Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-12-13
CONGRESS-.

Senate, December 5h.-Senator Bright
was elected President Of the Senate in place
Of Mr.. Atchison, resigned. The yote stood
Bright 81, all others IL. Mr.. Slidell mo-
we'd that all the standing Committees be con.
tinucd.
House Of Representatives.. December 9Th.
The Speaker announced the standing COM
mi.tees. There fre no changes from those
Of last session other than to I'll vacancies.
Mr.. Taylor, of Tennessee, gaze notice Of
bis intention to intioduce q bill TO modify or
repeal tie naturalization LAYS.
Mr.. Sellers, Of Maryland, gave notice Of a
LII to prevent the enlistment of persons Of
foreign birth in tho army and navy also to
prevent the emigration to this country of
foreign paupers and c%ouyicts, and to increase
the revenue Of The government.
Mr.. Sellers resolution calling on the
Preside Mt if not incompatible with the
public interest to 10 form the House what was
the object or objects Of the meeting or con-
ference of American Ministers at Ostend,
and whether it was held in obedience to the
instructions of the Secretary Of State and
what was tho result Of said conference, was
taken up.
Mr.. Sellers said that 10 offering this reso-
luton he had not the slightest desire of find
ing fault with the administration Or our min
listers abroad. If ever he had a disposition
TO strike a blow at the administration it was
not in the pre- sent moment Of it's weakness
and helplessness.
Mr.. Washburn, of Maine, thought the res
olution such as should DO at once adopted BY
tho House.
Mr. Letcher, Of Virgins, said no would
vote for the resolution as it stood, and should
vote for it, if something more were added
He was satisfied from the tone of the public
journals, and conversations among his con-
stituents, that there is a distrust about our
Minister at Madrid. He desired the facts to
90 before tho country, in order that if Mr..
Soule is innocent, ho may have the benefit
Of the viudication. If the suspicious are
well founded, the facts should be known
Hence he wanted the resolution passed in
order to decide how the case stands.
The gentleman from Alabama y Mr.. Phil
ips-considered this a light question, but he
(Mr. Letcher) never knew a more important
one to be made on the President than this.
He thought Soulc should never have been
sent abroad, and that the interests of the
country would be promoted by bringing him
home.
Mr.. Taylor. of Ohio, thanked Mr.. Sellers
for introducing the resolution. 1t was not
premature to call for the information. He
said no man Of foreign birth ought to be sent
abroad to represent US in a foreign capitol.
Mr.. Bayly, of Virginia, said that except
IN extreme cases the House should not make
a call at this time. 1t was a mischieyous
precedent. for the reason he stated-while
he would not discourage distinguished for
c'gners, it would be well if none but native
born representatives were sent abroad. Our
country should be represented by natives
lie was prepared to go one step farther, and
adopt the sentiment of Jefferson, that even
the nsIyc born ought rot to be left abroad
too long, for they inbibe foreign views, for
getting even their native appctites.
Senate, December G,h.-Mr. Adams in
trodueed a bill establishing a uniform rule
OF naturalization and repeating all laws now
in force relatingthoreto
House of Representatives, December 6th.
Mr. Sellers resolution was taken up and
tho matter referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, by a vote Of ayes %, nays
SO.
Tho House then proceeded to tie consid-
sideration Of the river and harbor bill, as re-
turned last session, with the Presidents OBJ
jections
After discussion the question was put,
will the House pass tho river and harbor
bill, the Presidents objections to the con-
irary Notwithstanding 7 and i. was decided
an the negative yeas 95, nays so. The
constitutional majority of two-thjrds not vo-
ting therefor
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OF ELISHA W.