The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-12-25
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Ia.

In the Senate, Mr. Dickinson I'm. York
submitted the following resolutions, which
set inside, it will be seen,the Wilmot Proviso,
Resolved, That true policy requires the
government of the United States 10 strength
epits political and commercial relations up
n on this continent, by the annexation of such
contiguous territory as may conduce to that
end. and can DO justly obtained; and that
neithcr in such acquisitions, nor in the terri
torial organization thereofcan any conditions
be conslilutionally imposed, or institutions
be provided for or established, inconsistent
\ with the right of the people thereofto form n
\ free, sovereign State, with the powers and
\ privileges the original members of the
B COnfederacy.
Resolved, That in organizing Territorial
Government in territory belongingto The u
aiIed States, the principles OF self govern
ment, upon which our Federative system
4 lets, will be best promoted, the true spirit
n nd meaning ofthe Constitution be observ-
d,and the Confederacy strengthened by leav-
ing all questions concerning the domestic
policy therein to the Legislatures chosen by
the people thereof
SENATE. WASHINGTON, Dec. Is. Mr.
Miller proffered Il join resolution authorizing
the erection of Il monument TO Washington
on the public grounds. Read twice and re-
iGmed. Mr. Mason introduced bill changing
the time ofholding district courts in Vermont
and Virginia. MIR Downs remarked upon
the inadequacy of accommodations at New
Orleans for wounded soldiers and volunteers,
and submitted resolution authorizing the
Military Committee to investigate the subject
and report by bill or otherwise. The reso-
luton was adopted.
Mr. Calhoun offered the following resolu-
lions:
Resolved, That to conquer Mexico, and to
hold it either as a province,or TO incorporate
it III our Union, would he inconsistent with
the avowed object for which the war has been
prosecuted, and Il departure from the settled
policy of Government, in conflict with its
character and genius, aud in the end subver-
sive of our free and popular institutions.
Resolved, That no line of policy in the
further prosecution of the war should be n
doped, which may lead to consequences so
DISASTROUS.
The resolutions were ordered to be printed
On motion of Mr. Davis, the committee on
commerce was instructed to enquire wheth-
er further legislation is necessary, for the
protection of passengers in STEAMBOATS,.
HOUSE. The consideration of Mr. Vim
tons resolution dividing the Committee of
Commerce, was resumed, and an interesting
debate ensucd between Mr. Rhett, Smith, (Ind J
Root and Bednger.
During the speech of the latter, n message
rom the President was announced, which,
on motion of Mr. Thomson, was read, and as
we understood it, related to the subject I'M
der consideration. 1t proved to he the Pres
idents reasons for withholding his signature
10 the bill passed the last day ofthe last ses-
sion, making appropriations TO certain public
Works in Wisconsin, already commenced,
and for other purposes. The reasons were
similar TO those in his veto of the river and
harbor bill, but the message was of greater
length. Mr. Wentworth moved its reference
10 the committee on commerce. Mr. Ninton
moved TO refer it 20 n select committee, and
the printing to be deferred until the commit
tee report, and that the report and the mes
sage 90 together.
Tie House elected Mr. Gurley Chaplain.
He was nominated by Mr. a dams.
Mr. Holmes Of South Carolina offered res
olutions similar to MIR Culhoun's in the Sen
ate with the annexed as additional.
Resolved, That we agree to recede all the
territory we have taken from Mexico, beyond
the Rio Grande, upon the condition that our
citizens have free ingress and egress into New
Mexico and Upper California, the privilege
ofhoding land and exercising their religion,
and ofcarrying on trade, as fully as any of
the Mexican citizens Of those provinces.
Resolved, That further condition be the
right of entry and departure ofour shipping,
both national and domestic, into and from the
Mexican ports,as unrestricted as in the ports
OF the United States, with all the rights of
breaking bulk, taking in and discfarging, pur-
Chasing and selling ofcargo, as in our own
ports. '.. '..U
Resolved, further, that we stipulate for n
right Demonstrating railroad from the Uni
ted States 10 the hardor of San Diego, and to
any town in New Mexico or California.
Resolved, That it is eXpedient to keep pos
session ofthe Castle ofSan Juan de Ulloa,n
u hostage for the fultillment of the stipula-
lions above recited.
49, WASHINGTON, Dec. 16.
snort sessions today. The Senate was in
session only about half an hour. Hon. Mr.
foote, Senator from the State of Mississippi,
announced the death of the late Senator
SpeIght, of'that State, who died on the LIST
OF May last, at his residence in Mississippi.
Immediately after the announcement and the
adoption ofapproprate resolutions, the Sen
ate adjourned.
The first business of the House was the
unfinished business ofyesterday, which was
the motion of Mr. Wentworth, of Ill.,, TO refer
the Veto Message of the President to the
Committee on Commerce.
The unfinished business was then taken
up, and the Speaker gave the floor to Mr.
iet!t, loco) OF Indiana, who commenced
making thoroughgoing internal improve
inent speech. He spoke for about an hour,
III winch he denounced, in unmeasured terms
the Veto Message of Mr. Folk. It contained
.n4cqlpes which he thought absurd, and to
which ne could not subscribe. This message
was S me first attempt that had ever been made
py an Executive of United States to COM
tIe'eiy close the door to all sorts of improve
tnepts Tor the aid of commerce by Congress.
was contradicted by many of the previous
Acls OF MIR Polk, both as President and when