaufman offered resolution of inquiry
as to the expediency of authorizing Postmasters
10 frank subscriptions and money for newspapers.
On motion of Mr. Vinton, the House went into
committee OF the Whole on the bill appropriate
ing al 100000 to supply deficiencies in the sub
'istence department Of the army Mr. Vinton
made some remarks explaining the urgent need
oi tins appropriation and the bill passed unani-
The annual Message of the President was then
taken up In committee of the Whole MIR Vim
ton offered a series of resolutions for the refer
ence OF different portions of the Message 10 ap-
propriate committees
, Mr. Chngman offered an amendment involving
the question Of slavery in new territory, upon
which he made speech.
The committee rose, and reported progress,
and the House adjourned.
THURSDAY, Dec. 23.
Nothing Of moment was done in either branch
The death of Gen. Hamer, late a member of the
House from Ohio, was announced in the Senate
by Mr. Allen, and in the House by Mr. Morris
and after the customary marks of respect. both
branches adjourned over to Monday, on account
of the Christmas holidays.
An
Iow.-The following is the statement of the ar
rest of these two officers by the COMMANDMENT
Chief of the Aruy' which is given by the Vera
cruz correspondent of the New Orleans Delta.
There can scarcely be doubt of the fact itself,
which this letter describes so particularly =
A lamentable feeling pervades the army at
Mexico, owing to jcalcusies and heart-burnines,