The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-10
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY. Feb. 9

Mr.. CLINGMAN, OF North Carolina. pre-
scented the memorial of Captain Charles Wilkes
relative 10 the search for SIR John Franklin; an'
on his motion it was referred to the COMMITTEES
on Naval Affairs.
MIR. GREY, Of Kentucky, called the attention
of the House TO what took place during the de
bate on the Mexican indemnity bill, during which
he said, the gentleman from Virginia, MIR. BsYLY
mAdean alusion rejecting on a relative Of his
and would appeal to- him 10 withdraw thos,
charges, aler hearing the explanation which
would be submitted 10 the House, and who h,
considered incapable Of knowingly perpetratng ar
act Of injustice on any one. He was about sub
hitting a letter, when
Mr.. HOUSTON, OF Alabama, expressed hil
regre; that the time Of the country should b,
taken up with the discussion.
Mr.. JONES, Of Tennessee, thought the Hous,
might as well be engaged in this way, as in any
other course IL was likely TO adopt and moved
that the gentleman from Kentucky have pernis
sion 10 proceed.
Mr.. MASON, of Kentucky, moved 10 suspend
the rules, TO enable his colleague 10 proceed with
his explanation; and MIR. JoSEs' motion wal
agreed to.
Mr. BAYLY had previously expressed his de
sire that the gentleman from Kentucky shoulC
mske the explanation he wished, and that the let
ter he was about TO submit, should be read, ir,i
mating al the same time that he did not intend tc
reply.
Mr. GREY then occupied ABBOTT three quarters
Of an hour in going over the defence Of Mr.. b. K
Green; the principal point upon which he seemed
to rely was, that Mr.. BAYLY was mistaken "a
supposing the receipt referred TO, was giving be
fore the arrival Of Mr.. Shannon as minister IL
Mexico.
After Mr.. GREY had concluded, Mr.. 0RR, o.
South Carolina submitted n motion relieving Mr.
Burr, Of South Carolina, from further attendance
as chairman Of the CO mmttee on Military Affairs
owing 10 III heath. In reply to question from
Mr. HoUsTox, MIR. ORR stated that the motion
was made with the assent Of Mr.. Boar; and which
was agreed to.
Mr.. PEASLEE, Of New Hampshire, moved iC
suspend the rules 10 enable him 10 introduce res
olution callirg upon the Secretary Of the Navy
for information as 10 the contracts entered into
with the owners Of ocean steamers for carryIns
the mais-the amount Of money that had beer
paid or advanced for that Service also whether
the vessels are built as is provided for by such
contracts and whether those steam ships are u
all respects 1T TO be converted into war steamers
and the probable expense of so altering them.
The motion to suspend the rules being put
there was found TO be no quorum voting.
Mr.. PEAsLEE. in explaining the resolution
said IL seemed TO him that large amount Of money
had been expended and after what took place Ia 81
session, that the House should be pot in posses
sion Of the necessary information 10 enable mem
bers TO vote advisedly. If he understood the sub
iect correctly the amount appropriated ~ 81 800,
900. and that the sum which Congress will bt
called upon to pay under the present Congress
will be about ten millions more. lie was satisfied
that the applications that were made last session
will be repeated, involving in the whole an amount
Of which fe ~ have any conception. The prInci.
pal argument in favor OF these appropriations, ne
said, is that the vessels Of the first class and
well adapted for wsr steamers Of that description
He believed they were not vessels OF that de-
scription, and neither more nor less than ord mary
steamers, although he knew nothin from persona
observation. He hoped the resolution might b,
agreed To, that the House might obtain informa
ton, and that they would not go on authorizing
contracts involving millions Of dollars. He said
in conclusion, that he was unwilling TO vote an,
further sum, unless he was satisfied thatthe steam
ers are what they are represented TO be--ft foi
war steamers Of the first class.
Mr.. STEPHENS, lof Georgia, briefly expressed
himself in favor Of the resolution.
I, may be as well here TO mention, that there j,
memorial from Mr.. Vanderbilt, Of New York
with reference to this subject at present before
Congress, who has in successful operation semi
monthly line Of steamships between New York
nd San Francisco, and has also received the righ
IN transporting passengers and merchandise over
the route between the two oceans. He propose:
n transport the United States mail between New
York and San Francisco, twice a month, for the
annual compensation Of $3.50 ,0OO-or weekly for
twice that amount.