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

MONDAY, Feb. y.
Mr.. CLINGMAN, of North Carolina, pre-
scented the memorial Of Captain Charles Wilkes
relative to the search for Sir John Franklin; and
on his motion it was referred to the Committee
on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. GREY, of Kentucky, called the attention
of the House to what took place durirg the de-
bate on the Mexican indemnity bill, during which
he said, the gentleman from Virginia, Mr.. BAYLY
made an ausion rejecting on relative Of his
and would appeal to him to withdraw those
charges, after hearing the explanation which
would be submitted to the House, and who he
considered incapable Of knowingly perpetrating an
act Of injustice on any one. He was about sub
hitting letter, when
Mr.. HOUSTON, Of Alabama, expressed his
regret that the time Of the country should be
taken up with the discussion.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, thought the House
might as well be engaged in this way, as in any
other course it was likely to adopt, and moved
that the gentleman from Kentucky have permits
sion to proceed.
Mr.. MASON, Of Kentucky, moved to suspend
the rules, to enable his colleague proceed with
his explanation; and Mr.. JONES motion was
agreed to.
Mr.. BAYLY had previously expressed his de
sire that the gentleman from Kentucky should
make the explanation he wished, and that the let
ter he was about to submit, should be read, init.
mating at the same time that he did not intend to
IePiy.
Mr.. GREY then occupied about three quarters
of an hour in going oyer.the defence of Mr. B. E.
Green; the principal point upon which he seemed
to rely was, that Mr.. BAYLY mistaken in
supposing the receipt referred to, was giviag be-
fore the arrival of Mr.. Shannon as minister in
Mexico.
After Mr.. GREY had concluded, MIR. Dan. of
South Carolina, submitted motion relieving MIR.
Burr, of South Carolna, from further attendance
chairman of the &c mmitee on Military Affairs;
owing to i'll heath. In reply to question from
Mr.. HousroN, MIR. ORR stated that the motion
was made with the assent of Mr.. BURT; and which
was agreed to.
Mr.. PEASLEE, Of New Hampshire, moved to
suspend the rules to enable him to introduce res
olution calling upon the Secretary Of the Navy
for information as to the contracts entered into
with the owners of ocean steamers for carrying
the mails-the amount of money that had been
paid or advanced for that service also whether
the vessels built as is provided for by such
contracts; and whether those steam ships are in
all respects fit to be converted into 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 it seemed to him that large amount Of money
had been expended, and after what took place last
session, that the House should be put in posses
sion Of the necessary information to enable mem
ters to vote advisedly. If he understood the sub
ject correctly the amount appropriated is 81 30O,-
900, and that the sum which Congress- will be
called upon to pay under the present Congress,
will be about ten millions more. He was satisfied
that the applications that were made last session
will be repeated, involving in the whole an amount
Of which few have any conception. The princi-
pal argument in favor Of these appropriations, he
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 ordinary
steamers, although he knew nothing from personal
observation. He hoped the resolution might be
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 any
further sum, unless he satisfied that the steam
what they represented to be-ht for
war steamers of the first class.
Mr.. STEPHENS, ofGeorga, briefly expressed
himself in favor of theresolution.
1t may be as well here TO mention, that there is
a 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
and San Francisco, and has also received the right
of transporting passengers and merchandise over
the route between the two oceans. He proposes
to transport the United States mail between New
York and San Francisco, twice month"; for the
annual compensation Of $3.50, 00O-or weekly for
twice that amount.
The rule was rescinded, and the resolution
agreed to.
Mr.. WEIGH, Of Ohio, moved to suspend the
rules, to enable him to Introduce resolution au-
thorizing the Committee Of Ways and Means to
revise the tariff OF 1876. and to substitute such
rates of duty as will yield revenue, and that iron
and other manufactures may be subject to such
duty importation as will guard Them against
the effects of competition.
Upon the motion to suspend the rules, the yeas
and nays were taken, and it was negatived by a
vote OF 60 in the affirmative, and l0S in the mega
tive.
On motion Of Mr.. HOWARD, Of Texas, it was
agreed that the Committee on Military Affairs be
instructed to inquire into the expediency of issuing
arms TO the several States.
The Committee on Invalid Pensions was in