The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-07-12
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
TUESDAY, july IL, Is4

In the Senate on motion of Mr. Davis OF Mississippi
the Committee Military Affairs was discharged from
the further consideration OF resolution nsiruehng thai
committee to inquire into the expediency OF providing for
the appointment OF additional cadets the Military
Academy at West Point the committee deemng such IN
crease inexpedient
Mr. Rusk moved take up the bill to authorize the in
crease of the naval establishment a the United States
by the ncorpor alton therein Of the navy OF the late
public of Texas)
Upon this motion quorum voting
Mr. Rusk submitted some brief remarks with reference
to the necessity, Justice and proprety OF Immediate
ton upon this BILL which had been long pending, and the
issue of which had been waited for IN much anxiety by
the officers of the late Texan navy.
Mr. Badger agreed with his friend from Texas with
reference the necessity of action upon this bill but he
could necessity of taking up at the present time,
as If would produce discussion. There was plenty OF
time yet to discuss it, as the Senate had given decided
evidence of their intention not TO adjourn speedily and
they would therefore have all the summer and TALL IN
which to get up the bill and pass II.
Mr. Calhoun suggested that as ii nearly time for
the discussion OF the special orde the motion be with
drawn and the bill in question be taken up after the gen
teman from Virginia Mr. Hunterl should have address
ed the Senate
Mr. Rusk agreed to this suggestion and withdrew the
motion
Mr.. Dickinson moved that the Senate proceed TO the
consideration of the bill to establish branch mint of the
United States at New York lost-yeas IT, nays 10.
On motion by Mr.. Anterior, the Senate resumed the
consideration in committee of the whole of the naval
appropriation bill the question pending being upon
amendment reported from the Committee Finance,
striking out an item of 900 for furnishing the marine
hospital at New Orleans
After debate by Messrs. Aiherton, Underwood, and
Johnson of Louisiana, the further consideration OF the
bill was postponed until tomorrow; and,
On motion of Mr. Bright, the consideration of the bill
~
sumed.
Mr.. Hunter addressed the Senate length upon the
question of the power of Congress 10 egslate for the
Territories; and having concluded,
On motion of Mr. Davis of Mississippi, the further dis
cussion OF the bill was postponed until tomorrow.
On motion by Mr.. Rusk the Senate proceeded TO the
consideration of the bill to authorize increase OF the
naval establishment of the United States BY incopora-
ting therein the Texan navy.
Mr. Benien briefly opposed the passage OF the bill.
He considered that proposed great injustice to many
officers of the navy of the United States who would be
oversaughed-n it became law-by individuals who
had formerly been in the service of the United States and
whose rank in that service had they remained therein,
would have been much below what it will 'be if they
are admitted again proposed by this bill
Mr. Rusk thought the injustice" in the case had been
done to officers Of the Texan navy who had left the
service of the United States where they had nothing
do but to receive their pay, and joining the Texan navy
had risked their lives in securing for Texas that inde
pendence which placed her in condition to become
part OF the Union No injustice would be done to the
gallant officers of the American navy. These Texan
officers would take no vacant places in the American
navy.
Mr. Badger said that majority of the Committee on
Naval Affairs OF the opinion tha, this bill ought
pass, but they felt that it due to the honorable
member from Texas that the question should be brought
before the Senate for its direct vote His opinion
fhaf; art nj hatyr
United States and Texas that the former should in
taking the navy of Texas take with its officers and he
felt that it was due to the gentlemen engaged IN the
American naval service that the bill should be rejected
MIR. Underwood considered the provisions of the bill
unconstitutional, inasmuch directed the President to
appoint certain individuals; whereas the constitution pro-
vdes that the President shall make these appointments
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Mr.. Calhoun said, the only question was whether or
not the United States prepared to carry out the
derstanding had with Texas. He conended that the
of the resolutions of annexation, when referring to
the nauy of Texas contemplated the officers Of that
navy as well its vessels; otherwise the ''ships
of war" would have been adopted instead of "navy.'
He contended further, that Congress had the consttu-
onal right to enact this law, and that justice demanded
its immediate passage.
After further debate by Messrs. Berrien, Hale Foote
Westcott Davis OF Massachusetts,, Underwood, Rusk,
and Miles, the question taken upon verbal amend
ment SuDmltte0 Dy w eSCOU, WHICH was rejected
The question being then taken upon ordering the bill
to be engrossed it decided in the negative by yeas
II, nays 26.
The Senate then adjourned
In the House, the remainder of the FIVE resolutions
from the Committee Commerce, upon the subject of
the Improvement of harbors and rivers were taken up
and adopted.
Mr. Bolts, from the Committee on Military Affairs,
(by leave) reported sundry amendments to the Senate
amendments to the House bill repeating the provision of
law which requires reduction OF the general officers Of
the army upon the termination of the warthe committee
insisting upon the House proposition to repeal; which
were ordered to be printed
Mr. Cobb of Georgia made effort to take up the con-
sderaon of the Presidents peace message; which
defeated-by yeas So, nays SO.
The House then went into Committee OF the Whole
the state of the Union, (M Root in the chair) and pro-
ceeded with the vote the several items of the civil and
diplomatic appropriation bill
Amendments were adopted appropriatng $4,000 for
the purchase of the Jefferson papers, and $4,000 for the
purchase Of the Hamilton papers; and pending the ques
ton proposition to increase the clerical force in the
Second Auditors Office the committee rose, and the
House adjourned.
Maryland in full feather Monday in both houses
of Congress In the Senate, Mr.. Reverdy Johnson de-
vered eloquent and powerful speech on the Oregon
question. He goes decidedly against the Wilmot Provi-
and argued with great eloquence, and as patriot
,ho MD hnryo T. r 4