The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-15
In CONGRESS OF THE u. STATES,
ThIr,ieth Congress second Session.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER IA, lsls.
SENATE.
MIR. WEBSTER appeared in his seat.
The journal having been read
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATE


the annual report of the Commissioner Of the General
Land Office and accompanying papers, submitted with
letter from the Secretary OF the Treasury OF the 18th De-
On motion BY Mr. BREESE they were referred TO the
Committee on Public Lands and ordered to be printed
| The VICE PRESIDENT also laid before the Senate
communication from The chief OF the Engineer Depart
ment, transmitting memorial OF Isaac ). Keith Reeves
of the United States army asking that his allowances
adjnant OF the military academy may be made the
by law those of an adutant OF regiment OF dragons
On motion,
Ordered That when the Senate adoums it adjourn to
meet on Monday next
MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS.
Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana presented the petition Of
Captain Ward Narston late captain in the marine corps
asking that he may be restored to his rank the corps
from which he dropped at the termination of the war
with Mexico; which was referred 10 the Committee on
Naval Affairs.
Mr. J. also presented the petition of the register and
ceiver OF the land Office louisiana praying increase
OF compensation account of The additional duties inn
posed upon them in consequence of the granting of mill
tary bounty land warrants; which referred 10 the
Committee on Public Lands
Mr. DIX presented the petition of James Foy and 9th
ers employed III the quartermastes department praying
that bounty land and three months pay may be al
lowed to them the same to others engaged in the
with Mexico; which was referred to the Committee
Military Affairs
Mr. FETCH presented petition Of citizens of Mich.
gan, asking an appropriation for the survey of the mouth
OF the On,onagon river, on lake Superior; which
referred TO the Committee Commerce
Mr. +. also presented petition of citizens of Michi-
gan, praying an extension of the general pre- empton
laws to the mineral lands of lake Superior which was
referred TO the Committee on Public Lands.
| Mr. DIX presented the petition of Daniel Webb, pray
ing that he may be allowed arrears of Pension; which
was referred to the Committee on Pensions
Mr. HUNTER presented the petition of A. G, Grnnan,
and other heirs OF Andrew GosselI, deceased praying
indemnity for French spoiaons prior 10 the year 1900;
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Rea-
| tons.
Mr. BREESE presented the petition of Rosanna Maui
ry, praying pensions which was referred to the Com
mec on Pensions.
On motion by Mr.. WESTCOTT,
Ordered That the petition ofthc administrator Francis
Cazenu be taken from the files and referred to the Com
mlttee on the Judiciary.
On motion by Mr. UNDERWOOD.
O,dersd, That the of Joseph RadcliH and the
petition of John Bruce the files of the Senate be refer
red to the Committee ON Claims
Ga motion by Mr.. STURGEON,
Ordered, That the petition of Benjamin Miller and the
documents relating to the claim of William Parkinson
taken from the files OF the Senate and referred to the Com
mittee on Pensions
On motion by Mr. DAYTON,
ord,ed, That Aaron Carman have leave Withdraw the
documents accompanying his petition
On motion by Mr. HALE,
Orisred, That Person Cogswc have leave to withdraw
his petition and papers,
On motion by Mr.. DICKINSON,
oriosd, That the petition Of Amasa Dana, praying an
files Of the Senate and referred to the Committee PEN
sions.
RAILROAD ACROSS THE IsTHMus OF PANAMA
| Mr. BENTON, from the Committee on Military At
fairs TO whom referred the memorial of William H
Aspnwa and others, relative to the construction of
railroad the shmus of Panama, reported the fol-
lowing bill; which was read:
A BILL to make compensation for the transportation of
troops and supplies Tor limited time the sthmus of
Panama.
/ Be it enacted Sc That the Secretary of the Navy be
and he is hereby, Authorized and directed into
for period exceeding twenty years, with VIM H.
Aspnwal, John L. Stevens, and Henry Chauncey, all of
the city OF New York; for the transportation by steam of
naval and army supplies including troops, munitions of
war army naval aud public stores the mails OF the Uni
over a railroad be constructed by them and their asso
ciates the stmus Of Panama, from the Atlantic
the Pacific Proulded, That the annual be
paid such transportation shalt exceed -tourths
OF the in now stipulated by law to be paid for the
trans poation OF the mails alone from New York Liver
pools dnd proU'ded Also That payment under such
tract shall be made unt SAID railroad shall be SO far add
oil Panama wholly by sieampowers Ind provldcd further,
That the 10 be made in pursuance of this shall
require the said railroad be commenced within year
three years from the I day OF June, in the year ls48
The bill having been read
Mr. BENTON said Mr.. President the work contem-
plated 10 be done, If at ALL can only be done in the dry
season. which occurs IN the spring at the sihmns Of
at all, that it be passed Immediately move, them sir,
that be made the special order of the day for Monday
Mr. CAMERON It seems TO me, sir, that the time
mentioned is too TO act upon so important bill.
1t has been read but once; and believe it conempates
giving TO few individuals in the State of New York
great advantages should think its consideration ought
to be postponed to later period that notice may be given
TO the whole country, and that we may learn whether
there other individuals this greatly
tended country, who. in work like hiSn an object
of interest to everybody, promising the greatest profits
ever given TO any human beings under heaven-woud
like 10 be competitors for the opportunity of doing the
work. | prefer that il should lie over until later pc
Rod.
Mr. DAVIS OF Mississippi. The gentleman from Penn
sylvana will remember that the petitioners in their me-
mortal claim that they have the exclusive right of way
across the ishmus.
Mr. CAMERON (interposing) am aware of that
MIR, DAVIS OF MISSISSIPPI. They claim hold 4
charter for 80 years from the government of that
try-a monopoly charter, they say.
, Mr.. CAMERON Gn,erposIng again) | am not so GER
tain of that
, Mr.. DAVIS of Mississippi Such is their representa-
ton. Therefore, the competition by bidders to which
the honorable senator refers cannot occur their charter
being they clam monopoly charter For the reason
mentioned by the gentleman from Missouri it is import
ant TO act early il at all. There are but six months in
which they work To any advantage which will eX-
pre in June July Taking these things into consider
alton, reason why later day than Monday
should be required.
Mr. CAMERON. do not desire to 90 into the dis
cussion of the merits of the bill now Tonly wish time
sufficient TO be afforded for giving notice To the country
uas for nneynne years yet this enterprise cannot be
carried out, as | understands without appropriation
from the United States other words, a contract
from department OF this government 10 nav the ey-
penses of the construction should much prefer to have
longer time for notice, and would suggest Monday or
Tuesday week.
Mr. BENTON. Mr. President, the senator from Penn
syvania has misunderstood my object in wishing to take
this up on Monday next We all know sir that we
learn nothing oil subject as long it lies upon the Ia
BILE Ii is only by taking up and discussing it that we
learn anything about It, 1t at all nv expectation