New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-21
xxxIa CONGRESS-. Second ss.. -.

| presented petitions In favor OF aud against ga
bill TO amend the Patent Laws. Mr.. HAsLU Sfs.
sented petition for the repeal OF the Fugirivs
Slave Law, which was laid on the table
Dir. Downs moved 70 print 5000 extra copies r
the Report OF the Board Of Engineers on the csss.
Of the inundations of the lower Mississippi. Alta
debate the motion was agreed TO.
A report from the Secretary Of the Interior. viii
a statement Of the number Of persons employI
in the Indian Department, was received snirs
report from the Treasury Department. iasl..-
ing reports Of Drs. Edwards and Lorng OF O..
Marine Hospitals, was received and referred.
Mr.. PEARcK from the Library COMMITTEES "a.
ported joint resolution for the purchase Of tie
works of Alex. Hamilton.
2Mr CLAY submitted a resolution that the 0es.
mittee on Commerce DO instructed TO inquire iats
the expedency Of making more efectusI prevs
ions by law to prevent the employment oil Aseu-
can vessels and American seamen IN the Ahrcaa
Slave Trade. and especially as to the expedisasy
of granting sea letters or other letters evidence q
national character, to American vessels clearing
out Of the ports of the Empire Of Brazil for hs
Western Coast Of Africa.
Mr. CLAY asked the consideration OF the resela.
ton now
over.
Mr.. SEWARD introduced a joint ResolatisaL
directing that in the purchase OF manufacture
steel by Government, the American manufactsrsd
shall be preferred.
Mr. HtMIIs moved and the correspondents Of
che American Minister at Brazil relating to tAs
slave Trade was referred to the COMMITTEES o.
Commerce. -
Mr. SEWARD offered Resolution which was
adopted. directing the Military Committee to IN
ouire into the expediency of increasing the salary
Of the Drawing Professor at West Point.
Mr. EWING offered resolution directing tae
Finance Committee 10 inquire whether the AZ
for constructing Balance Dry Dock on the r.
cihc Coast might not be amended so as 10 save
considerable sum ofimoney without mpairing ns
utility of the work. Adopted.
Subsequently, Mr.. Owls moved and the vote
adopting the resolution was reconsidered, and the
resolution laid over.
The Postage Bill was received from the Hoass
and referredt TO the Post Office Committee.
Mr. CAss moved to take up the bill grantiss
pension TO Gen. Armstrong After debate tie
motion was lost.
The French Spoilation bill was taken up
Mr.. HUNTER said he was the only member d
| the Committee who was opposed to the BILL
This bill proposed to pay these claimants tive
millions TO this he was opposed. BY granting
| this sum the United States would acknowledge
it's liability for the claims and as five millions was
by no means sufficient to pay all, how could the
United States hereafter refuse 70 pay every cent
of theml II this sum was a mere gratuity 10
claimants this, he contended, was no time to give
gratuities The debt of the United States, II this
Dill passed, WOulu amount dCCOtunb ~ tHO OSSto-
tary of the Treasury, to seventy nine millions,
and that too at time when nothing Is expected
from the sales of public lands. III the claim
is good he admitted this was no answer,
but the United States were not in any way
responsible for the spoalltons and TINS ne
intended to demonstrate. He examined IA
detail several treaties and writings OF Jefferson
and Washington deducing from them argumenu
against the Justice of these claims Against tae
United States, and pointed out the great dincuiy
at this time, if the claims were JUST IN payingp
those who were actually entitled. lie considered
this "a no more than throwing five millions into
crowd that dollar might possibly strike right
full claimant. He urged the condition OF the
Treasury at this time, and estimated that II the
debt was increased some provision should be
made for an increase OF revenue: This increase
of revenue. be thought, could only be effected by
reduction Of the Tariff
Mr. SEWARD got the floor and the Senate ad-
ourned.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,.
On motion Of Mr.. lNGE, the second Tuesday In
February was set apart for the consideration Of
business relating TO the District of Oou s.b;~:
On motion OF Mr.. BoKEE the Secretary OF the
Navy is requested to inform the House what &C
ton has been taken by him on the law OF last
session making appropriation for constructing
Dry Dock at San Francisco, and whether Dry
Dock sufficient for all purposes cannot be con
structed for much less than the amount appropr
ated, ana tnat ne suspend Iurtner proceeois5s
thereon
Mr.. DUER asked, but did not obtain consent, 10
introduce a resolution directing the COMMITTEES On
Military Affairs to inquire into the expediencyof
increasing the number of Cadets at the West
Point Military Academy.
The House refused to make the special order
for to morrow, and until disposed Of five ofthe
General Appropriation bills
Mr.. GRiENELL asked but did not obtain Leave.
to introduce resolution nstruoting the Commit
tee on Naval Affairs to inquire into the propnetJ
of continuing in commission for sea service the
Frigate Constitution or rebuild her wheneverit
be found necessary.
Mr. JOHNSON of Tenn. moved the suspension Of
Rules to make Especial order the bill giving farms
to the landless on certain conditions. Motion
disagreed to-Ayes 90. Nays 100.
Mr.. McCLEREAND asked bat did not obtain coz
sent TO introduce resolution calling on the Pres
dent if not incompatible with the public interest,"
to communicate whether he has received any In
formation relative to a difference of opinion be.
tween the United States and Great Britain con-
corning the Nicaragua Treaty, and whetherhs
has any communication relative to difficultieson
the Coast of Central America.
Mr.. Robson moved a suspension Of the rules
10 proceed to the consideration OF the bill 10 IN
sure prompt execution Of the Bounty Land Law
of last session. Decided in the afirmative--lH
to 81.
/ Mr.. JONES, after saying the bill did not alto
gether please him, but was as good as it could b
made by further action of the House. moved the
Previous Question, which was not seconded
Mr.. MORroE spoke few words in reply to Mr.
Robinson, and attested TO the efficiency and coar
tesy of the Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr. MARSHALL said the bill proposed the en-
poyment Of sixtyone additional clerks. This
would not facilitate business. The muster rolls
for information of all should be published in To
newspapers.
Mr. GoRxAE advocated the bill, and said DO
learned that but one hundred and sixty-four wE
rants have been issued up to this morning.
Mr.. ROBINSON moved that the bill be msdsf
special order; if it should go over to day il ng