Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-03-01
XXXIst CONGRESS,--Ist SESSION,

ard, of New York, asked for a definition of wha
petitions may or may not be received.
Mr.. Douglass submitted a Journal of the pro
ceedings of New Mexico, asking for a tcrrtori-
al government.
Mr.. King of Alabama, presented petition
for the reduction of postage, TO which measure
he was opposed, on account of the sparseness
Of the population of the South.
Mr.. Borland, from the Committee on Printing
reported in favor of printing the reports, maps
drawings, &c, of the Tally of the Mississippi,
lost.
Mr.. Dickinson gave notice Of bill TO dspen-
sc with copper coin.
Mr.. Corwin offered resolutions asking infor-
nation concerning the expenses of the Mexican
boundary line, which was adopted
A resolution locating Virginia land warrants
for 1858, passed.
Mr.. Dodge, of Iowa, withdrew bill granting
land for a Pacific Railway.
Mr.. Clay's resolutions were taken IN, and
Mr.. Downs, of Louisiana finished his speech
giving a brief view of the slavery question. The
resolutions were postponed until Thursday,
when the Senate went into Executive Session,
and then adjourned.
In the House, Mr.. Littleield, of Maine asked
leave to introduce bill to prohibit the sale Of
intoxicating drinks in the public buildings and
grounds of Washingto n-obieced 10.
On motion of Mr.. Bayly, the House went in
TO Committee of the Whole on the Presidents
annual message Mr.. Eenable, of North Car
ona took the floor, and made violent speech,
charging the whole responsibility of agitation on
the North, and advocating resistance TO the
death.
Mr. Campbell, of Ohio, followed in forcible
and eloquent speech. The Southerners had in
voked the spirit Of Washington. He exhibited
autographs of Washington and other Southern
patriots, pIedging themselves against slavery
and showing that one object in founding the
Republic was to prevent its extension. lie
completely answered several Southern argu-
ments, and commanded universal attention.
Mr.. McLanahan, Of Pennsylvania, followed
lie said that the Union was safe if the Presi-
dent and Congress could not preserve it, twenty
millions Of trecn.en could.
Mr.. Bay, Of Missouri. took the floor, when the
Committee rose, and the House adjourned
WASHINGTON. Feb. 20-In the Senate, Mr..
Davis OF Massachusetts reported bill 10 in
crease the rank and file Of the army.
The bill cancelling the bond Of the Prussian
barons, not to employ the steamer United States
IN war with Denmark, was passed.
Dir. Clay's resolution came up and Mr.. Gle
mems OF Alabama made a speech to the effect
that the Union could dissolve peaceabe
Mr.. Cass replied. defended and affirmed the
doctrine of the Nicholson letter.
An important debate followed, in which
MessFs. Clay, Cass, and Foo,e were the princi.
pal speakers, each defining his position. Tie
subject was postponed until Monday, when the
Senate adjourned.
IN the House, Mr. McLane, from the Com
mittee on Commerce, reported bill auhoriz.
ing the Secretary of the Treasury to keen on
deposit in the mint of the Une States, So, OOO-
600, instead of 100000, to exchange for
gold, on which discount and no interest shall be
charged. lie said that this was necessary in
consequence Of the influx of California gold
MI Bayly, of Virginia, thought that the bonds
OF the officers Of the mint should be proportions
ally increased. Mr.. McLane said the existing
bonds were as large as the bonds of Sub-Treas-
urers, who held much larger sums Of money.
Mr.. Burt of South Carolina, said it was not
practicable to act on the bill, ag it had not been
printed and moved to refer it to the Committee
of the Whole. Motion lost The bill was then
amended, on motion of Mr. McLane, 50 as to
increase the bonds, and was then passed.
Mr.. Duer offered a resolution for the termin-
alton of the debate on the annual message Of
the President on Monday. Laid on the table.
In Committee of the Whole, upon the Presi-
dents Message, Mr.. Bay of Missouri advocated
the admission of California, with restricted
boundaries. Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylva-
mia followed, portraying in glowing colors the
evils of slavery. Mr.. Buei of Michigan pro.
posed an amendment, nquring whether the
President did not depart from usage in delay
ing the recognition of Hungary and made
speech full of Hungarian sympathy. Mr.. Bis
sell OF Illinois took the floor, when the House
adjourned.
Il
Miller Of New Jersey concluded conciatory
speech on Mr. Clay's resolutions and was fol.
lowed by MIR Rusk of Texas, when the resou.
tons were postponed until Wednesday
Mr.. Foote renewed his motion to refer the
California Message 10 committee of fifteen,
and strenously urged it. II there was not some
thing done within few days, there would be an
outbreak, forever preventing settlement
Messrs. Butler, Dayton, and WALKER opposed
il, and Messrs. Clemens and Badger supported !
it. Adjourned
In the House of Representatives, Mr. Brown |
pf Mississippi moved to suspend the rules in or
der to introduce resolutions from the Committee
on Territories, to inquire if President Polk or
any of his Cabinet in any way sought to exclude |
slavery from California. Action not reported |
Mr.. Giddings presented petition from Della.
ware, for peaceable dissolution Of the Union.
Upon its reception the ayes and noes were or
dered. The ayes were Messrs lien of Mass |
achusetts, Giddings, Howe Of PENNSYLVANIA Ju- |
Ian of indiana, Preston King, Durkee of Wis |.
consin, Root of Oho-8. Nays 1862.
Mr. Schenck Of Ohio presented memorial
from the people Of New Mexico for territorial
government, and moved that it be referred to
the Committee on the Territories, and be print
ed. Carried-l36 to 40.
A Row among the Democ racy at TGmma-
ny Hall, New York