Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-01-22
TUESDAY, JANUARY 1s, 1858.
IN SENATE.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1853
IN SENATE.
Mr. CATHC ART presented the credentials of the Hon
JOHN PETITE elected by the Legislature of Indiana fill
the vacancy occaoned by the death of the Hon JAMES
WHITcoMB to serve until the 4th day of March, 1856.
Mr. PETIT having been duly qualified, took his seat
MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS.
The following memorials and petitions were presented
and appropriately referred:
By the PRESIDENT If the Senate From the American
Philosophical Society," asking that appropriations may be
made be placed tie discretion of the appropriate
departments, for employment of such scientific aid in
furtherance Of another expedition in search of Sir John
Franklin The memorali,ts express the opinion that
poruny may be afforded by this expedition for shedding
light of the smportant and occult truths Of
physical geography the laws which regulate the amount
and distribution of the magnetic force the character and
direction of the isotherm in the higher northern
atudes the and of which proceed
from the polar regions and which affect the climate and
navigation of the North Atlantic &c.. and express their
belief that to obtain such desirable results the exped
ton, as now organized for the objects of philanthropy
will need and may appropriately ask the fostering Of
Congress.
By Mr.. DODGE, of Iowa. A memorial and joint reso-
luton from the Legislature of Iowa, in favor Of grant
OF land to aid in constructing railroad from Dubuque
the Missouri river The memorial sets forth that justice
to the interests and enterprise of the increasing popua
ton of the State demands liberal and fostering policy
IN the exercise of the proprietary rights of the General
Government within its borders That Dubuque is situated
in the centre of the rich mineral region Of the State and
in the best position to command the and trade
Of the Upper Mississippi, and is already large and
fourishng city in its commerce, population and wealth
The memorasts ask grant of alternate sections, equal
to six per mie and urge upon their Representatives and
Senators to their best exerons to such
of land.
Also joint resolutions of the Legislature in favor of
grant Of land to aid in the construction railroad from
Burlington and Keokuck to the Missouri river at
the mouth Of Platte river.
Also from the same in aid of the construction of rail-
road from McGregor's land to the Missouri river
Also joint resolution of the same, in favor Of grant
of donation of Fort Atkinson, and the lands attached
institute.
Mr. SHIELDS, from the Committee Military Affairs
reported the following House bills without amendment,
and recommended their passage
An act for the relief of Josiah P. Pitcher.
An act for the relief of the widow and orphan children
of COL VIM. B. Mckee, late of Lexington, Kentucky
This bill was subsequently taken up and passed.
Also, from the same committee, the bill granting and
reconyeyng the arsenal in the town Of Newcastle Della
ware to the trustees of said town and their
without amendment
Also from the Committee on the District Of Columbia
the joint resolution from the House of Representatives
for the erection of equestrian statue of General
Washington, without amendment and asked its imme-
date consideration which having been agreed to- il was
considered and passed without dissenting voice
Mr.. MALLORY, from the Committee Naval Affairs
An act for the relief of Joseph Storer
An act for the relief Of Harlow Spading
Also, from the committee bill for the relief Of
Samuel Mickum
CLAIMS AGAINST HAYTI.
On motion by Mr.. S0ULE,
Resolved That the President be requested if not ncompa
tble with the public interests to communicate to the Senate
all the information file in the State Department relative
the claims Of American citizens against Hayt not embraced
in the reports that heretofore made by the Secre
ary Of State the third session Of the 9th Congress- and
also all the correspondence Of the special agent who
out in 1s49 examine and report upon the condition Of the
Island of ST. Domingo in reference either the said claims
upon Hay the various applications made by the Dom
ncan Republic the Government Of the United States for the
pacifcaton Of said island.
DEBT IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Mr.. BADGER obtained the unanimous consent Of the
Senate introduce bill concerning civil in the
District Of Columbia.
Mr. BADGER intimated disposition to have the bill
acted on without further delay, but Mr.. PEARCE sug-
gested that had better be referred the Committee on
the Judiciary and the bill read with view to re-
ference.
This bin provides that from and after the passage Of
the person is to be held to bail in the District
Columbia any action Of debt assumpst other action
founded on any contract agreement or any suit or
proceeding in equity brought for the payment Of any
Of money due claimed to be due and any person
held to BAIL imprisoned for want Of bail in any suit
SHALL application to the Circuit Court of said District
in term time to any judge thereof in vacation be dis
charged on fling common appearance
MIR. UNDERWOOD said II had been the practice here
for some time citizens from different States visiting
the District business with Government the object Of
which to obtain judgment here to lay foundation
upon which they could take copy Of the record under
that rule which makes records in State evidence in
another The parties take copy Of the record Of this
court and to the State where the debtor lives and
where there is property they lay execution nst
tute another suit there and get judgment to satisfy it.
He would therefore suggest that amendment be made
the bill as to preclude parties from bringing suits in
this District against persons having business with Gov
ernment visiting Washington for any purpose upon any
contract which may have been made in any OF the States
IL by such amendment they would exclude that kind Of
litigation IN Washington, they could prevent great deal
of to citizens Of various parts Of this
country who may have occasion to visit the Of Gov
eminent for the purpose of transactg business besides
leaving contracts between citizens to be decided by
the laws OF the States where they were made the Ter loci
entering into the construction of contract in nine
out Of ten This justice would be administered accord
ing TO the law which prevails where the contract made
Mr. u hoped the committee would take the subject under
its consideration and see whether the whole system Of
bringing suits here upon contracts made in the different
States could not be broken up by the root
The bill was then referred to the Committee the Ju
dietary.
Mr. BADGER also introduced Joint resolution for the
relief Of Clark Mills which was read and referred to
the Committee on Public Buildings
The joint resolution reads as follows.
Whereas Clark Mills the artist who executed the eques
an statue Of Gen. Andrew Jackson has the prosecution
4 that grand work. unavodaby become involved in debt
large amounts and whereas the said been ded
ated 70 ne pubic and permanently placed upon the public
,etual honor 70 American genius and art
Reotped That there be paid TO Clark Mills out Of any
ey n the Treasury not otherwise appropriated the q
10000.