On motion of Mr. BREESE, it was Ordered, That the Secretary acquaint the House of Representatives that a quorum of the Senate has assembled, and that the Senate is ready to proceed to business. On motion of Mr. FAIRFIELD, it was [30TH CONG. it appeared that all the members were present except Messrs. KING, of Georgia; BowDON, of Alabama; BROWN, of Mississippi; GAINES, of Kentucky; COCKE, of Tennessee; FICKLIN, of Illinois; and PILLSBURY, of Texas. The Clerk then announced that a quorum being present, it was competent for the memOrdered, That the daily hour of meeting be bers to proceed to the election of a Speaker. twelve o'clock, until otherwise ordered. On motion of Mr. CAMERON, it was Resolved, That each Senator be supplied, during the present session, with newspapers, as heretofore, not exceeding the cost of four daily papers. On motion of Mr. MANGUM, Pennsylvania.-John Blanchard, Jasper E. Brady, Richard Brodhead, Charles Brown, Chester Butler, John Dickey, George N. Eckert, John W. Farrelly, John Freedley, Moses Hampton, John W. Hornbeck, Charles J. Ingersoll, Joseph R. Ingersoll, Alexander Irvin, Lewis C. Levin, Job Mann, Abraham R. McIlvaine, Henry Nes, James Pollock, Andrew Stewart, John Strohm, William Strong, James Thompson, David Wilmot. Delaware.-John W. Houston. Maryland.—John G. Chapman, John W. Crisfield, Alexander Evans, Thomas W. Ligon, Robert M. McLane, J. Dixon Roman. Virginia.-Archibald Atkinson, Thomas H. Bayly, Richard L. T. Beale, Henry Bedinger, Thomas S. Bocock, John M. Botts, William G. Brown, Thomas S. Flournoy, Andrew S. Fulton, William L. Goggin, Richard K. Meade, James McDowell, John S. Pendleton, William B. Preston, Robert A. Thompson. North Carolina.-Daniel M. Barringer, Nathaniel Boydon, Thomas L. Clingman, John R. J. Daniel, Richard S. Donnell, James J. McKay, David Outlaw, Augustine H. Shepperd, Abraham W. Venable. South Carolina.-James A. Black, Armistead Burt, Isaac E. Holmes, Robert Barnwell Rhett, Alexander D. Sims, Richard F. Simpson, Joseph A. Woodward. Georgia.-Howell Cobb, Hugh A. Haralson, Alfred IverBon, John W. Jones, Thomas B. King, John H. Lumpkin, Alexander H. Stephens, Robert Toombs. Alabama.-Franklin W. Bowdon, Williamson R. W. Cobb, John Gayle, Sampson W. Harris, Henry W. Hilliard, George S. Houston, Samuel W. Inge. Mississippi.-Albert G. Brown, Winfield S. Featherston, Jacob Thompson, Patrick W. Tompkins. Whereupon Mr. JOHN Q. ADAMS moved that the members proceed to the election of a Speaker of the House for the Thirtieth Congress, the members voting viva voce. The question being put by the Clerk, it was agreed to. Mr. DANIEL P. KING, of Massachusetts, Mr. JAMES A. BLACK, of South Carolina, and Mr. RICHARD W. THOMPSON, of Indiana, were appointed tellers. The Clerk then proceeded to call the roll alphabetically. Mr. WINTHROP having received a majority of the whole number of votes given, he was declared duly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States for the ducted to the Speaker's chair by Mr. MCKAY, Thirtieth Congress, and was thereupon conof North Carolina, and Mr. VINTON, of Ohio. dressed the House as follows: On taking the chair, Mr. WINTHROP ad Gentlemen of the House of Representatives of the United States: I am deeply sensible of the honor which you have conferred upon me by the vote which has just Louisiana.-John H. Harmanson, Isaac E. Morse, Emile La Sère, Bannon G. Thibodeaux. Ohio.-Richard S. Canby, John Crowell, John D. Cummins, Rudolphus Dickinson, Daniel Duncan, Thomas O. Edwards, Nathan Evans, James J. Faran, David Fisher, George Fries, Joshua R. Giddings, William Kennon, Samuel Lahm, John K. Miller, Jonathan D. Morris, James Ritchey, Joseph M. Root, William Sawyer, Robert C. Schenck, John L. Taylor, Samuel F. Vinton. Kentucky.-Green Adams, Linn Boyd, Aylett Buckner, Beverly L. Clark, Garnett Duncan, Richard French, John P. Gaines, Charles S. Morehead, Samuel O. Peyton, John B. Thompson. Tennessee.-Washington Barrow, Lucien B. Chase, William M. Cocke, John H. Crozier, Meredith P. Gentry, William P. Haskill, Hugh L. W. Hill, Andrew Johnson, George W. Jones, Frederick P. Stanton, James H. Thomas. Indiana.-Charles W. Cathcart, George G. Dunn, Elisha Embree, Thomas J. Henley, John Pettit, John L. Robinson, William Rockhill, Caleb B. Smith, Richard W. Thompson, William W. Wick. Illinois.—John A. McClernand, Orlando B. Ficklin, Abraham Lincoln, William A. Richardson, Robert Smith, Thomas J. Turner, John Wentworth. Missouri.-James B. Bowlin, James S. Greene, Willard P. Hall, John Jamieson, John S. Phelps. Arkansas.-Robert W. Johnson. Michigan-Kingsley S. Bingham, Robert McClelland, Charles E. Stuart. Florida.-Edward C. Cabell. Texas.-David S. Kaufman, Timothy Pillsbury. Iowa.-Shepherd Leffler, William Thompson. Wisconsin T.-John H. Tweedy. been announced, and I pray leave to express my most grateful acknowledgments to those who have thought me worthy of so distinguished a mark of their confidence. When I remember by whom this chair has been filled in other years, and, still more, when I reflect on the constitutional character of the body before me, I cannot but feel that you have assigned me a position worthy of any man's ambition, and far above the rightful reach of my own. I approach the discharge of its duties with a profound impression at once of their dignity and of their difficulty. Seven years of service as a member of this branch of the National Legislature have more than sufficed to teach me that this is no place of mere formal routine or ceremonious repose. Severe labors, perplexing cares, trying responsibilities, await any one who is called to it, even under the most auspicious and favorable circumstances. How, then, can I help trembling at the task which you have imposed on me, in the existing condition of this House and of the country? In a time of war, in a time of high political excitement, in a time of momentous national controversy, I see before me the Representatives of the People almost equally divided, not merely, as the votes this morning have already indicated, in their preference for persons, but in opinion and in principle, on many of the most important questions on which they have assembled to deliberate. May I not reasonably claim, in advance, from you all, something more than an ordinary measure of forbearance and indulgence, for whatever of inability I may manifest, in meeting the exigencies and embarrassments which I cannot hope to escape? And may I not reasonably implore, with something more than common fervency, upon your labors and upon my own, the blessing of that Almighty Power, whose recorded attribute it is, that "He maketh men to-be of one mind in a house!" Let us enter, gentlemen, upon our work of legislation with a solemn sense of our responsibility to God and to our country. However we may be divided on questions of immediate policy, we are united by the closest ties of permanent interest and permanent obligation. We are the Representatives of twenty millions of people, bound together by common laws and a common liberty. A common flag floats daily over us, on which there is not one of us who would see a stain rest, and from which there is not one of us who would see a star struck. And we have a common constitution, to which the oaths of allegiance, which it will be my first duty to administer to you, will be only, I am persuaded, the formal expression of those sentiments of devotion which are already cherished in all our hearts. There may be differences of opinion as to the powers which this constitution confers upon us; but the purposes for which it was created are inscribed upon its face in language which cannot be misconstrued. It was ordained and established "to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity." Union, justice, domestic tranquillity, the common defence, the general welfare, and the security of liberty for us and for those who shall come after us, are thus the great objects for which we are to ex [DECEMBER, 1847. ercise whatever powers have been intrusted to us. And I hazard nothing in saying that there have been few periods in our national history, when the eyes of the whole people have been turned more intently and more anxiously towards the Capitol than they are at this moment, to see what is to be done, here and now, for the vindication and promotion of these lofty ends. Let us resolve, then, that those eyes shall at least witness on our part duties discharged with diligence, deliberations conducted with dignity, and efforts honestly and earnestly made for the peace, prosperity, and honor of the Republic. I shall esteem it the highest privilege of my public life, if I shall be permitted to contribute any thing to these results by a faithful and impartial administration of the office which I have now accepted. The oath of office, as required by the sixth article of the constitution, and as prescribed by the act of Congress of June 1, 1789, to wit, "That I will support the Constitution of the United States," was then administered to the Speaker by Mr. JOHN Q. ADAMS. The SPEAKER announced that the next act to be done in the organization of the House was to administer the oath (or affirmation) of office to the other members present, and to that end he would, therefore, direct the Clerk to call the roll by States, commencing with the State of Maine. The roll was then called over, and the same oath (or affirmation) as stated above, was administered by the SPEAKER to all the other members present. On motion of Mr. WHITE, it was inform that body that a quorum of the House of Ordered, That a message be sent to the Senate to Representatives has assembled, and that ROBERT C. WINTHROP, one of the Representatives from the State of Massachusetts, has been chosen Speaker, and that the House is now ready to proceed to business; and that the Clerk do go with said message. IN SENATE. TUESDAY, December 7. A message was received from the House of Representatives, by BENJAMIN B. FRENCH, Esq., Clerk, informing the Senate that a quorum of the House had assembled; that ROBERT C. WINTHROP, one of the Representatives from the State of Massachusetts, had been chosen Speaker; and that the House was now ready to proceed to business. Also, that the House had passed a resolution for the appointment of a joint committee to wait on the President of the United States, and inform him that a quorum of the House had assembled, and that the House was ready to receive any communication he might be pleased to make; and that Mr. HUNT, of New York, and Mr. COBB, of Georgia, had been appointed the committee on their part. The Senate adjourned. James Dela ander Es Dixon Ro ard L. T don, Tho E. Holm Richard Georg son, Joh Alexan Alab Cobbl George Jacob T State of Texas, striking the first blow, and shedding the blood of our citizens on our own soil. Though the United States were the aggrieved nation, Mexico commenced the war, and we were compelled, in self-defence, to repel the invader, and to vindicate the national honor and interests by prosecuting it with vigor until we could obtain a just and honorable peace. [DECEMBER, 1847. of the fall of the city of Vera Cruz, and with it the strong castle of San Juan de Ulloa, by which it was defended. Believing that after these and other successes, so honorable to our arms and so disastrous to Mexico, the period was propitious to afford her another opportunity, if she thought proper to embrace it, to enter into negotiations for peace, a Commissioner was appointed to proceed to the headquarters of our army, with full powers to enter upon negotiations, and to conclude a just and honorable treaty of peace. He was not directed to make any new overtures of peace, but was the bearer of a despatch from the Secretary of State of the United States to the Minister of Foreign Aflatter of the twenty-second of February, 1847, in which the Mexican Government was informed of his appointment, and of his presence at the headquarters of our army, and that he was invested with full powers to conclude a definitive treaty of peace, whenever the Mexican Government might signify a desire to do so. While I was unwilling to subject the United States to another indignant refusal, I was yet resolved that the evils of the war should not be protracted a day longer than might be rendered absolutely necessary by the Mexican Govern On learning that hostilities had been commenced by Mexico, I promptly communicated that fact, accompanied with a succinct statement of our other causes of complaint against Mexico, to Congress; and that body, by the act of the thirteenth of May, 1846, declared, that "by the act of the Republic of Mexico, a state of war exists between that Gov-fairs of Mexico, in reply to one received from the ernment and the United States." This act, declaring "the war to exist by the act of the Republic of Mexico," and making provision for its prosecution "to a speedy and successful termination," was passed with great unanimity by Congress, there being but two negative votes in the Senate, and but fourteen in the House of Representatives. The existence of the war having thus been declared by Congress, it became my duty, under the constitution and the laws, to conduct and prosecute it. This duty has been performed; and though, at every stage of its progress, I have manifested a willingness to terminate it by a just peace, Mexico has refused to accede to any terms which could be accepted by the United States, consistently with the national honor and interest. The rapid and brilliant successes of our arms, and the vast extent of the enemy's territory which had been overrun and conquered before the close of the last session of Congress, were fully known to that body. Since that time, the war has been prosecuted with increased energy, and I am gratified to state with a success which commands universal admiration. History presents no parallel of so many glorious victories achieved by any nation within so short a period. Our army, regulars and volunteers, have covered themselves with imperishable honors. Whenever and wherever our forces have encountered the enemy, though he was in vastly superior numbers, and often intrenched in fortified positions of his own selection, and of great strength, he has been defeated. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon our officers and men, regulars and volunteers, for their gallantry, discipline, indomitable courage and perseverance, all seeking the post of danger, and vying with each other in deeds of noble daring. ment. Care was taken to give no instructions to the Commissioner which could in any way interfere with our military operations, or relax our energies in the prosecution of the war. He possessed no authority in any manner to control these operations. He was authorized to exhibit his instructions to the General in command of the army; and in the event of a treaty being concluded and ratified on the part of Mexico, he was directed to give him notice of that fact. On the happening of such contingency, and on receiving notice thereof, the General in command was instructed by the Secretary of War to suspend further active military operations until further orders. These instructions were given with a view to intermit hostilities, until the treaty thus ratified by Mexico could be transmitted to Washington, and receive the action of the Government of the United States. The Commissioner was also directed, on reaching the army, to deliver to the General in command the despatch which he bore from the Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, and, on receiving it, the General was instructed by the Secretary of War to cause it to be transmitted to the commander of the Mexican forces, with a request that it might be communicated to his Government. The Commissioner did not reach the head-quarters of the army until after another brilliant victory had crowned our arms at Cerro Gordo. While every patriot's heart must exult, and a just national pride animate every bosom, in beholding the high proofs of courage, consummate military skill, steady discipline, and humanity to the vanquished enemy, exhibited by our gallant army, the nation is called to mourn over the loss The despatch which he bore from the Secretary of many brave officers and soldiers who have fallen of War to the General in command of the army was in defence of their country's honor and interests. received by that officer, then at Jalapa, on the The brave dead met their melancholy fate in a for- seventh day of May, 1847, together with the deeign land, nobly discharging their duty, and with spatch from the Secretary of State to the Minister their country's flag waving triumphantly in the face of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, having been transof the foe. Their patriotic deeds are justly ap-mitted to him from Vera Cruz. The Commissioner preciated, and will long be remembered by their grateful countrymen. The parental care of the Government they loved and served should be extended to their surviving families. Shortly after the adjournment of the last session of Congress, the gratifying intelligence was received of the signal victory of Buena Vista, and arrived at the headquarters of the army a few days afterwards. His presence with the army and his diplomatic character were made known to the Mexi can Government, from Puebla, on the twelfth of June, 1847, by the transmission of the despatch from the Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico. DECEMBER, 1847.] The President's Message. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TUESDAY, December 7. Several other members appeared this day, were sworn to support the Constitution of the United States, and took their seats in the House, viz: Mr. THOMAS BUTLER KING, of Georgia; Mr. FRANKLIN W. BOWDON, of Alabama; Mr. WILLIAM M. COCKE, of Tennessee; and Mr. ORLANDO B. FICKLIN, of Illinois. The Delegate from the Territory of Wisconsin, Mr. JOHN H. TWEEDY, also appeared, was qualified, and took his seat. Election of Clerk. The first business being the resolution moved yesterday by Mr. LEVIN, he modified the same to read as follows: [30TH CONG. tion, annually crowd to our shores, and transfer their heart, not less than their allegiance, to the country whose dominion belongs to the people. No country has been so much favored, or should acknowledge with deeper reverence the manifesta tions of the Divine protection. An all-wise Creator directed and guarded us in our infant struggle for freedom, and has constantly watched over our surprising progress, until we have become one of the great nations of the earth. It is in a country thus favored, and under a Government in which the Executive and Legislative branches hold their authority for limited periods, alike from the people, and where all are responsi ble to their respective constituencies, that it is again my duty to communicate with Congress upon the state of the Union, and the present condition of public affairs. During the past year the most gratifying proofs are presented that our country has been blessed with a wide-spread and universal prosperity. There Resolved, That this House do now proceed to has been no period since the Government was Vote viva voce for Clerk. The resolution was agreed to. Mr. ToоMBS nominated THOMAS JEFFERSON CAMPBELL, of Tennessee. Mr. CAMPBELL, having received a majority of the whole number of votes given, was duly elected Clerk of the House of Representatives of the United States for the Thirtieth Congress, and accordingly presented himself, took the oath of office, and entered upon the discharge of the duties thereof. The President's Message. Mr. HUNT, from the joint committee on the part of the House to wait on the President of the United States, and inform him that a quorum of the two Houses of Congress had assembled, and were ready to receive any communication he might be pleased to make, stated that the committee had performed that duty, and that the President requested the committee to report that he would forthwith transmit to the House a Message in writing. And soon the SPEAKER laid before the House the Annual Message from the President of the United States, which was read, as follows: Fellow-citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: The annual meeting of Congress is always an interesting event. The Representatives of the States and of the people come fresh from their constituents to take counsel together for the common good. After an existence of near three-fourths of a century as a free and independent Republic, the problem no longer remains to be solved, whether man is capable of self-government. The success of our admirable system is a conclusive refutation of the theories of those in other countries who maintain that "a favored few" are born to rule, and that the mass of mankind must be governed by force. Subject to no arbitrary or hereditary authority, the people are the only sovereigns recognized by our constitution. Numerous emigrants of every lineage and language, attracted by the civil and religious freedom we enjoy, and by our happy condi founded, when all the industrial pursuits of our people have been more successful or when labor in all branches of business has received a fairer or better reward. From our abundance we have been enabled to perform the pleasing duty of furnishing food for the starving millions of less favored countries. In the enjoyment of the bounties of Providence at home, such as have rarely fallen to the lot of any people, it is cause of congratulation that our intercourse with all the powers of the earth, except Mexico, continues to be of an amicable character. It has ever been our cherished policy to cultivate peace and good-will with all nations, and this policy has been steadily pursued by me. Mexico since the adjournment of the last Congress. No change has taken place in our relations with The war in which the United States were forced to engage with the Government of that country still continues. I deem it unnecessary, after the full exposition of them contained in my message of the eleventh of May, 1846, and in my annual message at the commencement of the session of Congress in December last, to reiterate the serious causes of complaint which we had against Mexico before she commenced hostilities. It is sufficient on the present occasion to say, that the wanton violation of the rights of person and property of our citizens committed by Mexico, her repeated acts of bad faith, through a long series of years, and her disregard of solemn treaties, stipulating for indemnity to our injured citizens, not only constituted ample cause of war on our part, but were of such an aggravated character as would have justified us before the whole world in resorting to this extreme remedy. With an anxious desire to avoid a rupture between the two countries, we forbore for years to assert our clear rights by force, and continued to seek redress for the wrongs we had suffered by amicable negotiation, in the hope that Mexico might yield to pacific councils and the demands of justice. In this hope we were disappointed. Our minister of peace sent to Mexico was insultingly rejected. The Mexican Government refused even to hear the terms of adjustment which he was authorized to propose; and finally, under wholly unjustifiable pretexts, involved the two countries in war, by invading the territory of the |