The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-15
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
rHrRrY-sEcoND coSeRrss-rrRsr SESSION.
SENATE.
THURSDAY. APRIL s.


SENATE.
THURSDAY, APRIL g.
Mr.. Cooper presented the memorial of Mr..
Leutze, the painter Of the national picture of
Washington crossing the Delaware, proposing
to paint for Congress duplicate Of the picture.
together with another of Washington stopping
the retreat of the American troops at the bat.
tie Of Monmouth Also, the memorial of Mr..
Healy of Boston, asking to be engaged by
Congress for painting two historical pictures
one representing the throwing overheard of
the tea at Boston, the other the Battle of Bun.
ker Hill
Mr.. Hale submitted resolution, which was
adopted, directing an inquiry into the propriety
of increasing the salary of the naval chap
lains.
Mr. Sumner submitted a resolution, which
was agreed to, directing an inquiry into the
propriety of providing by law for the appoint
ment of commissioner to revise the public
statutes of the United States.
Mr.. Borlands resolution calling upon the
President of the United States to inform the
Senate of the object of the naval expedition re-
Gently ordered to tho Indian ocean particular
ly to the coast of Japan, was then taken up
The subject was postponed till tomorrow
The bill determining the representation to
be allowed to the State Of California was then
taken up
Messrs. Chase, Downs, and Dawson, opposed
allowing California more than one Representa-
tive. Messrs Badger Borland, and Geyer. sup
ported tie amendment allowing California two
Representatives and South Carolina one for
her fraction.
The amendment proposing TO allow Louis-
ana an additional member for her fraction of
5000 was rejected.
After further debate, the amendment giving
two to California and one to South Carolina for
her fraction, was agreed to, and the bill was
ordered to be engrossed
FRIDAY, APRIL g.
Mr. Hunter moved that the private calendar
be postponed one hour. for the purpose of ia
king up the bill for the extension of the Capitol
After debate, the motion was agreed to.
Mr.. Borland addressed the Senate in opposi-
ton to the further prosecution of the work.
MIR. Brodhead moved an amendment appro-
priating $4,000 to take down the work al.
ready executed, and to restore the public
grounds to their original state, and to pay the
laborers who have been thrown out of employ.
ment.
This amendment amounted 10 an abandon
ment of the work, and after debate, the
amendment was rejected-yeas IL, nays 30
as follows;
YEAs-Messrs. Adams Borland. Bradbury,
Brodhead, Chase, Dodge of Iowa, Morton. Nor
rs, Wade, Walker, Weller-ll.
NAYs-Messrs. Bell, Berrien Brooke, Cass,
Clemens, Cooper, Dawson, Dodge of Wisconsin,
Douglas, Felch Fish, Geyer, Hale, Hamlin,
Hunter, King Mallory, Mangum, Miller, Pratt,
Rusk Sebastian, Seward, Shields, Smith, Spru-
ance, Stockton Sumner, Underwood, Upham-
80.
Mr. Dodge of Iowa, moved to amend the ap-
preparation by striking out $500 900 and insert
ing 100000. This amendment Also after de-
bate was reJected-yeas l6, nays "a
Mr.. Borland offered to amend the bill by
providing that no contracts should be made or
sanctioned, except to the amount of the current
appropriations.
Messrs Cass, Borland Rusk and others, sup
ported it, and Messrs. Clemens and Underwood
opposed it. The amendment was then agreed
to-yeas "a, nays H.
Mr.. Shields moved an amendment giving to
the laborers who have been retained here un-
der the expectation of being re-engaged the
same amount OF compensation as they would
have received had the work not been suspend.
ed. And after long debate and various modfi
cations, the amendment was agreed to--yea
| 90, nays Is.
Other amendments were offered and reject
cd and the bill was then passed.
MONDAY, April 10.
The Chair laid before the Senate severa
Executive communications, amongst others
one enclosing copies of the charges on file il
| the Department of the Interior, against TIN
Commissioners appointed to run the Mexican
boundary
MIR. Underwood presented the petition o
General Leslie Coombs. demonstrating agains
and complaining of the course pursued b,
Texas, with respect to her public debt
After the presentation of large number O
petitions
Mr.. Shields reported a'bll to make free thai
portion Of ihe Columbia turnpike road as lies
within the District of Columbia.
Also, bill providing for q survey of con
tcmpated basin at the termination of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, near George.
town, ID. c.
Mr. Borland made report from the joint
Committee on Printing, by which it appeared
that on the 9Th instant the committee decided
to give the printing for the present Congress,
of the House Of Representatives, to Donelson
& Armstrong, and Of the Senate to Gideon e.
Co. And by resolution of the 9th instant
fixed the prices to be allowed-those contained
in Mr.. Rivcs's bid for the same
AS he did not approve of what was done by
the committee he asked TO be discharged from
further service in it. And he was excused.
The French Spoliation bill was then taken
up, and Mr.. Fclch addressed the Senate in OPP
position thereto. He had not concluded when
the Senate adjourned