Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-12-15
coNGREss--ad SESSION
In order to keep up synopsis of each days
proceedings of Congress, we will commence
with the first day:
WASHINGTON. Dec. 4


with the first day:
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.
Quorums of both Houses of Congress as
sembled at the Capitol, and, of course, both
branches were dull y organized A joint
Committee waited upon the President of the
United States to inform him, as is the custom,
that a quorum of both Houses had assembled, |
and were ready to receive any communication
from him. The President replied that he
would communicate with them by message at
~ O'Clock on Tuesday.
In the Senate, on this day, Mr.. Douglas
gave notice of his intention to ask leave on
tomorrow, or on some subsequent day, to IN
troduce a bill to establish the territorial gov
eminent of Minnesota Also, Il bill to establish
the territorial government of Nebraska. Also,
a bHlto establish the territorial government OF
New Mcrico-and a bill for the admission Of
California as a STATE into the Union.
Mr.. Cameron gave notice that he would on
Tuesday, or on some subsequent day, ask leave,
TO introduce bill to provide for the taking Of
a seventh census, or enumeration of the in
habitants of the United States
TUESDAY, Dec. Sin the Senate, the gall
leries were filled with auditors at an early
hour.
There was nothing of interest done in the
Chamber apart from the reading of the P1esi-
dents annual message. Ten thousand extra
copies were ordered to be printed and an ad
tournament succeeded.
In the House, the following notices Of intro
dncton of bills were given:
By Mr.. Sawyer-a hill in relation to land
warrants and for other purposes.
By Mr.. Goggin-a bill to reduce the rates
of postage and to regulate and Eestric: the
ranking privilege.
By Mr.. GreeleV--a bill to discourage spe-
culations in the public lands and to encourage
actual settlers to procure homesteads of their
own.
On motion of Mr.. 1enly, the standing COM
mittees were directed to be appointed accor-
ding to the rules and orders Of the House.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. EN- the Senate, the
resolution from the House, for the election of
two Chaplains, Of different denominations, to
interchange weekly, was agreed to.
In the House, the Rev. r. r. Gurley was
reelected Chaplain to the House for the pres
ent session.
Mr.. Wentworth submitted resolution, to
the effect that the President of the United
States inform the House whether he has re-
ceived any information of the arrest or lmprls-
onment of American citizens in the province
of Ireland, by the British government.
The Speaker was about to put the question,
when
Mr.. Hudson objected to the introduction of
the resolution, on the ground that the rules
require it to lie over one day.
The Speaker laid before the House the mes
sage Of the President, sent in on the last day
of the former session, vindicating his approx,
al Of the bill TO establish the territorial gov
Of 10
cpIe of the WiImot Proviso. The reading
was dispensed with, and the message was
laid upon the table and ordered to be printed.
Additional papers from N. p. Trist in rela-
ton TO his charge of corruption against the
President OF the United States, in the man.
agement of affairs in Mexico, were laid before
the House, and referred to the committee on
Foreign Affairs.
Sundry Executive communications were
received and ordered to be printed
I The House, after session Of three fourths
of an hour, adjourned.
THURSDAY, Dec. 7.-On motion Of Mr..
Atherton, it was ordered that when the Sen
ate djourn, it adjourn to meet again on Mon
day next.
Mr.. King then rose, he said. to announce
the death, in the city of New York, in Oeto-
Der last. of one of their most honored and use
full memberships colleague, the Hon. Dixon
H. Lewis.
He detailed the circumstances Of his death,
and said that nothing had been LETT undone,
he believed, which could have contributed to
his recovery, mitigated his sufferings, or rem
dered more calm his departure to another
world. The proceedings of the common coun-
cil of New York, and their superintendent
of the funeral, were adverted to-. and he tender
81 IL boL &c oh
thanks to that body.
The remains Of the deceased, he said. now
reposed in the beautiful grounds at Green
wood, Long Island, and on the spot, where
during a visit, on former occasion, Mr. Lew
is had expressed wish to be buried, should
he happen to die in that vicinity. Mr.. Lewis
: was born in Georgia, and after receiving Z
} collegiate education. removed to Alabama
commenced the study Of the law, was admit
ted TO practice, and would have attained the
; highest eminence in his profession had no
2 the bent of his mind led him into the poltica
arena.
: He was elected to the Legislature Of Ala
l bama, where he attained snch celebrity AS {
free trade man and as legislator. He was
: in 1929 elected to Congress by the people o
E his District, and in 1914 10 the Senate Of thu
United States, to fill a vacancy. During tht
last winter he was reelected for the full tern
] of six years.
Few men, Mr.. King said, had occupied ;
= more enviable reputation in Congress. II
D the Senate he was we'll known to all the mem
e bers, and they would bear their testimony tt
I the high estimation in which he was held
| to the ability, zeal, and fidelity with which
! all his public duties had been performed. His
services were also we'll known to the country
r and nothing that he could say would add tt
= the high reputation which he had attained.
e He concluded with offering the customar,
+, resolutions. which were seconded and adoP
: ted. and the Senate adjourned.
: In the House, resolution was offered, au
:. thorizing the Clerks to make contracts witt
: the Union and Intelligencer for the daily pub
LEGATION of the proceedings ofthat body.
e Mr.. Harris, of Alabama, who now repre-
= sents in the House the district formerly repre-
sented by Mr.. Lewis, rose and delivered
n most beautiful and eloquent oulogum on tn
talents, requirements, virtues and influence c
y the deceased Senator.
h The usual resolutions were then passed, an
j. the House adjourned till Monday next.
: MONDAY, Dec. lin the Senate, Mr.. Kin
presented the credentials of MIR. Fitzpatrick
e of Ala; Mr.. Fetch, those of MIR. Borland, c