Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-02-04

commencement of the i4th to the close Of the
29th Congress, and providing for the employing
of James Young as an extra clerk Cor the pur-
pose. II was passed, after an animated debate
in which, among others, Mr. Rockwell Of Mass.
took part
The House went into Committee Of the Whole,
Mr. j. r. Ingersol in the Chair, on the Presi-
dents Message.
Mr. Thompson Of Indiana, addressed the Com.
mittee. He said he had been represented to the
New York papers some weeks since, as having
made u speech ON this floor in favor of the sub.
iugalion Of Mexico. And in the Union OF Tues
day he was again reported us having made a
speech in favor of the war and the Admnstra-
ton. lie had made neither lie would take
this opportunity to state his sentiments and pro-
ceeded to discuss the question. lie insisted that
the Nueccs, and not the Rio Grande, was the
true line of boundary between the United States
and Mexico. He asserted that Gen. Taylor had
never advised the march of the army to the Rio
Grande, except alphabetically. The President
was determined TO make war, and had deceived
the people. He had given Gen. Taylor orders
TO march the army beyond the Nucces, ten days
before he knew of Siidcls rejection by 'Ie
Mexican Government. And the President lew
that Sdell would be rejected before he sent
him TO Mexico. Mr. Thompson was eloc
and severe in his denunciatons of the Govern
ment
MIR Rhctt of S. c. followed and rcpli4d to the
constitutional argument that had beer brought
forward as to the distinction bctwee'i the war
making and war-declaring power of the Govern
ment Congress could only declare war, where
as the wagng of war could only be by the action
of the Executive On the boundary question
he laid down five propositions: -
l. We annexed Texas.
/. Texas had declared the Rio Grande to be
hass tkftf.t o..l l..,..
3. Gen. Wool in an armistice with Texas, had
agreed that Mexico should occupy the western
frontier of Texas, on the eastern side of the Rio
Grande
4, When we annexed Texas it wns distinctly
understood that the Rio Grande was the boun-
dairy.
8. The treaty made by Ex-President Tyler,
for the Annexation Of Texas, was rejected BY
the Senate because it made the Rio Grande the
boundary.
Mr. Rhett gave way to motion that the Com
mittee rise and report, when the House adjourn
cd.
FRIDAY, Jan. 20.
In the SENATE, Mr. Rusk introduced bill
to authorize the President to increase the naval
establishment of the United States 1t is SINH
lar to the Texan Naval Bill of the last session.
Mr. Westcott presented petition for the pur.
chase Of the Mount Vernon estate. Mr. pearce
of Nd. said he should oppose any bill authoriz-
ing the purchase.
Mr. Pearce, from the Library Committee, re-
ported bill TO authorize the purchase of the
Hamilton papers.
The House bill making further provision for
the surviving widows and soldiers of the Revo-
luton, read a third time and passed.
Mr. Miller of New Jersey offered resolution
requesting the President to inform the Senate
whether he had caused duties to be laid aud col
lected on goods imported by citizens of the Uni
ted States into Mexico; and il so, under what
law he found authority for such procedure.
The Ten Regiment Bill was taken up, and
Mr. Cass said he was instructed by that (Locofo-
COZ side of the Senate Chamber to say to the
other (NNhig) side, that an important LIN was to
be disposed OF, and that other important bills
and subjects were to follow; and that he sin
cerey hoped that Senators hereafter TO speak
would conclude their speeches as speedily as
possible, and on the same day. He would be
happy 10 hear them, and listen to their remarks
with great pleasure, If time permitted; but he
hoped that il the debate did not terminate to-
morrow, it would do so early next week.
Mr. Phelps of VT then finished his speech in
to the bill and the prosecution of the
War. Ills effort was Of the most masterly
and effective of all that have been made ON this
side of the question. He said this country had
advanced with Unprecedented rapidity 1t had
passed through national youth, and was rapidly
passing through successive stages of maturity,
and would soon reach old age and decay; but
he hoped that the last would not soon no rnaliz-
ed. Bur the present state OF things tended 10
it; and to avoid which we must end this war
How? By moderation and liberality. Show
Mexico that We are not disposed to destroy her
nationality, or to dismember the Confedcracy Of
her States. Do this, and he predicted that the
war would soon be Terminated
In the HOUSE, but little of interest was
done.
Mr. McClelland Of Illinois reported bill to
establish Government Armory at Fort Massac,
in Illinois, which was referred to the Military
Committee.
The Judiciary Committee reported the SEN
ate bill TO amend the act regulating the exercise
of appellate jurisdiction in the Supreme Court
of the United States, which was considered,
amended and passed
Mr. Slingerland of New York gave notice Of
a bill providing for the removal of Instructions
in the Hudson River, near Albany.
Mr. Henley of Indiana moved that the House |
go into a Committee of the Whole Union on the |
Presidents message. in which he refused to COM
municate the Correspondence between the Gov |
eminent and Mr. Sidell, which was disagreed 10.