The Madisonian., 1840-02-06
IN SENATE,
TUESDAY, f, bruary 4

in compI nee with resolution Of The donation
claims and settlement rights in ths State OF MisSs-
sippi.
Also from the War Department an abstract re-
port of The returns Of the militia.
MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS.
Mr. TAPPAN gave his views at some length in
relation 10 certain petitions him from Ohio and
d. clined IA present them.
Mr.. PRESTON returned him thanks, in the name
Of the South, for the stand taken by him.
The following memorials and petitions pre-
senied and referred
BY Mr. WHITE: From citizens Of Wisconsin,
asking that certain lands in Milwaukee land district
may be exposed sale and emplion rights grant
ed 10 settlers thereon.
BY MI. LINN From certain citizens, asking sur
veys to be made with view 10 the creation Of ship
channel across the lsthmus OF Panama.
BY MI MERRlCK From the Directors of the
Bank OF Alexandria, asking extension of the
charter for the purpose Of winding up business.
Also, from Noah Farbank, in relation to securing
steamboats, against the disasters OF fire.
REPORTS FROM. COMMITTEES
BY Mr.. WILLIAMS, from The Committee Of
Claims: Adverse reports or The following bills
For the relief of Dennis Quinlican.
For The relief Of Charles a. Dodd.
For The relief Of William Bennett.
For The reici Of James Fl Ralston.
For the relief of David McNair.
For the reief Of Jacob Hanks.
For the relief OF Alfred Westfall.
For The relief Of Samuel Ferguson
By Mr.. HUBBARD, from the same committee:
An adverse report The memorial Of Jacob Dun
BY Mr.. MERRICK, from the Committee for the
District of Columbia: bill 10 authorize the erec-
ti"n OF hospital in the cty.of Washington, and for
other purposes.
By Mr. WILLIAMS, from the Committee Of
Claims A bill for the relief Of John L. Scott, and
bill for The relief Of John Rchey.
BY Mr. WALKER from the Committee on Pub
lie Lands: A bill Tor the relief OF Zadoc Martin
BILLS INTRODUCED viz
BY Mr.. NICHOLAS: A bill 10 authorize Lou-
>iana to sell The lands heretofore appropriated for the
Of schools.
BY Mr.. FULTON: A bin 10 perfect the titles 10
lands south Of the river Arkansas, held under New
Madrid locations and pre-emplion rights of 1914
BY Mr.. LINN: To quiet the titles OF certain land
claimants in the States Of Missouri and Arkansas
Mr. WHITE submilte d he following resolutions
Resolued, That the Secretary of War be directed
TO inform the Senae what means have been taken to
ascertain and satisfy The debts Of the Winnebago In
dians, Tor The payment Of which The resduary sum
OF 900 was appropriated by the treaty Of No
vember, 1897 made with that nation. Also, what
causes have interp,sed to prevent the removal of
these Indians west Of The Mississippi in pursuanceof
said treaty
Iesoired, That the Committee on Roads and Ca
mails inquire into the expediency OF causing survey
10 be made of the Ohio river, al the little falls, with
view 10 ascertain the practicability Of improving
the navigation thereof
The following resolution, submitted BY Mr.. Web
SteIi WAS taken up ana agreed 10.
Resoired, That the Committee on Commerce be
instructed 10 inquire whether the laws respecting
vessels propelled by steam do not require amend
ment and whether il be expedien among other
provisions, 10 make The following, viz:
lst That the owners masters Of all steamboats,
or vessels propelled in whole or in part by steam,
employed in the transpoI ation of passengers, or of
goods, wares, or merchandise, Of both, for hire,
shall be deemed 10 all inenls and purposes common
carriers thereof, and shall be liable 10 all the duties
nd rpSp INN Cd hy fha
common law. And every restriction Limitation, or
qualification, Of any such duties and responsibilities,
by any special notice or contract, or other proceed
ing on the part of such rriers shall be deemed
tery void and OF no validity, force or effect what
ever
2. That whenever any loss, damage, or injury,
shall occur 10 any passenger or TO any goods, wares
merchandise on board OF any such steamboat or
other vessel propelled in whole or in part bv seam
from FIRE or steam, or collision with any other YES.
sells, The same shall be deemed full pyma Jaeic evil
deDce o negligence sufficient 10 charge the pr prie-
tors of such steamboat other vessel propelled by
steam, and those in their employment, with the full
amount Of such loss, or damage, or injury, until
they shall show, beyond any reasonable doubt, that
no negligence whatever had occurred on their part
Sd. Tha, il any inspector or inspectors, appointed
under The law TO which this is supplement, shall
cirelessy or ncgligeny perform the duties reouir-
ed OF them by law or shall make or sgn.any cerlif-
cafe required by The same act, knowing the same TO
contain any false statement, he and they shall be
deemed guilty of high misdemeanor, and shall, on
conviction thereof before any court of the United
States having competent jurisdictions be punished by
hne not exceeding $500, and by Imprisonment not
exceeding ninety days, according 10 The aggrayaton
OF the offence, and shall also be liable in civil action
10 all damages which shall be occasioned thereby To
any person or persons whatever; and that the com
mitce be instructed further 10 inquire and report 10
the Senate what judicial decisions have been made
under the existing law, and especially whether it
has been the effect of such decision 10 render
the existing law in operation in any part OF the
Try.
The resolution o! Mr.. PREsroN calling on the Pre-
Siden for The causes OF the removal Of Gov. Call of
Florida, was taken up and, aler being so amended
as TO strike out so much requests the President TO
"give his reasons" was adopted.
DEBTS THE STATES.
The Senate having resumed the consideration of
the report OF the committee ON Mr.. BeDton's resolu
tion in regard to tie debts of the States
Mr.. PHELPS addressed the Senate in opposition
10 the sentiments and printing Of the report, but
peciaIly in vndicaon OF the Stale OF Vermont, who
not n debt from the charge that her desire and
request that the proceeds of the public lands should
be equally distributed among the States amounted
al all TO proposition for assuming the debts Of the
States.
AT the request Of Mr.. CALHOUN, who express
cd desire 10 speak to- morrow on the subject il was
informally passed over.
And then The Senate adjourned
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,