Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-01-30
CONGRESS-.

Mr. Hamlin presented petition to repeal the
Fugitive Slave law. Laid on the table,
/ Mr. Downs moved TO print $4,000 extra copies
Of the report Of the board of Typographical En-
gineers, on the cause of foundations Of the Low
or Mississippi. After debate the motion was
agreed to.
A report was received from the Secretary Of
the Interior, with statement of the number Of
persons employed in the Indian department. Re-
ferred.
report was received from the Treasury de-
partment, enclosing reports of Drs. Edwards and
Loring, on Marine Hospitals. Referred.
Mr. Pearce, from the Library Committee, re-
ported joint resolution for purchasing the works
of Alexander Hamilton
Mr. Clay submitted resolution, that the Com
mittec on Commerce be instructed to enquire in
to the expedicncy Of making ciIectua provisions
by law to prevent the employment Of American
vessels and American seamen in the African
slave trade, and especially as to the expcdiency
Of granting letters or other letters, in evi-
dence Of national character, to American vessels
clearing from the ports of the empire of Btpzll
for the western coast of Africa. Mr. Clay asked
for the immediate consideration Of the resolution
Mr. Hale objected and the resolution was laid
over.
Mr. Seward introduced a JOINT resolution direc-
ting that IN purchases of manufactured steel by
preferred.
Mr. lIamlin moved that the correspondence of
the American Minister ut Brazil, relative to the
slave trade, be referred to the Committee on
Commerce.
Mr. Seward offered resolution, which was a.
dopted, directing the Military Committee to in
quire into the cxpediency Of increasing the sala-
ry Of the Drawing Professor at West Point A
cademy.
The Postage bill was received from the House,
and referred 10 the Post Gee Committee.
Mr. Gass moved to take up the bill granting a
pension to Gen Armstrong Lost.
The French spoliation bill benny in order, was
next taken up.
Mr. Hunter said he was the only member of
the committee who was opposed to paying the
claimants S5,000,Q00 BY granting this sum, the
United states would acknowledge its liability for
all the claims and as five millions was by no
means sufficient to pay all, how could the United
States hereafter refuse to pay every cent them
If this SUM was a mere grituity to the claimants,
this was no time to give gralutes. The nation
al debt, if this bill passed, would amount, accor-
ding to the report Of the Secretary Of the Trea-
sury, To so OU0,000; and that. too, at q time
when nothing is expected from the sales Of pub
lie lands If these claims are good he admitted
this was no answer; but the United States, he
believed, were not in any way responsible Tor
these spoliauons and tins fact he Intended to
demonstrate. He examined in detail several trea-
ties, and the writings Of Jefferson and Washing
ton deducing from them an argument against
the justice of these claims against the United
States. lie considered this as no more thon
throwing five millions into a crowd. that dollar
might possibly strike a nghtlu claimant He ur-
ged the condition Of the treasury, at this time,
and commended IT the debt was increased, some
provision should be made for an increase of rev
enue. This increase of revenue, he thought
could only be effected by q reduction Of the tar
| if
Mr. Seward obtained the floor, and the Senate
adjourned.
House. On motion Of Mr. Inge, the second
Tuesday in February was set apart for the con-
sderiton Of business relating to the District Of
Columbia.
On motion Of Mr. Bokee the Secretary of the
Navy was requested to inform the House what
action has been taken by him on the law of last
session, making Appropriation for constructing a
Dry Dock at san Francisco; and whether dry
dock sufficient for al purposes cannot be con-
struclod for much less than the amount appropr-
ated; and that lie suspend further proceedings
thereon.
Mr. nuer asked, but did not obtain consent to
introduce a resolution directing Committee on
Military Affairs to inquire into the expediency Of
increasing the number Of Cadets ct West Point
Miiuaty Academy
The House refused to make the special order
for Tomorrow, and until disposed Of, five of the
general appropriation bills.
Mr. Grinnell asked, hat did not obtain leave, to
Introduce resolution lnstTucting the Committee
on Naval Affairs 70 enquire into the proprety of
the Navy Department continuing in commission,
for sea service, the frigae Constitution, or to re-
build her whenever it be found necessary.
Mr. l1busOu of 'leunps zee moved tho Sis
pension Of the rules, to make the special order
the bill giving farms to settlers on certain condi-
tons. Motion disagreed to-ayes -, nays 100.
Mr. McClerncnd asked, but did not obtain CON
sent, 70 introduce resolution calling ON the
President, if not Incompatible with the public in
terest, 10 communicate to the House whether he
has received any information in relation to a DIFF
ference of opinion between the United States
and Great Britain, concerning the Nicaragua
treaty; and whether he has any communication
relative to the difficulties on the coast of Central
America.
Mr. Robinson moved the suspension of the rules,
TO proceed to the consideration of the bill for the
prompt execution of the bounty land law-car-
red
Mr. Jones, after some observations, moved the
previous qucstion--not seconded.
Mr. Morton replied briefly to SIR Robinson, and
alluded TO the efficiency and courtesy Of the con-
/ uli-SlollcE OF tilclOlls.
Mr. Marshal said the bin proposed the employ
ment Of 81 additional clerks, which would not
facilitate business. The muster rolls should be
published in the newspapers.
Mr. German advocated the bill. He under
stood only l6l warrants had been issued up to
this morning
Mr. Robinson moved it be made the special or.
der If il 20 over today, it may not be taken up
again. The House refused Adjourned.
TUESDAY, Jan 81.
.Senaie. Mr. Pearce presented petition from
the Regents Of the Smithsonian Institute, ask
ing that the surplus Sl50,000 remaining after
completing the building, be taken back into the
treasury, and added to the permanent fund now
there, belonging to the Institution.
Messrs Miller, Dayton, and Dickinson, presen-
ted petitions for and against the amendment OF
the Patent laws.
Mr. Sturgeon presented petition from the MGR
chants Of Philadelphia, asking for the establish
mcnt Of a line Of mail steamers from Phiadel-
phia TO Rio Janero
Mr. Hale moved to take up the Joint resolution
to purchase the works Of Alexander Hamilton
Lost.
Mr. Mangum offered resolution directing in.
curry into the propriety Of reorganization of the
State Department. Adopted
/, Mr. Badgers resolutions to amend the rules
were taken up. AMER long debate, the first
one vhich allows the Nithdra,raI ,c ,,,ot;..