The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-21
MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS.

Mr.. TlEV TestH[tu VttIIOns
MIA Society for promoting the abolition OF slavery and
the slave trade in the District of Columbia, and thai
slavery may be excluded from the territories OF the Uni
ted States
the religious Society of Friends in Chester country ask
Ing the abolition OF slavery in the District OF Columbia
and all other places where Congress possess exclusive
jurisdiction
Also, two petitions from citizens of Pennsylvania ask
Ing abolition OF slavery and the slave trade in the
District of Columbia, and the prohibition of slavery
the Territories belonging to the United States.
Also two petitions from citizens and female inhabitants
OF Pennsy asking the abolition OF slavery through
out the United States.
Also from citizens and female inhabitants of Pennsy
vana asking that slavery may be excluded from the
rory acquired from Mexico; that slavery may be abol-
shed in the District OF Columbia, and all other places
where Congress has exclusive jurisdiction and that
State may hereafter be admitted into the Union whose
constitution t0leTa,es slavery.
The motion to these petitions being objected to,
il was ordered to lie the table
Also, petition from citizens OF Pennsylvania, asking
grant OF one hundred and sixty acres OF land 10 every
actual settler, free of charge.
Mr. HALE observed as the reception of this petition
was not likely 10 be objected to, he would move its re-
ference to the Committee on Public Lands; which was
agreed to.
county, Pennsy vana for the abolition OF mot OF slavery
this time, Mr. President, but of the franking privilege J
which referred to the Committee the Post Office
and Post Roads.
Mr. CAMERON presented memorial from citizens of
Philadelphia, in the State OF Pennsylvania, ask ing the
construction of an ice habor at Delaware city which was
referred TO the Committee Commerce.
Also several petitions from citizens OF Phladel
pha city and county, from the counties OF Luzerne Lee
high, and Lancaster, in the State of Pennsy vana ask
ing such an increase OF the duties on imports as will
afford protection to the domestic industry of the
which were referred to the Committee on Finance
MIR, KING presented the petition OF Dennis keenan,, jr
asking grant OF land for the construction OF railroad
and magnetic telegraph from Point Isabel the gulf of
Mexico, to the Pacific ocean which referred 10 the
Committee on Military Affairs.
MIR. BALDWIN presented the petition Of Oliver Tucker,
a revolutionary soldier asking to be allowed pension
which referred to the Committee on Pensions.
Mr.. BREESE presented two petitions from citizens of
Illinois, asking grant OF land to that State to aid in the
construction of railroad from the Upper and Lower
Mississippi to Chicago; which ordered to lie on the
table.
Mr. FELCH presented petition of citizens of Detroit,
Michigan, asking that the of postage may be re-
duced and the frankng privilege abolishcd which was
referred to The Committee the Post Office and Post
Roads.
SUBSTITUTE FOR STEAM.
Mr.. BENTON presented the memorial of Charles G.
Page representing that he has discoveries mo lie of ap
plying electromagnetic power to the purposes of navga
Ion and ocomollon as substitute for steam and ask
Ing that an examination may be made into the merits Of
his discovery by special committee of the Senate.
The memorial was read, as follows
TO the honorable the Senate in Congress assembled:
This memorial humbly represents, that your petitioner
has discovered mode OF applying electromagnetic power
Tor the purposes OF navigation and locomoon and II
general substitute for the dangerous agency of You
petitioner has been engaged in the of this
subject for more than twelve years. great and
sacrifice, and is able demonstrate the availability
the electromagnetic power mechanical upon
scuie Of magnitude commensurate with his limited means
Ia view of the immense saving OF human life and properly
20 be derived from the application of this power
rslon OF steam petitioner is deeply impressed with
the importance of its immediate introduction, and respect
fully invites the attention OF your honorable body this his
invention, faught with much interest the government
and the people large. few years since, upon the in
stance Of limited experimental trial of elegraphing by
electro magnetism made within the walls of the Capitol
Povision was made by authority OF Congress to test The
merits OF that invention upon an extensive scale The
supenious achievements OF the telegraph at the present
day, are but the first fruits of that provision
Your petitioner respectfully asks of your honorable body
the appointment of special committee examine his in
veno and inquire pedcncy of legislation upon
this subject Your petitioner will at his own expense,
exhibit said committee aud such scientific advisers as
they elect, operation aud capabilities Of his electro
magnetic engines abiding IN their wisdom aud Judgment,
this important invention.
Respectfully submitted.
CHARLES G. PAGE.
Mr. BENTON. To save time, sr-because the expert
meDts are in of exhibition in this city by Dr. Page
the appointment of select committee for the purpose of
examining them is desirable that may have their opin
Ion; will therefore ask for the appointment of such
committee And would state, at the time, that for
three years, nearly three years, have myself had
some knowledge of Dr. Pages experiments in the app-
cation OF this great power to the useful purposes of man
uacturog and seriously inclined consider them of
Importance have others. too, who have science,
which have not, who are much impressed with them
And this morning read a paragraph taken from Lon
don paper, from which appears that sundry experiments
are now going on TO show that the inventor is able to
apply 1--WE horse power to purposes OF navigation or
other useful purposes. therefore ask that, as time
is running short, and these experiments the
course OF exhibition here, we dispense with further
forms, and that we appoint select committee OF
persons tor their examination. send my resolution to
the Chair
The resolution then read, as follows:
Resolved That select mttee of seven be appointed
to examine The nveaton of Professor Page of Washington
CITY, In relation to mode OF applying electro magnetic
power to The purposes of navigation and iocomotlon.
The said resolution having been read,
Mr.. PHELPS. Mr. President, do not know what
OBJECT that resolution contempates, nor do know what
acuon OF the Senate Is contemplated or desired should
be very glad TO be informed the object of this
luton and the of my making the sugges-
uon is, that, unless am greatly mistaken, this
iaist Is not entitled 10 the credit of having originated
.iis invention Some years since, very humble ndi-
vdua OF the State which have the honor TO represent
made this discovery and experiments were tried
IN he applcatlon OF this power to the movements OF
chnery II any action of the Senate is contemplated it
,hsnt De important TO know what pretensions others
have to the originality Of this discovery | have some
doubts, and should be very glad to be informed on the
subject desire an explanation.
Mr. bENlON. expect that it is the same with this
invention as with all others-new claimants TO its dis
covery will arise and affirm that they are lis ORIGINAL an
thors believe, sir, that the application of steam to the
propulsion OF boats and vessels has been thought pract
cable ever since water boiled; but was not until
after an immense number of experiments had been made
or he purpose OF thus applying that the project sue.
Ceeeed Attempts have been made to apply this mag
nehe power in the same way by various individuals in
he united States, and perhaps they have been made
SessIui 10 The propulsion of few ounces of matter
pat appehend that Professor Page far in advance in
Measurements OF any others oil similar character that
nave been attempted. Gentlemen who NAV have an on.
pofn'y OF attending the lectures he is now engaged
IN delivering cannot but that he is far in advance of
unS lha mas yet been done upon the subject All