The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1851-01-23
TIlIRTY.FIRST CONGRESS-
SECOND SESSION.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 90


WASHINGTON, Jan. 90.
SESATE.-Alessrs. John Davis.
Dickinson and Winthrop, presented
petitions in favor Of and against the
bill Patent Laws.
Mr.. Ilamlin presented petition to
repeal the Fugitive Slave law. Laid
on the table.
Mr.. Downs moved to print $4,000
extra copies of the Ro.ort Of the
Board of Typographical Engineers,
on the cause of foundations of the
Lower Mississippi. After debate
the motion was agreed to.
4 report was received from the
Secretary Of tho Interior, with a
statement of the number Of persons
employed in the Indian department.
Referred.
A report was received from the
Treasury department, enclosing re-
ports Of Drs. Edwards and Lorins, on
Marine Hospitals. Referred.
Mr.. Pearcc, from the Library Com.
mittee, reported a Joint resolution for
purchasing the works Of Alexander
Hamilton.
p! Mr.. Clay submitted a resolution,
that the committee on Commerce be
instructed to enquire into Tie expedi.
cncy Of making eAectual provisions
b. law to prevent the employment of
American vessels and American sea
men in the African slave trade, and
especially as to the expcdiency cI
; granting sea letters, or other letters
in evidence of national character, to
American vessels clearing from the
ports Of the empire of Brazil for the
: western coast of Africa. Mr.. Clay
asked for the immediate consideration
Of the resolution.
Mr. Hale objected, and the rcsolu-
S ton was laid over.
Mr.. Seward introduced joint res
= olution directing that in purchases o.
manufactured steel by Government
the American manufacture shall be
preferred.
: Mr.. IIamlin moved that the CORE
4 spondence Of the American Minister
e at Brazil, relative to the slave trade
e be referred to the committee on Com
i, mcrcc.
Mr.. Seward offered resolution
which was adopted, directing the MI
y litary committee to inquire into th(
i expeliency Of increasing the salar.
: Of the Drawing Professor a. Yves
= Point Academy.
r, The postage bill was received from
"a the House, and referred to the Pos
Office committee.
" Mr.. Cass moved to take up the bill
- - granting a pension to Gen. Arm
II strong. Lost.
J. The French Spoliation bill bein
t. in order, was next taken up.
II Mr.. uamIin said he was the onl
N member Of the committee who wa
y opposed to paying the claimants s.
100000. BY granting this sum, tn
u United States would acknowledge il
e. liability for all claims and as s.
Is 100000 was by no means sufficient
lie pay all, how could the United State
n hereafter refuse to pay every cent {
IS them =? If this sum was a mere gri
"a tuity to the claimants, this was n
. time to give gratui,ies. The nation;
u debt, if this bill passed, would amou
a. according to the report Of the Secr'
N tary Of the Treasury, to S79,0O0,O
- and that, 100, at tine when nothia
is expected from the sales Of publ
lands. If these claims are good, h
:. admitted this was no answer F; but tn
United States. he believed, were rc
in any way responsible for the:
J, spoliations ; and the fact he intende
m to demonstrate. lie examined in d
ii tail several treaties, and the writinc
70 Of Jefferson and Washington, dcduc
: ing from them an argument again
the justice Of these claims again
IS the United States. lie consldcre
n this as no more than throwing g.
a. 000, 900 into a crowd, that a dolle
Of might POSSIBLY strike rightful CLAN
ant. lie urged the condition Of ii
rs treasury, at this time, and contende
y if the debt was increased, some provi
u ion should be made for an increase
IL revenue. This increase Ct rcyenu
in he thought, could only be Effected b
reduction Of the tariff.
10 Mr.. Seward obtained the floor, an
p the Senate adjourned.
III HoUsE.-On motion Of Mr.. Ing
a. the second Tues lay in February V;
Sc, apart ior the Consideration Of bus
n ness relating to the District Of G
as lumbia.