Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1847-12-30
Tho NViImof proviso.

The Herald of the Pruires published at Chicago,
gives an account of the secret history of the ceebn-
ted Wmot Proviso, in the words it staes for the
most part, Of a member of Congress who was con-
vcrsunt with every step in its progress from first to
last. The Herald says:
"Arer the nomination of Mr. Polk, many Of the
democrats in New York felt that the serveilance aud
domination of the South manifest, and that
the results would bc detrimental to the interests of
their party and of the free States, that after many
conversations among themselves and with other
members from the North and West it deemed
necessary TO make resistance ut point, TO SOUTH
ern dctaion. This understood although no
plan was agreed upon, nor any individual committed
TO any future measure.
During the session of Congress- symptoms of re-
sistance were manifested by Hon. J. BrinkerIoff and
several other members, both Wing and Democrat,
from Ohio and New York.
About the close of the long session of the last
Congress it was understood that the President
about to ask an appropriation of Two Millions TO
make peace with Mexico. The message came, and
while it being read 10y the Clerk, soon the
drift of it understood, Hon. J. Brnkerhoff of
Ohio sat down at his desk aud drew up the original
proviso whirh passed the House
The incidents connected with its dret and pass
age give i'll the words of our correspondent be-
fore named.
while Brnkerhoff was wiring the Proviso, Mr.
Payne of Alabama noticed that he busy, and
judging from the past what was probably the nature
of the paper; as HrinkerhoH rose from the desk
with the PrOviso in his hand, Payne said-"Well,
BrnkerIotf, are you going at some of your --
tricks again?" Brinkerloff replied ayes sir, |
ans" and passed over to Mr. Vinton, II Wing mem
Der from Ohio, and handing the draft of the provso
to him. sad-"Vinton, look at that" Vinion read
it, and BrinkcrlIoff asked-"Will that do?" The
reply was" Certainly it will but will your side
support it?" Brnkerhoff answered &c will try
them, and do you make yourself busy among the
northern Wings" Vinton promised TO do so, and
cautioned Brinkerhof to he wide awake in order to
get the floor and offer it when the bill should come
up Brnkerhoff replied-"I do not intend to offer
it myself-Wilhot is the man to do that. He is the
only man from Pennsylvania who voted for the tariff
bill--has been pulled by the Union patted on the
back by Southern men and called good feLlolC-and
know he is right this question, for j have con-
versed with him frequently about it," "We, said
Vnon, "try him if he will, he is the very man to
offer it," Brnkerhoff Immediately stepped over
where Wilmot sitting showed him the proviso
and requested him 10 offer it. lie said at once he
would do BrinkerhoT asked, evil you make Il
short speech in its fjvor?" lie answered-"l have
no objections and will do so; believe in the prin-
| cipe and will stand by it," "Well," said Brinker-
hoff, "keep your eye skinned and get the floor when
the matter comes up" Wilmot then copied the
proviso in his own hand which Brinkerloff had
written, and gave back the original. The rest is
known to the counry'"