The Arkansas banner., 1848-03-14
CONGRESSIONAL.
wAsmxOroS. Feb. as. ,
SENATE.


 At1aO'ciock, tho Vice President called the Sen ate to order.
 Mr. Benton snbmitsed reselation for considera. ton, calling the President for the proceedings of the Fremont Court Martial. MF. Benton gave notice that on tomorrow he would ask leave to introduce joint resolution re- lating to the purchase of American Hemp for the nse of the Eary.
 l Mir. Hunter, from the Committee on Finance, re- ported bill tO pay interest 10 the State of Alabama for advances made 10 the Government during the Greek War.
 Personal explanations were made by Messrs. YuIee and Foote, concerning reports published in the New York Herad
 The discussion becoming rather personal, Mir. Sevier cut it short by making motion 10 go into Executive ssion, which was adopted. HuCsE.-Mr. Charles IngcTsoll asked and ob- tained leave to bring ia hiIi granting the frank ing privilege to Mrs. Adams. The rule to lay over was suspended, and the bill passed unanimously. Mir Ashman offered resolution 10 print 20,e00 copies Of the srmoRs and speeches delivered in the ioase ofrepr the death of Mir. Adams. Carried unanimously.
 March Ist.
 In tho Senate to-day, a message was received from the President of the United States, supposed to De the Mexican -trsasy
 Mir. Allen laid on tae table the following resola- lions:
 ItRssolsed That the President be reauesied to in. form the Senate whether the active operations of the army of the United States in Mexico have beeu and now are suspended by armtstice; aud if so by whose agency. and in virtue of what authority, such aFmistce has been effected.
 3. Rts0tgsd, That the committee on the Jndiciary be instructed to inquire and report to .he Senate, by bill otherwise, whether, in addition to the ol lowing eet--to wit:
 . GAN ACT for the punishment of certain crimes
 hetein specified.
 tBe enacted by tie Seaats and Hoass Of Represea- tares of tAR Uffsf States of .7merica R Cssseress assembled, That if any person, being citizen ol the United States, whether he be actually resident or abiding within the United States, or a any foreign country, shalt, without the permission authority of the govei nmens of the United States, directly or indirectly, commence carry on any verbal or written correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government, or any officer agent there- of with intent to influence the measures con duet of any foreign government, or of any officer or agent thereof, ia Felatoa to any dispute troveFsies with the United States, or defeat the measures Of the government oi the United States; or if any person, being citizen of or resident h. ia the United S'ae, aud not duiy authorized, shall counsel advise aii, assist iR any such corress pondence, vi intent as aiosesad, be or they shalt b. deemed gully of high misd m amor, and, on conviction before any court Of the United States having Iursd ctoa thereof, siali be pUai he'd by fine not exceeding five thousand dollars, and by
 
 m nths exceeding [ rec years; Proriaei, d. uays. That nethlng in tals ae: contained sha be cons'rued to abridge the right of iady hal ei iens of the Unied states l. apply, by themselves or teir lawful ageDt', 10 anY logetsa government, or Inc sgens thereof fos tha feGress of any iaiu ics u la;ion to person prnperiy which such individuals may have sastiined from sach government or any of its agents, citz ns, or sebject," approved Jan uary 30, 1799-
 any further legislation be necessary in order more eHectaal to pFotact the right and ineres's o the peo lie ot the United Stle aganst inc consequences which Inay result from the assumpii3a of any ia- dividual or individuals without aatboity To act ia the pane or b half of the government of the Uai- ted States, or any department or e.hcer taer' of. with any 10 eign government, or department, or of bc T tAereo or Rny indisiiuai individuals as. snming to be such foreign government, or ,h'Yart- ment, or officer therZo, ani especially in matleTs of peace ani war.
 g. Rssoiusd, That tIe ith rule for conducting business in the Senate, aud which requires the Senate 10 close is doors when traBsacting execu- tive basiaess, be rescinded and the Senate slI hereafter sit vi h open doors whie transactinv all business.
 I. Resoisei That the injarctoa of secrecy be, and the same is hereby rsmoyed f.om all past pro ceedings oi ,he Senete in executive session.
 On motion of slr. seyier, the Senate proceeded 10 the consideration of executive business.
 Alter the doors were opened, MT. Cass gave mo- tice that tomorrow, al one ociock he would call up the ten regm nj bill; and he hoped the Senate would proc ssd 10 act upon it without any fui tIer delay.
 Mir, Mason observed, that when the bill WIS last before the Senate he had obtalned tie floor the purpose ot addressing the Senate upon fl, when it should ncxt De taken up It had not since that day been before the Senate and circumstances had since occurred, as it pretty we'll known, which seemed to rebder further debate, in the range which it had hitherto taken, unnecessary. He would T Al ot having immediate action 1pon the bill. II gentle men the other side would foregu their deei mina- ton to continue the debate upon it. He was Tot aware of anything that had transpred to render the i:nmeiiaee passage of this bill annscessaIy.
 Mir Gess observed that Senators on this side of the chamber were unanimously of opinion that to halt now in our military operations would De fatal Their wish was that . fo t,e adjournment to- mo row tle vete saond Dc taken upoa the bill.
 NIT. Der fen remarked, n if il was the deter miaation es gen'leaaen the ether side, who held the ma orty tn press tSe bili to vote, those on this side oi the ealnber must vi Id to the force Of superior EEmbers. He trusted however, thai that course woSd not be pursued, bat that inc priyilsge would be extended to them which had been enloyed on the other side o an opportunity of expressing their views upon it.
 Mr. Mason understood, by what had fallen from the Se nator iron Georgia, that gentlemen on thht side of te chamber thought that the necessity for the passage of the bill had ceased. In that event he should feel il his duty 10 occupy the floor to- morrow, in endeavosiag to show that the necSssi,y for tho passage of the bill still exists.
 NIT. Allen suggested 10 Senators on the other side, that, in order t. avail themselves of materials h the further discussion of the ball. which they could not otherwise use, it would be we'll to take up inc resolution wbieh he had offered this morn ag fer resembling the ruie which acquired portion of their business 10 be traBsaeted with closed doors and hicfi it wend not otherwise he ia oTder for them even 10 aliade to in pabbc.
 Mir. Mangnn did not presiseiy understand the extent and scope oi the resolution alluded to by the senator from Ohio.
 Several sehetogs. Let tie resolution be read,
 The resolution ofsred by Mr. Ailen 10 reseiDd the 4gth rule. and te reqairc all the busnss of the Senate to be transacted hereafter ia open session was read by ths Secretary.
 Nil. Magum woald Iot interpose his negative to resolution to coissi CT the particular matter which haI h.ea aliaded tn in nn..n .ssinn if gele.