The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-17
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1850.
SENATE.
THO. CORWIN,
Secretary of the Treasury.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1850.
SENATE.
The Hon. HEsRY CLAY, of Kentucky; Hon. d. r..
ATcHIsoN, of Missouri; and Hon. s. A. DOUGLAS,
of Illinois, appeared in their seats to-day.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate communica-
ton from the Treasury Department, enclosing the
report of the Treasurer of the United States of the
receipts and expenditures of the Post Office Depart
ment for the fiscal year.
A large number of petitions were presented.
nANSIBAL AND ST. JosEpH's RAILROAD.
Mr.. SHIELDS, from the Committee on the Public
Lands reported back the bill granting the right of
way and donation of public land to aid in the con
struction of railroad from st. Joseph's to Hanni
bal, in the State of Missouri
RESOLUTIONS
Mr. HAMLIN, from the Committee on Print
ing reported the following order, which WAS agreed
Ordered, That the Committee on Printing be
authorized to procure the printing, stitching, and
binding Of five hundred copies of the first part of
the Patent Report, for the use OF the Commissioner
Of Patents, and not to exceed the sum OF fifty five
cents per volume; that number to be i&tead Of
those ordered by the Senate the 10Th December,
1850.
MIR. WIN submitted the following resolution,
which considered by unanimous consent and
agreed to-
Resolred, That the Committee on the Judiciary
be instructed TO inquire into the expectancy Of pro-
viding for holding term of the United States dis
trict court for the southern district of California
semi annually at San Diego.
Mr.. CASS submitted the following resolution,
which lies one day under the rule:
Resolred, That the President be requested if not
incompatible with the public interest, to communi-
cate to the Senate, copies OF any correspondence,
II any has taken place. between the Department OF
State and the Austrian Charge d'Aflaires, respect
ing the appointment or proceedings OF the agent
sent out to examine and report upon the condition
and prospects of the Hungarian people during
their recent struggle for independence.
Mr. WHIICOMB submitted the following
luton, which lies over one day under the rules:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Interior in
form the Senate of the number of insane persona at
present supported by the United States in the lu
matte asyums of Maryland, the cost of transport
ing the same from the District of Columbia, and
the annual expense OF each person.
NATIoNAL Road TO THE PACIFIC.
Mr. BENTON, pursuant to notice, asked and OBJ
tanned leave to introduce bill TO provide for the
location and construction OF a central national
highway, consisting of railroad and a common
road from the Mississippi river, al ST. Louis, TO the
Bay of San Francisco, on the Pacific Ocean and to
extnguish the Indian title TO the land along said
highway and TO establish military posts, and grant
land TO actual settlers thereon.
Mr.. b. in introducing this bill explained its OBJ
ects and purposes, and the nature, character, and
uses of the road contemplated. He showed its
nationality by its ccntraity, and its forms and
uses, and its adaptation to all the known modes OF
travel.
To those with whom money was nothing and
time every thing, there would be the speedy means
of travel afforded by the railroad. To those with
whom time nothing and expense every thing
there was the good and broad common highway.
There might be also plank road constructed if de-
sirable. The main road would be a straight one
through TO the Pacific with branches to the right
and 10 the left That to the left would lead 10 San
Ia Fe, the other TO Oregon. The main road would
be on a strip Of land one hundred miles wide, and
would be from ST. Louis to the Pacific, and would
! Inc hundred branches
would be a reserved strip of land fifty miles in
width, that to New Mexico about two hundred and
sixty miles. and that TO Oregon about five hundred
miles in length. The whole number of acres o
land reserved for the purposes OF the road would be
about one hundred and fifty millions of acres. The
revenue arising from the sales of the public lands
in the Territories through which this national road
was to run TO be applied to lite construction. His
bill proposed that the road should be free from tolls
except such would be necessary 10 keep the road
in repair The bill read twice, and referred 70
the Committee on Roads and Canals.
POTOMAC INSURANCE. COMPANY or sEoRGETowN,
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Mr. MASON said that there was a bill on the Ia
be from the last session, which he desired should
be taken up. II was the bill 10 renew and extend
The charter OF the Potomac Insurance Company Of
Georgetown, ID. &. The bill passed the Senate al
the last session. and had passed the House also, but
with an amendment declaring that the stoc kbold-
ers should be individually liable for the debts Of the
corporation. lie moved 10 take the bill up for con-
The question pending was on agreeing with the
amendment Of the House.
MIR. MASON moved 10 amend the amendment by
limiting the liability Of each stockbolder TO the
amount Of the capital stock held by him. and, after
some debate, modified his amendment makngit, in
substance that each stakeholder shall be liable for
the debts and liabilities Of the company, 10 the
tent Of his stock provided that those who hold the
stock at the time the liability attaches shall be LA
/ bic, and not those who may subsequently scquir,
/ the stock. This amendment az modified was, aitei
debate, agreed 10.
The question recurring on ooncurring in the
amendment Of the House as amended, Messrs. BtR
EES, ssvhED, BADoGR, EwfSo, MASoUN. DAvI,
! Of Massachusetts, and Mhsor, opposed il, and
/ Messrs. CLEMENS, CAss, BoRLASD, aud USDrR-
I WOOD, supported IL. And Il was agreed to-yea'
YEis-Messrs Atchison, Benton, Borland,
Bradbury, Cas-, Chase, Clemens, Davis, Of Mice
Dodge. Of wis., Dodge, Of Iowa, Downs, felch
Fooie, iismlin, Hunter, Jones, King, Norris,
shields Sturgeon, Turncy, Underwood, Walker
and whitcOmb2i.
/ NAYs-Messrs Badger, Baldwin, Berrien, But
Ger, Clarke, Davis, Of Macs, Dayton, Ewing Man.
gum, Mason, Miller, Morton, Phelps, Pratt, Sew.
ard, smith, spruanee' UPham' Wales and WIN
/ fburinR the debate on tho above bin Mics Jenny
/ Lind, accompanied by y. r. Barnum, Esq., anc
Messrs. BoIlett Benedict, and Burke, visited the
gallery, and after a brief stay departed, nearly oil
I tho auditors leaving at the same time.
the TEXAS souNpAEv Bill
] message was received from the President %
the United States, communicating the receipt Of az
I official announcement by the Governor Of Texas
that that State bad accepted the proposals. made u
her by the United States for the settlement Of bet
northern and western boundaries. The message
was read, laid on the table, and ordered to b
/ printed.
/ The CHAIR laid before the Senate tho annual re-
I port Of the Secretary Of the Treasury, which wal
! referred 10 the Committee on Finance, and ordered
10 be printed.
After short Executive Session, the Senate nd
journed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Several other members, In addition 10 those here
tofore mentioned, appeared In their seats to-day
/ viz
Mr.. srrrsor, Of Maine; Mr., Mr.eshn. Of Yer