Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-07
CONGRESS,

Congress.
In the Senate, on Tuesday, the 25th, bill was
passed. directing the money collected in California
prior to November, 1S49, to be paid into the Treas
ury of the United States. The passage of this bill
will put over 2O0O00O into the United States The
bill also appropriates 100000 for the relief of
land emigrants; Sl75,000 for the expenses OF the
California Convention, and 100000 for expenses
incurred by that State before her admission into the
Union The River and Harbor bill was reported
without amendment, and the Postage bill postponed
The House, in Committee of the Whole, discussed
the Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation bills Vari-
Gus attempts were made to introduce tariff amend
ments which were ruled out of order by the Speak
err and his decision sustained by the House During
the debate upon the bill appropriating S3,000,0OO
for the payment of the last Mexican Indemnity, Mr.
Allen, of Massachusetts,, made an attack upon MIR
Webster, saying plumply that he would not entrust
MIR. Webster with the making of the arrangements
to pay the three millions of the Mexican Indemnity
He charged that when Mr.. Webster called to
take the office of Secretary of State he entered into
a negotiation, by which $4,000 was to be raised for
him in State Street. Boston, and $4,000 in Wall
Street, New York. MIR Ashmun defended Mr.. Web
ster from the charge brought by Mr.. Allen, which
was in fact, that Mr.. Webster had received $4,000
from certain brokers condition of using the power
of his official station for their benefit.
On Wednesday the Senate passed the cheap Post
age bill, and the Post Office appropriation bill ThF
House passed the bill appropriating So, 100000 foA
the payment of the last instalment of the Mexican
Indemnity. During the debate on the passage of
the BILL Mr.. Allen reiterated his charge against
Mr. Webster, and Mr.. Ashmun on the authority of
Mr. Webster, denounced the charge as an unqualij
fed falsehood.
But little was done in the Senate Thursday,
the 9th ult. The House Of Representatives was en-
gagged in the discussion of the Army Appropriation
BILL the amount of the estimates being very much
reduced The appropriation for armament Of forti-
fcations was stricken out and other reductions
made.
On Friday the 28th ult., the Senate passed the
joint resolution from the House, making land war
rants assignable 1t also discussed the Civil and D
plomatic Appropriation BILL but without disposing
of it, The House passed joint resolution relieving
Thomas Richie from the further performance of his
printing contract, and awarding payment for the
work done at one-half the prices of 16l9 and author
zing his completing his contract the Same terms,
provided he signify his assent within five days The
so passed the Army Appropriation bill amended
and reduced. MIR. Julian submitted resolution for
a committee of investigation upon the charge made
against Mr.. Webster Objection being made, the re-
solution not put from the chair.
On Saturday, the 1st the Senate passed the bill a.
polishing constructive mileage and then took up the
River and Harbor BILL which debated until II
at night, when the Senate adjourned Messrs. Clay,
Ewing, and Borland, supporting the bill; Messrs.
Jefferson Davis and Dawson opposing it, and Messrs.
Cass Bright, Foote Douglas and Hamblin declare
ing that they would vote for it if reduced to the
mount of the estimates furnished by the government
otherwise they would vote against it. Gen Cass
would support appropriations tor objects that are
not Of strictly National character and none with
out actual survey and estimates of the cost. To en-
bark in mad scheme of expenditures, dropping
$4,000 here, and $4,000 there, without knowing
hdt is to be DONE ho1V it is to be DONE and what
it will COST is mere scheme for distributing money
in favored districts.
On Monday, the Sd inst, and the last day of the
session, the River and Harbor bill taken up at
ter some opposition. Several motions to amend and
to postpone were lost. An amendment offered by
MIR. Cass providing that the money appropriated by
the BILL should only be taken from such sum may
remain in the Treasury after deducting therefrom
money already or which may be appropriated tc
pay the expenses of the government, was lost by a
tie vote The contest this bill in the Senate
continued until o'clock in the morning. and several
important appropriation bills had not then beer
reached. The French spoliation bill has been de
feated.
The House passed the Post Office appropriation
bill the bill providing compensation for members
Congress, and the joint resolution authorizing thu
President of the United States to place shp-of-wa
at the disposal of Kossuth and the other Hungarian
insurgents. The cheap postage BILL and the post
Office appropriation bill have passed both Houses
and been signed by the President.
The Wind Up.
Both Houses of Congress adjourned at twenty min