The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-10
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
rHrRrY-sEcoNp CONGRESS - SECOND SESSION
SENATE.
TUESDAY, MARCH /

TUESDAY, MARCH l.
Mr. Rnsk by consent reported the Post
Route bill, with numerous amendments, which
were agreed to-
Among the amendments was one, making
all railroads and parts of railroads post routes;
also, making the salary of the Assistant Post
masters General $4,000 year each, and pro
viding for their future appointment by the
President, by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate, and furnishing the counterfeit
ing of stamped envelopes.
The bill was then passed.
The Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation bill
was resumed. Several amendments were pro-
posed and adopted. One appropriating $4,000
for reftting and refurnishing the Presidents
mansion
The amendment of MIR Mason to repeal all
duties on railroad iron, was taken up.
Messrs Butler, Shields, Hunter, Toucey, Dor
land, Mangum, and Bright, though in favor Of
the amendment were unwilling to legislatt
upon the subject of the tariff by means of the
Appropriation bill and, after further debate
the amendment was rejected-yeas 10, nays SO
An amendment explaining an act of last SEES
SION, so as to allow Mr.. Richie $4,000 for Ger.
tain printing, was adopted.
Mr.. Fish presented an amendment, TO es-
tsblisb an Office for the refinement, melting,
parting and assayng of gold and silver bull
lion and foreign coins, and for casuing the same
into bars, ingots, or discs, with the necessary
officers &C., which was adopted-yeas 80,
nays H.
Mr. James offered an amendment to paw
Clark Mills $50 900 for constructing the statue
of jackson, and to make it the property of the
United States. Adopted
An amendment allowing the President TO
purchase, for $4,000, Hiram Powers's statue
Of America was debated and rejected.
. An amendment, adding $l4,7OO to the for
mer appropriation for paving Pennsylvania
avenue from 18th street to Georgetown, was
adopted
Mr. Davis moved To amend the bill, by add
pg thereto his proposition, granting reciprocal
sshing rights to British and American fisher
men IN the waters of both Governments. He
urged the necessity of some arrangement Of
this sub ject for, if nothing was done now, a
collision this summer would certainly take
place
Mr.. Mallory moved TO amend, by adding
thereto proyiso, that nothing in this act should
oe construed as allowing the citizens of any for
e,gn Power to fish in the waters of any State
VI TINS Union He entered into an argument,
showing that the States had never surrendered
ther jurisdiction for u marine league from
she shore OF said States He referred to the
TACT that the emancipsted blacks of the BAHIA
mas, who were most expert fishermen, would
under this act, enter the ports, waters, and
harbors, Of those States whose laws and people
regarded such class of people the most dan
geroas to their peace and prosperity
Mr.. Davis said if the States had this right
The bill would not interfere with them tn,
United States granted nothing by it but wha
u had. The bill only granted this privilege to
Tie citizens OF the five northern British Prov.
noes
Mr.. Mallory's amendment was then adopt
ed-ycas ~, nays rs.
Mr.. Davis's amendment as amended wa,
then rejected
MT Mason moved to amend the bill by add
.hs thereto sections directing the Secretary o.
."e treasury tn issue to the creditors Of Texas
~ proportion to their claims, a pro rata por
ua OF the five millions retained in the Treas
" upon their filing releases for the same.
,..., when MIR Pearce moved, a. q substitute
a. Ans uiiirectIng the issuing Of eight and one
10 ~: 'n''ohs OF three per cent. stock, payable
aiy years, TO be issued and paid to the
S t,ta OF Texas holding the bonds of that
riad 'or which the duties on imports were
pused-they to file releases Of all claims
"s,,ust The United States
'ir Mason said he desired no debate. All
"o wanted was vote.
NJ. "ng debate arose, which continued til
pass midnight when both amendments wer,
a aSysc'ed and it being impossible to obtain q
r 'um' The Senate, near two O'Clock in the
morning adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH, 2.
a. ne Senate proceeded to the consideration o.
"s DN'l and Diplomatic Appropriation bill
N. 1%I amendments wers disposed Of and
r p''' " was at length passed.
me, rue Senate proceeded to consider the House
nrns providing Cur printing the Census 70
i"' which was amended in several particu
'ars and then passed.
t.La ae rost Once Appropriation bill was then
adopted. u' Au''"s'asnA "o's
Inc , eier moved ~ amsnd the bill by add
~efeto the sections Of the bill directing the
pSs .nas,er General to contract with Alden &
,ly, OF New York, for the construction Of :
SfrAnean line Of telegraph to San Francis