The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-01-01
Congressional


SENArE,-Monday, Dec. 2o.-Mr. Dix Of N
~ York, presented a memorial from the off GERS Of tn,
a army in Mexico, dated at Puebla. and headed By
Worth, Scott, and other names Of distinction
praying for the establishment Of a retired list il
6 the service, and that adequate provision be made
for the widows and orphans OF soldiers who have
- fallen in battle.
Mr.. Hannegan, OF Indiana, gave notice of hi.
intention Of presenting a bill for the establishment
of territorial government in Oregon.
Ia Mr.. Calhoun's resolutions coming up next in
r order, he moved their postponement until the frst
Tuesda, of January. -
Mr.. Allen stated thathe wanted to know wbeth-
8 er Mr.. Calhoun intended to go against all acquisi.
o ton OF territory. ID
Mr.. Calhoun said that was not his intention In
offering the resolutions. They involved no other
matter than that of the conquest Of Mexico-that is
-fths real question before the country. That was
the question he intended to discuss.
After a warm debate, the further consideration
Of the resolutions was postponed until, and made
the special order Of the 4th Of January.
bnl HeusE.-Sevcral petitions and memorials, rela-
ting to different subjects were presented.
Mr.. Truman Smith offered a resolution for the
appointment Of a select committee of five to con-
slider and report the proper value to be affixed to
1.-The small silver coin Of foreign countries.
"A resolution was then presented by Mr.. Isaac
E. Holmes, of South Carolina, advising Congress
70. call on the States to return the old surplus fund
= Of $50, 900 900, which has been distributed among
ythem, before making any more loans on behalf Of
the General Government. ,
Mr.. Petit, of Indiana, offered aseries OF resolu.
tons in tavor of internal improvements.
40 Mr.. Richardson then introduced a resolution, de.
tciaring that the war with Mexico should be pros.
scuted for an ndemnifcation of wrongs sustained
and 4 recognition Of our rights; aud that the re.
lection Of ~overtures for peace leaves us no alterna.
rive but to prosecute hostllities, vigorously and
ssigotously.
MI. Jacob Thompson, OF Mississippi, called fer
the previous question upon them.
Tuesday, Dec. PA number oil
petitions and memorials were presented and ap-
!propriateIy referred.
3 Several Senators gave notice Of their intention
~ iuOuuSC otltS ~ oh SotbJ Noy'
A number Of private bills were reported from
committees, and the Senate then adjourned.
sJHoUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MANY petit
ltions and memorials having been presented, Mr..
,Giddings submitted one for the a. clifton ~ofslavery
in the District of Columbia. and moved its refer
Sence to the Judiciary committee.
ypMr. Jones. OF Tennessee. moved to lay said Pc
.tition on the table.
MI. Jacob Thompson requested the reading Of
the document, aud it was read for the information
sof the House.
Ion the motion to lay il on the table, the yeas
and, nays were called for and taken. They stood
81 in the affirmative and 81 in the negative. The
Speaker said that he had been accustomed to Civ.
Ing q fair hearing ia petitions couehed in respect.
ful terms, and be should therefore vote in the neg
siiye. So he declared the motion to lay the peti.
ton on the table lost.
The Speaker, now announced the unfinished
business, to wit: The motion on Mr.. Richard
sons war resolutions. to be in order.
1.-THE motion TO be decided was whether the
House would sustain the call for the previous ques-
ZION.
Mr.. Stephens. OF Georgia, and Mr.. Bolts, Of
Virginia, submitted substitutes.
aoMr. Thompson, Of Indiana, submitted q substi'
tufe, marking out the boundary between the Uni
ted States and Mexico as the proper one for the
basis Of a treaty ofpeace between the two coun.
tries, which was read.
p'The House refused 10 sustain the call for the
previoos question. and SO the resolutions lie over
Mr.. Wentworth submitted the following resolu'
hSn. on which he called for the previous question,
and the House seconded the call. Igtl
Resolved. That the General Government has
fhe power to construct all harbnrs and improve all
rivers necessary to the protection of four navy and
coasmesce, and far the defence Of our country.
-iThs yeas and nays were called and taken on the
passage ofthe resolution. and stood 40 follows =
Yeas Ias-nays 81, So the resolution passed.
SEsArE-W eanesdSy..4sD ee. 2s.-Mf.' Hale
presented . memorial Of The yearly meeting Of