Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-03-24
Congressional Proceedings.
AtorcI

Mr. Sewer, the Senator from Arkansas, resign
ing his scat, on account of his appointment to
Mexico.
A communication was received from the Sec
rotary of the Navy, relating to the Naval appro-
~priations for the past year.
Mr. Cameron presented the resolutions Of the
Pennsylvania Legislature, respecting a Railroad
to the Pacific.
Arreeably to tho notice, MIR Douglass Of ILL.,,
introduced a bill establishing the Territory of
Nebraska. 1t was twice read, aud referred 10
the Committee on Territories.
Mr. Benton, agreeably 10 notice, introduced a
Joint resolution for the promotion Of the use of
American Hemp in the Navy. II was referred
TO the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. Wcstcott, from the Committee on the Ju-
dietary, reported a joint resolution in favor of
Gen. Leslie Combs of Ky.
The amendment of the House TO the bill for
the relief Of the heirs of John Paul Jones, was
concurred in. The bill has now become u law.
On motion the Senate then took up the Ten
Regiment Bill.
Mr. Butler Of S. Carolina moved to re-commit
it,
The Yays and Nays were demanded and TAX
en-, and the motion rejected. The question then
required on the passage Of the bill.
Mr. Calhoun Of S. c. here rose and said he
had no expectation that the bill would be press
cd to a question, by its friends, at this time. He
desired to express his views in regard to its pas
sage, and hoped the matter would be postponed
till tomorrow.
A long discussion ensued, in which Messrs
Cas-, Mason, Badger, Baldwin, Allen, Foote and
Calhoun took part.
The Senate adjourned without any question
being taken on the bill.
In the HOUSE, the bill to extend Jcthro
Weeds plow patent, was defeated.
The Presidents message refusing Information
,a1.tt-a o., NJ, Ol.J.ls. - G..
Anna's return TO Mexico, was again taken up,
and debated till adjournment.
THURSDAY, March 16.
In the SENATE, Mr.. Dix presented a petit
ton from citizens of New York, pray ing for the
establishment of Mail steamers between New
York and Vera Cruz, and New York and Havre.
1t was referred to the Committee on Post Office
affairs.
The Ten Regiments Bill was taken up, and
MIR Calhoun made a strong speech against it
He said after careful examination, he could see
no single argument to Justify its passage. 1t
was unnecessary 10 intimidate Alexico, whose
only shadow OF a government existed by the for
bearance if not by the protection Of the Amcri-
can Army. Mexico would doubtless ratify the
Treaty Immediately. If not we have the power
in our own hands, and can take and defend such
a line as we please.
He spoke briefly on the subject Of, and deny
ing, the right of the President to levy taxes on
the Mexicans in doing so, he Qhe President)
had acted without law, and in contravention to
the Constitution.
Mr. johnson Of Georgia, defended the admin
i%stration, after which the Senate adjourned, with
the understanding that the votc on the bill
should be taken Tomorrow Friday.) .
The HOUSE was engaged all dag in dcbat-
ing q motion to reconsider the vote to publish
an abstract of the provision contracts oftie War
Department.
There was a very warm debate, in the course
of which there was some sparkling and enter
tanning %sparring. Hits were given and taken in
fine style on both sides.
The question of reconsideration was finally
laid on the table, and the House adjourned.
FRIDAY, March II.
SENATE-Mr Badger of N. C.. gave notice
that on tomorrow he would ask leave to intro
duce n bill TO define the true intent and mean.
ing Of the law authorizing the exercise of the
Franking Privilege.
Mr. John III. Clark of r. /. moved 10 take ",
the resolution which he had previously offered,
calling on the President for information respect
ing a copy of the despatch directed to the Consul
at Monterey and California, and forwarded in
Nov, lS45, by Capt. Gillespie, and which was
destroyed before reaching Vera Cruz. The
mOuon was agreed 10.
Mr. Hannegan of Ind, offered an amendment
to the resolution, which was agreed to, adding
the usual discretionary clause if not inconsistent
with the public service, &c.
The resolution was then adopted.
Mr. Niles Of Ct, moved 10 take up the resolu-
ton which he had previously offered, calling on
he'Presidcnt for copies of the correspondence
between Mr. Bancroft and the British Govern
ment, in relation to international postal arrange
ments, which was adopted.
Mr. Cas- moved to take up the Ten Regi-
ment bill, which, being seconded, was agreed 10.
Mr. Berrien of Ga, then rose and proceeded
to address the Senate in an able and elouucnt
speech in opposition to the bill. lie denounced
its aim and object, which he sail was to operate
upon the fears of Mexico, and force her to code
two sovereign States for a sum of money, which
1t was proposed to compel her to accept. He
could not sit silent and witness the passage Of
the present act, without remonstrancc-an act
which he deemed highly injurious to the honor
OF our country. And even if Mexico had the
power 10 give and We the right to receive, he
feared that the acquisition would prove fatal to
the welfare of the American people.
Mr. Abbott of Miss, called the Senator to or
der, for abiding to subjects belonging to the
Executive Session and under the seal Of secrecy.
Mr. Bcrrien replied that he only alluded to
what the President had said in his annual Mes
cage, respecting New Mexico and California.
The Chair decided that the Senator was in
order.
Mr. Berrien then resumed he remarks, and
proceeded with his argument.
HOUSE.=Aftor the transaction Of some rou-
tine business, the Speaker announced the first
thing in order TO be a Resolution, previously re-
ported, in favor Of printing one hundred thou
sand copies of the Report of the Commissioner
of Patents, costing about forty thousand dollars.
A debate sprung up, in which Messrs Jones
of Tenn, Conger of n, Y, Robert Smith of Ill.,,
Marvin of N. Y, Lahm aAd Vinton Of Ohio,
Pollock of Penn, Stevens and Tombs Of Ga,
participated.
SATURDAY, March IS.
SENATE-Mr Ashley of Arkansas, moved
that the Senate gointo Executive Session, which
was agreed to, and the doors we're closed.
On the doors being opened, and the Senate
re-assembling, Mr. Dickinson Of New York an
nounced the death of Hon. JoHN NJ. HoLLEY,
a member of the House OF representative from
New York, and after pronouncing an eloquent
eulogy upon the character of the deceased, he
concluded by offering tho customary resolutions
OF coincidence and mourning, which were unani-