The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-07-17
Congressional.


WASHINGTON, July7, I84S-Senate-A some
unimportant business, Mr.. Niles, from a select com
mittee reported substitute for the bill granting
portions OF the public lands TO Mr.. Whitney, to aid
in the construction of railroad from Lake MlchI-
gan to the Pacific, accompanied by few explain
atory remarks to show the importance to the app-
can't and to the prosecution of the work, by the i'm
mediate passage Of the bill.
Mr.. Walker gave notice of intention to introduce
bills-one for the improvement of the st. Clair
rapids, Wisconsin.
Mr.. Dix, from the Military Committee, reported
bill for paying to Paymasters in the war with
Mexico One-half of one per cent, commission on
disbursements TO volunteers since the, commence
ment of the war, the whole amount so paid out not
to exceed $1,000 to each.
Mr. Phelps introduced a resolution, which was
adopted nstructing the Judiciary Committee to in
quire into the expediency of providing for the de-
struction other disposition OF spurious Treasury
notes. coin, etc. and the punishment of counter
feiters of Treasury notes. Government securities,
etc. He stated that the manufacture of spurious
Treasury notes, or certificates of Government Sc
curities had been carried on to some extent in Can
ada, and that some of the implements used in the
manufacture were now in the hands of the Govern
ment here.
Mr. Dickinson introduced bill on the same sub
ect and for the object proposed, prepared, he said,
under the direction of the department, which was
twice read and referred to the same committee.
Mr. johnson, of Maryland, referred to that por-
ton of the PRESIDENT Message of yesterday which
relates the claims of citizens on Mexico pro-
vded for by the treaty of peace and stated that the
President was in error in stating tiIat of s. the
amount of liqudated claims of citizens of the
United States decided under the convention of
1899, and amounting to 81 O26 l39 6S, was payable
in twenty equal annual instruments, three of which
had been paid TO the claimants by the Mexican
Government and two by the United States, leaving
to be paid of the principal of the iquidated
amount assumed by the United States the sum of
SI,5l9,604 76, together with the Interest thereon
and that g these several amounts of 'liquidated
and unliquidated claims assumed by the United
States it is believed, may be paid as they fall due
out of the accruing revenue, without the issue of
stock or the creation of any additional public
debt" The error of the President, Mr.. Johnson
said, was in surprising that the hquidated claims
under the convention of 1889 were payable III
equal annual instalments. They were really pay
able within five years from 1913, in equal quarterly
instruments and consequently the whole unpaid
balance of 81 100000 is now due. The Govern
ment is therefore bound TO pay at once this sum to
the claimants, and not to wait for revenue to ae-
crue before making payment. There was here a
clear mistake on the part of the President; and as
a considerable portion of this amount Is due to
Maryland, he felt it his duty to offer resolution In
reference thereto. =. The resolution instructs the
Committee on Finance to inquire what measures
are necessary to insure the prompt payment to ctI-
zens of the United States of the claims guaranteed
~ biltH uuGI iG l6CCIlI hC1ty WIN AACACO5 Seiltl
the resolution adopted.
After some farther unimpertaut reports, resolu-
tions and memorials had been disposed of, and the
passage of the joint resolution submitting certain
Florida claims to arbitration
On motion of Mr.. Bright, the consideration of the
Oregon Territorial bill was resumed, and Mr. John
son, of Georgia. addressed the Senate in opposition
TO the twelfth section, and in support Of Southern
rights on the question of slavery. He commended
that Congress has Just the same right to establish
as to prohibit slavery in the Territories,
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Johnson's remarks, Mr..
Davis, of Massachusetts,, obtained the floor, and
the bill was again passed over informally
debate then ensued on the motion yesterday
made by Mr.. WestcOtt TO refer that portion of the
Presidents message which relates to the establish
ment of Governments in the new Territories, to a
select committee, with Instructions also, on a
motion Of the same gentleman to add two members
to the committee on Territories and on motion
of Mr. Butler TO refer the portion of the message
ferred to to the Judiciary committee. The proposed
addition to the Territorial committee Is considered
Important if that portiOno Of the message relating to
Territorial Governments in New Mexico and Cali
furnia be referred it, upon the views OF those
two members may depend the question as TO whether
slavery shall be prohibited or sanctioned, III the bills
which may be reported from the committed
In the House, on motion of Mr.. Fulton, the com
mittee of the whole discharged from the further
consideration of the bill from the Senate TO extend
Tue pfONlslOlls Vi eAlstlLS PO4iSiNil o "a
listed men of the advance corps of the u. $ army,
and the bill was read the third time and passed
Mr. Burt, from the committee on Military Affairs,
reported bill to provide for the payment of the
companies of Capts. Bush, Price, and Snarez, fol
military services in Florida. Read twice, referred
to committee of the whole, and ordered to be
printed.
MIR. Bolts, from the same committee, reported the
amendments of theSenate to the bill repeating the
provision of the act for prosecuting the war with
Mexico, which provides for reduction of the num-
committee agreed to the Senate amendments, with
amendments thereto. The Senate amendment:
have already been given. The amendments IL
these prepared by the House committee, propose tS
yRl Marsh 4, is4sr4Asss t,Fsffe.sd agflns the VA
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