The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-02-17
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
MoNDAY. FEBRuARYJ.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7.
Mr.. Toombs, of Georgia, moved to suspend
the rules to enable him to introduce resolu-
ton instructing the Committee on Commerce
to inquire into the expediency of throwing
open the coastng trade of the United States to
the competition of foreign vessels, and that
they be authorized to report by bill OF other
wise
The yeas and nays were taken on the mo-
ton to suspend the rules; which was mega
tived-yeas 70, nays 93-there not being a
two-thrds vote
The motion to suspend the rules for the pur
pose of introducing a resolution for meeting in
future at 7 O'clock, was agreed to--yeas 100
nays SIS.
Mr. Brown,of Mississippi, called up bill
making the salary of the Judge of the Crimi
nal Court of the District of Columbia, which i,
at present 81 900 per apnum, equal to that OF
the Assistant Judge of the Circuit Court which
is $4,000 which was passed
After some other unimportant business, the
House adjourn ned.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8.
Previous to the House proceeding with bust
ness, Mr. Florence, of Pennsylvania, stated that
he had Intellectually endeavored all day yester-
:" Resolved, That Senate bill No. STA, to or
ganize the navy of the United States, be made
the special order for Saturday next, at o'clock.
meridian which he asked leave to submit.
The motion was objected to- and the House
went into Committee OF the Whole on the state
of the Union, for the consideration of Territorial
business, pursuant to an order Of former day.
While in Committee, a message was received
from the President.
Mr.. Bayly, of Virginia stated that as the
message required immediate action, he moved
that the Committee rise
The House having resumed the message was
read and the report Of the Secretary Of State
intimating that the British Government were
willing provided British cured fish were per-
mitted 10 be imported free of duty, to allow
American fshermen to catch fish on thp coasts
Of the Provinces, With the exception Of New
foundand, but not to cure the same there the
same liberty to be granted to British fishermen
on the coast Of the United States and farther,
that if reciprocity Of trade were established
az respects certain products Of this country and
the colonies would surrender the free naviga-
ton of the Wellaud canal and the river ST.
Lawrence to the ocean; and recommending
the action of Congress with reference to the
fisheries leaving the subject of reciprocity to
future legislation.
The report was referred to the Committee
on Foreign Affairs; qnd the House again went
into Committee, and reported favorably on the
bill regulating the location Of Oregon, and
another constituting the territory Of Washing
ton, north of the Columbia river.
The House then adjourned till 7 o'clock
EDening Session-The House met again at
IL p. NJ, and owing TO the absence Of quo
rum. there was a call of the House; and after
two hours and a half spent in useless proceed
ings, consequent upon their being no quorum,
the House adjourned until tomorrow morning
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 0.
Immediately after the journals were read
Mr. Mace, of Indiana, moved to eIpunge from
the journals the proceedings Of last evening as
recording the iaotious opposition Of a fictitious
minority--the House, for the most part, having
been occupied with motions for adjourning or
q call of the House, which were disgraceful to
the American Congress. There was no action
on this motion.
Mr. Jones, Of tennessee, moved that the
Clerk inform the Senate that the House was
prepared to proceed with asccrtaining the votes
cast by the several States for President and
Vice President, which was agreed to.
The Senate soon after entered, with the
President at ts head, u whom the Speaker re-
signed the chair.
The tellers having asceftained the respect
i've numbers, amid much noise and confusion
the President Of the Senate stated that there
had been cast by the several States Tor Frank
lin Pierce 25a votes, and for Winfield Scott
~, for President; and for VIM. y. King x5a,
and Wm- A. Graham AZ, for Vice President
Franklin Pierce, having the greatest number
OF votes, tho President declared 70 be Presi-
dent IF tho Uaited States for four years, com
mencing from the Alb Of March neyt; and
William H. King the Vice President Of the
ssme during that period
90 motion VI Mr.. Jones, of T,nnessee, the
Speaker was authorized " appoint two mem-