The republic., 1850-12-31
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
MosDAy, DroKMBKs 80, 1850.
SENATE.
SECOND SESSION


Mr.. DOUGLAS presented the memorial of John
Wise, OF Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which set forth
that the memorabilia had paid great attention and
had thoroughly studied the science of aerostatios,
and had written work thereon, That from the
great improv emenis he had made in the science he
WAS confident that il could be devoted to pur,
poses emnentiy useful To the country; it could be
devoted To carrying the mails other uses requir-
ing means oI speedy aud safe transit IL would
also be OF the greatest service in time OF war, as al
fordIng novel and successful means OF attacking
and dsloig ging an enemy.
The memoriaist states that he Is now prepared TO
construct balloon of such dimensions as will sue
cesslully carry weight OF twenty four tons He
proposss TO bring such balloon To Washington,
and with 1t to ascend over the Capitol, or PresI-
dents House, and thence while above the reach OF
gun-slot discharge number Of imitation missiles;
and thus demonstrate the capacity of the invention
to destruy the fort or army OF an enemy, HE also
proposes TO Ike his balloon to St Louis, and leav
ing there in il arrive at New York within stated
time; thence ne proposes 10 go IN his balloon 10
England or such other country as Congress may
direct. He states that these highly important ex-
petiments can be made with an outlay OF S2O,OOO
which sum me asks Congress may be appropriated to
enable him to perform them. Mr.. ID. said that he
did not know exactly to what committee To have
die memorial referred Ii certainly did not come
within the duties Of the Territorial Committee.
But as the project seemed to be rival TO one al
ready reported by The Committee Roads and
Canals-Wh Whitney's rairoad-he moved its refer
To that committee.
Mr., BRIGHT opposed the reference Of the me
opposed TO any such visionary scheme. The
Committee on Roads and Canals had to deal with
with matters touching terra trmd and not the nav
igation OF the air. He thought the Committee on
Foreign Relations would be an appropriate com
nitee. Laughter, That committee had To act
all those who went abroad on foreign missions,
and it perhaps of some importance TO know
what means would enable them to go on their ms
sion with the most rapidity.
Mr.. DOUGLAS said that he not particular
he would change his motion To conform TO the Sen
ator's sug geston,
Mr.. MANGUN said that, in the absence of the
chairman f the Committee on Foreign Relations
IT might be appropriate for him to say word. He
understood the Senator from Illinois (Nlr. DouG
LAs) had recently been appointed a member of the
Committee Foreign Relations
The CHAIR suggested that the Senator from Hi
nois had been recently excused from serving on that
committee.
protest against the reference OF the memorial to
that committee. He moved that il be referred TO
select committee of which the Senator from Hi
nuise should be The head.
Mr.. DOUGLAS said that il had been suggested
10 him that the subject should be referred 10 the
Naval Committee He moved, therefore. the ref.
erence OF the memorial TO the Committee OH Naval
Afiairs And the motion prevailed
BILLS.
MIR GWIN gave notice OF a bill to provide for
the survey of The public lands in California the
granting OF donation privileges therein, and Tor
other purposes.
MIR. SHIELDS gave DutiCC Of Dill iOr the Tcilcf
of the heirs of Nicholas Lachaner and others.
Also bill for the relief of the heirs of Antoine
Pettier.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Mr.. BENTON, pursuant to notice, obtained
leave To introduce bill 10 accelerate the sales OF
the public lands, and To pay the public debt, and
e1tnguish the federal title to the lands within the
new States, and 10 grant donations and Pre-emp-
tiou rights 10 actual settlers, and cede the refuse
lands to the States in which they lie.
Mr.. b., IN introducing the BILL explained its pro.
visions aud objects ut great length He said the
bill would accelerate the sales of the public lands
by providing for gradual and successive reduc-
tion Of the price of putlic lands The bill fixed the
maximum price, and provided for annual
ducton OF the price of those remaining unsold,
from one dollar down to twenty five cents acre;
the bull proposed, also, another reduction in favor
OF the actual settler, by giving that land To him for
seventy-hye cents an acre, Tor which one dollar
would be charged to the general purchaser.
BY this means the General Government would be
brought back TO competition with the holders Of
military land warrants In the sale Of Its lands BY
thus accelerating the sale OF the public ands they
will be made source of revenue, and be available
either 10 pay OF some OF our national debt, or at
Iesst TO defrsy the expenses and cost Of their ad
uninistration.
He pointed out also the evils under which the
new States suffered, by reason Of the General Gov
ernment holding large quantities Of land within
their hmits; this bill. be thought, would do away TO
extent with this evil. He moved, and the bill
wa referred to the Committee ON Public Lands,
and ordered 10 b. printed.
STATES COURTS -IS vsRsosT.
Mr. BUTLER. from the Committee on the Judi
cary reported hack tie hill 10 change the time for
holding the United States circuit and district
'uurts for the district of Vermont.
COMMITTEE cLKRK
Mr. RUsk submtted the following resolution.
which was considered by unanimous consent, and
Resolped That the Committee on the Post Office
and Post Roads, be authorized 10 employ a clerk
during the present session of Congress, 70 date from
the commencement Of the present session.
sARiSH sosPiTAL, PORTLAND, sAiss
Mr.. HAMIIN submitted the following resolution
which was considered by unanimous consent, and
agreed TO:
Re,os-ed, That the Committee Commerce b,
instructed 10 inquire into the eHpedency Of making
appropriation for the erection Of a marine hoe
pital at Portland, Maine.
PkSSsYLvASI. AvnSUr. oAs LisHr. sc.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD submitted the following rc
solutions which were agreed TO.
Rssoipsd, That the Committee for the District O
Columbia be directed 20 inquire into the erpedien
cy OF paving Pcnnsylvsnis avenue vest Of Presi
dents SQUARE, and OF providing Tor having tb
same lighted at night
Rssoiped, That the said committee be further di
rected 10 inquire into the erpedicncy Of providing
line Of gas lights frOm Capitol square W the Nav
yard. and from the termination Of Pcunsylvanii
avenue al Rock creek bridge. up Bridge street. IL
Georgetown. 10 its intersection with High street
and thence up High street 10 its western termins
ton.
COAST sUsvKY.
Mr.. BENTON submitted the following resolu
ton for consideration, which hes over one day IN
der the rules
Rs,olpsd, That the Secretary Of the Navy be di
rectcd 10 report to the Senate what advantages q
the public service ~ould b. derived from transfer
ring the survey Of the coast from the Treasury Il
the Navy Department, and what additional le gisla
tion, " any, would be necessary.
RreIsTHATIos sED rssoLsrsT OF
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Msssschusetts, submitted the fOl
loving resolution for consideration, which lies owe
one day under the rules:
Resolved. That the Committee Commerce b
instructed 10 inquire into the erpedieDcy Of nd
ing the provisions Of the law in relation 20 grant
Ing registers, enrOments, and licenses 70 vessels.
sELATiors wTTH hUsTaIA ANp HUSohRr.
A message received from the President O
the United States, In response 10 resolution Of tb
Senate, adopted the 26th instant. calling 10
copies Of all correspondence which has taken plsc
between the Secretary Of State and the AUSTRIA
charge d'affaires IN relation 70 the appointment
agent 10 Hungary during the late struggle b
that country for Independence
The reading Of the message aud enclosed cor
respondence called for, and read ss fol
love
DsFssTssST OF stats,