Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-08-26
CONGRESS-.
MoSDAr, Aug. l6

ceVed from the House and referred to the Com
n,,''ee on Finance
Mr. Seward presented resolution of the
Chamber Of Commerce of New York asking far
appropriations for the improvement of Hegate.
Mr Dawson-Say Hurlgate; the other is very
well improved already. Mr. Badger better look
it. [Laughter.l
Mr. Cass moved to take up the bill making MP
preparations for the construction of ship canal
around the Falls Of st. Mary. Agreed to.
HousE.-Mr Fuller from the committee on
Commerce, reported back the Senate bill for the
better security of the lives of passengers on
board OF steamboats,, and on his motion the
meDdments Of tie committee were ordered to be
printed, and the further consideration Of the sub
lect was postponed until Thursday next.
Mr. llurkee rose TO question of privilege
Ne said that during his absence from this city.
MIR Aiken, of South Carolina, had made seri.
Gus charge against his character which he now
wished to defeat He then alluded to his re-
marks the other day about negro who was sent
enced to be hanged in Charleston, $. c.. some
years ago, but who, for certain reasons was taken
from the gallows, nobody being fond even for
reward Of $1,000, TO perform Jack Ketch
Nj ID. said he meant no dsrespect 10 South
Carolina, and alluded to the incident in compli.
ment TO that state, to show the triumph Of hu
manlty over a statute law the triumph Of the
higher law" Of reason aud humanity In course
OF his remarks, he con plimented Mr. Calhoun as
pure statesman, whatever his political opinions
might be, and said that the South Carolina de-
legation entertained more of the elements of in
dependence than some OF those of the North
Mr. Aiken made explanations and the matter here
ended.
TUESDAY, August IL.
SENATE. message was received from the
President in reply to Mr. Stewards resolution re.
guessing the President to inform the Senate. if
not incompatible with public interest, whether
any proposition has been made to the United
States by the King of the Sandwich Islands 10
transfer the sovereignty of those Islands to the
United States The President states that on or
about 18th June last he received a similar res
olnton adopted in executive season BY the Senate.
to which he had replied that it would not in his
opinion, be advantageous to the public interest 10
disclose whether such a proposition had been
made or not. Since that time nothing had oc-
CURED to change this opinion. lie therefore
declined 10 answer the inquiry.
Mr. Seward moved that the message be refer
red to the committee on foreign relations and he
desired 10 offer the following resolution which
he wished should take the same reference:
Resoicsd, That the President of the United
states he requested to send Commissioner TO
the Sandwhlch Islands, who shall be instructed
to inquire into the expcdiency Of institutng ne
he Chair said the resolution was not now in
order
Mr. Weller said he desired tn discuss this mo.
ton to refer, and moved that it be laid on the Ia
bic.
VI Badger said h, also would have something
10 say on the subject. and the motion to lay on
the table was agreed TO-
The bill for the construction Of a ship canal
around the falls Of the Sault St Marie was
raj. nd NJ add 81.
DO opposition 20 it. lie was followed by several
Senators who commented freely upon the cleo
pioneering circular which bore the signature Of
NJ Smih and other members. Some Of those
who spoke regarded that paper s q hoax Mr
Smith made no explanation in relation to IT,
Nr Jones, Of Tennessee, pronounced the cir
cular n hoax.
Mr. Hale moved to amend the bill by adding
10 the House homestead bin.
Mr. Smith opposed the motion MS did several
other members. and Mr. Hale withdrew it. Sew
crl amendments were offered and rejected
An amendment increasing the grant Of land
to 10000 acres, was agreed to, and the bill WAS
ordered 10 be cngrossed.
debate arose on the question whether the
Civil appropriation, or the River and Hirbor bill
should be taken up. he : nate decided in IA
,or Of the latter, p 10 10, and then adjourned.
House. The House resumed the cousdera
tnu ti Nif htlt NNNitIltE UP W Nf'tiNE bFluHNe
To he lawful structures and post routes, and dis
cussed It TIL the expiration Of the morning hour.
The bill granting to several States Ten millions
of acres Of public lands for the benefit Of ind-
gent insane persons, was passed by % ayes to
nays 81
A bin fixing the annual salary Of the American
Consul at Amsterdam at $500, was passed
The House went INTO committee On the navy
Appropriation bill.
e. So To- . b, h.. 4 It Ill
bill for organising the navy, SO far as the Off
GERS and men are concerned. There was not
time however 10 act upon IT at the presen, sess.
ion. He then proceeded to explain an amend
neni he intended to offer which provides that
whenever a vessel ~ ordinary is 50 much decay
ed that the expenditure required to repair or
equip her shall be estimated TO exceed two thirds
of her cost it shall not be lawful TO repair such
vessels but a new one according TO the most ap-
proved model shall be constructed in her stead
and the old one sold. 1t had been ascertained,
he said that in many instances the repairs put
on vessel cost as much as the original con
siruciion, and therefore It was better 10 sell her
and build a new one with all modern improve
ments Of steam and sailing qualities The ID
branch of the amendment provides that the Sec
rotary of the Navy shall cause TO be built yes
sci of war whose frame shall he Of white oak,
and the best and most approved model for sail
ing, 10 tt Nteu WIN hthhltTN steam powell anu
10 be armed exclusively with the best and most
destructive ordnance which according 10 recent
improvements 1t is possible TO carry with safety,
and serve with efficiency at sea.
He dwelt upon these points showing that by
the improvements suggested upwards of $4,000
600 will be saved annually to the country.
Mr. Bowie alluded TO the disparity and dspro-
portion Of the American Navy, compared with
those of Europe. and particularly that Of Eng
land lie held that gentlemen are expected by
their constituents IN time Of peace to prepare for
war. lie culogised the Navy, declaring that to
it we are indebted for the almost entire monapo-
" of the whale fisheries and he advocated an
increase rather than diminuton Of the appropri-
ton for this branch of the public service.
Mr. Schoonmaker defended Mr. Seward ffnm
the attacks made by Mr. Faulkner eulogizlng
that Senator as having a broad and national
character, whose speeches are models for imta-
ton who has ever frowned upon fanaiclsn and
who, at future day, when the prejudoes Of these
times shall have departed, will be duly honored
for his intrinsic merits
Mr. Mann, after abiding to Cass, Buchanan
and Douglass. and their SPLENDID bids to the
South for the Presidency, proceeded TO speak Of
the Wing and Democratic National Conventions,
and to condemn their action on the slavery ques-
ton, which he said was an attempt to silence the
] vince off mankind ON "A suhiecf most imDortaul