The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-07
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE
THURSDAY, May 6, 1852

Mr. HALF presented the memorial oil J0hn H.
st. John, proposing TO build steam vessel which
can neither be in, though it should go against
rocks or icebergs, nor be blown up by the sxplo-
sion OF its boilers. He asks appr opriation by
Congress for the purpose, on the condition that
he completes the vessel within given time. The
memorial was referred,
Mr.. HALE also presented a communication
which he had received from the Secretary OF
War, giving further information in relation to
civil officers employed in New Mexico, while that
territory was under military government, which
he wished 10 have printed in connection with the
report upon the subject presented yesterday.
Agreed to.
Mr.. BADGER introduced joint resolution
granting the State of North Carolina the right OF
way and a donation of land to aid in the construc
ton Of the Fayetteville and Central Plank Road,
in the State of North Carolina which, at the re-
quest of Mr. Is. was considered, and ordered to
be engrossed. |, was subsequently read II third
time and passed.
Mr.. GWIN gave notice that he should on Mon
day next call up the joint resolution authorizing
the construction of war steamer IN order TO
afford his friend from New Jersey, Mr.. SrocX-
Toni an opportunity TO address the Senate upon
that subject.
Mr. HUNTER said the Senator from Ohio,
(Mr. WADE.) who was entitled to the floor upon
the JOINT resolution reahirming the doctrine OF
non Intervention, had consented to Il postpone
ment of his remarks until Thursday next-and
he gave notice that he would call up the resolu-
ton on that day.
THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
The Senate then resumed the consideration of
the bill to supply deficiencies in the appropriations
for the service OF the current fiscal year
The question being the amendment reported
by the Committee Finance, to increase the
compensation TO the Collins line of steamers,
Mr.. JAMES, of Rhode Island, addressed the
Senate for upwards OF an hour in support of the
amendment. He replied to some of the argu
ments ofthe Senator from Virginia, (Mr. HuNTER)
and advocated the increased appropriation upon
the highest national grounds, as well in justice
to the enterprizing propretors of these steamers.
He said the Collins steamers were built under the
direct superintendent Of naval officers, and if
they were not adapted to war purposes, which he
believed they were, it fault of Collins
his associates.
Mr. BADGER followed in support of the
amendment. The Senator from Virginia, who
addressed the Senate yesterday, a host in
himself. 1t was, therefore, important that when
he opposed, many of them should speak in reply.
In the course of his remarks he said that if this
appropriation should be rejected, the very next
application from these gentlemen would be to be
relieved from the ruinous contract into which
they had entered. lfCongress should refuse this
application they could not refuse that. They
would be prompted by every consideration, gen.
erOslty and justice to grant It,. And the moment
they did it, the line would be discontinued, and
England would have undisputed control Of this
ocean mailsteaming enlerprize--both between
this country and Eng land and between this coun-
try and the continent of Europe.
If, therefore, he supposed that very large
outlay would be annually required, beyond the
amount received from hostages, to sustain the
line, he should be unwilling to the enterprise
transferred to the hands of English capitalists.
But he did not believe that the line would prove
to be expensive. He believed ifthey would keep
it up until it was well established, it wodld bring
immense amounts into the public treasury
In order to relieve the proposition from any
difficulty which might exist in the minds of some
Senators upon that point, however, he would pro-
pose proviso, authorizing the PostOffice De-
partment to discontinue the service, if at any fu-
ure period it should be found to be great loss to
the government.
Mr.. SHIELDS hoped the vote would be taken
tonight upon the amendment He was in favor
Of it, and after the able speech of the Senator
from North Carolina, he did not propose to oc-
cupy the time Of the Senate but few moments
There was enterprise, either civil or military,
in which this nation was at present engaged, in
which he felt so deep an interest as this He re-
garded it as matter of the utmost importance
that they should keep up an efficient steam ma
rine. The Senator from Virginia was mistaken
The problem which steam was working out was
not that the commercial and war service could not
be united nthe same vessels, but it was that thew
could not be united--that they could have an eff
cient steam-marne to be used in time of peace,
which would prove of the greatest service in time
of war. And he predicted that if they let this
Collins line go down, which the English people
and the English government and English capita
lists were united in sustaining that Cunard line,
the free competition Of which the Senator spoke
however beautiful in theory-could never be re-
allied in practice, on the part of American citi-
zens.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee said he was as anx-
ious as any Senator to see this line sustained, but
there one difficulty which would prevent him
from voting in favor of it. The Cunard steamers
received between $4,000 and SIT 900 per trip.
while the Collins line now received $4,000. If
gentlemen would show him why they ought to
increase the appropriation to 500 900 per trip, he
should be ready to vote for the amendment
An animated debate ensued, in which Messrs
PRArr, RUsK, JAMES, SEWARD, BELL and HALE
participated.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, moved to strike
out 500 900 and insert S25, 900; upon which ques
ton the yeas and nays were ordered.
Mr.. CASS proposed to offer, at the proper
time, an amendment providing for tie appoint
ment Of commission, composed of naval and
scientific officers, to examine and report through
the Secretary of the Navy at the commencement
of the next session of Congress, upon the fitness
Of these Collins steamers for war purposes, the
cost Of adapting them to that service, &C., &c.
Mr.. CASS wishing to submit some remarks be-
fore the vote upon the proposition of the Senator
from Tennessee was taken, it being nearly FIVE
o clock, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.