Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-01-26
TUESDAY, January q, lS49.
CEN ATE


The Vice President laid before the Senate
communication from The Secretary OF War, with
statement Of the contracts OF The Department
during The pas, year.
Also, communication from the Treasury De-
paItment in reference 10 drugs imported from
| foreign countries.
Memorials and petitions were presented by
Messrs. Corwin, Fitzpatrick, Dix, Clark, Met
calie, Hamlin Dickinson, Fitzgerald, Bell, Dodge
Of Iowa, Johnson OF Maryland, Pearce, and
Bradbury. [One presented by Mr.. Upham, was
from citizens OF the District of Columbia, pray.
ing that The slave trade may be prohibited there
ir; or that the corporations Of Washington and
Georgetown may be empowered to suppress il.
Mr.. Bell offered resolution, which was adopt.
ed requesting the Secretary Of War to state what
amount has been paid 10 the old settlers II The
Cherokee Nation, under the reaty Of 1876
Mr.. Dickinson submitted resolution which
was adopted requesting the Secretary OF Stale
10 furnish copy OF any correspondence with The
Spanish Government in regard TO Cuba. AdopI.
ed.
Mr.. Johnson OF Louisiana introduced reso.
luton of inquiry, as 10 The expectancy OF grant,
ing pensions 10 all oticsrs non-comm issionet OF.
ticets, musicians an privates, who have been or
may be disa bed IN The service. Adopted.
MIR. Breese reported bill TO define the peri
cd of disability imposed upon certain bidders for
mail contracts.
Mr.. King introduced bill granting the right
Of way TO the Mobile and Ohio Railroad Com
pany. Passed.
Several unmporlant resolutions were adopted,
when MIR. Foole rose 10 make personal expIa-
nation, TO perform duty which he was prevented
from doing yesterday morning. He deemed il,
incumbent upon him TO take some notice Of
Card which had appeared in one Of the pa
pers that publish officially The proceedings Of
the Senate. That card, though respectful in
terms, calls in question the veracily of certain
statements which he (Mr. Foote) had made du
ring the debate in this body on the Postage Bill.
Mr.. F. then read from Judge McLeans card
in the National Intelligencer, and denied that he
(Mr. F had used either abuse or scurrilty in
the remarks which he had made on that occa
sion.
He further referred 10 that part of the Judges
card in which he gives his reasons for having
declined to engage actively in the Presidential
canvass. These reasons Mr.. Foote understood
| TO be, "because no hope Of benefit TO the coun-
try could be anticipated under the lead Of prac-
tical prze-6ghters.'
He also referred to that part Of tho card in
which it is declared that so far from encouraging
he (Mr. Mel. had uniformally been opposed 10
the Withholding Of supplies to the army in Next
co.
In regard TO This part, Mr. Foo.e read from The
letter OF Judge Mclean on The subject OF The
Mexican war, 10 prove that he Mfr had not
tnisrepresenied him, and reiterated The opinions
which he had before expressed, as 10 the impro-
priety Of Judge of The Supreme Court writing
letters and expressing opinions on such subecls
or giving advice 10 The legislative authorities Of
The Union.
This letter OF Judge Mclean, he commenced
npon al considerable length, aud insisted thai he
(Mr. F.) was fully borne out in his previous re-.
marks.
He further examined Judge McLean's Letter on
The slavery question, also referred to in his card"
Insisting that SO far from having justified him.
self he had only repeated the offence.
He then qnoIed from the language Of IA judge
more learned than he, applicable 10 Judge Nc
Lean in the present case, and concluded win
long latin quotation, rad with much emphasis
and energy, add which, from It's apparent appli
cabiily, created much menIment
Mr.. Corwin rose and said that from the APP
| peal which the Senator from Mississippi had
made on the former occasion, and The remark
then apparently applied 10 himself that no one
had thought proper 10 rise here 10 his deience-it
might be supposed that there was concurrence
by MIN in The censure expressed. He had not
risen then because he had not perceived, in all
lha, the Senator had then said the slightest i'm
putalion upon Judge Mclean. He had done
nothing which he had not perfect right 10 do
nothing Inconsistent with his station as Judge
Of The Supreme Court. He then proceeded, at
considerable length, with defence OF Judge Nc
Leans course in matters referred 10 BY Mr..
Foote, though without intending 10 express any
opinion as 10 the correctness ofthe doctrines con-
tanned in the letters upon which the Senator from
Mississippi had 30 particularly commented.