Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-08-12

enable him read statement upon which he relied to the
effect that 1000 men would be sufficient garrison the whole
western border; and, after explanation he withdrew it.
Mr.. McLANE moved to strike out the second sec
ton as amended He dissented totally from the view taken
by the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. ToonBs,) which
radical than any which had been expressed by any other
geneman-that could get along without any army all
either in California, New Mexico, Oregon He consider
ed the amendment of the gentleman from New York,
(Mr. Hail. which reduced the companies the Atlantic
seaboard destructive to the good of the service destructive Of
the army ON the Atlantic coast and miserable system
OF legislation The gentleman from New York proceeded
the supposon that should always have AZ in each
company from which made these distractions When had
the gentleman known company be full, whatever
might be the standard II scarcely the hence,
by taking away from them sufficient number to gil sixty
companies up to 100 men EACH the gentleman would bring
down these companies the seaboad much below SO
Mr. HALL said the power was Unlimited in the War De-
partment to recruit and keep the companies full up to the
standard authorized by law.
Mr.. McLANE held that the gentleman from New York, If
he meant to give the 5000 which required in Ore
California, and New Mexico bound TO give them
without abstracng them from other branches Of the public
service The true settlement OF the question: his opinion,
to strike out the second section amended orr If the
committee disposed do adopt the amend
ment OF the gentleman from North Carolina, which reduced
the companies the scabosrd AZ, and lett them there,
while those which went upon the western frontier
to be increased TO 100 each.
The motion Of Mr. McLAHE strike out the second
ton rejected.
The question then recurring the first section Of the BILL
the amendment Of Mr. VIsros previously offered under in
srucons OF the Committee of Ways and Means and based
upon the estimates Of the Secretary War;
for the three months extra pay granted by the act Of 10Th of
last month. to the officers, musicians and pvates of the
Mexican war was agreed to.
Mr.. SMITH, of Illinois, moved the following item
amendment
For payment Of interpreters who employed in the
Mexican and who have not received payment
Some occurred between Messrs SMITH and
FICKLN this amendment when il was disagreed to.
Mr.. McCLERNAND moved the following:
For the purchase ola site and the erection of
national armory Fort Massac in Illinois, the confluence
of the Tennessee Cumberland Ohio and Mississippi rivers
$4,000
Mr. McCLERNAND explained.
Mr. DICKEY moved to amend the amendment by insert
ing in lieu thereof the following
For the selection and purchase under the direction Of the
President of the United States of suitable site The West
points for two national foundres the Of and
such sites shall be selected the President shall be-
and he hereby authorized to purchase the same and
to erect the said armory and foundries
Mr.. DICKEY explained
Mr.. McCLERNAND made pro lorna motion for the
purpose Of explanation and reply TO MI. DIcKEr.
Mr. COBB of Georgia, under motion made for the pur-
pose, also made some remarks.
The question put the amendment to the amendment
and 1t was agreed to-
When the subject came up the next day
Mr. BURT moved to amend the amendment of Mr. DIcKEr
by adding thereto the following, viz
Provided that the selection of said sites shall be made
within two from and after the passage of this act"
Mr.. TAYLOR, Of Ohio, favored the amendment Of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania, for many He APP
preciated very readily the interest which gentlemen from
various parts of the Western country took in the establish
ment of armories in their sections Fort Massac,
Beaver Pittsburg, St. Louis, and various other places
in the West, had been designated. There point
equal any other in the Western country which had been
overlooked. in his district-the of Ports
mouth, in the State Of Ohio the Ohio river II
central point, in region of vast mineral resources,
around which had already been erected about thirty iIon
FORCES and rolling mills point combining all the necessary
advantages in the midst Of fine iron region; presenting
extensive power accessible all times by the navigation
OF the Ohio river He dssened from the views taken by
Mr. McCLEnSASD-he decision of commission made
eight years since should not be decisive. II had
been carried out and undoubtedly it not without
good He favored the appointment of COM
mission for the selection Of Sites and claimed for that
toned by him q fair consideration
Mr. EVANS, Of Maryland, opposed 10 all these arrno
ries. There enough in the country. You could
scarcely meet in the streets but carried bowie knife
and couple Of revolving pistols. A laugh.f The United
States had enough We had experienced def
cheney in the Mexican We had had ample supply,
and large surplus remained on hand.
Mr. BURT corrected the gentleman, and said the arms OF
some Of the States were nearly exhausted. South
Carolina calling for
Mr.. TOMPKNS, of Mississippi said he thought the gen.
teman from Maryland was mistaken about the abundance
of bowie knives and rsvoves In Mississippi they had
such thing. Laughter
Mr. bOhI amendment 10 lne amenumenl was agreed to
The question required on the amendment Of Mr. DIcKEY
amended.
Mr.. CROKER moved to amend the amendment by insert
ing Chattanooga Tennessee, and briefly presented the pecu
liar advantages of that point site for armoy Of the
abundance Ct its minerals its central location, accessible
ty, &c.
The amendment of Mr.. CRozIER to the amendment was
lost After some debate
The question was taken on Mr.. DICKEY's amendment
and il was rejected.
Mr.. BOWLIN offered amendment TO appropriate S. 600
for defaying the expense of selecting site for national
armory on the Western waters Lost
Mr.. BURT offered amendment to appropriate $685. 600
for the purchase Of site and building arsenal Of dposte
and for general construction Atlanta in the State
Of Georgia He spoke through his allotted time in support Of
his motion Lost.
Mr. BURT moved strike out the item Of $40 900 for the
purchase of land Frankfort arsenal Pennsylvania, for site
for mandatory of percussion caps He said perfectly
unnecessary As many percussion caps could be manufac
tured here in Washington needed.
After some debate the motion agreed to-
The succeeding item " for the erection Of suitable buildings
and machinery therefor S5000," was motion Of Mr..
HARRISON, stricken out
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Indiana, moved the following
amendment:
For the continuation of the improvement Of the Ohio river,
above the falls at Louisville, $4,000.
For the continuation Of the improvement of the Ohio river,
below the falls at Louisville, $4,000.
For the continuation Of the improvement of the Missouri
river, $4,000
For the continuation Of the improvement of the Mississippi
river, below the mouth Of the Ohio river, $4,000.
For the continuation OF the improvement of the Mississippi
river, above the mouth Of the Ohio river, $4,000.
All Of which sums shall be expended under the direction OF
NhAC