The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-03

tons of the State of Alabama on the subject Of in
PREVENTION. In the preamble 10 those resolutions
il is stated, that from the intimation of popular
feeling, the Senate and House of Representatives
of that State are led TO believe that the spirit of in
reference the part of the people, ifinduged in,
will involve the United States in trouble; and it is
resolved that they hold it as the bounden duty of
the government TO cultivate peace and good un-
derstanding with all nations.
On motion of Mr.. Smith the resolutions were
referred to the Committee Foreign Affairs, and
ordered TO be printed; as were series of resolu-
tons from the State of New Jersey, on the same
subject, but of directly opposite tenor.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Tennessee, moved a
Joint resolution, as the basis of bill, for the
amendment Of the Constitution, whenever three
fourths of the States of the Union shall signify
their assent; providing among other things that
hereafter the President and Vice President shall
be chosen by the people, each State to be divided
equally according TO its population; and that the
United States Judges shall hold office for a term
of twelve years.
The resolution was referred to the Judiciary
Committee.
MIR. GORMAN, chairman Of the Committee
Printing, introduced resolution authorizing the
printing of between seven and eight thousand cop
les Of the report and maps connected with the
Coast Survey, provided the expense to be incurred
does not exceed $4,000 Ii was substantially the
same resolution which passed on former
day; but 1t led to conversation rather ola scienti
fc than legislative character, during which Mr..
EVANS, of Maryland, who is great advocate for
diffusing the information attained by the Coast
Survey as extensively as possible-went into all
the minutia of transforming impressions, and
dwet at much length upon the importance of the
measure under consideration
MIR. VENABLE, of North Carolina, described
the difference in the charts which do not give the
actual position of places, and those which lay
down those positions on charts adapted to the
shape of the globe. Viewing the Importance of the
object that is contemplated, he said, it
prising that any objection should be started -
He called the attention of gentlemen to charts
that were formerly constructed on plane, by
which much incorrectness is the result and it is
to obviate this that general desire is felt TO have
the reports Of the coast sorvey and the accompa-
nying charts extensively circulated. Owing to the
manner in which charts have been formerly con-
structed, it was impossible to get a vessel insured
at Lloyds that was bound for North Carolina
whereas, in consequence of the improvement that
has taken place IN the construction Of charts, by
the coast survey, vessels can enter ports without
pilots. He felt satisfied that there was no dspo-
sion to refuse what was essential to the preser-
walton Of human life, and an immense amount Of
property, which, as legislator they were bound
to protect.
The resolution was ultimately passed.
A bill was reported for the establishment Of a
public printing Office and to provide for the APP
pointment of a superintendent Of public printing
which was referred to the Committee on the state
of the Union.
A resolution was passed, authorizing the Com
mlttee on Foreign Affairs to report bill defining
the powers of American consuls at foreign ports;
after which the House ad ourned.