Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-02-11
Congressional Proceedings.



tary Committee, reported resolution authorlz-
ing the examination Of testimony asked Tor In
the memorial of Col Fremont Agreed To-
Mr. Breese of Illinois, from the Committee on
Public Lands, reported bill to repeal part oil
the act relative to Presumption Rights ana aiso
submitted a resolution calling for information 90
10 the amount of Military Lands located in Hi
nois, the counties in which they are located, the
estimated price, &c.
Mr. Miller's resolution calling on the President
for information as TO whether he had ordered
duties to be collected on goods and merchandise
belonging TO American citizens in Mexico, and
by what law or authority he had done so, was
agreed to.
The House bill providing for additional clerks
in the Patent office, was passed,
The Vice President gave notice that he ex-
pected to be absent for some time, and the SEN
ate win therefore elect Chairman pro tenn ON
"Wednesday. ~
Mr. Douglass of Illinois spoke on the Ten
Regiment bill, favoring It's passage and defend
ing the war, its commencement and Its prosecu-
ton.
The HOUSE was engaged all day upon the
subject of the reference of the Presidents Mes
sage, il having been decided that the debate
thereon in Committee should cease this day.
Mr. Goggin of Virginia spoke on the Wing
side, and Mr. Morse Of Louisiana on the admin
istration side, and then the Committee proceed
ed to action.
Mr. Vinton of Ohio offered a resolution refer
ring the various portions of the Message to APP
propriate Committees having each subject in
charge, and requiring that so much Of the Mes
SAGE as relates to the condition of the Treasury
and the means of obtaining money to prosecute
the War; be referred to the Committee Of Ways
and Means, &c., sc.
Mr. Wilmot of Pennsylvania moved to amend
by instructing the Committee of Ways and
NJ Al. Lea .nft ~
an annual direct tax Of five millions OF dollars
during the continuance of the war, until the
nayment of the national debt, on stocks, person.
al property and money at interest The said
tax to be apportioned among the several States
in proportion to population, as required by the
Constitution.
Mr. Wilmots amendment was adopted by a.
vote of 80 Yeas to 29 Nays.
Mr. Vinton's resolution was adopted as amend
ed, and it was then reported to the House by the
Committee for concurrence.
Speaking was then commenced anew by MIR
Collamer Of VT, who gave history of the war,
its origin and progress Mr. Cobb of Georgia
obtained the floor next and the House adjourn
ed leaving the matter undecided still.
WEDNESDAY,, Feb. 2.
In the SENATE, bill was reported and pass
ed to pay Mr. Crutchet $4,000 to light the Capt.
tol and public grounds at night with gas
Mr. Atchson Of Missouri was chosen Chair
man pro tenn. of tins body, on motion of MIR
Benton.
Mr. Benton submitted resolutions asking the
President why certain words were introduced in
the Army Register relative to cadets.
A bill was passed extending the present pen
sion laws to enlisted men of the ordnance corps
Mr. Ashley from the Judiciary Committee re-
ported bill providing for the purchase and dis
trbution of the decisions of the Supreme Court
among the several States and Territories.
Bir Bell Of Tennessee addressed the Senate
in opposition to the Ten Regiment Bill. He ar
gued that the popular opinion required the yot-
ing of supplies as by the appropriate authority.
1t is not cared how the war commenced; we
were in the midst of it, and it was demanded
that we should vote men and money TO carry it
on.
In the HOUSE, Mr. Rhett of S. c. on leave
replied to certain alleged misrepresentation Of
his speech on the war, contained in Mr. Goggin':
speech on Tuesday. He was called to order
several times, on the ground that he was reply
ing to Mr. Goggin's argument, instead of making
personal explanations, but suffered to proceed
by the Speaker, who, on an appeal being made
was sustained in his decision by the House.
The resolution for the reference Of the Presi-
dents Message came up, and four or Eve speech
es on the War question were delivered by mem.
bers Of the opposite sides in the House. The
House adjourned without taking any vote, but
Mr. Viuton gave notice that he should move the
previous question the next day, in order to come
to the Loan Bill, which should have already beer
taken up.
THURSDAY, Feb 3.
In the SENATE, the Ten Regiment bill com
ing up in order, Mr. Bell of Tennessee resumed
his speech charging the Administration Will
having no intention to make treaty with the
present Mexican Government, but intending t.
create new one with which to negotiate.
Mr. jefferson Davis interrupted him, and sta
ted that for his part he was willing and ready Il
give his consent to any fair Treaty of Peace
that might be concluded with the present Mexi
can Government. He would be satisfied witt
the Sierra Madre ms the line of boundary.
Mr. Bell replied that he Mr. Dayisl entertain
ed views at variance with those of the Execu
tive and the friends and supporters OF the Ad
ministration.
MIR SEWER having obtained the floor, the Sen
ate adjourned.
In the HOUSE, the reference of the Presi
dents Message came up as the unfinished bust
ness, and Mr. Smith of Indiana made a spir
tied speech in opposition to the Administration
Mr. Vinton next obtained the floor, and move,
the previous question which was sustained.
Mr. Wilmot's proposition adopted in Commit
tee, directing an enquiry into the expediency o
direct tax of five millions, to pay in part tn
expenses of the war, was rejected by yeas A
nays 143.
Mr. Vinton's original resolution simply refer
ring the Message to the different appropriate
Committees, was then adopted
Nothing else of Importance.
FRIDAY, Feb 4.
In the SENATE, a bill making an appropri
alton to remove Instructions from the Savannah