The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-12
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
SENATE.
TUESDAY. AUGUST 3.

A message was received from the President
in reply to Mr.. Masons resolution. calling io
information with respect to the fisheries. Tn
message is accompanied by report by the act
ing Secretary of State The President state
that the United States steam irigate MissiSsip
pi under the command of Commodore Perry
has been ordered to the place of difficulty, wit
instructions to protect the rights OF America
fishermen
Mr.. Cass moved the reference of the me,
sage, and addressed the Senate to show tina
the claim set up by Great Britain was totall
untounded, and that it ought to be resisted
and the Americans engaged in those fisheries
| to be protected in their rights under the treaty
as il is construed by the United States.
MIR. Davis and Mr. Hamlin followed in argu
ments showing that the construction placed on
the treaty by the law officers of the Govern
ment of Great Britain was untenable.
The Senate went into Executive session.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1.
The resolution submitted by Mr. Geyer, to
purchase 500 copies of MOulton MayOs edi-
ton of the pension and bounty land acts at
50 30 per copy, was taken up and passed.
The Senate then took up the joint resolution
explaining the census acts, so ~ to make them
mean that the Superintendent Of the Census
was not entitled to receive pay both as super
ntendcnt of the Census and Secretary of the
Census Board The joint salaries amount to
S.. 800 per annum; and the resolution declared
he shall receive only that of the Superintend
ent, which is ~, 500. The motion pending was
to reconsider the vote passing 1t. A long de-
bate ensued after which the motion to recon
slider was rejected, and the resolution was
passed
After an Executive session, the Senate ad-
j0urned
THURSDAY, AUGUST B.
On motion Of Mr. Bright, all other business
was postponed, and the Senate took up the
Message of the President concerning the fish
cries
Mr. Hamn then resumed the speech on
this subject commenced by him on Tuesday
last. He read many statistical tables of the
persons and vessels engaged in the American
fisheries. the number of fish, both Of cod and
mackerel, csMRht, cured and inspected, &e
He urged the necessity and justice Of protect
ing them he would, in the language of Mr.
Webster. protect them ut all hazards--and
protect every hook and lne every bob and
sinkerl"
Mr.. Soule said he desired to submit some re-
marks upon the subject but as il was dcsira-
BILE that the papers should be printed he mov-
ID that the subject be postponed for one week,
md that the papers DO printed Agreed to.
The Indian appropriation bill was taken up,
md ON motion to strike out an appropriation
IF $4,000 to the Shawnees, for certain land
,f theirs sold in Ohio, long debate ensucd, in
which Messrs. Cass, Sebastian, Underwood,
Bell Atchison, and Walker, took part
Finally, without taking a vote the Senate
I'd journed
FRIDAY, August 6.
The consideration Of the private calendar
vas postponed.
On motion Of Mr.. Adams, the Senate took |
Ip the resolution fixing eleven o'clock as the
iour for the daily meeting Of the Senate and
was agreed To.
Mr.. fclch reported back House bills known
" the Homestead and Land Distribution bills,
With n recommendation that they ought not
o pass.
Mr.. Seward submitted resolution calling
or information whether the King Of the Sand
gch Islands has made any proposition 10 trans
or the sovereignty Of those islands to the Uni
ed States. Agreed to.
Several resolutions calling for information
we're submitted and agreed 10.
Mr. Houston submitted resolution direct
ny the appointment Of n committee Of five, to
inquire whether any abuses bribery, or fraud,
,as been committed in the prosecution Of
laims before Congress Heads Of the Depart
nents, and that said committee have power 10
end for persons and papers Agreed 70, and
hessrs Houston Borland, Underwood, Merri-
sether, aud Brooke, were chosen the commit
re.
The Indian Appropriation bill was than
ak en up, and amendments were debated.
SATURDAY, AUGUsr 7.
The Senate was not in session to-day !