Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-05-13
THIRTIETH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION. I.
Extracts FROM the Business Proceed ings.
IN SENATE.

The. VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate comhu-
nicaon from the Department Of State, mhde IN compliance
with report by resouonof the Senate Of % February last
referring the memorial Of A. A. FRASER and Alvin Baker,
claiming indemnity for the illegal capture by British cruiser
Of the American brig Douglass
On motion Of Mr.. WESpCOTT, the message ordered
to be printed for the use Of the Senate.
The Secretary that the claim had been urged against
the British Government in behalf Of The claimants before be
came into Office but had been since abandoned that he could
not consistently with his other dute give the subject that
thorough examination ne could have desired de gives an
explicit opinion however, that the vessel captured and
detained in direct violation Of the laws Of nations and the right
Of the American flag and that the duty of this Govern
ment hold that Of Great Britain responsible He says fur
ther that whether the United States, by abandoning the
claim against the British Government has rendered itself
sponsbe he does not feel himself under the resolution called
on express any opinion, and that such duty appro
paey belongs to the Legislative than to the Executive
branch.
Mr. WEsTCOTT asked the indulgence Of the Senate to
take up the bill relating the grants made under the act for
the armed occupation Of Florida which motion having been
agreed to- the bill considered in Committee Of the Whole
and by unanimous consent twas read third time and passed
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
By Mr. DAVIS, of Mississippi from the Committee on
Pensions bill for the relief Of Nehemiah Brush, accom-
panied by report. t
BY Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Louisiana, from the Committee
Pensions bill granting pension to William Pittman,
accompanied by report.
Also, from the same committee, the following House bills
without amendment.
An act for the relief OF Joel Thatcher.
An act for the relief Of John Knight.
An act for the relief Of Benjamin Reefsnyder.
An act for the relief of VIM. Paddy.
An act for the relief Of Israel Bayess.
An act for the relief of Arthur Wilson,
An act for the relief Of Benjamin G. Perkins.
An act for the relief of Berah Wright.
An act for the relief Of John Savage.
BILLS INTRODUCED ON LEAVE.
By Mr.. DOUGLAS "A bill granting to the State Of Iowa
the right of way and donation Of public lands for making
railroad connecting the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
By Mr.. JOHNSON: A bill 10 amend the act approved
18th June 1884, entitled An act TO provide for the adjust
of land claims within The States Of Missouri Arkansas,
and Louisiana and in those parts Of the States Of Mississippi
and Alabama south Of the Goth degree Of north latitude and
between the Mississippi and Perdido rivers"
ALABAMA CLAIM.
On motion Of Mr.. BAGBY, the prior orders were post
poned and the Senate proceeded the consideration of the
bill authorizing payment Of interest the advanced
by the State of Alabama the General Government pending
the Creek hostilides in ls36-'37.
The bill having been explained and advocated by Mr..
BAGBY, ordered to be engossed and was by unani-
consent subsequently read third time and passed
PENSIONS.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi, asked the Senate to take up
of its order, Senate bill explanatory of the act entitled
eAn act TO raise for limited time additional military
force and for other purposes Mr. said that prompt
ton the bill became necessary, from the fact that decisions
under the which had been made in the Pension Office
fict with the spirit of the bill
The motion having been agreed the bill considered
in Committee Of the Whole and after an explanation by Mr.
DAVIS ordered to be engrossed and subsequently
read third time BY unanimous consent, and passed.