Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-24
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1858.
TN SENATE.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1858.
IN SENATE
message was received from the President of the Uni
ted States transmitting certain documents in answer to
resolution of the Senate of the 9th of April last,
ouestng information in regard to transactions between
Capt Hollins, of the "Cyane," and the authorities of
San Juan de Nicaragua; which, on motion of Mr. SEW
ARD was referred the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons and ordered to be printed.
Also, message communicating from the Department
of State copy of the correspondence relative to the
claim of the brig Gen Armstrong; which was referred
to the Committee Foreign Relations and ordered to
be printed
The PRESIDENT of the Senate laid before the body
communication from the Secretary of the Interior COM
muncatng the report of the Superintendent of the Cen
sus dated 18th instant, to which brief allusion was
made his annual report Of the 9th instant to the Pres
dent Of the United States.
OUR COMMERCE. IN THE BALTIC.
/ BY Mr. FISH: From the Chamber of Commerce of
New York complaining Of the duties &C. imposed the
commerce of the United States with the Baltic Sea- and
asking the adoption Of by the Government of
the United States with the view Of abatng such mpo
sition.
The evils complained Of are the rates Of lght-money
potage duties vessels and cargoes poormoney and
consular fees being obliged in passing into or from the
Baltic to salute Cronberg Castle and merchant vessel
pass the without clearing at Elsineur and pay
ing according to provisions in treaties negotiated to
that effect with Denmark by several European Powers
This memorial sets forth that trade with the Baltic
continues to be subjected to various charges and mpo
stons the part Of Denmark that inconsistent
with the spirit of the age and repugnant to the prn
cpes Of free and unrestricted that the early
attention of the Senate is most respectfully solicited
the subject
The trade Of the United States with the Baltic began in
1885, During that year but twenty vessels passed and
repassed at Elsneur In 1912 there 1l3 vessels
measuring 49, 600 During the five years ending the
3lst December lS4S, 264 American vessels entered the
Baltic upon the tonnage and cargoes Of which the said
dues amount 570473 Danish bank rx dollars Since
then tabular statement appears have been made
Of vessels passing Elsineur, Of the annually
paid there.
ARMY OFFICERS IN CALIFORNIA.
By Mr.. WELLER: From officers Of the United States
army in California asking increase in the compensa
ton of officers and soldiers duty the Pacific coast
This memorial states that many officers stationed there
had families to support and children to educate whom
they have not the of bringing the country and
besides the prospect of separation for an indefinite
me they harassed by difficulties in supplying their
ordinary wants.
Mr.. WELLER, in presenting this memorial took occa-
sion observe that he hoped it would receive the favor
able and prompt consideration of the Committee on Mill
ary Affairs 1t utterly impossible that officers in
that country could subsst on their present pay. A
colonel Of regiment received less than was paid to
in the city Of San Francisco and he appre
hended that it required quite much mental and phys
cal power to command regiment frontier post ms
to erect brck-wal There was less paid to captain
in the army than to common hod carrier while lieu
tenant absolutely received less than scavenger Such
things ought to be- and he hoped the committee would
remedy the evil complained Of
vast number Of memorials were presented and a
very large Of business perfected at the last
sion was taken from the files and again referred their
proper committees.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
By Mr. DODGE Of Iowa, from the Committee on Pub
lie Lands, bill for the relief Of Joseph Mitchell
BY Mr. FISH, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, q
bill for the relief Of Thomas Marston Taylor
Also bill for the relief Of Purser f. Z: Stockton
Also bill for the relief of Joseph Gideon accompanied
by reports in each case which ordered to be printed
BY Mr. CHASE, from the Committee Of Claims, bill
for the relief Of the legal representatives of Major Caleb
Swan, accompanied by report, which was ordered to
be printed.
RESOLUTIONS.
On motion by Mr. SUMNER,
Resoired, That the Committee the Post Office and Post
Roads be directed to inquire whether the present charges
letters carried by the steamers unnecessarily
large and burdenone operating check upon commerce,
ms barrier between the two hemispheros, and especially
grieVous tax upon European seeking home in the
United sates and whether something may done and
If 80 what to the benefits cheap ocean postage
On motion by Mr. SEWARD
Resotred That the Committee the Judiciary inquire
whether any provision by law Unnecessary the rights
oil citizenship to children Of American citizens born in foreign
countries.
On motion by Mr.. SEBASTIAN,
Hes0s mat the Committee Indian Affairs be instruct
ed 70 consider the expedcncy providing by law for the
Pontment Of commission prepare code of laws for the
government Of the country in of the various Indian
tpes within the limits Of the United States applying to the
different portions Of the Indian country containing in such
code MI that valuable in existing laws, and rejecting all
that useless obsOce supplying all existing deficiencies
IN 'ueh laws csrefy defining jurisdiction Of the different
courts o. inc United States the Indian country so us 70
prevent conflict Of jurisdiction exercise of doubtful power
ana especially designating oil offences TO be punished under
sch laws" and report such code Congress for It's hna ac
ton IN order that may take the place Of all existing laws
upon such subject
Mr.. CHASE submitted the following:
Resors That the following rule be adopted for the regn
aon Of hc proceedings in the Senate and that 50 much Of
the oth and 18th rules be inconsistent with the rules
hereby established be rescinded
Al sessions and all proceedings Of the Senate snail DC pup
nc ana open except when msters communicated IN conn
aence by the President shall be received and in such other
cases as the Senate by resolution time to time may po-
cally order
The resolution submitted by Mr.. SEWARD on the ON
instant was considered and agreed to- viz
Resofrd That the President be requested, u not ~ ms
opinion incompatible with the public interest TO communicate