Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-12-27
CONGRESS-.
MONDAY, December Is, 1913.

President for correspondence with Spain, i'm rcfe-
renee TO the purchase of Cuba by the United States
Lies over
! The Senate proceeded to the consideration Of the
special order, being the bill authorizing the contract
with Messrs. Aspinwall s. Co., for the transporta-
ton OF the mails, &C., across the Ishmus Of Pana-
ma. Mr.. Benton explained at-lcngth the character
Of the proposed contract and the importance to this
country Of h,o contemplated rail road. Mr.. Brecse
thought it probable that far more advantageous
proposition would be made by Others and hoped that
action would not be precipatod. Mr. Hale was
opposed altogether TO the proposed contract.
HOUSE OF REPREsENTArivEs.--Mr Giddings
introduced bill authorizing the people of the Dis
trict of Columbia express their wishes as to the
condition of slavery therein, was laid on the table,
LOG to II.
Mr.. Rockwell introduced joint resolution, au
thorising the survey Of route for canal or rail-
road between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, which
was referred 10 select committee
Mr.. Bolts introduced a resolution, calling on the
President for information as TO the authority by
which the Secretary of the Treasury framed ia
riff'tor Mexican ports during the war, &c. Adopted
TUESDAY, l9th
In THR SESArE.-Mr. Atchinson reported bill
which was passed, authorizing the Secretary of
War to pay to the Caddo Indians $500, in repara-
ton for the death of Caddo boy killed last sum-
summer, by American volunteer troops, in Texas.
| Mr.. Benton remarked, that before proceeding to
the consideration OF the special order-the bill au-
thorising the contract with Messrs Aspinwall s.
CO.--he desired TO lay before the Senate certain
| IN
by the Government of New Granada, for the con.
siruciion Of road across the Ishmus, which he
moved TO have translated and printed. After some
discussion the translation and printing were ordered.
HOUSE OF RsPREsENTATIvEs.-In committee
of the whole, on the subject of the reference Of the
Presidents Message to the appropriate committees
OF the House, protracted debate arose, in which
Messrs. Holmcs, .'f g c., Gentry, of Tenn, In
I gersoll and Thompson of Penn, Green, of Mo-,
Greedy and Marvin, of n Y, and Vinton and
Fisher, of Ohio, participated-in the course of
which the relative merits of the tariff of '42 and Of
'46, were discussed at considerable length and with
much ability.
! WEDNESDAY 2Gth.
In THE SENArE-On motion of MIR. DOUGLASS
the bills of last session for organising territorial 90
mltted TO the Territorial Committee.
The joint resolutions Of last session rendering the
thanks OF Congress, together with gold swords Of
the value of $500 each, TO Gems Price and Doni-
Phan, were taken up and referred 10 the Military
| Committee.
The special order-the Panama bill-was infor-
mally passed over, MIR. Benton not being present
HOUSE OF REPREsEHTATIvEs.-Mr.V nton re-
ported bill 10 carry into effect the 18th article of
the treaty with Mexico-which was read, and re-
ferred to the committee of the whole on the state of
the Union.
Mr.. G. b. Smith, from the Committee on Ter
rtories, reported, in conformity with the instruc-
tons of the House, bill organising the territorial
government OF California embracing the principles
Of the ordinance of 1887 in regard to slavery. Re-
feIred TO the Committee of the Whole
THURSDAY 2lst
In THE SEHATE.-Mr. Atkinson presented the
credentials of the Hon. w. X. Sebastian. elected
by the Legislature of Arkansas, for the unexpred
term of Hon. Chester Ashley, decd and that gen.
tleman took the usual oath 10 support the Consti-
tuition.
HOUSE OF REPREsENrATIvEs.-Mr Colt intro
duced resolution insructing the Committee on the
District OF Columbia TO report bill, as soon as
practicable, prohibiting the slave trade in the Dis
irct-passed % to 81.
Mr.. Stuart, of Michigan, moved reconsidera
ton, and was proceeding to give his reasons in op-
position to the resolution, when the chair decided
that debate was not in order until the next day
Mr.. Holmes, of S. c., moved that every South
ern member withdraw from the House-the motion
not entertained
Mr.. Flournoy offered resolution instructino The
Committee on The District of Columbia to in1uire
into the expediency Of retrocedng TO the State of
Maryland all that portion of the District not occu
pied by the public buildings and public grounds
Adopted.
FRIDAY 22d.
in TIE SENATE-NIr. Douglas introduced re-
solution lnstructing the Committee the district
: of Columbia to inquire into the expedency of retro
ceding 10 the State of Maryland all of the District
not occupied by the public grounds and publicbu
ings. Adopted.
, Senate adjourned to Tuesday the 26th
HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIvEs.-M Tallmadge
presented memorial from George Wilkes, of the
city of n. York, for the construction of National
Railroad from the Missouri river TO the Pacific O.
cean.
, A number of bills and resolutions were introduc-
ed in both bodies this day. but being of general
I interest, we do not notice them
/ SATURDAY %.
HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIvRs.-NOt Nothing int.
rest was transacted this day, and the House ad-
journed to Wednesday,
The Southern members of Congress held mee-
ting in the Senate Chamber at Washington, on the
evening of the 22d, in reference TO Southern rights
and interests, connected with the question of Sla-