Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-12-20

COngress--The Territories.

COngress--The Territories.
The only thing see in the proceedings Of
Congress worthy Of note. il the Territorial Bill,
to he introduced by Mr.. Douglas of Illinois In
the Baltimore Ame rican We 6ud this sceonnt Of
it:
WASHINGTON, Dec. g, l545.
The weather to-day - very unreasonable
more like July than December.
Mr.. Douglass. Chairman Of the Senate Com
mittee on Territories, learn, will introduce his
California and Territorial bills Oh Monday-cer-
tainy the former Of these.
Mr.. Douglass / understand, whe he gave o.
tice Of this important bill, intended to include
only California. Since then. for reasons de em-d
invuinerab!e, he has concluded to incl ude New
Mexico.
The permanent boundary CT the new State will
be the Sierra Madre, or California mountains,
and the coast, from the boundary Of Oregon
north, TO Lower California, south-but until 9TH
er States shall have been formed from the terri
tory not included within this permanent bounda-
~. this also will constitute part and parcel Of the
State Of California.
! This new State, it 10 proposed TO divide into
tvs Judicial diStricts-the eastern and the west
ern-wifh two distinct judges. attorneys, &C.
one Of these in the eastern, New Mexico,) aud
the other in tho western, (California, ,-thes Sc
courts TO be held annually In addition to the
two L. ;. Senators, it is proposed that tho ne "
States shall be entitled, for the present, to two
and the other from the West.
| Tho representatives. from California, in that
legislature, would always DO Americaa-those
/ from New Mexico, Mexicaa. This union Of the
two States. therefore, would give to the inhabi-
! tants Of New Mexico time to study the charac-
ter Of our institutions before other States were
formed from the territory lying east Of the Sierra
Madre.
! Another difficulty would also be overcome by
this "Union:" that in regard to the requisite pop
ulaion for the admission Of a new State into tho
Federal Union The faro new territories would
contain that requisite population.
| The territorial bills for Minnesota and Nebrask a
will contain provisions in regard to slavery
In the former, slavery is no. prohibited. in -
half, by the ordinance Of ~, and in the othe r
half, by the 9Th section Of the Missouri Compro-
mise act. In Nebraska slavery is nov excluded
altogether, by the terms Of the Missouri Com
promise
| WARRINGTON, Dec. IL, P. ".
| SENATE.-Mr. Fitzpa trick Of Alabama was
sworn in and took his seat
! Mr.. Borland, of Arkansas, prese nted his cre-
dentials Of reelection.
! resolution was submitted calling for infor-
stocks. Adopted.
| The annual report OF the Secretary Of the
Treasury was received and read.
! On motion TO print twenty thousa nd copies
Of the report, an animated debate sprang up.
MIR. Cameron said the people had already neg
atived tho measures Of the Secretary of rreasu-
ry, and he therefore opposed the motion to prin,
extra copies.
| Messrs. King. Jefferson Davis. Allen, Foot
and Westcott, spoke in favor of tho motion, and
Messrs. Niles, Hale. and MetcaIf opposed.
| The motion finally prevailed; yeas 30 NAYS 2I
Agreeably TO notice, Mr.. Douglass introduced
bill 10 admit California into the Union.
HOUSE.-The Standing committees were re-
appointed.
Resolutions were adopted instructing the ap-
propriate committee, to report bills for improv-
ing the Western harbors.
A petition was presented from Mr. Bennet,
proprietor Of the New York Herald. proposing
to publish the proceedings of both Houses Of
Congress, i'll full, in tho New York Herald, du-
ring the present session, for $I2, 900. Referred
The proposition of Messrs. Gales aud Seaton
for publishing the proceedings Withdrawn
A committee was appointed to report on the
exPediency Of electing the President by major
ity Of the people
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL, P NJ
SENATE.-Sundry petitions and memorials
were presented and referred.
Mr. Cameron presented Il petition from citi-
Zens OF Columbia Co Pa, PRAYING COMPRESS 10
Legislate in favor Of reduction of the Tariff
Mr.. Dickinson submitted a resolution which
was considered by unanimous conse mt md agreed
to, instructiDg the Committee on Post Roads,
Ac., to report respecting the mail service
On motion the 34ih rule was suspe nded so
far as relates to the appointment by ballot Of
Charmen and membc rs Of the standing commit
tees, and Mr.. King presented paper containing
the names Of the members Of the several COM
mittees, all arranged, which adopted.
Mr.. Woodbury. gave notice that he would, on
Tuesday next, cal! up a bill for Naval retired
list.
Adjourned
HOUSE--The standing committees were call
ed in order by the Speaker for reports.
Sundry memorials and petitions were present.
ed and referred
Mr.. Henly submitted a resolution instructing
the appropriate committee to inquire into the ex-
pediency of establishing a Mint in California
which was agreed to.
A resolution was submitted enquiring into the
propriety Of granting Texas land east Of the Rio
Grande.
Objections being made the resolution was laid
over.
The subject Of reporting the debates and pro.
ceedings Of Congress. was then called up. and
after consicer able debate the House adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Dec. ID, P. NJ.
SENATE the usual hour the Vice Pres-
dent called the Senate to order.
Mr.. Benton presented a memorial from cit.
zens of New Mexico, hume rousIy signed, prav-
ing Congress to legislate in favor of territorial
government.
There was a very animated discussion on the
question Of the reception Of the memorial, in
which Clayton, Benton, Calhoun, and Westcott
participated.
Some angry words passed between Benton and
Calhoun and Westcott and c calhoun.
Mr.. Clayton expressed his determine ton to
vote in favor Of organizing the territorial gov
eminent. upon the same terms proposed at the
last session by the c ommittee of which he was
f, member, which terms he advocated.
Mr.. Benton moved to print the memorial.
Mr.. Calhoun protested against the considera-
ton of the memorial, it being as he conside red
insolent.
Mr.. Clayton explained the memorial. denied
its being insole nt--the people had right to ask
Congress to restrict slavery.
Mr.. Calhoun contended that il was objection
able.
Mr.. Rusk said he should oppose granting 4
separate organization.
After a long debate a motion to refer and print
carried.
Mr.. Douglass, agreeably to notice. brought in
4 bill providing for 4 convention Of the people Of
california. to act upon the question OF being ad-
United into tho Union.
The bill paying interest to the State Of Ala
bama advances made during the war, was
adopted.