The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-19
THIRTIETH CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION.
House Of Rcprescn tatlves.

House OF Representatives.
After the adoption of resolutions Of INQUIRY and
calling for information several subjects (as furnish
ed by telegraph the House resolved itself into com
mittee of the Whole on the Ssate of the Union and
resumed the consideration Of the general apnronria
ton bill-Mr. Root presiding f-tlT - =
COMMERCE WITH AFRICA
MI VINToN offered an amendment, appropriating
$4,000 for compensation and expenses of q CONNER.
sdent to collect information respecting commerce in
Asia and Africa 1t was recommended by the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury.
MIR. HousroN, of Alabama should like to know
whether this amendment comes from the Committee
of Ways and Means.
MIR. VINToN-Yes, sir.
Mr. HoUsroN--The last time | ever heard ANYTHING
of this subject the Committee of Ways and Means
against it, should like the gentleman or some other
person to tell the country what benefit is to result
from such an agent being sent abroad Informa ton
can be obtained more readily from the commercial
men of the Union than by anybody sent abroad for
that purpose
Mr. vIsros-I understand the gentleman to init.
mate that this amendment has not been directed by
| the Committee Of Ways and Means
Mr.. HoUsToN-l said expressly it had
MIR. VINToN-It was agreed to at time when the
| gentleman was absent from the committee.
| Mr.. HousToN-I am absent very seldom
| MIR. ViNToN-At all events you were absent then
The committee did not think that your absence should
| arrest their business.
The letter of the Secretary of the Treasury alluded
to by MIR. Vinton, was read. He states that such a
| mission would be attended with beneficial results
Now that the Oregon question is settled and have
acquired California our trade with Asia may be in
creased TO the extent of several millions and
nue. to proportionate extent.
MIR. GRINsELL briefly advocated the amendment.
Mr. KING, of Georgia, said that the compensa tion
was small in contrast to the value of the information
we would obtain 1t is well known that the Russian
government and the English government, have had the
| distant coasts surveyed
Mr. NIcoLL willing to depend upon private en-
terprise for commercial information.
Mr.. c. J. INGERsoLL suggested an amendment-that
the President send abroad commercial agent. 1t
would leave him free to direct the field Of operations
Mr.. VrNToN said, that the form of the anne ndme mt
was immaterial IL drawn in such a form as to
enable the President whoever he may think
proper but there could be objection to the ge
mans suggestion, because substantially, it was the
same thing
Mr. CoNoER-Is the amen dment in order,
The CHATRMAN-It is
MIR. THOMPSON, Of Pennsylvania-I cannot for my
life see how we can obtain information from q COM
am entirely opposed to the amendment.
Mr.. HuNT-lt contemplates sending agent where
We have no consuls
MIR. THoMrsos-If the trade is not important enough
for consul. why employ special agent?
Mr.. VINToN-The Secretary Of the Treasury has
proposed this He wishes to trade with the whole
world of nine hundred millions.
MIR. THoMPsoN-Does the gentleman subscribe to
everything that is recommended by the Secretary OF
the Treasury? The object contemplates nothing more
than the creation of Office. All the information is
in possession of the government.
The question taken, and the anne ndment was
rejected.
Various amendments were offered and disposed of,
and many Of the clauses Of the bill agreed to-
At four O'Clock the Committee rose when
Mr.. VINToN offered a resolution That, from the time
Of the adjournment the House take a recess until
seven o'clock
MIR CLISeMAS moved that the House do now adj
journ.
MIR. CoBB said, that If the motion was made to de.
feat action rpon the bill he would for the yeas and
nays.
they were not ordered, and the House then ad-
journed.