Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-12-21
THIRTY.TH1RD eoNGREss-Flnsr ssssIou.


ted States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific
On motions by several Senators, so much of the
Presidents message relates to finance commerce,
territories Indian affairs, military affairs, judiciary,
postal affairs naval affars public lands, roads and
canals, and foreign relations referred to the
mittee on those subjects
Mr.. Gwin introduced bill. providing for the APP
pointment of district Judge for the Southern Dis
rict of California with authority for the two district
judges to hold courts in each district in of ab
sence sickness of each other-referrcd
Mr.. Gwln moved an executive scssion-agreed.
Mr.. Gwin offered the following, which agreed
Re'Ozeed, That the committee on commerce be in
structed to inquire and report the general condi
ton of the of the United States carried
upon the Pacific ocean, and whether legislative
ton is necessary for the security and promotion of
that important national interest
Mr.. Hamlin gave notice of bill to satisfy claims
of American citizens for spoliatons by the French
After the doors were opened Mr.. Dodge, of Iowa,
offered resolution to amend the rules by providing
that in all of election of officers by the Senate
of the United States, the vote shall be taken pirG
Mr.. Brodhcad hoped the Senator would make the
resolution include also, that Executive sessions shall
be with open doors. Resolution laid over,
The Senate then adjourned
HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES. Mr.. Houston, from
the committee of ways and means, reported bills
making appropriations for supporting the Depart
mentS, and for the support of the Military Academy
for the year ending June, 1854. Referred to the
committee of the whole on the State of the Union
MIR. Dawson, from the committee of agriculture,
reported Homestead bill. Similarly referred.
Mr.. Meacham gave notice of his intention to in
troduce bill for paying the fourth installment of
the surplus revenue under the law OF 1886
Mr.. Sage offered ajoint resolution that the Score
tary of the Interior provided he first obtain consent
of Virginia, be authorized to contract for the pur
chase of Mount Vernon for the of the United
States, on such terms may be deemed just and
eXpedient, and that the same be paid out of any
money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Mr 70 Law he
the table, which disagreed to by yeas 81,
nays 103.
Mr. Sage moved that the resolution be referred to
select committee, as he had noticed majority of
the members of the committee ways and means
had voted to lay it on the table.
Mr. Houston moved to refer the resolution to the
committee public buildings and grounds.
Mr.. Bayly moved its reference to the committee
military affairs. He knew Of authority to buy
land except for dockyards arsonals, and things of
that sort.
Mr.. Campbell of Ohio, asked Mr. Bayly whether at
the last session he did not report bill in favor of
paying the expenses of bringing the libusters home
from Spain? Where did the gentleman find that
power?
Mr. Bayly referred the gentleman to the Congress
sional Globe, where would be found the source
whence Congress supposed the power derived.
Mr.. Bsse before he could vote on the resolution,
wished to know how many there in the eS
tate, how much is to be paid for it. and under whose
control it is to be. He hoped it would go to the
committee least likely to carry out the intention of
the mover.
Mr. Bayly, in reply to the question, said, Virginia
will not cedc her jurisdiction any part of her
territory to the general government except for pur
poses defined by the Constitution.
Mr. Churchwcll said in view of this it seemed I'M
necessary to say anything further the subject.
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, doubted very much wheth-
er Mr. Bayly was authorised to speak for that Com
monwealth on this subject, although he did not de-
ny that the gentleman was fair exponent when
matters of controversy arise in relation to offices IN
which tirpinianS concerned.
Mr.. Bayly replied, that he had no right to speak
for Virginia unquestionably true, but he asked
if the united delegation have not right to speak.
They had spoken by voting every one to lay the
resolution the table,
Mr.. Campbell of Ohio, not yet satisfied; he
doubted very much whether Virginia has transferred
to her entire delegation any authority over this sub
ject.
Mr.. Letcher said the legislature of Virginia has
repeatedly said she will not ccde her jurisdiction.
Mr.. Campbell remarked that is more like
swer to the question of power.
Mr.. Giddings inquired of his colleague if we got
the land whether he intended to move the applica-
ton of the Wilnlot Proviso. [[aughter.l
Mr.. Campbell replied that he had understood from
limitations thrown out, that the probability was that
the Union would soon be again endangered and he
did not know better territory which it could again
be saved than Mount Vernon. If Virginia does not
intend to cede her jurisdiction, harm could come
of the passage of the resolution.
Mr.. Yates was for purchasing Mount Vernon, and
believed there too much patriotism in the Old
Dominion to refuse jurisdiction over the territory.
Mr.. Richardson opposed the resolution. The next
thing they would bc called to do to purchase
the battle grounds of the revolution.
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, inquired whether the gen.
teman did not vote for appropriation to pay for
the Jackson equestrian statue?
Mr.. Richardson did not remember.
Mr.. Campbell thought he did.
Mr.. Richardson did not sec the applicability Of the
question.
Mr.. Taylor, of Ohio, like other gentlemen who
ted in he in IA
of the purchase.
Mr.. Bisse opposed to the resolution in its
present form. 1t monstrous to put in the pow
or of one person to pay what he pleased for Mount
Vernon.
Mr.. Sage defended the resolution and thought OPP
position came with bad grace from gentlemen
whose stand recorded for objects far less
mendable than this.
Mr.. Clingman suggested that the gentleman alter
his resolution, making the purchase subject of in
quiry by committee.
MIR. Sage acquiesced
Mr.. Bayly moved to lay the resolution the able
Mr.. Disney said, after the sympathy and large pa
triotism evinced, he presumed gentlemen were to
some extent relieved. Surprising the House
satisfied with the exhibitions of eoquence, it
time to go to business and he moved to proceed to
the bills on the Speakers table. Agreed to.
ing the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury was
then taken up, and after considerable debate there
upon the House adjourned till Monday.
Mr.. Kerr of this State, gave notice during this
days session, that he would introduce bill allow
ing credit, for limited period, on Railroad iron