Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-15
WEDNESDAY. JAN. Is, 1858.
GIN ATE

Mr.. Dsoitte introduced Joint resolution direct
ing the presentation of medal to Commodore Paul
ding for bis conduct in arrestng Walker and his fol
lowers
The resolution ives read once by its title. Mr.. Ma
sons motion to reconsider the vote adopting Mr.
Hunters amendment to the joint resolution extending
and defining the power OF the President with regard
10 the nomination of officers who have been affected
BY the action of the Naval Retiring Board, was the1
| taken up.
The amendment alluded to is az followa THAT
nothing herein contained shall be 80 construed as &c
allow the increase Of the number OF officers on the
| active service liat as authorized by law"
MIR. Houston, Mr.. ToOmbs, and others spoke with
great earnesness in favor OF the reconsideration
oontending that the effect of the provso to pre-
| vent Justice being done to those officers who have
been iniurousy affected by the action Of the Ssva
| Retiring Board Mr.. Toombs spoke Of these officers
as being "victns of the most pertdious treachery.
| Mr.. Stuart opposed the motion IN long speech
arguing that necessity had been shown for incress
ing the active lisI, and although greu' deal had
been said about injustice. the specific Cases had not
| be.n mentioned.
Mr.. Davis mentioned two cases of gallant officers
who had heen struck down while on honorable ser.
vice, in Pugets Sound and The other on the coast
| of Africa.
Mr.. Hale sloquently eulogized Commodore Stew
art and denounced thu Retiring Board generally.
When he clused his remarks there was q slight de.
mons.ra,ion of applause in the galleries. which were
dsnsely filled by officers of the Navy and others.
After long debate, Mr.. Hunters amendment was
rejected, and q joint revolution waa passed with
another amendment limiting the power Of the Presi.
dent to nominate TO six months after the passage Of
the act.
Mr.. Brown gave notice Of HE intention to offer an
amendment to MIR. Doolitte's joint resolution for the
presentation of medal to Commodore Pauding.-
1t ID to the effect that Congress has heard with sur
prise of the arrest Of Gen. VIM. Walker and Others
at Punta Arenas, by Commodore Paulding, and feel.
ing satisfied that said act violation of the ter
rtoral sovereignty of Nicaragua, and not sanction
ed by any existing law, Congress disnvows the act,
and being officially notified that said Pauldng acted
without instructions from the President TO the Score.
tnry of the Navy, Congress hereby expresses its
domination of his conduct in this regard
Mr.. Fitch made personal explanation in reference
to the proceedings of the late Indiana State Conven
| ton and the resolution which changed by tele
graph (beng the subject of an editorial in to-days
Union
Mr.. Douglas said few words in reply contending
| that the change was not very material one.
Mr.. Hale undertook TO explain the action of the
New Hampshire Democracy on this question: causing
some fun.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.
The House went into Committee of the Whole on
the state OF the Union on the Presidents annual mes
| sage.
| Mr.. Curtis argued that from the earliest period Of
our national history until now, the Government has
interposed in various means 10 restrain our citizent
from fitting out hostile expeditions against nation:
with which we are at peace. The operations of Wal
ker afforded evidence Of the necessity for the app
cation Of the neutrality laws.
| He sdverted to the enormous expenses OF keeping
the various routes across the lsthmus open. Tht
routes we're too long and Distant and the country toe
sickly to be of permanent advantage. To reach the
Pacific direct line ehould be taken across OWE
Territory. II was wrong for the Government togo in
to flibustering operations This has besn its policy
for years past, and it has too long worked at private
| flbusteriug
An examination Of the documents submitted by tn,
President show that Com. Psuldipg has, like tru,
and honest sailor, carried out his instructions. 1t
not his duty to expound the law.
Mr.. Clay said this was the first time he had the
privilege to address the Legislative assembly Of the
country and be grati6ed in rising to sustain
what he believed to be law and order.
They had seen the remarkable spectacle of an ad
minisration apparently unsupported by its OWL
friends and the reception Of every message frou
the President opportunities had beeu taken assai
and pick at him. He scquiesoed in every word tn
President had written on the Central American ques
| ton.
was necessary that instructions should be issuet
for intercepng Walkers expedition. and to restrain
our citizens from acts vioatve Of the neutrality laws
Walker was brought home with the view OF saving
his neck and for that he should be grateful.
He broke not only international law but the statute
law. He escaped from this country under false colors
and Mr.. Clay maintained that it was not only in tn
power Of the President, but it was bis duty, to SEN
for Walker over the high seas and bring him back.