Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-02-21
CONGRESS.
MONDAY, February 18th. ls49.

In THE SEHArE.-A debate arose on the propo-
son 10 abolish floggirg in the Navy, which occu-
pied nearly the entire session. The proposition
was decided in the negatively TO 80.
HOUSE or RsPRxsLNrATivHs.--M Vinton from
the Committee Of Ways and Means. reporteda bill
to establish s department Of the interior. and for
other purposes"
Mr.. Thompson. Of Pa, introduced preamble
and resolutions to expunge the words from the joint
resolution Of thanks to Gen. Taylor, passed at last
session, declaring that the war with Mexico "was
unnecessarily and unconsttutionally begun by the
President Of The United States" Lies over
Nothing Of special interest in either body on
Tuesday.
WEDNESDAY 18th.
In THE SEnATE.--A message was received from
tho House announcing that it was ready TO receive
the Senate and to proceed 10 open and count the
votes for President and Vice President If the Uni
ted States, and the Senate proceeded in order 10
the Hall Of the House Of Representatives.
HOUSE OF EEPREsINTArIvEs.--A'he correspon-
dent Of the American gives the following account Of
THE CONVENTION.
"I{alf past twelve precisely, the Senate, headed
BY the Sergeant-at arms Of the two Houses, the
Vice President and Secretary Of tho Senate, with
two pages, entered tho Hall Of the House of Rep
rcsenta,yes. The Vice President took his seat al
the seats which had been prepared for them in the
aroma in front Of the Clerks table.
The Vice President and said that the object
Of this convention of the Senate aud House of Rep
resentatives, was TO enable him to perform duty
cnjoined upon him by the Constitution, by opening
and causing ~ be counted, the votes of tho several
States, that it may BIO declared who, under the
qurcments Of the constitution, are elected President
and Vice President of the United States for four
years, commencing on the 4lh day Of March, lS49
The Vice President then proceeded TO open, in
succession, the returns from The several electoral
colleges commencing with the Stale of Maine and
ending with the State of Wisconsin, and they were
severaly read by the Tellere, Mr.. Jefferson Davis,
Of the Senate, and Messrs Barrow and McCelland,
of the House, and the of each State announced.
When the reading had been concluded, and the
result asceraned by the tellers, the Vice President
rose aud announced in clear and distinct voice,
which was heard in every nook and cornor Of the
immense hall and galleries, the precise number Of
electoral votes cast by each State for the candidates
respectively, and that it appeared from the memo
randum of tho telers, that the whole number Of
votes cast was 290-necessary TO q choice l46-
and that Zachary Taylor, of Louisiana, had receiv-
cd l63 ofthese for President and Willard Fillmore,
of New York, 1853 for Vice President; Lewis Cass,
Of Michigan, III votes for President, and William
o. Butler. Of Kentucky, l27 for Vice Prcsidcn, of
the United States.
He therefore declared that Zachary Taylor, hav-
ing the greatest number of for President and
that number majority Of the whole number. is du-
ly elected Preaident of the United States for four
yeara, commencing on tho 18th day of March, l6I9;
and that Willard Fillmore. having ihegreaect num-
Der Of votes fo- Vice President, and that number
majority Of the whole number, is also duly elected
Vice President of tho United States for four years
commencing on the 9TH day of March, lS49.
The Vice President then directed the Secretary
of the Senate to take charge Of the votes, and de-
cIared that the business Of the meeting having been
concluded, the convention dissolved. and tho
Senators would retire-and they retired accordingly
In the SENATE. subsequently, Mr.. Jefferson Da-
Wis reported the result of the proceedings in conven-
ton, and resolution for the appointment of com
mittee Of two members on the part Of The Senate,
TO join similar committee the part of the House
to wait on the President and Vice President eject,
and inform them Of their election. Adopted unan-
imouSl y-and then, after an unimporant ropor,
by Mr.. Johnson. of Louisiana, from the Commi.teo
on Pensions, the Senate adjourned.
In the House. similar report made by Mr.
Barrow, accom- panied by similar resolution, which
was also unanimously adopted and then the llouse
adjourned.
The galleries Of The House were crowded ,hro'-
out the imposing ceremonies. those termed the La
dies Galleries being on this occasion occupied ex-
cusively by ladies'.
TnURspAg 18th.
In THE SENATE, Joint Resolution to pay the
Chippewa Indians now on visit to Washington,
on business with the Government, $1,000 was
passed.
In The HoUsr, the bill TO establish the depart
mant the Interior" WIS passed IL to 76-wi.h
the title amended. 80 as TO read, Gan act eslab
llsh Home Department, sDd 10 provide for an AS
sistant Secretary of the Treasury"