The southern press., 1852-03-27
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE.
THURSDAY, March IS, 1852

CALIFORNIA MAIL CONTRACTS.
The chair laid before the Senate report from
the Postmaster General, transmitting, in comp-
ance with the resolution Of the Attn inst, copies
OF contracts for the transportation of the mail be-
tween New York and California, and various
other information in relation to the subject.
On motion, the consideration Of private bills
was postponed until one o'clock.
REsoLUr oNs.
Mr.. BADGER offered resolution to continue
in employment during the present session of Con-
gress, the clerk to the president of the Senate, at
the same rate Of compensation per diem which he
has heretofore received; which was considered by
unanimous consent and agreed to.
Mr.. MANGUM offered resolution directing
the Committee on Contingent Expenses to inquire
into the number Of messengers, pages, folders and
laborers, which are necessary for the Senate; and
what amount of compensation is proper for each
also, what number of carriages, horses, &c, are
required.
The resolution was agreed to.
Mr.. SOULE introduced a resolution appropri-
ating the sum Of 81 900 to be expended in the pur-
chase of seeds for the use Of the Patent Office.
Mr.. s. asked that the resolution might be put
upon its passage Immediately, as the seeds were
now wanted for distribution.
MIR. MASON objsciing, the resolution woo laid
over.
MIR. HALE submitted resolution directing the
Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds to
inquire into the propriety of purchasing Leutze Is
picture of washington crossing the Delaware, -
to be deposited in the mansion of the President OF
the United States.
The resolution was agreed to.
LANDS FOR RAILROAD IN WISCONSIN.
Mr.. DODGE, Of Wisconsin. gave notice Of a
bill granting land to the State OF Wisconsin in aid
Of railroad from Sheboygan, on Lake Michigan,
to the Mississippi river.
UNITED STATES COURTS.
On motion Of Mr.. BRADBURY, the Senate
took up the bill amendatory to the act for holding
the courts Of the United States in case ofthe sick
ness other disability Of Judges, and concurred
in the amendment Of the House TO the same:
VIRGINIA STATE AND CONTINENTAL LINES.
On motion Of Mr.. UNDERWOOD, the Senate
took up the bill TO provide for the unpaid claims
Of the officers and soldiers of the Virginia State
and continental lines OF the revolutionary army
and ordered the same TO be engrossed for third
reading.
PRIVATE BiLLs-cARMELITE NUSEERr.
The Senate then proceeded TO the consideration
Of private bills upon the calendar.
The bill TO authorize the payment OF invalid
pensions in certain cases ordered TO eDgross-
ment.
The act for the benefit Of the Carmelite Nun.
merry, Of Baltimore, occasioned an animated and
protracted debate, in which Messrs. Pratt, NAL
Tory, Hunter, Badger, Hale, Borland, Soule,
Bradbury, Dawson, Cooper, and others, took
part.
The bill comes from the House, and s to re-
init the duties on certain vestments which have
been imported FOR the use Of priesis.
The Committee on Finance having reported adj
yersely, their report, after debate, was disagreed
to.
The question Of ordering the bill 10 third read.
ing coming up, was taken by yeas and nays, and
decided in the negative-2l 70 %.
The Senate adjourned until Monday.