The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-19
IN SENATE,
SATURDAY, June l6


Mr.. BUCHANAN presented three memorials
from citizens OF Philadelphia city and county pray
ing the immediate passage of the Snb-irsa-a' yhilL
Messrs. NoRVELL, CLAYTON, BUCHANAN,
and PIERCE reported, without amendment, from
committees, various private bills referred 10 them.
On motion of Mir, ROANE, the Secretary Of The
Navy was directed TO communicate 10 the Senate the
proceedings OF court martial al GoSport, on the
case Of Captain VIM Ramsay of the Navy.
Several bills from the House were read twice, and
referred.
The bills to establish an additional land Office in
Louisiana, and TO incorporate the Navy Yard Bene-
fetal Society of the city of Washington, were seve-
rally read third time, and passed
The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill
to create the office Of Surveyor General Of the pub
lie lands in Michigan.
Mi. PRENTlSS temporarily withdrew his amend
ment requiring the fed-notes and other documents
relating to surveys 10 be deposited when the duties
of the land office should terminate, with the Secre-
tary of State of Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, re-
spectively
Mr.. SMITH, of Indiana, then offered substitute
for the BILL providing for The removal Of the present
Surveyor Generals Office for Ohio, Indiana, and
Michigan from Cincinnati to Michigan city, in
Indiana. MIR. SIS substitute also embraced Mr.
PRERTlss's above amendment as second section to
the bill.
MIR. NORVELL moved to strike out Michigan
city, IN Indiana" from this substitute, and insert De-
tr0h in Michigan.
This question being divided the motion TO strike
out was carried Ayes II, noes 10.
Mr.. NORVELL then withdrew his motion to in
sert Detroit
Mr.. Upton said his object was to transfer the
office of Surveyor General from Cincinnati point
where was not convenient TO the lands yet TO sur
vey TO the vicinity of the place where the public
work was 10 be performed. Two years ago the Sc
nate passed bin TO remove the office from Cincin-
natl to South Bend, fourishing town within five
miles of the line between Indiana and Michigan
| that bill did not become law The amendment
offered by his honorable colleague proposed to re-
move the Office to Michigan city, Indiana. That
| place was now stricken out of the amendment BY
majority of the Senate. The member from Michi
gan (Mr NoRvELLl had proposed Detroit, but with
drew it. He (Mr. t. was not actuated by wish
| TO injure any individual or State or 10 benefit any
local interest, but TO serve the country. He moved
therefore, TO fill the blank with The town of ST. Jo
/ seph'S, Michigan. This was fourishing town, on
Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the ST. Joseph's ri
YER about thirty miles north Of the line dividing In
diana and Michigan, accessible TO steamboats, at all
of the year. when not obstructed by ice and
about equ-distant from the south boundary of Indiana
and the north Of Michigan, convenient TO all con-
| cerned
After some conversation, the question on this mo-
ton was put, and it was carried in the affirmative
/ Yeas ~, nays 4.
Mr. LYON spoke in favor of creating new Of
| fee for Michigan and Of aboShing The old Office
whenever the occasion for its existence should cease
| Mr.. CLAY, Of Kentucky, and Mr.. LUMPKIN
| spoke briefly but earnestly against creating new
office for Michigan, as an unnecessary extension Of
Executive patronage, and IN favor Of the removal
proposed by the substitute, highly liberal to Mi
chigan, on the part Of The Senators from Indiana
| The question Of literally was briefly contested by
Messrs. NORyELL and LYON on the one part
and Messrs. SMITH, Of Indiana, and Upton on
4 the other.
The question was put on the first part Of the sub
stitute of Mr.. SMITH of Indiana amended simply
| requiring the removal of the present Office from
Cincinnati 10 St Josephs in Michigan and it was
| rejected BY the following vote
YEAS-McsSrs. Bayard, Calhoun Clay Of Ken
lucky, Clayton, Davis Lumpkin, Morris Niles,
PrentisS Preston, Roane, Robbins, Ruggles Sewer,
Smith, Of Indiana, Strange, Swirl Upton, White
| 10.
NAYS-Aiessrs. Allen. Benton, Brown, Buchan-
an, Clay, of Alabama Fulton, Grundy, Hubbard,
King, Lyon, Mouton Nicholas, Norven Pierce,
| Robinson, Smith, of Connecticut, Trot,er, Wright,
| Young-l9.
| Mr. CLAY, of Alabama. moved to lay the bill on
| the table, with view 10 prepare an amendment for
aboshing old land offices when no longer required
| Mr.. Upton moved to lay the bill finally ON the
| table which motion was carried in the affirmative
! BY the following vote