28TH CONG.........2D SESS.

[Continued from No. 22.]

Mr. ARCHER said he was not aware; but he supposed that no one except the senator from Kentucky [Mr. CRITTENDEN] himself.

Mr. SEVIER remarked that, according to the rules of the Senate, the joint resolution could not be finally disposed of to-morrow, unless by the unanimous consent of the Senate. Suppose it were ordered to be engrossed, any one senator might object to taking the question upon the passage until the next day; and thus the resolution would not be sent back to the House until Friday. If such were the case, it was evident that the resolution would fall through. He therefore asked that the unanimous consent of the Senate should be given to take the question on the fir.al passage of the resolution to-morrow.

Mr. ARCHER could assure the senator from Arkansas that there would be no disposition on the part of the opponents of the joint resolution to defeat it in that manner.

A general acquiescence in these suggestions appearing to be given,

She motion to adjourn was put, and carried without a division.

So the Senate adjourned at 10 o'clock p. m.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WEDEESDAY, February, 1845.

Mr. BRODHEAD, at an early stage, and Mr. BIDLACK subsequently, moved that the reading of the journal be dispensed with; but Mr. DROMGOOLE, Mr. COBB, and other gentlemen objected, and insisted upon its reading entire.

The journal was accordingly read at length, occupying precisely half an hour.

After some conversation between Mr. DROMGOOLE and the SPEAKER as to the manner in which a point of order had been recorded, (or failed to be recorded,) the journal without amendment was approved.

EXPLANATION.

Mr. WOODWARD asked leave to make a personal explanation.

The SPEAKER said it was not in order, except by the general consent of the House.

Unanimous consent being accorded,

Mr. WOODWARD said: In the report of the Globe of the proceedings of yesterday, on the bill to reduce the rates of postage, &c., the following statement occurs: "Mr. WOODWARD offered an amendment to make all periodical matter free of postage." In the confusion that prevailed in the House, he was entirely misunderstood by the reporters. The amendment offered was to exempt private agents from punishment for conveying mail matter entitled by law to be transmitted free of postage.

Mr. J. P. KENNEDY asked leave to make a report from the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. WELLER objected, and insisted on the regular order of business.

POST OFFICE BILL.

The SPEAKER said that the first business in order was the bill "to reduce the rates of postage, to limit the use and correct the abuse of the franking privilege, and for the prevention of frauds on the revenues of the Post Office Department;" the previous question on which had been moved and seconded, and the main question ordered, when the House adjourned yesterday.

The question was first put on concurring in the first amendment of the Committee of the Whole, providing that the bill shall go into operation on the 1st of July next: carried without a division.

The question was next put on concurring in the next amendment of the Committee of the Whole, inserting the words "for any distance over 300 miles 10 cents;" thus making the postages on all single letters not exceeding half an ounce in weight 5 cents for 300 miles and under, and 10 cents for any distance exceeding 300 miles.

Mr. BARNARD called for the yeas and nays on this question; which were ordered, and the question being put, it was decided in the affirmativeyeas 110, nays 85, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Arrington, Ashe, Atkinson, Baker, Barringer, Bayly, Belser, Bidlack, James A. Black, Blackwell,

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1845.

Bowlin, Boyd, Brinkerhoff, Brodhead, Milton Brown, William J. Brown, Burke, Burt, Caldwell, Campbell, Shopard Cary, Reuben Chapman, Augustus A. Chapman, Chilton, Clinch, Clingman, Clinton, Cobb, Coles, Cross, Cullom, Daniel, Garrett Davis, Richard D. Davis, John W. Davis, Deberry, Dellet, Dillingham, Douglass, Dromgoole, Duncan, Elmer, Farlee, Ficklin, Foster, French, Grinnell, Grider, Hammett, Haralson, Henley, Herrick, Holmes, Hoge, Hopkins, Houston, Hubard, Charles J. Ingersoll, Jameson, Cave Johnson, Andrew Johnson, George W. Jones, Andrew Kennedy, Kirkpatrick, Labranche, Lucas, Lumpkin, McCauslen, McClernand, McConnell, McDowell, McKay, Joseph Morris, Isaac E. Morse, Newton, Norris, Parmenter, Payne, Pettit, Peyton, Rayner, David S. Reid, Reding, Relfe, Rhett, Ritter, Roberts, St. John, Sample, Saunders, Senter, John T. Smith, Thomas Smith, Robert Smith, Steenrod, Stiles, Alfred P. Stone, Strong, Summers, Taylor, Thompson, Tibbatts, Tucker. Weller, Wentworth, John White, Benjamin White, Winthrop, Woodward, Joseph A. Wright, Yancey, and Yost-110.

NAYS-Messrs. Abbot, Barnard, Benton, Brengle, Jeremiah Brown, Buffington, Carpenter, Jeremiah E. Cary, Carroll, Causin, Collamer, Cranston, Dana, Darragh, Dickey, Dunlap, Fish, Florence, Foot, Fuller, Giddings, Byram Green, Hale, Hannibal Hamlin, Edward S. Hamlin, Hardin, Harper, Hubbell, Hudson, Hungerford, Washington Hunt, James B. Hunt, Irvin, Jenks, Perley B. Johnson, John P. Kennedy, Preston King, Daniel P. King, Leonard, Lyon, Maclay, McClelland, McIlvaine, Marsh, Edward J. Morris, Freeman H. Morse, Moseley, Murphy, Owen, Pater. son, Phoenix, Pollock, Elisha R. Potter, Emery D. Potter, Pratt, Purdy, Ramsey, Rathbun, Charles M. Reed, Robinson, Rockwell, Rodney, Rogers, Russell, Schenck, Severance, Thomas H. Seymour, David L. Seymour, Slidell, Albert Smith, Caleb B. Smith, Stetson, John Stewart, Thomasson, Tilden, Tyler, Vance, Vanmeter, Vinton, Wethered, Wheaton, Williams, and William Wright-85,

The next amendment was the one made, on the motion of Mr. BRODHEAD, in the 6th section, to strike out the words "from and after the passage of this act," and insert "1st July next," as the time from which the franking privilege should be discontinued to the officers of the government.

On this tellers were called for, and Messrs. THOMASSON and HARALSON were appointed.

Great confusion ensued, many gentlemen desiring to show the inconsistency of other sections with this.

Mr. MURPHY called for the reading of the 5th section, by which all laws conferring the franking privilege were repealed immediately on the passage of this bill; consequently if this amendment changing the day mentioned in the 6th section to the 1st July should be concurred in, it would not continue the franking privilege to that day unless the 5th section should be amended also; and in the meantime no provision would be made for the payment of the postages of officers of the government.

Mr. BARNARD desired to make some suggestion to the House in relation to the amendment; but he was met with loud cries of "No, no."

Mr. HAMMETT hoped the House would[Cries of "Order, order."].

The SPEAKER again directed the tellers to take the vote; but the yeas and nays were then demanded. They, however, were not ordered, only 13 voting for the motion.

Mr. SAMPLE called for the reading of the entire section, for he said it was not understood. The Clerk read it accordingly.

Mr. J. W. DAVIS said, often as the section had been read, it was still not understood; and he desired to know if the amendment procrastinated the operation of the whole bill, or only that particular section.

Mr. SCHENCK also rose, and said he desired to submit a proposition. [Cries of "No, no."] He would ask the permission of the House to have it read. [Cries of "No, no."]

The SPEAKER again instructed the tellers to take the vote, and it was taken accordingly; and they reported 15 in the affirmative, and 89 in the negative: no quorum voting.

After some confused conversation, and the strenuous exertions of the Speaker to cause the House to come to order, the vote was once more taken; and the tellers reported 38 in the affirmative, and 121 in the negative.

So the amendment was not concurred in.

Mr. HARDIN rose to make an appeal to the House not to embarrass the new postmaster with this bill. [Cries of "Order."]

The SPEAKER stated the question to be on the engrossment of the amendments for a third reading; which was agreed to.

VOLUME 14....No. 23.

The next question was on the third reading of the bill.

Mr. RATHBUN moved the previous question. Mr. G. W. JONES inquired if the bill had been engrossed.

The SPEAKER replied that the bill was engrossed before it came to this House.

Mr. THOMASSON inquired if the bill could be amended.

The SPEAKER said it could not at this time. Mr. DROMGOOLE inquired whether, if the House should refuse to second the demand for the previous question, a motion to recommit would not be in order.

The SPEAKER replied in the affirmative.

The demand for the previous question was then seconded-94 voting in the affirmative, and 53 in the negative. The main question was also ordered to be now put.

The main question was on the passage of the

bill.

Mr. PETTIT called for the yeas and nays; and they were ordered.

The question was taken, and the vote stood—yeas 128, nays 74, as follows:,

YEAS-Messrs. Abbot, Anderson, Baker, Barnard, Benton, Bidlack, James Black, Brengle, Brinkerhoff, Brødhead, Jeremiah Brown, Buffington, Burke, Carpenter, Jeremiah E. Cary, Shepard Cary, Carroll, Catlin, Causin, Clinton, Collamer, Cranston, Dana, Darragh, Garrett Davis, Richard D. Davis, Dean, Dellet, Dickey, Dillingham, Douglass, Dunlap, Ellis, Elmer, Farlee, Fish, Florence, Foot, Foster, Fuller, Giddings, Byram Green, Grinnell, Grider, Hale, Hannibal Hamlin, Edward S. Hamlin, Hardin, Harper, Hays, Herrick, Hubbell, Hudson, Hungerford, Washington Hunt, James B. Hunt, Irvin, Jenks, Perley B. Johnson, John P. Kennedy, Preston King, Daniel P. King, Kirkpatrick, Labranche, Leonard, Lyon, McCauslen, Maclay, McClelland, McDowell, McIlvaine, Marsh, Edward J. Morris, Joseph Morris, Freeman H. Morse, Moseley, Murphy, Norris, Owen, Parmenter, Patterson, Phoenix, Pollock, Elisha R. Potter, Emery D. Potter, Pratt, Purdy, Ramsey, Rathbun, Charles M. Reed, Reding, Ritter, Robinson, Rockwell, Rodney, Rogers, Russell, St. John, Sample, Schenck, Severance, Thomas H. Seymour, David L. Seymour, Simons, Slidell, Albert Smith, John T. Smith, Stetson, Andrew Stewart, John Stewart, A. P. Stone, Strong, Sykes, Thomasson, Tibbatts, Tilden, Tyler, Vance, Vanmeter, Wentworth, Wethered, Wheaton, Benjamin White, Williams, Winthrop, William Wright, Joseph A. Wright, and Yost-128.

NAYS-Messrs. Arrington, Ashe, Barringer, Bayly, Belser, James A. Black, Blackwell, Bowlin, Aaron V. Brown, Milton Brown, William J. Brown, Burt, Caldwell, Campbell, Reuben Chapman, Augustus A. Chapman, Chappell, Clinch, Clingman, Cobb, Coles, Cross, Cullom, Daniel, John W. Davis, Deberry, Dromgoole, Ficklin, French, Goggin, Willis Green, Hammett, Haralson, Henley, Holmes, Hoge, Hopkins, Houston, Hubard, Charles J. Ingersoll, Jameson, Cave Johnson, Andrew Johnson, George W. Jones, Andrew Kennedy, Lucas, Lumpkin, McClernand, McConnell, McKay, Isaac E. Morse, Newton, Payne, Pettit, Peyton, Rayner, David S. Reid, Relfe, Rhett, Roberts, Saunders, Senter, Simpson, Thomas Smith, Steenrod, Stiles, Summers, Taylor, Thompson, Tucker, Weller, John White, Woodward, and Yancey-74.

[Mr. BoYD having been temporarily absent when his name was called, asked the general consent of the House to record his vote; which was refused. He said he should have voted in the negative had he been permitted.]

So the bill was passed.

The title having been read, viz: "A bill to reduce the rates of postage, to limit the use and correct the abuse of the franking privilege, and for the prevention of frauds on the revenues of the post office department," and agreed to, (as the reporter understood,)

Mr. HOUSTON rose and asked leave to call up a motion of reconsideration made a few days since. Mr. THOMPSON rose and objected to the title, and moved to amend it by striking out the title and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

"A bill to make the post office department a nuisance, and to guaranty the tariff law of 1842."

Mr. ELMER raised the point of order against the amendment on the ground that it was a reflection on the House.

The SPEAKER overruled the point of order, stating that he considered the amendment in order.

Mr. THOMPSON said no opportunity has been allowed me for the expression of my views on this subject. The course I have pursued on this bill has been followed with a view to make known my determined opposition to this measure. This bill is passed, and, in truth,

I consider the title offered, in my opinion, the most correct and truthful title that can be made. The only object I have in view is to illustrate this proposition.

No member on this floor, in the discussion of this bill, has pretended to assert that the revenues that will arise under the rates established by this law will be sufficient to keep in operation the present post routes as they now exist. This is a fact beyond all dispute. No one has the temerity to deny it. Then it follows, as a consequence, that, either the present mail service must be discontinued, or the money necessary to keep it in operation must be drawn from the treasury; and by the calculation of the chairman of the Post Office and Post Roads, we are informed that the receipts under this bill will not exceed $2,000,000; and that a require. ment, to keep up the present mail facilities, will be at least $3,000,000 in addition. Now, sir, this simple statement verifies the amendment of the title now offered.

Mr. Speaker, the great mass of the people of the United States are agriculturists; and in this matter their interest is adverse to the commercial men of the cities. And while the members on this floor from the cities are few, and the members from the interior are numerous, yet the cities, weak as they are, are now prevailing over the country. And the effect will be that, if you discontinue the mail routes and mail service now existing in the country, the great mass of the people of the United States will sensibly feel the Post Office Department as a public nuisance; and such will be the discontent in this country that I am greatly mistaken if members will not yet feel the wrath of an indignant people. The canting phrase that your letters are cheap, will not save members from their severest censure. The people know this government, and feel its advantages, only through the post office. Heretofore they have been content with such facilities as they were afforded by the accruing revenues of that department; they are not willing to give up these advantages, so long and so happily enjoyed by the mass of the people.

But, Mr. Speaker, I am to be told that it is not the intention of this bill to curtail the mail service now enjoyed. Then you must draw from the treasury the necessary means to sustain the department. This fact will make this bill a public nuisance, and guaranty the continuance of the tariff law of 1842. Thus you will make the man who does not use the post office pay for the correspondence of those who choose to avail themselves of its convenience. You make those who do not correspond, defray the expense of the correspondence of those for whose benefit the post office was established. For sixty years it has been generally agreed that those who are the post office should meet and pay the expenses necessary to keep it up; and this violation of the general wish will form another reason for the propriety of the amendment to the title.

But there is another part of this bill which will render it odious to the country, and, in my estimation, is an outrage to the common sense of the country. I will allude to the franking privilege of the members of Congress. It is required of each postmaster to keep an account of all the free matter which comes to each office. The postage is to be paid out of the treasury of the United States. The result of this arrangement will be, that while but few will be the recipients of our favors, the many will have to pay the charges incurred in dispensing these bounties of the members of Congress. Thus this bill will become a public nuisance.

In addition to this, while the poor postmasters, and the contractors and others connected with the Post Office Department, have heavy penalties attached to the violation of their privileges, small as they are under this bill, yet lordly members of Congress can use or abuse their privileges and no penalty is affixed. This supposes a purity on the part of members of Congress, and a suspicion of the other persons connected with the post office, which will strike our constituents with amazement, and will entitle this bill to the appellation I have given it.

Mr. GARRETT DAVIS raised the point of order against the discussion of the merits of the bill on the question of its title.

The SPEAKER overruled the point of order, and referred as a precedent confirmatory of the decision to a debate which had arisen of similar character on the sub-treasury bill. It was difficult to prescribe the exact lines within which the debate might properly be carried on, but the Chair did not consider

the gentleman's remarks thus far inapplicable to the amendment.

Mr. DAVIS appealed from the decision of the Chair; and demanded thereon the previous question.

The demand for the previous question was seconded, the main question was ordered, and being "shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of this House?" was taken, and decided in the affirmative-ayes 74, noes 40.

So the decision of the Chair was confirmed. Mr. THOMPSON was again proceeding with his remarks, when

Mr. STETSON raised another point of order, that the previous question having been ordered on the passage of the bill, it attached to the title thereof as an incident to the bill; and in support of this, he referred to a decision of the Chair ruling out of order debate on the title of the bill to repeal the sub-treasury act.

After a brief discussion on the point of order, in which Messrs. STETSON, WELLER, COBB, and THOMPSON, took part,

Mr. THOMPSON resumed. I will relieve gentlemen if they will withdraw their points of order. I will content myself with merely entering my protest against this bill, though I was exceedingly desirous of expressing my views in extenso in opposition to this iniquitous measure. In five minutes I will conclude my remarks. I will not embarrass the Speaker.

The franking privilege, as secured by this bill, is an odious privilege. Under it a member may frank the letters of all his friends, and incur no penalty. He becomes a poor agent of the Post Office Department; and all others abusing its privileges are severely punished. This provision will make this bill an abomination in the eyes of the people, or I am greatly deceived.

One other point. So meagre and despicable will be the remuneration to your country postmasters, that it will be impossible for the government to command materials worthy of the high trust to be reposed in this most useful and necessary class of officers. It throws the post offices into unworthy hands, and thus this bill will become a public nuisance. As I have no hope of carrying the amendment I have proposed, I will relieve gentlemen and withdraw it.

The title of the bill was then agreed to.

Mr. D. L. SEYMOUR moved the reconsideration of the vote on the passage of the bill, and moved the previous question; which was seconded by the House, and under its operation the reconsideration was refused.

Mr. HOUSTON moved to take up the motion to reconsider the vote laying the graduation land bill on the table.

Mr. SUMMERS asked the gentleman to withdraw his motion for five minutes, to allow him to make a report.

Mr. HOUSTON declined on the ground that similar applications were made by several other gentlemen.

Mr. VINTON moved a call of the House; which motion being carried,

Mr. BRINKERHOFF moved to suspend further proceedings under the call; which motion prevailed -ayes 88, noes 63.

Mr. HOPKINS asked if it was in order to move that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. It was important to pass on the bill establishing mail routes, so that it might be sent to the Senate in time to be acted on there.

The SPEAKER said the motion would not be in order.

The question was then put on the motion for reconsideration, and decided in the negative-yeas 81, nays 97, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Arrington, Atkinson, Belser, Benton, Bidlack, James A. Black, Bowlin, Boyd, Brinkerhoff, Brodhead, Aaron V. Brown, Milton Brown, Burke, Burt, Caldwell, Campbell, Shepard Cary, Reuben Chapman, Augustus A. Chapman, Clinton, Cobb, Dana, Darragh, John W. Davis, Dellet, Douglass, Duncan, Dunlap, Elmer, Ficklin, Foster, Fuller, Hannibal Hamlin, Hammett, Haralson, Henley, Herrick, Hoge, Hopkins, Houston, Hungerford, James B. Hunt, Jameson, Cave Johnson, George W. Jones, Andrew Kennedy, Leonard, Lumpkin, Lyon, McClelland, McClernand, McConnell, McDowell, Joseph Morris, Isaac E. Morse, Parmenter, Payne, Emery D Potter, Relfe, Roberts, St. John, Sample, Simpson, Slidell, Thomas Smith, Caleb B. Smith, Robert Smith, Steenrod, Taylor, Thomasson, Thompson, Tibbatts, Tucker, Wentworth, Wheaton, Benjamin White, Williams, Joseph A. Wright, and Yancey-81.

NAYS-Messrs. Adams, Baker, Barringer, Barnard, Bay.

ly, Brengle, Jeremiah Brown, Buffington, Carpenter, Carroll, Catlin, Chappell, Chilton, Clinch, Clingman, Coles, Collamer, Cranston, Daniel, Garrett Davis, Richard D. Davis, Deberry, Dickey, Dillingham, Dromgoole, Farlee, Fish, Florence, Foot, French, Giddings, Goggin, Byram Green, Grider, Hale, Edward S. Hamlin, Harper, Hubard, Hubbell, Hudson, Washington Hunt, Charles J. Ingersoll, Irvin, Jenks, Perley B. Johnson, John P. Kennedy, Daniel P. King, Kirkpatrick, Lucas, McIlvaine, McKay, Marsh, Edward Joy Morris, Freeman H. Morse, Moseley, Newton, Paterson, Phoenix, Pollock, Elisha R. Potter, Pratt, Preston, Purdy, Ramsey, Rayner, Charles M. Reed, David S. Reid, Reding, Ritter, Robinson, Rodney, Rogers, Russell, Severance, Thomas H. Seymour, Simons, Albert Smith, Spence, Stetson, Andrew Stewart, John Stewart, Stiles, Strong, Summers, Sykes, Tilden, Tyler, Vance, Vanmeter, Vinton, Wethered, John White, Winthrop, Woodward, William Wright, and Yost-97.

IMPROVEMENT OF HARBORS AND RIVERS On the motion of Mr. McKAY, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, Mr. BoYD in the chair.

Mr. JAMESON moved that the committee take up bill 541, making appropriations for the improvement of the navigation of certain rivers therein mentioned.

Mr. McKAY moved that the committee take up bill 501, being a bill making appropriations for the support of the army for the year ending on the 30th June, 1846.

The CHAIRMAN decided that the question must be first taken on the latter, being one of the general appropriation bills.

Tellers were called for, and Messrs. HOUSTON and PATERSON were appointed, and they reported 73 in the affirmative, and 75 in the negative.

So the motion of Mr. McKAY was negatived. The question then recurred on the motion of Mr. JAMESON, which was carried; the same tellers reporting 99 in the affirmative, and 40 in the negative. The Clerk then read the bill at length as follows:

A bill making appropriations for the improvement of the navigation of certain rivers therein mentioned.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That the following sums be, and the same are hereby, appropri ated, to be paid out of any unappropriated money in the treasury, for the following purposes, viz:

For keeping in repair and extending the public works, and removing the obstructions in the Hudson river, between the cities of Troy and Albany, and below the latter place, to render more accessible the United States arsenal and depot situated between these cities, one hundred thousand dollars;

For removing obstructions in the Savannah river, thirtyfive thousand dollars;

For the improvement of the navigation of Newark bay, and the Passaic river, near Newark, New Jersey, fifteen thousand dollars;

For removing obstructions from the mouth of the Susquehanna river, near Havre-de-Grace, and improving the ma■ channel into the Chesapeake bay, twenty thousand dollars,. For the improvement of the Ohio above the falls, one hun dred thousand dollars: and of this sum, the Secretary of War, if he deems it advisable, may apply fifteen thousand dollars to the improvement of what is commonly called the Indian chute, in the falls.

For the improvement of the Ohio river below the falls at Louisville, and of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Arkansas rivers, two hundred and forty thousand dollars.

Mr. TIBBATTS moved to strike out this bill, and insert a substitute which he sent to the Chair. The substitute was understood to embody the whole of bill No. 542, being a bill making appropria tions for the improvement of certain eastern and western harbors, with some important alterations. The amendment was read by the Clerk. Mr. RAYNER obtained the floor.

Mr. D. L, SEYMOUR rose to a question of order. He said it was not in order to strike out an entire bill and substitute another bill on the calendar.

The CHAIRMAN replied that the substitute was not a strict copy of any bill on the calendar, there being some important alterations made in it.

Mr. J. W. DAVIS contended that it was not in order to strike out the whole bill and insert anything, the object in Committee of the Whole being the perfecting of the bill.

Some further conversation on a point of order arose between Messrs. TIBBATTS and BARNARD.

Mr. BARNARD objected to the amendment of Mr. TIBBATTS, on the ground that it incorporated another pending bill before the House; which was in contravention, he contended, of the express provision of rule No. 55.

The CHAIR overruled the point of order, on the ground that the amendment was not identical with the bill, an addition having been made.

Mr. D. L. SEYMOUR moved an amendment appropriating $100,000 for keeping in repair, and extending the public works, and removing the obstructions in the Hudson river, between the cities of

Troy and Albany, and below the latter place, to render more accessible the United States arsenal and depot situated between these cities.

Mr. RAYNER resumed the floor. Remarking that the House were now in Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, he proposed to consider the state of the Union in its foreign as well as domestic relations. He was utterly opposed to the wild and extravagant expenditure of money proposed by this bill. It was proposed by this House to enter into a new and extravagant system of internal improvements, which was so well calculated to excite distrust and sectional jealousies among the people of this country. In addition to this was the fact that these appropriations were not made on their own merits, but voted for by members from different sections, on the mutual understanding, "if you aid my proposition, I will aid yours." He was in favor of improving the great thoroughfares of this country; but to this system of logrolling he was utterly opposed.

But even if, on ordinary occasions, he was in favor of these appropriations, he was utterly opposed to them when he looked at the condition of the country, which rather warned them to prepare against the day of evil; which every patriot and statesman must see was impending over the country, instead of launching into the system of extravagance proposed. He thought it very probable before another sun rose and set, the destiny of this nation, for weal or wo, would be fixed for years to come. The glory and honor of our country, he feared, had neared its culminating point, and in all probability its descent would be in a corresponding ratio to its upward flight to the pinnacle of glory and honor. He adverted to a measure pending in another branch of this legislature. He now gave notice that he should continue the remarks which had been cut off by the rule the other day, for he favored not the habit of getting up and saying a few words, and then publishing a long speech: what he put on paper he chose to say here.

He then first proceeded to argue partly in reply to Mr. DOUGLASS, that the treaty of 1803 imposed on us no obligations to annex Texas to the United States.

Another reason why he went against this extravagant expenditure for internal improvements, was the millions of the debt of Texas which would be entailed on the United States in case this annexation scheme was accomplished. He spoke not of the direct assumption of the debts of Texas; but what, he asked, would be our relation towards the creditors of Texas in case we annexed her. Would the civilized world hold us blameless, if, taking away the resources of Texas, we refused to pay her debts? He honestly believed, he said, if this Texas project was carried into consummation, this country would, in less than six months, be involved in all the horrors of war. He commented on the reckless manner in which war had been spoken of and dared, from time to time, by gentlemen on this floor.

He was sorry to see the lurking hostility to England that had lately manifested itself in certain quarters urging us into this Texas crusade and into taking possession of Oregon. He had heard gentlemen talk of our ability to cope with England, and of our ability to inflict on her the greatest injuries; and he had heard them talk of the American eagle driving the British lion from the continent. Why, the greatest captain on earth boasted that he would plant his eagles on the towers of Lisbon and drive the British lion from the continent of Europe; but the British lion kept advancing onwards till he made his lair in the palace of the Tuilleries, and sent that great captain to be caged on a rock in the midst of the Atlantic ocean. But if gentlemen would have war-if they would annex Texas, and, in defiance of treaty stipulations, take possession of Oregon-then he begged of them to take care of the public treasury and keep the money to pay soldiers instead of squandering it on magnificent schemes of internal improvements. He then referred to the Texas question, and after expressing his sympathies and good wishes for the people of Texas, contended that we ought to avoid interfering with their affairs. He deprecated the course taken by Messrs. Upshur and Calhoun in their correspondence on the Texas question, alleging that they had connected it from beginning to end with the question of slavery. He had always contended that slavery was a southern institution with which this government had no right to interfere either for or against it. Yet Messrs. Upshur and Calhoun, in their correspondence, had relinquished that strong ground.

He concluded with an apostrophe to the whig party; which, however, he had not finished when his hour expired.

Mr. THOMASSON next obtained the floor, and he commenced with some remarks on the speech of the gentleman who had just preceded him. He next discountenanced the introduction of any amendment which would call for an executive veto, such as the proposed amendment of the gentleman from New York.

Mr. BARNARD interposed, and made some explanations, in the course of which he said that he had good reason for believing that the President would not veto a bill making an appropriation for the Hudson river.

Mr. THOMASSON said he had hot had any opportunity of ascertaining the views of the executive on that subject, but he could not forget the veto of the last session. He then proceeded to argue in favor of the bill, and to show the vast utility of these proposed works of improvement in relation to the national defences, and the general interests of the people.

Mr. THOMPSON made some observations to show the reason why he opposed the appropriations for works within the States.

Mr. THOMASSON said these were mainly great highways of the nation, and were worthy of the aid of the general government. He called the attention of the House to some statistics which he had prepared of the loss annually sustained by Kentucky by the obstructions in these waters. While one life was lost on the seaboard, they lost a dozen; and yet, whenever an appropriation was called for for any of the great works on the Atlantic seaboard, the vote of Kentucky had not been withheld when she had been appealed to.

While the commerce of the West was charged $140,000 per year to pass the falls of the Ohio river, nothing could be got from this House to relieve them from this immense tax; and, at the same time, millions and millions of appropriations for the Atlantic coast were made by Congress, and with the support of the representatives from Kentucky. He gave notice that he should, before the bill was passed through, move an amendment for the purchase by the government of the stock in the Louisville and Portland canal, to make it free of toll.

Mr. T. having concluded,

Mr. MURPHY obtained the floor. In relation to the bill under consideration, his opinion was, and long had been, that it embraced principles which, if carried out, would lead to the destruction of the government. He did not, however, oppose all appropriations for internal improvements, because some of them he believed to be constitutional as well as in some cases expedient. He should not, at this time, discuss the bill under consideration, but, following the lead of the gentleman from North Carolina, [Mr. RAYNER,] he should, in this Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, consider the state of the Union generally, both foreign and domestic, and reply to gentlemen who had participated in the previous debates of this session. It was well known that at the late canvass a new issue had been introduced, looking to a change of our naturalization system. In that canvass he had been defeated; but he rather rejoiced at it defending the principles that he had espoused, than to have been the successful one on other grounds. An honorable gentleman [Mr. CLINGMAN] had seen fit to travel out of the beaten track of debate, and to bestow his attention on the State of New York. He read from Mr. CLINGMAN's speech, charging extensive frauds in the elections of New York, and in the judiciary of that State in naturalizing voters illegally. He pronounced this charge a slander on the judiciary, and on the voters of his State. But the gentleman no doubt had received his information from other sources; for the gentleman, as he learned, was at that time actively engaged in electioneering for his idol, Mr. Clay, in his own district of "Buncombe," in which the census returns showed that one-quarter of the whole free white voters could not read or write. Frauds by the democratic party! Had the gentleman forgotten the Bela Badger frauds, by which large numbers of voters were transported from Philadelphia to New York, to decide their election? In this recent election the frauds had been all against the democratic party. In reference to Mr. CLINGMAN's charge, of the circulation extensively of franked documents, he reminded the gentleman, and the House, of the well-known fact, of two honorable members of Congress having remain

ed in this city during the entire recess in franking documents.

The gentleman had seen fit to attack the Empire Club, Capt. Rhynders, its president, and its other officers, as blacklegs, &c. He thought it was rather unkind in the gentleman to make this charge, considering the relation in which the gentleman stood to one of the presidential candidates. There were similar charges made against Mr. Clay. He knew nothing of the correctness of either. As it was, they stood on the same footing.

He alluded to the charge made by Mr. CLINGMAN of voters voting sixteen times in New York. If the gentleman's informant knew this fact, why did he not bring it before the tribunals which were established for that purpose? If it were true, they must have been whigs; and that is the reason why it had not before been brought out to light.

He noticed further the charge of Mr. C., that an arrangement was made by which the sailors on the United States ship North Carolina were to be brought to Brooklyn to vote for him (Mr. M.;) and that, by the failure of this arrangement, by mistake-the sailors going over to the wrong side, to New York, and voting for his colleaguehis (Mr. M.'s) election was lost to him. He pronounced this statement in all its particulars false. He had never heard or dreamed of it before he heard it alluded to by the gentleman on this floor.

He gave a graphic account of the modus operandi of a certain rather questionable class of characters which he was sorry to say they had among them in New York, who played what was called the drop game. These persons watched the arrivals of steamboats and railroad cars, and selecting some traveller whom they considered green, (as they styled them,) they followed him, some preceding him, and dropping a purse containing a few spurious bills or coins; on finding which, the dispute arising between them as to whose should be the treasure, was finally settled by placing it, in consideration of some small reward, in the hands of the unsuspecting, inexperienced traveller, whose first discovery of the worthlessness of his prize resulted from his attempt to pass them off. Thus, he thought, the gentleman, so anxious in hunting up election frauds, must have fallen in with perhaps a similar class in politics, who had palmed off upon him these forgeries, which were discovered, and their true character revealed as soon as he had attempted to pass them off on this floor. [Laughter.]

He went on to explain the origin, objects, and movements of the native American party, and showed that their policy was in direct opposition to the principles on which our government was founded. This movement was not a novel one, for it had its origin in the days of the alien and sedition laws, and was defeated then by the republicans under Mr. Jefferson, as he trusted it would be now. He defended the policy of the present naturalization laws, and contended that no more frauds had been committed under them than under the administration of any other laws. All laws were liable to be evaded and violated; but he would tell gentlemen that if the term of naturalization was extended to 21 years, there would be much more danger of fraud and perjury than now, because the inducement would be greater.

Before concluding his remarks, Mr. M. yieldg the floor to

Mr. J. W. DAVIS, on whose motion the committee rose.

Mr. TIBBATTS offered a resolution that all debate, in Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, on the bill pending, should cease in half an hour after the House should again resolve itself into Committee of the Whole.

Mr. D. L. SEYMOUR moved to lay this resolution on the table; and, on taking the question, the vote was-ayes 30, noes 60..

No quorum voting,

A call of the House was moved and agreed to; and the Clerk called the roll, and 131 answered to their names.

Mr. TIBBATTS moved that all further proceedings under the call be dispensed with; but on that question a quorum did not vote.

Tellers were called for, and ordered; and Messrs. H. HAMLIN and THOMASSON were appointed; and they reported 82 in the affirmative, and 36 in the negative.

So the proceedings under the call were sus pended,

The question then recurred on the motion to lay the resolution on the table.

That motion was negatived.

The question then recurred on the adoption of the resolution.

Mr. J. W. DAVIS moved the previous question; and it was seconded by the House.

The main question was also ordered to be now put.

Mr. HOUSTON called for the yeas and nays on the adoption of the resolution; but they were not `ordered.

The resolution was then agreed to.

On the motion of Mr. TIBBATTS, the House again resolved itself into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, (Mr. BoYD, of Kentucky, in the chair,) and resumed the consideration of the harbor bill.

Mr. FICKLIN obtained the floor to offer an amendment.

Mr. R. SMITH desired his colleague to yield the floor to him, and he would offer the amendment for his colleague.

Mr. FICKLIN assented.

Mr. ROBERT SMITH then proceeded to address the committee.

A member remarked, "Now give us a touch at Patagonia, for we have had Texas and nativeism under the form of a harbor bill.”

Mr. R. SMITH said he must decline compliance, for the only portion of the country that he should touch upon would be that through which the "Cumberland road" ran. [Laughter.]

Mr. S. occupied the remainder of the time allotted to debate in an earnest and forcible argument in behalf of further appropriations for the Cumberland road, maintaining its constitutionality, and advocating it on considerations of justice and expediency.

The hour for the termination of the debate having arrived, the committee proceeded to vote on the several amendments offered to the bill.

Mr. DAVIS, of Indiana, moved an amendment to insert $75,000 for the improvement of the Wabash river in Indiana and Illinois: rejected.

Mr. STEENROD moved to strike out, in the clause appropriating $100,000 for the improvement of the Ohio river above the falls, the proviso authorizing the Secretary of War, if he deem it advisable, to apply $15,000 thereof to the improvement of what is commonly called the Indian chute on the falls: rejected.

Mr. FICKLIN offered an amendment appropriating $100,000 for the improvement of the navigation of the Great Wabash river; $50,000 to the improvement of the navigation of the Embarrass river; and $50,000 to the improvement of the Kaskaskia river; and providing that such members of the corps of topographical engineers as may not be needed about the capital, and as may be entirely out of any useful employment, be stationed as a corps of observation, at eligible points on the lakes and rivers herein specified, to be continued until the meeting of the next Congress, provided that no part of the money herein specified shall be paid to the topographical engineers aforesaid.

The question was taken, and the amendment was rejected.

Mr. HOGE offered an amendment, appropriating for the improvement of the upper and lower rapids in the Mississippi river, $100,000: rejected.

Mr. McCLERNAND offered an amendment appropriating $50,000 for removing the obstructions in the Ohio river at the Grand and Little Chains: rejected.

Mr. ROBERTS offered an amendment appropriating $50,000 for the improvement of Pearl river: rejected.

Mr. STEENROD offered an amendment appropriating $30,000 for building a bridge across the Ohio river at Wheeling, Virginia: rejected.

Mr. SLIDELL offered an amendment appropriating $300,000 for the harbor of New Orleans: rejected.

Mr. PRATT offered an amendment appropriating $15,000 for removing the bar in the Hudson river opposite the mouth of Catskill creek: rejected.

Mr. GOGGIN offered an amendment appropriating $20,000 for the improvement of the James river: rejected.

Mr. BLACKWELL offered an amendment appropriating $100,000 for the improvement of the Tennessee river: rejected.

Mr. HAMMETT offered an amendment appro

priating $10,000 for the removal of the bar at Pass Christian, in the Gulf of Mexico: rejected.

Mr. J. W. DAVIS offered an amendment appropriating $75,000 for the Wabash river: rejected." Mr. J. E. MORSE offered an amendment appropriating $20,000 for the survey and improvement of the Sabine river: rejected.

Mr. HOGE offered an amendment appropriating $100,000 for the improvement of the upper and lower rapids of the Mississippi river: rejected.

Mr. ANDREW JOHNSON offered an amendment appropriating $50,000 for the Tennessee river and its tributaries; which was rejected.

Mr. J. said he would not be understood, in the presentation of this amendment, as expressing any opinion in relation to the power of the federal government to appropriate money for such purposes, or as committing himself in any way in favor of the general government making internal improvements through the States. His opinion, when the question was presented in a proper form, would be expressed without reserve.

Mr. DELLET offered an amendment appropriating $30,000 for erecting fortifications on Dauphin Island, Mobile bay: rejected.

Mr. STEENROD moved to strike out that portion of the bill which makes appropriations for the Hudson river: rejected.

Mr. HARDIN offered an amendment appropriating $100,000 for a ship channel round the Saut de St. Mary's; and on taking the question the vote was ayes 76, noes 32.

No quorum voting,

Mr. HALE moved that the committee rise; which motion was rejected.

The question was again put on Mr. HARDIN'S amendment, and the vote was ayes 75, noes 23.

Several amendments were offered and voted upon, but amidst the confusion which prevailed, the purport could not be obtained.

Mr. BLACKWELL offered an amendment for the improvement of the Tennessee river $100,000. The amendment was negatived.

Other amendments were offered by Mr. HAMMETT.

By Mr. HOUSTON, $100,000 for the Mississippi river: rejected.

By Mr. STEENROD, for a bridge across the Ohio river: rejected.

By Mr. SLIDELL, $300,000 for improving the harbor at New Orleans: rejected.

By Mr. RAYNER, $100,000 for the improvement of the navigation from Albemarle to the Atlantic, in North Carolina: rejected.

Ry Mr. CROSS, $75,000 for Red river: rejected. Mr. STEENROD moved that the committee rise. The motion was agreed to.

The committee accordingly rose and reported progress.

Mr. TIBBATTS moved that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, and called the yeas and nays on this motion.

Mr. THOMPSON moved that the House adjourn.

The yeas and nays, and tellers, were successively asked, and refused.

Mr. McKAY appealed to Mr. THOMPSON to withdraw the motion to adjourn.

Mr. THOMPSON complied with the request. Mr. McKAY, stating that to-morrow was the last day of the session, when, under the rules, bills could be sent to the Senate, moved that when the Honse adjourn, they adjourn to meet at ten o'clock: which was agreed to.

On motion of Mr. THOMPSON, the House then adjourned to to-morrow, at ten o'clock.

The following notices of petitions presented today, were handed to the reporters by the members presenting them:

By Mr. STILES: The petition of F. A. Tepper, praying remuneration for services not provided for by law, as the United States "weigher and gauger" at Savannah, Georgia: referred to the Committee on Commerce.

By Mr. BOWLIN: The memorial of T. B. Hudson and others, a committee of a public meeting of the citizens of St. Louis, submitting facts and reasons in support of the enlargement of the appropriation for the harbor of St. Louis, Missouri: referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.

By Mr. J. BLACK: Two petitions, signed by 240 citizens of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, praying that the Senate bill for the reduction on postage may become a law: referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.

By Mr. WENTWORTH: The petition of Silas Chatfield,

of McHenry county, Illinois, for a pension: referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions.

By Mr. ROGERS: The petition of 155 citizens of Greenwich, Washington county, New York, in favor of the post office bill from the Senate, and praying for the passage of the same: referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.

By H. DODGE: The petition of 141 citizens of the Territory of Wisconsin, asking Congress for an appropriation for a light-house at Sank harbor, Washington county, on the western shore of Lake Michigan, in said Territory: referred to the Committee on Commerce. The petition of 68 citizens of Milwaukie county, Territory of Wisconsin, asking the establishment of a mail route from the town' Milwaukie to Wawatoosi and Brookfield, through the south part of Menomonie, Lisbon and Warsaw, and through the north part of Delafield, intersecting the mail route at the town of Summit, in said Territory: referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. The petition of 209 citizens of the Territory of Wisconsin, asking the establishment of a mail route from Gratiot's Grove, Iowa county, to Madison, the seat of government in said Territory: referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

By Mr. DANA: The memorial of George Lane and other publishers in New York, against forcing all newspapers to pass through the mail. Also, the petition of 170 inhabitants of Penn Yann, Yates county, New York. praying the passage of the Senate bill reducing postage to five cents on a letter not exceeding half an ounce in weight. Also, the petition of 130 inhabitants of Ithaca, New York, praying for the passage of the Senate bill to reduce postage.

By Mr. FRENCH: The petition of James Abbot, of Lawrence county, Kentucky, praying for a pension: referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions.

By Mr. PRATT: A petition from a large number of the inhabitants of Catskill, for the removal of obstructions in the navigation of their creek at its junction with the Hudson river.

By Mr. STRONG: Several petitions numerously signed by the inhabitants of Riverhead and Patchogue, in Suffolk County, New York, praying the House to pass the Senate bill for the reduction of postage.

By Mr. MURPHY: The petition of Edward Corning and others, of Brooklyn, in the State of New York, praying the passage of the Senate bill for the reduction of postage.

IN SENATE.

THURSDAY, February 27, 1845.

On motion by Mr. EVANS, the reading of the journal was dispensed with.

The PRESIDENT pro tem. laid before the Senate the memorial of the legislative assembly of Wisconsin, relative to the United States road from the falls of St. Croix to Laporte, on Lake Superior, and other roads; which were ordered to be printed.

Mr. MERRICK presented a memorial from Natchez, Mississippi, praying a reduction of the rates of postage, and the abolition of the franking privilege: ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. BATES presented a report of a committee adopted by the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, accompanied by resolutions which passed that body, declaring its opposition to the acquisition of any foreign territory to the United States by legislative enactment as repugnant to the constitution; and to the admission into the Union of Texas, or any State or Territory not now within the limits of the Union, on any other basis than the perfect equality of freemen.

Mr. EVANS, from the Committee on Finance, reported a bill supplementary to the act entitled An act regulating the value of foreign coin at the custom-houses of the United States-regulating the value of the Austrian florin; which was read twice; and, the previous orders being postponed for the purpose, was taken up and considered as in committee of the whole, reported to the Senate, and finally passed.

Mr. WOODBRIDGE, from the Committee on the Public Lands, reported a bill to abolish the land office at Fort Wayne, Indiana, to modify the boundaries of certain land districts, and to provide for the sale of certain lands acquired from the Miami Indians, in the same State; which was read, and ordered to a second reading.

Mr. PEARCE introduced a joint resolution concerning the accounting officers of the treasury; which was read, and ordered to a second reading.

Mr. PEARCE presented a petition from John Smith Hanna, of Baltimore, against the annexation of Texas to the United States; which was ordered to be printed.

Mr. BAYARD, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to which the subject was referred, reported a resolution in favor of printing 500 copies extra of the_astronomical and magnetic observations made by Lieutenant Gillis, under the instruction of the Navy Department of the 13th August, 1838; which was agreed to.

On motion by Mr. CHOATE, the Committee on the Library was discharged from the further consideration of the memorial of the American Statistical Association, praying the adoption of measures for

the correction of errors in the returns of the sixth census; and a report which he made upon the subject, was ordered to be printed.

On motion by Mr. WHITE, the previous orders of the day were postponed, and the bill for the relief of William Hanson was taken up and considered, as in committee of the whole, reported to the Senate, and finally passed.

GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL

On motion by Mr. EVANS, the previous orders af the day were postponed, and the Senate took up for consideration, as in committee of the whole, on numerous amendments proposed by the Finance Committee, the bill making appropriation for the civil and diplomatic expenses of the government. The following amendments of the Committee on Finance were agreed to, viz:

Increasing the appropriation from fifty to sixty thousand dollars for stationery, fuel and printing, and all other contingent expenses of the Senate.

Striking out the proviso to the appropriation for certain books ordered last Congress

That no part of this sum shall be paid until the Committee of Accounts of the House have examined the prices charged by the several publishers and others for their books, and reported to the clerk that the same are fair and reasonable,

And inserting:

That the accounts for the said books shall be settled at the Treasury Department, upon satisfactory evidence of the delivery of the same, according to the intent of said resolution.

By inserting:

For compensation of three clerks employed in the office of the Secretary of the Senate, under resolutions of the Sen. ate, four thousand five hundred dollars.

By inserting after the appropriation for the repair of the President's House, the following:

Provided, That the painting of the same shall be done under contract, to be made with the lowest bidder, after proposals for the same shall have been published in two of the principal newspapers printed in the city of Washington, for the period of sixty days.

An amendment increasing the appropriation for the expenses of salary of the Secretary of the Treasury and his clerks from $26,050 to $27,800.

An amendment increasing the appropriation for the office of the First Comptroller from $26,200 to $28,550.

An amendment increasing the appropriation for the office of the First Auditor from $18,900 to $19,900.

An amendment increasing the appropriation for the office of the Second Auditor from $20,900 to $21,900.

An amendment increasing the appropriation for the office of the Third Auditor from $35,050 to $38,350.

An amendment increasing the appropriation for the office of the Fourth Auditor from $18,950 to $20,950.

An amendment increasing the appropriation for the office of the Fifth Auditor from $12,800 to $14,000.

An amendment increasing the appropriation for the office of the Register of the Treasury from $27,200 to $30,300.

By adding the following proviso to the clause appropriating money to pay the expenses of the land office:

Provided, That it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to reduce the number of clerks to be employed in the General Land Office, from and after the thirtieth day of June next, to sixty; and any excess of appropriations herein made for clerks in that office shall be carried to the surplus fund of the treasury.

An amendment increasing the appropriation for the office of the Solicitor of the Treasury from $7,450 to $13,000.

An amendment increasing the appropriation to the office of the Secretary of the Navy from $19,350 to $19,500.

To add to the clause appropriating for compensation to the office of chief of the Bureau of Construction the following

For two clerks at the rate of twelve hundred dollars each, and one clerk at the rate of one thousand dollars, hereby authorized to be appointed in the Bureau of Construction, Equipment, and Repairs, three thousand four hundred dol

lars.

ed in the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing, twelve hundred dollars.

An amendment inserting "superintendent" in the clause appropriating money for the support of the General Post Office Department; and also increasing the appropriation from $74,300, to $74,550. Amended by adding:

For paving and repairing Pennsylvania avenue, and repairing the road to the congressional burial ground and to the navy yard, agreeably to the mode and under the superintendence provided in a bill for that purpose, which passed the Senate February twenty, one thousand eight hundred and forty-four, thirty-eight thousand dollars.

For laying the foundation and commencing the superstructure of the west wing of the Post Office, fifteen thousand dollars.

Amended by striking out the following

For the employment of additional counsel or agents for the defence of the interests of the United States in suits au. thorized to be brought against the United States by virtue of the act of the 17th day of June, 1844, entitled an act to provide for the adjustment of land claims within the States of Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana, and in those part of the States of Mississippi and Alabama south of the 31st de. gree of north latitude, and between the Perdido and Mississippi rivers, five thousand dollars.

The next amendment of the committee was to reduce the full ministers to Austria and Brazil to chargés.

Mr. BUCHANAN inquired of the chairman of the Finance Committee, [Mr. EVANS,] why the mission to Austria was reduced.

Mr. EVANS remarked that the committee had come to the conclusion that a chargé to each of these courts was sufficient, those governments having sent that grade of ministers here. There were only chargés from Austria and Brazil here; and, as there would be a change in our missions there by the 1st of July, the committee were of opinion that this was the proper time to carry into effect the reduction so much desired. All that the committee proposed was to substitute charges for full ministers at these courts.

Mr. BUCHANAN remarked that, in regard to the mission with Brazil at the present time--so far as he was acquainted with the relations of the United States with foreign governments-there was but one mission more important. Our commercial relations with that country are extensive. He knew that some time past a leading power was endeavoring to obtain commercial relations with that country.

He wished to know better, before such a change was made, what was the present condition of our relations with Brazil. He believed that they were going on successfully, and that important benefits might be expected from the present diplomatic grade there. He did not know the rank of the minister of Brazil to this country. He believd, however, a diplomatic resident minister, which, under the law of nations, was just as high as the general rank of ministers. [Here Mr. EVANS said he would not press the redection of the minister to Brazil;] Mr. B. then remarked that, as to Austria, he knew little or nothing. He did not know whether that government had sent another minister plenipotentiary to this government or not. He was without any knowledge on that subject. However, after we have established a full minister to Austria, and on the suggestion of the Emperor of Austria, who desired to maintain the most friendly relations with us, 'it appeared to him rather strange to

cut

it off-especially without knowing what our relations with that government were, and our success in regard to the great tobacco enterprise set on foot by a convention which met in this city. He greatly preferred that the senator from Maine, [Mr. EVANS,] would agree to let that mission stand as it was. If he had time to go the Department of State, he could speak more confidently as to the importance of maintaining a full minister at that court. He believed that these appropriations were generally granted on the incoming of a new administration. It is not to be inferred, because the appropriations are made, that they will be used. The question, then, was whether the Senate of the United States, without knowing or pretending to know the relations of the United States with Austria, would at once destroy a mission which was originally established by the request of the Emperor of Austria himself. He sent one of his most dignified diplomatic officers, who continued here a number of years. He did not understand that that government had reduced the rank of their minister to this country. Then, sir, in regard to that,-the oldest and proudest monarchy of Europe and always a friend to the United States,-he must object to this summary mode of cutting down the rank of our minister there.

Mr. EVANS said he did not desire to consume the valuable time of the Senate, but would merely state the reason which had induced the Committee on Finance to propose this amendment. They were guided by a desire to maintain missions of the same grade at Brazil and Austria as were maintained by the emperors of those countries in the United States. He had consented to allow the appropriation for a full mission to Brazil to remain, inasmuch as it had been requested by the senator from Pennsylvania, [Mr. BUCHANAN,] and other friends of the mission. In the case of Austria, however, he would remark that there was no important negotiations in progress with that country at present, except, perhaps, the negotiation about fixing the value of coin. If the friends of the incoming administration, however, insisted upon the appropriation, he (Mr. E.) would consent, as it was immaterial to him. He had supposed that the senator from Pennsylvania, [Mr. BUCHANAN,] who was consulted on the subject, had consented to the amendment proposed by the com

mittee.

Mr. BUCHANAN said he was not aware that he had been consulted in this matter by the chairman of the Finance Committee. The senator remarked that there was no important negotiation going on between this country and Austria, except that in relation to the value of coin. Had the senator inquired at the State Department about our relations with Austria The mission was established upon the suggestion of a tobacco convention-a most respectable body-which assembled in Washington a few years since. The subject of our tobacco trade had been steadily pursued by the minister, as he (Mr. B.) knew; for he had corresponded with the secretary of legation. He hoped that the mission would be continued, and the appropriation not stricken out by the Senate.

Mr. McDUFFIE desired to know what was the amount of commerce annually carried on between the United States and Austria.

Mr. EVANS could not say; but he knew that the amount was not great.

Mr. McDUFFIE had but a word to say in relation to the proposed amendment. A new administration was about to come into power. Much had been said in the country about economy and reform; and he hoped the new administration would begin the work of economy. He regarded many of these foreign missions, as very much like some of our army and naval establishments, intended rather for the benefit of persons, than of the government which supported them. If he understood the commercial relations between this country and Austria, that country, considering its extent and power in Europe, was least of all other powers to be regarded by us. He felt sure that a minister of a lower grade than we now kept in Austria would be sufficient for all our purposes, and that an embassy of a higher grade than a chargeship was a mere sinecure. Such was the grade of the minister sent by the Emperor of Austria to this country; and a reduction of the grade of our minister could not be considered at all disrespectful to that sovereign.

Mr. BUCHANAN remarked that the present Secretary of State was as much attached to economy and reform as any man in the country, and yet he had recommended the continuance of this as a full mission. He read from the estimates received from the State Department to show the fact. Nevertheless, he (Mr. B.,) would not press the matter further. If the Senate believed it right to reduce the Austrian mission, he would not object.

The question was then taken upon the amendment of the Committee on Finance, reducing the mission to Brazil from a full mission to a chargéship, and non-concurred in.

The amendment of the committee reducing the mission to Austria, from a full mission to a chargéship was agreed to, and the appropriation was reduced accordingly.

The next amendment was agreed to as follows:

For the purchase of five hundred copies of the Digest of the Revenue Laws of the United States, by Thomas F. Gordon, for the Treasury Department, if the same can be obtained for this sum, four thousand dollars.

An amendment was agreed to, increasing the appropriation for the publication of maps and charts in the office of coast survey from $4,000 to $12,000.

The following amendments of the committee were then agreed to, viz:

Page 23, after line 552, insert, "For the adjustment of claims arising under the act of the fifth of Marchi, one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, for the relief of Lieutenant Colonel William Lawrence and others, being a reappropria tion of an amount heretofore carried to the surplus fund,