The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-14
THIHTl SECOND CONGRESS.
TUESDAY,, July IL, 1852
SENATE
FIRST SESSION,

TUESDAY, July 10, 1852.
SENATE.
Several petitions in favor of the passage Of the
Homestead bill were presented by Messrs. WADE
| and CHASE.
pRovIDENCE HARBoR.
| MIR. CLARKE introduced joint resolution pro-
viding for survey Of the harbor of Providence,
Rhode Island
| THIRD READING OF BILLS.
| The following bills, which were on yesterday
| ordered to be engrossed. were scyerally read a
| third time and passed,
bill to amend an act to provide for the
vessels propelled. in whole or in part by steam
| A bill authorizing the examination Of certain
| elaine OF the Biloxi Indians.
bill authorizing the authorities OF Chicago,
| Illinois, to MAX excavations in the public reserya-
| ton there. with q view to the improvement Of
Chicago river.
A bill for the relief of James r. Creecy.
A bill for the relief Of the minor children OF s.
nj. Pummer, late Of the United States army.
wAsHIseToN GUARD.
Mr.. CLEMENS introduced joint resolution
authorizing the Secretary OF War to loan to the
Washington G uard, juvenil volunteer company
Of this city. suitable arms; and it was considered.
and was ordered to be engrossed for third
reading.
The joint resolution subsequently taken up
to be read third time; when
Mr.. HALE objected, saying that it would be bet.
ter to furnish the boys with books than carbines.
INDEMSiTY TO SPANISH SUBJECTS.
On motion Of Mr.. MASON, the Senate proceeded
to the consideration Of the following joint resolu-
ton for the relief Of the Spanish onsu and other
| subjects of Spain residing at New Orleans, and Of
subjects of Spain residing at Key West, by indem-
| rity for Losses occasoncd by violence of the mob
| in the year eighteen hundred and fifty lone:
Resolusd by the Senate and House of Represent
atiuss Of The United States Of America in Congress as
sebed That the President OF the United States be,
and is hereby, requested to cause an investigation
10 be made of any Losses that may have been sus
| tanned by the consul of Spain, and other persons
| residing at New Orleans or at Key West. in the
year eighteen hundred and fifty one, and who at
that time were subjects of the Queen of Spain, by
the violence of lawless individuals arising out Of
intelligence then recently received at those places
OF the execution of certain persons at Havana by
the Spanish authorities Of that island, who embark
ing from the United States, had invaded the same
with hostile intent; and that such Losses 30 ascer
tanned to persons at that time subjects aforesaid,
the certificate Of the Secretary of State that the
same are proven to the satisfaction of the Presi-
dent, together with the reasonable costs Of the in
vestigation, shall be paid to those entitled, out Of
any money ip the Treasury not otherwise appro.
prated.
Mr. SOULE moved to amend the joint resolution
by striking out the word claw ,, and the words
"who, einbarking from the United States, had in
vaded the same with hostile interest," Mr. s
said that he had no desire to oppose the passage OF
the bill, but he desired to relieve it Of language
which nigh, wound the sensibiIities of many per
in his State.
Mr.. MASON said that as the amendments in no
way impaired the efficiency of the bill prevented
the accomplishment Of the object sought to be OBJ
tained by it, and as he had no desire to wound the
sensibilies Of any constituent of the Senator's, he
would not object TO the amendments
The amendments were then agreed to; and the
joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed.
AMENDMENT OF THE RULES.
Mr.. NORRIS gave notice of joint resolution to
amend the joint rules, as to require that the
nual appropriation bills should be sent to the Sen
ate from the House at least ten days before the time
fixed for the ad journment OF Congress.
PROTECTION TO EMIGRANr ROUTE, TRLKoRAPHs,
ETC, TO OREGON AND CALIFoRNIA.
On motion Of Mr.. DOUGLAS, the Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration of the bill authorizing
the President to raise, organize, and equip three
regiments VI volunteers to serve Tor three years in
guarding and protecting the emigrant routes, and |
telegraph lines, and conveying the mails between
the Missouri river and the settlements in Oregon
and California. The bill proposes to establish
line Of military posts, ten in number, said routes
to be garrisoned by one hundred men each; and in |
military stations at distance Of twenty
miles apart, to be garrisoned by twenty men each;
the posts and station houses to be built by the vol
unteers Of materials procured i'll the vicinity of the
route.
The volunteers arc to keep the roads. bridges.
and ferries in order; to carry the mails, and to pro-
tcct all Geographic lines and persons employed in
shng the same, and all emigrants, settlers,
traders, SC, who proceed on the said route
The volunteers are to cultivate the soil and raise
the necessary provisions for themselves and horses
without cost to the Government They to re-
ceivo the same pay and emoluments received |
by the mounted rlhemen; and, in addition, at the |
emo Of the service section of land Of six hundred
and forty acres They are to cothe themselves and
furnish their own horses. Any person may esta- |
blish line Of telegraph along said route, and may
the military stations during the three years free
of charge.
Mr. DOUGLAS moved to fill the blank in the
bill with an appropriation OF 100000, to enable |
the President t" carry its provisions into effect.
MIR. HA LIE said that more than ten years ago, in
time Of peace, and before the annexation of Texas
and the acquisition Of the Territories, he had
made tho calculation that the cost of supporting
the army amounted to one thousand dollars year
for each man. This cost was now not any less than
il as then. There regiments would contain three
three thousand me n, and if it should cost no more
for their support than for the army the Atlantic,
il would amount at least to three millions of dollars
year to maintain them. He thought it useless to
fill the blank with 100000, when it was known
that the reg iments would require far greater sum
to support them.
MIR. DOUGLAS said that the great item of the
expense OF the army was that for transportation
and for supplies on the frontiers. This item would
not enter into the cost Of supporting these reg-
ments.
Mr.. HALE said he based his calculations upon
the expense of the army at time before those Ter
rltories were acquired.
MIR. MASON thought that this bill, proposing
such large increase of the military force of the |
United States, and involving such great expense,
ought to undergo the revision of tho Committee on
Military Affairs. And after pointing out come OBJ |
jectons TO the practicabiliy of the BILL he moved
lite reference to the Committee Military Aflirs.
Messrs. BORLAND and DOUGLAS continued |
the debate in favor of the bill and against its com
mitment; and Mcssrs. MASON, DAWSON, BUT
LER, and BRADBURY, opposed the bill, and
urged its reference.
And then. on motion Of Mr.. BUTLER, the bill
was postponed Till next Tuesday.
And the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
POSTAGE
The House resumed the consideration Of the bill
TO amend IAN act TO modify and reduce the rates
of postage in the United States and for other pur.