The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-07-12
CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, June 80, ls4s.

the Western Dis,ric. of virginias to incorporate
the Washington Gass Light Company-were
read twice and referred.
Mr. Wescntt, by unanimous consent, in!ro'
daced bill. which was twice read and reterrpo'
respecting the employment by the Postmaster
General Of public steamers for Transporting 'ne
mail along the coast Of the United States.
Mr.. johnson. of Louisiana, submitted reso'
luton, which was adapted, requesting The Sec
retary of War to inform the Senate whetner
fortifcation is necessary on Proctor is'a.'u'
Louisiana, and if so the amount OF appropriation
required therefor.
Some unimportant reports were made from
committees, chiefly to private bills.
Mr.. DAYTON presented the memorial ot the
American Society of New Jersey, for the aP-
pointment of suitable inspectors at each port,
for the examination Of impor,aiions OF drugs
chemicals, &c.
On motion of Mr.. Corwin, the bill from the
House further to extend the time ot Locating
Virginia military land warrants, was taken up
and passed. oo
On motion of Mr.. Jefferson Davis, 10000
extra copies of Lieut.. Emory's report OF mill
tary reconnaissance from Fort Leavenworth 10
San Diego, California, were ordered to be print
cd and bound for the use Of the Senate.
On motion Of Mr. Dix, the bill "concern'ng
pilots" (repealing the act of 1887, which allows
the owners of vessels entering the port OF New
York, to employ either New York or New Jer,
sey piots) was taken up and Mr.. D. addressed
the Senate to show the necessity OF regulating
pilo,agc at the port Of New York. lhe whole
control ofthe pivilege there is now IN Inc hanas
Of ship owners, wilhou: legal regulation. IT..
lots have no security for the payment even OF
their fees, but are wholly dependant upon the
will of the ship owners and ship masters.
Commissioners are authorized to award com
ppnsation, but there is no law to enforce II.
ali regulations rests upon commercial influence
bat should he contended, be subjected to prop
er legislation. He proposed that there should
be three Commissioners, one appointed ny The
Chamber of Commerce, one by the Underwrl
ters and one by the Pilots, to examine and Il:
cense Pilots, and generally to suPerintend and
enforce the State regulations.
Mr.. Walker, presented remonstrance from
Wisconsin, against any appropriation Of the
public lands Tor railroad from Lake Michigan
10 the Pacific.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideIa
tion of the Special Orders, being bills on the
private calendar. and the bill for the relief ot
Frederick Dawson, James Scott. and Elisha
Whitney. was again taken up.
The bill provides for the adjustment ard set
Element by the Secretary of the Navy OF The
claims of the individuals named against the gov.
ernment, for "sundry vessels of war and arms
and equipments therefor" furnished the Re.
public of Texas in 1882, ''upon such terms as
he may deem reasonable and just, to be sane
toned and approved by the President of the
United States. and upon such adjustment and
settlement to issue certificates of stock tor the
amount, to Massrs. Dawson, Scott, and Whit.
ney, bearing per cent interest, payable semi.
annually, and redeemable at such time as the
Secretary may determine, not exceeding hive
years.
The amount of this claim against Texas was
originally about S5OOOOO, for which ten per
cent bonds of the republic was given, and the
faith and revenues of the republic pledged tor
the payment OF both interest and principal.
This amount has now been increased, by the
unpaid interest, to over a million; and not only
the vessels, &C., furnished for the Texan navy
but the revenues pledged for the payment OF
the debt, have been transferred, by the act OF
annexation, to the United States. But the bill
nevertheless. provides further, that the claim
shall he adjusted in the manner prescrlbed'
with the consent and concurrence o the State
of Texas, that the claimants shall transfer the
debt So agreed to he paid to the United States'
the same by a transfer OF lands OF the State
sufficient therefor.
Mr.. e. Johnson addressed the Senate in ex.
4 L.. ;, octh tha
sage ofihe bill, as an act ofjustice towards the
claimants, which the United States were NOR.
ally and legally bound to perform.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Johnson's speech,
the bill was passed over, and about a dozen
other private hills were considered and passed,
when the Senate adjourned.
House OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. Vinton, from the Committee OF Ways
and Means, reported Senate amendments to the
bills making appropriations to the Post Ohce
Department, and for The Indian Department., tor
the wear ending 3Olh June, lS49, and the
House agreed to some, disagreed to some, and
amended "ne.
A motion to take up the private calendar was
disagreed TO.
On motion of Mr.. Vinton, the House, in
Committee of the Whole, then resumed the
consideration of the general appropriation bill,
and
DR.. Joseph R. Ingcrsol addressed the Com
mttee. chiefly in rerly to Mr.. HilIiard in favor
changing certain Charges to Ministers Resi-.
dent. and Ministers Resident TO Ministers Pie.
nipoentiary, to which Mr.. l. expressed his op,
position. Ia reference to General Taylor, MIR.
I. was in favor OF bis election, because he de.
sired for once an administration who would ad
minister the Government without regard to
party distinctions.
Mr.. Thompson, of Kentucky, followed, in
o,,os;,io, IN tho war and i'm a review of the