Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-04-22
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
!. CLINGMAN offered the following resolution


Resolved That the President be requested in his Opt
non incompatible with the public interest," to furnish this
House copies of the correspondence between MAJOR General
Winfield Scott aud the Secretary War during the months Of
October and November of the year $40 and especially
pies of letters dispatches Of General Scott bearing date
the 9Th of October the 2h 16h and 2ist OF November
detailing the plan Of operations be formed and the mode OF
conducting the with Mexico, both with reference
ments from the Gulf coast and from the Rio Grande and also
the replies of the Secretary of War thereto.
Resolved further, That the President be requested in like
copies any may have
taken ace recently between Gen Scott and the Secretary
War with reference the change Of commanders-nche IN
Mexico and all letters received from General Scott either
directly from him transmitted by any other pers dated
prior subsequent his suspension removal from the
command Of the army in the vicinity of Mexico; and also the
replies of the Secretary Of War thereto and all other cores
pondence Scott and the Secretary of War not
heretofore communicated 10 Congress.
Mr. CLINGMAN demanded the previous question, which
seconded, and under its operation the resolution was
adopted.
REDUCTION OF DUTIES ON FRENCH ARTICLES.
Mr. G. J. INGERSOLL asked leave to offer a resolution.
There being objection Mr.. l. moved suspend the rules.
Twothirds voting therefor the motion sgreed to.
The resolution was then moved and read as follows
Resolved That the Committee Of Ways and Means
tain, by consultation with the Secretary Of the Treasury and
otherwise and report this House. whether the immediate
reduction Of fifteen OF the thirty per ad yaorem,
,mposea As duties on rrsnch productions imporeu n.o nc
United States will not at this crisis in the French Government
afford great and seasonabe relief distressed industry OF
that country TO which this much indebted and also be
without disadvantage, If beneficial the COM
merce, and general welfare Of the United States.
Mr.. YINTON moved to amend the resolution by striking
all after the words Secretary OF the Treasury and in
sertng what notifications necessary to make IN the Ia
riff OF ls46"
Mr.. HOLMES, Of South Carolina, briefly advocated the
resolution. We (he said that at this time in
this House there either existed proesed TO exist the
greatest sympathy for France II there sympathy for
people sruggln. he free he thought that that sympathy
had better be shown by overt acts He referred to the story OF
the Frenchman who present in company where poor
fellow told his tale Of misery and distress "What do you
think Of such case T" was asked 'sAh !" said the
pany, GIVE very sorry for him." Said the Frcnchman
taking out his money 81 sorry f,enty dollars Hour much
you sorry /" We should confne ourselves TO
professions Of sympathy but afford substantial evidences
Of sympathy, reduction of duties upon their produc
tons This would not merely relieve the French treasury
Immediately, but would equally benefit ours, by swelling the
amount Of their mporationsihus increasing our revenues
and not only this grateful would they be that when per-
Government established might expect greatly
enlarged Market consequence of their reduction Of the du
ties Tor tobacco, cotton rice, AID breadsus Thus at
the time that manfestng sympathy and gener-
osy to the French, should ensure important benefits to
various interests Of our country.
After word Of conversation between Messrs. ]. r. IN
GERSoLL and Q. j. INGERSOLB--
Mr.. HUDSON said he had disposition generally to speak
70 opposition to resolutions Of inquiry, especially as he
believed hls resolution TO be harmless in It's character but
some remarks had been made IT, he would say word
which he would not have n there had been no debate
upon IT, What he wished say would be strictly applicable
this resolution OF inquiry. They all knew that the tariff
OF ls42 met by popular objection on the other se that
it acted uxues too favorabIy Il said that uxurcs
ought to bear the highest rate Of taxation, and thousand
gewgaws from France fell within that description together
with French wines.
Mr. g. j. INGERS0LL interposcd to say that wines were
not comprehended his resolution the duty on which was
40 per cent.
Mr. HUDSON glad TO hear that his friend from Penn
syvsna had got his mind of wnc and that the duty was no,
10 be reduced on that necessary Of life which consumed
by the hardy yeornanry Of The country. Laughter
Mr. o. j. INGERSOL said he did not propose to reduce
the duty on wine. There such proposition embraced
in his resolution.
Mr. HUDSON was Of that, and he was glad that IL
was left out The resolution before the House related TO
the housand and gewgaws OF French manufacture Tho
nou;rv proposed was whether We consideration in
eauence OF certain revolution 10 France, before the French
peoue have established any Government for themselves ought