The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-04-04
CONGRESSIONAL.


SENATE-A petition presented by Mr.. Hale,
numerously signed by citizens of New York, pray
ing that congress would make Il report, expressive
Of its opinion whether slavery ever had consttu-
tional cxis tence. Mr.. Turney moved to lay the
motion to receive on the table. Yeas % NAYS Z
SO the Senate decided against the reception A
petition was presented by Mr. Phelps praying Con-
gress to NJ axe appropriation for the purchase of
Mount Vernon, which referred. Mr. Davis, of
Mass offered Il resolution calling upon the secre-
tary of the treasury for information regarding ves-
sells
Mr.. Aliens joint resolutions, congratulating the
French people on their success in the establish
ment OF a republican form of government. were
taken up and read the second time. Mr. Hale of
fered amendment adding, land by maniesting
the sincerity of their professions favor Of liberty
by the immediate emancipation of the slaves in all
of their colonies. MIR. Downs opposed the amend
ment Mr. Calhoun thought it premature to act
upon the resolutions. The French people had
oyerthrown powerful monarchy, and dccreed the
establishment of republic with the most wonder
full facility without bloodshed or confusion but he
thought we should wait and see whether they first
firmly established republican form of government,
before interfere. Our government should be
cautious and ought to wait until we receive the
suit of the convention, to assemble on the Goth
April Mr.. Calhoun concluded by moving that the
Joint resolutions be laid the table, the ground
that they were premature. The yeas and nays were
demanded, and stood yeas a. nays %.
Mr. Allen moved to make them the special or
der of the day for the first day of May next. Mr..
Underwood thought the first Monday in May too
soon. Mr.. Douglass, of Illinois, was opposed to
delay. What credit would it 90 to ourselves, and
what good to France if we wait until the struggle
shall be over before offer, if congratulations
and our sympathies to depend on the final sue
cess Of the people and not upon the merits of the
efforts itself they had made glorious by striking for
liberty Now was the time to offer our congratu-
laions and sympathy After some farther debate,
Mr.. Hannegan moved that the Senate 90 into exec
utive session He said there was of ndi-
vdual liberty awaiting the action of the Senate.
The motion agreed to, and the doors were
closed. When they opened the Senate ad-
journed
HoUsE.-Mr. HARRISON introduced resolution.
stopping further debate upon the bill to refund to
certain parties the sums of money advanced by
them to defray the transportation of volunteers on
their way to Mexico, at the expiration of one hour
after its commencement. The resolution was
adopted
Mr.. Vinton moved that the House concur in the
amendments to the loan bill passed by the Senate
The amendments were accordingly sanctioned.
The bill to refund moneys advanced on account
of volunteers then taken up in committee of
the whole. A number of gentlemen proposed
amendments, none Of them of great importance,
which were debated in succession. Finally the
committee rose and reported the bill with amend
ments.
Mr.. Pollock. of Pa. moved to rccommit the bill
to the committee on military affairs. with instruc-
tons This motion was agreed to-
The House resolved itself again into committee
of the whole and the Oregon territorial bill was
taken up. Mr. Hilliard took the floor, but did not
continc himself very strictly to the subectin hand
He dwelt mainly on the public achievements and
personal merit Of Gen. Taylor, and in fact made