The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-23
In SENATE,

a communication from the War Department, in obedi-
ence TO resolution Of the lth instant covering
report from the Chief Typographical Engineer in rea
ton certain improvements Ct the Mississippi river
Also, from Convention Of the people Of Florida,
held for the purpose Of forming Stale,
MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS PRESENTED, viz.
BY Mr.. ALLEN: From citizens of Geauga county,
Ohio in relation the neutrality law, complaining OF
its provisions, and the which they
ted, and expressing strongly the opinion that the affair
OF the Caroline was an outrage on the dignity Of the
American flag.
BY Mr.. BUCHANAN: From Rinaldo Cotes, stat
ing that he had given up lucrative employment to Join
the exploring expedition and that afterwards he was
not selected and asked remuneration.
Also from merchants and mechanics, asking the cree
ton of a new custom house at Philadelphia.
BY Mr.. LYON: Resolutions from Michigan asking
permission 10 locate lands in lieu of those granted for
University.
Also, joint resolution asking appropriation to
build lighthouse and pier.
BY Mr.. WRIGHT: From the Screw Deck Com
psny Of New York, praying that they may import iron
free Of duty. used in its works
BY Mr.. NORyELL: Joint resolution Of the Lepis-
la,ure OF Michigan, asking an appropriation to build
steam cutter for nav eating Lake Erie.
BY Mr.. ROBINSON Joint resolutions from the
Legislature Of Illinois, asking the establishment of
Surveyor Generals office
ByMr, BENTON: From citizens Of the northern
part Of Missouri asking the establishment Of an add-
BY Mr.. FULTON: From the Legislature Of Arkan-
sas asking appropriation for the construction of GER
tain military roads,
BY Mr.. MOUToN From Jean Baptise Como
BY Mr.. KING From A. 1. King and Henry Lucas
BY Mr.. MORRIS From numerous male and female
citizens Of Ohio aud New Hampshire asking the abo-
ton Of slavery in the District and Territories The
motion TO receive was laid on The table.
Mr.. WRIGHT from the Committee on Finance re-
ported the bill making appropriation for the Naval SER
Il a. L.
at an early hour tomorrow,
The resolution to prlut 10000 copies Of the salt
document was taken up, and agreed TO-
The following House bills were favorably reported on
from the several committees:
For the relief Of the heirs Of Sebastian Shroufe
For the relief of John Borey.
/. For the relief Of The heirs OF Francis Jarvis
For the relief of Thomas Nj. Burland
For the relief ofthe legal representatives Of Geo.
G.. Willard.
For the relief of Henry Stokcr, w. C. Belknap
and Benz Walker.
For The relief Of the legal representatives of John
Dawson.
For The improvement, and survey of certain rivers.
and repair of roads in Florida
For the relief of ID vid Ballentne.
For the relief of M. Boberts.
The Senate proceeded TO consider the bill provid-
ing in part for The construction OF common Jail in
the city Of Washington.
Mr.. NILES said the estimate of $50 000 on which
this bill was founded was an enormous amount for
common Jail in county where there we're less
than 10000 inhabitants In the county where he re-
sided, (Harllord, Comm there were 10000 inhabi-
tants; and yet cd stone Jail, sufficient for that
county, and recently built, cost but $l2,O0
Mr.. CALHOUN expressed an unwilngness 10
make this appropriation Till competent men, aulho-
rzed Tor that purpose, had examined the premises,
and had determ ned whether a new Jail we've neces-
sary, and what would be the proper expense, or
whether the old Jail might not be repaired Ii had
been the practice heretofore 10 begin such works
q a n W all nh H.
were high, still far below the ultimate cost Of
The execution of the plan, TO which Congress were
forced by having once commenced it. He thought
il was time that this practice should cease.
Mr.. WRIGHT argued that il was not the proper
business of this Government TO build common Jail
for Washington county, which, like the ais in The
counties OF The States, ought TO be built BY them
selves.
Mr.. BAYARD argued that the administration of
justice in The District in the hands OF the United
States Cove rnment and il was their duly, there
FORE 10 provide for all The means OF that admins
tratlon, and Tor common Jail as well as Tor the
Mr.. NORVELL also argued that, as IL was the
duty of the counties in the States TO provide them
selves with jails, il was therefore the business Of
Washington county To do so.
Mr. SEWER argued with much earn estness that
this Government had heretofore built al the tails that
had ever been built in the Territories subject to the
jurisdiction Of the United States and all The other
public buildings for civil purposes; and they had be-
SUES gwen every stale aulltted INTO the Union H'e
or six sections OF land for the purpose OF erecting
public buildings FOR the State itself He thought ~
therefore, altogether unreasonable; for me nrs.
time, an inquiry was made for authority 10 efect
public buildings in this District.
Mr.. LINN sid, in consequence Of there BENG no
hospital in this District, he had been cohiPenea 70
attend n nm nnotp individual in the Jail OF this
District as 4 medical man From his brief exam
nation he believed The jail was insufficient and un
healthy Imghl perhaps be retained. ou. ne though,
he fund more expensive in The end than The imme-
Ji,ie erection OF new building. Mr.. L. also urged
with great earnestnesS, the importance andexpedi-
ency Of erecting hospital here. He had strong
personal reasons, among others, for this. Frequent
applications had been made 10 him 10 behalf OF un-
fortunate persons, and especially those who were la
boriousy urging their claims on Congress; and as