The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-20


SENATE.
WEDNESDAY,, May IS. 1854
a- MEXICAN CONTRIBUTION MONEY.
The PRESIDENT pro tenn laid before the
Senate . report ofthe Secretary Of War in answer
10 the resolution of the Senate inquiring what
further provision for the settlement Of the accounts
connected with the Mexican contribution fund 10
necessary to authorize proper and just compen-
sation to be made for services in relation TO the
same.
The communication was referred to the Com
mittee on Military Affairs.
MISCELLANEOUS PROCEEDINGS.
Messrs. SEwAar, SUMNER, and WALKER pre-
sen. ed memorials in fAvor Of the adoption of the
Homestead bill.
Legislature of Indiana in favor of the adoption Of
some measures for the suppression of the African
slave trade and the colonization of free people Of
color.
Also, n favor of the establishment Of an agri-
cultural bureau at Washington
Also, in favor Of various local improvements
Messrs. WELLER and GWIN presented reso-
lutions of the legislature of California upon va
r:ous subjects.
On motion Of Mr. GwiS, the Committee on
Naval Affairs was discharged from the further
Of the rel of the Secretary Of the
Navy relative to the loss Oft the steamer g Edith, "
the proceedings Of the court martial, and various
correspondence connected with that subject also
from the resolutions Of the common council Of
the city Of New Orleans, on the subject OF navy
yard and depot at that place.
Mr. FELCH, from the Committee on Public
Lands. reported back the bill granting to the
State OF California the right Of way, and dona-
ton Of land to aid in the construction Of a rail-
road from San Francisco to San Jose, in that
State, with various amendments making the bill
conform to the other railroad bills.
Mr.. GWIN asked that the bill might now be
considered which was agreed to, and
The amendments were adopted, and the bill
ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
Mr.. GLEN EMS, by leave, introduced bill to
extend the provisions Of the acts Of lS47 and
lo49 to carry into effect the existing contracts
with the States OF Alabama and Mississippi in
relation to the Ave per cent fund and school reser-
vations which was referred to the Committee on
Public Lands.
Mr.. HAMLIN asked the consideration of the
bill TO authorize the President of the United
States to designate the places for the ports OF
entry and delivery for the collection districts OF
Pugets Sound and Umpqua, in the Territory or
Oregon He said that as this was territorial week
in the House it was desirable that the bill should
be Immediately passed that it might go to that
body.
The motion was agreed to, and amendments NIX
inS the salaries Of the collection, proposed by Mr.
HAMlIN, having been adopted, the bill was Or
dered to engrossment.
THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
The special order being then announced
Mr. HUNTER asked that by unanimous con-
sent the Collins line amendment might be passed
over and the amendment of the Senator from Ten
nessee [Mr. BELL be taken up, in order to allow
the Senator from Michigan an opportunity to adj
dress the Senate.
Mr. SEWARD objected to pos!poning the Col
M. BORLAND said he should be obliged to
inhict another speech upon the Senate, IT the
Senator from New York insisted upon his obJec-
ton He hoped he would consent to withdraw
it, as he was very reluctant to consume further
time of the Senate upon this subject, and he
thought il due to the Senator from Michigan, that
he should have opportunity to address the Sen
ate upon the proposition Of the Senator from Ten
nessee.
Mr.. SEWARD finally withdrew his objection.
The Collins amendment was informally passed
over, and the amendment approprlatlng the sum
of 49,, $40 to the payment OF citizens OF Alabama
and Georgia for losses from the depredations OF
the Creek Indians in 1886 and 81, recurring,
Mr.. CASS addressed the Senate for nearly an
hour in opposition to the same.
Mr. BELL spoke an hour and half in reply.
Mr. CASS desired few moments to reply
Mr. GWIN thought they ought to have vote
on the Collins amendment tonight. He must
leave the city in the morning, as the Senate had
already been informed.
Mr.. MANGUM hoped this subject ofpaying
for these Indian depredations would be handed
over to some future Gibbon.
Mr. CASS wanted only ten minutes to enable
him to connect together his documents, and he
would publish his remarks in erterlso, which was
granted.
And after some further debate
Mr. CHASE also stating the reasons why he
could not vote in favor of the amendment.
The yeas and nays were ordered on Mr.. BELL 8
proposition when it was rejected by vote of 20
to "a.
The yeas and nays were then ordered on the
Collins amendment.
Mr.. WADE stated that the Senators from
Pennsylvania had paired off with each other, Mr..
Cooper being in favor Of the amendment and Mr.
Brodhead opposed to it.
Mr.. CHASE offered an amendment providing
for future dIscontinuance of the line, but, at the
suggestion of Mr.. GwiN, withdrew it.
Mr.. BORLAND had designed to offer an
amendment and submit some further remarks be-
fore the vote was taken, but had concluded to
wait until the bill was reported to the Senate.
Mr.. MALLORY said he had paired off with
Mr.. BAYAkD.
Messrs BELL and DAWSON said they would
vote for the amendment to allow it to be reported
10 the Senate, but did not wish their votes to be
understood as indicative Of the votes which they
should give upon the final passage of the amend
ment.
The yeas and rays We're then taken and result
cd nc foItows Yeas o. Nays o.