American Republican And Baltimore Daily Clipper

Baltimore Clipper.

[Reported for the Baltimore Clipper.]

89th CONGRESS—SECOND SESSION.

Washington, Dec. 14, 1846.

SENATE.

Prayer—reading of the Journal.

Mr. Mangum presented the credentials of Mr. Badger, the newly elected Senator from North Carolina, who took the oath and his seat.

The Vice President laid before the Senate several reports from the Department, embracing the annual report of commerce and navigation, of which 20,000 copies were ordered to be printed.

Mr. Benton presented the petition of the widow of Lt. Graham to be placed on the pension list, which was referred to the naval committee.

Mr. Semple gave notice of a bill to continue the Cumberland road.

Mr. Crittenden presented the petition of Genl. Leslie Coombs, praying payment of certain bonds, granted by the government of the late republic of Texas, which was referred to the judiciary committee.

Sundry petitions were presented by Senators J. M. Clayton, Westcott, Archer and Yulee.

Mr. Crittenden's resolution, instructing the committee on military affairs to report a bill increasing the pay of the army and volunteers, came up.

Mr. Benton suggested that the resolution should be put in a shape of enquiry.

Mr. Crittenden supported his resolution, though he was not tenacious as to the form, if any Senator chose to move the amendment. His own opinion was made up.

Mr. Archer approved of the suggestion of Mr. Benton, and hoped it would be adopted.

Mr. Crittenden thought the opinion of the Senate was already made up as to the propriety of increasing the pay; why, therefore, make it a subject of inquiry?

Mr. Benton made the motion to change it into a resolution of inquiry.

Mr. Westcott opposed the granting of certificates as the first step towards infringing on the form of our republican institutions, and hoped the resolution would be changed to one of inquiry.

Mr. Crittenden replied, and called for the yeas and nays, which were ordered.

Mr. Benton advocated his amendment as being more according to usage, and because deliberation should always precede decision.

Mr. Crittenden withdrew his call for the yeas and nays, and the amendment was adopted by 24 to 20, and the resolution agreed to.

The Senate then proceeded to ballot for committees. The following, among the many, are given as the more important, viz:

Foreign Relations—Messrs. Sevier, Archer, Cass, Atherton, Webster.

Finance—Messrs. Lewis, Benton, Evans, Speight, Huntington.

Commerce—Messrs. Dix, Pennybacker, Davis, Johnson, of Md., Chalmers.

Manufactures—Messrs. Dickinson, Sturgeon, Colquitt, Simmons, Woodbridge.

Military Affairs—Messrs. Benton, Dix, Crittenden, Houston, Badger.

Naval Affairs—Messrs. Fairfield, Mangum, Yulee, Cameron, Miller.

District of Columbia—Messrs. Cameron, Miller, Breese, Chalmers, Johnson, of Md.

The Senate went into an Executive Session, and, after some time spent therein, adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

A list of committees was read. We noticed but few changes since last session. Mr. Vance of Ohio, is appointed in the place of Mr. Adams, as chairman of the committee on manufactures; and Mr. James McDowell, chairman of the latter for the District of Columbia, who has the following named gentlemen for colleagues, viz: J. J. McDowell, Payne, Marsh, Hunt, J. G. Chapman, of Md., A. D. Sims, and McHenry.

Mr. Bowdon announced the death of F. G. McConnell. He said that "time, in its ever onward march, affords many awful admonitions of the frail tenure of human existence, and the fleeting character of the highest objects of earthly ambition; but in no instance is this great moral lesson more impressively taught than in the tragical death of him whose untimely end we all deplore. His mournful fate draws a tear from the eye of affection, and arouse emotions of deepest sympathy in every generous bosom." General McConnell was born in Nashville in 1809, resided there till 1834, when he removed to East Alabama. His early education was neglected, and when approaching majority, he was engaged in the vocation of a mechanic. Subsequently he studied law, but afterwards abandoned it for the more exciting field of politics. In 1838 he was chosen a member of the popular branch of the Legislature of Alabama. In the year following he was elected to the Senate, in which body he continued to be an active member until his elevation, in 1843, to a seat in the Congress of the United States. During the last eight years he was six times a candidate for various offices, and was never defeated. Mr. Bowdon said that Mr. McConnell fell in the noon-day of life, whilst clothed with a high and responsible office. Let the sod which rests on his bosom cover his frailties, whilst the heart render the tribute of respect due to the memory of his manly virtues."

The customary resolutions, expressive of regret, and wearing crape on the left arm for 30 days, were adopted, and, as a further mark of respect, the House adjourned.