New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-17
xxxI.. CONGRESS. second Session

SENATE. -. WASHINGTON, Thursday, Jan. l6.
Mr.. MILLER presented petition of the silk
manufacturers Of NewJersey, asking modihca
tion of the Tariff Of 1s46.
Mr.. HUNTER presented the credentials of Mr.
mason, as Senator for six years from March, 1851.
Mr.. SEWARD presented petition from a large
number OF Inventors demonstrating against the
passage of the bill relating to the Patent Laws.
Several petitions were presented from Wash
ington, Niagara and st. Lawrence Counties New
York. and from Rchfeld in the same State, also,
from Morristown and Philadelphia in Pennsylya-
MIA all praying for the repeal OF the Fugitive
Slave Law. Laid on the table. Also, petition
from Richfeld, New York, praying for the aool'
zion OF Slavery in the territories OF Utah and New
Mexico
MIR SIwARD moved its reference to the Com
mittee on Territories.
MIR. CLAY moved to lay it on the table. Carried.
Mr. SEWARD presented petition from the
same place. praying for the abohton OF slavery In
ahe District of Columbia and moved its reference.
MIR. CLAY moved to lay it on the table. Carried.
Mr. HAMLIN presented petition for the repeal
Of the Fugitive Slave Law: Tabled
Mr. DICKINSON presented memorial OF the In
tlustrial Congress relative te the Patent Laws.
Mr. PEARCE introduced joint resolution con-
cerning the distribution Of the works OF the ex-
ploring expeditiOn-ordered to be engrossed.
Mr. Shields offered resolution calling on the
President to communicate to the Senate all the
Information in his possession touching the difi-
culties between the British authorities at San
Salvador the blockade OF the coast OF that Re
public by tho British feet, the invasion Of Guate-
lama by the forces Of San Salvador and HonG%
ras, and such other matters connected herewith
rs materially affect the interest Of the l nited
States or threaten the independence OF Central
America. He read from newspapers accounts OF
fhe proceedings Of British Agent in Central
America, AIR. Chat6eld, and OF officers in COM
mand of the British Squadron on that post and
urged that the resolution be adopted.
After remarks by JOHN DAVIS, CLAY, CAss, and
DOUGLASS, the resolution was adopted.
Mr.. BENTON offered resolution calling TOR all
cores pondence between the United States and
she Spanish Minister concerning the Contoy
prisoners aud the invasion OF Cuba-laid over.
Several engrossed bills were taken up and
passed.
After Intellectual motions to take up particular
bills the bill TO provide for ascertaning and the
payment of claims of American citizens for spoil
ations by the French was taken up. The bill In
substance is as follows;
amount exceeding I'VE millions Of dollars 10 such cit
Of lie Ualed States 10 their legal representatives,
had valid claims TO indemnity upon the French Govern
ment arising out OF Illegal captures, deenuons seizures,
conoemnalons and connscauons, committed prior TO
RATIFICATION Of the Treaty with France Of September, 1890
provided that tins act does net aeade claims embraced IN
The Treaty. OF April. iS1S;
Fnissiopes hy the President and Senate in Wash
Snetonto Tecye examine and decide upon me amount
BnG NGlJlY CLAIMS 70 DC gwen OF neel-
hng OF The Commissioners ami the decisions Of the Com
Enissionerst0 be In writing.
SECTIONS and 4-AuhoFize the Commissioners 10 adopt
al neec rules and regulations for the transaction OF busi
meas are directs the Secretary Of State 20 OBTAIN through
abe American Minister Paris all evidence and documents
relating ~ eEd claims.
SECTION Requires that Eve millions OF dollars shall
be awarded pro rata among the c.smants
SECTION 6-UnimporanL
SECTION T-Provdes that as the Commission Il
closed The Secretary Of the Treasury shall sign ana ssue
40 persops entitled Cehesie OF 0nited States rye per
cent Stock In sums not less than hundred dollars
such certificate 10 be redeemaoe 81 the pleasure Of the
United States after twenty years
The remainder Of the bill fixes the salaries Of
Commissioner, Secretary and Clerk. Several YER
bal amendments were made.
Mr.. Smith addressed the Senate. he alluded
70 the long delay in the settle ment oithese claims.
The subject had long been examined IN Congress,
and no less that twenty.seven favorable reports
have been made by Committees OF the Senate
and House. No adverse report had been made
since $40. Bills for the payment Of these claims
had frequently passed the Senate In the T~en'
ty.niDth Congress bill passed both Houses which
was vetoed by the President The bill coming
up again in the Senate, on the question whether
itshoald pass, notwithstanding the objections of
The President. the vote stood Yeas %, Nays 10
A change Of one vote would have passed it. He
said the claims were 10 four classes:
girst-Conact cases, where supplies furnished
Ne West aides and 10 Continental France.