The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-19
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
SENATE.
THIRTy-sEcoNp coNGREss-FrRsr SESSION

Several petitions in favor of the Homestead
law were presented
Mr.. Underwood reported bill to convey to
the city of Memphis, Tennessee, certain lands
OF the United States in that city on which is
now an unoceupied arsenal, on condition that
that city convey to the United States the lands
in that city on which is now hospital the
said hospital hereafter to be used as a marine
hospital The bill was taken up, and, after
debate, postponed
Mr. Walker moved that all prior orders be
and that the Homestead bill be ia
ken up which motion was disagreed tO-yeas
Ia, nays 81.
was taken up and ordered to be engrOssed
Mr.. Davis offered resolution, directing an
inquiry into the expediency of reporting a bill
to pay to Massachusetts and to Maine the sum
due them for disbursements made by them for
the United States during the war of 1872.
Agreed to.
MIR Shields introduced bill to incorporate
the Washington City Water Company
Mr. Merriwether submitted IA resolution
which was laid over, calling Upon the Presi-
dent to inform the Senate of the amount of pub
lie money paid to Winfield Scott and Franklin
Pierce, respectively; stating on what account
and for what service.
The motion to refer the message of the Pres.
ident relative to the fisheries next came up.
Mr. Soule addressed the Senate at length in
opposition to the claim set up by Great Britain
to the exclusive right of the fisheries. He took
the ground that, by the laws of nature and of
nations, the oceans and seas were free to the
world; that the maritime jurisdiction of no ma
ton extended beyond three marine miles from
the coast, and that unless the entrance to the
bays and harbors We're narrow as to be less
than six marine miles from headland to head
land, that bay, sea- or indentatlon of ocean, il
free to the world, and that the right of the
American fishermen to fish within these bays
was only limited by the express words of the
treaty.
He declared his hostility to any negotiations
by the United States, pending the presence of
the armed force on the fishing coasts. If there
was to be negotiation, he would insist that the
forces should be withdrawn He would never
do anything under the lash of Great Britain.
He thought the best way to preserve peace was
to stand firm upon their rights.
Mr.. Cass repeated his views upon the sub
ject
Mr. Butler followed briefly stating his views.
He did not believe those bays and oceans and
inlets &c. were British, and could not be made
such by any treaty between the United States
and Great Britain.
Mr. Seward rose to reply, insisting that, after
what had been said on the subject the Admin
istration should be defended
debate ensued upon the propriety of refer
ring or postponing the subject to enable Mr.
Seward and others to be heard
The subject was postponed ultimately, ant
after an Executive session, the Senate ad journ
ed
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10.
A motion was made to postpone the consid-
Grafton of the private calendar but after some
debate it was withdrawn.
Mr.. Houston, rs II privileged matter made a
report from the Select Committee appointed to
investigate charges of abuse, bribery, or fraud
i'm the prosecution of claims, in which il was
stated that Mr. John McGinnis had contuma-
ciously refused to be sworn as witness before
said Committee after having been duly sum-
moned, and submitted the following resolution
ResOlued, That John McGinns, in refusing
to take the oath propounded to him by the
Select Committee of the Senate, raised on the
9th of August, 1882, has committed contempt
against the authority Of this body, and, there
fore, the Sergeant-at-arms take him into Gus
tody and imprison him in the Jail of the Dis
trict of Columbia until he shall consent to take
said oath, or until the further order of the
Senate.
Mr.. Houston asked that the resolution be
considered
Mr.. Chase objected, and the matter was laid
over.
The Senate then took up the private caen-
dar, and the following bills were passed For
the relief of the heirs of Henry King Maria
Taylor, Santiago Arguello, the heirs of William
Jones Isaac Adams. j NJ White, H. c. Mil
Ter, p. w Thompson, J. h. Turley, widow of
Major Kendrick John Tucker John Boyd, NJ.
r. Blaney, Mary Leyely, Leonard skinner J.
w Quincy, f. c. Greeneaux, Abigail Stat
ford, and several others.
After an Executive session the Senate adj
journed
SATURDAY, AUGUST H.
The Chair laid before the Senate a message
from the President communicating all inform
alton respecting the imprisonment of the Amer
can COUNSEL mt Acapulco, in Mexico. Also, IA
report by the Postmaster General Of the amount
After short Executive session,
Mr.. Borand stated that John McGinnis the
witness who had refused 10 testify before the
senate Committee had this morning consented
o be sworn, and the resolution for his impris-
,nment was then laid on the table
MIR Merriwethers resolution calling upon
he departments for information respecting the
AMOUNT paid out of the United States Treasu-
Lao
or service, detailing the nature of such service,
&C.
Mr.. Jones offered an amendment extending
he inquiry as 10 what allowances were made
or medical attendance, and the nature Of the
Illness
Mr.. Stockton moved to lay the subject upon
he table, but the question was decided in the
'egatiye-yeas 20, nays 90
The resolution, after the rejection OF the
amendment WAS adopted
The subject Of the fisheries was then taken
lp when
Mr.. Seward addressed the Senate, replying
o the implied censures upon the adminstra-
ion in relation to this subject He expressed
lis opinion, in the course Of his remarks, that
here is no danger Of war between this coun-
nv and Great Britain ------.-
Mr. Seward continued the subject till near
! o'clock, when
Mr. Soule rose to reply, but yielded the floor
or motion TO postpone, upon which no quo
'um voted.
The Senate then adjourned.
MONDAY AUGUsT 10.
Mr. Borland and the Chair presented memo
'ials from the laborers and workmen on the
Capitol, asking an increase of their pay
On motion Of Mr. Pratt, the vote rejecting
he bill for the relief Of the widow OF MAJOR
3laney was reconsidered He explained that
be bill allowed interest on moneys improperly
withheld from Major B. by the United States;
md ii was then passed
MIR. Downs made o personal explanation J