Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-02-24
Congressional,
WAsHiSeToN, Feb. IL.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr.. Mason, from the Committee OF
Foreign Affairs. made a repor. relative
to the establishment Of the British Colo.
ny at Balize, which concluded with a
resolution in effect, that no action was
required, as nothing contained in the
Clayton and Bulwer treaty would be
considered as affecting she title or ex.
listing rights of Great Britain to the En-
glish settlements in Hondusas.
The Texas debt bill was taken up.
and after speech against it by Houston,
was postponed till Thursday. sr s. VI
The Senate wen, into Executive SEES
sion. during which the nomination OF
Mr.. Badger, as Judge Of the Supreme
Court, was indefinitely postponed.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Seymour introduced bill for a
reciprocal trade with the British Pfoviu.
ces. #f2 .5
The House then took up the Army
bill in Committee of the Whole, which
was finally passed, and The House ad.
journed.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL.
SENATE. aaa
The House bill granting lands to Ar
kansas and Missouri for railroad pnrpo.
SEES was passed.
The Pacific railroad bill was taken up
and passed. p
Mr.. Butler spoke for an hou, and a
half in opposition to il. on the ground of
uncoastitutionallty. lie declared the
scheme TO be wrong because it delegates
TO the President power which should be
exercised by Congress, &c. Not want
ed because the routes were better. and
lastly. because the whole cost will even.
tually fall upon the Government.
Mr.. Bell, of Tennessee, replied, ard
bad not concluded when the Senate adj
journed. ~5"
HOUSE.
Mr.. German, from the Committee on
Military Affairs, reported bill for the
relief Of Colonel Fremont. appropria.
ting SO, 500 to relieve him from certain
costs and damages, and bail in England.
The money was obtained on four sever.
al drafts, but which were not met
at maturity, for the reason that there
was no appropriation out of which TO
pay. The funds were used by Ere
mont in the then Territory Of Galifor.
MIA, for the support of the troops.
After debate, the bill was passed, and
the House adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is.
81 HOUSE.
The House resolved to meet in future
at | 1 o'clock, and resumed the order for
evening sessions.
Mr.. Davis, of Indiana, reported bill
10 adjust the difficulties growing out OF
sales by the General Government OF
Swamp Lands heretofore granted to sew.
eral States. After debat il was laid on
the table, and the House adjourned.
SENATE.
The Senate net a, half past eleven.
The Deficiency bill was taken up.
Onmotion of Mr.. Hunter, amendments
were reported by the Finance Committee.
voted and appropriations for light houses
b eing under consideration. Mr.. Bor-
land said facts had been disclosed before
the Investigating Committee, showing the
most outrageous frauds on the Light
House Department. especially in con-
tracts for Light Houses on the Pacific
On motion. the appropriation for Pacific
Light Houses was stricken out Provis-
ion was also made for leasing buildings
and machinery for Assayor's Office IN
San Francisco;
The Monroe doctrine resolution was
taken up. Mr. Douglas made long and
eloquent speech adverse TO their adoption.
He defines his position with regard to
Cuba, as being, to lie, her alone as long as
she remained loyal to Spain-to take her
in if she asserts her own Independence
and applies for admission; or, if Spain is
willing TO purchase il on reasonable terms;
but 10 seize and hold it at all hazards if
any European power attempts 10 take
possession. He wished the Monroe
doctrine put in force by protesting against
the English colony at the bay Of Hondu-
ras.
Mr.. Cass replied.
WASHINGTON, Feb. l6.
SENATE.
The Chair laid before the Senate re-
por. of the Board of Officers appointed
TO survey the site of canal round the
Falls of the Ohio.
The Deficiency bill was taken up--a
long debate occurred on the proposal to
strike out the provision to pay $4,000 TO
the clerks of the Census Bureau, instead
of $4,000. A bitter Onslaught was made
on Kennedy, by Walker and Davis. rel
alive to the census; over 100000 and
more asked for. Motion was taken up.
The Pacific Railroad bill was rejected.