Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1853-12-23
XXXIu CoNGREss---FIRsT SESSION.
WASHINGTON, December &c

WASHINGTON, December 20.
SExATE-A1r. Shields gave notice of joint res
olution authorizing the President to confer the
rank of Lieut.. General by Breyet for eminent ser,
vices.
Mr.. Seward presented rcmonstrance from
citizens of Rochester, against any international
copyright law.
Also, petitions from New York in favor of the
construction of ship canal around the falls of
Niagara.
Mr. Weller presented memorial Of army Off
GERS on the frontiers asking for an increase ofpav
Mr.. Weller said that the Colonels on the frontiers
did not receive pay equal that of briclayers in
San Francisco, nor did Captains receive as much
as hod carrier, and he was sure that scavengers
III San Francisco received a higher compensation
than Lieutenants in the army.
Mr. Foote gave notice of a bill granting land
for the support Of INDECENT Insane.
Mr.. Hamblin introduced bill to satisfy the
French spoliations claims. Referred to the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations.
Mr.. Hunter introduced bill TO extend the
warehousing system by establishing private bon
ded warehouses.
Mr. Seward offered resolution directing IN
quiry as to whether any legislation be necessary
to secure the rights of citizenship to the children
Of American citizens born in foreign countries
Laid over.
Mr.. Johnston introduced two bills granting
lands to Arkansas for railroad purposes
Mr.. Chase offered resolution that all sessions
and all proceedings ofthe Senate be public
Mr.. Fitzpatrick presented memorials of Ala
bama and Mississippi railroad companies, pray
ing for credit for duties railroad iron.
Mr.. Everett offered a resolution directing in
quiry as TO what legislation is needed to protect
the children of American citizens, born in foreign
countries.
The chair said the Senator from New York had
offered a similar resolution. Mr. Eyerett's was
laid over, and Mr.. Seward's was taken up and
adopted.
Mr.. Sumner offered a resolution, which was
agreed to- directing inquiry as to expenditures of
eftecting reduction ofocean postage.
The chair presented report of the census su-
perintendent, which was ordered to be printed
Mr.. Seward offered resolution calling for the
correspondence with the government OF the Sand
wich Islands. Agreed to.
y resolution offered by Mr.. Chase some time
ago, directing inquiry by the committee on rail-
roads and canals, as TO the expediency of con-
structing railroad from one of the Western
States to the Pacific, was taken up.
Mr. Gwinn opposed the reference of the subject
to that committee, and moved the postponement
of the resolution. Agreed to-yeas %; naysnot
counted.
Mr.. Gwin moved executive session. Agreed TO-
During it, message was received from the Pre-
sldcnt, transmitting certain documents, in an
swer to resolutions of the Senate of April last,
requesting information in regard to certain trans
actions between Capt. Hollins, of the Cyane. and
the authorities of San Juan de Nicaragua. Also.
certain correspondence touching the claim of
Brigadier General Armstrong; both unimpor
tant Ordered to be printed and referred When
the doors opened the Senate adjourned
IioUsE.-Alr. Bocock, from the committee ON
naval affairs, reported bill authorising the con-
structon of six first class steam frieates, and ap
propriating S3,000,000, the vessels to be built
by contract, or at the United States Navy Yards,
as the Secretary of the Navy may elect. Referred
to the committee of the whole
Mr.. Bocock presented the report of the board of
officers appointed to investigate the causes of the
failure of certain steam frigates which was Or
dered to be printed.
The House resumed the consideration of Mr.
Sage's resolution, authorising the Secretary of
the Interior to purchase Mount Vernon
Mr.. Bayley called for the yeas and nays on
laying the resolution on the table.
Nr. CiDgman asked the gentleman to with
draw the motion and Let the resolution go to some
committee