Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-02-16
aorr CONGRESs-oD SESSION.

FfOus tcPofts were maze, principally VI Q pa
vate nature.
| Mr. Dix from the committee on Commerce,
made report. accompanied by bill, recon-
mending appropriations for the improvement
of certain rivers and harbors. The report re-
commends prudential" rule, which, in the
opinion of the committee, without discussing
the constitutional grounds, should hereafter
govern all appropriations made for similar OBJ
jects The bill and report were ordered to
be printed.
The committee on Mileage asked to be dis
charged from the further consideration of the
subject. They were accordingly discharged.
The civil and diplomatic appropriation bill,
was made the order of the day for Mon
day next. Mr. Anterior, Chairman of the
committee on Finance, said he should consent
to no further delay than that time.
Mr. Benton asked leave to introduce bill
for the construction of a I" great national High
way" from st Louis to the Pacific ocean. and
occupied some two hours in detailing the ad-
vantages which will accrue TO posterty from
the construction of this" great national work"
| 1t is 10 be mile wide.
Mr. Berrien gave notice that he should to-
morrow introduce bill to grant pensions to
the widows of non commissioned officers, pri-
Yates, and musicians engaged in the late war
The bills making appropriations for Revo-
lutionary and other pensions. and for the sup
80 @bo %oIo
and no amendments being proposed they were
reported 10 the Senate, and then read the third
time and passed
House Of Representatives The House a.
dopted the joint resolutions of the Senate, APP
pointing a committee of three, Zone from the
Senate, and two from the House,) 10 count
the Electoral votes for President and Vice
President of the United States. on the 14th
instant, in the Hall of the House.
A report was made from the committee on
the Judiciary in relation TO the appointment of
an additional United States Judge in the State
OF Louisiana. A debate took place, and with.
out disposing of the question, the House went
into a committee OF the whole on the fortifica-
ton BILL
Mr. Preston, OF Va. availing himself of the
latitude in committee, caused i bill 10 be read
which he intended to offer as a substitute fol-
the territorial bills, in substance providing
that the people may form a Constitution and
State Government and be admitted into the
Union as the State of California. He made IN
eloquent speech, supporting chiefly the propo-
sition that, as the people would soon number
two hundred thousand souls, they should moi
be kept in territorial bondage; that the con.
sttution did not permit Congress TO infer, in
advance, as to what peculiar institutions they
, should have. Congress was bound to guar.
antee to them republican form of govern.
ment, and admit them on an equal footing
with the original States. He contended thai
this measure would settle the agitating ques
f ton OF slavery by leaving it with the source
} OF all political power-the people.
Mr. Brown, of Pennsylvania, made speech
in support OF the compromises of the constitu
ton, and was for leaving slavery alone, as q
5 thing which would ultimately work out its
own remedy.
The committee then arose, and the House
, adjourned.
THURSDAY, Feb 8th.-Senate.-Mr Jefer
: son Davis, from the committee on Military
Affairs, reported bill in accordance with The
suggestion made by the President in his las
' annual message, concerning the transfer o
vessels which are used in the transportation
OF stores, &c., for the army, from the Navy te
the War Department.
MIR Westcott offered a resolution, which
was agreed to, calling on the Secretary of tn
Navy to communicate to the Senate certain
= dispatches from Com Stockton while in com
i mand of the Pacific squadron
Mr. Berrien, according to previous notice
j. introduced bill granting pensions TO the wild
ows of officers, soldiers and musicians enga
: ged in the war with Mexico. Referred TO tn
: committee on Military Affairs
y A bill establishing port of entry at Brazo
e Santiago, was considered and passed.
$ MIR Anterior reported back the House bill
- making appropriations for the payment of ma
+ Wy pensions, and for the support of the army
h House of Reprssentatiues.-On motion G
y Mr. Bolts, the House took up the bill fror
u the Senate, to pay the Caddo Indians $500, a
- compensation for boy killed by the Texan
IF in 1S4S, and it was passed.
e MIR. c. B. Smith, from the committee on tn
IT territories. reported back the Senate bill to es
~ tahlish territorial government for Minnesota
e with amendments; one of them, that the az
IF shall take effect on the 10th March, 1349.
e Before the bill was disposed of, the HOUSE
=, in accordance with previous order, took u
IS the calendar of bills. Subsequently one OF then
o for the payment of the claims of New HamI
o shire against the United States, was passed.
A message was received from the Presider
}. of the United States, in answer 20 the resolr
!. ton OF the 5th instant, calling for informatio
e with regard to the treaty with Mexico
1.-THE Message will be found on our fl
n page.l
s, On motion of Mr. Johnson, of Ark, the me-