Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-03-01
CONGRESS-.
MONDAY, Feb. 10.


and the wrongs of The South. He said he was
not authorized by the Legislature to present them,
but he deemed 1t proper to do so, as he was de-
termined TO use his utmost endeavors to seek
redress, even to the dissolution of the Union.
Mr.. Westco,t spoke earnestly against the res
loutions and said he was not quite ready to rush
headong into dissolution of the Union. After
long disquisition upon the South, by Mr.. Wes-
colt, the resolutions were ordered to be printed.
The Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation Bill
was then taken ur, the question being on
Mr.. Benton's proposition of amendment with re-
gard to the coast survey. Mr. Foote, of Mississip-
pi, moved TO add, as an amendment of the bill,
The principal features of the bill for establishing
government in California, which he desired
should be printed Mr.. Benton's, after some
fiery discussion, was Withdrawn,
Adjourned.
HOUsE.-Mr. Smiths resolution to make the
California bill the first thing in order after the
passage OF the Mexican indemnity act, was adop-
ted.
On motion of Mr.. Vinton, the House went
into Committee of the Whole on the Mexican
indemnity bill, and Mr.. Donnel, of North Caro-
lima discussed the territorial question upon con-
stitutonal grounds, and defended Speaker Win
throp against the attacks Of Mr.. Giddings, on
Saturday night last. Mr.. Giddings wished to
set the matter right, but Mr.. Donnoll would not
give up the floor.
Mr.. Grnnel submitted an amendment to the
bill, that the money should be paid TO Mexico,
as set forth in the treaty, without regard TO the
protocol.
Mr. Vinton availed himself of his privilege Of
closing the debate, and defended the bill, oppos-
ing Mr.. Grinnell's amendment as unnecessary,
and besides, it might lay the foundation for Mex
leo to come in for another claim. The amend
lnent was rejected.
Mr.. Schenck moved that the expense of com.
nissioners and surveyors should not be voted,
until those officers be created by law, as the
Constitution prescrlbes. Rejected. Sundry
other amendments were adopted, when the Com
mii,ee rose, and the bill passed. Yeas 1873
nays 8. Adjourned.
TUESDAY, Feb. 20.
SENArE.-The bill carrying into effect the
18th article of the Mexican Treaty, after brief
consideration, was passed.
The bill granting widows and orphans priority
in adjustment Of claims arising out of the war
with Mexico was read and passed over.
The Senate passed the bill 10 extend the time
for carrying into effect tie compact with Mis-.
sssppl aud Alabama, relating to school reserya-
ton and the 5 per cent. fund.
The Civil aud Diplomatic Bill came up, and
an amendment was offered by Mr. Walker Of
Wisconsin, in favor OF extending the United
States revenue laws over the new territories;
also, the Constitution and all laws applicable
thereto, and that the President make regulations,
for carrying the same into effect. Mr.. Walker
spoke for some time on the Importance of the
subject, and said that his object in presenting
the amendment was the preservation OF order
and the administration Of justice in the newly
acquired territories.
When he had concluded, Mr.. Bell, of Ten
nessee, submitted an amendment to that of Mr..
Walker, for the establishment Of State Govern
ment in California, and for striking out, in the
amendment proposed by Mr.. Walker, all that
was inconsistent with Mr.. Bells proposition.
Mr.. Butler, of South Carolina, was surprised
that any Senator should offer such an amend.
ment and raised question of order.
The Chair decided that MI Bells amendment
was in order, ana the dicision Of the Chair was
sustained An informal discussion followed, as
TO the propriety of pressing the amendment
Mr. Bell seemed to be much embarrassed at the
Misrepresentation winch vas unaffected by Sena-
tors but his sense of duty prompted him to
persist, however unpleasant 1t might be- lie
saw that this was the only chance TO get vote
upon this important question and therefore
felt bound TO press his amendment. He spoke
ably, and at great length and finally, at the
suggestion of several Senators, gave way before
he flashed. Adjourned.
This House after some brief debate, passed the
bill for coming gold dollars and double ca
giles.
Mr. Mckay, from the Committee of Ways
Means, reported bill altering the mileage law
and advocated the same. He said the unnuo
mileage sum paid to members and officers o.
government, was between 100000 and $500,
000 There WAS already appropriated this SEES
sion, for members and delegates, $4,000
Laid temporarily aside.
| L., In afifcapcv nj tho
came up Mr.. Burt, of South Carolina, advoca
ted, and Mr., Toombs, OF Georgia, opposed it
Laid on the table.
The day was spent on miscellaneous bills
The House refused TO go into Committee, because
portion of the House resolved on working OF
the calendar until they reached the bill rCspec
ting The slave traffic in the District Of Columbia
reported by Mr.. Edwards, of Ohio. Indication
are that the House will not 60 into COMMITTEES
until disposed OF. Adjourned.
"WEDNESDAY, Feb. 81.
In the Senate, today, the bill changing the 10
cation of The Land Office in the Chippewa lam
district of Wisconsin, was briefly considered
and passed, after being amended. The Senat
then took up the General Appropriation bill
and Mr.. Bel, of Tennessee, continued his re
marks of yesterday, in support OF his amendment
for q State Government in the new territories
His speech lasted two hours, during which h
portrayed the great necessity OF the lmmedlat
organization of the said government.
MIR. Berrien spoke in opposition to Mr.. Bell
amendment and mode OF Introduction. He ais
replied to his remarks. The yeas and nays wei
then taken on the adoption Of the amendment
and the proposition was decided in the negatlv,
almost unanimously
The House took up the bill respecting AabI
ina school lands and utter speech in favor
the same, by Mr. Houston, 1t was passed.
Mr. Dixon's bill aboshlng the irankng priv
lcge, came up, and amendments in favor OF r.
duction Of postage were offered by Mr.. Ashmu
and Mr.. Goggln. The latter addressed The COZ
miltee on cheap postage, and upon aoolishin
the ranking privilege.
Mr.. Cobb, of Georgia, took the floor and d.
nounced the amendment offered by Mr.. Goggl
as designed to circulate u copper currency
the South, which the people there would not su
fer
Mr.. Pafrey addressed the Committee, ;akir
ground with the Massachusetts Legislature,
favor of the reduction Of postage. Mr.. Venabl
of North Carolina, spoke against abollshlng u
ranking privilege The amendment offered
Mr.. Ashmun, for The reduction Of postage OIL le
tiers TO two GEMS, was rejected. Adjourned.
THURSDAY, Feb %
SENATE. Mr.. Dayton, of New York offered
paper similar to that Of Mr.. Webster's, up
California, which was ordered to be prnte
| The JOINT resolutions for supplying arms a
ammunition TO emigrants to California, from q
the public stores, on certain terms, passed.