The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-01
THIRTY.FiRsr CONGRESS.

TUESDAY, Dec. 80. 1850.

TUESDAY, Dec. 80, 1850.
Petitions presented by Messrs. WINTHROP,
GwIS and BnsroN.
MIR. BADGER moved an amendment Of the
rules, which, amer debate by Messrs. BApGEm,
WALsnR, and BERaiEs, was referred 10 ccm-
mitt@e.
ApJoUKSNe oyER.
Mr. BADGER, in consideration Of the absence
Of a number Of senators, and the near approach Of
New Years day, moved that when the Senate add
Journs, u adjourn over TO FRIDAY.
MIR. WALKER moved for Thursday.
After debate between Messrs. WALKER and
BADGER, the amendment was agreed 10, and the
Senate resolved upon ajourning, 10 adjourn over
to Thursday.
rHE COAST SURVEY
MIR. BENTON'S resolution was taken no. ask
ing of the Secretary Of the Navy to communicate
TO the Senate, the grounds of his recomme ndation
in his late annual report, for the transfer Of the
Coast Survey from the supervision of the Treas
ury to the Navy Department; and what legislation,
il any, is necessary, to effect the transfer.
Mr. JEFFERSON DAVIS opposed the resolu-
ton and contended that the Coast Survey, under
its present organization, was efficient and entirely
satisfactory.
Mr.. BENTON replied with much animation,
maintaining that while the Navy was fully COM
petent to do the work, it was disparage cement of
the Navy to withhold the entire business of this
survey from that most appropriate branch OF the
public service.
MIR. CASS thought that a special board oil SUI
perintendents ought to be appointed.
MIR. DOWNS saw no necessity at all for the
resolution. The Senate had decided upon this
survey before; and he did not believe that any re-
COMMUNICATIONS ofthe Secretary ofthe Navy would
change its opinions. IL was question upon
which the seqatpr from Missouri stood almost
alone. y
Mr.. HAMLiN opposed the resolution.
Mr.. BADGER was in favor of the reference
proposed to the Secretary of the Navy
Mr.. BENTON replied with considerable pun
gency to the remrrks of Messrs. DAVIS, HAMLiS,
and Downs, especially to the latter. Mr.. b. said
it was not the first time that he had stood solitary
and alone, and charged apon Mr. DowNs want
Of respect towards the Secretary of the Navy. He
urged the transfer ofthe Coast Survey to the Navy
as matter of economy. Ii would probably be
equalto the saving of $500, 900 year.
MIR. JEFFERSON DAVIS replied to Mr.. BEN
TON, warmly defending the Coast Survey as it
stands and charging the provocations of this dis
cussion upon the Senator from Missouri.
Mr. BENTON followed in answer to Mr.. DA-
Wis, and in defence of his proposition.
Mr. DOWNS rose in sefdefence, aud in retort-
ing upon the senator from Missouri, said that the
time when he could undertake great
SOLITARY and alone, " had gone by.
-"But yesterday the word of Caesar
Might have stood against the world;
But now
forbear to give the rest of the sentence.
Mr.. BENTON. ask the senator from Lou
isiana to finish his quotation.
Mr.. DOWNS. Does the senator desire III
Mr.. BENTON. Yes, sir-fnish the quota
ton.
Mr. DOWNS. Well. sir, l think it has refer
"But Yesterday the word of Cesar might
Have stood against the world. Now, that he is
A SENATOR Snow lies he there,
And none poor to do him reverence.
Mr. DOWNS. Yes sir. 'But now none so
poor to do him reverence. think that's the
substance of i'll don't recollect the words ex-
acty.
MIR. BENTON. was right, sir. The sena-
tor did not give the quotation at first because he did
not recoIect it. | thought So sir. That all
desired to know. Next in the course Of his re-
marks, Mr. B. observed that since the last session,
the senator from Michigan seems to have taken it .
upon himself to oppose whatever | propose
Mr.. CASS Why, sir, | did not oppose this
resolution. | going to vote for 1t.
Mr.. BENTON. Your pardon, sir, thousand
times.
After further remarks by Messrs. BENTON, CAss,
JEFFERSON DAVIS and john DAVIS,
The amendment of Mr.. JEFFERSON DAVIS, ask
ing Of the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish
the reasons why the Co st Survey should con-
tnue under the control of his Department, was
agreed to-
And Mr.. BENToN's resolution, as thus amended
was adopted making inquiry Of one Secretary
in favor of the transfer of the Coast Survey, and
of another against it.
AUSTRIAN AND HUNGARIAN CORRESPONDENTS.
Mr.. DOUGLAS moved reconsideration of
the vote by which the Senate yesterday refused to
print extra copies Of the late correspondence be-
tween the Austrian Minister and the Secretary of
State. Mr.. ID. made this motion by request, and
because the vote of yesterday, he had understood,
had been mscons,rued.
Some remarks followed by Mr.. BADGER in ia
var of the notion and by Mr.. WALKER in oppo-
sition to it, when the vote reconsdered, %
to 10.
And after some further opposition by Mr..
WALKER, 5000 extra copies of the correspondence
were ordered to be printed.
And the Senate adjourned over to Thursday.