Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-02-04
Congress-.
MONDAY. Jan. %.

MONDAY, Jan. 20.
House.. Mr. Archer presented the credentials
of MI Mason, the new Senator from Virginia,
who was qualified and took his seat Commun.
cations were received from the several Depart
mcnts. Among them the annual report of the
Commissioner of Patents, and list of contracts
made by the navy Department.
hlr Benton, on leave, made a speech in vndi-
cation of the President for having proposed the
creation OF the office Of Lieutenant General
of the Army. The plan was his, and not the
Presidents. In September the President had
offered him the mission TO France, which he pos.
itively declined. In November he sent for him
and asked his opinion relative to the future con-
duct of the war. He (Mr Bcnton) gave his plan
and afterwards put it in writing, but would not
disclose it. He would say, however, that it re-
qured one bead for the whole army that the
war should be prosecuted vigorously-living on
the enemy and levyng contributions General
Jackson had offered him the command of the ar
my in 1886, in case of war with Mexico. In
1912, he MIR Benton) was the military superior
of every General now in the service. He men.
toned these things only TO indicate the Presi-
dent
The Treasury note Bill was then taken up.
Debate ensucd by Messrs Evans, Lewis, Hun
tington, Cameron, Speight, Miles, and others
Some unImportant amendments were proposed
but at o'clock, without action, the Senate adj
journcd.
House.. Mr. Maclay presented a memorial
from the Common Council of New York. rcla-
ting to the importation of foreign paupers and
criminals. Referred to the Judiciary Commit
tee, and ordered to be printed. MIR Rathbun
rose TO question of privilege. The Secretary
OF the Treasury had been required, by resolution
Of the House, several weeks since, to furnish
certain Information in regard to secret agents
employed by the Department. The informoton
he now understood, was to be withheld until near
the close of session. Mr. Bailey defended the
Secretary, and said he should move to rescnd the
resolution. Mr. GarIet Davis then offered res.
olution for a select Committee to inquire into
the matter, with power to send for persons and
papers. A long and spirited debate ensued, in
which Messrs Davis, Collamer, Carroll, Rathbun,
Heny, and Shenck participated. The resolu.
ton was finally laid on the table, | to g. Mr.
Shenck offered a long series of resolutions in ia
vor of peace, Withdrawing our troops froI. the
coast OF the Rio Grande, dschargng the volun-
teers, and III favor of the prosecution of the wal
by blockadlng the Mexican ports, levying duties
on articles Imported thereinto, and against a war
of conquest The House refused to receive
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 debated, the commit
tee rose and reported progress. resolution
was adopted to close the debate on the bill to-
morrow.
MIR HARRISON, from the Military Committee
reported bill to increase the number OF Lgh
Artillery Companies. Read twice, and referred
to the Commute Of the Whole.
The memorial Of Aaron Leggett, relative tC
spolatons committed by the Mexican Govern
ment, was presented by Mr. Woodwork.
Resolutions of the Kentucky Legislature were
presented by Mr. Toonbs to increase the pay o
the Volunteers. Adjourned.
TUESDAY, Jan. &c
SENATE. Tim loan Bill was taken up. NJ
Westcott opposed the details of the bill, and HI
moved that no notes should be disposed of ii
any way for less than par and interest. Agree
to-
Mr. Huntington moved an amendment to lini
the authority to issue treasury notes 10 eightce
months after the passage of the bill.
This was opposed by Messrs Speight, Gamer
on, Bagby. and others. The amendment was re
jected-yeas 90, nays 20.
Mr. Evans moved TO amend the bill so as I
limit the authority of REISSUE only to such note
as may be received in payment of public due
prior to maturity.
After debate by Messrs Cass, Clayton, Bagby
Mangum, Speight, Evans, and Westcott, the Q
lnendmen. was rejected "a to 25.
Mr. Simmons then offered an amendment
extend security Of Public Lands to Treasur
Notes, as well as stock issued under the act, bl
after debate he would withdraw the amendmei
! for that offered by Mr. Westcott, TO afford oppo
| tunity TO move to strike out the whole sectu
pledglng the Public Lands for payment of III
| public debt. After the rejection Of this, and or
! or two other amendments proposed and adope
| with an additional section requiring the Secrets
nv of the Treasury to report TO Congress at Il
commencement OF neyt session all done by hi
under the act, the bill was ordered to be engros
ed for third reading, and the Senate adjourn
ed.
HOUSE. Mr. Elet the new member fro
Mississippi in place of Jefferson Davis, was qua
flied and took his seat.
On motion of Mr. Boyd, the House went in
Committee of the Whole on the bill to increa
the pay OF and grant bounty lands to regula
and volunteers Of the army Messrs McDowc
of Ohio, Harmanson, Wick, r. Smith, Grahal
McClerland, Pollock, Morris, Boyd, and sund
others, addressed the Committee. Amendmer
were proposed. The Committee then procee
ed to vote on the amendments, some Of viii
were adopted, changing materially the fea,ur
of the bill. The amendments were reported
the House, and without any vote thereon it g
journed.
, WEDNESDAY, Jan. 81.
SENATE. The Treasury Note Bill was re
? third time and passed-Yeas AZ, Nays 2,
; The Judiciary Committee reported bill
. regulate attachments in the United States Cou
! in the several States
e Mr. Houston reported bill making appropr
r tons for the Post Office Department for the
s cal year, which was read twice.
S Mr. Cilley's resolution to withdraw the troC
from Mexico was taken up, and after some
D marks Mr. Cllley, made an explanation, and
s resolution was laid on the table Yeas Al, Nj
}, 0. Mr. Calhoun was not present.
= The Army bill was next taken up MIR At
}, ison made a speech in defence of his amendm
J. for volunteers. The debate was continued
e Messrs Greene, Dayton, and JarnaCin, VIII
}, without any action on the bill, the Senate
n journed
n HOUSE. The bill TO increase the pay of
1t grant bounty land to the regulars and volunte
e OF the army, was finally passed as amended
e to lS.
r. Mr. Schenck moved suspension of the II
4 to introduce his resolution relative TO the W
At drawal of our troops from Mexico to the
y bank Of the Rio Grande, which was negati
by a vote Of 70 TO $50.