Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-22
TWENTY-NlNTH CONGRESS.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20.
SENATE.

- Evans from the Finance Committee, re-
Vii lack the Yves, Point Academy bill, with
.a!fy amendments.
On motion OF Mr. Turney, resolution was
go.el. ns,ruclihs the Military Committee 10
.95,, on the expediency OF limiting the term OF
|.-ylce Of The officers of the army to sixty years.
" Surgeon presented the proceedings of a
.a, meeting at Easion, Pa, in reference 10 the
u, with Mexico.
Mr.. Woodbridge presented resolutions Of the
| .e,isIalurc Of Michigan, against The leasing OF
laefal lands in Lake Superior.
Alter a discussion between MeSsrs. Webster,
reese, Cass and Others the resolutions were or
red TO be printed.
The House bill regulating The value at which
tain foreign coins shall be received al our Gus
p.Eouse was taken up, the amendment con
.o,,,. in and the bill passed.
IN. Senate then resumed the consideration OF
he French Spolialon bill.
Ar. Mo.shead having the floor, resumed and
,,n,luiri his remarks.
'''' HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
T. Indian appropriation bill, q returned
Am the Senate, with amendments, was referred
M Committee on Ways and Means.
NJ Smith from the Committee on Roads and
r,,als rrpor,ed a bill for surveying and con-
.,.nc,;n- a military road from Fort Howard in
|w,,consin 10 Cort Wilkins in Michigan. II
"a, ,wice read and committed.
This being the day set apart for The considera-
t,p /, territorial business, 4 resolution was
,oped posiponins the special order till the ID OF
| June
Il, Andrew Stewart moved suspension of
- ,nle, 10 enable him to offer a resolution in
,rnrling The military committee TO report bill
,c-ra.;pe the paw OF volunteers from seven to
n dollars per month, and granting 10 those who
,-rvs 10 The end OF the war, or who may die IN
IL service, 100 acres Of land.
The notion 10 suspend was negatived-yeas
o, nays -. ~,
Some unimportant matters being here disposed
81 Mr.. Butler King, from the Committee on Ma
"a! Affairs, reported bill making appropriation
b. twelve iron war steamers and one irigate. IL
vas twice read and connilted.
The frs, section provides, that immediately
,bsr the passage OF The act, il shall be the duty
q The Secretary OF The Navy, alter advertising,
Or 10 contract for the construction OF twelve
var steamers. 10 be built of iron, OF not less than
1900 nor exceeding 1000 tons, the boilers 10 be
2a.ed 50 far below the water line and the ma
:n,nery so arranged as 10 be secure from an enc
ny's shot; that they shall have speed Of al
cas-, fifteen miles an hour in ocean navigation,
n ordinary weather; that they shall be furnished
with engines of not less than | 600 horse power
each and capable OF carrying an armament, OF
a, east six ii Treadwell's wrought iron guns, OF
mol les. Than Twelve inches calibre, and from TWO
10 tour smaller guns OF the same manufacture,
with at leas, Is days fuel under high pressure
o, steam.
The second section provides for the construc.
ion OF one frsaie, 10 be built Of iron, capable
Of carrying an armament OF 90 heavy guns with
he necessary accommodations for the uEilcers
and crew OF such ship.
The third section provides, thu one OF the
steamers shall be built upon Ericsson's plan. !.
The fourth section provides, that another shall
te built upon the plan Of Messrs Schuyler.
The nh section appropriales I'VE millions Of
dollars for the purpose OF carrying The bill into
effect
A long and very interesting report acccmpa-
liel The bill. The reports goes into long and
elaborate description Of the merits oil iron over
wood for war ships, and brings The clearest evil
tsnce in favor OF iron. The plan OF uniting sails
with steam is also examined and condemned.
The House then went into Committee OF the
Whole, and took up the civil and diplomatic APP
pfopriaIion bill
Alter some discussion relative 10 the item pro-
Wing for meteorological observations the bill
Nas Tor the present laid aside, and the Commit
Ice rose.
Numerous bills from the Senate was received,
rcai,wice and appropriately referred.
The resolution OF the Legislature OF Pennsyl-
,ana, relative TO the Tariff and The Sub Treasu-
II, were !. esented and ordered 10 be printed.
The House then adjourned.