The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-02-17

and, as connected with this inquiry. the com.
mittee have considered it incumbent ON them
to express an opinion. They then enter into
long argument on this subject and close the
report a. follows:
On the whole the committee therefore re-
port, as their opinion, TO the Senate that the
Islands of Roatan, Bonacca, Utilla Barbant
Helena, and Morat in aud near the Bay of
Honduras, constitute part of the territory Of
the Republic Of Honduras and therefore form
a part of Central America :" and in conse-
quence, that any occupation or colonization Of
these islands by Great Britain would be a vio-
lation of the treaty Of 10th April, 1850.
The committee from the information before
them, entertain decided opinion that the
British settlements at Belize, as defined by the
treaties with Spain, lie within the territory Of
the Republic Of Guatemala, and so equally
constitute a part of Central America" Should
such be the fact, whilst the committee are not
prepared to say that the engagements of the
treaty of 1880 would require that those settle
ments shall be abandoned and discontinu on
the part Of Great Britain, yet this Government
would have just cause Of complaint against any
extension of the limits Of these settlements be-
yond those prescribed by SPAIN or as further
allowed by the Republics where they may be
formed aud that in any manner to enlarge or
change the character of those settlements, by
any mode of jurisdiction, would be in violation
of said treaty.
Mr. Miller gave notice that on tomorrow
he would ask the Senate to allow him to speak
on his resolution directing an inquiry as to the
expediency of recognising the independence OF
Liberia
The Senate proceeded 10 consider the bill
making provision for the settlement of certain
claims against the United States arising out Of
the debts of Texas under the provisions of the
B undary act.
Mr. Houston addressed the Senate for an
hour, in opposition to ths bill.
The subject was postponed till Thursday
next
The Senate proceeded to the consideration OF
Executive business, and at 4 o'clock adjourned
SATURDAY, FEsRUARY l2.
The Senate resolved to meet every day at 1
O'clock.
Mr.. Hale presented the memorial of citizens
of Portage county, Ohio, praying the interposi.
ton of this Government to induce the Govern
meats of foreign nations to extend to their cit.
liens freedom of conscience. He said he had
received private letter. expressing the hope
th1t WbCu tuin ohah hu'c bcSh oVNCuci w w
foreign Governments, they would be requested
to apply to this nation to grant civil and reli-
gious liberty to the millions of its slaves.
The bills to organize Territorial Governments
for Washington" and Nebraska" and other
House bills, were taken up and referred.
Mr. Davis, from the Committee on Commerce
reported back the bill proposing reciprocal
privileges and rights to the American and Brit.
ish provincial fishermen in the waters of the
two nations. Mr.. D. earnestly urged the con,
sderation of the bill at this time, as it was de-
sirable the subject should be disposed of be-
fore the session closed, in order that futue diff
ficultes might be prevented.
Mr.. Mallory said that some of the most i'm
portant fisheries were in the Southern waters.
and the effect of this bill would be to introduce
into those waters persons most Objectionable
to the people of those States He would prefer
that the bill be laid over till Monday, that he
might have time to prepare an amendment
The bill was then postponed.
The Senate then proceeded to the considera-
ton of the bill regulating the fees of clerks
marshals, attorneys, solicitors, proctors and
others, in the United States courts of the sew.
eral States
The several amendments reported by the
Committee on the Judiciary were considered
and adopted.
The Senate then adjourned