Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-03-17
Congressional Proceedings.



petition from certain citizens of Virginia, pray
Ing Congress to pass law setting apart the pro-
ceeds OF the public lands to be employed in the
abolition Of Slavery. The plan proposed By
the petitioners was that the money should be de-
voted to the purchase and manumisson Of infant
female slaves.
Mr. Mason Of Virginia objected to its reccp-
ton, and il was laid on the table.
The Committee on Naval Affairs was instruct
cd TO inquire into the expediency Of establishing
n NAVY Yard on Ship Island in the Gulf OF
Mexico, of the coast Of Mississippi.
Mr. SEWER presented memorial, geographic
cal and commercial, on the present state Of the
commerce of Liberia, Alanchurin, and of the
Asiatc Islands in the Northern Pacific, showing
that an important opening existed for extending
the commercial intercourse Of the United States
in that quarter of the world. The memorial
was prepared by Aaron Palmer, a gentleman
well known to the commercial world, and dis
tinguished for his travels and observations il
distant countries. 1t was duly received, refer
red and ordered to be printed
The Committee on Commerce was ordered q
report to the Senate the expediency Of estab-
fishing o custom house ut Biloxi, in Mississippi,
and OF erecting a light house on Ship Island as
well as another at Mississippi City.
The Senate then went into secret session.
In the HOUSE, resolutions to print 10000
copies of IIowison's report ON the productions Of
Oregon, and 10000 copies Of the report Of the
Secretary Of the Treasury on Commerce and
Navigation were referred 10 the Committee on
Printing.
A resolution was adopte |, calling for the cor
respondence between the Secretary OF State
and Great Britain relative to the treaties Of re-
ciprocity, &c.
A debate then followed on Mr.. c. J. Ingcr-
soils motion to reconsider the vote refusing to
strike out the appropriations for new missions
in the deficiency appropriation bill, Mr.. lnger-
soil, Mr.. Dickcy and Mr. Charles Brown, all Of
Penn, took part in the discussion, which was Of
a religious-politico cast. The bone of conien-
ton was the new mission to the Papal States
but the House refused to reconsider, and the
bill was finally passed by Yeas 1877, Nays le.
THURSDAY, March o.
In the SENATE, Mr.. Revcrdy johnson cz;l-
ed attention to the fact that no reply had been
received from the Secretary Of War 10 the re-
solution Of the Senate, calling for report Of the
whole number of troops sent to Mexico since
the commencement Of the war, the number Win
hal been killed in battle, the number who had
died in consequence Of wound, repei, ed in bat
tie, and the number who had persisted from dis
eases contracted in the service. lie said that
nn'ss.a answer wero speedily forthe ouing. he
should ask for a renewal of the call.
The House bill Chewing the Judges Of the
Supreme Court from Cir nj Court duties for
one eur was reported la a from he Judiciary
Committee without amendment
The Senate then went into Executive ses-
sion, AMI continued therein till nearly o'clock.
In the HOUSE, the Civil and Diplomatir APP
preparation bill was reported by the Committee
Of Ways and Means.
Mr. Robert Smith Of III. Offered a joint rcso-
luton Of thanks to the whole army, officers and
men, that have served in the war with Mexico.
This was objected to being too wholesale
and iidiscrlmnae and laid over.
The House then took up the Joint resolution
reported on Tuesday by the COMMITTEES on
Public Lands for continuing the grant OF Boun-
~ Lands to soldiers promoted out Of the ranks,
who thus remain in the service as officers be.
yonl the period Of their first enlistment
long discussion cnsrcd, ending in the refer
ere Of the matter to the Committee OF the
Whole.
The President sent in a message, SAYING that
he had signed the resolutions giving thanks to
Cen Scott and granting the franking privilege
70 Mrs Adams.
Mr. Toombs Of Georgia moved that the Naval
Appropriation bill he recommitied, for the pur
pose Of offering an amendment, taking into con
alteration the Presidents Veto Message Of tn,
River and Harbor bill.
n ufDnte iOHONcu on Lllc SUBJECT uI inc lt4fcl
end Harhnr Irnpros ss..~s,s, Pes.iiee .hirL tli'
House adjourned. Mr. Hampton Of Pa. spoke
in strong terms against the course Of the admin
isiraiion as well on tie Tariff as on the IniernE
improvement question.
FRIDAY, March 10.
SENATE.-A petition was presented by MI
Dallas, praying for the purchase Of the estate
Of Mount Vernon by the Government, and it,
preservation and Improvement rs National pro
perry.
On motion il was referred to the Committee
on the District Of Columbia, and ordered to be
printed.
Agreeably 20 notice Mr. Yulec Of Fla. asked
and obtained leave to bring in bill, which was
read tie first and second times by unanimous
consent aud referred to the Committee ON Pub
lie Lands. 1t related to the School Lands in
the State Of Florida.
Mr. Berrien Of Ga. moved TO take up the bill
relieving the Justices Of the Supreme Court
from doing duty rs Circuit Judges until the pre-
rent accumulation OF business before the Court
shall be disposed Of
Mr. Ashley OF Ark. opposed the motion Of Mr.
Berrien The subject was one that required
mature consideration. 1t was an important
change in the procedure Of the Court whih
was proposed by the bill and ought hot TO be
made without due delibcration. In the present
circumstances OF the Senate, such delihprat0n
was impossible aud he trusted that the Bill
might be allowed to rest until the moro pressing
business now before them had been disposed Of
In consequence Of these suggestions MIR Der
rien withdrew his motion.
Then on motion Of Mr. Sewer the Senate
went into Executive Session.
HOUSE.-Mr Sawyer OF o. moved to recon
alder the vote Of the House relating 10 printing
the Report OF the Commissioner OF Patents.-
Lost.
On motion of Mr. Crowell of o. the House re
solved itself into Committee of the Whole upon
Private Bills, MIR. Brodhcad of Pa. in III,
Chair.
After some time spent without action, the
Committee rose, there being no quorum present
|. was then moved TO adjourn, aud the llous,
divided upon the motion
While the tellers were engaged in the taking
Of the question quarrel between MIR llaralsoi
Of Ga and Mr. Jones OF Tenn. broke out in III,
shape Of fight, in which the parties employe,
the weapons with which Nature had en,lowe,
them, with much industry and effect
The difficulty Bprang up In the following
manner when they came to vote Jones charg
cd HARRISON with Inconsistency. Some hnstl
wortla followed until Homes 0aye tho lie