The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-24
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
SATURDAY, Feb %, 1851.
Mr.. BAYLY, by unanimous consent, reported
from the Committee of Ways and Means the bill
appropriating for the support of the navy for the
fiscal year ending June 30th, 1852. Read twice
and referred to the Committee of the Whole on the
state Of the Union.
MIR. FEATHERSTON asked unanmous con-
for proceeding the consideration of the bill
for the relief of Col. David Hopkins, which was
pending yesterday when the House went into
COMMITTEE of the Whole. Objection being made,
Mr.. Z. moved a suspension OF the rules for the
purpose, but the Speaker stated that the motion
not then in order, because the main question
on the engrossment oc bill had been ordered.
POST OFFICE BILL.
The House then proceeded to the consideration of
the Till appropratng for the support of the Post
Office Department for the next fiscal year. The
question being upon the amendment striking there
from that portion which provides, for the support
of the General Post Office in III city. rrhe
amendment contemplates the SUPPORT Of that Office
from the general treasury agreeably to previous
practice, while the clause sought to be stricken out
provides for it's support from the revenues OF the
Post Office Department.
The question being put, the yeas and nays were
demanded and ordered. The amendment was
agreed to by a vote Of 81 to 70, and that portion
of the bill was stricken out. The bill was then
read third time and passed.
FoRrlFIcArIoN BILL.
On motion of Mr.. BAYLY, the House went
into Committee Of the Whole the state Of the
Union. Mr.. GREEN in the Chair.
Mr.. BAYLY moved to take up the bill appro-
prleting for Notifications for the fiscal year ending
June Goth, 1852 He stated that as there were
many opposed to the bill, his only desire was to
Inv n aLro,, TO ,l,o,t
marks on the subject, when the committee could
dispose of il MS they saw fit. The motion pre-
vailed and the bill was read.
Mr.. BAYLY said that he knew there was grea,
deal of opposition to this bill, growing, as he
thought, out of misapprehension Of it's character
Our fortifcations up TO this day have cost the
government 500 ,525 900. Mr.. BAYLY read q
statement prepared at the War Department, show
ing the amount expended upon each fertilization.
lie then added that it would be seen that nearly all
were completed except the defensive works COM
menced at the Pea Patch, Sellers point, Key
West, and Garden Key. All these contemplate a
large expenditure. He said that he remembered
well the debates arising from the propositions to
fortfy Key West and the Florida reefs. The
House was satisfied of their necessity for the pro-
lection OF the enormous commerce of the w est,
which passed through the Gulf. Mr.. B., thought
that gentlemen who opposed the bill misconceved
the objects OF the system. This object not
points, the possession Of which would give the
enemy great advantages. But for the Notifications
at Baltimore, to what terrors would not that city
have been exposed Ross was compelled to land
twelve miles below the city, thereby giving time
for the volunteers to meet and repuse him. Had
it not been for the fort, the British fleet would have
bombarded the city and laid il under contribution.
Had it not been for the fort below Washington,
the British force would not have been compelled
to land at Annapolis and march upon Washing
ton, thus giving an opportunity for the militia to
rally for the protection of the capital. Had it not
been for the Notifications at Vera Cruz, Gen.
Scott would have terminated the war with Mexico
in three weeks. Mr.. b., demonstrated the neces-
sity of Notifications in shelterng shipping
from the cruisers of the enemy. He said that 1t
was the opinion of the most scientific military
men, that the introduction Of steam increased the
necessity for Notifications, rather than diminished
1t. Sailing vessels could not escape from war
steamers.
MIR. b., demonstrated the Importance Of fortress
Monroe, in protecting Richmond Petersburg, and
Norfolk, with its navy yard, naval stores and pub
lie ships on the stocks and in ordinary, The inn
porlance OF Notifications on the Pea Patch for the
protection of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, had
never been disputed. That at Sellers point was
equally necessary. He concluded by urging the
necessity of Notifications of Key West and the
Florida reefs to protect the commerce of the gulf.
Mr.. GlDDlNGS followed, maintaining that ev-
.ery dollar that had been appropriated, had been
thrown away as elfectually if it had been cast
into the Atlantic. The progress Of science, art,
knowledge, intelligence and civilization, had ex-
poded the system. The former castles of noble
men were but monuments o. the ignorance exist
ing in barberous ages. Our Notifications would fol-
low in their footsteps. The argument in favor Of
this measure was based upon the false premise
that war was to take place hereafter. Mr.. g. ex-
pressed the opinion that No civilized nation would
declare war against us. When we were butthr
millions Of people, and had no Notifications, we
waged war with the most powerful nation ofthe
earth. In relation TO he bombardment of cities,
Mr.. G.. asserted with great confidence that it was
not legitimate warfare for civilized nations to bonn
bard upforrifed towns
Mr. McLANE followed in remarks principally
to show the necessity for fortihcatons at Soier
point, for the protection Of the city Of Baltimore
which now extended below the present fort. He
referred to the vast amounts expended for the de
fence Of other cities and claimed a proportionats
share for the third city in the Union.
| Mr.. HARRIS, Obtained the floor and was pro
| ceedlng to address The COMMITTEES upon tho subjsc