The southern press., 1852-03-06
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE.
FRlpAY, March 5, 1852

FRIDAY, march D, 1907.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
A message was received from the President of
the United States transmitting, in compliance with
law, a copy of a despatch from the commissioner
al interim Of the United States, at Canton, togeth-
er with the copy of certain rules and regulations
for masters, officers and seamen of vessels Of the
United States at the free ports of China, which
accompanied said despatch.
The President pro tenn laid before the Senate
a report of the Secretary OF the Navy IN answer
to the resolution calling for information IN relation
to certain dry-docks and basins in Philadelphia,
Pensacola, &c.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR CALIFORNIA.
On motion of Mr.. HUNTER, the consideration
of private bills was postponed until one clock,
and the Senate took up the bill in addition TO and
amendatory Of an act entitled an act to provide
for the settlement of the accounts OF public officers
and others, who may have received moneys arr
sing from military contributions, or otherwise, in
Mexico, . approved the Sd of March, lS49.
A substitute to the bill having been sometime
since reported by the Committee on Finance,
Mr. HUNTER submitted some remarks in ex-
planation and support of the same; and moved to
hll the blank in the section providing for the ray
men Of The expenses of the constitutional conven-
ton with the sum of $4,000, and the second blank
with 100000; which agreed to, and after de-
bate the substitute of the committee was adopted
An animated discussion ensued, in which
Messrs GwIN, CHASE, BADGER, HUNTER and
BoRLAND participated, after which the bill, as
amended, was ordered to be engrossed for third
reading.
THE COLLINS STEAMERS.
Memorials were presented by Mr.. DAVIS, Of
merchants, ship owners, and others, OF Boston,;
by Mr. SUMNER, of merchants, ship owners, and
others, OF Salem, Mass; by Mr.. PRATT, Of mer-
chants, ship owners, and others, of Baltimore;
and by Mr. FISH, Of merchants, ship owners, and
others, of New York. praying that TURNER aia may
be extended to Collins line Of steamships. They
were severally referred to the Committee on Ma
val Affairs.
RELEASE OF THE IRISH PATRIOTS
Mr. SEWARD presented resolutions of the
,ornorate authorities of the city of New York, In
favor of the adoption OF measures to obtain from
the British government the release OF smith " :
Brien and his associates, now imprisoned IN Van
Diemans land.
THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE IN THE DISTRICT OF CO.
LUMBIA.
Mr. SHIELDS presented the memorial OF 500
citizens of Washington city, praying that certain
restrictions upon the right of suffrage In this DIS
trct be removed.
AssIGNABiLITY OF LAND WARRANTS.
On motion of Mr. SHIELDS, the Chair was auth
orized 10 appont committee of conference on the
mart Of the Senate, to join the committee which
have been appointed by the House, in relation to
the bill making land warrants assignable
Messrs. SHIELDS, SMITH and FELcH were ap-
pointed.
MEXICAN CLAIMS.
Mr.. FISH presented the memorial ofAlexander
7. Atocha, praying indemnity for damages sus-
,ained in consequence of bis expulsion from Mex
leo, and review of the decision of the Board Of
Commissioners, on his claims against that repub-
lie. -.
After a nrotracted discussion, in which Messrs.
p.xnn,, pnATx, PaopurAp, BApGER. HAMIIs,
RusK and others took part, the memorial was re-
ferred TO the select committee on the subject.
PRIVATE BILLS. .
The Senate then proceeded TO the consideration
of the private bills upon the calendar ..
FRENCH sPoLIATIoN BILL.
MIR. BRADBURY gave notice that he should
ON Monday call up the French spoliation bill.
The Senate, after an executive session, adjourned
until Monday.