The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-03-27
CONGRESSIONAL.


luton had been attained by the introduction of
his bill providing for the admission of California,
He was proceeding to explain his motive for
calling the previous question, when he was in
terrupted by Mr.. 1nge, who objected to his pro-
ceeding. The House went into committee of
the whole, and took up bill relating to the har-
Dor of Baltimore, and passed itwithout objection.
Mr. Doty's California bill was next in order,
and on that question Mr.. Melville obtained the
floor, and addressed the committee; MIR. Sackett
also addressed the committee Mr.. McWillis'
speech went into the merits of the great pending
question, and endeavored to prove that the north
would lose much by withdrawal OF the south
from the Union-that the Union was known to
the north by its blessings, while the south knew
it by it's burdcns-that without the Union, the
factories of the north would rot down, and in
their stead, grass would spring up and grow
March 6th-In the Senate, Mr.. Dodge, of
Iowa, presented petitions from citizens of that
State, praying Congress to grant donations of
land to aid in the construction ofthe Davenport
and Council Bluffs Rail Road. Also, memori-
ais from citizens of Iowa and Illinois i'll favor of
improving the navigation of the Upper Missis-
sippi river.
Mr. Felch, from the committee on public lands,
to whom were referred the memorials, asking a
grant Of land and the right of way for the DAY.
export and Council Bluffs Rail Road, reported
a bill in compliance with the prayer of the petit
tons, which was read and passed to I'd reading
Mr. Dodge, of Wisconsin, gave notice of a bill
Tor grant of land to aid in the construction of
he Milwaukee, and Mississippi Rail Road.
Mr.. Cooper read letter from the British Min
lister to Mr.. Clayton, in which the former init
mated that any change tending to increase the
duties upon the produce or manufactures of G..
Britain, would be taken very disagrecably by the
British Government, and would, in the Minis
ters estimation, produce very disagreeable eff
feet upon the public mind in England MIR.
Cooper commented upon this letter in severe
but deserved terms.
King, Clay, and Cass, came to the relief of the
British Minister. At the close of their remarks
Mr.. Cooper said, that after all he had heard from
the Snators around him, as to the improperly of
his remarks, he should conclude by saying, that
he would not withdraw single word of what he
had said, but that if it necessary he would say
the same over again
Housc.-In the House, bill was passed for
the relief of Thos. Dennis, seaman, who lost
both arms in defence of his country. Several
hill. Of 1+t1a from
committees, and REFERRED Mr. Dotys Califor-
MIA bill being the order of the day, was taken up
in committee. Mr.. Featherston and Mr.. Stan
ley addressed the committee. During the speech
of the latter several Interruptions took place,
which came we'll nigh personal alteration be-
tween Mr.. Stanley and billiard.
March 7A.-Senate.-Mr. Webster gave his
views on the great questions at issue in Congress
and before the country. The following synopsis
of his remarks is from the Free Press;
Mr.. WEBsrER's GREAT SrEEcH.-The ef-
fort of the Massachusetts Senotor is at present
the prominent theme of comment throughout
the country. 1t is received with very general
applause by the mass of American people, and
must have a powerful effect in quelling the spir-
it of dlsunion, both at the north and south The
positions assumed by Mr.. Webster may be brief
ly summed up as follows:
1. Slavery is excluded from California and
New Mexico by the law of nature; tie Wiimot
proriso IS scnselcss md nugatory, and instruct
ed unnstructed, he will vote in no case for its
insertion into any territorial bill.
2. Congress is solemnly bound, by an irrepeal-
able law admitting Texas into the Union, to crc-
ate ne'r slare states ont Of her territory, whenev-
er there shall be sufficient population therefor.
3. The Constitution imposes upon the north
the duty of rendering proper aid in the capture
and delirery Of fugitirc slares, and he will vote
for Masons bill, having this object in view.
4. Regarding the dissolution of the Union, he
scouts the lieu Of peaceful secession 1t would
be rerolution.
His views upon the Proriso are substantially
those long ago avowed by Gen. Cass, whose in
dependence in uttering them at the time, called
down upon him liberal measure of abuse from
the men and presses who will now endorse the
sentiments
Housc.-Mr. billiard occupied the floor on
the slavery question, admission of California, &c.
Little else is done in either branch of Congress
than discussing this subject.
.Murch 5th.-Senate.-A long dcsultory con-
versation took place between Mcssrs. Borland,
Smith, Foote, and others, on the Public Print
ing, and some remarks made in relation thereto
by one of the government organs at Washington.
The President sent in message in reply to re-
solution of inquiry as to removals of Postmast-
cas-. Ordered to be printed. Mr.. Footc tried
to raise committee of thirteen to report to set
tie the difficulties growing out of the slave ques
tion-but failed. Mr.. Walker occupied the floor
on Mr. Clays Compromise.
House.-The day was occupied in committee,
and several private bills were disposed of.
| MILWAUKEE RAILRoAD.-The Potosians hcl.
meeting on the 10Th, to promote the progress
Of this noble undertaking. We shall give thei
proceedings a notice next week. The pcopl
Of Northern Iowa are deeply interested in thi
work, inasmuch as they regard it the only wa
by which their "masterly inactivity can win.
| The w higs a Party.
We are glad to perceive by the resolutions O.
the Wings in meeting assembled, that they have
cast off the mantle of o-partyism, and clothed
themselves in graments of the latest Tay lor fash
ion. Well, this is honest, though very inconsis