The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-01-02
X THE SOUTHERN MAIL
Washington.
TCorrcsondence Of the Herald.]

saw TCorresondence Of the Herald]
i mi1 WASHINGTON, Saturday night, Dec 81.
Ss,sTonnsge OF shipplng-Consul to China, DC.
d; In the House nothing was done again to-day; and
itvt an early hour it adjourned over till Tuesday.
"a The most important matter was message from
'e'te President recommending the appointment of
onsul, or rather Government commercial agent,
lap China, as mentioned in yesterdays letter. and
slso the taking such steps would prevent Great
6htan, in the treaty with China, from monopoizing
yae entire trade with that nation and alse to open
negotiations with the Emperor of China, to
av ave equal share of trade and privileges with the
1rtish. The message also recommends the ap-
ointment of Government functionary at the
Sandwich Islands.
1t was private bill day, but nothing of the least
Importance to your city, or the country generally,
WAS transacted under that head During the morn
Ing hour, however, matter of some Importance to
khe mercantile interests of your city came up; it
fwas plan to alter the mode of calculating the
tonnage of shipping.
I Mr.. KENNEDY, Chairman of the Committee of
commerce, called for the consideration of the bill
Ito regulate the mode of calculating the tonnage of
vessels The question being on the passage of the
tbill, Mr.. Knvent into explanation of its object
1.-The prest mode of obtaining tonnage of vessels
Twas imperfect and his object was to change the
Enode so as with some certainty to have the real
Ramount. He remarked that under the present sys-
TEN, bad models OF vessels were made, as there was
~ an inducement under our present mode of calcu-
Yc Iating tonnage. The English nation had passed
law to remedy this defect, and he desired to have
the beneficial result produced in this country
Mr. CUSHING said that thus measure had come up
on him Unexpectedly. He would, if the House
2 would bear with him, try to think about the matter
;eson the floor. Ii occurred to him it was bill to
make important revolution in our ship building
business, and to persons owning vessels it might be
of vast importance. He said that he did not know
that lie would oppose the bill, but he believed tina,
shlpowne and builders would construct vessels ac
lcordng to their own interests after all our legisa
.tlon. He wished to postpone the matter
H., Mr. KENNEDY again insisted the prOprety of
passing tue bill. The date of the commencement of
It's operations might be postponed, and no injury
could be done.
Mr. McKEoN united with Mr. Gushing in desiring
.postponement o. the bill. He appealed TO the
Chairman of the Committee on Commerce to per-
= mt the measure TO remain the Speakers table
for few days He read Mr.. Kennedy's report at
the last session the subject, but he confessed that
she knew not sufficient now of the merits of the
bill 10 act uponlt 1t had come upon the House
Very suddenly. If postponement took place the
navigation and ship building interests of the coun-
Try would have their attention called TO the move
rnrnt and the House would probably receive such
a. information as would give ii the means of acting
Fwlth safety He moved that the bill be postponed
Z 10 next Monday fortnight.
MIR. KENNEDY said he would agree to one week
from next Tuesday.
Mr. CUSHING suggested to Mr. Kennedy, next
Z Tuesday fortnight.
The vote was taken on Mr.. Kennedy's motion
-hnd lost. The bill was. then postponed till next
Tuesday fortnight.
a The House adjourned to Tuesday, when the Hon
@ Thomas F. Marshall has the floor, nomnally on the
Bankrupt Law, but in reality matters and things
a in general. w. II. A.