The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-02-23

CeHdIu presented petltion from the Eull-
grant Commissioners complaining of abuses
practiced on female passengers on beard
of ships, and he gave netice of the intro
duction of a bill on the subject. Mr.. Viii
son offered a resolution calling for the in
structioRs given to Mr.. Meade, minister at
Brazil, previous to his departure frem the
United States. The Indiana election reso-
lutiens were then debated, but no action
was taken.
In the House, a resolution of the Com
mittee of Ways and Means, appropriating
$4,000 to meet tho expenses of several
Investigating Committees was passed. Mr.
Campbell asked bat was refused leave to
introduce bill for the purchase of British
North American Provinces and Cuba.
Mr Walcott appeared with written
statement disclaiming any intention to
condemn the authority of the House. but
denying the right of the committee to re-
quire answers to questions not within the
scope of their duties. He was remanded
into the custody of the Marshal.
The committee on foreign affairs was
instructed to enquire into the e1pediency
of abrogating the reciprocity treaty with
Great Britain.
In the Senate on the 10th inst, Mr. Hous-
ton offered a resolution instructing the COM
mittes on foreign relations to enquire into
the expediency of establishing a protecto-
rate in Central America. The resolution
was laid over under the rule. Mr.. Hale's
resolution was adopted, intructing the Post
Office committee to enquire into the posi-
bility of facilitating the transportation of
the mail between Washington and Boston.
Mr. Mason called up the resolution in re-
gard to the reception of the Turkish vice
admiral which was opposed by Messrs.
Hunter and Clay. The resolution was
passed.
The Indiana election ease was then
taken up. The resolution in relation to
taking testimony was amended by allowing
ninety days to take the testimony, and was
adopted. The army bill next came up.
Mr. Wilson moved an amendment, substitat-
ing volunteers for regulars, pending which
the Senate adjourned.
In the House Mr. Letcher, from the COM
mittee of ways and means, reported the
deficiency bill. The Maryland contested
election case was then taken up, and de-
bated till the hour of adjournment.
In the Senate on the 18th, Mr. Houston's
resolution. relating to the establishment Of
protectorate over Central America, was
attacked by Wilson of Massachusetts, as
calculated to disgrace US in the eyes Of the
world.
Mr. Houston controverted the assertion.
He was opposed to fillibusterism, but
thought the subject worthy Of censidera
ton, as other powers had designs upon the
same country.
On motion Of Mr. Mason the resolution
was tabled.
The Army bill was debated but no ac-
ton taken upon it.
The House refused to grant Mr. Brooks
prayer for a special committee in the Mary
land contested election case.
In the Committee Of the Whole, the In
dian appropriations were up. The Kansas
affairs were also up. Adjourned.
In the Senate on the 18th inst, Mr..
Green, from the committee on Territories,
reported bill for the admission of Kansas.
and submitted a long report which was
not read. Messrs Douglas and Collamer,
from the Same committee made adverse
reports. Mr.. Green gave nstice that he
would call up the subject at an early day.
In the House, personal explanation
took place between H. Winter Davis, and
Mr.. Bowie, of Maryland. The House then
went into Committee of the Whole, and
took up the Indian appropriation bill. Mr.
Shorter made speech on the Kansas ques-
ton. He said all the Southern States are
now united on the Georgia Platform, and
pledged to resist, even to a dissolution of
the Union, any refusal by Congress to ad-
NIT Kansas because of the existence of
slavery there. He cared not whether this
was a constitutional or a revolutionary
right. The Southis prepared to defend it.
He referred to Mr. Douglas as one who fed
at the fire of the first gun, and, like Par
THAN, threw poisoned arrows behind him.
He contended that il was meyer intended
for Kansas to be slave State. Five Gov
ernors all Free Sellers, had been sent
there. The referring of the question back
to the people would inevitably invite civil
war. The South would not consent to re-
main in the Union on an inequality with the
North. He would rather be vassal to Old
than to New England. The word "com-
promise" was offensive to him, and he
would make it penal offence for any
Seuthron to use it. 1t was suggestive of
surrender and base submission ; it sounded
like the bugle blast eff robber band.
DIRECT TRADE OF VIRGINIA.-The
Hon. John Y. Mason, cur Minister to
France, has written to the President of the