Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-02-11
WASHINGTON, Feb'y ?, 184S,

SESATE.-After an appropriate prayer, by
the Rev. Henry Slicer, Chaplain, MIR Benton
moved that the chair of the Vice President
Chat officer being absent,) be temporarily
filled, by the election OF Mr.. Atchison, of Mis-
souri,.
Mr.. Mangum seconded the motion, and he
having been chosen, was conducted 10 the chair
by Messrs. Mangum and Cass.
Mr.. Mangum called the attention of the
Chairman of the committee on public build
ings, to the fact that neither the Capitol, or
the public grounds connected Herewith, were
lighted at night.
Mr.. Hunter, from said committe, submitted
a report on the subject, accompanied by bill
appropriating $4,000 to keep up said lights,
(Crutchetrs)
Mr. Mangum hoped the bill would be acted
upon forthwith.
Mr.. Niles declared the present mode OF
lighting the Capitol as farce, and opposed
speedy action.
The bill was passed.
Among the petitions presented, was one by
Mr. Niles, asking Congress to assume an old
claim against Mexico; similar one, by Mr..
johnson, and resolutions from the Legislature
of Louisiana, asking appropriation OF public
| lands 10 officers and soldiers serving in Next
CO, &c.
Mr. Benton submitted resolution, which
lies over, regarding brevet promotions.
| A bill placing enlisted men in the ordinance
corps, upon the same footing under existing
| pension laws, was passed.
! The ten reg iment bill was taken up.
MIR. Bell favored the voting of men and mo-
ney, at the call of the proper departments
and, without attempting 10 exhibit the cause
of the war, he was determined 10 place the re-
sponsibility Of peace upon the head of the
{ President. He went into an argument TO prove
that the President had adopted new views
with regard 10 the MATTER, and changed his
! policy in regard to the prosecution of it, and
seizing and holding the whole territory OF
Mexico.
He considered it absurd to hope, under any
treaty, TO secure a permanent peace; and with
an army in that country of $4,000 men, il
would cost $40 100000 annually, to support
them-and supposing we might raise ST O,O0O,-
600 from Mexican resources, it would leave
$3O,000,0 900 to be raised at home, TO hold the
territory
He declared his belief that the President did
not look to termination of the war by treaty
Mr.. Cass made some answer to this sugges.
| $3.50 oO ~ 'leo NAMING any ucllilILe answer
while the President was making an effort tc
accomplish such an object.
Mr. Bell. If d treaty made with existing
powers-giving California, &c.-woulL it give
security for the future'
Mr. Cass. There is some point in the pros
ecution of the war, which will compel her tc
an acceptable treaty.
Mr. Foote made some explanations.
After some further conversational remarks
between these gentlemen, the bill was laic
aside.
! A message was received from the President
IN answer TO a call. announcing Mr.. Trst'.
action as unauthorized. and his proposition:
"S rejected. Ordered to be printed.
S Adjourned.
VI KEPRESENTATIvEs.-T morn
.ns' MI Rhett made a personal explana
yesterday d. s Th rs G wsst - n Y: Gogg
/ cred last week He was frennen rG ;na usnv
ted by points OF order; but finally he was en-
abled 10 conclude What be meant to sav an,