Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-27

Mr. BROOKS moved to amend the motion SO as 10 re1er
the subject the Committee Foreign Affairs, with
directions to examine into the laws of domic in the
Island of Cuba and to see If they are not proper matters
for negotiation and treaty"
Mr. b. stated that at the proper time he would enter
into an explanation of what these laws of domicl how
harshy they operate upon citizens and the reason
why he considers them proper subjects negotiation and
treaty.
motion amended agreed to-,
On motion was ordered that when the House adjourn
to-day it adjourn to meet on Friday next.
And then the House adjourned.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1851.
The SPEAKER has spponted the following gentlemen as
the select committee to which is referred the joint reso
luton of the House explanatory Of the act approved Sep
TENDER 28 1850 entitled !" An act granting bounty land
to certain officers soldiers who have been engaged in
the military service of the United States: Mr. DUNHAM
of Indiana Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia. Mr. HARRIs of Ten
nessee, Mr.. Tuck, of New Hampshire, Mr.. BssELL, Of
Illinois.
DESTRUCTION OF THE CONGRESS LIBRARY.
The SPEAKER by unanimous consent, laid before the
House the following communication from the Librarian
of the Library Of Congress:
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, DECEMBER 25 1851.
SIR It is my very painful duty to communicate to Con-
gress the destruction of the books paintings satuary,
das and other property in the principal saloon OF this Libra
ry yesterday morning. by fire. that originated in the room
in altogether unaccountabe no fires have
been used in for long time and candles, lamps,
other lights have been used in it during the whole time
| that it has been under my charge
have not been able to ascertain the precise number OF the
books that destroyed but believe that be est
mated at about thirty five thousand.
1t is truly gratifying have it in my power to add that
about twenty thousand volumes of books that in the law
room and in the two the saloon of the Libra
SAFE Many of these books belonged to the Library Of
the late President Jefferson that purchased by Congress
the year 1875 They constitute the several chapters in the
catalogue Of the library ageeaby to Mr. Jeersons clasca
tion under the following heads Ancient History, American
History, Ecclesiastical History Chemistry, Mneralogy and
Conchoogy Moral Philosophy Law of Nature and Nations
the five chapters comprising the Law OF the III
brary Religion, Politics Including the science legislation
political economy banking statistics DC u part
Of the chapters Architecture and the entire chapters
Music Dialogues Epstolary Logic Rhetoric and Ora
tons and the Theory Of Criticism.
sincerely hope that the searching investigation Congress
will give to the distressing event which love, Of
the that produced it. and to the adoption of that
win prevent in all future time of the sad
lamty.
With the respectful regard, have the honor to be
your obedient servant,
JOHN S. MEEHAN, Librarian.
Speaker Of the House of Reps. U. S. Congress.
Mr.. STANTON, of Kentucky, by unanimous consent
from the Commute Public Buildings and Grounds in
troduced joint resolution authorizing inquiry into the
origin of the late fire by which the Congressional Library
was destroyed which was read twice.
The question being ordering the resolution to be
crossed and read third tme it was read in full as
follows
Resolved DC That the Joint Committee on Public Buildings
and Grounds be instructed inquire into the origin of the fire
by which the Congressional Library consumed the Oath
nstant whether the occurred from the negligence
officer Of Government in the employment of either
both Houses Of Congress- from the defective construction
of the furnaces ues the act of ncendary and
also the extent injury the building and the best mode Of
reconstrucng the Library to afford perfect security
in the future against like disaster and the facts to the
House. The said committee shall have to send for and
examine oath such persons may have information touch
ing the premises.
Mr.. SWEETSER moved to amend the resolution by
thorizing the Committee the Library instead of the
Committee Public Buildings and Grounds to make the
investigations referred to in it, which amendment
negatived.
The joint resolution then ordered be engrossed
and read third time, and being engrossed read the
third time.
Mr. STANTON of Tennessee said that the object Of the
resolution to inquire into the best mode of making the
library room, when it should be repaired freproo
that it might not in future be subject to similar disasters
He simply desired suggest whether the range of nves
tgaton should not extend further than this and whether
the whole Capitol should not be made reproof 1t
known to all that this fire not only destroyed the Library
but endangered every other portion Of the Capitol The
structures above the House and Senate wood and
both liable to be consumed ut time as the Libra
ry Wednesday morning. He suggested that the
resolution should be modified inquire into the best
mode and means Of making the whole Capitol fre-proof
Objection made to the proposed modification.
The joint resolution, originally reported then
adopted.
SEIZURE OF THE BRIG CARGO"
Mr.. FULLER of Maine, by unanimous consent, offered
Resolved That the President of the United States
quesed communicate to this House f incompatible with
the public INTEREST," information in the possession of the
relative to the seizure Of the brig Ao Of East
port Maine owned by e. A. Paine and commanded by Capt
A. Spates and the detention and Imprisonment of said
ter the A. D. 1885, by the Hayticn authorities at the
port Jerem and also what if any that have
been procure indemnity the Of said brig for
her detention and for the imprisonment Of the master
EXPENSES OF THE LATE FIRE
Mr.. STANTON, of Kentucky, from the Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds, desired to introduce bill
making appropriations to meet the expenses incurred in
of the late FIRE at the Capol and to show
the necessity the passage of this BILL asked that
muncaton from the Commissioner of the Public Buildings
might be read.
The following communication accordingly read
OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS,
Washington, December 26, 1851.
Sra: The late destruction Of the hall of the United States
Library by fire has left Of burning books and papers,
which am having removed. am also constructing
temporary roof covered with TIM the exposed arches
which cover the Immediately east Of tho Library which
hope TO finish this week.
To enable to the cost Of these works and also Of
buckets axes &c purchased during the % and tho wages Of
employed the further