Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-28
CONGRESS.
MONDAY, DECEMBER %, 1850.
IN SENATE.

MONDAY, DECEMBER %, 1850.
IN SENATE.
Mr. DAwsos, from the Stale of Georgia, appeared in his
seat to-day
MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS.
Mr. COOPER presented the memorial Of Ezekiel Lincoln,
proposing to carry the mail between Philadelphia and Rio de
Janero, touching Psmsmbuco once month, and asking
that contract with him for that purpose may be authorized
by law which referred the Committee ON Commerce
Mr. SMITH presented the memorial Of Amos M. John
son. representing that he has discovered mode Of prevent
ing the potato rot which he proposes make known for
valuable consideration He states that the annual loss from
the disease be set down. judging from the crop in his
own vicinity at million Of dollars, which he thinks
low estimate He says that, after observation and expert
ment be thinks be has discovered the Of the disease
and that it is as much in the power Of to prevent it,
avages in the potato field is prevent the vsges Of
the smallpox in the human family He says also that bis
discovery rendered Of much greater importance by the fact
that the poorest and erate understand the SUBJ
ect to avail themselves Of is advantages The
rial was referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
Mr. CLAY presented two memorials from A. J. Bayard
and other citizens Of the United Slater asking the adoption
Of some legislation that will tend TO prevent the
destruction Of life board steamers and other vessels which
was referred to the Committee on Commerce.
THE TARIFF.
Mr. CLAY. have also petition upon the subject Of
the tariff from number Of citizens Of Blair county, in the
Pennsylvania, who represent ,hemeves 10 BE-
ures and aboers and others engaged in the various
tons Of e They complain very much Of the operations Of
the existing tariff and extremely DESTROYS that some od
fcation should be made fair and proper in-
PRODUCTION Of goods from abroad without abuse and at the
time afford reasonable protection the interests Of the
country. move that the reading Of be dispensed with
and that it be referred the Committee Manufactures
Il was referred.
Mr. CLAY. have also memorial, signed BY q very
spectacle citizen, who personally known me- John Tim
beake Of Monticello Albemarle county, in the State Of
Virginia His memorial relates also to the subject Of the a-
hoh ~.a
former residence Of the late M. Jeeon in extensive
manufacture Of cotton having invested sixty seventy
thousand dollars in that business that be has bestowed
every attention, practsed every economy and resorted to
all which presented themselves him to render his
business aleas reasonably profitable He states that under
the tariff Of 1912 he received fair and remuneratve profit
upon his capital not extavagan but sufficient TO encourage
the business that under the operation Of the tariff Of lS46
be liable and in danger Of utterly losing the whole amount
Of his capital and has been obliged to dismiss about onehaf
the hands, and the other moety with which he work
aborng under the greatest difficulty The memorial is
extremely well written The petitioner is sensible and
practical man. and Of high character and standing,
happen to know personally.
Mr.. President will take occasion say that do hope
that when there is apparent calmness upon the
face Of public aanwhich hope 10 real and that it will
without disturbing the deliberations Of Congress during
the present sessonfor one should be extremely delight
ed if the subject Of the tariff Of lS46 could be taken up in
LIBERAL kind and national spirit not with any purpose Of
vvng those high rates Of protection which former periods
of country established for various causes sometimes
from sinister causes but look deliberately the operations
of the tariff Of 1885, and without disturbing its essential pro-
Visions should like consideration to be given to the ques
ton Of the prevention frauds and great abuses Of the
stence Of which there be earthly doubt, Whether
suitable legislation cannot take place for that purpose
ought be deliberately considered We should whether
cannot without injury, without prejudice to the general
interests Of the country give some better protection to the
manufacturing interests than is afforded.
The fact is longer doubtful that the fires exnguish-
ed and exnguishng daily in the furnaces Of the country
The fact is longer doubtful that the spndes and looms
daily stopping in the country Whether is possible to ar
rest this downward course, and throw little spirit Of hope
and encouragement into this great industrial interest without
agitang the country generally and without any exavagance
Of legislation are questions think very well worthy Of
ous consideration and hope, in the calm which we are
allowed present to enjoy in relation to other great topics
which have long and dsasrousy sgaed the country,
that at early period during the present session this SUBJ
ject will be taken up and dealt with spirit Of kindness,
and harmony, and nationality.
Sir, after having said much, move that the memorial
be referred the Committee Manufactures and ask that
be printed and that that question be referred to the proper
committee to decide.
The memorial was referred to the Committee on Manuac.
lures and the question Of printing referred the Com
| mittee on Printing.
LOUISVILLE AND PORTLAND CANAL.
Mr.. BENTON, agreeaby notice, asked leave to bring
in bill remit the tolls the United States stock in the
Louisville and Portland canal company, and purchase the
shares Of individual stockholders and to make the navigation
/.
On presenting his bill to ask this leave, Mr. B. said
Mr.. President It is known to all that the United States
part Of the shares in the Louisville and Portland canal
company and levy and collect tolls thereonhst these tolls
heavy, and oppressive upon Western commerce. and that
repeated applications have been made for their suppression by
purchase OF the whole stock by the United States and it, -
ture management public work. free from private interests
and free from oil tolls for profit emoumen These app-
cations often made have heretofore been above but
WINGED Of their justice. make further effort to accom-
psh their object mpeled to not only by general
sderaons in favor Of the whole West but by special
applicable to the commerce between 81 Louis and Louisville
and which, from the frequency Of the voyages between the
two places makes the toll fall with greatest weight upon the
81 Louis boat.
All know the general fact Of these tolls their oppressive
effect the applications Congress for their suppression and
the failure Of these applications but deem due to the
present OCCASION and the magnitude Of the evil to reproduce
the statements which have been often heard and
time and expesience enable me to add.
The whole capital stock Of the company 10 one million Of
dollars divided into 5000 shares of 500 each OF this
stock the United States took 900 shares amounting
$685. 5O0 and up to January, ls42 received in tolls the
sum Of $751; 776being $2 27s than the in
vested in the stock-he only instance, perhaps 10 which the
United States made money BY going into profit and
operations; and in which the Federal Government
should he ashamed Of it, profits
In January, lS42, change took place in the management
Of the stock Of the canal The individual sochoder prsss-
cd By the public cry for free canal undertook to make it
free BY process Of their They obtained oct from the
General Assembly Of kentucky authorizing the payment Of
dividends 70 stockholders cease and al the profits
Be applied to the purchase Of stock b held In the
United Saes until the whole Of the individual stock should
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