New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-05-01
From Washington.
1Es7Y.s1sTH cosGREss...First Session.
Correspondence Commercial Advertiser.
WASHINGTON. Wednesday, (: P n.
Smitfsoni4n Bal Passed.

$780,
There was a very slender attendance il both
Houses 10 dav. many Members having already left
in anticipation OF the adjournment TO morrow.
In the senate a communication was received from
the War Department transmitting information re-
Gently received in reference 10 The Copper Mines on
AXE Superior.
Joint Resolution in regard to claims OF citizens
Of The tinted States upon the Republic OF Mexico
was introduced on leave by Mr.. JARsAGTy. Mr.. J..
said he did no, intend ask for the consideration Of
this Resolution for some days
The Resolution authorizes the President with the
consen; OF the Senate, TO appoint Board to ascer
tain and adjust all claims OF our cuzens against the
Republic OF Mexico.
!, is preceded bv long preamble setting forth the
grievances under which our citizens labor from re-
peated ourages By Mexico, and that having rejected
our Minister and every pacific overture alterna-
tive is left to The Uned States bat peren ptory de-
maDd for settlement.
Mr.. MoREHEAp offered g resolution which vas
adopted ipsiructng the Committee on the Library
to inquire into the expediency of distributing the
copies OF the American archives belonging 10 the
Government among the historical and literary insti-
tuions of the country.
The bill granting alternate sections Of the Public
Domain 10 aid in the completion Of certain works Of
internal Improvement in Michigan was taken up.
and Mr. CALHOUN expressed the opinion that il was
not only the righ, but the duty of the General Gov
eminent 10 afford aid 10 works running through the
Public Lands by which the va.Ue OF the lands ~oald
be enhanced.
Mr.. NILES spoke in opposition to the bill, and
charged Mr. CALHOUN, after battling so long and so
manfuly in defence of the Constitution with hav-
ing become recent convert TO this new doctrine.
Mr. CALHOUN, with some Indignation. denied that
he had become recent convert 10 any new doc
trne He said this was not question Of internal
improvements By the Government-i, was simply
one of proprietorship-and he had acted upon the
ba, da~ rod HI,
as his recorded votes would show.
The debate was continued by Messrs. NILES,
CAss BREEsE, WEsTcoTT, ARCHER, j. NJ CLAY
ToS and others and the bill after being slightly
amended. was psssed-Ayes &C. Noes -.
The Senate then adjourned.
The House OF Representatives went Immediately
into Committee OF the w hole, and took up the bill 10
establish the Smithsonian Institution.
Mr. HAMIrS briefly addressed the Committee In Ia
vor of the bill He hoped the House would not sane
ton the substitute which had been offered by the
gentleman from Mass tMr. Adams and thus permit
the present opportunity 10 pass without carrying In
10 effect the design OF the testator.
Mr. h said the money should properly be con-
sidered as in the Treasury. and ii 1t not there
the Government was bound for it, principal and
interest.
AS to the constitutional power of the Govern
ment to accept the trust he entertained no doubt
whatever He proposed some modification of the
would give start to the sudable design OF Mr..
Smthson.
The debate was briefly continued by Messrs.
Wood of n Y, Giles of Mo. and Wick of Ia,
when, the hour having expired. the committee pro-
ceeded to vote upon the various amendments pro-
posed
Mr.. ANDREW JoHssoS's amendment confnipg
the appropriation the money actually in Treasury.
was rejected.
Mr. TIBBArrs's motion to strike out the clause
making the institution corporation was carried
20 10 a..
Many friends of the bill went for the amendment,
knowing that TO conciate Southern votes this pro-
vision be stricken out. and that the Institution
could exist without an incorporation, and moreover.
that the bill can be amended hereafter.
The bill WAS accordingly altered merely 10
provide that the institution shall be known by the
sty lie and title of the Smithsonian Institution.
An amendment 10 meet this alteration was adopt
ed providing that civil suits in which the Institution
may be concerned as plaintiff be prosecuted by the
United States.
An amendment was agreed to, providing that the
collections OF the National Institute be transferred 10
the Smithsonian Institution, and that it be called the
National Museum, and that the members of the In
siitute have the use of the Hail. and appoint curator
Mr. ADAMS moved to strike out the 9TH section,
which provides for the normal schools. This was
considered question OF the success OF the bill
Mr.. AS motion was agreed TO. - 10 AZ.
Mr. OWEN moved an amendment 10 supply the
place of the section stricken out providing for pro-
essors in science and and teachers in national
science &c and TO educate persons as teachers IN
the useful sciences.
Mr. ADAMS protested against the amendment. Il
looked schools for children, not diffusion OF know
ledge among men.
Mr.. OwEss amendment was rejected. So. II
was settled that the institution should have nothing
TO do with instruction
The 9th section. for the admission of students,
was, OF course stricken out as there were to b, 40
instructors.
The lo;h section. for the printing and circulation
of elementary works for the promotion OF educa-
ton was stricken out sequel to the striking out
Of the others.
Mr.. Owen, the discounted manager of the bill,
here struck his colors.
Mr.. McCLERsAsD offered substitute for the bill,
providing that the President shall invest the interest
of the Fund in the purchase of library and scientific
apparatus under the advice and assistance OF those
persons whom he may appoint. and II was rejected.
MI JONES of Tennessee, moved a substitute d.
recIing that the stocks IN which the money was
lost be returned TO the heirs or nearest OF kin of
, James Smithson.
This was rejected on the ground that il was rath-
er too strong 10 sanction reputation and then insult
the parties by giving them the repudiated bonds.
But eight Members voted for the notable plan.
The nAxtprupositiou was Mr.. ADAMss, TO apply
moral suasion to the State OF Arkansas and induce
IT, tneEeOy 70 pay the pIluCipdI HUI Interest otl Lie
bonds Nj AS project does not provide any sp-
preparation for the use Of the money, whea :hus re-
covered By the Treasury
Mr. HOPKINS OF Va. moved TO strike out moral
suasion" so as TO leave the words suitable means,
which was agreed to-
Mr.. ADAns's amendment was then rejec,ed-57
10 -
Mr. MARSH, of Vermont, moved 10 amend 50 as
to appropriate the fund to the collection OF Library.
This was agreed 10.
The section providing for Lectures was stricken
out.
Mr. HoUGH, of New York, offered substitute for
the whole bill. which WAS agreed to.
The bill with Mr. HoueHs Substitute, was re-
ported to the House. and the previous question wa:
ordered, and M HoCGH's substitute was concurre
in-yeas 81, nays 20.
The bill as amended was ordered 10 be engross-
ed.
The question being on is first passage, the vote
was yeas IS, nays 70.
So the bl passed,
The bin, as j. finally passed, is an excellent bill
better Than any that mas been proposed in the
House.
It's substantially the bill which NJ CHoArE OF
Mass. got tnroug h the Senate