Washington sentinel., 1853-12-16
FRENCH sPoLIATIoNs.

| Mr.. BROADHEAD suggested that the senator
should also move to have the doors opened du
ring Executive sessions.
! The resolution was then laid over.
/ And the Senate adjourned.
| House Of Representatives.
| Mr. HOUSTON, from the Committee of Ways
and Means reported bill making appropriations
for the current and contingent expenses of the In
dian department, and for fulfilling treaty stpua-
tons with the various Indian tribes, for the year
ending June 80, 1854.
Also bill making appropriations for the sup
port Of the West Point Military Academy, for the
year ending June 80, 1854
The above named bills were severaly referred
TO the Committee ofthe Whole on the state of the
Union
HOMESTEADS.
Mr.. DAWSON, from the Committee on Agri-
culture, reported back, without amendment. bill
10 encourage commerce, manufactures, and all
other branches of industry, by granting to every
man, the head of family and citizen of the Uni
ted States, homestead of one hundred and sixty
acres land, out of the public domain, on cond-
therein specified. And he moved that il be refer
red to the Committee Of the Whole on the state of
the Union, and made the special order for the
second Tuesday in February next
The first branch of the motion was agreed 40
REPORT ON THE FIN NANCEs.
MIR. M Y hhAf, from the JOINT COmmlttee on
Printing, made report in favor of printing fifteen
thousand extra copies of the report of the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury on the finances; and it was
adopted.
NOTICE OF BILLS.
Mr. MEACHAM gave notice of his intention to
introduce bill to reimburse the State of Vermont
for moneys expended during the war of the revo-
luton; and
bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury
to pay TO the several States the fourth instament
of surplus revenue as provided by the law Of June
1886.
PURCHASE OF MOUNT VERNON.
Mr.. SAGE offered joint resoluton-that the
Secretary of the Interior provided he first obtained
the consent of Virginia. be authorized to contract
with the proprietor proprietors of the estate of
Mount Vernon, for the purchase of the same, for
the use of the United States, on such terms as he
may deem just and expedient; the price Of the es-
tate to be paid out of any money in the treasury not
otherwise appropriated.
Mr.. BAYLY moved to lay the resolution on the
table; but the motion not agreed to-yeas,
97;. noes, 103.
Mr.. SAGE moved that the resolution be refer
red TO select committee, as he had noticed that
a majority of the members of the Committee Of
Ways and Means voted 10 lay il on the table.
Mr.. HOUSTON suggested that the resolution
be referred TO the Committee on Public Buildings
and Grounds
Mr. BA1L1 moved mat IL De referred 10 the
Committee on Military Affairs. He knew Of no
authority TO buy land except for dockyards, ar
senals, and things of that kind.
Mr.. CAMPBELL, of Ohio, inquired whether
the gentleman did not report a bill last Congress
in favor of paying the expenses Of the flibusters
from Spain TO the United States. Where did he
find that power?
Mr.. BAYLY referred the gentleman 10 the Con-
gressional Globe TO the source whence the last
Congress supposed the power to be derived.
Mr.. BISSELL proposed that the resolution
should be discussed before its passage. He did
not know how many acres there are in the Mount
Vernon estate
Mr.. SHELTON rose to point of order. His
point was that, debate arising, the resolution must
go over.
The SPEAKER overruled the point, regarding
the joint resolution in the nature of bill.
Mr.. BISSELL wished to know how many acres
there are in the estate. Were there ten members
who could tell him? Formerly there were six or
seven thousand acres. What did the government
want with the landi If purchased under this
resolution; what disposition would be made of il,
and under whose control wonld il be placeda He
wished TO be satisfied on those points, and TO
know how much money il will cost? He hoped
the resolution would go TO committee least likely
to carry out the intention Of the mover
Mr.. BAYLY, I'm reply to question asked by
Mr.. CHURcHwEIL) said that the State Of Virgo
will not cede her jurisdiction any par' of her
soil to the general government, except FIR ,be mr.
poses for which the Constitution provides. and
which are defined in that instrure He asser,ed
with great confidence, thai virginia will not con,
sent for other objects.
Mr.. CHURCHW WILL remarked that, after the
explanation Of tie gentleman, il seemed unneces-
sary to say anything further the subject.
Mr.. CAMPBELL, (of Ohio,) doubted very much
whether the gentleman from Virginia was author
lzed TO speak for the old commonwealth II may
be that the interests Of Virginia are under his
troll, and that he has the exclusive guardianship OF
her rights. He (Mr. C) aware that when
ever there is controversy in relation to the mat
ter OF Office in which Virginians concerned the
gentleman is an exponent of their rights but he
must be allowed to question the authority OF the
gentleman to speak positively on this subject. IL,
however, what the gentleman said was true, no
harm could be done in passing the resolution.
Mr. BAYLY. The gentleman says have no |
right TO speak for Virginia. That is unquestion-
ably true but ask il our united delegation have |
not right? They have spoken by vote, every |
one Of them, to lay the resolution upon the table.
Mr. CAMPBELL, of Ohio. Still do not admit
he explanation Of the gentleman, that the united
delegation can control the question. Il strikes