Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1853-12-30
XXXIII CONGRESS- First Session

AsHISGToN, Dec. 2lst.
Mr.. IIamlin gave notice of bill to con-
struct a line of Telegraph from the Missis-
sippi river to the Pacific Ocean.
Mr.. Gwin from the Naval Committee, in
advance of the receipt of bill from the
House authorizing the construction of six
first class steam trigatcs, made report in
favor of that measure.
Mr.. Foot Of Vt. introduced bill granting
land for the relief of the INDECENT insane
Referred.
Mr.. Seward offered the following resolution,
which was agreed to.--Resolyed, that the
Committee on the judiciary enquire whether
consistently with the Constitution, provisions
can be made for referring causes instituted
according to the course OF the common law
to referees, and whether if such provisions
if they could be constitutionaly made-would
be expedient. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr. Phillips offered resolution instruct
ing the Committee on Commerce, to enquire
into the proprcty of continuing and complete
ing such of the River aud llarhor improve
ments as were appropriated for at the last
session, and which in the opinion of the Com
nttcc are within the constitutional power of
this Government, and of general interest and
Importance, and that they report at an early
day by bill or otherwise.
The resolution was passed.
The House then went into Committee of
the Whole on the state of the Union on the
Presidents Message
Mr.. Dean said when he offered his rcsolu
ton the other day, proposing IL vote of thanks
and II sword to Captain lngraham, he did not
intend to debate it; but the remarks Of
colleague (Mr. Gcrrt Smith) had inclined M
to SAY Il few words on the subject. lie r.
GREETED his colleague had brought party into
the discussion. and undertook to SAY the
entire American people have been rcpres ntod
by the conduct Of this government The
President is the representative of the whole
people, and not Of any party on this subject
he thanked the gentleman from Kentucky
(Mr. Pr:ston) for, yesterday, defending the
conduct both of Captain lngraham and our
Government. His colleague said that although
Austria ~ Il dcspptism. vet this country is Il
greater and a wuilticr orprcssJr. That Gov
eminent Of which he forms Il part-and that
this administration owe. it's being and very
existence to the slav. power. and is Piled. d
t" it's defence. Now. this administration is
not pledged To the slave or any other power
and this dpctriu' has been clearly understood
Tor twrlN' years, ami defined ia The RESOLUTIONS
of the National Conventions.
Mr. Dean cnnciu,.i l., saying, Cod mad
,uan before h. mad, him Il citizen. and one
only has to appeal t. the law t" justify Cap
tain lnSrahaln. IL. hoped when the rcsolu-
tion comes before the House it will be passed
unanimously, that it may - forth t. the
world, an American Congress suet,ns AN
American officer, and man in defence OF
American rights and American Citizrns
Mr.. Gidlings chen replied to Mr.. Dean,
Mr. Walsh obtained the floor. and said
int"ndcd to make remarks at length on this
question, bnt | have too much regard for the
tc"liu5a Of the already exhausted House, and
to, much respect for myself to indulge in Il
speech.