The daily union., 1852-12-15
in CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES
Thirty second Congress-seoond session.
TUESDAY. DECEMBER "A, 1852.
aENAIE.

SENATE.
Hon NosEs Norris, from the State OF New Hamp-
shire and Hon RoBEnr SrockToS, from the State o.
The Secretary read note from hon. VIM, X. KING,
President of the Senate, requesting Hon, d. X ATcHI-
SON 10 preside over the Senate to-day. Mr. ATcHIs0N
said that if there was no objection he would comply with
the request and objection being made he accordingly
took the chair.
MEMORIALS, PETITIONS, ETC.
Mr. SEWARD presented the memorial OF Daniel
Cain, of Niagara county, New York, praying indemnify
for property destroyed by the enemy during the last
with Great Britain which was referred 10 the Commllee
OF Claims.
Mr. SHIELDS presented the memorial OF Dr. Alexan.
der b. Hasson assistant in the army praying an
increase OF the medical corps OF the army which was
referred 10 the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. ). also presented the memorial OF officers OF the
army ordered embark board the United States store
ship Fredona, praying an additional allowance OF pay
which referred TO the Committee on Military Al
fairs.
Mr. COOPER presented the memorial OF Holker
Hughes legal representative OF OF the heirs OF Sam
ue Hughes praying indemnity for property destroyed by
the enemy during the last with Great Britain which
was referred TO the Committee OF Claims.
Mr.. ADAMS presented a memorial OF committee ol
The Mississippi Baptist State convention. held II Clinton
in that State praying that provision be made by treaty
securing 10 American citizens residing in foreign coga
tries the liberty IN religious worship as s allowc
citizens OF other nations IN the United Sales; which
was read and referred to the Committee on Foreign Rea
tons.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. | rise to present the petition
Mr. President of John c. McFeuan, lieutenant in the
army of The United States He makes peculiar state
ment which will very briefly present 10 the Senate
He says he employed III New Mexico as assistant
commssary, and in that empleyment another assistant
commssary by the OF Thomas handed over to him
large amount OF specie After good deal OF il was
counied-some hundred thousand dollars probabythey
became very much algued with the operation and some
six or eight boxes OF the money not couhted-
Thomas assuring him that they contained much, and
that if they were deficient when counted he would make
up the amount to him. Thomas represented TO HIN, he
says that he compelled to leave very soon ard, un'
der these representations, my young mend MefTrah-
for he my appointee at West Pointgaye HIN re-
cept for the whole amount which Thomas represented TO
be IN the boxes which proved TO be deficient 2oo When
the money ceunted-in the mean time Thomas hav-
ing gone off lie then says that, experimenting fraud
had been pracsed upon MN, he hled bill IN The eoart
OF the United States in the Territory ot New Mexico,
ami attached property which Thomas had there
but that there demurrer put IN, and the Judge gave
decision in favor OF Thomas upon the ground that the
money did not belong 10 Lieutenant McFerran but was
the property OF the United States. and that The United
States must look 10 Thomas to get the money bu IN
the time, Thomas gets his accounts settled here
the treasury and gets credited for this 81 1865, and
charge is made against McFerran assistant commls-
say for the amount and the cour has dismissed his suit
against Thomas for practising the fraud upon him, WIG,
he says is now nsolgen and the government holds
McFerran responsible for this amount OF 81 265 know
sir that he is poor aud worthy young man, who can Ill
afford TO lose this money and under these circumstances
he asks Congress to relieve him from this charge made
against him IN the manner in which have stated.
suppose that perhaps the memorial and accompanying pa
pers ought TO 90 10 the Committee on Military Athrs-
either TO that committee or the Committee OF Claims.
will make the moon that they be referred 10 the COM
mittee Military Affairs.
Mr.. SHIELDS. would suggest to the honorable sen
send II to the Committee OF Claims il is claim
for relief; although the circumstances occurred in the
army that does alter the nature OF the claim IL has
nothing military in il except that the parties belonged 10
| Mr.. UNDERWOOD The case has some pecuari-
ties; but the Committee OF Claims may perhaps be the
more appropriate committee, will move that reference
/ The motion agreed TO. =
| Mr.. UNDERWOOD. ] hold in my hand several petit
tons all Of the same character and purPort They all
complain OF the creation and appointment OF chaplans IN
the army aud OF the United Saies and OF the EN-.
poymen OF chaplains by Congress. The first which
beg leave present is from Warrick county, Indiana
and is signed by Garrett Warner and hundred and
sixty eight others the next is from Putnam county, ~
the State OF Indiana, and is signed by Anderson Gofdoa
and nney.hye others the next is from Wayne county,
Indiana, and is signel by II II Evans aud sixiy-lwo
others and the last is from Indiana without stating the
name OF the county, and is signed by William Johnson
and hfty-seVen others ] suppose as there are more
shapains in the army than in any other branch Of the
service, and these petitions propose modification oil
the laws authorizing their appointment they ought to be
referred TO the Committee on Military Affairs max
that molGn, and hope that committee will take them
into consideration.
The motion was agreed 10.
Mr.. HUNTER presented the petition Of Elisha DlrdeR,
Goodman L. Johnson, and many other citizens Of the
State OF Virginia the petition Of Jonathan LlnkforJ,
Ellis Hanscom and hfty-tour others, and the petition Of
Levin Richards, John r Jenkins and eighy-iwo other
citizens Of the State OF Virginia. praying for the aboi-
on OF the Office Of chaplain in the army and navy OF the
United States and also by Congress; which refer
red 10 the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. DAVIS presented memorial of owners, and others
interested in steamboats, al ST. Louis, praying that the
time fixed for the act 10 amend the act to provide for the
better security oil the lives oil passengers board Of
vessels propelled 10 whole in part By stea and for
other purposes TO 60 into effect may be extended which
was referred 10 The Committee on Commerce.
MIR. d. am requested also 10 present the petition Of
Selma G. Sumner, who represents that her husband
a shpmaster, and while in that service he made sn
important discovery by which 10 ascertain 10 way
the position OF ship upon the oceau-he details OF
which need not enter into She further represents that
her husband has become insane; and she asks, for
set forth al large 10 this petition that Congress
may Adopt some measures here suggested for her
lief move that these papers-the petition aud test!
monias which accompany it-may be printed, not know
ng any other way IN my power to lay subject which i
somewhat complicated in its character, and al the
time quite merorous, before the Senate and the other
House That motion, suppose, wi! be referred TO the
Committee on Printing. throw out these Suggestions
in order that they may take the subject into consideration
and move that the petition and accompanying papers
be referred TO the Committee on Commerce. .
The motion of reference agreed 10, and the mo-
ton TO print referred TO the Committee Printing
Mr GWlN presented sixty-one memorials OF post
masters n California and Oregon, praying an increase
OF their salaries and allowances; which were referred
10 the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads
PAPERS WITHDRAWN.
Mr. SHIELDS asked that the representatives Of Lieut.
Col r. s Dix have leave 10 Withdraw their petition
which was agreed TO-
K. LATfMER.
On motion by Mr. GWIN,
Ordped That the Secretary transmit 10 tho Navy De.