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

saw rCorresondence of the Herad.]
miy WASHINGTON, Saturday night, Dec. 81.
icloth Houses adjourned over the Holidays
II, Tonnsge OF shipping-Consul to China, DC.
81; In the House nothing done again to-day; and
tvt an early hour it adjourned over till Tuesday.
~ The most important matter was message from
'ehe President recommending the appointment of
;pnsu, or rather Government commercial agent,
LAP China, as mentioned in yesterdays letter; and
sso the taking of such steps as would prevent Great
ahitain, in the treaty with China from monopolizng
yae entire trade with that nation, and alse to open
negotiations with the Emperor of China, so as to
av ave equal share of trade and privileges with the
british The message also recommends the APP
ointment of Government functionary at The
Sandwich Islands.
I 1t 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
lhe mercantile interests of your city came up; it
lwas 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.. Krvent into explanation of its object
lrhe prest mode of obtaining tonnage of vessels
WAS imperfect, and his object to change the
Enode so as with some certainty to have the real
3amount. He remark ed that under the present sys-
tern, bad models OF vessels were made as there was
y an nducement under our present mode of calcu-
" tating tonnage. The English nation had passed
law to remedy this defect, and he desired to have
the same beneficial result produced in this country
Mr. CUSHING said that thus measure had come up
on him Unexpectedly He would, if the House
would bear with him, try to think about the matter
eaon the floor 1t occurred to him it bill to
make important revolution In our ship building
business and to persons owning vessels 1t might be
= of vast Importance. He said that he did not know
That he would oppose the bill, but he believed that
ship owners and builders wouldconstruct vessels
icordng to their interests, after all legisa
tion. He wished to postpone the matter
Ia, Mr.. KENNEDY again insisted on the prOprety of
passing the bill The date of the commencement of
lis operations might be postponed, and injury
Hcoud be done.
Mr. McKEoN united with Mr. Gushing in desiring
postponement o. the bill. He appealed 10 the
Chairman OF the Committee on Commerce to per-
= mt the measure 10 remain the Speakers table
for few days. He read Mr.. Kennedy's report at
he last session on the subject, but he confessed that
S he knew not sufficient of the merits of the
J bill TO act uponit. 1t had come upon the House
Merry suddenly. II a posPonement took place the
r navigation and ship building interests of the
Try would have their attention called TO the move
inrnt, and the House would probably receive such
4. information as would give it the of acting
FSvlth safety. He moved that the bill be postponed
Z 10 next Monday fortnight.
Mr.. KENNEDY said he would agree TO one week
from next Tuesday.
y Mr. CUSHING suggested to Mr. Kennedy, next
!. Tuesday fortnight.
The vote was taken on Mr. Kennedy's motion
-and lost. The bill was. then postponed till next
Tuesday fortnight.
a The House adjourned to Tuesday, when the Hon
Thomas F. Marsha has the floor, nominally on the
r Bankrupt Law, but in reality on matters and things
o. in general. w. II. A.