Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-19

and snnmunition two hundred guns Of not less than
thrtytwo pounds caber with such temporary fcrtfca
tons as may be made Of earth at short notice, would
furnish quite respectable means Of defence for the
Dor Of San Francisco being available In less time than
any other that guns with all necessary equipments and
ammunition may be placed in the city by the time that
depots and magazines for their reception and pre-
servston be erected, which will take two years from
the time the requisite appropriations become available.
The plan, however must be regarded As temporary
peden that may be resorted to to meet emergency,
and not regularly proposed mode of defence for
important post San Francisco. To place in good
condition Of defence would require permanent fortfca
tons He understands there two projects under
sideration Of which will call for Of four
hundred heavy seacoast cannon, 40 and 8nch coum-
bad the other two hundred and thirty guns Of the
description. No matter what plan may be adopted the
first step should be to erect secure depo and magazines
which viii require appropriation Of 100000 and
two years from the time the appropriation becomes avail
able The temporary expedient for defence will require
an immediate single appropriation of $4,000 The
will need an appropriation Of 1878 10O in four equal
tons annually and five years time The permanent plan
with the greater armament will require 1856 800 and six
years time for the first year $3.50 000 and the balance
equally divided between the remaining five years
Also, from the same, in to resolution Of the
Senate Of the 28 ultimo, calling for information as
the quantity and kind Of Goals contracted for by that
parment or its agents which referred to the Com
mitee Military Affairs and ordered to be printed
From these returns the ordnance Office shows the pur
chase of 1929 tons Of anthracite and ITO tons Of btu
minous--all believed to be American.
quartermasters department shows that 1455 tons
of anthracite purchased by contract; of American
btuminous there were purchased 1850 barrels and
280ol bushels English 135 bushels and 80 chaldrons
81 RAILWAY IMPROVEMENT
The following memorials and petitions presented
and appropriately referred .1a
By Mr.. FOOT: From Col JAS. S. French, Of Virginia,
asking Congress to aid in placing in operation mprov
cd engine railway invented by him. to test at the
seat OF the General Government the efficiency Of the
same 80 ~ saE s la9s6al,
Mr. F. said he had examined the invention with care
and with very great interest," and had become entirely
satisfied of the practcability of the plan, and of its
ultimate complete He spoke Of the great prac
tica ends to be attained by the machine in the
coming of all grades with far greater security from
being thrown off the track, from which might be in
ferred the vast saving of money in the grading of roads
in rough and mountainous sections of country as well
as comparative security Of life. He thought the in
venuon appealed most strongly to Congress in favor Of
its patronage far at least give it full and salts
factory trial at this time when the whole country
engaged in railroad building, and when they the
very moment engaged in discussing various projects for
railroad to the Pacific coast by the aid Of the General
Government.
The memorial was referred to select committee; and
Messrs. FooT, RUsK DAWSON, JAMES, and NORRIS were
appointed the committee.
RELIEF OF JOHN MILLER.
Mr.. SEWARD read letter from New York, and asked
the Senate to indulge him by taking up bill from the
House of Representatives for the relief John Miller
he would necessarily have to be absent for an hour
two this morning.
The bill was taken up, considered, and passed
Mr.. UNDERWOOD presented the credentials of the
Hon. JOHN b. THOMPSON, Senator elect from the State of
Kentucky for six years from and after the 4th day
March, 1858 which were read.
THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
On motion by Mr.. HUNTER, the Senate proceeded to
consider the bill to supply deficiencies for the fiscal
ending June 80, 1853
The bill having been amended in several particulars
Mr. GWIN moved furtherto amend by inserting addi-
tona section the effect of which give to Califor-
mia out of the moneys collected there for duties
prior to her becoming State.
This amendment led to protracted discussion and the
further consideration of the bill postponed until
morrow.
MONROE DOCTRINE.
The Senate then resumed the consideration Of the joint
resolution affirming the Monroe doctrine, Sc. when
Mr.. DOUGLAS and addressed the Senate at great
length, taking the ground that prompt action better
than declaratory resolutions.
Mr.. CASS followed, sustaining his resolutions.
And the debate further continued by Messrs.
BADGER and UNDERWOOD.
Mr.. HOUSTON then obtained the foor and the further
consideration was postponed until Saturday next
And, after continuous session of FIVE hours,
The Senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr.. DAVIS, of Indiana, moved suspension Of the
rules enable the Committee Public Lands to
report bill for the adjustment of claims to land that
conflict with swamp lands selected which motion be-
ing agreed to
Mr. HALL from that committee reported the said bill
with several amendments which he briefly explained He
stated that in 1850 the General Government granted to
several States the swamp lands within their limits AZ
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