Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-01-12
CONGRESS.


In the House, the Wing member from Delaware,
Mr. Houston, introduced resolution Of thanks to
Gen. Taylor, aud the army under his command,
for the great achievements of the battle of Buona
Vista. Mr.. Henley, locofoco member from Ind,
moved to amend the resolution, by adding these
words ''engaged, as the army was in the defence
of the rights and honor of the nation = This a
mendment, MIR. Ashman, Wing member from
Massachusetts,, moved further to amend, by adding
these words: sin a war unnecessarily aud uncon-
stitutionally begun by tho President of the United
States" On agreeing to this last amendment the
yeas and nays were ordered; and the vote being
taken, it stood-yeas IS, nays 81. So that the
House of Representatives has declared that the
war with Mexico was unnecessarily and unconsti-
tutionally begun by the President of the United
States!
! On Tuesday, in the Senate, Mr. Calhoun's re-
solutions were the order OF the day. MIR. G.. said
he had last session opposed tho war, not only be-
cause he believed it was unnecessary and might
have been easily avoided, but from high considera-
tions of reason and policyfor he believed it would
lead to the most serious evils. TO avoid these
evils as far possible, he had proposed the policy
of adopting defensive line.-IIe had the same
object in view now, in his resolutions. No perso-
nal or party considerations influenced him. 1t was
not his object either 10 sustain the administration or
to strengthen the opposition Mr.. G. proceeded
earnestly TO defend the line policy. He believed
that we were In better position, when no sug-
gested that policy. than we are now, or ever will
be again. In regard to indemnity, we then held
ample territory for indemnity; and the lives and
money since expended would have sufficed to main
tain defensive line. He next proceeded to argue
that the policy recommended by the administration
would end in the humiliation of Mexico as a ma
ton, and lead to most disastrous consequences to
our own country. AT the close of Mr.. C.'s re-
marks the resolutions were postponed, and tho Sc
nate went into Executive Session, after which it
adjourned.
In the House, Mr.. Goggin's resolution, calling
for the instructions given by the President relative
TO Santa Annals return to Mexico, was taken up
and passed by vote of las 10 l5
: On "Wednesday, in the Senate, Reverdy John
son, from the Committee on Commerce, reported
bill exempting vessels employed by the American
Colonization Society from the provisions of the
law regulating the number of passengers. Upon
the motion of Mr.. Cass, the bill for raising twenty
additional regiments of volunteers, was laid on the
table, until the bill for raising ten regiments of re-
gulars should be acted on. The ten regiment bill
was then taken up and under discussion at the
hour of adjournment
In the House, Mr.. Bolts resolution relative to
the Southern Mail, was under consideration.
On Thursday in the Senate, Mr.. Mason offered
a resolution TO restore the editors OF the Union
the privilege of the floor, which was laid over
The Senate then proceeded 10 the order Of the day,
which was the bill for raising ten regiments of reg
ulars. Mr. Hale addressed the Senate, opposing
the bill, and arguing that the extension Of slavery,
and the increase of slave power, were at the bot
tom of it, Mr.. Reverdy Johnson then obtained the
floor, when the Senate went into Executive SEES
sion, and afterwards adjourned till Monday.
! In the House, tie joint resolution concerning the
Southern Mail was taken up in Committee of the
Whole, and discussed until the hour of adjournment.
| On Friday, the Senate did not sit.
In the House, the resolution relative to the
transportation Of the Southern Mail via the Rich
mond and Potomac route, taken up in Com
mitee Of the Whole. Mr. Goggin addressed the
! House.-He contended that the Railroad was en-
| titled to the mails by law at % per cent. above
similar transportation in post coaches, which would
amount to more than the sum demanded by the
Railroad company and he argued the Post Office
Department was bound TO give it. Mr.. Jones' a
mendment requiring the Richmond, Fredericksburg
and Potomac company to pay damages 10 Bay line,
and to pay the contractors for the service perform
ed, was accepted by vote ofS0 to 65. motion
was made to reconsider this vote, pending which
the House adjourned until Monday.
! FIRE!-Our citizens disturbed by the a
farming cry of "fre'', about O'Clock on NVednes-
day evening last The fire was discovered to be in
the basement Of the Court house, where the Fur
mace is placed The Corporation Court was in ses-
! sion at the time, when smoke was seen to issue
through the floor, and it soon aScertaned that
| the consequences would be very serious unless i'm
mediate eXerons were made TO stay its progress
/ Upon the alarm being given, the citizens collected
but in consequence Of the great quantity of smoke
in the cellar it impossible get to the fire there
and the only resort, to save the building from de-
structon, was to tear up the floors, which were
counter sealed and filled in with tan bark After
this was done, the fire was with some trouble ex-
| tinguished.-There seems to be difference of o.
min fo tic Mi