Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-08-10
c 0 n G r E s \.

SESATE.-lh ne civil ana ulplonauc appto-
pria,ion bill from the House, with the amend
ments, reported from the committee on finance,
TO which it was referred, was taken up.
A discussion was commenced particularly
on amendments submitted in reference to the
slavery question. After having consumed con-
siderable time in n'dlscussng the amendments
the bill was laid aside, and the Senate took up
and concurred in the House resolutions for a
committee of inquiry respecting ,he employ
ment OF reporters for both houses Of Congress.
The Senate then went into Executive SEES
son after which they resumed the considera-
tion of the civil and diplomatic appropriation
bill. An amendment, striking out the appro-
priaton for the improvement Of the Savannah
river, was adopted. The farther consideration
Of the bill was then postponed and the Senate
adjourned.
Houss--On motion Of Mr.. Smith Of Ind
the House resolved itself into committee Of
tho whole on the state Of the Union, and took
up the Oregon bill with amendments.
An amendment was offered relative to CIV
ing the territorial Government Of Oregon the
ueto po,cr over territorial legislative acts. The
veto power was stricken out by the committee,
when the committee rose and reported the bill
10 the House with amendments. And the
House adjourned.
Washingtoa, Wednesday, AuguH2.
In the Senate to-day, the bill passed com
pensating Col. Johnson for the building used
for the Chociaw Academy
A debate arose on the bill for repaying the
advance made in California by Ward q Smith
for the use Of the Government The bill was
finally passed.
The Civil and Diplomatic Bill was taken up.
Several amendments were adopted. That re-
la,ing to the Amistad case, and to the in-
provemcnts in the Savannah River, were post
poned Adj.
In the House, a message was received from
the President, in reply to a call for information
a. " the strength of the Army after its reduc-
tion.
He repeats the opinion that the Army
should be the same as before-6O 900, exclu-
slve Of oficers-referred to the Committee Of
the Whole.
Another message was received from the
President, in which he refuses to communicate
the instructions given to Mr. Sewer and Mr.
Clifford, because deemed Incompatible with the
public interests-Teterred 10 the Committee on
Foreign Relations.
The bill for the settlement Of the Cherokee
claiUs was passed. A strong endeavor was
made to reconsider, but failed.
Mr.. Holmes, of 5. c., wished TO offer a
resolution asking the President if he has any
knowledge Of the expedition Of the Americans
to Mexico.
The House took up the Senate resolutions
restoring the mail contracts to the old contrac-
tors between Washington a1d Richmond,
which after debate, were laid on the table.
The Oregon bill was then taken up. The
despatch here is very blind, but it would seem
that the House refused to strike out the ordl-
nance of 1887, and that the bill was passed
without the Governor veto power, l29 TO
II.
The House then went into Committee ofthe
Whole on the Army Appropriation Bill.
Mr.. Johnson, of Tennessee, made an ad-
minlstra,ion speech The debate was to close
or Saturday, at ~ O'Clock. Adj.
Washington, Thursday, August }.
Ia the Senate, to-day, message was re-
ceved from the President, transmitting the
proceedings Of the Pillow Court Martial
5000 copies ordered to be printed.
The Oregon bill was read twice. Mr.. Clay
ton addressed the Senate in explanation of the
defeated compromise bill, which the Southern
members objected to as yielding too much by
the Southland the Northern members, as CIV
ing up too much by the North.
HoUsE.-ln Committee Of the Whole, the
Army appropriation bill was taken up.
Mr.. Marsh made speech on the Northern
side Of the Slavery question.
He was unwilling to leave the decision to
the Court, constituted as it now is, entirely of
Southern men, or Northern men with Southern
principles. He had authority for saying that
Slavery now exists in Oregon.
Mr.. Wllmot followed IN powerful speech.
in favor of his pro,iso. lie was willing to let
Slavery exist where II now is.
He warned the South against forcing its ex-
tension over soil now free.
II was for white men and their rights, not
for negroes, that he legslated.
Mr.. Croser next spoke. He defended the
majority in the House for killing the Senate
territorial bill.
He denounced the said bill as no compro-
mise, as deceptive.
Mr.. Gentry made similar declarations.
Had the bill been put on its passage, there
would have beer majority Of twenty-five
against il.
After an animated debate between Messrs.
Inge, Crosier, Ninton, Bowden and Others.
Mr.. Birtsall made speech IN reply to Mr.
Collins, and gave history of New York poll
tics.