Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-02-03
Congress.
MONDAY. Jan. "a.


Mr.. Dcrrcn's resolution, calling for copies of
letters or dispatches written by Gen. Taylor on
the subject of a military line of occupation, re-
ferred to in q report from the Secretary of War,
was taken up and adopted
Mr.. Baldwn's resolutions, calling on the Pres
ident for information as TO the existence OF any
Public Domain in Mexico, and the power OF Tue
Mes can Government to cede any portion OF the
same to a Foreign Government, were taken up.
Mr.. flanagan requested explanation as to the
object Of the resolutions.
Mr.. Baldwin explained that the President hav
ing informed Congress, in his annual message,
that the Republic of Mexico had no other means
of indemnifying our citizens but by the cession
of her territory, the object OF the resolutions was
to ascertain The grounds on which the President
founded the expectation Of obtaining Mexican
territory as indemnity.
Mr.. Baldwin regarded the power Of the Next |
can government 10 cede any portion Of her States
as doubtful which power was not conferred by
her constitution, nor by the laws Of nations.
MIR. flanagan maintained that as Mexico was
not Republic, but nothing more nor less than
an anaichy, we had right to take by cession
any portion of her territory. Whether Mexico
had the power to cede rot the question Tor
us, but her, TO decide. As for our own practice, |
we had asserted that the disputed North eastern
Boundary belonged TO us. Yet we coded away
part Our Executive had decided that the
whole of Oregon was ours, and yet we had CIV
en- IN two.thirds. Some farther explanation took
place between Mr.. Baldwin and Mr.. flanagan,
when. on motion of the latter, the resolutions
were laid on the able by vote Of 2o to %.
Mr. Eannegsns resolution, asserting the right
Of the United States TO annex Mexico, being q
special order, was called up, and on the motion
OF Mr. tlannegun was postponed to the second
Monday of February.
House.-Abert 6. Brown of Miss. was quail
fed and took his seat.
On motion of Mr.. Vinton, the Committee OF
the Whole on the Union, ]. r. Ingersol in the
chair, resumed the consideration OF the Annual
Message.
Mr. Barrow Of Tenn. addressed the Committee
in opposition to the Administration and the Exc
cutives perogative Of the subjugatlon Of Mexico,
or acquisition of territory by conquest or violence
lie said he would vote for the necessary sup
plies to carry on the War; but preferred volun
tears to regulars,
Mr. Fea,herson of Miss. replied, defending
the war and measures and general policy Of the
Administration.
Mr. Dixon of Connecticut followed in opposi-
ton TO the Administration, and answered sever
al speeches on the other side Of the question, re-
lalye TO the Texan boundary, when the Com
Miee rose, and on motion Of Mr.. Stevens, the
House adjourned.
TUESDAY, Jan. 25.
Senate. - Mr.. Bagby Of Alabama, submitted
resolution which lies over declaring that Con
gress has no power over the subject Of Slavery,
and that the conquest of country is Legitimate
of acquisition, and that if Mexican terrific
ry be obtained by treaty or conquest, neither
Congress nor u Convention can interfere with
Slavery.
MIR. Bagby stated that the declaration of his
resolutions was recognized bs the laws of ma
tionstba in territory hereafter acquired by trea-
ty or conquest, 1t will not be lawful 10 prohibit
Slavery, by the terms OF treaty or act of Con-
gress. Every State coming into the Union
must be left equally free TO the establishment
of her institutions, provided they are of repub-
lcun character. tie said, at present, lie only
thought proper TO make brief explanations, pre-
facing his resolutions, and that he would speak
his sentiments more fully at future day.
Mr. Jefferson Davis reported bill appropra-
ting 100000 for the erection Of Hospital and
other quarters, on public grounds, near the bar
racks at New Orleans, iur tne accommodation OF
troops going to and returning from Mexico. He
said it was Of great Importance that tins bill
should pass immediately, and he trusted it would
meet with no serious opposition on the part of
the Senators. He said nothing more discour-
aged enlistment than the sufferings our troops
had experienced at New Orleans.
MIR. Cnttenden expressed his entire concur
renee in the necessity of the bill, and was ready
to grant the appropriation in question.
The bill was then read third time and passed.
Mr.. Cass moved TO take up the special order
OF the day, which was the Ten Regiments bill.
MIR. Crittenden first wished the Chairman on
Military Affairs to answer the following ques-
tions: First, whether Gen. Scott had been re-
called or suspended secondly, whether Gen.
Worth had been relieved from arrest or remained
suspended.
Gen. Cass replied tnat Gen. Scott had been
suspended, and that the command of the army
now ueVoiVeG on Gen. Butler. He said that Gen.
scout VIII attend Court Of Inquiry at Peroe,
when all difficulty with higher officers would he
Investigated. He believed that Gen. Worth had
been released from arrest.
Mr. Crlitenden said that he felt obliged to the
Chairman for The information communicated but
that lie had heard with astonishment the proceed
lngs adopted with regard to Gen Scott.
air. Clark OF X. !. spoke in opposition to the
Ten Regiments bill, and denounced the origin
and progress Of the war. lie calculated that by
the passage OF this bill the army in Mexico will
be increased TO $4,000 men. He wished to know
how tins force was to be employed, and in what
manner the Committee of Ways and Means pro.
posed they should be provided for He believed
that Ii the bills now before the Senate were
passed, we should require loan of Jorty millions
OF dollars Tor the present war, which could not
be negotiated on better terms than 30 cents on
the dollar. The abstraction of so large an a
mount ut specie from circulation would cause an
alarming increase in the price of breadstufls, and
fall heavily on the laborng population of this
country, lie also bjected to the annexation of
Mexico, or to the destruction OF her nationality,
which are the only objects for which the war
could be prosecuted any longer.
HouSe-Mr Dunn, from The Committee on
Claims, reported a bill making provision to1 the
widows and children of soldiers who died or may
hereafter die in ac.uui service, afteru discharge
gwen aud made in consequence Of wounds o.
disease contracted IN actual service.
Mr. Collaner from the committee on Public
Lands, reported bill farther to extend the time
Tor locating the military land warrants.
WEDNESDAY, Jan 2G.
SenGte.-The Ten Regiment bill was takeI
up aud Mr. Dix addressed the Senate.
HouSe-Ihe Joint resolution of the Senate
authorizing The erection Of monument TO Wash
lnglOn on the public grounds, was passed.
On motion OF Mr.. Root, the House went inc
Committee of the Whole on the Presidents an
nual message.
Mr.. Pallrey addressed The Committee.
THURSDAY, Jan.27
Sinate,-Mr. Bagley presented a resolution, t,
be added to those offered by him u few days ago
insisting that the people OF the Territories Of tn