The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-03
CONGRESSIONAL pRoCEEDINos.
- sENATEs
TnuaspAY. April 1.

. . .
a TONNAGE ON SPANISH VESSELS.
The Chair laid before the Senate report Of
the Secretary OF the Treasury, communicating. in
compliance with resolution Of the Senate, infor-
nation in relation to the expedency of modifying
the act of June 80, 1894, concerning tonnage duty
on Spanish vessels trading between theUnlted
States and the islands of Cuba and Porto Rico /;
Protection OF NEW MEXICO AGAINST THE INDIANS.
Mr.. DAWSON presented the resolutions pa s.
sed by the legislature Of New Mexico, asking
that Congress may afford them an adequate pro-
lection against the depredations of the Indians,
and instructing their delegates in Congress to pro-
cure the passage of law authorizing two regi-
menis TO be raised for their defence, and arsenas
to be established there.
RELIEF or THE woRKMEN UPoN THE CAPITOL.
Mr.. HALE gave notice Of joint resolution for
the relief of those mechanics who have come to
Washington for the purpose Of building the ex-
tension of the Capitol on the invitation Of officers
Of the government, and who have been for long
time out Of work by the neglect Of Congress to
make appropriations therefor.
CANADIAN RECIPROCITY.
MIR. FISH presented a memorial of ciiiz ems of
Buffalo, New York, praying the enactment of a
law providing for reciprocal trade with Canada
referred. r E. 4 sf s4AI
COMMITTEE OF CLAIMS.
On motion of Mr. BRoDHEAD, the President
Of the Senate was authorized to appoint an addi-
tiona member of the Committee of Claims, to
take the place OF Mr.. WHIrcoMB, who has for
some time past been absent from the city.
Mr.. ADAMS was appointed.
ia 4 PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Mr.. RUSK, from the Committee on Pos-of-
fees and Post-roads, reported bill to let a part
and sell portion of the public lands, for the con-
struction Of a railroad from Lake Michigan to the
Pacific ocean. Mr.. r. said the bill reported met
the views of a majority of the committee, al
though they were not unanimous in opinion. He
presumed it was as good plea for the establish
ment of the object could be desired; and he
should take an early opportunity to call it up for
consideration.
The bill was passed to second reading
THE JAPAN EXPEDITION.
Mr.. BORLAND moved the consideration of his
resolution calling upon the Secretary of the Navy
TO communicate to the Senate the object of the
expedition which is about to sail for the East In
dies, and also copy of the instructions to the
commander Of the expedition.
Mr.. b. having modified the solution SO as to
make the call upon the President of the United
States, and the information to be communicated
if not deemed.incompatibie with the public inter-
sstss
An animated discussion took place as to the pro-
priety of making such call. Messrs MANeum
GwM, BADGER, SEWARD and others, opposed the
resolution; Messrs. BoRLAND, CAss and Others,
supported it.
Finally, on motion of Mr.. BAYARD, the clause call
ing for the instructions to the commander of the
squadron, was stricken out.
Mr.. MANGUM moved to lay the resolution on
the table.
Upon motion the yeas and nays were taken,
when the question was decided in the negative by
the following vote.
YEAs-Messrs. Badger, Brooke, Clarke, Daw-
son, Fish, Foot, Gwin, Hale, King, Mangum,
Miller, Morton, Seward, Smith, Underwood, Up
ham, and WeIler.-17
NAYs-M essrs, Adams, Bayard, Borland, 81 adj
bury, Brodhead, Cass, Chase, Cooper, Dodge, of
Wisconsin, Dodge, Of Iowa, Douglas, Downs
Fech, Hamlin, Jones, Of Iowa, Jones, of Ten
nessee, Mallory, Norris, Rusk, Sebastian, Shields
Spruance, Sumner, and Walker.-24
Mr.. SHIELDS moved to amend so as to call
for the force and objects" of the expedition :,
which was agreed to.
Pending further debate, the yeas and nays hay-
ing been ordered on the passage of the resolution
il was postponed, and, har
On motion of Mr.. GWIN, the Senate proceed ed
TO the consideration of Executive business, and
shortly afterwards adjourned.