New-York daily tribune., 1849-02-20
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
Mexican IndemnIty-iIr. stephens-sIayery In
the Territories, &c.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.
WASHINGTON Saturday, Feb. l..

WASHINGTON. Saturday Feb. l..
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr.. V.NTOS Of Ohio offered a resolution to ter
inmate toe debate the Mexican Insallment ApPro.
pristion bll on wednesday next at ? r. NJ
Mr.. TooMBs OF Ga moved 10 amend by striking
ou, Wednesday and inserting Monday, which the
Aye. and Noes were called and ordered, resulting
ayes %, Noes n. The resolution, amended was
then adopted and motion 10 reconsider laid upon the
table.
The House then resolved itself into Committee
of the Whole and resumed the consideration OF the
above mentioned bill.
Mr. BucKNER OF Ky having the floor proceeded
to read speech which was totally naudible At the re-
p0rters desks but was understood on inquiry TO be 10
opposition the extension Of Slavery 20 the Ter
rt0ries. When he concluded
Mr.. 4. II. STEPHENS OF Ga. obtained the floor
lie spoke tength 10 opposition 10 the doctrine
that the Pre.dsnt aud the Senate could by their
action without reference 10 consulting with the
House Of Representative, by treaty, make supreme
law Of the lane, proposition to pay large sums OF
money. II the proposition were true, the President
and senate could As well agree to pay ten or twenty
millions year TO an Indian Tribe for permission to pass
through their country. He utterly repudistod such
claim 10 was power beyond that claimed or exercised
by the S0verens OF England. There such Treaty
must be ratified BY the representatives. OF the people
He would consent 10 vote money on such claim
OF law. He denied that the Treaty was the supreme
Law Of tee land, without confirmation as regarded the
appropriation by the House and he would not vote Tor
this bin on that ground
Jr. RHETr intenupting Mr. 5 at this portion OF
his argument-said he not aware OF the posiiions
taken by the gentleman having been eontfoyerted
He certainly did not understand any one on his side Oi
the House AZ cOntrOver,ing u
Mr. STEPHENS said 10 had been cOntrOyerted-
and the President had ContOverted IL In his messages
aud IN his proclamatons that the Treaty the 81.
pTeme law Of the land. Mr proceeded 10 declare
his opposition to the acquisition OF California as the re-
suit OF couquest-a war commenced Tor the purposes
the price Uf bloc lit unhuIy
thng-te would not touch H. AZ 10 the question oi the
exclusion Of the south from these acquired territories,
he did stand there 10 utter threats but he D8sOugnt
the Of the North 20 consider well what they were
about As 10 hmself, he would say thst be- would never
vote cent for acquisitions from whch bis section was
70 be excluded Settle this question which now dis
tracing the country and threatening the Unonseitle
grounds honorable q both sectiOns-sette Il honor
s0y and satisfactorily and he would vote for this sppr0
prsiiOn matr gf Rrace not a. meter OF r'ghf he
advised the South 10 postpone this appropriation unul
the oiher question had been hrt settled He then pro
cecded 20 the consideration Of the Protocol and calling
attention b. the instructions 10 the Commissioners sent
IN IN reply the resolution he demanded OF the de-
tenders OF the President 10 rise, II they could and say
after Examination, that there anything Whatever In
those Instructions papers which would have been
inconsistent with the public Interests 10 publish IN July
last when fret called for ercepf thus Pr0i0cOL WhAt
the cause OF the conceslment and concesmeni II
Was known the child OF crime lie proceeded 10
show that the Protocol In declaring that tles 20 Lands
ia Texas which good under the Mexican laws on
the 2d March l-36. were good now was not true. lie
denounced the President ss having commenced by
cheating the People OF the United states aud ending by
cheating the Mexicsns. His whole course had been
series Of cheats lie believed he had cheated his
Southern friends this very question and here ne re
erred 70 a conversation which be said Mr N1LMOr mad
had with Mr. POLK when Mr.. 2 bad assured him that
he was in favor the Wilmot Proyiso but did not wsh
IL added 10 the Three Millions bill He wished il brought
n separate form. lie had cheated the Oregon ques
ton be had cheated the Iron Masters Of Pennsylvania
he had cheated every body. No who hAd been
with him hut had been cheated from
the beginning to the end.
Mr. LAIN OF o. followed in r. hours speech on
the Slavery question snd In opposition to the extension
Of Slavery 10 the new Territories when he concluded
but gave way 10 the earnest request Of
Mr.. WiLMOT, who proceeded 20 speak on the
reference which Mr.. STEPHENS had made 10 con
ver.Aton he had had with President snd he stated
in substance that the time he offered the ProvsO D.
Three Millions bill the President had sent 70 him
desiring an interview. lie had visited the President who
had told him that the Proviso giving him great EN-
barrassment, and wished him 20 withdraw H. as Win
the aid Of the three millions be felt confident be could
negotiate peace. Mr. w. opposed this view as be
thought otherwise, and after long and earnest argu
ment, Mr. w expressed himself ss not particularly
anxious 10 have ProyisO attached 10 that BILL MS
desire being 20 have expression Of opinion, he would
soon have u In the form o. joint resolution The
President expressed MS concurrence In this aud That
be thought such proposition would meet general con
and farther that he opposed % the ex-
tension Of slave institutions to the territory, adding
where It existed To strengthen his view he said
he though, such views would meet even the support Of
Mississippi Mr.. w. said be bad mentioned THIS inter
view, and what had passed 70 Mr.. WOODWARD Of : C.
VINO hsd requested permission to make public which
Mr. w had refused wishing IL De drawn into con
troversy. he had subsequently mentioned Il 70 Mr.
SrEPHESs but without any authority % make Il public
de did not regret H. however for he Vas prepared 70
take whatever responsibility attached 70 L. and he call
ed God 10 witness - its substantial truth
Mr. McCLELIAsD of Mich. followed IN speech
also opposition o. the extension OF slavery 70 the
territories and IN opposition 70 the plan proposed
OF admitting these territories as states wiin the popc
sti0n which they had he was opposed 10 allowing a
lew individuals 70 form Constitution Tor a. those
Who should 20 % those territories hereafter lie Was
also opppsed the large sze Of the states which i was
proposed 70 form. IL would not BE- giving their due
weight N the senate lie opposed also tn@ proposition
10 annex large portion of this territory % Texas
| Mr.. JoHN B. THOMPSON OF hy- beloved lie
condemned the pursued by member. IN oPPo
'ins any settlement VI tnis territorial question unti
the rev Administration n, with view Of EN- bar
rassing u he then proceeded 20 discuss the question
Of he power Of Congress and whsi@ver Congress n
. DO in preference TO the abolition Of the slave rade
In The District he thou the laws Of Maryland ought
u be eNt-rded over H. He discussing inis when
I TIE I'D Ftrt he mail D close