The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1845-02-18
HOUSE OF REPRESEN + ATIVES,
MoNDAy. February II lS45.

The SPEAKER laid before the House several
Executive communications reply TO resolutions
calling for information, heretofore adopted.
l he bill from the Senate, to restrict and grant
pensions in certain cases, after being amended was
read third time and passed.
The oint resolution from the Senate, to distribute
the narrative OF the Exploring Expedition, coming
up, amendments were made to include Texas and
China in the list of the Governments to be presented
with a copy Of the work.
Mr.. KENNEDY, of Maryland proposed an
amendment to give copy to each of the commits
stoned officers aud members of the scientific corps,
and copy Of the octave edition TO each Of the sail
ors, MASTER, and mldshipmen
Mr.. BURKE remarked that there were but hun
dred copies to be disposed Of; and il the amendment
should be adopted, the entire number would be con-
sumed.
Mr.. KENNEDY, Of Maryland, had understood
that there about thirteen commissioned officers
attached to-lhe expedition, and many Of Them had
performed services truly megitor,ous. As an instance,
Lieutenant Walker, who commanded the Flying
Fish, went farther South than either OF the other
commanders, and, as a consequence encountered
greater pers. The publishers OF the work had prin
ted one hundred copies for The Government, and had
struck off two hundred and fifty copies for them
selves. These might swell be purchased, as it
would involve bot small expense.
Mr. KENNEDY, Of Mary land, modified his
amendment hat fifty additional copies OF the larger
and as many Of The smaller edition of the work as
may be accessory, be purchased by the Library Com
mIttee.
Mr.. MCKAY moved the previous question which
was seconded
And the amendment of Mr. KENNEDY was reject
ed-yeas %, nays lOi.
The resolution was then read third time and pass
ed.
The Senate BILL authorizing the Attorney General
to contract for the printing of the laws aud treaties
Of the United States, committed TO the Commit
tee of the Whole on the state of the Union.
Mr.. MCDOWELL thought the sailors should not
be overlooked. Ii was, in great measure owing To
their SKILL in their peculiar VOCATION that the objrcts
of the expedition were omplished and certainly
they much entitled 10 copies the midshIp-
men.
MIR. SCHENCK said that Jack Tar would won
der he turned his guild in his mouth and looked ct
the book, "what the devil he should do with the
thing"
motion made 10 reconsider the vote by which,
several days ago the bill for the construction of
bridge across the Potomac Land on The table.
Mr.. MCKAY moved 10 lay The motion on the 10 bic
and the yeas and nays being taken, this question
decided in The afirmalive-yeas 81 nays IS:
The SPEAKER announced the business next in
order TO be tie motion TO rec nsder the vote by which
the House laid on the table the bill from the Senstr
authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to conr-
promise with the suretics Cf Samuel Swortwout,
late Collector Of the port of New York.
The yeas and nays were taken, and the House re-
fused 10 reconsider he vole-yeas II, nays u.
The bill TO regulate the Tay OF The army, and for
other PIT poses, coming ny on its passage,
Mr.. ADAMS gave his reasons why he should
for it, and took occasion TO advert 10 the ques-
tons Of oregon, Texas and Slavery in connexon
with the subject before the House.
Mr.. RAYNER spoke against the reduction of the
army; and had not concluded his remarks when
we lett the Capitol, three o'clock