Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-04-25
co N G. R E S S.
WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, Apr. 18th

| In the SENATE, Mr.. kusk reported the
house bill tor the relief Of the Wilmington
and Raleigh Railroad. which was discussed
and passed.
The secretary Of state communicated IN
formation of correspondence with the British
government with respect to the claims OF
American citizens.
The consideration of the deficiency bill
was then resumed. Mr.. Cass moved to
strike out the appropriation for the Austrian
misson-lost. Various amendments were
made, and the bill was then passed.
Mr. Foote then moved the appointment
Of his committee of thirteen, and Messrs.
Clay and Douglass desired TO have vote for
or against it, promptly. Messrs. Dayton and
Butler favored an adjournment for all execu-
tive session, which was carried. Mr. Foote's
\ committee being in order for tomorrow.
In the house Of representatives, Mr.. Harris,
of Illinois, moved to proceed to the election
of clerk, which was agreed to. The follow
ing nominations were made. Prinde, Young,
Clark. Furney, Smith, Morehead, Buck,
Walbridge, Mudd, Walker. Five balotings
were had, bu, no choice was effected On
the last balloting the vote stood-Richard NJ.
Young, Go; J. c. Walker, 81; Prndle, AZ !;
Fornev, 6; Walker, IL Albert Smith, 6 /;
.
4. No choice.
In the SENATE. on Wednesday, after an
executive session, the vice president stated
TINT he WAS authorized TO appoint commits
Zee on the navigation of the Mississippi, and
this morning the committee was announced
rs follows: Messrs. Corwn, Clay, Bright,
Douglass, Davis and Downs.
Mr.. Butler presented the credentials of Mr.
EiimOre Of 8 e. succeSSor Of Mr. CnlI,oun
deceased.
Mr.. King offered resolution in favor of
erecting custom house at Mobile.
Mr.. Downs offered a resolution calling for
information respecting the fu,6lment of the
contract with the New Orleans and Chagres
mail steamers, and whether any action by
congress is required in the matter.
Mr.. Dickinson objected to the resou-
ton.
] MIR Foote's motion for n committee of
thirteen was taken up at half-past II, being
4 the assigned business for that hour. The
\ question being upon Mr. Bentons nstruc-
tons TO the proposed committee, Mr. Clay
again offered his amendment prohibiting in
sructions. Hereupon followed warm de
bate Of four hours, during which MIR. Benton
moved to lay the subject Of the committee
on the table. This motion was lost-yeas
"a, nays %.
! Mr.. Clay's amendment was opposed BY
Messrs. Benton, Miller and Webster, as un-
parliamentary and out Of order, and it was
sustained by Mr.. Clay and carried, 30 to
%.
Mr.. Hamlin offered an amendment similar
TO Mr. Baldwn's.
Mr.. Benton renewed his fourteen points.
and asked for the yeas and nays on each.
when furious debate ensued
MIR. Foote made some personal reflections
on Mr.. Benton. Mr.. Benton approached MIR.
Foote, who, apparently alarmed, rushe, into
the arena. and drew a pistol. Mr.. Benton
exclaimed, Il am unarued-let the assassin
1 fire.
There was an immense excitement and
confusion. The members interfered, and
held Foote and Benton in their seals some
minutes. Mr.. Benton called for an investi-
CATION into the affair Mr.. Hale suggested
the appointment of n committee for the pur-
pose. Mr.. Foote desired such course Mr.
Clay wanted the two senators sworn to keep
the peace. Mr.. Mangum moved that the
doors Of the senate chamber be closed. but
Withdrew The motion. Explanations follows
ed, and a committee of seven was appointed
10 examine into the affair. Adjourned.
10 the HOUSE, Richard NJ. Young. of Hi
nois, democrat, was elected clerk on the ninth
ballot, having received 90 votes TO 50 for
Pringle. 5 for S1rasburg, and for Mathew
ST. Clair Clark Adjourned.
In the SENATE, on Thursday, Mr. Benton
moved 10 pos pone the orders of the day in
order to take up the California bill, and de-
manded the yeas and nays. A discussion
eusued, when the motion was laid on the la
5le on motion ofMr. Clay. The senate then
took the yeas and nays separately on the
| fourteen points proposed by Mr.. Benton and
rejected them all. Mr.. Walker proposed an
amendment TO except from preference the
fugitive slave question. The amendment
was lost, and it was then voted to give no
instructions TO The committee.
Mr.. Hale moved that all PETITIONS presents
ed tins session. touching the subject of slav-
cry, be referred TO a select committee. Messrs.
Clay and Webster supported the motion.-
Mr.. King and others opposed it, and ii was
| lost
The resolution of Mr.. Foote for the appoint
ment of a committee Of thirteen was adopted
81 TO %, and the balloting for members of
the committee was ordered for Tomorrow
Adjourned.
In the HOUSE, Mr.. Brown Withdrew his
. lCSoiution anu IICleiItu CeItill CDdTpeS
against the doorkeeper, and on his motion a
committee OF investigation was appointed
| Mr.. Richardson moved tor the appoint
ment of committee 10 inquire into the con-
duct of Secretary Ewing, relative to certain
alleged usurpations, &c. Objected to-
The house went into committee Of the
whole, and took up the California message
Nessrs. Ewing and Alsion each spoke an
hour on the subject, when the committee
rose. Mr.. Cleveland obtained the floor, and
the house adjourned.
In the SENATE, on Friday, Mr.. Hale pre-
senied petition praying for the repeal of
the slave laws in the District of Columbia,
and moved lis reference 10 select commit
lee, upon which he called for the yeas and
nays. After debate Mr.. Atchison moved to
lay the petition on The table, which was car
ried.
Mr.. Benton's resolution for printing an
index TO the laws was adopted.
! The following senators were chosen 10
constitute the committee of thirteen to report
a plan for settling The slavery question, as
proposed by Mr.. Foore:-Clay, (cIlairman,)
Bell, Berren, Bright, Cass, Cooper, Dickin-
son, Downs, King, Mangum, Mason, Phelps
and Webster. Mr.. Benton moved that the
| Committee be instructed to report separately
Oh the California question, but the motion
was ruled out of order.
On motion of Mr.. Douglass, tile California
bill was taken up. MIR. Clay stated that he
should move amendments 10 the bill, en-
bracing the territorial and perhaps the Tex
as boundary questions. MIR. Benton said he
could prove that the proposed amendments
were Ilesa. and supplementary. Mr.. Clay