Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-12-22

inc the origin of any political relations between th
United States and the Empire of Chna-the first ap
monument of Consul to reside at or near Canton
whether such Consul or any other subsequently ap
pointed has been received or recognised IN ina
capacity and the present relations between the Govern
ment OF the United States and that of the Celes,ia
Empire. :,
Objection be made, the resolution was not CONSIDERED
Petitions and memorials were then presented b.
Messrs HOPKINS, TALIAFERRO, RlFES ant
HUNTER from Virginia. >.
mir Ilopkns presented the petition of sundry citi
zens of A!bemac county, Va, praying for the esta
blshment of post route from Charlottesville 10 HarrI
sonburg the petition Of citizens OF Nelson county, pray
ING for the establishment Of a post route from Noun
Howell to Staunon, in Augusta; memorial OF A sam
mons of Tennessee PRAYING Congress for relief as ont
OF the securities defauiting postmaster; memorn
Of Asa and Jabpz L. White Of Connecticut, praying u
be released from their contract for carrying the net
States mail; memorial Of J. F. Caldwell of Virginia
PRAYING for relief under sundry contracts with the Pos
Office Department for the transportation Of the unee
States mail; memorial Of Edmund Rufin OF Virginia
for equalizng the postage on newspapers, etc., all re
ferred to the Committee on the Post Office and Pos
Roads.
The several States having now been called,
The SPEAKER stated that the next business in or
der was the resolution of the gentleman from Massachu
sets, Mr. Adan,s calling for information in respec
to
COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
The resolution having been again read (see above,
Mr.. ADAMS, after some remarks showing the i'm
portance of ascertaning what the true political and
commercial relations between this Government anc
China, observed il highly desirable in the present
critical state of affairs with the latter country that we
should know whether our Consul had been recognised
by it or not. He wished to know the exact footing on
which we stand. Mr.. A., in adverting TO some docu
MS presented at the last session, said he believed II
appeared from of them that when our Consul was
about to present memorial from American citizens
at Canton he was directed by The authorities 10 place
the name Of the Emperor of China taco inches higher
than the name of the President of the U. S. This he
thought was the ground Of war raging between
Great Britain and Chna-this placing the name "two
inches hgher'-this boosted superiority above every
nation on earth.
But, continued Mr. A., L hope TO see the day when
this boosted claim to superiority shall cease and that at
least the name of the President of the u s. shall be
written on parallel line with that of the head Of the
Celestial Empire. Mr. A. said that in offering the re-
solution he was actuated BY motive but desire Tor
information as to what was passing between The U. D
and China at this time, and whether any Officer repre-
sentng the interests Of this country, had been recog-
missed by that power
Mr. CUSHING was glad that his colleague had in
troduced the resolution calling for information on so
important subject. He thought, however that in
formation less valuable nigh, be obtained from the
files of the Navy Department, ard hoped an amendment
would be accepted 10 embrace that Department lie
therefore proposed to amend the resolution by adding
Estate or other Departments
Mr.. LINCOLN submitted the following resoiu-
tons, which were agreed to-
Resolrod Secretary Of the Treasury he directed 10
report 10 this House. subodnate custom house officers
have been dispensed within the period Of two years.
10 which he refers in his report Of the finances;
and what bad been The rate of compensation previously paid To
these their And also, what additional
officers have been appoin ed employed
within the period in the several collection districts in the
United states and al what rates Of compensation win me daes
Of their appointment and employment respectively Also IN
what and 10 what extent, hc compensation Of oices
and light house keepers has been educed And also in what
any, the compensation 10 officers IN his Department
reduced And that he present the required Information IN
such form exhibit the comparative number OF
district NE and close OF The SAID period Of t"o
preceding the date OF the said annual report on the
finances also e relative cost OF collecting the revenue from
customs ie amount Of collected each OF the last two
wears compared with the cost of collection and The amount col
also inform tbs House what officers "now employed IN the olrc-
ton Of Duties whose further services, has been been beievcd
oil late years at,e different places they Stationed
be DISCONTINUED whose offices cannot be dispensed with without
ResOrd Tint the Secretary of the Treasury be directed TO in
form this os under what superintendent the custom houses
York Boston, respectively being consucted the
number and Of the commissioners employed to sperntenc
tmployed ard the compensation paid 10 each.
Mr.. DELLET submitted the following resolution,
which agreed TO:
Resoired, That the Judiciary Committee be instruct.
ed 10 inquire into the expedeney of extending the time
where the same has been prevented by sickness, OF
other causes which the officers having that duty in
charge could not control.
Mr.. TILLINGBAST called up for consideration his
resolution, submitted on the 10th inst
Mr.. VANDERPOEL benefit which could
possibly be derived from the adoption of the resolution
All the effect twould have would be to furnish ths
clerks in the Treasury Department with employment fo
the whole winter Without meaning any disrespectt t
the gentleman he (Alr W considered the resolution
| J;,t al ifofa ueee
and was just what might have been expected form sucf
quarter. The whole supererogatory, and he dir
not believe the information if obtained would have thu
least influence on the gentleman in the vote he nigh
give. He would repeat, that the information sough
was unnecessary, and imposing superfuous labor Of
the Department, and if II was now pressed, lie wou'
feel bound TO vote against it.
Mr. TILLINGHAST advocated the resolution ant
contended that the information sought for was highly
desirable In the Of his remarks, Mr.. l. alluded
to the resolution recently introduced for the repeal
the Independent Treasury law, on which question, HI
urged the recent elections of the whole body OF Wing
had turned.
Mr. DUNCAN denied that the Wing elections hat
turned upon that principle. The law in question hat
not been made the issue. No pledge had been glvei
downwards, for it was well known throughout the coun
try that when Intercepted TO his principles he refused
TO give any answer whatever.
Mr. MORGAN thought the issue had been made a
least in the district Of Cincinnati, where the people nat
elected one Pendleton in the place of that gentleman
Mr.. DUNCAN said he denied it. 1t was not So ant
he could maintain it.
The question being the adoption of the resolution
Mr. GALBRAlTH moved to lay it on the table
Mr. TOLAND moved call of the House.
Mr.. GALBRAITH then withdrew his motion
MIR. BEATTY renewed it.
Mr. TOLAND persisted in his motion for call o
the House, and, the question being put, there wa
no quorum.
On motion of Mr.. HOPKINS,
The House then adjourned.
IN SENATE.
Thursday, Dec IL.
The PRESIDENT submitted report from the Sec
rotary of the Senate in compliance with the provisions
Of the act of MAY q 1886, of the expenditures mnd
from the contingent fund of the Senate for the yea
ending December Z, 1910; which was laid upon the ia
BILE, and ordered 10 be printed
| Mr. PRESTON presented the memorial of the Exc
A.