Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-02-22
coNGREss---lst SESSION.
Monday, February II, 1S4O.
SI,N TI,

Il.
The CHAIR presented message from the Presi-
dent OF the United States in regard the necessity Of
an early provision by law for the protection of the
Treasury against the fluctuations and contingencies
winch lis receipts are exposed; which referred to
the Committee on Finance, and ordered to be printed
Mr. TALLMADGE presented memorial of num-
Der OF citizens of New York, praying The passage of
general bankrupt law which was referred TO the Com
mtee on the Judiciary.
Also, a petition of citizens of New York PRAYING
Congress to abolish Imprisonment for debt
the United States, far they have the constitutional
power; which was referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary
Also, two petitions for the abolition of slavery; the
motion to receive which, was,
On motion Of Mr.. BROWN, laid on the table
The VICE PRESIDENT presented to the Senate
the first volume of Hazards United States Commercial
and Statistical Register, published at Philadelphia to-
geher with letter from the Editor, suggesting whe-
Their 1t may not be proper object for the patronage of
Congress, and be convenient work of reference and
information TO be attached to the Offices of our foreign
Ministers and Consuls."
MIR. BUCHANAN said that from the slight exami-
nation he had made of this work he believed il con-
tanned much valuable commercial and statistical infor-
nation, which we ought all to possess but which none
of rs would be willing to incur the labor of collecting
for ourselves He commended it, therefore, to the con-
sderatlon of the Committee on the Library.
The Register and the letter of Mr. Hazard were then
referred TO the Committee on the Library.
MIR. BUCHANAN presented two memorials of citi-
zens of the United States praying for the imposition
OF duty on foreign Silks which referred to the
Committee on Finance.
Mr.. B. also presented two memorials for the Abo-
lton of slavery; the motions 10 receive which, were
On motion of Mr.. FULTON, laid on the table.
Mr.. DIXON presented resolutions of the State of
Rhode Island in favor of the distribution of the pro-
cecds of the sales of the public lands among the States
and demonstrating against the bill! before the Sc
nate to ccde the public lands TO the States in which
they lie, on certain conditions.
After remarks from Messrs CALHOUN,
DIXON, and CLAY of Kentucky, the resolutions
were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed
Mr.. YOUNG, from the Committee on Roads and
Canals, 10 which referred bill making certain mi
ary roads in the State of Arkansas reported the same
with amendments.
Mr.. BENTON, from the Committee on Military AZ
fairs to which referred the memorials the sub
cct Of employing bloodhounds in the Florida war
presented the following communication from the Sc
cretary of War; and the committee was discharged
from the further consideration Of the subject:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
February IL 1910.
Sri have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of the l4th nstlnt transmitting from
the Committee on Military Affairs number Of memo
rails against the employment of boodhounds in the
present war with the Indians in Florida for such
swer thereto the occasion may require from the Exc
cutive branch of the Government. AS have had oc-
of the House of Representatives. beg leave 10 trans
NIT to the committee copy of that communication,
which, in part, furnishes the information required
There can be no doubt from the respectable charac-
ter of the menoriasts, that they animated by HUI
name motives in demonstrating against the use OF fia9o
dors: hut equally certain that they are deceived
when they suppose that their employment will degrade
the character of the country, render its officers OBJ
noxious to the charge of cruelty twas doubtless the
intention of the authorities of Florida, when they i'm
ported the bloodhounds, TO them guides to dis
cover the lurking places of the Indians, not, has
been enormously believed to worry destroy them;
and this Department has given positive instructions to
that effect il they should be employed by any officers
in the service OF the Government, will be seen by
the accompanying copy of letter TO the Command
ing General in Florida The Government was not
consulted on the subject of the importation of these
dogs BY the Governor and Council of Florida and was
ignorant of the transaction until after their arrival in
the Territory: but this Department did not feel itself
justified in forbiddng their The inhabitants OF
Florida have been cruelty harassed, and all their cf-
forts and those of our troops, have hitherto proved
unavalinr TO protect their families from the nurderous
assaults Of the savages If they believe that this
not be effected but by the superior sagacity of these
dogs, it would be inhuman TO prevent them from ma
king use of what they regard the only means of
saving their wives and children from the tomahawk
and scalpIng knife.
beg leave to transmit herewith copy ola letter
from A. L. Magens, Esq, Of st. Louis, which con-
tains his impressions respecting the object for which
these dogs were procured, and the manner in which
they are to be used derived during short stay which
he was obliged to make III Tallahassee about the time
the dogs arrived in Florida
The memorials are herewith returned.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. r. POINSETT.
Hon THOMAS II. BEsToS,