The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-01-22

lie denied that the boundary of Texas ever
extended to the Rio Grande, and cited Ben
ion, Ashley, lngersoll, aud other authorities
in support of this denial, and went into de-
loIed review ofthe iacts of the case.
Mr. 1}uher,of South Carotna,took the floor,
and the Senate adjourned over until Monday.
HOUSE. MESSAGE AS TO SANTA ANNA.
The reply of the President TO the resolution
ofMr Goggin, asking for information as to
santa Annals return to Mexico, was taken up
md read. The President refuses TO commu-
nicate the instructions given upon this sub
iect TO our naval commanders in the Gulf
becouse such communication would he in
compatible with the public interests. He
sovs that to produce the information asked
for might interfere with negotiations for
peace,
Mr. Truman Smith moved that the resolu-
ton be referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations. Mr. John Quincy Adams spoke
Of the message energeticaily. The whole
house crowded about him and listened breath
Iessy to his remarks. lie moved TO refer the
subject to special committee, who would
show the President that he is bound to furnish
the information asked
Mr. Isaac Il. Holmes of S. c., followed and
expressed his admiration of the firmness Of
the President in this matter Mr. Schenck of
Ohio, replied with great spirit. lie thought
it was time for the representatives ofthe peo-
pie to assert their rights and refuse to ac-
knowledge Mr. Polk as their master.
The subject was referred to Il Committee
Qfthe whole House, and made the order
nfthe day for Tuesday next.
Jnn IA. The Senate was not in session
10 day, having adjourned over until Monday.
The House of Representatives was engaged
chiefly upon private bills oflitle importance,
and resolutions reported by committees,
which were read twice, and referred to the
Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Robert Smith, of Illinois, from the
Committee on Roads and Canals, reported
hill for the continuance of the Cumberland
Road.
The House resolved itself into Committee
of the Whole--NIr Howell Cobb, of Georgia,
chairman-and took up the private calendar.
The bill providing for pensions for widows
Of revolutionary soldiers married after the
war,reported from the Committee on Private
Land Claims,a and one for the relief ofthe step
mother Of Major Brown, who was killed OPP
pOste TO Matanloras, was discussed for sever
al hours Many members opposed the latter
because they thought that no preference
should be given to the families of officers o.
Yer those ofprivates. 1.-THE bill embraced all
similar cases, they would be willing to sup
port it. Without taking the question, the
committee rose and the House, without do
ing any farther business, adjourned over ill
Monday. ...
SENATE. Monday. Jan. Z. Mr. Man
gums resolution calling for Gen. SCOTS plan
ofthe war was taken up. Gen. Cass oppos-
ed its passage. lie thought disclosure of
the plans of the war at this time would be
highly injudicious. Mr. Mangum defended
his resolnIion--indignantly repelling the j.
dea that the plans of the Executive might not
be disclosed to the American people, when
j was known to he the fact that they had al
ready been disclosed to the Mexican people
by public orders to the General in chiefofthe
army. ....
and moved that it be laid upon the table, but
lhe subject was passed over informally.
The Senate then proceeded to the orders
of the duy,and took up the ten regiment bill
Mr. Butler (locofoco) spoke against the bill, on
the ground that the proposed increase of the
army was unnecessary, and that it would en-
large the Executive patronage, which he said
was already 100 large, and was dangerous
He feared that the amendment which pro-
posed to substitute volunteers in the place of
regulars would only Increase this dagger.
He denounced the idea of adopting the bill
merely through servile compliance to the de-
maud of'the Executive, expressing the fear
that members might--in that way-give TO
the President an army of200,000 men ifhe
should call for them. He thought that Mex |
leo had right to complain ofthe terms de-
manded by our government as the price of
peace.
In the Senate at a late hour, MIR Badger
commenced speech upon Mr. Dayton's res
oIution calling for Information as TO the in
structions to Gen. Scott. .t.l .. ....
HOUSE. After several reports from COM
mittees, the resolution of Mr. Boyd to stop
the debate on the Presidents Message, was
taken up,but was postponed TO Monday next,
on motion of Mr. Stevens, by vote of 66, to
80. A large number ofresolutions were of
iered; among others,one by Mr. Bates, calling
upon the President for information as to the |
condition of the three million fund; one by
Mr. Chase, declaring it inexpedient to with
draw our army III Mexico to defensive line
Mr. Giddings offered a resolution citing
case of negro purchased ina Congression-
al boarding. house, and appointing select
committee of five to inquire into the expedi-
ency of abelishing slavery in the District of
Columbia, or of removing the seat Of govern
ment into free State.
MIR Gayle, of Alabama, moved to lay this
resolution upon the table, but this motion
was lost-S4 TO sc. .... ....
Much confusion prevailed in the hall, sew
eral members starting to the floor at the same
Time After order was restored, Mr. Giddings
wished to modify his resolution, but Mr. Har-
Alison, of Georgia, moved TO lay the whole
subject on the table, and this motion was
81 mays SO.