The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-18


! actepred ana FLED away f67 pH}RicG:a:. AZ
ter the completion Of Mrs Stoves story, their
authors will hear from us
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS DURING THE
WEEK
The miserable Amistad claim is to be pressed
! again Since Mr. Folks time, no President
has recommended it to the notice of Congress
but Mr. Mason, of the Senate seems to think
that the interests of Slavery are involved in its
recognitios., On the 9TH he introduced a reso-
luton in that body, which was agreed to- in
structing the Committee on Foreign Relations
to inquire into the justice OF making provision
for its payment
much more enlightened movement was
that of Mr. Sumner of Massachusetts,, in the
introduction of u resolution on the subject of
cheap ocean postage, which was adopted the
same day. 1t instructs the Committee on the
Post Office to inquire whether something may
not be done for the reduction of ocean postage.
He accompanied the resolution with brief
statement, which presents the argument in a
nutshell:
"A letter can be sent three thousand miles
in the United States for three cents; and the
reasons for cheap postage on the land are
equally applicable to the ocean.
ain point of fact, the conveyance of letters
can be effected in sailing or steam packets at
less cost than by railway
Besides, cheap ocean postage will tend to
supersede the clandestine or Illicit conveyance
of letters, and to bring into the mails all mail
able matter which, under the present system
is carried in the pockets of passengers, or in
~ h9los and hoyes of ''n""hants.
"All new facilities for correspondence natu-
rally give new expansion to human intercourse;
and there is reason to believe that through an
increased number Of letters, cheap ocean post
age will be self-supporting.
"Chcap postal communication with foreign
countries will be of mcalcuable Importance t.
the commerce of the United States
by promoting the intercourse of families
and friends, separated by the ocean, cheap
postage will add to the sum of human happi-
; ness.
) "The present high rates Of ocean postage
: namely, twenty-four cents on half an ounce
forty-eight cents on an ounce, and ninety-sx
, cents on a letter which weighs fraction more
than an ounce, are severe tax upon all, par
tcularly upon the poor, amounting in many
cases to a complete prohibition of foreign cor
rcspOndence. This should not he so.
1T particularly becomes our country. by the
removal of all unnecessary burdens upon for
e'gn correspondence, to advance the comfort of
European emigrants seeking home among us,
) and to destroy as far as practicable every bar
rier to free intercourse between the Old World
, and the New.
And lastly, cheap ocean postage will be n
bond of peace among the nations of the earth,
and will extend good will among men
The same day Mr. Seward delivered an eab
orato speech ON the subject of Intervention
arguing in favor of the position advanced by
the Democracy of several States but opposed
| by the Democratic candidates for the Presi-
dency If we can make room for the speech,
we shall do So
The rest of the week slipped away in the
Senate, without any event of Importance.
Wednesday, Commodore Stockton made flu
rious assault on Mr. Seward on account of an
allusion in his speech of the day before, which
he chose to consider disrespetiul. Mr. Sew
ard explained to the satisfaction of the iras-
| chile Commodore who thereupon desired that
all report of the controversy might be expunged
And so It was except so much rs the telegraph
wires got hold of Thursday, the Senate
passed resolution to pay the expenses of Kos
suth in Washington: Friday, attended to pri-
waite claims; Saturday enjoyed HOLIDAY.
The House during the week was chiefly oc-
cupied with Presidential speeches, on the bill
to grant limited portions of the public lands to
actual settlers
Mr. Wilcox, of Mississippi discoursed ON the
politics of his State Secession and Union, and
told the Secession Democrats that they must
not expect to march back into the ranks of the
Democracy with colors flying but must come
repentant and humble, take their places as pri-
Yates, merely, and do works meet for repent
ance.
MIR. Richardson, of Illinois defended Judge
Douglas against insinuations to his detriment
made by Mr. Breckenridge, of kentucky. Mr..
b replied and then Mr. Washburn of Maine,
dilated on the subject of the European and
North American Railroad, aud in favor of
granting land to Maine to make link of it.
Mr. Marshall, of California, uttered bold
philippe against the Old Fogies of the Dem
ocratc Party, Messrs, Buchanan, Cass Butler,
and all other antiquated gentlemen, and paid n
tribute to the Young Democracy whom he
considered to be represented by Douglas. The
larger portion of his speech was marked by a
daring partisanship. The closing and minor
. part contained many admirable sentiments
, eloquently expressed, on the principles OF Pro
+ greSs
: Mr. Bell, of Ohio, wished to be Just before he
r was generous, and his idea OF justice, it seemed
# was to keep landless men out of homes until h,
= could get high tariff money for claimant,
= under the French Spoliation Bill, and IN,
amount of internal improvements
MIR. Cable from the same State, spoke sensibl,
aud directly to the bill itself, advocating it OF
: just and broad principles. A member suggest