The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-23
THiRrY-SECOND CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
THURSDAY, July %, 1852.
SENATE,

SENATE.
Several petitions were presented and reports
made, all of which were unimportant.
SURVEY OF COAST OF CALIFORNIA.
Mr.. GWIN submitted the following resolution,
which was agreed to:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be
directed to inform the Senate what sum will be re-
quired, without interfering with the regular pro-
cess of the coast survey, to extend it the present
fiscal year to include the slunds in the vicn
ity Of the Santa Barbara channel coast of Caliior-
MIA, viz the Islands of St. Cruz, St Rosa Bernardo
Anacapa. st. Catalina. St. Clemente, San Nicho
las. and Santa Barbara; and also report whether
the usual land surveys dividing the islands into
and eighth sections, could not at the same time be
made by the officers Of the coast survey, under
the direction OF the superintendent.
SCHOOL LANDS.
On motion Of Mr.. BORLAND, the Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration of the bill allowing
changes and granting additional school lands in
the several States which contain public lands. and
for other purposes.
MIR. b. explained the bill, and offered some YER
bal amendments, which were agreed to.
MIR. DAWSON said he did not intend to Offer
any opposition to this bill-it would be useless.
simply desired to call the attention of the SEN
ate to this further proposition to grant the public
lands away. 1t proposed to double the grants al
ready made for school purposes to the new States
He hoped that the representatives of tho new
States, when the bill from the House making fair
and equitable provision for educational purposes in
the old we'll as the new States came before the
Senate, would deal literally with those old States.
They had given the new ones all the public lands
they now held and all they asked was a share of
the common domain to aid in the education of
their children.
Mr.. BORLAND briefly replied; and the bill was
then ordered to be epgrossed.
SHIP CANAL AROUND THE FALLS OF BIT. MARY.
On motion of Mr.. FELCH, the Senate proceeded
to the consideration of the bill granting to the State
Of Michigan the right OF way and donation Of the
public lands for the construction Of a ship canal
around the Falls Of ST. Mary, in said State.
Mr.. +. moved, as a substitute for the bill. the
following:
That the Secretary Of War be, and he is hereby
authorized and directed to contract with the lowest
bidder bidders, after public notice given in the
usual manner for letting contracts, for the con.
structon of a ship canal around the Falls of St
Mary, in the State of Michigan, which canal
shall be not less than one hundred feet wide and
twelve feet deep, with single locks not less than
three hundred and fifty feet long and seventy five
feet wide, with such piers and other appurenances
as shall, in the opinion OF said Secretary, be re-
quired for the safe and proper of said canal {:
Provided, That said Secretary may enter into sep-
arate contracts for such different portions Of the
work in constructing said canal as he shall deem
conducive to the public interest; and the aggre.
gate amount of all said contracts shall not exceed
four hundred thousand dollars, which shall
be paid to the contractor or contractors as the
work progresses, rcserving always a sum equal
TO twenty per centum on the amount of work
performed until the whole be completed: Ind
PROVIDED, further, That the contractor con
tractors shall perform the work under such in
structons and superintendence the said Sccre-
ary shall deem necessary and proper to secure the
faithful execution Of the contracts and shall give
such ample se urity for the performance thereof
as he shall direct and approve: And provided, fur
her That such contractors shall have the right OF
taking from any OF the lands of the United State ;
stone and other materials for the construction Of
said canal and it's appurtenances
Mr.. CASS pointed out the magnitude of the in :
terests to be benefited by the construction of this
canal, which opened a communication between ali
the lakes. He also referred to it's importance az
necessary for the defence of the lakes, as by the
means OF this canal the military marine Of the
several lakes could be changed from one to the
other He said that during the difhc ulties on the
Oregon question the administration of Mr. Polk
about proposing to Congress to construct tn is
canal as necessary for the defence of the lakes;
an nmicable aJjustm mt of that difficulty.
Me-. DAWSON asked whether there had ever
been asurvcy and estimate of the work.
Mr.. FELCH said there had been two; one by the
State Of Michigan, and the other by the United
States.
Mr.. DAWSON said he supposed this was one oil
those works OF internal Improvements which wer
sanctioned by both platforms. He desired, how
ever, as there was no estimate ever made of the
cost Of the canal, now proposed to be construct.
ed, that the War Department be requested 10 fur
pish such estimate and that the bill be laid
till it was received. He also thought that this
bill was proposed as measure necessary for tho
commerce and military defence Of the country, il
ought to pass under the revision of the committees
on these subjects.
Mr.. PRATT said he hoped the bill would ass
IL was for one of those great national works o.
internal improvement which he had been in favoi
of all his life. He thought IL was impor tant that Il
should be passed now, as, looking at the future, II
was perhaps poaerblc that there might be gen
h.aR
not give his sanction TO such works.
Mr.. SMITH then addressed the Senate at length
in support Of the bill. He read many satistcs
showing the impoT lance and value Of the commerce
Of that region, and the value OF the inexhaustible
mines OF iron and copper Of Lake Superior.
The suhject was then postponed.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration OF
Executive business
And shortly after adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES