Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-03-16
UNITED STATES SENATE.
IReported for the Baltimore Sun.

WASHINGTON, March l2.
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Slicer. Journal Of Fri
day read.
Mr.. Webster rose, and stated that he desired
to occupy, for few moments, the attention Of
the Senate, and presented the following resolu.
tion;
Resolved, That The President of the United
States be requested, if not in MS judgment in
compatible with the public interests, TO transmit
10 the Senate any instruction which may have
been given to the minister of the United States
in London, offering further extension Of rec
procity and equality, in the laws Of navigation
and especially such instructions, if any, Us con
template the opening Of the coasting trade Of
the United States, TO the ships and vessels o.
other nations.
MIR. Webster remarked, that from q tele
graphic despatch received from Halifax, it ap
pearcd that information had been received there
by the steamer, that our Minister in London
had expressed his readiness TO enter into such
an arrangement with the British Government
as would open the entire coastng trade to the
vesses OF both nations. His object in offering
The present resolution, Mr.. w. said, was TO cal
the attention Of the country to this very impor.
tanl subject. The information called for, could
be furnished at the present or the next session
as the President might deem expedlent. he
must confess for himself, that he had been Iit
tie startled at the anGuncialion that our Minis
ter, now in England, had offered 10 open nego
tiati)n which might throw open our whole coast
ing trade to the vesses Of both countries. j
such an arrangement was entered into will
England we would be bound 10 extend the same
privileges hereafter 10 Northern Europe, (Bre
men, mc.,) aso.
Ii would be we'll continued Mr. Webster, 10 re
sorl 10 experience to ascertain The effect OF open
ing This trade in the northern parts OF Europe AM
10 see how lar our commercial marine might be al
tected thereby. The coasling trade was very mucl
Of The basis OF our commercial marine. II th
trade were thus opened, merchandise would BE- a.
freely carried 10 our possessions on the Pacihc no
only around the Cape bur across the I,lhmus, il
British a III American ycs>els. That our minisle
had been authorized to open negotiation calcu
lated 10 uprnot a system OF sixty years duration
demanded attention, and he had therefore Offered
the resolution OF which. ii No objections wer,
made, he should ask the consideration to-day.
objection, however, was made, it must OF cours
lie on he table until Tomorrow.
No objection being made The resolution wa
adopted.
Mr. Mason had leave 10 Withdraw me paper
OF Mrs. Ann Chase, with The view, lie said Q
their submission IL he board Of commissioner
on he Mexican claims.
A message was received from the Pre- liens Q
h. Uailed S;aus BY the hani OF Col. Bis rrI
vale src!rlary understood 10 be Nominations ~
some twenls or thirty vacancies existing al,
about 10 occur among which | understand, ar
Justices OF the Peace for IN District 81 Coum
bia; Mr.. LOYAL, naval officer at Norfolk, T. ar
,iniet; Palmer V. Kellogg il place .; jacob
Could, marshal Of the Western Disiric, Of New
York; Gov. Gayle, representative in The las & n
er-ss, Judge oi The District Courts OF The Unito,
Sia'e> Tor Alabama; Caaflcs Hudson, reprr
s-n at,v, il The las Congress from Massachu
salts naval officer oil The port 81 Bos on.
The Senate went Immediately INTO Eyeculiv'
session, referred 10 the appropriate commltirs III,
nominations sent in, AM then adjourned.
THE select committee on Gen. Shields eiei
ailly, il is understood, have completed I er re
pr, which will he presented 10 morrow, anc, J
i, sad, is agair>; him