The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-03-02
II discussed to enable the House ID act inteigently

Mr CAMPBELL, of Illinois, said That il the
whole system of Notifications s not to be stricken
down, California calls for protection more than
any other section of the country.
The House then non-concurred ia the amend
ment appropriating $500, 900 for the defence of
San Francisco-yeas 90, noes III
The remaining appropriations, for Notifications
Delaware, Maine, and Massachusetts, , were Ike.
wise severally voted down.
After further proceedings, the committee pro-
ceeded to the consideration of the Senates amend.
ment
That the President of the United States lie au.
thorized to enter into contracts with such person
or persons as shall make the most favorable propo-
sals, and give the most satisfactory assurance and
security for defending and protecting the erngrant
routes, and improving and keeping in good CON.
dition the roads through the Territories of the
United States from the western border of the
States in the Mississippi valley to the eastern bor-
der of California, and to the Pacific ocean in the
Territory of Oregon, on the following terms:
First. The contractors are to establish posts or
station-houses along the route at such points and
distances az the President shall designate, and
shall keep at least twenty well armed men at each
of Said posts to protect all emigrants, travellers
and settlers on and along said routes.
Second The said contractors shall make and
keep in repair good wagon, road along each of
said routes, with bridges ferries all the
streams, and shall charge no higher rates for cross
ing said streams than shall be prescribed by the
President.
Third In consideration of the services required
by this sections the President is hereby authorized
to grant to such contractors four sections of land
and in the vicinity Of each of said posts, which
said grant of land shall be in full of all services
rendered or expenses incurred under this section
Mr.. STUART moved an amendment-that no
| post shall be established within one hundred and
! fifty miles ofIowa, Missouri, and Arkansas. This
was to prevent the taking of lands, exceedingly
valuable at points where protection was not need
ed. He said that posts on the route would not be
| more than twenty miles apart, and that this was
the most economical mode of afording protection.
Mr.. ORR said that the House had sent an army
bill Of ten pages to the Senate, and that body had
returned it with twelve additional pages, thus
changing the general law. And he objected to the
principle of this amendment because, amongother
things. it contemplated settlement on Indian lands
| to which we have no title.
Mr.. SrUART's amendment was rejected.
Mr.. SUTHERLAND moved to substitute the
words .Eovernor of New York; for those of the
"President of the United Statcs, arguing that the
| former has just much power the latter to do
what the section proposes. But he denied that the
Constitution ever contemplated the protection of
emigrants in this way.
MI. BAYLY opposed the amendment. He had
heard Of butter, cheese and pork being given out
| by contract, but never before of protecting emf
| grantsin this way.
Mr. FITCH offered an amendment, which was
adopted amid much laughter, providing that
whenever may be involved in war, the fighting
shall be given out by contract
The Senate's section was then disagreed to.
The amendment appropriating eone hundred
thousand dollars as recompense to the discoverer
of anasthetic agents having been read,
Mr.. STANLY offered amendment providing
for division of the money among Morton, Jack
son, and Wells, according to the relative merits of
these gentlemen, to be decided by one of the cir
cult courts of the United States He held it to be
an important discovery, and some merit is due to
each Of these parties
Mr.. MEADE said one of the parties is willing to
accept the proposition just presented.
Mr.. STEPHENS, of Georgia, had no doubt of
that; and he was opposed to the bargaining from
beginning to end, and to the entire section OF all
the amendments of the Senate this last is mon
strosity.
Mr.. STANLVs amendment was rejected.
Other gentlemen participated in the debate.
The amendment was rejected-yeas a. nays IS.
The committee then rose. 1t was now half past
nine O'clock.
Many of the amendments were concurred in en-
n1asse, and others reserved for separate votes.
The question was stated on concurring in the
amendment of the Senate appropriating S 500 600
for the defence of San Francisco pending which
The House, at ten O'Clock, adjourned.
o. The HOUSE REPORTER for the Republic ie
authorized to receipt for moneys due to this office