The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-26
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
rH1RrY-sEcoNp coNGREss-FIRsr SESSION.
SENATE.
TUESDAY, AUGUST Il.

TUESDAY, AUGUST II.
Mr. Pratt presented the memorial of work
ingmen and mechanics engaged on the public
works in Washington city, setting forth that
all the arguments which have been presented
in favor of an increase of the salaries of the
clerks, applied more forcibly in favor of an in
crease of their pay.
The Chair laid before the Senate the follow
ing message from the President:
To the Senate of the United States:
have received resolution Of your honora-
BILE body, of the 9th instant appearing to have
been adopted in open Legislative session, re-
questing me to inform the Senate if not incom-
patibe with the public interests whether any
propositions have been made by the King of
the Sandwich Islands to transfer the sovereign
ty of those islands to the United States, and to
communicate to the Senate all official informa-
ton on that subject in my possession In re-
ply, ALSO have to state that on or about the
10th day of June last received similar reso-
luton from the Senate, adopted in Executive
session, or secret session, to which | returned
an answer, stating that in my opinion COM
municaton of the information requested at
that juncture would not comport with the pub
lie interest Nothing has since TRANSFERRED to
change my mind on this subject and there
fore feel constrained again to decline giving
the information asked.
MILLARD FILLMORE.
Washington, august II, 1852.
Mr. Seward submitted the following resolu-
ton, which was laid over
Resolved, That the President of the United
States be requested to send a commissioner to
the Sandwich Islands, who shall be instructed
to inquire into the expediency of institutng
negotiations for the acquisition Of those islands
to the United States
The subject was laid over-Mr. Weller de-
string to discuss it,
Mr. Pearce reported a Bill authorizing the
issue of $S $780, 900 to pay the creditors OF
Texas
Mr. Hunter reported back the Civil and Dip
lomatic Appropriation BILL with amendments
Mr. Weler's resolution TO refer the charges
made against the Boundary Commissioner t.
a select committee of five Senator'S was agreed
to.
The bill for the construction of the ahiy
canal around the Falls of st. Mary's was agar
taken up.
Mr. Hale moved to add to the bill, "that
known as the Homestead but after some de-
bate, in which Gen Cas- said he would vote
for the Homestead as n separate measure, with.
drew the amendment.
Mr.. Underwood moved to add to the bill
the one passed by the House, known as the
bill distributing lands to all the States for rail
roads, education" &c. This was also debated.
and then rejected-yeas Ia, nays SO.
The bill was then ordered TO be engrossed
Mr.. Hunter moved to take up the Civil and
Diplomatic Appropriation bill
Mr.. Dodge insisted on the River and Harbor
bill
The River and Harbor bill was made the or
der of the day tor tomorrow, and the Senate
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 49,
After petitions &c, Mr. Gwin introduced a
bill granting land to California to construct
canal across the Sierra Nevada Valley.
A bill TO establish an additional land Office
in Minnesota Territory was taken up and or
dered to third reading
Mr.. Hunter reported bill extending the
warebousing system.
Mr.. Fish gave notice that on Friday he would
move to take up the Land Distribution bill
Mr. Hale submitted resolution directing
nm inquiry into the expediency of reannexing
the Lobos Islands
bill regulating the payment of the expenses
of the Cayuse war in Oregon was taken up and
passed
The River and Harbor bill was then taken
up. On an amendment changing the phrase
olOgy Of an appropriation for the deepening of
the channel Of an outlet Of the Mississippi riv-
er, long debate ensued in which Messrs Cass,
Borland, Bright, and Downs, opposed any
amendment to the bill whatever. and Messrs.
Rusk, Mason, Soule, Bell, Hale, Butler, Chase,
and others, resisted the fixing of any such poll
cy IA excluding any amendments.
THURSDAY, AUGusT l9
After petitions, Mr.. Hunter moved that the
Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation bill be
considered during the morning hour.
After long debate, the motion was agreed
The Senate then proceeded to vote upon the
amendments proposed to the bill by the Com
mittee on Finance.
The following, after debate, were adopted;
Increasing the appropriation for the contin-
gent expenses Of the Senate, from $780,, 900 to
81 10000
For continuing the preparation and publica-
ton of the works OF the Exploring Expedition,
including the expenses Of the green-house, and
for the settlement of arrears due on the cree
ion Of said greenhouse, $500
Other amendments Of verbal character
were considered and agreed to.
The bill was then postponed till tomorrow,
1t l1l9O'clock.
The River and Harbor bill was taken up, |
md the amendment changing the phrascology |
II the amendment approprating $4,000 tor
deepening the channel Of the mouth Of the
Mississippi river, which was debated all OF yes
erday, was adopted--yeas 81, nays 3.
The next amendment reported was $4,000
or a survey Of the Rappahannock river, vr-
,inia.
Mr.. Adams addressed the Senate against
he bill, and denied that Congress had the con-
power To make these appropriations
or internal improvements.
The amendment was discussed at great length |
A motion 10 postpone the bill, for the pur-
,ose Of an Executive session, was rejected
eas 20, nays 2s.
A motion was made to strike out all appro- |
'riations for specific surveys aud insert $50 900
Or surveys Mt the discretion Of the Depart |
nent After debate, the motion was rejected |
eas 81, nays 2s.
The Senate then adjourned. '