The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-02
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
AoRIcULTURRL BUREAU.

| AGRICULTURAL BUREAU.
| Mr. BENNETT, yesterday, presented the report
and bill from the minority of the Committee on
Agriculture, for the establishment of an Agricul-
| tural Bureau, in connexion with the Department
/ OF the Interior.
THE EXISTING POLITICAL EXCITEMENT.
| Mr.. WHITE asked leave to submit the following
| resolution, viz:
Resolped That the Speaker be and he is hereby
authorized TO appoint special committee, TO con-
sst OF twenty members, whose duty IL shall be
TO meet, consult, and prepare such bills for the
consideration Of this House may, in their judg-
ment, be best calculated to allay the present ex-
element. and settle the difficulties pending be-
tween the different sections of the Union, and
port the 10 this House the earliest practical
bic period and il shall be in order for said com
mittee To report at any time, notwithstan ding the
present rules of the House
Messrs. ROOT, CARTER, and other gentle
men, objected 10 the introduction Of the resolution
PEACE CONVENTION.
MIR. STANTON, Of Tennessee, from the Com
mittee Naval Anairs, asked to be, and was, dis
charged from the further consideration of sundry
memorials asking the of vesses Of the navy 10
carry delegates TO the Peace convention, 10 be held
in Europe during this summer.
RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC.
Mr.. STANTON, from the same committee, 10
whom referred the memorial Of the Memphis
convention, praying Congress TO cause TO be sur
veyed the several routes for railroad from the
valley Of the Mississippi TO the Pacific ocean, re-
ported bill providing for photographed and
other surveys; which was referred 70 the Commit
tee OF the Whole on the state Of the Union.
WAR -sUPPREssIos or THE SLAVE TRADE
on THE COAST OF AFRICA, AND THE PROMOTIONS o.
COMMERCE hSs NAvGArHoN.
MIR. STANTON, Of Tennessee, from the Commit
tee Naval Affairs, reported bill for the estab
lishment OF line Of war steamers 20 Africa, for
the suppression Of the slave trade, and the promo
ton OF commerce and colonization; which was re-
ferred 20 the Committee Of the Whole on the state
Of the Union.
The bill authorizes the Secretary Of the Navy TO
enter into contract with Joseph Bryan Of Alabama,
and Nicholas Sanders, and their associates for the
building, equipment, and management Of three
steamships, 90 run between the United States and
the coast OF Africa; and IL contains the following
stipulations and provisions, TO Wit
"Each ship 10 be Of not ess than Z 900 tons bur-
den, and the cost Of each not T. exceed 5000 900.
The Government 90 advance two. thirds Of the cost
Of contraction, from time TO time, as the building
progressos-the advance 10 be made in five per
cent. stocks payable At the end Of thirty years
such advances TO be repaid by the contractors in
equal annual instalmcnts, beginning and ending
with the service. The said ships 30 be built in ac-
cordancc with plans 20 be submitted 30 aud ap-
proved by the Secretary Of the Navy, and under
the superntcndencc Of an officer 10 be appointed
by the Secretary of the Navy, and 10 be ~ con
structed to DC convertible, at the least possible
expcnse, into war steamers Of the fret class The
ships TO be kept up by alterations repairs addi
tons to be approved by the Secretary Of the Navy,
to be at all times fully equal 20 the exgencics
Of the service and the faithful performance Of the
contract.
each ship 20 be commanded by officer Of the
navy, who, with four passed mdshipmcn 20 serve
watch officers, shall be accommodated in man
ner suitable TO their rank, without charge 60 the
Government. The Secretary Of the Navy at all
times to have the right TO place on board Of each
ship two guns Of heavy calibre, and the men ncccs
sary to serve them, TO be accommodated aud pro-
vided for by the contractors.
"Thc Secretary Of the Navy 10 exercise at all
times such control over said ships AZ may not be in
consistent with these terms, and 60 have the right
TO take them or either Of them, IN Of war for
the exclusive use and service Of the United States,
on paying the value thereof; such value, not er-
cccding the cost, 10 be ascertained by appraisers
mutually chosen by the Secretary and the contrac-
tors. The Secretary also TO have power to direct,
al the expense Of the Government, such changes in
the machinery and the internal arrangements Of
the said ships, or any Of them, he, at any time,
may deem advisable.
The contractors further required 10 stipulate
to carry, on each and every voyage they may make,
20 many emigrants, being free persons Of color,
and not exceeding 900 for each voyage, as the
American Colonization Society may send; the said
society paying in advance $40 for each emgrant
over twelve years Of age and So for each one I'M
der that age; these TO include the transporta-
ton Of baggage, and the daily supply Of sailors
ratiOns