The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-06
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
A message was received from the President OF
the United States transmitting, in compliance with
law, copy Of despatch from the commissioner
I'D interim Of the United States, at Canton, togeth-
err with the copy Of certain rules and regulations
for masters, officers and seamen Of vessels Of the
United States at the free ports OF China, which
accompanied said despatch.
The President pro tenn. laid before the Senate
a report of the Secretary of the Navy IN answer
to the resolution calling for information IN relatioq
to certain dry docks and basins in Philadelphia,
Pensacola, &c.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR CALIFORNIA.
On motion of Mr. HUNTER, the consideration
of private bills was postponed until one clock,
and the Senate took up the bill in addition to and
amendatory of an act entitled g an act to provide
for the settlement of the accounts of public officers
and others, who may have received moneys ari-
sing from military contributions, or otherwise, In
Mexico, {" approved the Sd of March, 1919.
A substitute to the bill having been sometime
since reported by the Committee on Finance,
Mr.. HUNTER submitted some remarks IN ex-
planaticn and support of the same; and moved to
ill the blank in the section providing for the pay
ment Of the expenses of the constitutional conven-
ton with the sum of $86, $780, and the second blank
with SO, 900; which was agreed TO, and after de-
bate, the substitute Of the committee was adopted
An animated discussion ensued, in which
Messrs. GwIN, CHASE, BADGER, HUNTER and
BoRLAND participated, after which the bill, as
amended, was ordered to be engrossed FOR third
reading.
THE COLLINS STEAMERS.
Memorials were presented by Mr.. DAVIS, OF
merchants, ship owners, and others, Of Boston
by Mr. SUMNER, of merchants, ship owners, and
Others Of Salem, Mass; by Mr.. PRArr, Of mer-
chants, ship owners, and others, OF Baltimore
and by Mr.. FISH, Of merchants, ship owners, and
others, of New York, praying that further aid may
be extended to Collins line OF steamships. They
were severally referred to the Committee on Ma
val Affairs.
RELEASE OF THE IRISH PATRIOTS.
Mr.. SEWARD presented resolutions of the
corporate authorities of the city Of New York, in
favor of the adoption Of measures to obtain from
the British government the release of Smith o.
Brien and his associates, now imprisoned in Var
Diemans land.
THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE IN THE DISTRICT OF CO.
LUMBIA.
Mr.. SHIELDS presented the memorial of SOC
restrictions upon the right of suffrage in this Dis
trict be removed.
AssIGNABILIIY OF LAND WARRANTS
On motion of Mr.. SHIELDS, the Chair was auth
orized to appoint committee Of conference on the
part Of the Senate, to join the committee which
have been appointed by the House, in relation to
the bill making land warrants assignabe.
Messrs. SHIELDS, Smith and FELcH were APP
pointed.
MEXICAN CLAIMS.
Mr.. FISH presented the memorial ofAlexander
J. Atocha, praying indemnity for damages
tanned in consequence ofhis expulsion from Mex
leo, and a review of the decision of the Board OF
Commissioners, on his claims against that repub
lie.
After protracted discussion, in which Messrs.
BAYARD, PRArr, BRoDHEAD, BADGER, HAMLlN,
RusK and others took part, the memorial was re-
ferred to the select committee on the subject
PRIVATE BILLS.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
of the private bills upon the calendar.
FRENCH sPOLIATION BILL.
MIR. BRADBURY gave notice that he should
on Monday call up the French spoliation BILL
The Senate, after an executive session, adjourned
until Monday.