Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-03
CONGRESS.
THURSDAY, APRIL ], 1862.
IN SENATE.

REPORTS. FROM COMMITTEES
Mr.. RUSK, from the Committee on the Post Office and
Post Roads, reported bill to apart and sell portion
of the public lands for the construction OF certain railroads
TO the Pacific
Mr. Risk said the bill was bottomed the memorial of
Asa Whitney and he had been instructed by the majority
Of the committee report it, though he did not fully
cur with the majority One objection to the bill his
belief that bill more likely to receive the sanction of
Congress might have been framed at all events,
with fewer objections. He should call the attention Of
the Senate TO the subject al early day. believing it,
he did, be Of vast importance to the whole, but
specially to the section of country the Pacific When
the bill was printed and up, he would offer such
amendments as suggested themselves TO his mind.
Mr. GWIN avowed his determination when the bill came
up strike out the name of Asa Whitney, and
any other private individual connected with it. He should
be down Mr. Whitney and his plan.
THE ExPEDITIoNsTo JAPAN
The following resolution, Submitted by Mr.: BoRLAsD
=. =; .le s1et al.imo, vas, on his motion tAl"-' -
1ssssseea That the sscrey tho Navy be directed to
communicate the Senate object of the naval expedition
recently ordered INDIAN and particularly the
Japan copies Of any Instructions that have been
given to the commander of that expedition
Mr. MANGUM spoke against the necessity of any call
for the instructions gve for the adoption of the
luton, declaring it proper to leave all such considerations
the Executive and expressed the hope that the
of the resolution would let it lie for few days
Mr.. DORLAND expressed his establishment that such
resolution should meet with opposition 1t the first
time in his legislative experience that cali for informa
ton objected to He afgaed favor of every thing
connected with this Government being done in the open
light of day He opposed the secret session
appointing officers of Government 1t mght be very well
in Europe where the kings masters of the country to
shroud their acts secre but they the of
the people, whether at the White House in the Legis-
lative Hail. andcontended that the Senators and Members
of the House were TO certain extent responsbef the
conduct of every Department in the Government
Mr. GWIN spoke of the Importance of the trade Of Ja
pan, which would justify the sending out of expedition
to explore those and extend commercial inter-
He was willing to trust every movement of
1xIa Sla
publicity Of intentions when the disclosure might de-
feat theobect and enable the Dutch who had the man.
agemept of the trade with Japan, to interpose.
Mr.. SHIELDS adverted TO q letter which he had re-
ceived last evening from officer of the army in Cali
forna in relation certain Japanese whose junks had
been wrecked, that were there pinng for their
homes and that restoring these people their country
nigh. prove kind of introduction to better understand
ing with those isolated people He dwet the import
that trade with Japan would be this country
and animated that any disclosures just might have
injurious effect.
Mr. HALE of opinion that the adoption of the re-
ISOLATION would display verdancy the part of the Sc
nate that they would not like subject themselves to-
he pointed to the report of the Secretary of the Navy
wherein it would be found that we're captains and
heutenants and passed midshipmen, and nidshipmen
innumerabie with appropriation of some nine millions
year He contended that il required ingenuity to
keep all these classes of officers protaby employed who
paid higher salaries than paid by any other
ton earth for the service If the object was to
spend some of these nine millions in looking for
arged commercial intercourse, then the object was
praiseworthy.
Mr. BoRiAND replied, admitting all that was said in
favor Of the Importance of the trade with JAPAN and the
profitable employment of officers but still contend
ed for the right Of the constituent to know the object in
view they should be called to make the appropria
tons for carrying out the measure.
Mr. BADGER agreed with Mr. BoRLAsD that the Ex-
ecutve and Legislative agents alike the Of
the people, and appointed do their bddng yet he could
conceive that there might be instances where the
tave working for the common interest of the people, might
be placed in such position that promulge his
he or1d he iuiu Hscus mic lie
place in family circle the welfare Of that circle
which the family would not like to have known all
the neighborhood.
Mr. CAsS thought If they refuse TO pass the resolution
il would be assuming that they had right call for
the information While he had doubt of the proprety
Of step taken, he thought il equally proper that It
should be made known to Congress and the people.
Mr. SEWARD was not prepared to vote for the resolu
ton just then and thought evil consequence could
possibly from its lying for a day two He
could which might render it eIpedent
send the expedition which, OF this particular time il might
be well TO conceal
The debate was further continued by Messrs DAw-
SON, RUSK, WELLER, and others, when
Mr. SHIELDS moved TO lay the resolution the table;
which was decided in the negative follows:
YEAs-Messrs Badger, Brooke, Clarke Clarke Cooper, Dawson
Smith Underwood, Upham, Weer-17.
NAYs-Mesns. Adams, Bayard, Borand, Bradbury, Brod
head Cass Chase Dodge Wisconsin Dodge Of Iowa, Doug
las Downs Fech Hamln, Jones of Iowa, Jones Of Tennes
see King Mallory Norris Rusk Sebastian Shields spruanee
Mr. BAYARD moved to strike out the Secretary Of the
Navy and substitute the President Of the United States
be requested II not incompatible with the public interest
&c which was agreed to.
And further amendments made by striking out
"copies Of the instructions" &c.
SO that the resolution would in effect be request for
the President furnish IL not incompatible with the pub
lie interest the force and objects Of the naval expedition
recently ordered the Indian Ocean, and particularly
the coast Of Japan
On motion Of Mr. GwIN the further consideration Of the
subject was postponed until tomorrow.
BILLS PASSED
The following engrossed bills were then read a third
time and passed:
A bill TO change the Of Joseph Lewis Brcese
midshipman in the navy Of the United States
The bill TO provide for trweekly mail from New Or
leans to Vera Cruz, via Tampico, and back in steam
vessels.
On notion the Senate proceeded the consideration
the doors re-opened and the Senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The House proceeded consider the bin yesterday re-
ported from the Committee the Public Lands granting
the right Of way and making grant Of lands the State
Of Alabama in aid of the construction Of the Memphis
and Charleston Railroad, the pending question being on
the motion TO commit it to the Committee Of the Whole on
the state Of the Union.
Mr.. COBB remarked that IL there was member Of the
House who not satisfied in relation the merits
this BILL and desired to discuss il upon its merits he GER
tanly would be TO calling the previous question
upon it, As the general question which il embraced had
been discussed he presumed cared any thing about
discussing il aran Some rentlenen