Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-02-18
Congressional Proceedings.
WrDSrspAy- Feb.

SENATE.-Mr Dix presented resolutions
passed by the Legislature Of New York, instruct
ing the Senators and Representatives from that
State in Congress to vote in favor Of the applica-
ton of the Wilmot Proviso to all territory here
after annexed TO the Union. They were order
ed to be printed.
The House bill confirming the boundary be-
tween Missouri and Arkansas was passed.
The Ten Regiment Bill was then taken up.
Mr. Niles addressed the Senate in reply to Mr.
Bells accusation against the Loco Foco party, of
being actuated by a reckless desire for the ac-
QUESTION Of territory by conquest. He (Niles)
blamed both parties for their conduct in regard
to the war. The country desired peace. He
would support the bill only to strengthen our
military position for a short time. He was IN
favor OF negotiation, and with that view he had
no objection to vote for this bill, with the hope
that L would hasten the termination of the war.
The Government of Mexico desired peace on
terms not unreasonable. Now is the time TO
make peace. There is no justification for pro-
longing the war. sHostilities ought to be brought
to a close, which could be done on the basis Of
our original claim to the Rio Grande as the
boundary, and receiving as indemnity, land now
in our possession. Adjourned.
HOUSE.-A bill appropriating 100000 for
discharged soldiers who disembark at New Or
leans or other places, was read three times and
passed.
A bill to provide additional quarters for troops
of the regular and volunteer force going to Mex
leo, was read three times and passed.
A bill TO establish a territorial government in
Oregon, was, on motion of a member from In
diana, made the special order for Monday, 18th
March.
The War Loan Bill was then taken up.
Mr. Fisher, of Ohio, addressed the House
against the bill. He reviewed the history of the
annexation of Texas, and contended that annex
alton was the original cause of the war, while
the immediate cause of hostilities was the march,
ing of the United States Army across the Nue.
ces to the Rio Grande.
He asked how Texas owned the territory she
claimed west of the Nueccs. She must have
obtained it in one of two ways, by conquest or
by purchase. Texas never conquered it, be-
cause nine months after the annexation Of that
State to the United States it was obedient to the
Government of Mexico.
He contended that the United States com.
menced the war against Mexico, and that even
now, if a fair treaty OF peace were offered, Mex
leo would accept it. But it was not offered
The President urged on the war unnecessarily.
1t was against the principles of Democracy and
Republicanism for one nation 10 interfere with
the national management Of other countries
He would not advocate the taking of more ter
ritory from Mexico than may be necessary to
cancel the indemnity due to our citizens.
Mr. johnson of Tennessee followed. He al
luded to the power of the President in giving or
Withholding correspondence in all cases, as well
as in the case Of Slidell. He ridiculed the idea
OF the Wings voting men and money on the 18th
May, 1916, and now calling the war unconstitu-
iional and unjust. Allusion had been made to
the revolutionary rights of Texas. Let them go
back to the history of this case. In 1886 Texas
declared her independence. Who was not
aware that the boundary Of Texas was then de-
Tended Mt San Jacinto, where the Texans fought
and captured the President of Mexico? An
effort was then madeto negotiate a treaty. Tex
as claimed to the Rio Grande, and Mexico claim
ed the whole of Texas. He read several copies
of letters and documents TO prove that the Rio
Grande was the true boundary, and concluded
with m appeal in behalf of the widows and or
phans of those whose blood had been shed in
defence of the country. He accused the Wings
of voting against their consciences. His, the
Loco Foco party, would support their votes with
their lives, if necessary, TO sustain the honor and
interests of the country.
The House went into Committee of the Whole
on the state of the Union, and transacted some
~unimportnnt business. Adjourned.
THURSDAY, Feb. 10.
In the SENATE, Mr. flanagan of Indiana
offered a resolution to present the thanks Of
Congress to Colonel Doniphan.
Mr. Cas- offered a resolution TO present med
ais and certificates to those officers and soldiers,
who had especially distinguished themselves in
the battles in Mexico.
A bill was passed to increase the medical staff
of the Army for a limited time.
The Ten Regiment Bill was taken up, and Mr.
Underwood of Kentucky spoke against it.
Mr. Turner of Illinois obtained the floor oil
the Ten Regiment bill after Mr. Underwood had
concluded.
In the HOUSE, Mr. King of Mass. pre-.
sented a petition from six different States, sign
ed by 5000 Quakers, asking Congress to make
peace. He moved that it be received and print
ed.
Mr. Cobb of Georgia objected, and said if the
memorial of the Society of Friends was receiv-
cd on that subject, it would open the door for
other memorials.
MIR Henley OF Indiana was also against receiv-
ing the memorial for they charge the members
of the House with a want OF due regard for
peace. They charge a fiIsehood against one
party, for it is against them the charge is aimed,
when they accuse them Of desiring war. The
Society of Friends were wholly opposed to war.
He admitted they were respectable, but they
were notorious for their peculiarities. They say
they take no part in politics. In this they are
inconsistent, for they always vote for the Wing
candidate for President.
MIR Palfrey of Massachusetts followed on the
same side with Mr. King. He had a memorial
on the same subject, but he could not have it
presented. The vote was taken on the printing
Of the memorial, and it was rejected-ayes 7S,
noes So.
The War Loan bill was taken up, and Mr.
Marsh Of Vermont made a speech, of which the
following are the prominent points.
He believed that the annexation of Texas was
the means of producing great evil to this coun-
try. Gentlemen of the North think so, and he
was sure many of the Southern people and their
representatives were beginning to entertain the
same opinion. The great question now is, how
peace shall be obtained? No peace could be
honorable 10 the United States that was not hon
orable to Mexico. He had said over and over
again, that the United States owed Mexico com
p~ensation for the loss OF Texas Nofhing could
be gained by the annexation of the territories Of
California and New Mexico. Those territories
were of no use to the United States, either in a
commercial or financial point of view. We
could gain nothing by annexing them, and he
wonld have nothing to do with them.
He next took up the war, and the means pro
posed for sustaining il. The Secretary OF the
Treasury proposed tax on tea and coffee
Others proposed to tax bank stock and real
property. In his, opinion the government could
not succeed in imposing any, of these taxes. In