Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-01-17
CONGRESS-.
MoNpAY. january s. ls4a.

The petition 10 the committee the District Of Co
lumbia, with instructions ,oroport bill abolishug
slavery in the District, but On motion Of Mr. King,
the question of reception was laid on the table %
to l6.
The bill to admit ''certan articles, thorrowth or
production of Canada free Of duty, on condition that
similar articles, the growth or production of the u
ni,sd States, be admitted free fduty into Canada"
was taken up and discussed at length by Mcssrs.
Dix and Douglass in favor, and Messrs. Pearce,
Hunter, Phelps, Wesco,t and Downs against-It
was passed over informally.
"Mr. Houston presented resolution for tho ap-
poin,ment ola special committee to inquire into and
report upon the espediency Of establishing Rail
road, by the Government. for military purposes, be-
tween San Francisco on the Pacific and the most
suitable point which may be found upon the nav-
gable waters of'he Mississippi Valley; and instruct
ing the committee to report, far as can DO ascer-
tanned, what would be The probable amount of gold
produced to the government per annum for a pn6od
of ten years, at the rate of an assessment Of eight
per cent upon all that may he dug within that time
in California; and also to report upon the eNpedien-
cy of applying the first proceeds Of that fund 10 the
building OF such road.
Also, to inquire and report upon the expediency
Of constructing military road between the points
indicated, by employing said portion of tho military
force IN the construction Of such road, wcud be
necessary 70 complete ii at the earliest period AL
so, to inquire into and report the number Of Militia
~ Posts proper to be established upon said road
for the protection of the lives of our citizens, and
the extent Of the military force which would be ne
cessary to maintain the said posts. Lies over'
House OF REPREsENrArwEs-It was discov-
cred that a mistake had occurred in summing up
the vote on tho Pacheco bill, the name of Mr. Far
reilly, who voted against the bill, having been o
mitted. When corrected, the vote stood 50 to 90.
So the bill was lost. MIR. Meade asked sus pen
sion OF the rules that he might introduce pream-
bic and resolution in relation to the apprehension
capped or may escape from one State int sno,her.-
Decided in the negative, 70 10 90.
TUEsD,Y 9th
In THE SENATE.-Mr. Underwood presented a
petition from ID. p. Betiingcr, asking an approp-ia
ton by Congress to send free colored people to Ii
IBERIA, &c, and moved 10 refer it to the Judiciary
committee. At the suggestion of Mr. Dayton the
consideration Of the subject was postponed.
Mr. Berrien, from the judiciary Comnst,ee.
made long report II, relation 10 Mr.. Dorelass,s
bill for the admission Of California and new Mexi-
co rs a Stste into tho Union, concluding with the
following resolutions:
Resoiccd, That it is nexpedicnt to pass tke bill,
entitled a bill for The admission of CaiiErnis into
the Union IS State.
majority Of the Committee recommend the
adoption of the following resolution
Resolred, That it is proper to organise territorial
governments for that portion of the territory of
iIornia which lies west of The Sierre Nevada. or
California Mountains and for the territory of New
Mexico lying west of the western boundary of the
State OF Texas.
The report and resolutions, after a debate by
Messrs. Dou!lass, Butler. Foote, Berrien, Wescott
and Dayton, were ordered to be printed.
House OF REpEEsEErArIvEs.-The bill provi.
ding for board of commissioners on claims agans,
the u. States, was recommtted 10 the Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union
In Committee of the Whole, Mr.. Embree, of Ia.
moved that the mileage of members should be cal
culaed by the nearest postroutes. An animated
debate sprang up and the House adjourned without
coming 10 any conclusion.
WEDNESDAY 10Th
In THE SENArE.-The resolution of Mr. Under
wood to refer the petition of Mr. Bettinger 10 the
Judiciary Committee was taken up IL was dis
cussed at length by Messrs. Underwood and Met,
calf in favor, snd Messrs. Hale, Dayton, Mason,
Davis of Mi, Butler and Niles against, after which
the subject was indefinitely postponed, II 10 80
HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIvEs.-The ccnsdera-
ton Of the motion 10 reconsider the vote By which
Mi Cots resolution had been adopted was !esum-
ed. and was decided III the affirmative, 10 10 81
mi. smith, OF Indiana, then moved 10 amend
the resolution thus recommended, by striking uut
the preamble and all after the word Resolved, and
inserting instructions 10 Tie committee 10 inquire
and report what legislation is necessary 10 prevent;
the Introduction OF slaves from any Of the States
into the District of Columbia, Tor sale here OF else
where, and that they report by bill ur otherwise
Mr.. Bolts moved To lay the whole subject on The
table; and on lhIs the yeas and nays were ordered
and IT was decided IN the negativc---9f TO 10
MI Meade moved an amendment 10 the amend
ment OF MIR. Smith, providing for the recovery or
fugitive slaves, but it was ruled out of order
MIR. Smith moved 10 modify his substitute fer the
original resolution, 10 instruct the COMMITTEES
10 brig in bill but, before any action was had
on this motion, or on the substitute,
On motion, the House adjourned"
THURSDAY lith.
In THE SENATE nothing Of special interest was
done.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIvEs.-Tn conmttc of
the whole The consideration OF the General Appro-
priatiOn Bill was resumed, the question BENZ on
the amendment proposed by Mr.. Embree, requiring
that the mileage OF members should be computed
by the nearest post-Toutes. The question was dis
cussed at length in connection with the publication
made III the \. I. Tribune some weeks ago, and
without concluding the committee rose and the
House adjourned.