The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-31
GMentg=SROenth Com4resS.
SECOND SESSION.
IN SENATE,
TUESDAY, March 90, 1916

The CHAIR (Mr. Graham) laid before the Senate
the following communications, viz
l. From the President of the United States trans
hitting report from the Navy Department. in com
pance with resolution of the Senate of the 18th of
February, showing the names Of all agents employed
in that Department withOu; the authority of law
g. Also, message similar to that lately sent to the
House, with reference to suspension of the Dstri-
button act.
J. From the Governor of Iowa, transmitting the
memorial and the resolutions of the Legislature of
that Territory asking for an appropriation to improve
the rapids in the Mississippi river; also, for town
ship of land for the erection Of seminary of learn
ing at West Point, Lee county, Iowa.
A. From the Treasury Department, transmitting
copies of the accounts of the Second Auditor show
ing the disbursements of moneys, goods, or effects,
for the benefit of the Indians, during the year ending
| the Both of September, l84l.
MIR. MERRICK presented petition from Cecil
county, Maryland signed by farmers, merchants, me-
chanics, and labolers, setting forth that duty of
twenty per cent provided for by the Compromise
act is not sufficient to protect the iron manufacturers
and asking Congress to extend its protection to this
branch Of industry and all others which ale dependent
upon it.
Mr. KERR presented a petition fiom the same
county, making similar prayer.
Mr.. YOUNG presented a memorial from Illinois,
asking grant of land for the completion of the Hi
nos and Michigan canal.
Mr.. CLAY presented petition from Bradford
county, TennsylVanla praying Tor protection on lrOn
and that the duty that article be restored to what it
was IN 1883; also memorial from Sparta, Tennes-
see, demonstrating against any interference with the
Bankrupt law.
PROTECTION TO NATuRALIzED CITIZENS.
Mr.. CLAY presented memorial from the New
Haven Hbernian Provident Society," which, he re-
marked, similar TO the which he presented on
former occasion. The memoralists represented that
England claimed perpetual allegiance from all who
Wpr her he law
obtained here, Gas might be from Kent,
Story, Sergeant, and other writers common law,
well as from various decisions in the of the
United Sates0 they asked Congress to repudiate the
odious law, they felt that it wrong to make
them, by their naturalization, renounce their alIegi-
when the jurists and courts of the country de-
clared that they could not shake it off; and they ap-
pretended that these decisions Of high American au-
horties might subject them to be arrested and punish
ed for treason to the country of their BIRTH while
the other hand they would be held guilty of treason
to their adopted country they refuse fight for it.
Mr.. LINT would call the attention of the Senator
from Kentucky to circumstance which occurred dur
ing the late Twenty-three lrishmen or Eng
glishmen, who had become naturalized citizens, fell
into the hands of the British, and it their inten
ton to execute them British subjects but MIR.
Madison caused twenty-three British officers to be
held in readiness to be hanged in the naturalzed
citizens should be executed Peace, however, soon
took place, and, consequence, the contingency
never occurred
Mr.. CLAY recoected the instance to which the
Senator had alluded, of the modes which might
be employed to vindcate the rights of naluralized
citizens of the United States. He did not be-
Iieve that the British government would ven
ture to act the doctrine which the memo
rialsts apprehended, because it could not be main
tanned principle and carried out in prac-
tice 1t would be detestable were she to endeavor to
do so, Her policy was, and had been in years past
to encourage emigration by all the means which she
could principally however, to her Colonial pos
sessions and certainly she would not encourage
people to emigrate, and then hold them responsible
to be held traitors to that country. He did not
fear any difficulties in this matter in the event of
war; but while these memorialists doubt had the
sympathes of the Senate he felt assured that if any
further guaranty was necessary to their safety, it
would be cheerfully granted.
The memorial was referred to the Committee on
the Judiciary
Mr.. WOODBRIDGE presented memorial from
Michigan, asking Congress to adopt measures
for the organization of Congress of Nations for the
adjustment of international disputes without resort
to the sword.
Mr.. MERRICK, from the Committee on Post Of
fees and Post Roads, reported Joint resolution au-
thorzing the Postmaster General extend the exist
ing contract Tor carrying the mail between New Or
leans and Mobile for three years from the time of the
expiration of the contract If the public convenience
can be thereby promoted and the resolution was or
dered to a second reading.
THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE.
Mr. MERRlCK, from the same committee, report
ed the following joint resolution, viz:
Resolped by the Senate and House Of Representa-
tires of The United States Of America in Con-
gress assembled, That the privilege of receiving
and transmitting letters pamphlets, and documents
free of postage, be extended to the erVice Presi-
dents of the u States in the manner and to the
same extent as it is enjoyed by the ex-Presidents
of the United States.
The bill was read first and second time, and the
question being engrossng IT Tor a third reading