The Daily spy., 1849-02-02
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY,. Jan. 81.

II
SENATE. A joint resolution for ,he appoint
ment OF committee TO make arrangements for
counting the votes Tor president and vice presi-
dent, was adopted.
Mr. Davis, of Mass, offered a resolution pro-
viding for survey by the Typographical corps, Of
the best route for road to California, which was
adopted
The Panama Railroad bill was then taken up,
and an amendment authorizing the secretary OF
the navy to make the contracts or not as he pleas
ed, was agreed to. Mr. Niles opposed the scheme
and said the advantages to be derived to COM
Inerce were over estimated.
Mr. Allen said the subject was too vast for the
present session, and moved the indefinite post
ponement OF the matter. Mr. Webster was op-
posed to Mr. Aliens motion He said he should
prefer the rehHantepec route, ii the right Of way
could be obtained, although at present every
thing was in favor of the Panama route. Mr..
Clayton conceded in opinion with Mr. Webster,
and said it was disgrace to the present age that
no communication had yet been opened act oss
the sthmus Mr. Davis spoke on the amendment.
lie was opposed TO any such work beyond the
boundary of the United States. The amendment
not being acted on, the subject laid aside un-
til to- morrow. The senate then went into ex-
ecutve session..
HOUSE. Mr. Edwards, from the committee on
the District OF Columbia, reporteda bill PRO-
HIBITING THE SLAVE TRADE IN THE DIS
TRIcT, which was read twice.
Mr. Wentworth said the bill was as good as
could be procured.
Mr. Chapman was opposed to the bill, and Of
| fered substitute embodying all the constitutions
| al power over the subject.
| Mr. Haralson was opposed to the bill He al
| luded to Mr. Wentworth's remarks as containing
| threat that the bill was but an entering wedge
| for further action.
Mr. Smith, of Illinois, said his views or the SUBJ
| ject had been misrepresented. He would always
defend the south In her legal rights, but he be-
lieved slavery to be all evil.
Mr. Charles Brown said that bill for discon.
tnulng the traffic in slaves in the district " oud
meet his appreciation, but at the same time he was
opposed TO agitating the subject.
Mr. Venable censured the defenders OF southern
| rights who voted against laying the bill on the
table, and said the northern men were afraid of
their constituents.
Mr. Hudson denied the charge that northern
men were afraid to vote conscientiously. Much
excitement followed
Mr. Burt spoke in defence OF the rights OF the
south. Mr. Taylor followed and denounced all
agitators. He said there were many of them at
| the north who came from he south, and mention
ed several who he believed had all been slave
| holders He also spoke of the southern ronven-
ton, which he said, was professedly opposed to
| all acts here or elsewhere against the integrity
OF the Union, and closed by urging all to stand
| by the Union, and protect it as Washington had
| directed
/ Mr. Caleb Smith offered an amendment to Mr.
Colts resolution, but not to the preamble.
Mr. Brown, OF Mississippi, addressed the house
on the southern side of the question.
Mr. Stephens said he was in favor of prohibit
ing slaves being brought into the district for pur
poses OF traffic, against the wishes OF the inhabi.
tants OF the district
| Without furthar acfiop tho bo,,.o
committee OF the whole on the navy BILL which
occupied the remainder OF the session. Adj.
The LAST OF BRADDocK's MEN. The Lam
caster (Ohio) Gazette announces the death, at
| that place on the 18th inst, of Samuel jenkins. a
colored man, aged one hundred and fifteen years
lie was born slave, the property OF Capt. Broad
water, in Fairfax County, Virginia, in 1894 He
drove his masters provision wagon over the Allie
| gany mountains in the memorable Campaign of
Gen. Braddock and remained in service at the
Big Meadows until about 40 years of age, when
1 upon the death OF his master, he was purchased
by gentleman, who brought him to the State of
| Ohio and thus released him from bondage. Soon
alter his liberation he settled in Lancaster where
he continued to reside until his death. Although
MS bodily frame had given way he retained his
mental faculties to the last. 1t is thought that
ne was the last man living either white or color
! ed,who served in Braddock's expedition, in 1855
PHENoMENoN. The New York Journal of
Commerce contains an account of strange phe
nomenon in the heavens which has been seen bv
several gentlemen in that city and vicinity.
among others by the editor of the Journal Of
Commerce. 1t is described in communication
from Stonington. where it was seen by three indi>
vlduals, as twinkling at first like fixed star II
increased to three or four times its original size.
and then changed color, from yellow to bright
red 1t then gradually decreased like reyolv.
ing light in light house, TO the size OF star of
the 4th and 9Th magnitude, and then again in
creased. Subsequently,, while two persons were
looking at the phenomenon, it moved slow.
] ly toward the South, then returned TO The
North, and then like pendulum, swung back to
| its centre, moving over 'sseveral feet'' Of skv
The editor OF the Athens ga Banner. also
notices the same phenomenon, as having appear.
ed in that quarter, and gravely inquiries if il is
| planet on fire. Boston journal
| GUTrA PERcHA. The London corresnondent
OF the National Intelligences gives the following
statistics in relation to this new article of COM.
| merce:
''it was first imported into England in 1910
when about two hundred weight was received in