Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-02-20
Reported Tor The Baltimore Sun.
SATURDAY, JANUARY IL, l649.
SENATE


SATURDAY JANUARY IL, l649.
Mr.. Houston Introduced bill 10 authorize me
Red River Railroad Company 10 construct ana
extend railroad 10 the coast OF the Pacihc.
On motion OF Mr.. Anterior, the Senate then
resumed the consideration OF the civil and diplo-
matte appropriation bill.
Mr.. Benton moved an amendment, approptia-
ling $50 600 10 continue the coast survey, and
providing that after The 81 OF March il shall De
carried on exclusively by the Nary department,
under the direction OF The President OF the Unieo
States, and on this amendment addressed The
Senate al length. He was followed by Mr.. Pearce
and when the later had concluded, the Senate ad-
journed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES..
Mr.. Fries of Ohio, from the select committee,
appointed TO inquire into and fully investigate
the course pursued by the commissioner oil In
dian affairs in the administration OF his oticlal
duties, and especially in the charges made and
preferred in the debate by Hon. /. l.. Cllngman,
made report thereon in writing, which was
laid upon the table and ordered 10 DC printed
THE report is very long, and is understood TO
fully exhonerate Mr.. Medill.
The Joint resolution from the Senate to de-
fray the expenses of certain Chippewa Indians
and their interpreters, was twice read and re
ferred 10 the committee on Indian affairs.
MIR. Turney asked leave to introduce reso.
luton of inquiry as to what legislation may be
proper to protect members and others from
thieves and pick-pockets during the remainder
of the session. Objected TO.
Mr.. Yinton introduced resolution to terml-
nate the debate, in committee of the whole, on
the bill to carry into execution, in part, the 18th
article of The treaty with Mexico After amend
ment on motion Of Mr. Toombs, so as 10 read
Monday, the resolution was adopted, 90 to IL;
and the House then, in committee Of the whole,
took up the bill.
Mr. Buckner, of Kentucky, being entitled TO
the floor, addressed the committee al length in
opposition 10 the extension Of slavery to terri
~ now free.
Mr.. Stephens followed on The "proocol," de-
! nyiDg The right OF the President and Senate 10
make any such Treaty. looking 10 An appropriation
by The House 10 carry into effect lis provisions
conienting, further, that The article OF the accee-
| ded treaty is in conflict with The explanations U
the protocol, and declaring Ina, he would 10, vote
on The appropriation until the questions growing
out OF The war with Mexico were satisfactorily
adjusted. He alluded 10 conversations had by a
gentleman from Pennsylvania, (Mr. WilmoU
when The SO 600 900 bill was first before Congress.
in reference TO the Wilmot proviso, at which ii
| had been state by the Pfesinent thai he was not
in favor OF extending the area OF slavery And
be then proceeded to argue that the Presiten, had
cheated his friends and the people throughout his
administration, and he believed Ina, he intended
10 cheat The people oflhe South.
Mr.. Lahm followed, on the constitutional as
PEGS Of the slavery question, AM OF course n op-
| position 10 any extension He took up The ad-
dress Of The Southern Convention, and cenct, lis
| statements against the No:h which he assumed
10 have been chiefly directed agains, Ohio, ami
| attacks upon the compromises Of The cons,u-
| lion.
Mr.. Wilmot made statement in reference 10
part OF MI. Stephens remarks, which he had moi
hsa"n "tbaypghf6 &h The &c Gentleman from
Georgia al The presen, session. He did. howey.
er, nave conversation with The Presiien, when
| the S50UO000 was under Consideration in The
| House. and The President had remarked thai his
(Alr. VS. proyiso vas giving him great iifiicul-
ty, as he had no doubt that he could effec, ne, 70
with Mexico il The SO 600 600 were vo,cd BE
| (Mr. W. expressed doubts, when the President
replied that he CHE Presidency was batter informed
on the subject than he [Mr. WI could possibly
be. lie Mr.. w. then remarked that he should
| be just AS we'll satisfied 10 obtain an expression
OF Congress, in any other torn, declaring lba,
| slavery should mol be extended 10 territory ac
IL
be done by joint resolution.
The President then said "Mr. Wilmot, bring
it forward-t will not be unpopular in Missis
sipp" He Mr. w was surprised, at the
time, that he referred 10 Mississippi, but made
no reference to Tennessee his own State. And
with much earnestness of manner, he Che Pre-
sdenU further stated that he ''did not wish TO
see slavery extended beyond its present limits"
He mir. w. had informed a gentleman of
South Carolina, Mr. Woodward, at the time
Of this conversation, and be had also so inform.
ed the gentleman from Georgia, (Mr Stephens,
near the close of the last session. But he had
objected to any use being made of il in the
House, because he did not wish to place him.
self in the position of retailer of conversations
lie did not regret, however, that il had now
been alluded TO by the gentleman from Georgia.
Before God he, reaffirmed the statement which
he had now made was the substance of the con-
versation.
Mr.. McCelIand next addressed the committee
on The general question OF slavery and of slavery
in the new territories. lie had opposed he con-
promise bill OF last session. because he was satis-
fled that The question could not he decided ty the
Supreme Cuur before il would he decided by the
people OF the territories themselves. II was now
declared that the President would veto any bill
COHldIHiuS WI IIUFlsOj anu VI SO, NJ
MIR. Nee was tor "mas,erly inaciivity"-fr
no action whatever al The present session.
Mr.. Thompson, Of Kentucky, mex. obtained the
floor, and his remarks, like those who preceded
him, were chiefly directed 10 an examination #
the slavery question He was opposed Of course,
10 The Wilmot Provso, and, generally, sustain.
ed The doctrines Of he Souh
The debate was further continued BY Messrs |
Jenkins, Rockwell, Ficklin, Crisfieid, Gitdinss |
Newell, and Bridges.
When the latter had concluded, al hall pas 10 !
o'clock 2. NJ, the committee rose, AMI The House
adjourned