Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-30
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 81, ls4s.
IN SENATE.

IN SENATE.
Mr.. BENTON presented the petition of Sashel Woods,
asking to be allowed certain mining privileges in California
and New Mexico which referred to the Committee on
Public Lands.
Mr. DAVIS Of Mississippi presented the following reso-
luton, which considered and adopted:
Resoted That the President of the United States be
quesed to to be communicated the Senate the xpen
in 1907 the period when the work dscon-
tinued and the results obtained the expenditures from the
period when the work resumed in 1884 l8 and the
results obtained the expenditures and results since 1874 up
to the present time under the present superintendent
AT subsequent part Of the day. Mr. KING moved
sderaton Of the vote by which the resolution adopted
After few observations by Mr.. DAVIS of Mississippi, the
question taken the motion for reconsideration and
agreed to.
The question recurring upon the adoption Of the resolution
Mr.. KING moved that it be modified, to make the
call proposed upon the Secretary Of the Treasury which
ton agreed and the resolution modified adopted
BILLS INTRODUCED on LEAVE.
Mr. BENTON, in pursuance of notice. asked and obtained
leave to introduce bill to establish additional land district
in the State Of Missouri which read first and second
time by its title and referred to the Committee the Public
Lands
Mr. DODGE, of Iowa. in pursuance of notice. asked and
obtained leave to bring in bill to the northern boun
Diary Of the State of Iowa to he and marked which was
read first and second time by Its title, and referred to the
Committee the Pubic Lands
Mr. DODGE of iowa, also in pursuance Of notice, asked
and obtained eav to bring in bill for the relief Of Elisha
HAMPTON and sters, Of Iowa which read first and
cond time by its title and referred to the Committee the
Public Lands.
WASHINGTON AND ALEXANDRIA STEAMBOAT COMPANY.
Mr.. BENTON asked the unanimous of the
introduce bill in addition the entitled can TO
incorporate the Washington, Alexandra, and Georgetown
Steam Packet Company.
The bill proposes extend for further period Of twenty
years the charter of the company.
Unanimous consent given, and the bill was read first
and second time by its title 1t then taken up in Com
mee Of the Whole the request of Mr. BENTON, and
amendment being made thereto, reported TO the Senate
Mr.. BENTON said that this merely bill to continue
law which already in existence and il very desr
able that it should be passed at this tme namuch the
limit prescribed by previous law would expire the first Of
January He apprehended there would be objection but
If hereafter shoud be thought desirable Congress could de-
ermine change the privileges which this company enjoyed
Under these he now asked that the bill be read
q third time to day.
Mr. FITZPATRICK, being new member Of the Senate,
and hence unacquaned with some questions that might be
very familiar Others asked for explanation Of the
powers which were proposed be delegated by this BILL Be-
fore he gave upon he deemed il due TO himself to
know something OF its merits. He did not, however, wish II
10 be understood that he hostile TO the bill
Mr. BENTON replied that this was company which was
incorporated years ago to run line OF steamboats, at
intervals Of two hours between this city, Alexandria, and
Georgetown for the small consideration Of ten or twelve cents
for each passenger The time for which the company had
been incorporated having nearly expired, and its line Of
steamboats, great convenience TO the public Congress
was now asked its charter for twenty years more,
~ my osAS' P~foeh osoe1 - oN~ -
cessary.
Mr. DAVIS, Of Mississippi, remarked that since this
pany incorporated circumstances had changed the ela
ton Of Alexandra the General Government that portion
Of the District Of Columbia which ceded by Virginia hav
ing been retroceded that State. IT, therefore, this company
wish for charter, il could get from the Legislature
Of Virginia. in which portion OF the route OF this steamboat
line lay For Congress grant charter Of this time, he
appehended would be interference with the State rights
Of Virginia
Mr. KING preferred that this bill should be referred to
committee examination before being passed into law lie
hoped il would take that course.
Mr.. BENTON reiterated his explanation, and read the
provisions Of the companys charter 10 show that contained
nothing Objectionable; whereas the public would be greatly
Inconvenience they not afforded the facilities OF transit
which this company furnished them.
Mr.. FITZPATRICK inquired what contribution this COM
pany paid TO the Government
Mr.. BENTON replied, not any.
Mr. NILES inquired II this company had The exclusive pr
vege Of navigating these waters
Mr.. BENTON replied, not at all.
Mr.. NILES said be had supposed not.
Mr. DAVIS OF Mississippi said his objection That The bill
would be an interference with the State rights Of Virginia still
remained and induced him TO object to its passage at this
time. .
The bill was passed over accordingly
COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC.
The Senate proceeded TO the consideration Of the following
resolution, submitted by Mr. JoHxsox, Of Maryland, the
22d instant
Resolre That the President Of the United State, be
from Mr. Wheaton 10 the Secretary State dated At Berlin
the 9TH December s45 concerning communication between
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea,
with such map maps accompanied the same.
Mr.. JOHNSON stated that, since the resolution was sub
med communication had been received obvising the me-
cessiy Of adoption and he moved, therefore, that 30
laid upon the table which motion was agreed to-
CLAIMS ON CHEROKEE INDIANS.
The Senate stunned the consideration Of the following
solution submitted by Mr. CAMERON on the 10th Of August
last
Resolved That the Secretary Of War be requested c6
munjcste the Senate any information that may be within the