Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-04-19
CONGRESSIONAL.

The Anti-Duelling bill was then
taken up, and after a few remarks by
MIR. Clay Of Kentucky, it was passed
yeas 81, nays |.
The bill for graduating the price Of
public lands was taken up, and debated
at considerable length. On motion Of
MIR. Clay, of Kentucky, il was PostPon-
ed to Wednesday. A bill making an
appropriation for roads in Michigan wos
debated, and on taking the question it
was rejected by vote Of 90 to 10.
In the lloUsE, MIR. Hamer asked
leavo to make an explanation on the
subject of The resolution offered by him
on Saturday and then ordered to be
printed. Supposing the resolution to be
under his control he had modified il, in
consc cquence Of suggestion Of friend,
to prevent sconstruction Of it, by in
scriing the words Gas the present ad-
ministration designs to do" lfthis was
wrong, he begged pardon for it. He
now struck out those words, and asked
leave to offer the resolution in its original
form. Objection being made, he moved
to suspend the rule, which motion was
lost-yeas no, nays 6l-two thirds be-
ing required.
The House proceeded TO the recep-
tion of petitions and memorials. Alter
which the Navy Appropriation bill was
taken up. MIR. Montgomery moved to
recominit, to the committee Of Ways and
Means, with instructions to report tho
items for the exploring expedition in a
specific form. This motion was debated
by several members. Mr.. Hoffman
made an eloquent defence Of the explor-
ing expedition. Before any question
was taken, the House adjourned.
In the SENATE, on Tuesday, num-
Der of petitions were presented and re-
ferred. The Senate took up n resolution
offered some time since, by MIR. Davis,
calling for information to enable the
Senate to Judge what fortifcations might
be diminished or dispensed with, and
whether sy stem Of defence by the aid
Of steam batteries might not be more
economical and efficient than the pre-
sent. Mr.. Davis explained and advo-
Gated the resolution ut considerable
length. Mr.. Benton opposed it, but af-
ter some further explanation by MIR.
Davis it wns agreed to.
In the HOUSE, a number Of reports
were presented from committees.
On motion Of MIR. Briggs, it was re-
solved, that the chart Of country across
the Isthmus of Panama accompanying
the Presidents message, relating to
canal or water communication between
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, bo
Autographed and published with said
message.
The committee on the Judiciary were
discharged from the Senate's anti. duel
ling bill, and il was referred to the com
mittee on the late duel.
The House resumed tho considera-
,ion of the Navy Appropriation bill, and
several amendments relating to the ex-
plorng expedition having been rejected,
the bill passed TO be engrossed, and the
House adjourned.
In the SENATE, on Wednesday, April
II, MIR. Walker called the attention of
the Senate TO our relations with Mexico,
and proceeded to make some remarks
which brought on discussion, embra-
cling, among other topics, recent al
legged attack upon an American steam
boat by some Mexican cruisers. Tho
subject was dropped without any action,
the impression appearing general that
action on the subject ought to originate
in the other House.
Mr.. Grundy gave notice that he should
on Monday next, move to take up the
bill TO prohibit the issuing and circula-
ting of notes Of the late bank Of the
United States.
The Senate resumed the considera-
ton Of the bill to reduce and graduate
the price of the public lands.
Mr.. Clay, of Kentucky, spoke at con-
siderable length in opposition to the bill
MIR. Grundy offered an amendment to
the bill, providing that it should take er-
feet only on lands already in the market,
which was adopted without division.
In the House, the report Of the COM
mittee for the District Of Columbia, in
opposition to memorial praying for u
retrocession of the District Of Columbia,
to the States of Virginia and Maryland,
was received; the committee discharged
from tho further consideration of the
subject, and the reportlaid on the table.
An attempt was made TO reconsider
this vote, but without success.
The Navy Appropriation bill was then
read third time and passed.
The several subjects Of "Divo,cing
the Government from the Newspaper
Press )" MIR. Hamer's proposed resolu-
ton con the resumption Of specie pay
ments )" and the Cumberland Road
Bill, then came up 10 order without any
definite action Of the House.
In the SENATE, on Thursday, April
70, Mr.. Grundy made report that
there was not sufficient evidence against
Mr. Ruggles TO establish the charge Of
corruption.
The Senate resumed the considera-
tion Of the bill to reduce and graduate
the price Of the public lands.
On motion Of Mr.. Hubbard, the bill
was so modified as TO make the minimum
price 10 cents, and the longest time for
my particular process OF reduction, ten