The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-27
THIRTY SECOND CONGRESS.
FnIDAy, March 20, 1852.
SENATE.
FIRST SESSION.


a resolution calling for information respecting 'ne
contracts for the transportation oil the man 10
steamers between New York ana Caiiio'hia'
which referred and ordered 10 be printed
THE FLORIDA SENATORIAL ELECTION.
Mr. MALLORY presented the memorials OF
thirteen of the members Of the Florida Legislature,
setting forth that, since the organization of that
State government, the uniform custom has been.
IN ali Of joint election by the Legislature, TO
count blanks as votes; and that the members no
voted blanks ut the election of January, 1851, did
with the understanding and knowledge that
they to be counted votes and as against
Mr.. Yulee. Referred to the special committee on
the subject.
CLERK TO THE PREsIDINd OFFICER.
Mr.. BADGER submitted the following resolu-
ton; which was considered, read three times, and
passed:
Resoiped, That the clerk to the President of the
Senate be continued during the present Congress,
and be paid the same per diem compensation as
heretofore allowed him.
EMPLOYEES THE SENATE.
Mr.. MANG UNI submitted the following resolu
ton; which was considered and agreed to-
Reso'vsd, That the committee to audit and con-
troll the contingent expenses OF the Senate be in
structed 10 inquire into the number OF messengers
pages, folders and laborers, necessary for the
vice of the Senate and the compensation proper to
be allowed 10 each; also the number of horses and
wagone, and the hire that ought to be allowed
therefor; and that said committee report by reso
luton or otherwise.
puRoHAou
Mr. SOULE introduceda Joint resolution appro-
pratng s 900 for the purchase Of seeds for the
use Of the agricultural department OF the Patent
Office. He asked for its consideration at this time.
MIR. MASON Directing, the resolution was
ferred to the Committee on Agriculture.
LEUrzE's PICTURE OF wAsHIsoToy CROSSING
DELAWARE.
MIR HALE Submitted the following resolution:
Resolped, That the Committee on Public Build.
ings be instructed TO inquire into the proprety Of
o,afi, If ,9yN
ington crossing the Delaware" and causing the
to be placed in the mansion of the President
of the United States.
Mr.. ADAMS objectng to the consideration OF
the resolution, II was laid over
VIRGINIA REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
On motion by Mr.. UNDERWOOD, the Senate
proceeded to the consideration of the bill to pro-
vide for the unpaid claims Of the officers and sol
diers of the Virginia State and continental lines OF
the revolutionary army; and, after explanation
OF it by Mr. u, the bill ordered to be engrossed
for third reading.
THE PRIVATE cALKSDAR.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
OF the bills on the private calendar; and the first
on ii was TO authorize the payment OF invalid pen
sions in certain cases; which was ordered to be
crossed.
REMIrTISo DUTY on ARTICLES TeR RELIGIOUS PuR-
The next bill was that from the House for the re-
lief Of the Carmelite Nunnery OF Baltimore. The
bill provided that certain vestments intended for
the use OF the clergyman officiating in the chapel
attached 70 the nunnery, and which were sent to
the ladies Of that institution a present by certain
persons in Europe, should be admitted free OF duty
Mr.. HUNTER explained that the bill had been
reported upon adversely by the Committee on FL
nance, Tor the purpose Of having the sense of the
Senate ascertained the principle involved
There were other and similar cases pending, and
the committee would be governed in its action on
them by the course of the Senate upon THE. He
was opposed to the principle Of admitting free of
duty any articles because they were imported for
Messrs MALLORY and PRATT supported the
bill, and cited several cases where the duty on ar
ticles imported FOR religious was taken off by
Congress.
The debate was continued till a late hour. Messrs.
BADGER, SEWARD, PRATT, SOULE, DAw-
son, DOWNS, and MALLORY advocating the
bill; and Mcssrs. BORLAND, BAYARD, BRAD
BURY, HALE, COOPER and MASON opposing il.
Mr.. MANGUM said: This is n rastlu importa nj
question. This is Presdent making session; and
understand that the question is to operate power
fully on the success OF one of the parties Laugh
teri IL has already acted very powerfully on pn
vate individuals, claimants upon the public trea-
sury, and also upon the fund which this body psys
for these interesting disc cushions. Nov, If ] were
foil Of money, ] would pay this tar myself rather
than thlr debate continued; but that being
rather a scarce article with me, will propose
10 do 50. [Lau2hter do hope that we will not
be at this game OF push pin any longer. DO not
why should feel much repugnance to
have allusion made here 10 religion. To be
sure, IL is not Senatorial virtue; but still We
should not be so appalled, at it, shall vote for this
bill, If can ever get a chance 10 do 50, with a
great deal Of pleasure; and would like 10 have
the vote taken Immediately.
The question was then taken ordering the
bill 10 be ongrossed, and was decided in the mega
tive, follows.
YEAS.-Messrs, Badger, Brooke, Case, Chase,
Dawson, Dodge Of Wisconsin. Dodge OF Iowa
Dooglas, Downs, Fish, Foot, Geyor. Jones Of Ten
nessec Mallory, Mangum. Pratt, Seward, Shields,
SOulf. Sumner. and Wadc-2l.
NAYs.-Nossrs. Adams. Bay yard, Borland, Brad.
bury, Brodhead, Clarke Cooper, Davis. Gwin,
Hale, Hamlin, Hunter. King, Mason, Morton
Norris. Sebastian. Smith, sprusnce, Underwood,
Cpham, and Wcller-22.
sBsTR.crios OF PUBLIC sIcoHDs
The CHAIR laid before the Senate the following
message from the President Of the United staics:
To The Senate and House Of ReJro,niafip,s of fhs
United Sfgfes.
At the close Of the commission 10 adiodi.
cate upon the claims Of citizens OF the United
siates, under the treaty Of G. -ndslupc HidalRo,
directed a list 10 be made Of papers which had
been presented 20 that commission, and pursuant
TO the act Of Congress, approved 81 March 1s49
the papers themselves 60 be carefully arranged
and deposited for safe keeping in the Department
Of State. deemed all this necessary az we'll for
the interest Of the claimants. TO secure the Gov.
eminent against fraudulent claims which might !
be preferred hereafter. A few days since J was /
surprised 70 learn that come Of these papers bad
been ifaudulcntly distracted by Of the claim
ants. and, upon the csse being made known 90 me /
by the Secretary Of STATE, referred II 70 the At
torney General for the purpose q asccrtaininR
what punishment could be inflicted upon the per-
son who had been guilty Of the offence I nov
communicate 10 you his opinion, and that of the
attorney Of the United States for THE district by
which you will perceive that it IL doubtful wbc-
ther there be any Law for purcshing the very
grave offence Of fraudulently abstfacting or
mutiioting the papers and public documents in
the several departments Of this Government. II
appears 70 u1e that the protection Of the public
cords and papers requires that such should be
made penal, and suitable punishment inflicted
upon the offender; and therefore bring subject
10 your consideration, 20 enable you 90 act upon H.
should you concur with me In this opinion
WILLARD FILLMORE
WtsBIEsrOS, March 20, 1852.
The report Of The Attorney General accompanies
the message, and in 70 he states that statute Of
the United States provides for the punishment Of
tic offence.
In the letter 81 MIR Fendall the United States
attorney for bis district Il H. sugRested that the
offence may be punished A. n larceny. and cites a
number OF EnRlish authorities 10 show that in
dictment would lie Tor stealing 90 "many pieces Of
paper"