Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-01-29
CONGRESS.


transpired.
JAM 19-SEsarE-The bill for raising the
ten regiments of regular troops, which had
passed the House some time ago, was before
the Senate to-day. The bill, at last dates, had
been recommitted to the Committee on Militia
ry Affairs. with instructions, and Mr. Benton,
Chairman of that Committee, reported it back
again to the Senate, with sundry amendments,
the most important one being That each nom
commissioned officer and private, who may
serve for twelve months in the Mexican war,
shall be entitled to one-quarter section OF land,
and should he be killed, then his rights shall
go, first to his widow, and then to his heirs at
law. Here long debate arose upon whether
or not commissioned officers ought not also to
have a similar bounty, which occupied the
most of the setting. An amendment to this
effect WIS rejected. and the Senate adjourned,
without taking any action upon the main ques-
ton.
HOUSE OF REPREsENTAT1vEs-To- the
bill for the increase OF the pay and the grant
ing of bounty lands to the non-comnissoned
officers and privates now engaged, or who may
be engaged, in the Mexican war, was taken
up A number of amendments were offered
to the BILL. and number of speeches were
made by the movers, after which the Commit
tee of the Whole rose and reported to the
House, when the whole, bill, amendments and
all. were committed to Select Committee,
consisting of nine members. The House then
proceeded to the consideration of a resolution
reported from the Committee on Foreign Al
fairs, for the printing of FIVE thousand copies
of the report OF the same Committee, made du-
ring the last session of Congress, on the war
with Mexico. This gave rise to long de-
bate, after which, on motion of Gen. Mckay,
the House resolved itself into Committee of
the Whole, and took up the bill making APP
preparations for defraying the expenses of the
Indian department, &C., for the current year,
in which it was engaged during the remainder
of the sitting
Jan. 20-SENATr-In the Senate the spe-
cial order of the day, the bill for raising an
additional military force, was under discussion,
during most part of the setting, but without
the Senate's coming to any final action. Du-
ring the debate rather singular discussion
arose upon proposition to authorize the
President to appoint Chaplain for each regi-
ment The difficulty seemed to be that as each
regiment might number amongst its rank and
file the professors of various creeds, it would
be rather awkward to appoint minister OF
any one denomination, who, per force, would
hav. to administer the solaces of religion to
the whole regiment. The Senate adjourned
without coming to any action.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The bill ma
king appropriations for the Indian department
was taken up in the House to day, and after
some discussion, was finally passed. The
Committees were then called for reports aftel
which the Naval appropriation bill was taker
up in Committee Of the Whole on the State o.
the Union, and some progress made in dispos
ing OF it.
Jan. 21.-SENATE.-The Senate was en-
gagged during the whole of it's sitting in dis
cussing the Army bill, (for raising the ter
new regiments,) without coming to any 6na
action. A long debate arose upon the subjec
of appointing Chaplains and an amendmen
was adopted, that there shall be Chaplain t.
each Regiment, who shall receive salary o
81 900 year, with forage for one horse, AM
two rations day-the Chaplains for the vol
unteer force to be elected by the regiments
An amendment was then offered to the bill b,
Gen. Houston, to the effect that the ten regi
ments mentioned in the bill, should be raise'
by volunteering, and that the company officer
should be elected by the rank and file; an
the field officers by the company officers. Pen
ding this amendment, the Senate adjourned.
House OF REPREsENrArIvEs.-Th Hous
was engaged to-day in Committee of the Who'll
on the state of the Union, in discussing tn
Loan bill; on the passage of which we hav
spoken in another article. The debate wa
terminated at 3 o'clock, and then the votin
on the various amendments commenced. Thi.
as the Union observes, was the best day
work which the House has performed sine
1.-THE commencement of the session
Jan. 22-SENArE.-To-day the Senate a
gain had the military bill before it, discussin
Mr.. Houston's amendment with relation t
changing the force from regulars into volur
teers. Mr. Houston addressed the Senate O
} subject. Various amendments were offere
} and discussed, but without the Senate's con
ing to any action. On this day, in the Senat
Mr.. Cilly, of New Hampshire, offered resc
luton to the effect that the President be az
vised to withdraw our troops from the Mex
can territory, which, under the rule, lies ov,
day. We cannot, for moment, think tn;
. the Senator from New Hampshire is really
earnest.
House OF REpREsENrArIvEs.-Th Hous
to-day, was engaged in the disposition OF pr
vate bills, during its whole sitting.
Jan. 25.-The SENATE did not sit to-day.
, In the HOUSE nothing of general important
, was transacted. The greater portion of tt
sitting was consumed in discussing bill r.
e ported from the Committee on Post Routes, f,
establishing additional Post Routes in the Sta
OF Texas. The bill, after undergoing son
annaudnnan<s nass>1 IN - l..