The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-16
In CONGRESS- OF THE U. STATES.
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY IS, ls4s.
SENATE.
CREDENTIALS

CREDENTIALS.
Mr. FOOTE presented the credentials of the Hon JEF-
rERsoN DAVIS, elected senator OF the United States
from the State of Mississippi, TO fill the vacancy
stoned by the decease OF the Hon JESSE SPEIGHr which
read
resumed bus seat In the Senate.
PETITIONS.
Mr. JOHNSON, of Maryland, presented the petition
of Mary Cassn. widow of deceased naval officer pray
ing renewal of her pensien which was referred to the
Mr. UNDERWOOD presented memorial of the Board
Of Trade OF the city of Wheeling praying certain amend
ments to the act OF July 7h 1885, to provide for the bet
ter security OF the lives OF passengers board of
sells propelled by steam and moved its reference TO the
Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.
Mr. WESTCOTT observed that at an early day of the
sesslon:he had introduced resolution which adopted
by The Senate, requesting the Commissioner OF Patents
10 obtain information and report it to Congress- the
explosions of steam boilers, with view to further egs
ation to prevent them; and he would suggest that this
memorial be also referred to the Commissioner, who
would probably report in a few days
MIR. UNDERWOOD said that If there was any prospect
of immediate report the subject he had no objection
TO the reference suggested by the senator IRON Florida
He somewhat desirous however, that the subject
should be placed in the hands of some committee of the
Senate. in order that might receive the action of the
body during the present session. practicable In his
ment 1t matter OF deep interest to the people
the western waters
Judgment the appropriate reference would be to the Com
mittee Commerce Early in the session a resolution
referred to that committee, who were instructed TO
make inquiries whether any further legislation was
necessary for the protection of life board steam YES
sells. That resolution had been for time in the
hands of the committee. The subject had been submit
ted to investigations and, as he had been informed many
facts had been accumulated by that committee in relation
to It, They were at present maturing report and had
1t under consideration, whether it would not be eXpedient
to submit bill making further provisions for the safety
of passengers and others navigating steamers and other
vessels. He had himself in his possession some impor
tant communications the subject which he did not
deem necessary to pass through the Senate but should
lay them before the committee. He thought that this
mortal had better take that direction. The report of the
Commissioner OF Patents, which would doubtless be in
terestng and valuable could also be referred the
mittee having charge of the whole subject
Mr. WESTCOTT inquired whether the senator was
not mistaken in surprising that this subject had been
placed in charge OF the Committee on Commerce of the
Senate?
MIR DAVIS replied that it had been referred to that
committee under resolution of the Senate.
Mr.. WESTCOTT then said that he had no objection
Mr.. UNDERWOOD also acquescng, the reference to
the Committee on Commerce was ordered.
MIR. SEWER presented memorial OF Robert Mills,
respecting new route to the Pacific ocean, with plan
for the transportation OF dispatches to Astoria in fifteen
days; which was referred to the Committee on the Ii
bray, and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. BREESE presented the petition of Polly Taylor
widow of revolutionary soldier, praying to be allowed
apenslon which was referred to the Committee Pen
slons.
grant to the State of illinois OF the right of way over
and donation of, public land for constructing railroad
to connect the waters Of the Upper and Lower Mssssp
p with the northern lakes which "a bill having been
reported for that obecD were laid upon the table.
MI. DAVIS. OF Mississippi submitted document in
relation to the pay and emoumen's of military store
Keepers IN the army: which referred to the Commit
tee on Military Affairs
MIR. HANNEGAN submitted documents relating 10 the
claim of the heirs of John T. Douglass deceased assignee
OF John +. Meca and Others to the right of pre- emp
ton 10 certain lands in Indiana; which, with the docu-
mens on the files of the Senate relating thereto were re-
ferred to the Committee on Public Lands
Mr.. CAMERON presented petition of inhabitants of
pennsylvania praying the adoption of measures for
motion to receive which was laid upon the table.
Also the petition Of James Harley, praying an extern
SION OF his patent for an Improvement in the mode OF
mee on Patents and the Patent Office
Mr. BAGBY presented memorial of the Legislature OF
the State OF Alabama, praying that equivalent in land
scrip or money may be granted to that State for such of
the school lands within her limits may be ascertaned
to be unfit for cultivation; which was referred to the
Committee Public Lands
Also the petition of t. l. Smith, PRAYING an amend
men OF the constitution in relation to the election of
President and Vice PRESIDENT which was laid upon the
table Wv"
HoUDoNs BUST WASHINGTON
Mr.. DIX submitted the following resolution: which
was considered, by unanimous consent and agreed to-
Resotred That the Committee the Library be
ed to inquire INTO the expcdency of purcha marble
bust of Washington, by Houdo, possession Of MI
George Gibbs
LIGHT HOUSES IN LOUISIANA.
Mr. JOHNSON, Of Louisiana, submitted the following
resolution; which was considered, by unanimous con-
sent, and agreed to:
Resolved That the Committee Commerce be instruct
ed to inqare into the expedency of ppropriaton for
the erection of lighthouse Proctors Shell Bank and
also for the erection of light house Ship Island the
State of Louisiana.
THE PEA PATCH CASE.
On motion of Mr. JOHNSON, of Maryland, it was
Ordered, That 900 copies report of the So
citor of the Treasury in reply the Senaes
of the 18th umo, relative the site of Fort Delaware
printed for the use of the Senate
UNITED STATES COURTS IN MICHIGAN.
Agreeably to notice, Mr.. FETCH asked and obtained
leave to bring bill concerning the courts of the Uni
ted States and for the district OF Michigan which
read the first and second times, by unanimous consent,
and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
PRIVATE BILLS.
Agreeably to notice, Mr.. DAVIS, of Massachusetts,
asked and obtained leave bring in bill for the relief
OF Benjamin Adams Co., and others; which was read
the rs and second times, by unanimous consent and re-
ferred TO the Committee on Finance.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Louisiana, from the Committee on
Pensions, to whom referred the petition of John
Clark submitted report, accompanied by bill granting
a pension to John Clark.
The bill was read and passed to a second reading
Mr.. JOHNSON, OF Louisiana, also from the same COM
mtec, whom referred the bill from the House of
Representatives for the relief of Sas Waterman report
ed it without amendment
Mr.. DOWNS, from the Committee Private Land
Claims, to whom referred the memorials of Adelaide
Snyder and Henriete Pensoneau heirs of Jean F. Perry
deceased; John Bleakelcy. William Bleakeley Nicholas
adger and Juliana Bleakeley, heirs of Josiah Bleake
ley; James l.. d. Morrison, John M. Morrison and Il
Morrison heirs of Robert Morrison, deceased and
OF the heirs of Nicholas JaIrot deceased submitted