The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-02
TWENTY. NINTH CONGRESS,
FIRST SESSION.
MosDAr, February 2, ls4s.s
IN SENATE.

The journal af Thursday having been read,
THE PRESi DENT laid before the Senate report
of the Secretary Of the Navy, accompanied by
statements Of the contracts made by the several
bureaus Of that department during the fiscal year
ending June 80, l546; which were read and referred
10 lhs Committee on Naval Affairs, and ordered 10
be printed.
Also a report Of the Secretary Of War, exhibiting
the expenses Of the national armories, and the mum
Der Of arms manufactured al the same, during inc
year ending June 80, l945; which was read ana re-
ieued 20 the Committee on Military Affairs
PETITIONS.
Mr.. WRsTcoTT presented certain resolutions
pass.d bv the legislature OF Florida, asking the
appointment of a commissioner on the par, Of The
United States 10 act with the commissioners on the
part Of the States of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida,
in running and marking the boundary line between
these States. |
Mr.. WRsTCoTT stated that he bad aecidently |
omitted 10 bring to the Senate this morning an able
rsport Of Mr.. Joseph Branch -the attorney general
OF Florida, upon the subject Of these boundaries,
bat that he would lay IL before the Senate on to- |
morrow, with other documents, and ask similar
reference, His object was 10 procure from the led
era government its assent to, and participation m
the measures adopted by the States mentioned, Tor
the settlement Of these boundaries and 10 procure an
appropriation pay the expenses, or at least Por-
ton Of the expenses, which will necessarily be In
CURED.
The United States were deeply interested in the
settlement Of the line between Georgia and Florida
Florida is concerned only so far forth as reiaes 10
the definite ascerainment OF the extent OF her luris
diction, and that the titles TO lands OF those OF her
citizens who have purchased lands OF the United
States near the disputed boundary line may be set
lied The United States own all the lands south OF
the line not purchased, or owned by English or
Spanish grants, before the eession OF Florida, or
donated 20 the State or corporations or individuals
since. Many of the lands adjoining the disputed
boundary hsye not been offered for sale, or even
finally surveyed yet by the United States Some
Of them have been settled upon by Fioridians, claim
ing prescription rights under the acts OF Congress,
and some OF the same lands had been taken posses
sion of and sold by the authorities Of Georgia as her
properly, and for the benefit Of that State. IL could
be readily that this stale Of things occasioned
great confusion and much litigation, and also con-
tests the jurisdiction Of the courts OF the States
Of Georgia and Florida in criminal prosecutions for
offences committed in tho disputed territory.
The only practicable remedy for these evils Is the
speedy definite settlement OF the disputed boundary.
Whilst Florida territory this was attempted
by commissioners appointed by the United States,
and the State Of Georgia respectively. The com
missioners however disagreed, and the effort failed
Georgia has since run and marked the line accord
ing to her interests and views, and claims to own
the lands and exercise jurisdiction up TO the line so
run and marked by her. At the recent sessions Of
the respective legislatures Of Georgia and Florida,
however, both those States agreed to appoint CON-
missioners and ascertain and run the line anew.
Florida proposed that commissioner Of the United
States should be the umpire in case Of disagree
ment between the commissioners. This Georgia
declined. Ii IL understood that she objects TO
the participation of the United Smissin such settle
ment The only matter Of dispute 10 az TO the EAST
ern terminus Of the boundary. The United States
and Florida claim to and at the mound on the head
of the st. Mary's river, raised by Mr.. Elicott,
United s'ntes commissioner under the treaty with
Spain, more than forty years ago. Georgia claims
that the terminus is twelve miles farther south,
at the head Of another stream she alleges to be the
bSv have 5ssn IxS gsn,smsn well known
had been advised by Governor Mosely) to act as
commissioners for the State of FIorida The dis
pute as to the boundary between FLORIDA and Ala
bama was not perhaps Of so much consequence, as
the United States owned the lands on both sides OF
the ine but it necessary, for Obvious reasons,
it should be settled also. II was deemed not only
proper but necessary, that the United States should
take part in the settlement Of these boundaries, and
but reasonable and Just that the general government
should contribute to the payment Of the necessary
expenses. - -..-ss""ra
The resolutions, together with documents relative
TO the subject presented by Mr.. w., referred
to The Committee on the Judiciary, and ordered to
be printed.
In connexioD with the above, Mr.. w. submitted
the following resolution; which was agreed to-
R,sorss That the Committee on the Judiciary he in
strueed to inquire into the expedency Of providing by
law for the appointment Of commissioner the part
between the OF Georgia and Florida and the
alabama and Florida providing the payment of
the expenses Of settling said lines.
Mr. CALHOUN presented the memorial of the
executor Of Thomas Cooper, deceased, praying the
reimbursement Of the fine and costs imposed upon
the esator, for offence committed under the sedi-
ton act of 1900; which referred to the Commit
tee on the Judiciary. d. -s. g..
Mr.. C. ulso presented the petition of Peter Won
Schmidt, praying compensation for model of a
pneumatic dry-dock, constructed by direction of
the Secretary of State, for the use of the China
mission; which was referred to the Committee of
Claims. ...' sa e"s.
.I THE PILOT LAWS .."
Mr.. MILLER presented resolutions adopted by
the legislature of New Jersey, demonstrating against
the repeal of the pilot laws Of March 2, 1887; which
ordered to be printed, and referred to the Com
mlttee on Commerce.
PORT OF ENTRY AT JERSEY CITY. .--
Mr. M. also presented the memorial of citizens OF
New Jersey, praying Congress to establish port OF
entry at Jersey city; which referred to the Com
mittee ON Commerce.
Mr.. THOMAS CLAYTON presented the petit
ton of the surviving partner Of the firm Of Jones &
Lander, praying 10 be paid the balance due them by
furnished in the construction Of wall around the
Pea Patch island, under contract with government;
which was referred to the Committee Of Gains.
Mr.. DICKINSON presented the petition OF
James Hamilton and z. Schuyler, praying the pur-
chase by the government for the use OF the navy of
their right TO an Improvement in machinery for cpr
vilinear and compound bevel saving; Whit WE ~
referred to the GaqgiissSons '''''''" u
Mr.. STURGEON presented a resolution passed
by the legislature Of Pennsylvania against any in
crease of the rates Of postage which was laid on the
table, and ordered to be printed - "
Mr.. D. also presented resolutions passed by the
same body in favor Of the construction Of mscod-
amized road from the United States arsenal at Pitts.
burgh To the larbor at Erie; which was laid on the
table and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. $. also presented resolution passed by the
same body in favor Of an appropriation by Con-
Marcus Hook, in the Delaware river; which was
laid on the table, and ordered to be printed
Mr.. DIX presented four memorials Of shipmas-
tiers and seamen engaged in navigation on the
lakes. praying that Cottaraugus harbor, on Lake
Erie, may be finished and lighted; which were re-