Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-05-08
CONGRESS.
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 1852.
IN SENATE.


world, and believes that he construct ocean Graf
which can neither be burnt, nor sunk (even if stow
against icebergs rocks blown up by its boilers
and which will average the Atlantic fifteen mile
an hour. The menoriast will undertake to build tn,
vessel provided the Government win remunerate him II
of success expresses so firmly his convictions
the subject that he only asks Congress TO place in the de
hciency bill provision giving him and his associates,
their legal representatives, the of million of dol
lars upon condition of his producing such vessel within
five years from the passage Of the act be adudged
and reported by committee of FIVE dsnterested per-
be appointed by the President on whose decision
the Secretary of the Navy is to pay the money The
outline Of Mr. ST. Johns plan is that the vessel
be less than four thousand TOMS forty rods long, and
wide TO draw only from ve to six feet water when laden
She is TO have two sets of boilers and engines and four
pairs of wheels is be of iron entirely with
zinc finishing; the nelson's ribs beams, and carns of
plate iron, corrugated where proper made air tight
forming airchambers like the quilts and bones of birds
The floors decks will be double, having sectional air.
chambers throughout, will also the portions Of the
ship, including those forming the stae-rooms, cabins
kitchens &c., thereby rendering il impossible for her
sink She is also to be subdvided by tight parti
tons Although five years asked the memorialist
says he accomplish the work in two; and although
the condition of speed is fixed at the moderate Of
fifteen miles an hour he has doubt Of accomplishing
average of from twenty to miles per hour
besides having her shotproof He calls attention to the
unhappy fate Of the steamer President and the English
steamer lately burnt sea- and hopes that these
will speak in favor Of the proposition and induce the
offer OF the required stmulnnt to start it, particularly
the Government suffer loss if the work is
comphshed, while the offer might result in the greatest
imaginable benefits to
by Mr.. NORRIS From the heirs of Maj Gen. Starke,
OF the revolutionary war; asking to be allowed depreca
ton communication certificates.
Mr.. GWIN, from the Committee on Naval Affairs to
which referred the memorial of the Legislature OF
Tennessee asking that the navy yard at Memphis in that
State be completed according to the original plan
submitted report the same which was ordered to be
printed
The report is favorable the prayer and says that
appropriation will be asked at some future time.
Mr.. BADGER asked the unanimous consent of the Sc
allow him TO introduce joint resolution granting
the right of way the Fayetteville and Central Plank
Road which having been given he asked the still further
indulgence of having it read second time at once, and
put its passage He explained that this road, which
was in process of completion, Of some importance to
the State at least to very large number of her in
habants. Unless this road could be through that
part Of the public lands connected with the arsenal the
company would have make long dour in order get
round which would be attended with much expense,
well as delay Mr. B. limited that this the first
instance any grant of this kind had been asked by his
State and which in this asked for alternate
tons, he hoped it might be passed.
The resolution was then read as follows:
Resolved &C. That the right of way through the public land
Of the United States Fayetteville, North Carolina, (which
present improved be and the is hereby grant
cd to the Fayetteville and Central Plank Road provided that
in the opinion Of the President Of the United States said grant
be not injurious the public interests and provided further
that if the said road be completed in two years If at
any time after its completion the said road be discontinued
abandoned the grant hereby made shall and determine
Mr. CASS suggested that the resolution read did
prescribe the quantity ofland the particular width that
would be required
Mr.. BADGER. This road viii not require miles along
its whole extent but simply few feet say thirty
forty which will be amply sufficient, and which can be
inserted.
The resolution was then amended 50 as to make the
grant forty feet wide, and ordered to be engrossed
amended.
CLAIM AGENTS
On motion by Mr. BR0DHEAD, the Senate proceeded
consider the bill amend and extend the provisions Of
approved July 49, l846, entitled An act in rela
ton to the payment Of claims"
The amendments pending being those reported from
the Committee of Claims make the bill prospective in
its duration and making its provisions apply to members
of Congress, &C.
The amendment led to some discussion in which Messrs
HAMLIN, BR0DHEAD, BADGER, BERRlEN, HALE
BAYARD BoRLAND, BRADBURY and others, partici-
pated when the question taken agreeing 70 the
amendment and decided in the affirmative.
On motion by Mr. BRADBURY, the amendment Of the
committee was further amended and the bill then
ordered to be engrossed and read, as follows
Be il enacted DC That all transfers and assignments here
after be made Of claim upon the United States
part share thereof interest therein whether absolute
conditional and whatever may be the consideration therefor
and all agreements hereafter be made for allow
ing compensation any agent for claims other person
persons for account Of services performed be
formed in procuring testimony in support of otherwise aid
ing obtaining the allowance Of any such claim and oil
powers Of attorney orders, other authorities for receiving
payment Of any such claim any share thereof shall
be absolutely null and void unless the shall be freely
sde and executed in the presence Of at least aestng
after the allowance Of such claim the ascertainment
Of The amount due and the issuing Of warrant for the pay
Inent thereof
sec q ind BE- Il further eaacted That any officer Of the
United Sta person holding place Of trust or profit
dchargng any Official function under or In connexon with
any Executive Department Of the Government Of the United
States Who after the passage Of this act shall act as an agent
FOR prosecuting any claim caims against the United states
shall any by any means otherwise iban IN ne
discharge Of his proper official duties aid or assist IN the pro-
secution support any such claim claims shall be liable
10 indictment as for misdemeanor and conviction in
having eognzance thereof shall pay fine not exceed
ing thousand dollars suffer imprsonmentno exceeding
six calendar months, both, the court IN M discretion
shall audge due regard being had 10 all the circumstances
OF the case.
Sec g. Aad be Il further enacted That any member Of either
house Of Congress- Who the passage Of this act yha for
compensation paid 70 be paid certain contingent act as
agent attorney prosecuting claim claims against
the United States before either house of Congress Of
the Executive Departments before any board Of commits
soners constituted by act Of Congress- made
any treaty between the United and any foreign
Powers shall any by any means such
pensaon aid assist in the prosecution support
such claim claims shall be liable Indictment and prose-
cuton IN the mentioned in the second section Of this
act
Seed And further saaced That the provisions Of this
act the act Of July NINTH eighteen
forty six entitled An relation payment Of
GLAZING" shall apply and extend all claims against the Uni
ted States whether allowed by special Of Congress
arising under general laws treaties any other
whatever
The following bills we're severslly read third time an
passed:
The bill granting TO the State of Michigan the right
way and donation Of public land for the purpose
constructing canal railroad across the peninsula
Michigan.
The bill granting the right Of way and making graz
Of land TO the State Of Michigan in trust for the Mlwa