Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-12-28
CONGRESS-.

hi", 10 ootaln vote, went over under the rule,
debate arising thereon,) as follows:
hesotued, That the Committee on the Judicia-
ry be instructed to inquire into the expedency
OF passing law providing for the abolition of
Slavery, and the prohibition of its extension
Wherever Congress has the power so to do and
mus relieving this Government from all respon.
slbllity Tor the existence of that institution and
also from all agitations concerning it.
Mr.. Fickln offered the following Preamble
ana Resolution, which was read aud debate a.
rising thereon, it was laid over under the rule:
Whereds, The guaranty TO the new States,
that they shall come into the Union on an equal
footing with the original thirteen States, is not
complied with so long as the Federal Govern
ment exercises the right Of disposlng Of the pub
lie lands in the new States:
find whereas, The right of disposing of the
soil of the public lands within their limits is one
OF the highest and most essential attributes of
State sovereignty: Therefore be it
Resoiued By The House Of Representatives, That
the Committee on Public lands be instructed to
inquire into the expediency OF reporting a bill
ceding to each one of the new States all Of the
public lands within their respective limits, except
such us may be reserved under the Constitution
for public purposes.
In pursuance Of notice, Mr.. John A. Rockwell
introduced joint resolution to authorize a sur
vey OF certain routes Tor Canal or Railroad be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; which
resolotion was read first and second Time and
referred to a Select Committee.
MIR. Bolts offered the following resolution;
Resolred, That the President of the United
States be requested TO communicate to this House
| ut not incoml atble with the public interests
under what law, or provision of the Constitution
or by what other authority, the Secretary of the
Treasury of the United States did, by his sal nc.
ton and APPROVAL during the war with Mexico
establish a Tariff of Duties in the ports of the
Mexican Republic; and that he also conrnuni
cate TO this House by what legal, constitutional,
or other authority, he undertook to appropriate
the revenue thus derived, to the support of the
army In Mexico, without the sanction of the tax
laying aud appropriating power of Congress, as
established by the Constitution of the United
States.
The said resolution was read and the rule
requiring the same to lie one day upon the table
being suspended the resolution was considered
and agreed to.
| On motion of Mr.. GREGORY.
heSotred, That the Committee OF WAYS and
Means take into consideration the proprety OF
reporting bill for reducing the size of the one
cent com, and TO authorize the coming of three
cent pieces, both to be Composed of copper and
some other precious metal
| On motion of Mr. Hampton of Pa.
RESOLVED, That the Committee on Public Lands
inquire into the expcdency of granting to the
state OF Pennsylvania one million acres of pub
lie lands belonging to the United States, to be
appropriated as follows: 100000 acres for the
construction of the Pennsylvania Railroad, 3OO-
OUU Tor the construction of the Pittsburg and
Connellsvile Railroad, and 100000 for the Penn
sylyania aud Ohio Railroad, to be expended
WITHIN the Sta;e of Pennsylvania. And that
said Committee do farther inquire into the expe-
inst md L.
OF inc public lands among the several States of
this Unions and that said committee report by
bill or otherwise
On motion of Mr.. Cooke,
heSotred, That the Committee on Revolution
airy Pensions be instructed to inquire into the
expedlency OF making farther provisions by law
Tor the relief OF widows and orphans of deceas-
ed olilcers and soldiers of the army OF the Uni
tea States, and that they have leave to report by
bill or otherwise.
Tuesday, Dec. 10.
In the Senate, today, the resolution of Mr..
Miller, of New Jersey, calling on the President
Tor correspondence relating to the purchase of
Cuba, was taken up. Mr.. Berrien, OF Georgia,
opposed Its passage, as he thought it might
prove detrimental TO the public service. Mr.
Miller consented that it should lie over
Mr.. Benton submitted a document called for
yesterday concerning the Panama rail- oad A
debate ensued between Messrs. Benton, Gamer
on, foote, Allen, and others, as TO the merits of
the BILL and no decision was made.
a scaled message was received from the Pres
iient, and the Senate went into Executive ses-
sion, and then adjourned.
IN The House OF Representatives, the Speaker
called upon the States for petitions, and upon
Committees for reports. Several bills were re-
ported and referred.
On motion of Mr.. Thompson, of Iowa, the
House took up Mr.. Vinton's resolution to refer
the Presidents Message 10 the different stand
ing Committees. Mr.. Meade, of Virginia, offer
ed an amendment TO refer the territorial question
10 select Committee of nine-lost.
Mr.. Cobb, Of Georgia, offered another. to re-
Ter the tariff question TO the Committees on Ag-
ricullure and Commerce, which was warmly
discussed by Messrs. Cobb, &. ]. Ingersoll,
Thompson Of Pennsy lvania, Holmes and others.
Mr.. Ramsay advocated The motion. Mr.. Gree.
ley, of New York, was in favor of referring the
tariff question to the Committee on Manutac-
lures. He said the message assaled nanufac-
lures, and he wished to have it replied to. lie
was willing that the message should go to either
Committee, provided the misrepresentation were
answered
Mr., Marvin, of New York, followed and gave
history of the legislation on this subject. Mr..
Fisher, OF Ohio, has the floor for tomorrow. Ad-
ourned.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 90.
In the Senate to-day, Mr.. Downs according
to previous notice, reported bill in favor of
bi-monthly steamers between New Orleans and
Vera Cruz, which was referred to the Naval
Committee.
Mr. Breese moved that the bill for the gradua-
ton of the price of the public lands, be made the
order of the day for the second Monday In JAN
uary. Agreed to.
MIR Dix moved that the House bill, admitting
Canadian produce OF certain kinds free of duty,
should be made the order Of the day for tho 4th
of January.
The bill for draining the Everglades of Flori-
da, came up, and on motion OF Mr. Yuee, was
postponed.
A message was received from the President.
The Senate went into executive session, and at-
forwards adjourned.
| House. MI Vnton reported bill providing
for CARRYING into effect the 18th article of the
Mexican treaty, respecting the appointment Of
Commissioners, which was referred to The Com
mittee of the Whole.
| Mr. Hubbard OF Connecticut offered resolu-
ton instructng the committee on Foreign Rela-
tons to make inquiry requesting the Consular
system at China. Referred to the committee OF
the Whole.
Mi. Smith, of Connecticut, reported bill pro-
yidlng for a government Tor Upper Calilotniu'
and moved to make it the order for gwen day.
Messrs Toombs aud Cobb objected. 1t was re-
| ferred to the Committee of the Whole
Ga motion of Mr. Cobb, the House resolved
itself into Committee of the Whole, for The