New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-22
xxxIst Second Session.

Mr. PEARcE presented the petition OF the he
gents of the Smithsonian Institution, asking that
a surplus of $4,000 remaining after completing
the building. be taken back into the Treasury and
added to the permanent iund now tnere, oeions'
ing to the Institution.
Messrs MILLER, DAYTON and DICKINSON pre-
sented petitions for and against the amendment
OF the Patent Lsws.
Mr.. STURGEON presented the petition OF the
merchants of Philad phia asking for the estao-
lishment of line OF mail steamers from fnllauei'
pha to Bio Janeiro.
Mr.. Hale moved 70 take up the Joint Resolu-
ton TO purchase the works of Alexander Hamil-
ton.-Lost.
Mr.. MANGUM offered Resolution directing in
qury into the prOpriety OF reorganization OF the
State Department Adopted.
Mr. BADGERS resolutions to amead the rules
was taken up after a long debate. The first one,
which allows the withdrawal Of any motion be.
fore the Ayes and Noes ordered, was adopted
Ayes 81 Noes 10.
The second one, which prohibits debate on all
motions to take up particular bills, resolutions or
business which may be on the table out OF regu'
lar order, was reected-Yeas %, Nays 27.
The French Spoiaton bill was then taken up.
Mr.. SEWARD said while no public engagement
ought ever to be broken, debts founded on the ap-
preparation of private property to general use,
and especially to the discharge OF Revolutionary
obligations, are practically guaranteed by the
Constitution and are stamped with peculiar eqai-
ty and ought to be held as sacred as the safety OF
the State itself The Peace of Paris in 1868 re-
duced the broad possessions OF France IN Amer
lea TO Cayenne on the Continent, and her Islands
in the Atlantic the Canadas and the vast re-
gion of New France falling to Great Britain. He
gave sketch of the nature of the Revolutionary
contest between the L nited States and Great
Britain, and particularly in February, l77S,
when the free population Of the United
States hardly surpassed the present slave
population ia numb ars; when defeat and dis
aster were successive when the Chaplain
of Congress implored Washington to give over
the ungodly war in which he was engaged, and
when the great leader announced that, unless
some great capital change occurred, his troops
must starve, dissolve or dispense The change did
occur; the allied armies and gallant fleet met the
foe and his surrender followed. Peace followed,
and the Constitution was adopted on immovable
foundations, and on which loyal hearts hoped and
wise men believed it stands fixed forever. France
began TO descend the same year that the United
States emerged from the dangerous labyrinth,
and for thirteen years after cOnvulsed Europe.
He then enumerated the political and CONNER
cial relations between the United States and
France as defined by all treaties. In 1898 the
French Revolution became a general European
war, in which France, while continually treading
on internal fires, barred her head to all the thun-
derbolts OF despotsm. Washington proclaimed
neutrality. The cost Of supplies rose four fold.
The United States put in motion the wheels of
commerce, and wealth was the result. The com
batants, relapsing into the venality OF barbarOus
powers seized and coniscated neutral ships and
cargoes. American commerce thus was checked.
Mr.. Jefferson Secretary of State, declared that the
United States would adopt the proper proce edng
for the relief of all injured on the high con-
trary to existing treaties and American mer-
chants In consequence renewed more diligently
their trade. The injuries sustained by Americans
from the French he classed as follows: lst Spoil.
0fi and al lire or If ok
sea by French war ships and privateers. I'd The
long embargo, OBTAINING American vessels at Bor-
deaux. Sd. The dishOnor Of bills and evidences
of debt due Americans for supplies furnished at
the request of France to the West India Islands in
a period of famine and civil war. 4th. The sell
zure and forced sales of cargoes Of American yes
sells. 9Th. The non performance of contracts for
supplies made by the French authorities with
Americans. 9th. The condemnation of American
vessels and cargoes under the French marine laws
incompatible with treaties. 9TH Captures, viola
tive Of commercial treaty, Of American vessels la
den with provisions bound to ports Of the enemy.
The aggregate of these damages were placed at
more than twenty millions of dollars; of these
about ten millions have been paid. He then de-
tailed all negotiations and diplomatic controver-
sizes which ensued in which these spoliations
were involved. He maintained that there still re.
mains ten millions due by the United States that
France contiscated ten milions of private proper
ty OF these merchants and applied it 10 the pur.
chase of national benefits and thereby became
Immediately liable therefor Mr.. Seward then
proceeded to answer all the objections ainst the
payment of these claims, and in conclusion main.
tanned the justice Of the claims and urged pay
ment. He advocated justice by Government in
all its obligations, to its own citizens and to all
ruenkind-iustice TO every State, every class and
every citizen-then prosperity will be the reward
nor shall any disturbance within nor danger with.
out come mig unto us, nor alarm US for the safety
roa sid or fQp al
Mr.. GwIS gave notice that 70 morrow he would
move TO go into Executive Session at an early hour
on important business Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Inc STEAMER called attention 20 the accumua-
ton OF business on his table, lying over from asst
session This it was bis duty TO do if the House
intended &c act on Il.
Mr.. BURT believed that the regular order was
to call for Reports from Committees He trusted
this would De done, as many important bills were
ready to be reported
Mr. BAYLY spoke of the state Of the business
and said If the House continued 10 make other
Special Orders and did not sustain him in making
the General Appropriation bills such. the chances
were they would be lost.
The Committees were then called on for Re.
ports.
Mr.. MEADE reported Bill for an increase in
the salary OF the United States Judge At Kew
West, and 10 facilitate Maritime business-de.
bated. The bill was not disposed of when the
morning hour expired.
The House proceeded to the consideration of
the business on the Speakers table
Among the communications laid before the
House, was one from the President, transmitting
the report Of Board convened to take into con,
slderation the presidency Of rank between Army
and Naval officers, and their relative rank when
they cooperate referred to Military Committee.
The House concured by vote of Yeas III;
Nays %, In the amendment of the Senate to the
house Bill renewing the Charter Of the Potomac
FIRE Insurance Company of Georgetown. District
Of Columbla, making the stockholders liable to an
amount equal to the capital stock held by them
respectively, provided this be confined to stock