The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-15
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
rHIRrY-sEcoND coNeREss-rIRsr SESSION.
SENATE.
TUESDAY, APRIL d.

The Chair laid before the Senate commu-
nication from the Navy Department. in reply
to u resolution calling for his opinion rs to the
expedency of the reconnaissance of the Chinese
seas &c. The Secretary thinks the United
States vessels could perform the work and that
it would be of grent benefit to the country.
The Chair also laid before the Senate
communication relative to depots for gunpow-
der
MIR. Douglas presented the petition of Henry
OReilly, praying that the Government would
80 station its military posts on the route rs to
protect line of telegraph he promises to con-
struct from the Mississippi river to the Pacific
ocean. He asks no grant of either land or
money. All he desires is protection to the tel.
egraph when constructed
Mr. Wade presented the petition of citizens
of Ohio, praying that the Wheeling bridge be
protected
Mr.. Borland introduced a bill to establish a
daily mail from Louisville, Kentucky. via the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers, to New Orleans
MIR. Rhett offered Il resolution directing an
inquiry as to the propriety of increasing the
salary OF the United States Judge of South Car
DINA. Agreed to.
resolution calling for information as to the
balance of the indemnity due to the friendly
Creek Indians, and the names and number OF
the claimants, was agreed to.
} MIR. Weller offered resolution, which was
agreed to, directing the Secretary of the Int
rior to inform the Senate what debts have beer
contracted by the Indian agents in California
for which the Government is liable, and tn,
amount thereof, and whether any drafts drawn
by said agents have.been protested by the De
partment; and if so, the amount
| The mint rosoi,tiono 30 NJ ClarLo xo.f,....
ing the policy of non-intervention were then
taken up.
Mr.. Mason addressed the Senate mt length
maintaining that the policy of the United States
since the days Of Washington till the arrival
OF Kossuth, had been neutrality and non.intcr-
vention, and he argued that all reason and ex-
| perence required Il firm adherence to that
policy
The subject was then postponed till next
Tuesday; and, after an Executive session,
The Senate adjourned
| WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7.
Mr.. Hale presented two petitions from the
| State of Pennsylvania, praying the repeal of
the Fugitive Slave Law. lie said that he in
| tended to have made some remarks upon the
practical operation of the law, in order to show
its administration by the ten-dolar judges who
have been spawned into existence by it. but he
would defer those remarks till the subject of the
Compromise should be taken up.
number Of petitions and reports were pre-
sented
Mr.. Downs reported a bill to prevent mali
cious mischief and trespass upon private prop
erty in the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Downs from the committee TO whom
was referred the message of the President rel
nj. 10 tt. atat. 81.
ords, reported bill providing punishment for
such offences
| Mr.. Downs also reported back House bill for
the relief of James Lewis, and it WIS taken up
and passed
A discussion then took place upon what bust
ness should be taken up; and, in reply to a
question from Mr. Mangun,
Mr. Hunter said that he would tomorrow
urge upon the Senate the necessity of taking
up and disposng one way or the other, Of the
joint resolution making appropriations for the
extension Of the Capitol,
Mr. Bradbury insisted upon some action on
the French Spoation bill, aud said on Monday
he would move to take it up
The bill fixing the apportionment Of Repre-
sentatives for California was then taken up and
debated by Messrs. Rhett Rusk, Davis, Bell,
Dawson, Gwin, Weller, Shields, Bradbury,
Downs, Hale, and others.
The amendment pending was one increasing
the whole number of Representatives TO 234-
thus giving South Carolina one for her frac-
ton, and allowing California her present mum
Der, two.
Mr. Downs moved an amendment TO the
amendment giving an additional member to
Louisiana, for her fraction.
During the debate, the Deficiency bill was
reported, with many amendments.
The debate continued till near four o'clock,
when, without taking any question, the Senate
adjourned.