Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-04-06
G 0 N G II f s y.
TVdshin efon. Thesd0D. Mar


ferrcd to the committee on commerce, and Or
dered TO be printed.
Mr.. Davis, from the committee on military
affairs, reported bill TO establish a military
asylum for invalds.
Mr.. Turney submitted 4 resolution instruct
ing the committee on the judiciary to inquire
into the expedlency of providing by law for
the punishment of persons who shall surrepti-
tlously obtain or publish any document under
consideration by the Senate in Executive sess-
ion, previous to the injunction of secrecy be-
ing removed by vote of that body. Adopt
ed.
Mr.. Rush submitted a resolution calling
upon the President for information respecting
the superior merits Of Colts patent repeating
firearms, which was adopted
Mr.. Johnson of Maryland, presented the
petition of Charles Lee Jones, asking for re-
dress in relation TO the appointment of Colonel
Hughes to the command of the battalion of
of volunteers raised in the District of Colum-
bia. 1t was referred to the committee on mill
tary affairs.
Mr.. Cass moved to take up the bill ap-
propriating 500, 900 to deiray the expenses
of the late military operations in California
under the orders Of Commodore Stockton and
Lieut.. Col Fremont, and the civil govern
ment established by Com Stockton in California
and to pay all just claims arising out of said
military operations and civil government.
! Mr. Cass addressed the senate in support of
the bill, Col. Fremont was acting under the
authority Of the United States, and this bill is
to reimburse loans contracted by him. and pay
for services rendered under his authority, and
afierward under that of Com. Stockton.
/ The bill provides that all claims and demands
as far as heretofore ascertancd, and the amount
evidenced by any written instrument signed
by Com. Stockton or Lieut., Col. Fremont, or
by muster rolls or proper discharges, shall be
paid with the least practicable delay, and that
the President is by it authorized to appoint a
board to consist Of Col. Fremont and two 9TH
er officers of the California battalion, to hold its
sessions in California, whose award and ccrti-
fcate shall be final, and The amount paid inn
mediately in California.
After Mr.. Cass had concluded, the bill was
laid aside for the present. The Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration Of the order Of the
dav, being the loan bill
Mr.. PHELPS addressed the Senate, going
into datails, and making an exposition of the
finances Of the country. lie estimated the
public debt to be ninety-two millions.
| The bill was then read third time, and
passed by a vote of34 to 2.
Mr.. ALLEN gave noicc that, tomorrow, he
would ask leave TO introduce Joint resolution,
rendering the congratulations of the Congress
of the United States to the people Of France
for their success in establishing a republican
form of government
! Mir. CAMERON moved that the Senate go in
to Executive session, which was agreed to,
and when the doors were again opened, the Sc
nate adjourned.
HousE.-Mr GANEs's resolution which
was adopted yesterday authorizing the appoint
mcnt of a select committee to inquire into the
expedicrcy Of extending the provisions of the
at of 1922, for the benefit of the surviving
officers and soldiers of the Revolution, so as to
include those who had participated in the wars
of the United States from 1883 TO l7s5, was
called UP again by Mr.. Cooke, who moved
reconsideration Of the vote by which it had
teen passed.
Alter considerable discussion, this motion
prevailed, and the resolution was finally laid
upon the table.
! Mr.. WENrwoRTH moved that the House 90
| into the committee of the whole, which was
agreed to.
| The Oregon territory bill was then taken up
! Mr.. spoke at some longth in opposl-
the right to legislate for the people inhabltng
the territories. lie strenuously opposed the
! Wilmot proviso.
Mr.. SMART, of Maine, followed in strong
argument in support Of the bill. Mr.. Hi
laId has the floor upon this subject tomorrow.
Washington, Wednesday,, March 90.
! SENATE.--A petition was presented by Mr..
John Bell, of Tennessee, from the citizens of
that state for the immediate repairing of the
land [leyec 7 at the mouth of the Cumberland
River. Mr.. b. proceeded to address the Senate
at some length in support OF the petition,
which was referred 10 the committee on roads
and canals
Mr. jefferson Davis of Miss. reported a bill
from the House, respecting the improvement
of the Hudson and Savannah rivers, and for
changing the location Of certain lighthouses
and buoys on those rivers, which was read
third time and passed.
MIR. Allen of OHIO obtained leave to intro
duce Joint resolutions congratulating the people
of France on the success of the recent reyolu-
ton though which they had passed, and the
establishment Of IA Republic, DC which were
concurrcd in and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Ashley of Arkansas obtained leave to
bring in bill, which was read the first and
lerred to the committee on military affairs.
1t related to the defn ng the law respecting
bounty lands, so as TO reverse the decision of
the commissioner of pensions.
Mr.. Cass, chairman Of the committee on
military affairs, moved 10 take up the bill relrt-
ing TO the adjustment of California claims,
which was agreed TO.
Mr.. Dix of New-Nork addressed the Senate
in support of the bill. lie gave an interesting
description of the various projects proposed
for the settlement OF California under the protcc-
ton of Great Britain, which were never lost
sight of I'LL The military occupation of the
country by tho United states. When he had
concluded
Mr.. Atchison Of Mo. advocated lis passage
in a few brcf remarks. lie gave succnct
history ofCol. Frcmont's expedition, which
he said had shed 50 much light on the charac-
ter of the country, including description Of
its soil, climate and productions, with notices
of its people, their customs, habits, &c. After
some farther description the bill was laid aside
Mr.. lIanncgan, chairman of the committee ON
foreign relations, moved that the Senate go
into Executive session, which was agreed to
and the doors were opened aud the Senate
adiourncd