The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-29
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
rHIRTY-sEcoND coNGREss-FIRsT SESSION.
SENATE.
TUESDAY, July 30.


SENATE
TUESDAY, July 90.
Several petitions in favor of the Homestead
bill were presented.
Mr.. Fish presented the memorial of mer-
chants and others of New York, praying the
recognition Of the independence of Hayt
Mr.. James introduced his bill, amending the
tariff laws, by requiring home instead of
foreign valuation Of imports
resolution authorizing the President to
purchase Catlin's collection of Indian scenes,
&c, was taken up, debated, and then laid ON
the table.
A bill granting land to Louisiana, to aid in
the construction of a railroad in that State,
was taken up, and ordered to be engrossed
bill providing for the pay of the Surveyor
General of California for certain surveys made
in that State, was taken up, and after a long
debate postponed.
The Senate then adjourned
WEDNESDAY, July 2l.
Mr.. Clarke presented resolution, which was
agreed to, calling for information relative to the
operations of the Commission to run the Mex
lean boundary which was adopted
Mr.. Sumner submitted resolution. which
pondence with the State Department on the
subject of cheap postage adopted.
| Mr. Wade introduced bill for the improve
ment and settlement of the emigrant route to
Oregon.
Mr.. Shields moved to take up the bill grant
ing land to the several States for the support of
the INDECENT insane; and the motion was re-
jected-yeas IL, nays %.
The Senate then took up the resolution from
the House, setting the 10th of August for the
adjournment of Congress
A long debate ensued in which Messrs
Soule Dawson, Butler, Mason Pratt, and Rusk
supported the 10th Messrs. Hunter. Downs
and Borland, supported the Both and Messrs
Cass, Hamlin, Bell, Davis, Stockton, Clemens
Shields, and Gwin, opposed fixing any day till
the appropriation bills should be received from
the House.
Mr. Smith moved TO amend the resolution
by striking out 10th and inserting 3lst of
August; which was agreed to-yeas 2s, nays
90
A motion to lay the resolution on the table
and motion to postpone it, were rejected, and
then it was passed.
The Senate took up the bill concerning pri-
vate land claims in California and after some
debate, it was found that there were but ~
members present and the Senate adjourned
THURSDAY, July %
After petitions and reports, Mr. Gwin sub
mitted resolution which was agreed to, call
ing for an estimate of the cost of survey of
the coast of California.
Mr. Borland moved and the Senate took up
the bill allowing additional school lands to the
land States after debate, the bill was ordered
to be engrossed.
The Senate then proceeded to the considcra-
ton of the bill making appropriation for the
construction Of ship canal around the Falls
of the st. Mary's; and Messrs. Pratt, Cass, and
Smith supported the bill. 1t was then post
poned, and after an Executive session the SEN
ate adjourned.
FRIDAY, July, %.
Mr.. Hunter, from the Committee on Finance,
reported back House bill making appropria-
tons for the support of the Military Academy
with amendments; and the bill being taken
up, the amendments were agreed to, and the
bill was read third time and passed
Mr. Mason submitted resolutions requesting
the President TO communicate copies Of all cor
respondence with England since the Conven-
ton between the United States and Great
Britain of October 20, 1918, touching the fish,
cries on the coasts of British North America
Also, whether he has ordered any Of the Uni
ted States naval forces to the seas djacent to
the British possessions, to protect the rights of
American fishermen under such convention.
A long debate ensued in which Messrs Cas-,
Mason, Pratt, Rusk, Toucey, Seward, and
Hamlin, supported the policy Of sending naval
force there for the protection Of the Americans.
Messrs Dawson, Pearce, and Adams oppos-
ed all action in the matter until further in
formation shall be received. The resolutions
we're adopted, and the Senate adjourned.
SATURDAY, July "a.
The Senate did not sit to-day.
MONDAY, July 20.
The Chair laid before the Senate report
from the Secretary of the Interior communi-
eating large mass Of papers containing in
formation touching the business OF the Mexi-
can boundary commission.
After some debate, the communication was
referred TO q select committee OF five Senators.
Mr.. Charlton, in behalf Of his colleague, MIR.
Dawson, moved that the Senate take up the
bill from the House for the relief OF the legal
representatives of Gen. James {. Watson, OF
Georgia, compensating them for certain ne
groes taken by the Creek Indians during the
Seminole war.
Mr.. Summer objected 10 the motion; the Sen
ator from Ohio, Mr. Chase who was now alb