Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-03-10
Congressional Proceedings.


---------------------------
TUESDAY, Feb 20.
In the SENATE, message from the Presi
dent in reply to resolution was read stating
that he had no further information relative L
the suspension Of army operations in Mexico
than he had already communicated to the Sen
ate in bis message with the Treaty.
The resolutions previously offered by Mr. AL
len, aboshing executive or secret sessions, and
removing the Injunction of secrecy from past
proceedings in such sessions, were laid on the
table by large majonties.
Br Benton's resolution, calling for a COPY O
the proceedings of the Fremont Court Martial
was adopted.
The bill from the House, giving the franklin,
privilege to Mr. Adams widow (Nirs Louis
Catherine Adams,) was passed.
A great number Of petitions, resolutions, &c
were presented by Mr. Turney, resolutions o
Tennessee Legislature in favor Of an increase q
pay TO private soldiers; by Mr. Clarke, resolu
tons Of Rhode Island Legislature in favor o
ending the War and petitions from citizens o
the same State for the same end by MIR Rusk
resolutions Of Texas Legislature, asking that the
district judge shall confne his residence TO his
judicial district and that the officers Of the Tex
an Navy may be Incorporated into that Of the
United States by Mr. Hale, numerous petitions
from Ohio, Massachusetts,, Illinois, Maine, Penn
sylvania, and New York, praying for the with
drawa Of the United States troops from Mexi-
co, and the speedy termination of the war also
by the same, number of Anti Slavery petitions,
and petition from an individual for indemnity
for French spoliations.
At an early hour, the Senate passed into Ex-
ecutve session on the Treaty.
In the HOUSE, little was done, and for a
wonder no set speeches were made.
Mr. j. r Ingersoll reported bill in regard
10 the United States Supreme Court, relieving
II from portion Of its pressing business. II re-
heves the Judges of the Supreme Court from
circuit duties for two years. No definite action
was had upon it.
WEDNESDAY, March /.
In the SENATE, among the petitions pre-
sented, was one for grant of land for the con-
struction Of a Railroad in Iowa, and one from
citizens Of Baltimore for a reduction of letter
postage to an uniform rate. Both received and
referred
Mr. Houston introduced the resolutions of the
Legislature of the State of Texas, protesting
against the REIMBURSEMENT by the United States
Of any territory conquered by our armies in the
present war with Mexico and also protesting
against the extension of the Wilmot Proviso
over such territory shall be acquired in the
peace negotiations with that power. They were
ordered to be printed.
The Senate then went into private session on
the Mexican Treaty.
In the HOUSE, bill to appoint additional
Examiners of Patents, was discussed, and then
temporarily laid aside. The House refused, 70
to los, to reduce their proposed pay from S2500
to $1,000 per annum.
The Speaker laid before the House an ele-
gantly written letter by Mrs Adams, relirt Of
the late John Quincy Adams, acknowledging
the receipt of the resolutions of the House, and
rendering her sincere thanks for the distin-
guished and signal manner in which the feelings
OF the House aud the regard of the public had
been manifested.
The rest OF the session was occupied by
speeches from Messrs Rockwell of Conn, and
McLane of Md, in Committee of the Whole.
the bill to provide for deficiencies in the appro-
priations for the present year being before the
Committee. Mr. Rockwell's speech was devoted
TO the Finances of the codntry and the report of
Secretary Walker, which he declared to abound
in gross errors and wilful misrepresentation.
made to deceive the public.
THURSDAY, March q
SENATE.-Mr Bradbury of Maine submit
ted a resolution instructng the Committee on
Printing to inquire when the Presidents Mes
sage and accompanying documents would be
printed, and said the prospects we're that they
might not be completed before the next session
Of Congress.
Mr. Dix of New York spoke briefly in oppo-
sition to it, and said the delay had been occa-
stoned by the time required for engraving the
maps.
1t was, after some farther conversational de-
bate, and few words of explanation between
Messrs Westcott, Sewer and Bradbury, adopted.
Mr. Webster presented petition numerously
signed by the citizens of Massachusetts, praying
for specific duty on Fish imported from for
Il L =
Tariff gave the British interest advantages over
that of the United States, and considered the
modification petitioned for highly necessary
The petition was referred to the Committee on
Finance.
Mr. Dix of New York submitted for consider
alton resolution instructing the Library Com
mittee TO inquire into the expedieney OF direct
ing the Secretary Of the Treasury 10 transmit
to the French Government our standard of
weights and measures by Mons. Vattemare.-
The resolution was adopted.
The House amendments to the bill requiring
attachments issuing from the Courts of the Uni
ted States to conform to the practice of the
State Courts was concurred in.
Mr. Mason, from the Committee on Claims,
reported in favor OF Committee of Conference
IN regard to the House amendments to the bill
for the relief of the heirs of John Paul Jones'
On motion Of MIR Bradbury of Maine, the bill
was informally passed over.
A number Of private bills were then taken up
and acted upon.
On motion Of Mr. Sewer, of Arkansas, the
Senate went into Executive session.
HOUSE--On motion of Mr. Marsh, of VT,
the Speaker Of the House was authorized to fill
the vacancy in the Guardianship of the Com
miitee on the Congressional Library, caused by
the death of John Quincy Adams Mr. Palfrey
Of Mass was appointed.
A discussion came up on a motion to print
5000 copies of a report from the Committee on
Naval Affairs, during which the delays of the
public printers in the preparation of documents
ordered to be printed, were severely handled by
Alessrs Ashmun, Wentworth and Palfrey.-
Messrs Van Benthuysen & Co. we're defended
BY Mr. Washington Hunt and MIR COnger OF
New York.
The bill in reference to Examiners in the
Patent Office was then taken up, and the amend.
ment respecting $4,000 salaries adopted, and the
bill passed.
Hon. C. j. Ingersoll, from the Committee on
Rules, reported amendments for allowing men,
bers to file notices Of bills that came up as peti.
TONS under direction of the Speaker in Com
mittee Of the Whole
Mr. Vinton submitted a resolution which was
adopted TO terminate debate tomorrow on the
deficiency Of appropriations for the fiscal year
The SnQakar laid hefora fh.. Housa a lat,a~