The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-01
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
THIRTY-sEcoND coNGREss-FIRsT SESSION.
SENATE.
FRIDAY, MARCH 26.

The private calendar was taken up and the
bill for the relief the Carmelite Nunuery of
Baltimore, was first taken up
Mr.. Mallory said the bill was one to remit
the duties upon some clerical vestments import
ed for the use of the clergyman officiating in
the chapel attached to the Nunnery The
amount was small and he referred to numer.
Gus precedents of like cases, where the duties
were RENTED.
Mr. Hunter said the Finance Committee had
reported adversely to the bill The parties in
terested presented case as mertorious as an,
that could possibly be made out But the
committee desired the Senate should determine
the principle involved as there were several
other cases pending. If the Senate should
pass the bill, the committee would understand
how to act upon all such cases.
MIR. Hale opposed the bill. II the duty on
vestments was to be RENTED because they
were necessary for the clergy to administer the
rites of their church. why not remit the duty
on the food which the clergy ate, and which
was necessary to their existence.
Mr. Pratt earnestly advocated the passage of
the bill, and referred to various other cases
where the duty had been RENTED on Bibles i'm
ported for the Bible Society and other religious
societies Congress had never yet refused an ap-
plication of this sort and he hoped would not
refuse this
Mr. Badger said he was in favor of this bill,
renting the duties on the yestments of the
clergymen who were to oficiate in the chapel
attached TO this institution. The ladies en-
gagged in this noble and most charitable associa-
ton, to afford gratuitous education deserved
the highest commentator. They had no
money, because their vows compelled them to
poverty.
The debate was continued till three o'clock,
in which Messrs Borland, Mason, Hale Bayard
and Bradbury, opposed the bill, and Messrs.
Pratt, Soule, Downs, Seward, Dawson, and
Mangum supported it and on the question of
ordering it to be engrossed, it was decided in
the negative, by the following vote
YEAs-Messrs. Badger, Brooke Cass, Chase,
Dawson, Dodge of Wis, Dodge of Iowa, Doug
las Downs, Fish, Foot, Geyer, Jones Of Tenn,
Mallory Mangum, Pratt, Seward, Shields,
Soue, Sumner, Wade-2l.
Nays Messrs Adams, Bayard, Borland.
Bradbury, Brodhead, Clarke Cooper, Davis,
Gwin, Hale, Hamlin Hunter, King Mason,
Morton, Norris, Sebastian, Smith, Spruance,
Underwood, Upham, Weller--22.
The Senate then adjourned till Monday
SATURDAY, MARCH 81.
The Senate did not sit to-day
MONDAY, March 30.
Mr.. Walker presented ten petitions from
Wisconsin asking grants of land TO aid in the
construction of certain railroads in that State.
He also presented petition from that State,
signed by men, women, and children, asking u
nf tha 4 al. A.
motion, was laid on the table.
Mr.. Sumner presented petitions in favor Of
cheap ocean postage.
House. and was referred to the Committe on
Finance.
Mr., Seward presented five petitions from cit
liens Of the State OF New York, praying the re-
peal OF the Fugitive Slave Law, which he moy-
ed be referred to the Committee on the Judici-
AIRY. We notice this proceeding in another
place.
Mr. Hales resolution directing an inquiry as
to the propriety Of purchasing the picture of
Washington crossing the Delaware, was then
adopted
Mr. Mason reported bill TO indemnify the
master aud owners Of the Spanish schooner
Amstad, and, after variety of motions and
votes upon making u a special order, the bill
was put upon the calendar.
The California dry dock and navy yard bill
was then taken up, and Mr.. Hunter addressed
the Senate in opposition to it, and Messrs Gwin
and Hale in favor of it,
The bill was postponed till tomorrow.
The bill amendatory Of the several laws
respecting the coinage Of half and quarter dol
lars, dimes, and half dimes (Mr. Hunters
bill) was taken up and ordered to be engrossed.
And the Senate adjourned