The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-03

dry dock in California, without the basin and rail-
way, provided the contractors construc the dock
at the cost heretofore estimated for that portion Of
the work.
And further amended, on motion of MIR. Nc
CLERNAND, requiring that contract be made
after giving sixty days notice in the usual way,
Further proceedings took place when the COM
mittec rose, and
Mr.. BAYLY asked unanimous consent to offer
resolution to suspend the rule which allows five
minutes debate
No objection being made, the rules were
pended, and the resolution was adopted.
The House again went into Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union. substitute, Of
fered by Mr. CLIsGmAN for the amendment above
named, simply proposing TO repeal the law of last
session, which authorizes the Secretary Of the
Navy to contract for dry-dock, basin, and rail
way in California WAS rejected-ayes "a, noes IS
MIR. STANTON, of Tennessee, offered substi-
tute for the former proposition, to the effect that
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars be appro-
Secretary of the Navy be authorized and directed
to 30 modify the contract OF January last ms will
confino the same to floating dock alone, without
the basin and railway. provided the contractors
proper officers of the Government in December and
January last; and that much of the law as pro-
vidcs for basin and railway be, and the same Ia
hereby repealed.
This was agreed to-ayes 81, noes H.
And the amendment was further amended, on
motion of MIR. HALL, requiring that, before the said
contract ia made, notice of sixty days shall be
given in the usual way-ayes 81 noes IS.
Mr.. MEADE offered an amendment, that, to
provide for more efficient steam navy in war, and
for mail service in time of peace, the Secretary Of
the Navy be authorized to contract with Ambrose
w. Thompson, of Philadelphia, for the establish
ment of two lines Of steamships to carry the mails
one between the bay of San Francisco, in Califor
MIA, and Shanghai, Hong Kong, Annoy, Chusan, or
Macao, in China, touching at the Sandwich lslands
in going and returning; the other between Phila-
delphia and Norfolk. and Antwerp or Ostend, in
Europe, touching at Portsmouth or Dover, in Eng
| land, and Hayre, in France.
The CHAIRMAN decided the amendment to be
out of order and the question being taken the do
| csion was sustained-aycs ll9, noes not counted.
Mr.. BAYLY offered an amendment. authorizing
the Secretary of the Navy to pay an additional an
nual compensation TO E. X. Collins, under his con-
tract for carrying the mails between New York and
Liverpool, and it was ruled out of order-ayes 80,
noes 40.
The same gentleman offered amendment,
providing that in time OF peace or when war Is not
threatened, the steamers employed in carrying the
mails between New York and Liverpool shall be
under the exclusive control of officers appointed by
E. X. Collins and his associates. This was agreed
to-ayes 81, noes al.
| Mr.. STANTON, ofTenncsscc, offered an amend
| nent, authorizing the Secretary Of the Navy to
contract with Bryan and Company for the estab-
| lishment of line of steamers to Western Africa
ON certain conditions
| The CHAInMAN's decision that the amendment
was not in order was sustaned-ayes vi, noes Az.
| MIR. JONES moved 10 Strike OUT tue appropTla-
tons for steamers and to annul the contracts
for carrying the mails between the United States
and foreign ports giving the contractors the right
to sue for damages This was rejected.
Other amendments were acted upon, when
| The committee rose; and, under the operation Of
the previous question, the amendments of the COM
mittee concurred in, and the bill was passed.
| Mr.. ORR moved, at twenty minutes past eleven
o'clock, that the House adjourn; but the motion did
| not prevail.
POSTAGE REDUCTION BILL.
| Mr.. POTTER moved to suspend the rules. with
| view that he might report back, from the Com
mitee the Post Office and Post Roads, the bill
to reduce and modify the rates of postage, with the
Senatcs amendment The motion agreed to.
| He then explained the amendments OF the Senate,
| and the notifications thereto recommended by the
| Post Office Committee of the House, not, however,
materially affecting the measure as returned from
| the Senate
The amendments concurred in; and then,
| at fifteen minutes past IL o'clock, a. m,
The House adjourned.
PETITION PRESENTED UNDER THE RULE. Z.
BY MIR. SCHERMERHORN: The memorial OF p.
b. Holdridgc, of the assistant marshals OF the
county Of Monroe in the northern district of New
York, asking for additional compensation for taxi
| ing the It'll census. Referred to the Judiciary