The southern press., 1852-03-30
coNeREssIoNAL PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE,
MONDAY, March 80, 1852.

posted in the War Department by an ohcer q
the army.
dent of the United States, transmitting in compli-
ance with resolution of the Oath inst, report
of the Secretary Of the Interior, in relation to the
extension Of the capital
LANDS FOR RAILROADS.
Mr.. WALKER presented ten petitions OF citi,
zens Of Wisconsin, praying for grant OF land
in aid of railroad from Chicago, through James
Vile and Fond du Lac. to Lake Superior
Mr.. DODGE, of Wisconsin, presented three
memorials for the same object.
Mr.. WALKER also presented petition or
citizens of Wisconsin,, praying for grant IT land
for the construction OF the Oakland and Ottawa
railroad.
All of which were appropriately referred
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAw--.s ExTiScrioH or STA
VERY
Mr.. WALKER presented petition Of citizens
of Milton, Wisconsin, praying for the repeal Of
the fugitive slave law; which, on his motion, was
laid on the table.
Mr. SEWARD presented f ur petitions of citi-
Gems of New York, praying for the repeal OF the
fugitive slave law, and another of citizens of the
same State, praying the adoption OF certain meas
ures for the extinction Of slavery"
Mr.. s. moved that the petitions be referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. MASON said he should not interfere with
the reference the Senator proposed.
Mr. NORRIS asked for division Of the ques-
ton on referring them; and subsequently moved
that they lie on the table.
The question on laying on the table the petl-
tons for the repeal Of the fugitive law was then
taken by yeas and nays, and decided IN the aflrma
tive by the following vote =:
Vas Messrs Adams, Atchison, Badger, Bay
ard, Borland, Bradbury, Brooke, Brodhead, Glass;
Clarke, Clemens, Cooper, Dawson, Dodge, of
Iowa. Douglas, Downs, Fetch, Geyer, Gwin,
Hunter, Jones of Iowa, Jones, Of Tennessee,
King, Mallory, Mangum, Mason, Miller, Norris,
Rusk, Sebastian, Spruance, Underwood, Walker
80. ,.
cousin, Fish, Foot, Hale, Hamlin, Seward, sum-
ner, Upham, Wade.-ll.
The question on laying on the table the other
petition was next taken and agreed to-36 to e.
These petitions having been disposed OF,
Mr.. HALE said he held in his hand petition
Of William Sloane, and others, praying the re-
peal Of the fugitive slave law. The memorlasts
now stands, brides Judges for the conviction of
fnpitiyes. He wanted to call the attention OF the
Mr.. MANGUM. What is the amount of the
bribei
Mr.. HALE. Five or ten dollars.
Mr.. MANGUM. | feel an interest in the
character of all my countrymen, and think the
netition ought not to be received, because con-
slider il a SANDER, foul calumny,to suppose that
eminent iurists can be bribed for five dollars.
move that the question Of reception lie on the
table.
Mr.. MASON explained that he should not in
terfere with any disposition which senators mighl
as with respect 10 petitions Of this nature. for the
reason. among others, that he did not choose TO
renew the agitation Of the subject. When
question was put, however, he should give his
Mr. MANGUM modified his motion to re-
ceiye the petition and lay it upon the table, which
was agreed to.
oyyIcsRs OF THE ARMY CONTRACTORS roR SUPPLIES !
Mr.. HUNTER submitted the following resou-
,;ons. which were considered by unanimous con-
R,soIred That the Secretary Of War be direct
ed 10 inform the Senate-First, whether any OF
the officers Of the United Sta'es army have been
contractors 10 furnish supplies TO the government
Of the United States secondly, i such cases ex-
ist what were the rates Of such contracts as com
n,,ed with those OF other persons contracting for
he anne things To be delivered at the same times
and places thirdly, the names OF the officers
making and sanctioning such contracts and last
ly, as TO the measures, u any, which have been
taken by the department IN such cases.
Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary
be insru cted TO inquire into the expectancy Of re-
porting bill to make II penal IN an officer OF the
limited States TO become a contractor, or take an
interest either direct or indirect, in any contract
20 furnish supplies TO the goyernmentofthe United
States.
INDEMNITY ron SPANISH LOSSES IN FLORIDA.
Mr.. MALLORY submitted the following res;-
luton, which was agreed TO.
R,solp,d That the Committee on Foreign Re
lations be instructed TO enquire into the propriety
of authorizing the President OF the United States
,o have investigations made whether any Spanish
subjects, not cit zens Of the United States, have
sustained damage, by loss Of property or other
wise, in consequence OF public outbreak or vlo-
lencs in the State Of Florida, growing out OF the
late Cuba expedition: and into the propriety OF
authorizing the President to make prompt indem-
nitv TO the Spanish government FOR such Spanish
subjects, for said damage.
rgE DEFICIENCY BILL.
On motion Of Mr.. HUNTER, the bill from the
House, making appropriations to supply dehcien.
ces for the present fiscal year, was taken up and
referred to the Committee on Finance
the " ARNIsTAp."
Mr. MASON, from the Committee on Foreign
Relations, reported a bill to indemnify the master
ana owners Of the Spanish schooner Armistad,
and her cargo. and subsequently moved that u be
made the special order OF the day for Tuesday,
March 9Th.
He said this was matter Of great interest to
the Spsnish government, and he submitted TO the
Senate that there were circumstances connected
with the recent affairs with Spain, which rem
dered il peculiarly proper consider the subject
at an early day.
Some further debate ensued, when the motion
10 fix day for the consideration Of the bill was
disagreed to.
NAVY YARD, SAN FRANCISCO.
The Senate then resumed the consideration Of
the bill to establish navy yard and naval depot
at San Francisco.
Mr.. BR0DHEAD submitted amendments Of
which he had gwen previous notice.
Messrs. HuSrER, GwIN and Hale spoke upon
the bill, after which il was postponed until to-
morrow.
COINAGE BILL.
On motion OF Mr.. HuSrER, the blank in the
9Th section ofthe bill, amendatory Of existing laws
relative TO the half dollar quarter dollar, dime and
half dime, was6lled by inserting "the first day Of
May next, and the bill was ordered to be en-
crossed.
After the transaction Of some other business
of no special interest, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
MONDAY, March 80, 1852.
uususrss on THE sPEAKyR's TABLE.