Alexandria Gazette

Proceedings of Congress.

In the Senate on Saturday, the Pre-emption Bill, before the Senate on Thursday and Friday, came up without any preliminary business of importance, and continued before the Senate until the hour of adjournment.

Mr. Merrick, of Maryland, introduced an amendment the object of which was to confine the benefits of the Pre-emption act to the native population of the United States, and not to any foreigner until he shall have been naturalized and proved his citizenship. Mr. Merrick defended his amendment in a few appropriate and very able remarks which Mr. Clay warmly commended and thanked Mr. Merrick for their introduction.

Mr. Clay defended the amendment also in a very eloquent speech and said he wished our countrymen might have the benefit of all bounties. (humbly beg pardon) at home, and he saw no reason for extending the same charities to the multitudes swarming our shores from the other side of the Atlantic, as we do to our own citizens.

Mr. Young, of Ill, opposed the amendment warmly, and defended the character of the foreign population who go West.

Mr. Buchanan, of Penn, also opposed the amendment, and went into a view of the foreign population in the United States. He said he was the son of a foreigner and therefore he felt more interest in the question, but the more he was disposed to oppose the amendment of Mr. Merrick in strong language. He wished to have his name recorded against it. He referred to the foreigners who took part in our Revolutionary struggle and said that although we might have won our independence without them, still the day that independence would have been far distant.

Mr. Clay replied to Mr. Buchanan, and asked Mr. B. if he would confound the Lafayettes and the Dekalbs with the horde of foreigners now swarming our shores. Would the Senator extend the privileges granted by pre-emption acts to Celts and Danes? He would not. and does he know the merits of the men, the foreigners who make these settlements their homes?— Can he say, from any evidence that these are worthy men! In conclusion, said Mr. Clay, no man will more willingly give his vote in the negative on this amendment than I will in the affirmative.

Mr. Buchanan rejoined, and said he would grant the right of pre-emption even to Hessians if they would forsake the error of their ways and enlist their services in behalf of the United States. He would not help them as enemies but as friends and good citizens

Mr. Merrick replied to Mr. Buchanan and said that Mr. B. had remarked that at this time there was an undue feeling enlisted against foreigners through the country. There is, as Mr. Clay said a morbid feeling enlisted in their behalf Mr. M. said that Mr. Benton had thanked him for introducing this resolution— He was heartily welcome to all the benefit he could derive from its introduction to bringing forward the amendment. He had discharged a duty when he owed. she State which sent him here and to country. Believing that he was right nothing should deter him from pressing his amendment.

Like the Senator from Pennsylvania said Mr. Merrick, I too am the son of a foreigner; and cherishing with profound respect those who were not born amongst us and who are not ours. I still prefer the land where I was born and benefiting our own to bestowing on others. Mr. M. said in conclusion that he should take pleasure in voting in favor of his amendment: and nothing would deter.

Mr. Calhoun made some remarks upon the amendment to the bill, but said aside he should vote against the bill itself he would not consume the time of the senate.

The vote was then taken on Mr. Merrick's amendment, which was lost, 5 to 28.

Mr. Clay, of Ky. followed with an amendment upon which he said he should call the yeas and nays. The amendment said, conformed to the spirit recommendation of the Executive's remarks upon the Public Lands. Expected every Administration Senator go with him, because his amendment embraced a recommendation of the President. It was bad to have the President deserted by his friends -- very hard to have his friends among the opposition -- So, said Mr. C. in part of good humor for three minutes -- no more -- while Administration man and call on all friends of the Executive to go with us Surely they will not leave the Executive alone.

Mr. Clay then read his amendment and demanded the yeas and nays, its passage.

Mr. Buchanan said he began to be suspicious when he heard the senator defend the Executive.

Mr. Clay told him in good humor: he ought to have been suspicious long since

Mr. Buchanan thought it very odd that the President should find a friend in the Senator from Kentucky. He was afraid there was something wrong in such an association.

Mr. Clay begged him not to be alarmed. He was a friend but for three minutes, and felt assured that Mr. Buchanan, who now abandoned his President would as soon return to the support of his friend as he would to oppose the President.

Mr. Clay's amendment was then rejected, 17 to 27. It was intended to close all settlements upon unsurveyed public lands. Mr. C. called such men squatters and intruders.