The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-06-10
THIRTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
WEDsEsDAy, June 81. 1852.
SENATE.

wrDSrsDAY, June g., 1852.
SENATE.
Mr.. RUSK presented the memorial of Ovid f.
Johnson and others, proposing to establish rail-
road and telegraph line from New Orleans TO San
Francisco, via Paso del Norte and Rio ella.
ASSUMPTIONS OF STATE DEBTS.
Mr. DOUGLAS presented the memorial of ] ID.
Bronaugh and others, praying the assumption of
the State debts by the General Government, par.
tic uarly of the debt of the State of Illinois.
MIR. d. said he did not know whence the petition
came, but in presenting it he desired TO state his
positive and unqualified opposition TO the prayer Of
The memorial which, on his motion, was laid on
the table
REGISTERS OF VESSELS.
MIR. HAMLIN, from the Committee on Com
merce, reported bill authorizing the Secretary OF
the Treasury to issue registers TO vessels built in
foreign countries, when the same have been
wrecked and repaired in the United States, and
asked its consideration now.
Mr.. III. explained that the bill rested on prln'
cipe recognised by the United States since the
foundation OF the Govern ment-that where n for
egn built vessel was repaired IN the United states
and purchased by citizen thereof, and where the
cost was equal to three fourths of the whole value
of the vessel that registers should be issued to IT,
The passage Of this general bill would save a vast
deal of special legislation by Congress in such
cases.
The bill was then considered, and by unanimous
consent ordered to third reading, and sub
sequently read third time and passed.
MARINE coSDlSsERs
MIR PRATT submitted the following resolution,
which was adopted:
Resolred, That the Secretary OF the Navy be re-
quested to communicate to the Senate the report
on marine condensers of board constituted I'M
der the act making appropriations Tor the naval
service for the year ending June 80, 1851 approved
2Sth September, 1850; together with any conciu-
sons and Recommendations OF the Navy Depart
ment on the same.
POWERS OF CHIEF CLERK OF PATENT OFFICE.
Mr. DAWSON, from the Committee on Patents,
reported a bill comforting upon the chief clerk OF
the Patent Office the powers and functions of the
Commissioner of Patents during the sickness or
temporary absence Of the said Commissioner, and
giving all his nets the same force and validity as
II they were performed by the Commissioner.
Mr. D. explained the BILL and on his motion it
was considered, and ordered TO be engrossed Tor Il
third reading.
ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS.
The Senate then took up the joint resolution from
the House fixing day august 10y for the ad
iournment of Congress.
MIR. HUNTER said he hoped this resolution
would be suffered to lie the table Tor present.
IL was impossible at this day for the Senate TO
know whether the public business could be dis
posed OF by tina. time or not He hoped II would.
and that Congress might adjourn sooner. But, as
yet two only OF the general appropriation bills
had been reported in the House Of Representatives
and those appropriation bills generally occupied
much time. He therefore moved that the resolu-
tfun lie on the table; and the motion was agreed TO-
sALARIEs OF UTAH JUDGES.
The bill authorizing the payment to the judges
of Utah Territory OF their salaries, notwithstand-
ing their absence from the said Territories, was
,efurped from the House with an amendment.
On motion Of Mr. CLEMENS, the said amend
ment # the House was concurred IN
HOUSE BILLS REFERRED.
The following bills were received from the House
and appTopriately referred:
An act to authorize the legislative authority Of
the seyera Territories 20 control the appropriations
20 be made by Congress for the support OF the gov
eminent OF said Territories
An act making an appropriation tor the compile
tion OF the public buildings IN the Territory OF
Minnesota.
An act TO run and establish the boundary be-
tween the State of Texas and the territories Of the
United States.
An act making further appropriations for the
completion Of the public buildings in the Territory
of Minnesota.
An act for the construction oil military roads IN
Oregon Territory.
An act to supply deficiency to the State of In
diana in township OF land granted to said State
for the use OF State university, by an act Of Con-
gress approved 18th April, 1916.
WILLIAM 8. PAYNE.
Mr.. HUNTER reported back House bill for the
relief of William S. Payne; and the same was con.
sidered and passed.
CHANGE or THE NAME or ST. PETERS RIVER.
MIR. DOUGLAS, from the Committee Terri
tories, to whom was referred House bill changing
that Of Minnesota river. moved action IhereOni
and the same was taken up and considered, and
read a third time and passed.
HARBoz pEyISczs.
On motion Of Mr.. GWIN, the Senate proceeded
to the consideration Of the joint resolution direct
ing the completion Of the war steamer for harbor
defence. according to the contract entered into with
Robert L. Stevens in 1912.
Mr. UNDERWOOD asked if any contract had
ever been made with MIR. Stevens?
Mr. STOCKTON said that contract was enter
ei into and that Mr.. Stevens had gone on faithful
ly 20 discharge bis part OF IL. After progressing
with the work for some time, the Secretary OF the
Navy (Mr. Preston) became dissatisfied with Mr.
Stevens because he would not submit 10 the Sccrc-
tary certain plans Of the work and because Of GER
tain delays Thesc delays, instead Of being con-
demned, ought TO have been commended by the
Secretary; for they were produced in consequence
of Mr.. Stevens making, at his own cOst, numerous
experiments Ia order TO safety himsolf az he went
along, that what he did was all right
lie (Mr S. felt an interest in this subject, be
cause he thought injustice had been done Mr.. Ste
vens and because he thought the subject Of national
defences one commenting itsef 20 the considera-
ton Of every citizen. lie desired 70 see this war
steamer, combining all the impregnability Of the
fort With the locomotive capacity Of the ship,
pleted, and he had no doubt bat that when finished
Il will prove go successful that will be placed
in each Of the important barbors Of the country.
When the defcDces viii be thus properly establish
ed we NAV venture 90 express our sentiments
upon national Law without fear Of the conse-
quences At. present 90 incomplete were the de-
fences. he believed that an enemy in twenty days
could lay the Atlantic cities in ruins.
Mr.. HAMLIN desired to look into the subject,
and asked that IL be postponed TIL to morrow.
And after some remarks by Messrs. UNDER
WOOD. HALE, and 81 OCkTON, the subject
postponed ill tomorrow.
= On motion by MIR. ATCHISoN, the Senate pro-
ceeded TO the consideration Of Executive business,
and at four o'clock the doors were opened and, on
motion
The Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. RICHARDSON asked the unanimous con-
II the House to take up the bill 10 secure pre-
empton rights 10 settlers in Illinois the line Of
the Central Railroad. lie said that unlcss II should
be- passed within very few days il would do no
good.
Objection was made TO the, proposed course Of