Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-03-24
Cungrr5s.
WEDNESDAY,. March Is.

The Vermont Senatorial case was taken
Mr. Foot addressed the Senate for an hour
:, snnport Of Mr. Phelps right to the seat.
The subject was then postponed, and an Ex-
ecutiye session ensued.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE,. The House went into Commit
Tee on the Deficiency Appropriation bill.
Mr.. Bridges Of Pa proceeded TO answer
al some length the objections tc the Nebras-
ka'b;ll, accusing the North Of having VIOLA
ted the Missouri Compromise, while the
South stood firm.
Mr.. Brooks, of :. c., also spoke in favor
Of the bill.
The discussion was then resumed on the
Deficiency bill, pending which the Speaker
laid before the House the following message
on the Black Warrior affair:
To he House Of Representatives.
In compliance with the resolution OF the
House of Representatives, Of the 10th inst,
herewith transmit report OF the Secreta
nv of state, in relation to the seizure OF the
Black Warrior, at Havana on the 2-th ult
There have been IN the course of few
wears past, many other instances OF agrees
SION upon our commerce, violations of the
rights of American citizens, and insults 10
the national flag by the Spanish authorities
in Cuba. and all attempts to obtain redress
have led to protracted and as yet, fruitless
negotiations. The documents in these cas-
es are voumnious, and when prepared will
be sent 10 Congress- Those now transmit
te /, relate exclusively to the seizure of the
Black " arrior, and present 80 clear case
Of wrong, that il would be reasonable to
expect full indemnity therefor as soon
as this unlustifable and offensive conduct
shall be made known a. her Catholic Males
tvs Government; hut similar experfa'i~ns in
other cases have not been realized
The offending party is at our doors, with
large powers of aggression. bnt none, i Is
alledged, for reparatlon. The source OF re-
dress is IN another hemisphere, and the an
swers to our just complaints, made TO the
Home Government, are but the repetition Of
excuses rendered by officials to their superb
ors, in reply to representations Of misconduct.
The peculiar situation of tne parties has un
doubtedly much aggravated the injuries
which our citizens have suffered from the
Cuban authorities and Spain does not seem
to appreciate to its full extent her RESPONSE
bity for the conduct Of these authorities
In giving very extraordinary powers to them
she owes it to justice, and to her friendly re-
latons with this Government to guard with
great vigilance the exorbitant exercise OF
these powers, and IN case Of injuries to pro-
vide for prompt redress.
have already taken measures TO present
to the Government of Spain the wanton in
Jury Of the Cuban authorities in the deten-
ton and seizure of the Black Warrior, and
to demand indemnity for the injury which
has thereby resulted TO our citizens.
In view of the position of the Island Of
Cuba, It's proximity to our coast, the relations
which it must ever bear TO our commercial
and other interests, II is vain to expect that
a series Of unirieudly acts, infringing on our
commercial rights, and the adoption Of a
policy threatening the honor aud security OF
these States, can long exist with peaceful re-
latlous,
In case the measures taken for an amicable
adjustment of our difficulties should unfortu-
nstely fail, shall not hesitate to use the au-
thority aud means which Congress may
grant. 10 ensure the due observance of our
Just rights, to obtain redress for injuries re-
ceived, and to vindicate the honor Of our
flag
la anticipation of that contingency, which
Hope may not arise, suggest to Congress
the propriety of adopting such provisional
measures as the exgency may seem to de-
mand.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
The Message was referred to the Com
mttee on Foreign Affairs, and ordered to be
printed. 1t was received with general favor
by the members
A bill was passed providing for the distri-
button Of arms among the States. according
to the number of Representatives m Con
gress.
The House adjourned.
THURSDAY, March l6.
SENATE. The report Of the Committee
appointed some years ago to investigate
claims against the United states, growing
out Of the war in California, was sent to the
Senate to day, whore 1t was referred to the
Military Committee.
The Phelps case was then taken up.
Messrs. Mason. Toucey and Stuart op-
posed MIR. Phelps claim, and Messrs. Grier
Walker, and Clayton supported II.
The senate finally decided against his
right, by vote Of II to %.
The yeas we're Messrs. Clayton, Dodge OF
Iowa, Everett Ferguson, Foot, Grier, Nor
ton, Norris, Sebastian, " ade, Walker, VII
lams.
The Senate then adjourned.
dngs moved a reconsideration Of the vote
referring the Presidents Black Warrior
message to the Committee on Foreign AZ
fairs, and making violent attack on the
President.
Mr. Giddings narrated circumstances at
tending the SECURE of the Black Warrior
and commended that there was nothing extra.
ordinary in the affair.
lie said-The revenue laws Of Spain are
similar to our own, and should always be as
sacredly maintained. He referred to the
seizure of the English steamers in New
York and Boston, as circumstances similar
to the Black Warrior, and yet no voice had
come from England in remonstrance. The
resolution calling for information was objec
tionable, but the President had gone beyond
the call, aud was forcing his opinions upon
the House. lie referred to the Presidentt
statement that Spain, in many instances, ha'
committed aggressions upon our commerce
and lnsulied our flag, and called for the proof
lie denied the night of the President to lee
ture the House, and tell the members tina
they had pocketed insults from the Spanisl
Government. 1t was an encroachment OF
their dignity, and should be promptly rcbuk
ed.
The policy Of the President, he said, wal
to provoke war with Spain, IN order L
prevent the emancipation and civilization o
the slaves of Cuba, as now contemplated b.
that government This policy was IN accord
ance with articles put forth by the executive
organ during the last year, written by mem
bers of the Cab net, and was decided al
tempt to reyoluuonize the Government =
Non-intervention was no longer the watch
word Of the President or of his party, ex
cept IN so far as relates to Nebraska. Oh
the contrary il was now proposed to inter
yene in Cuban affairs.
Mr.. Giddngs here stated that he had see
in the papers a statement that resolutlo
was pending in the Legislature of Lonlsia
ma, denouncing the President for not inter
ferng in arresting the progress OF the eman
cipation project in Cuba.