Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-02-07
CONGRESS.
SATURDAY, January 9th, lS49.


and petitions presented, and two or three pri-
waite bills reported from committees. Among the
former was one by Mr.. Cameron, from 1860 citizens
of Philadephia for immediate abolition of slavery in
/ the District Of Columbia and another from 900 Ia
dies of the same city Tor alteration in tho cons-
tuition, SO as 10 abolish slavery Throughout the u
Mon
| MIR. Douglass. from the Select Committee 10
| whom had been referred The bill and amendments
providing for the admission of California into the
Union, reported the bill agreed upon by the Com
mirtee.
The bill now reported, proposed TO strike out of
Mr.. Douglass substitute all after The enacilH
clause, and to insert, substantially that Congress
doth consent that the portion OF territory included
within the following limits, viz: beginning the
Pacific ocean, ON the parallel of AZ degrees north
lat. thence west on said parallel IN THE dividing
ridge which separates the waters flowing into the
Colorado River from those which flow into the
Great Basin; thence along said dividing ridge to the
point where it was crossed by Lieut.. Col. j. C..
Fremont, in 1914, rs shown ON the map of his ex-
PoIatlons; thence enthusiastically along the line Of
said exploration, shown On the map OF said Ere
monts surveys, published by order of the Senate in
1913, TO its intersection with the n 7h meridian of
west longitude thence in direct line TO The inter
section OF the Sierra Nevada Mountains with those
of the Coast Range; thence dao west to the Pacific
Ocean; thence along the Coast including the ada
cent islands, TO the place Of begining-shall be set
apart as the territory of one State and, when the
| fulhlment of the conditions herein contained, shall
be declared to be Of the States Of the Union by
the name and style of the State Of California upon
an equal footing with the original States in all res
poets, but with the unconditional reservation to the
U. States OF all rights in the public domain Sc SC.
The conditions prescribed are the same as here
tolUre given an Mr. Douglass substitute, that The act
ing governor, when furnished with copy of this act
SHAH Immediately proceed TO lay off the country
embraced into election districts for the election of
| 81 delegates 10 form constitution, &c sc.
! Ii is iuther provided, that when the constitution
and State government shall have been established the
President, on being officially notified thereof shall
issue his proclamation, declaring said State TO be
one of the States of this Union. The laws of the
United States declared, SO far they are not
locally inappcable, to be extended to, and in
force in said State, and further, that until the
census, the State shall have representative
| in Congress.
1t is further provided by the bill that the portion
of territory bounded on the North by the AID para-
lei, East by the summit of the Rocky Mountains
and the State of Texas, South by the Republic of
Mexico, and West by the proposed Siateof Cafor-
MIA and the Pacific Ocean, Including the islands adj
jacen TO these, shall become of The States of
this Union, by the name and style of the State of
New Mexico, or such other name IA the people
thereof shall, In their constitutions adopt upon an e.
quail footing with the original States in all respects
so it shall contain the proper number of in
habants; and they shall establish for themselves a
constitution and republican form of State govern
ment--lhe United States Gas in the case of Caror-
nia) reservng to themselves all right Of property
in the public domain and other property ceded to
the United States by the treaty with Mexico free
from taxes or assessments of any kind by said State
and also the power of disposing Of The same includ
ing the right of adjudicaiing all claims and titles
to land derived from any foreign government, in
such manner as Congress shall prescribe; and the
laws of the United States extended TO the new
States, so far not locally inapplicable.
| One hundred thousand dollars appropriated to
carry into effect the provisions of thfs act.
The bill was read and ordered TO be printed
The bill authorizing the grant of lands to Mr..
Whitney, to aid in the Construction ola Railroad
from Michigan to tho Pacific Ocean, was made the
Special order for Monday.
House. OF REPRESENTATIVES, Goggn Of
fared resolution. that at | O'Clock to-day the
House would take up the bill to reduce postage on
letters and newspapers, establish uniform rates. and
to correct the abuse Of the ranking privilege.
On this resolution the yeas and nays were order
ed, and it was reected-9G to G3--,wo- thirds not
voting in the affirmative.
Mr. Beae. of Virginia, add -essed the Committee
at length, the question of Slavery in reply To the
speeches heretofore made BY MIR. Smart and Mr..
Thompson Of Indiana, when the several items of
the bill were considered in order, and the amend
ments disposed Of.
MONDAY, January 20, l549.
| In THE SENATE.-The resolution offered a few
days since by Mr.. Badger in relation to the publica
ton Of the debates and proceedings of the Senate was
! taken up. MIR. b. thought some plan should be
dopted TO secure greater accuracy.
Mr.. Berrien proposed an amendment and the re-
SOiutIon q = ammpnle1 W. finally adpp,ed
The consideration Of the Panama Bill was resum-
ed. Mr.. Foote moved TO recunmit the Bill 10 the
Military committee with instruction TO inquire in
TO the relative advantages of the Panama and Te-
huantapec routes, but after much discussion with
drew his resolution and the Senate adjourned
In TIE HoUsE-In committee of the whole the
House was engaged in the consideration of the Ma
val Appropriation Bill, but adjourned without com
ing TO any confusion
TUESDAY 30th
The SENArE-Was occupied in consideration
Of the Panama Bill, but after much discussion, it
was laid on the table until tomorrow.
HOUSE OF REPR EsENTATIvEs.-Mr Edwards OF
Ohio, reported bill to prohibit the Introduction Of
Slaves into the District, as merchandise, or for sale
or hire, which gave rise TO debate, but finally
passed.
WEDNESDAY 3lst
Nothing Of importance in the House.
FEBRUARY, THURSDAY lst.
! In THE SESArE.-Mr. Mangun Of n. G.. apear.
ed in the Senate for the first time during the SEES
slon
On motion Of Mr.. Niles, the Senate resumed the
consideration of the Postage Bill, the question i'm
mediatey under consideration being Mr.. Cameron's
motion to amend so to allow newspapers moi
weighing more than I ounces TO circulate free
within circle of 30 miles from the office Of publ
! cation.
r