Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-03-31
Congressional Proceedings.
MONDAY, March 20.

supported his bill defining the laws which give
the franking privilege 10 members of Congress.
He proposes TO give to members the right TO
frank letters or packages not weighing more
than two ounces, either during the session or the
recess The bill was read twice and referred to
the Committee on the Post Office.
Mr. Yulee, from the Committee on Naval AT
fairs, reported back the bill to promote the use
of American hemp in the navy, with an amend
ment leaving action on the subject to the discre-
ton Of the Secrepry Of the Navy. The amend
ment was adopted, and the consideration OF the
bill postponed until tomorrow.
Mr. Ashley, by leave, introduced a bill TO re-
gulate fees in the Courts of the United States,
and it was referred 10 the Judiciary Commit
tee.
On motion of Mr. Anterior, the Deficiency
Bill was taken up, the question pending being
upon Mr. Benton's amendment with regard to a
mission to Rome. In reply TO an inquiry nom
Mr. J. r. Hale, why this appropriation was put
into this bill, Mr. Atherton replied that the fiscal
wear had not yet expired, and that the object of
government was to provide for sending a Minis.
Ter Immediately. A motion ofMr Hannegan to
substitute n Charge for a Minister, was lost by a
vote of l2 TO 10. The question then REQUIRED
upon Mr. Benton's amendment. Mr. Clayton Of
Delaware opposed the full mission, but was will
ing to vote for q Charge. Mr. Niles of Conneo-
ticut spoke against the mission. Mr. Davis of
Massachusetts desired TO know the cause Of the
fourteen million deficiency, and Mr. Anterior
replied that the military operations had cost
more than had been anticipated.
Mr. j. T. Hale strenuously opposed the amend
ment of Mr. Benton, charging him with attempt
ing to obtain by this means an influence upon
Catholic voters.
Mr. Foote trusted that this charge meant moth
ing unkind, and said that he should support the
mission more cheerfully since the late news from
France.
An amusing episode cnsued between Mcssrs,
Hale and Foote, and the question on the nmend-
ment being taken by yeas and nays, it W re-
iected by a vote of IS to 2S. The bill, with
come slight amendments, was then adopted.
In the HOUSE the bill introduced by Mr.
William Sawyer of Ohio, to make provision for
bringing home the bodies of all our officers who
have died in Mexico, was taken up, and the
mover made a speech in its support. Mr. Has
kell of Tennessee opposed it. He said that he
would support nothing resembling humbug.-
Our dead sleep side by side with their enemies,
in undistinguishable dust upon the battle fields
Of Mexico, and under a bill like this we might
bring here the bodies of enemies instead of
friends. He was willing to vote for pensions
for the widows and orphans Of those who had
fallen, but not for bill like this. The bill was
referred 10 the MILITARY GOmnlttec.
Mr. Clingman of North Carolina moved to
suspend the rules for the purpose of offering a
resolution TO inquire of the President why the
correspondence between Gen. Scott, Mr. Trist
and the government had not been communicate
ed. Mr. Houston of Alabama opposed the mo-
ton, and, the question being taken by yeas and
nays, it was lost. a message was received from
the President, however, communicating this
correspondence, and il was ordered that the usr-
al number of copies be printed.
The House refused to suspend the rules TO
enable Mr. Crozier 10 introduce q resolution Of
inquiry as 10 money collected in Mexico under
the orders OF the Secretary Of War, and its dis
position.
On motion of Mr.. yinton, the House went
into Committee Of the Whole, Mr. Rockwell of
Massachusetts in the chair, and took up the In
dian Appropriation bill. Mr. Sawyer spoke Of
the Choctaw schools as having been a mission
for r. NJ. Johnson's benefit, and made the
charge that "there was fraud somewhere in their
institution" MIR johnson of Arkansas pronounc-
cd this charge false, and some confusion ensued,
but order was restored. and after speeches from
several members, the Committee rose and the
House adjourned.
Tuesday, March 81.
In the SENATE, Mr. John p. Hale present
ed a number of petitions relating to slavery, and
one from citizens of Pennsylvania, praying for
the peaceful dissolution of the Union, and these
we're laid upon the table. Mr. Dix Of n. York,
presented a petition for u line of mail steamers
from New York to Marscilles, which was refer
red to the Committee ON the Post Office and
Post Roads.
On motion of Mr. Atherton, the Senate took
up the bill to supply the deficiency Of appropri-
aiions, and Mr. Badger of North Carolina spoke
in favor of striking out the provision for q mis-
sion to Rome.
After a persona! explanation between Messri
Foote and Badger, the question was taken by
yeas and nays, on Mr. Badgers amendment, and
decided in the negative. An amendment offer
cd by MIR Hannegan, TO substitute a Minister
resident, met the same fate. After a few Sigh
amendments, the bill was then read a third tint
and passed.
The Loan Bill is the special order for to-mor
row.. Adjourned.
In the HOUSE, Mr. Clingman, as a matter o.
privilege, moved to reconsider the vote respect
ing the printing of the message and correspond
ence with regard to the treaty, on the ground
that the treaty and correspondence had beer
garbled by the Administration, and that The
whole ought to be printed or none.
Jacob Thompson followed and defended the
Administration. He said that the correspond
cnce had not been garbled, and that the passag'
stated to have been omitted, was so omitted be
cause a change had been made in the place o
the Court Martial after the first orders.
Mr. Haskell of Tennessee spoke against the
course of the Administration with regard to the
war, and its treatment of General Taylor, ant
charged the President with being guilty of al
the blood which has been split in the war. MI
AIcLane replied, and without taking a question
the House adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, March %.
In the SENATE, after the presentation Of 8
number Of petitions, a resolution was adopted
offered by Mr. Meor of Maine, calling on the
President for the correspondence with Great
Britain, with regard to the export duty on linn.
Der. Mr. Yulee of Florida, from the Naval
Committee, introduced a bill for tho establish
ment Of a "retired list" in the navy, and one
for the purchase of American hemp, which was
read a third time and passed.
Mr. Cass gave notice that he should call up
the volunteers bill as soon as the loan bill is dis
posed of.
A message was received from the President
announcing that he had signed the bill for the
relief Of the heirs Of Paul Jones.
On motion of Mr. Anterior the loan bill was
taken up, and the amendment requiring the bids