The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-30

SENATE.
MONDAY, March 10, 1854.
EXECUTIVE coAMuSicArloss.

posted in the War Department by an officer of
the army
A message was also received from the Presl-
dent OF the United States ransmittsng. 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 w isconsin. praying for grant Of land
in aid OF a 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 OF
citizens of Wisconsin, praying for grant IT land
for the construction OF the Oakland and Ottawa
railroad. w
All of which were appropriately referred.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE Law" EXTINCTION OF sLA-
nA ~ sflt VERY"
Mr.. WALKER presented petition OF citizens
Of Milton, Wisconsin, praying for the repeal OF
the fugitive slave law; when, on MS mouon' was
laid on the tnble
After the transaction of some further business,
Mr. SEWARD presented four petitions of cti-
zens Of New York, praying for the repeal of the
fugitive slave law, and another of citizens OF the
same s,a,s praying the adoption OF sera'" "ea0-
Mr.. 8. 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 the ques-
ton on referring them; and subsequently moved
TINT they lie on the table,
The question on laying on the table the petit
tons for the repeal Of the fugitive law was then
taken by yeas and nays and decided in the afrma-
tive by the following vote:
YxAs-M essrs Adams, Atchson, Badger, Bay
ard. Borland, Bradbury, Brooke, Brodhead, Cass,
Clarke, Clemens, Cooper, Dawson, Dodge, Of
Iowa. Douglas, Downs, Felch, Geyer, Gwin,
Hunter, Jones, of Iowa, Jones, OF tennessee,
King, Mallory, Mangum, Mason, Miller, Norris,
Rusk, Sebastian, Spruance, Underwood, Walker.
80.
NAYs-Messrs. Chase, Davis, Dodge, of Wis
consin, 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 6.
These petitions having been disposed of,
Mr. HALE said he held in his hand a petition
OF William Sloane, and others, praying the re-
peal OF the fugitive slave law. The memOriasts
stated, among other reasons, that the law as 1t
now stands, brides judges for the conviction of
fugitives. He wanted to call the attention of the
Senate to that fact
Mr.. MANGUM. What is the amount of the
bribel
Mr. HALE. Five or ten dollars.
Mr. MANGUM | feel an interest in the
character of all my countrymen, and think the
petition ought not to be received, because con-
IT.
eminent jurists 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 might
ask with respect TO petitions OF this nature, for the
reason, among others, that he did not choose to
renew the agitation of the subject. When a
question was put, however, he should give his
vote.
Mr.. MANGUM modified his motion to re-
ceive the petition and lay 1t upon the table, which
was agreed to.
OFFICERS OF THE ARMY CONTRACTORS FOR SUPPLIES.
Mr.. HUNTER submitted the following resou-
tons, which were considered by unanimous con-
sent and agreed to.
Re,olued, That the Secretary of War be direct
ed TO inform the Senate-First, whether any of
the officers Of the United States army have been
contractors to furnish supplies to the government
of the United States secondly, il such cases ex
list, what were the rates of such contracts as COM
pared with those Of other persons contracting for
the same things, to be delivered at the times
and places thirdly, the names OF the officers
making and sanctioning such contracts and last
w. as to the measures, If any, which have been
taken by the department in such cases.
Resolped, That the Committee on the Judiciary
be nstru cted to inquire into the eXpediency of re-
porting bill to make it penal in an officer of the
United States to become contractor, or take an
interest," either direct Indirect in any contract
to furnish supplies to the government the United
States.
INDEMNITY FOR SPANISH LOSSES IN FLORIDA.
Mr.. MALLORY submitted the following reso-
luton, which agreed to.
Resolued, That the Committee on Foreign Re-
latiOns be instructed to enquire into the propriety
Of authorizing the President of the United States
to have Investigations made whether any Spanish
subjects, not citizens of the United States, have
sustained damage, by loss of property or other
wise, in consequence of public outbreak or vio-
lence in the State of Florida, growing out Of the
late Cuba expeditions and into the propriety of
authorizing the President to make prompt indem
pitv to the Spanish government for such Spanish
subjects, for said damages
THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
On motion of Mr.. HUNTER, the bill from the
House, making appropriations to supply dcfcien-
ces for the present fiscal year, was taken up and
referred to the Committee on Finance.
THE "ARMIsTAD."
Mr. MASON, from the Committee on Foreign
Relations, reported abill to indemnify the master
and owners Of the Spanish schooner Armistad,
and her cargo, and subsequently, moved that it be
made the special order of the day for Tuesday,
March 9Th.
He said this matter of great interest to
the Spanish government, and he submitted to the
Senate that there were circumstances connected
with the recent affairs with Spain, which rem
dered it peculiarly proper to consider the subject
Some further debate ensued, when the motion
to 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.. DRODHEAD submitted amendments of
which he had gwen previous notice.
Messrs. HUNTER, GwIN and HALE spoke upon
the bill, after which it was postponed until to-
morrow.
COINAGE
On motion Of Mr.. HUNTER, the blank in the
9Th section Of the bill, amendatory Of existing laws
relative to the half dollar quarter dollar, dime and
half dime, was filled 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 REL RESENTATlVES,