The southern press., 1852-02-19
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
SENATE.
WEDNESDAY,, Feb. 10, 1852.
EXECUTIVE coMMUNIoATIoN

EXECUTIVE coMMUNIcATioH.
message was received from the President OF
the United States by his Secretary, transmitting
a letter addressed to the Secretary OF state py the
Commissioner Of the United States, under the
convention with Brazil, Of the 9th January, lS49,
setting forth the obstacles which have impeded
the conclusion OF the business of that commission
err. [The Commissioner states that only twenty
one claims have vet been presented TO him Tor ad-
Indication; that six OF these cases, amounting In
the aggregate to about $3.50 ,O0O were ruled out on
the ground that they had not been presented 70
the government of Brazil, prior to the negotia-
ton Of the treaty; that five cases amounting 10 the
aggregate to about ~, 900, had been awarded Tor
the claimants: that one claim amounting TO about
S25. 900. had been decided adversely for want OF
evidences; that the remaining nine cases amount
ing, as estimated, to $175,0OO or $2OO,OoO, had
not yet been decided, owing TO the dliilcuity ex-
perienced in obtaining the requisite testimony.
The commissioner further states, that nineteen
other cases were presented by the government OF
the limited States for indemnify, which have not
vet been presented to him for adjustment owing to
various difficulties in obtaining needful testimony
These cases include several OF the largest ana
most complicated claims. From this statement,
II anpears that only about half Of the indemnify
allowed by Brazil has been distributed.l
The Secretary Of State, in transmitting the COM
mnnication, suggests that, for the reasons stated
bv the commissioner, the time of the commission
should be extended to nine months from the LIST OF
March next.
The President pro tenn. laid before the Senate
communication from the Secretary Of the Treas
urv transmitting report from the First Comptrol-
Ter of the contracts made by that department
during the year 1851.
Also a report from the Postmaster General,
showing the amount received for hostages collected
and postage stamps sold during the quarter ehaihg
the 3Oth September, 1851.
ANOTHER ARCTIC EXPEDITION
Mr.. FISH presented memorial of Henry
GrinnelI. PRAYING the government to accept the
vessels which were purchased and prepared by
him. and sent in search of Sir John Franklin and
and his companions, to be used, with others, IN
new expedition for the same purpose, ana that
they be fitted out the ensuing spring.
The memorial was referred to the Committee on
Naval Affairs.
CONCERNING PUBLIC LANDS.
Messrs. DOWNS and SoULE presented mem
orals Of the legislature of Louisiana, asking that
a certain military reserve may be donated TO that
State. to aid in the establishment OF seminary
of learning.
MIR. CLEMENS presented several resolutions
of the legislature of Alabama, asking graduation
of the price Of public lands in that State and DO
nations ofland for various purposes
Mr. FEICH, from the Committee on Public
Lands. 70 whom was referred the bill authorizing
the State of Wisconsin 10 select the residue OF the
lands to which that State is entitled, under the act
of 9Th August, 1876, to aid in the Improvement OF
the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, reported 1t with an
amendment. NJ
lie Lands, 10 whom was referred the bill granting
the right Of way and land TO the States OF FLORIDA
and Alabama, in aid OF the construction OF rail-
road from the waters Of the Pensacola Bay, IN
Florida, to Montgomery, Alabama, reported II
with an amendment.
WASHINGTON, A Ponr OF ENTRY.
Mr.. HAMLIN, from the Committee on Com
,nsrc. renored bin 10 extend the collection dis
trict of Georgetown TO the city Of Washington 10
the District Of Columbia, which was read aod
passed TO a second reading.
SAFETY OF PASSENGERS.
Mr.. DAVIS. from the Committee on Com
merce, reported back a bill amendatory OF the act
TO provide for the better security OF the lives OF
passengers on board vessels propelled by steam,
with sundry amendments.
MINNESOTA.
MIR. DOUGLASS, from the Committee on Ter
rtories, reported bill for the benefit Of the terri
toryof Minnesota which was read and passed TO
a second reading.
ON pRHrISc KossuTH's LITTER.
Mr.. HAMLIN, from the Committee on Print
ing reported in favor Of printing the letter from
Mr.. Rossuth, thanking the President and Con-
gress for the distinguished reception which they
gave him in Washington, which wss communi-
Gated 70 the Senate through their presiding officer,
yesterday.
MIR. BoRLAND spoke against printing the
letter and MIR HAMLN in favor.
Mr.. BADGER moved to lay IL on the table,
upon which motion,
Mr.. SEWARD asked the yeas and nays. They
were ordered and TIE motion was lost-yeas l6,
nays 26.
The question on printing recurring, il was put,
no ouorum voting.
Mr.. SEWARD demanded the yeas and nays.
An animated discussion ensued, in which Messrs.
Cass, CBasE, SGwARp. Downs, and SouLE, spoke
in favor, and..Messrs. BoRL.sD, BsDeER, BUrLER,
CLEMENS and RusE, against the printing.
The yeas and nsys having been ordered, the
Question YVES taken and decided in the affirmative
yeas 81, nays %.
eoops txPoRTEp TO MEXICO.
On motion Of Mr.. HAMLlN, the Senate pro-
ceeded TO the consideration OF the bill extending
like privileges to those conferred by the act emit
tied :" An act allowing drawback upon foreign
merchandise exported in the original packages TO
Chihuahua and Santa Re, IN Mexico, and TO the
British North American Provinces adjoining the
United States, approved March 2, 1645, to foreign
merchandise exported to Mexico by certain indi-
Gated routes. =,
HarLIs, who stated that il simply provided for
Incorporation Of goods from Texas into Mexico,
the bill was ordered TO engrossment.
IOWA RAILROAD.
The Senate then resumed the consideration Of
the bill granting the right Of way and making q
graft Of land 10 the State Of Iowa, IN AID OF the
Construction Of certain railroads in said State.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD proceeded 70 address the
Senate in reply TO the remarks Of the Senator
from Massachusetts [Mr. SvMsERl, and other
senators, and in support Of his own amendment.
Without concluding his remarks, he gave way
TO an adjournment.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.