The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-21

The Senate proceeded to the consideration OF said bill
when
Mr. DIX moved that its further consideration be post
poned until the 4h day OF January, and be made the
special order for that day. which motion was agreed to-
ADVERSE REPORTS.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration OF the adj
verse report of the Committee on Claims upon the petit
ton of Arnold Naudain which was concurred in,
The Senate proceeded to the consideration OF the ad-
report Of the Committee on Claims upon the petit
ton OF Gustavus c. Horner; which, motion by
Mr., JOHNSON Of Louisiana, was passed over for the
present
THANKS TO BROADER GENERAL PRICE.
The Joint resolution of thanks to Brigader General
Price, his officers and men, for the brilliant victory
achieved at Santa Cruz. was taken up read second
time, considered as in committee OF the whole, and re-
ported back without amendment.
Mr.. HALE inquired if the thanks and sword now
proposed to be given anything additional to, or over
Dad above what the other officers have received who
fought In the Mexican war! a..
Mr. ATCHISoN, in reply, referred the honorable SEN
ator TO the chairman of the Committee on Military AL
Mr. DAVIS of Mississippi made remark or two.
which the reporter was unable TO hear.
Mr., BADGER desired 10 know if ii was usual, in au
horzlng the President of the United States make
presentation of sword prescribe in the resolution the
value of that sword, or the amount OF cost at which 1t
shall be purchased L such was not the case, he
thought the resolution should be amended.
Mr.. ATCHlSON remarked, that at the last session
resolution passed the Senate giving vote OF thanks to
Gen. Price and Col Doniphan He did not Know what
disposition was made of the resolution in the House OF
Representatives, did he know from whence the reso-
luton came or by whom il was introduced.
Mr.. BADGER moved that the joint resolution be re-
committed to the Committee on Military Affairs; which
motion was agreed TO.
THANKS TO DoNIPHAN.
The joint resolution. rendering the thanks OF Congress
to Col Donphan, his officers and men, for the brilliant
victory the Sacramento and the successful expedition to
Chihuahua, was taken up, and read the second time.
Mr.. ATtiERTON understood that such resouton
had been passed already and desired information relative
MIR. ATCHISON said that resolution had passed the
Senate last session, in which vote OF thanks was gwen
both to Col Price and Col. Doniphan but he did not
know what became of it.
Mr. HALE wished to suggest TO the Committee on
Military Affairs report back to the Senate all the Off
that TO be thanked in order that the Senate
might know ho,U many s,cord and how many thanks they
to give that they might not have 1t to do by
piece meal. [Laughter:1 He would not however, make
Mr.. ATHERTON moved that the Joint resolution be
recommi,,ed to the Committee on Military Affairs; which
motion was agreed to.
RAILROAD TO PENSACOLA.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration OF the "b
granting TO the States of Alabama and Florida the right
of way and donation of public land for railroad from
Montgomery, in the State of Alabama TO Pensacola, in
the State of Florida and from thence to the waters of the
Tensaw river, Mobile bay, in the State OF Alabama;
which read second time.
Mr.. BREEsE moved that the bill be referred to the
Committee on Public Lands.
Mr. KING moved that the bill be laid upon the table
Mr. BREESE assented to the course proposed and the
motion to lay upon the table was agreed to-
DRAINING THE EVERGLADES FLORIDA.
Mr. WESTCOTT moved that the Senate proceed to
the consideration of the bi TO authorize the draining of
the everglades in the State of Florida and to grant the
to said State for that purpose which had been
made the special order for this day.
The motion being agreed to, the Senate proceeded TO
the consideration of said bill, which read
Mr. WESTCOTT NV reason for asking the early
action of the Senate upon this bill is, that if it passes
Congress- it requires, before it can have any efficacy that
the stpnlaons in it connected with the grant of lands IT
law passed by the State legislature The sessions OF the
State legislature only biennial 1t is in session.
but will probably adjourn in January and will not again
will not detan the Senate by detail of the
which should induce Congress to make this grant for the
objects and with the conditions prescribed in the bill.
They fully and ucdly set forth in the report of the
Committee the Public Lands in the report of the Sec
rotary OF the Treasury and in the report OF the Commits
soner OF Public Lands, and in the documents accompa,
nyng those reports, all of which have caused to be laid
the desks of senators this morning All those reports
recommend the cesson or grant, and IN the form and
manner prescribed in this bill The interests of the Uni
ted States are guarded and protected fully by the cond
tons prescribed They suggested by those whose
duty is to to the protection OF those interests, and
fully acqulesce in the proprey OF every one OF them
presume no senator who has read the documents
have referred to, not fully satisfied that the entire terri
tory proposed to be granted to the State is now utterly
vaueess to the United States Why sir, your surveyor
general has only reported officially that in its present
situation, and without being Drained as is the object OF
this bill to effect, 1t is not only so worthless that would
portion of it be surveyed at all till it is drain
ed
There is map of the lands prepared al the Land Of
flee, the Secrearys table, to which would request
senators to look Nearly the whole region a vast lake
of fresh water-a prairie covered with water during all
seasons from three to six feet deep. This water is
chiefly supplied from Lake Okechobee, which is at the
northern end OF the grant proposed to be made 1t is pro-
posed large and deep canals from this lake TO the
of the gulf on the west sde and the waters of
the Atlantic the east side, and also TO cut smaller
canals drains through the rim OF soft limestone rock
by which the everglades separated from the gulf and
the Florida straits and the Atlantic ocean. In add-
ton to these canals there must be local improvements
made by the purchasers OF the drained lands rather
by associations of such purchasers by the State, with
the sole view of enhancing the value OF the lands for
agricultural purposes In this respect the undertaking is
like that of leUeeSng the banks of the Mississippi river.
These Improvements which 1t is out of the question
to suppose be done by the federal government and
especially by your engineer officers If attempted to be
so made millions may be squandered to no good end.
They should be made by practical men acquainted with
the country interested it, and in its agricultural pros
perty, and is best that it should be under the control
of the State. | do not suppose that the State will UNI
dertake the work ITSELF but suppose 1t can readily make
arrangements on highly favorable terms with individuals
or associations, undertake it under conditions, securing
against speculation on the hand and with guarantees
against failure to accomplish what may be done on the
other hand.
The lands should be conditionally disposed of the
work progresses and the conditions in each case should
be such the crcumstances-its location and character
cali for TO The keeping up OF the Improvements
hereafter Besides there are those who consCientousy
believe Congress has constitutional power TO under
take such works. the public lands, and frankly
concede such my convictions The idea OF the Unl
ted States undertaking this work has never been enter
ain I hy me a law nnUxV hof