Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-01-27
3Olh CONGRESS-, list SESSION.
Monday, Jan. II.

Monday, Jan. II.
In the SENATE to day, after prayer by Rev. Mr..
White, Mr.. Bradbury presented the credentials of Mr..
Moor, the newly appointed Senator from Maine, and
gentleman took the customary oaths, and assum-
ed his seat.
Mr.. Mangum's resolution calling for Gen. SCOTS
Of the war, was taken up. Gen. Cass opposed its
passage. He thought a disclosure of the plans of the
war at this time would be highly injudicious. Mr..
Mangum defended his resolution, Indignantly repelling
the idea that the plans of the Executive might not be
disclosed to the American people, when it was known
to be the fact that they had already been disclosed to
the Mexican people, by public orders from the Gener-
al in chief Of the army.
Mr.. Allen of Ohio opposed the resolution, and NOV
ed that it be laid on the table, but the subject was pas
sed over informally.
The Senate then proceeded to the orders of the dav.
and took up the ten regiment bill. Mr.. Butler spoke
against the bill, on the ground that the proposed in
crease Of the army was unnecessary, and that it would
enlarge the executive patronage, which he said was
already too large, and was dangerous. He feared that
the amendment which proposed to substitute volun-
teers in the place Of regulars would only increase this
danger. He denounced the idea of adopting the bill
merely through servile compliance to the demand of
the Executive, expressing the fear that the members
might-in that way-give to the President an army of
100000 men, if he should call for them. lie thought
that Mexico had a right to complain of the terms de-
handed by our government as the price of peace.
House. After several reports from committees,
the resolution of Mr.. Boyd to stop the debate on
the Presidents Message, was taken up, but was post
poned to Monday next, on motion of Mr., Stevens, by
a vote of SO to 50. A large number of resolutions
were offered among others, one by Mr.. Chase, de-
claring it inexpedient to withdraw our army in Mexi-
co to a defensive line.
Mr.. Giddings offered a resolution citing a case of
a negro purchased in a Congressional boarding house,
$50 says the ~desP1tch,} and appointing a select COM
mittee of five to inquire into the expediency of abol-
ishing slavery in the District of Columbia, or of re-
moving the seat Of government into a free State.
Mr.. Gayle Of Alabama, moved to lay this resolution
upon the table, but this motion was lost, ga to sc.
Much confusion prevailed in the Hall, several mem
bers starting to the floor at the same time. After Or
der was restored, Mr.. Giddings wished to modify his
resolution, but Mr.. Harralson of Georgia, moved to
lay the whole subject on the table, and this motion
passed, yeas ga, nays 60,
Several other resolutions and bills were now offered
and the House adjourned.
TUESDAY, January Is.
SENATE. Mr.. Mangum's resolution calling for the
plans of the campaign as proposed by Gen. Scott, was
laid on the table-yeas %, nays 20.
Mr.. Webster asked and obtained leave to bring in a
bill, which was read a second and third time, by unan-
imous consent, and was finally passed. 1t makes at
tachments issuing out of the United States Courts,
conform to the laws regulating such attachments in
the several states.
Mr.. Bagby submitted a resolution for considerably
diminishing the power of the general government, UNI
der the Constitution, to improve rivers and construct.
internal improvements.
HOUSE. The House resolved itself into Committee
of the Whole on the reference of the Presidents Mes
sage.
Mr.. Jameson addressed the Committee, made a
random scattering speech, with many hard hits, which
produced much laughter.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 10.
In the SENATE, the debate on the Ten Regiment
bill was continued. Mr.. Foote of Mississippi having the
floor, addressed the Senate in support Of the war gen.
orally.
In the HOUSE, Mr.. Burt of S. C.. from the Commit
tee of the Military, reported a bill to increase the eff
cency Of the regular corps Of the army, and to make
provision for disabled soldiers.
Mr.. Burt also reported a bill for f~oundinga Military
Asylum for invalid soldiers of the army.
Mr.. J. R. lngersoll, from the Committee on the Ju-
dietary, reported, with an amendment, the Senate bill
supplementary to an act regulating the appellate jul
risdiction of the Supreme Court of the U. States.
Mr. Vinton, Chairman of the Committee of WAYS
and Means, reported a bill providing for loan of $751;
100000.
The above bills were twice read and referred.
Mr.: c, ]. Ingersoll presented a joint resolution for
the erection Of a stone in the Congressional Bmying
Ground, in memory of Mr.. Harper, member of Con-
gress elect from Pennsylvania at the time Of his death,
which occurred several years ago: passed.
Thursday, January 20.
, SENATE. Mr.. Berrien ubmitted a resolution call
ing upon the President for reports and other communi.
cations from Gen. Taylor, as to the line proper to be
occupied by our troops, referred to in his letter to the
Secretary of War.
Mr.. Calhoun moved It's amendment so as to embrace
the reports from any other officers on the same sub
ject.
Mr.. Berrien accepted the amendment, and the reso.
4: luton was then laid over.
Fl Mr.. Douglass introduced a bill granting to the state
of Illinois the right of way through the public lands
for the purpose of constructing a railroad to the nor
thern lakes.
Mr.. Anterior Introduced bill to modify the sub
treasury system.
Mr.. jefferson Davis, from the Military Committee,
reported a bill to increase the efficiency of the army,
by the establishment of a retired list for disabled Off
GERS.
The Senate then proceeded to consider the resolu-
tons submitted yesterday by Mr.. Mangum, calling for
The instructions under which General SCOTS order,
No. 376, was issued, and also his opinion as to the eff
cheney of his means to carry the same into effect.
Mr.. Mangum said he had two objects in presenting
these resolutions:
First, to know the extent Of the Executive purpose
on the subject of the conquest of Mexico.
Secondly, to ascertain the opinions Of the highest
military authority as 10 the means of carrying out this
purpore.
Mr.. Mangum expressed MS surprise at the tender
f~ootedness Of gentlemen on the other side, whenever
light was sought for.
Mr.. Cass said he was not tender of the Executive,
but of the honor of the country. He did not wish to
enlighten the Mexicans. DesirousFas he was to give
every information to Congress, he hoped the President
would come out fully and plainly and say it is his de-
sign to conquer the whole of Mexico; but as to hold
ing Mexico, that was a different question.
Mr.. Crittenden replied in a tone of strong sarcasm,
on the subject of the Executive Withholding light from
Congress, lest the enemy should be benefited by it.
All that was here asked for was only information nee
essary to enable the Senate to form a correct judg-
ment on matters submitted to them for Legislation.
The resolution was modified by Mr.. Mangum, so as
to leave it discretionary with the President TO omit any
disclosure which, in his opinion, would be detrimental
10 The nnhlic inicrnsts md In this form Il Mas nnrncd