Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-02-15
3OTM CONGRESS-, SD sEss.
MONDAY, Feb. )

MONDAY, Feb. 5.
SENATE. Mr.. Hunter presented the rcsolu-
tons of the Virginia Legislatures, which passed
the same body in 1917, on the Wilmot Provso
and slaves in the territories. Mr. Hunter spoke
in support Of the same, which was received and
presented.
Mr.. Clayton from the Joint committee on the
subject, reported that the two Houses meet on
the 18th inst, for the purpose Of counting the
Presidential votes. The report recommends one
teller from the Senate, and two from the House.
Adopted, and Mr.. Clayton was appointed by the
Senate.
Mr. Brcese offered resolution of inquiry in
to the expcdiency of establishing a Marine Hos
pital at Rock Island, Illinois. Adopted.
Mr.. RusIl offered resolution Of inquiry into
the eXpediency Of the appropriation Tor secret
services during the Mexican war. Adopted
Tho postage bill was taken up. Mr.. Allen
rose and spoke at length against certain ocean
mail steamers, and in reply to Mr.. Niles.
ldr. Niles rejoinnd with force and wit
The line is working from Jersey and the
conclusion Of the report is not received.
House.. Mr.. Siblcy's resolution respecting the
new route in Upper Mississippi was agreed to.
MIR. Stephens resolution in relation to the
protocol OF the Mexican treaty, after being read
by the Clerk, came up for consideration
Mr.. Stephens spoke in relation to the merits
Of the case He also read the House resolutions
which had been passed, calling upon the Presi-
dent for Il correct copy Of the treaty, and his in.
structions to the commissioners. Also, the re-
ply of the President, that it would be inconsist-
ent with the public interest to furnish such in
formation.
lie said he was still of the belief that said
protocol existed, and if now refused, he would
move that the committee be empowered to send
for persons and paOers. to investigate the whole
matter; mentioned that certain passages in the
treaty had been struck out by the Senate, and
asked how the President or his agents dare i'm
pose such fraud upon the Mexican Govern
nent
Mr.. Houston Of Alabama defended the Presi.
dent; said that the treaty remained much the
same as before it was amended by the Senate.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Mungum, mucl
resembling that offered in the House on Satur
day, relating to the secret history Of the Next
can treaty, after an informal discussion was lait
aside.
SENATE. [Additional] The discussion O.
the Postage bill was continued
Mr. Pierce followed Mr.. Niles, in opposition
to the free circulation of Newspapers. He was
in favor of a low, uniform rate of Postage. Ad
jouned.
Housr. The discussion of the protocol trea
ty was continued.
Mr.. Houston replied with considerable warmth
he maintained that there was no essential differ
ence in the treaty before and after the amend
monts of the Senate had been made Mr.. Blu
chanans letter to the Mexican government, III
said, was similar in its character to the Proto
col. He read several extracts from letters from
Mr. Sewer and Mr.. Clifford to Mr.. Buchanan
dated May 25th, which stated that the Mexican
Congress had JUS agreed to the Protocol treaty
dated May 2Gth. Here, then, fraud was pactc
ed on the Mexican government
Mr. Stephens explained lie said the Mexi
can Congress was not alone the Mexican gov
eminent The Mexican Executive had refuse
to give his sanction to the treaty until the Proto
col had been framed and signed
Mr. Ashmun interposcd, and read IL lette
from the American Commissioners to Mr.. Blu
chanan dated four days later, informing him tina
the treaty had that day been ratified by the Mex
lean government
Mr.. Houston resumed his remarks in defence
OF the President.
Mr. Stephens interrupted the speaker II
said he had asked the President loudly enough
for this important information. He would as
for it no more; but if he dared to withhold i
he would ask for a committee, with power
send for persons and papers.
Mr. Houston said the President would not b
inundated INTO compliance with the gentle
mans request.
Mr.. Stephens said he would try it.
Mr.. Houston submitted an amendment, II
guessing the President to give information i
case he deemed it not incompatible with IL
public interest to do so.
Mr.. Schek of Ohio explained the distinctic
between the Executive Of the United States an
Congress. and the Mexican Executive and Coz
Il. ,oA H., ,,J -, ,,,l
the Treaty; gave history of the matter, al
pronounced the Presidents conduct traudule
and deceptive throughout.
Mr. Boyd of Virginia said the Mexican exc
utve wanted protocol to show to the people
Mexico.
Mr.. Schenck, resuming said he had no dou
of it. The whole was the work of the Exec
tives of the two Governments 1t was true o
Senate debated these amendments many day
and finally adopted them; but did the Preside
care for that? He told the Mexican cover
lnent in the same breath with which he appro
ed the amended treaty, not to care for these
termeddling legislators their amendments we
of no account; they were mere matters Of iorl
let the treaty be ratified Notwithstanding the
And so it was ratified.
lie concluded by moving that the call shou
be made absolute, and that the President sh0u
be compelled to produce the protocol.
After some further discussion, the amend
resolution was adopted.
TUESDAY, Feb. g.
SENATE. The petition of number of citize
making proposition to carry the mails in coac
es from st. Louis TO the Pacific, was prented
was said the petitioners werr men of charact
and the proposition ought be seriously consid
ed Referred to the Post Office committee.
HOUSE,. Mr.. Brown Of Virginia moved
take up the former motion to reconsider the V
laying on the table the bill respecting the {
cult Court in Western Virginia. Points of Or
were raised.
Mr. Wentworth moved to lay Mr.. Brow
resolution on the table. The question was {
en- by tcllers, and decided in the MIGHT'VE.
Wednesday,, Feb.
SENATE. The House River and larbor
was reported by Mr.. Dix with sundry anne
4 ments. The appropriations for works now
istng, or in the course Of completion, were
tanned in said bill All appropriations for n
works were striker out, 10 be provided for in
arate bills recommended by the Senate conn
tee. The bill was ordered to be printed.
Mr. Benton reported bill providing for the
struction of Central National Road betw
St. Louis and San Francisco, with a bralc
Columbia River. After speaking at 81
length, it was referred to the appropriate C
mittee.
Notice was given of an intention to bring
bill, granting aid to the widows and orphan
soldiers who fell in the service.
II