thus

P

DENTS OF ORDER.

Session, Nineteenth Congress."

Ar. Metcalf's Panama Resolution, Jan. 31, 1820. The resolution of Mr. Metcalf, yesterday, calling on the president for information on the subject of the congress of Panama, being again read as follows: "Resolved, That the president of the United States be requested to communicate to this house such information, documents, or correspondence, touching the invitation to be represented at the congress of Panama, which has been received by this government, from the governments of Mexico, Central America, and Columbia, as may be communicated without detriment to the public interest."

Mr. Forsyth put the question to the chair, whether the resolution of Mr. Metcalf was in order, inasmuch as the same subject was now before the house, by a resolution of Mr. Hamilton, of South Carolina, laid on the table, on the 16th December, as follows:

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to transmit to this house, copies of all such documents, or parts of correspondence, (not incompatible with the public interest to be communicated,) relating to an invitation which has been extended to the government of this country "by the republies of Columbia, of Mexico, and of Central America, to join in the deliberations of a congress to be held at the isthmus of Panama,” and which has induced him to

signify to this house, that "Ministers on the part of the United States will be commissioned to join in those deliberations."

The speaker decided it was not in order to entertain Mr. Metcalf's resolution, inasmuch as the subject-matter thereof was already before the house, in the resolution of Mr. Hamilton.

WITHDRAWAL OF PROPOSITIONS.

The house proceeded to consider the preceding resolution of Mr. Hamilton, whereupon Mr. H. modified his resolution, by striking therefrom— "not incompatible with the public interest to be communicated."

On motion of Mr. Webster, said resolution was amended by restoring said words stricken out by the modification.

After further debate on the resolution, Mr. Hamilton rose and said "I withdraw the resolu tion."

The speaker decided that it was not in the power of Mr. H. to do so, it having been amended by a vote of the house; and no proposition could be withdrawn after amendment.

REFERENCE TO PROCEEDINGS IN SENATE.

On the discussion of the above resolution, Mr. Mitchell, of Tennessee, adverted to the measures now under consideration in the senate.

The speaker decided that it was not in order to reflect upon the proceedings of the other branch of the legislature.

MODIFICATION AFTER AMENDMENT.

Mr. McDuffie offered an amendment to the said resolution of Mr. Hamilton. Mr. H. accepted the amendment as a modification. Mr. Powell inquired if it was in order to accept any modification after amendment-alluding to the amendment on motion of Mr. Webster.

The speaker decided in the affirmative, inașmuch as the amendment proposed to be accepted by Mr. Hamilton, did not affect the amendment previously inserted by the house.

STRIKING OUT AMENDMENT.

Mr. Stevenson, of Pennsylvania, proposed an amendment to strike out the words inserted, on motion of Mr. Webster, in Mr. Hamilton's resolution, and to add to the concluding words of the resolution these words-" making so much of this communication confidential as he may think proper."

Mr. Webster inquired if Mr. Stevenson's motion was in order.

Mr. Speaker decided that so much of the motion as went to strike out was not in order, these words having been inserted by a vote of the house; but that part of the motion to add certain words was in order. From which decision of the speaker, on the first part of Mr. Stevenson's motion, Mr. Forsyth appealed.

Whereupon, the decision of the speaker was affirmed by the house.

Substitute, pending a motion to amend particular part.

Mr. Rives proposed to the said resolution of Mr. Hamilton's an amendment, viz. " and the powers proposed to be given to the commissioners or ministers of the United States to that congress, and the objects to which they are to be directed." Mr. Hamilton accepted it as a modification.

Mr. Wright moved to strike out those words so accepted as a modification. Pending this motion, Mr. Webster offered a substitute for the whole resolution, to come in after the word "resolved.”

Mr. Speaker decided that Mr. Webster's motion was not in order while the motion of Mr. Wright was pending.

Mr. Wright withdrew his amendment, and Mr. Webster's amendment was offered and agreed to.

ORDERS OF THE DAY.

Feb. 9, 1826.

The following rule having been adopted by the house, viz.

"That Fridays and Saturdays in every week be set apart for the consideration of private bills and private business, in preference to any other, unless otherwise determined by a majority of the house."

A question was submitted to the chair, whether private bills could be called up on other days than those named in said rule. Mr. speaker decided that the rule gave private bills a preference on Fridays and Saturdays, but they did not lose their place on the general docket, and might be considered on other days.

To lie one day-Rule 44.

Changing proposition to instruct committee into a

call on the executive.

Mr. Wickliffe, on Saturday the 25th of March, 1826, submitted the following resolution :

Resolved, That the committee on foreign relations be instructed to inquire and report to this house, upon what authority, if any, the minister of the United States to the Mexican Republic, in his official character, declared to the plenipotentiary of that government, that "the United States have pledged themselves not to permit any other power (than Spain) to interfere either with their (the South American republics) independence or form of government; and that in the event of such an attempt being made by the powers of Europe, we (the United States) would be compelled to take the most efficient and active part, and to bear the brunt of the contest."

This was debated until the house passed to the orders of the day.

On Monday the 27th, after long discussion, the resolution was changed by a vote of the house to read as follows:

Resolved, That the president of the United States be requested to transmit to this house a copy of such parts of the answer of the secretary of state to Mr. Poinsett's letter to Mr. Clay, dated Mexico, 28th September, 1825, and numbered 22, as relates to a supposed pledge of the United States; and also to inform this house whether the United States have in any manner, made any pledge to the government of Mexico and South