The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-02-03

lalloh OF obtaining mexican territory US lA-
demnity.
Mr.. Baldwin regarded the power Of the
Mexican government to cede any portion OF
her States as doubtful, which power was not
conferred by her constitution, nor by the laws
, Of nations.
Mr.. flanagan maintained that as Mexico
: was not q Republic, but nothing more nor
less than an anarchy, we had right to take
, by cession any portion Of her territory.
Whether Mexico had the power to cede was
not the question for us, but for her, to decide.
AS for our own practice, we had asserted that
the disputed Northeastern Boundary belonged
TO u.s. Yet we coded away part. Cur Ex-
ecutve had decided that the whole of Ore
gon was ours, and yet we had given up two
thirds. Some farther explanation took llace
between Mr.. Baldwin and Mr.. Hannegan,
: when, on motion of the latter, the resolutions
were laid on the table by vote of 2S to 22.
A Message was received from the Presi-
dent covering a reply to the resolution, ask
ing for Gen. Scots correspondence, concern
ing the forced contributions from Mexico.
Mr.. Westcott submitted resolution, call
ing on the Commissioner Of Patents, for in
formation on the subject Of explosions Of
steam boilers.
Mr.. Hanncgan's resolution, asserting the
right Of the United States to annex Mexico,
being special order, was called up, and on
the motion of Mr.. Hannegan was postponed
TO the second Monday Of February. The
Senate then proceeded to the consideration
Of the Ten Regiments bill,
Senator Clarke being entitled to the floor,
Messrs. Butler, Jefferson Davis, Ca, ton, Sc
! ovn1ninn1 -
which had been in controversy in early stages
of the discussion. 1t was then informally
passed over.
The bill to rcorganize;the General Land
Office, which had been carried in the House
passed the Senate. Adj,
In the House, Albert &. Brown Of Miss
was qualified and took his seat
MIR. Cooke of Tenn moved a suspension of |
the rules to enable him to introduce resolu-
ton to discharge the Committee of the Whole |
from farther consideration of the joint rcso-
luton, authorizing the Commissioner of Pen |,
sions to appoint temporarily % additional
clerks, and appropriatiug S. 9CS for that pnr-
pose. The rules were suspended, when MIR. |
Cooke moved TO amend the resolution, by |
striking out the amount Of appropriation in |
the bill.
Mr., Cobb Of Ga opposed giving the pow
er of appointment to the Commissioner Of
Pensions, as an interference with a right
which should belong exclusively to the head
Of the War Department.
Mr. johnson opposed the appointment of
additional clerks, and advocated increased |
hours of labor by the clerks already employed |
in the Department, many Of whom have little
labor to perform save writing puffs to pro-
mote the interest Of particular individuals,
and walk Pennsylvania avenue, pencil in |
hand, collecting materials to foreatall public |
opinion The time of many others, Mr. j. |
contcndcd, was spent in pistol galleries, biz
liard-rooms, faro-banks and oyster cellars, and |
one might even find these miserable office
holding lazzaroni inmates of other places I'M
meutionable.
Mr.. Jones of Tenn. and Mr.. Mckay also
opposed giving the appointment to the Com
missioner Of Pensions, and the latter moved
Postponement until Monday next.
Mr.. Cooke expressed himself surprised ut
the opposition Of the other side, which showed
with what tenacity they held on to the SPOTS
of office. lie replied to Mr.. johnson that he
had no knowledge as to the truth of the
charges made, as he did not visit such places
but he presumed his colleague spoke from
personal observation. The subject was post
poned until Monday.
Nlr, Boyd submitted resolution to close
the debate in the Committee of the Whole
OH the Presidents annual message at o'clock
this day.
Mr. Finton moved to amend the resolution
by making it 2 o'clock on Wednesday next.
The amendment was agreed to- and tho reso-
luton adopted t
On motion Of Mr.. Vinton, the Committee
of the Whole on the Union, j. r. Ingersoll
IN the chair, resumed the consideration of the
Annual Message.
Mr.. Barrow of Team. addressed the Com
mittee in opposition to the Administration
and the Executives prerogative of the subiu-
CATION of Mexico, or acquisition of territory
by conquest or violence. He said lie would |
vote for the necessary supplies to carry on
the War, but preferred volunteers to regu-
lars.
Mr.. Featherston of Miss. replied, defending {
The war and measures and general policy Of c
the Administration.
Mr.. Dixon of Connecticut followed in op- l
position to the Administration, and answered
several speeches on the other side of the /
question, relative to the Texan boundary, t
when the Committee rose. and on motion Of c
Mr.. Stevens, the House adjourned,
TUESDAY, Jan IS.
Mr. Dickinson presented memorial from =,
he citizens of New-York on the subject of !,
he potato rot the injury likely to result there +
rom, and in favor Of an inquiry as to the +
nest etlectual remedy. .
Mr.. Dix presented Joint resolution from tie Il
Legislature Of New York relative to the law q
king the rate Of postage on Newspapers, the I
prepayment thereof, and praying for the re 0
zeal Of the same,
Mr.. Bagbv of Alabama, submitted rcso- c.
ntinn. Mhich lies over. declaring that Con- b