Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-01-21
Congressional Proceedings.


dicial system of the United States.
MIR Davis submitted a resolution calling on
the President 10 communicate certain letters
from Generals Taylor and Scott on the subject
of forced contributions in Mexico. Lies over.
MIR Baldwin offered resolution calling on the
President for the correspondence of Mr. Trist
while Commissioner to negotiate Peace during
the armstice last year.
Mr. Mason's resolution for admitting the Ed.
tors Of the UNION, Messrs Richie and Heiss, to
the floor Of the Senate, was agreed to.
The Senate then proceeded to the consdera-
ton Of the Ten Regiment bill.
MIR Reverdy johnson resumed his remarks in
reference to his second proposition Mr. John
son condemned the course pursued by the Pres
ident He was defective in vigor in not availing
himself of the means placed at his disposal by
Congress for prosecuting the war. He had thus
protracted the contest and become responsible
for the blood and treasure expended. On the
third proposition, he stated that he dsliked the
project proposing the Withdrawal of our troops
and taking up a defensive line. He would favor
vigorous prosecution of the war, until by the
vindication Of our national honor we had obtain
ed security against any renewed treaty violations
on the part of Mexico. On the fourth PROPOSE
ton, he suggested that the war might be carried
on without any additional cost to the United
States by appropratng the resources of the
Mexican Government to the payment Of the war
expenses.
Afier Mr. johnson had concluded, the discus
sion was continued by Messrs Clayton, Critten-
den and Cass. Adjourned
In the HOUSE, Mr. Rockwell of Conn, from
the Committee on Claims, reported several pri-
vate bills, and resolution for the preparation of
an alphabetical list of private claims, from the
fourteenth to the twenty-ninth Congress- inclu-
sive, and to employ an additional clerk for that
purpose.
Debate ensued between several members,
which was interrupted by motion to 90 into
Committee of the Whole on the reference of the
Presidents Message. This was carried, and
speeches on various topics were delivered.
Mr. Stewart of Penn. addressed the Commit
tee, in reply TO Mr. McCelland, reviewing and
condemning the measures of the Administration
generally. He called attention to the Secretary
of the Treasury's Report, and the calculations
of receipts Of revenue for 1s47. Instead of be-
ing SS000,000 more, the receipts were actually
S7O00,000 less than they would have been UNI
der the tariff of 1912. He also pointed out nu-
merous other alleged errors in the Secrctary's
calculations. He said he did not blame the Pres
ident, as he did not understand the subject
Mr. Venable followed in support of the doe
trines of the late veto message, denying the pow
or of Congress to make appropriations for inter
nal Improvements. He supported the war. If
1t was unnecessarily and unconstitutionally COM
menced by the President let the majority of the
House impeach him. He was in favor Of taking
New Mexico and California as indemnity and
opposed to making peace, until we had secured
indemnity for the past, and security for the flu
ture.
MIR Rockwell of Conn. examined briefly the
late Veto Message, and its many positions. which
he proceeded to show were unsustained by facts
and precedents.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. ~.
In the SENATE, Mr. Hale of n ii. present.
ed the petition of twenty-nine hundred Uni;a.
rian clergymen and laymen, asking the with
drawal OF our troops and the appointment of
Commissioners to treat for peace with Mexico
Several petitions and memorials on various
Mr. Sewer from the Committee on Foreign
Relations, reported a joint resolution, establish
ing board of Commissioners to ascertain the
amount of the claims of our citizens against
Mexico.
Mr. Dickinson of N. Y. moved to take up his
resolutions previously submitted, relating to the
Annexation of territory and the question of the
Wilmot Proviso. 1t was agreed to, and he gave
his views at length upon the subject, advocating
the annexation of all the Mexican territory in
our possession, and contending that the slavery
question should be left to be decided by the peo-
pie who inhabit the country.
The Ten Regiment Bill was then taken up,
and Mr. Clayton of Del. resumed the speech in
relation'to the war which he commenced yester-
day.
He said the war had not been commenced to
secure the claims of our citizens on Mexico, but
according to the language of the President, be-
cause the blood of our citizens had been shed on
American soil. He was not willing that his vote
should be taken as an evidence that he opposed
the Mexican claimants. He asserted that Gen.
Scott neither asked nor wished such addition TO
his army as these bills authorized. Gen Scott,
before he went to the seat of war. told him that
with column Of 1000 Americans he would
whip any army which might attack him in the
mountain passes even if it should rain Mexicans
for week. He regarded as quite unnecessary
the $4,000 men now asked for, and which had
never been desired either by Gen. Scott or Gen.
Taylor-that old "Mexican Whig'-or any 9TH
er practical man. He commended the tendency
OF the whole policy of the Administration was to
secure the annexation of Mexico, and dilated on
the effect that must result to the domestic insti-
tutions Of the South when 100000 of colored
Mexicans were added to the Northern Abolition
lists. He denied that we ould sustain any army
out Of the revenues of Mexico, which, according
TO Gen. Scott are reduced to nothing; and d.
rected particular attention to the addition which
this bill would make to the already enormous
patronage of the present Executive. He charg-
ou the iresiueht WIN having, Dy MS introduction
of Santa Anna-the murderer of the Goad and
the Alamo-into Mexico, brought on all the
boodshed that had followed during the progress
OF the war. He contrasted the course which
jefferson pursued in negotiating for Louisiana,
instead Of sending an army to besiege New Or.
leans
MIR Butler Of S. c. gave notice that he would
move recommitment Of the bill for the purpose
OF Offering an amendment providing for an in
crease OF the present regiments in service.
In the HOUSE, the resolution relative to the
preparation of a list of private claims during a
number Of Congresses, was recommiled with in
struetions to ascertain the quickest and cheapest
mode of eiiecting it.
Mr. Stanton, from the Naval Committee, re-
ported bill allowing officers and seamen in the
Gulf the same privilege of receiving letters free
OF postage, now extended to officers and soldiers
in Mexico On motion of Mr. Goggin, after
some debate, it was referred to the Post Office
Committee.
Mr. Bots, from the Military Committee, asked
to be discharged from sundry memorials Of Off
GERS IN Mexico relative to granting pensions to
the widows and orphans Of those Killed. and
moved their reference to the Committee OF The
Whole. After some debate they were SO order
ed.
Mr. Rhett reported a bill giving the assent of
Congress for the individual States 10 Law tonnaoe