Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-03-25
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
MONDAY, MARCH 20.
IN SENATE.

The PRESIDENT Of the Senate presented the creden-
als Of the Hon. JAS A. PEARcE, elected Senator BY
the Legislature of the State of Maryland for six years
from and after the 4th March, 1856 which read.
Also, communication from the Secretary of War; in
compliance with resolution of the Senate calling for
copy of Lieut. Wiamsons report of his surveys TO as
certain practicable route for railway to the Pacific
Also, from the same communication relative to the
works Of defence in progress at Fort Point and Al
catross Island California.
Also letter from the Commissioner of Patents trans
mittng the agricultural portion of his annual report
The above documents ordered to lie the table
and be printed. .....
RESOLUTIONS OF STATE LEGISLATURES.
Mr.. ALLEN presented resolution of the Legislature
of Rhode Island in favor Of the enactment of law to
place the draughted regiment of the State in the Of
1872 upon the same footing in respect pay and boun
ties as other State troops.
Mr.. BROWN presented resolution of the Legislature
of Mississippi in favor of donation of land to aid in the
construction of railroad from st. Louis Missouri viii
the Iron Mountain to Helena and thence, via Lexington
Mississippi, to New Orleans.
Mr.. ADAMS presented preamble and resolution of
the State of Mississippi setting forth that the Nebraska
bill is in accordance with the principles of the Consttu
ton of the United States, and in the opinion of the Lee
gsature just and proper and nstrucng their Senator's
and requesting their Representatives to support said bill
by all honorable means @
Mr. SLIDELL presented resolutions Of the Legislature
of Louisiana in favor of obtaining railroad between the
cities Of New Orleans and Mobile, to fill an important
link between the Atlantic and Pacific borders, sc.
Mr. SHIELDS presented resolutions of the Legislature
of Illinois, relative to the establishment of industrial
universities, and for the encouragement of practical and
general education among the people These resolutions
recommend the donation to each State Of land the
value of $500 900 for the liberal endowment of univer
sty in each State cooperate with each other and with
the Smithsonian Institution at Washington. w.
Is. MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS.
The following memorials and petitions were presented
and appropriately referred: .-*.
BY Mr.. SEWARD: From citizens Of Albany, New York,
asking that duty Of forty cents per pound may be laid
on all imported cigars. IL. ~.
BY Mr.. BROWN: From the Legislature of Mississippi
in favor of grant Of land to aid in the construction Of
the New Orleans and New York Railroad.
Also, from Rhoda Loomis, widow Of Revolutionary
officer, asking to be allowed pension.
BY Mr.. CLAY From the Legislature of Alabama ask
ing appropriation for improving the harbor Mobile
BY Mr.. FESSENDEN From widows of soldiers and
seainen of the Revolution who placed the pen
sion roll by the act Of 18th July, 1885, asking be allow
ed pensions from March 4, 1884, to March 4 1S43 du-
ring which time the pensions were omitted. ..s...
BY Mr.. GWIN: From John Brown, asking remunera-
ton for losses sustained during the late with Mexico
in California.
BY Mr. SHIELDS. From the judge and associate JUS
tees of the county of Shelby Illinois, in relation
to the establishment Of industrial universities in the
States. .. #a..
Also from citizens of Chicago Illinois, asking to have
given plot of ground in that city for the erection of
chapel and marine school. " .@
Also from officers Of the sfth regiment of infantry,
stationed at Fort Mcintosh, Texas, making suggestions
in relation to the improvement of the rank and file of the
army and recommending increase OF their pay pro-
portion to the time Of service. So,
Also from VIM F. Finch, asking donation of land or
money enable him to establish mandatory Of loco
motives, and offering carry the mails from Cairo to
New Orleans.
Also from Burgess Z. Long, asking the establishment
of commission to examine claims against the United
States. .. ..%. ..g
By Mr. PEARCE: From citizens of Baltimore, 'remon-
stratng against the passage Of the homestead bill in its
present shape. "5 n.
BY Mr. CASS: From John P. Brown asking compen-
saton for the time he acted as Charge dAaires at Con-
stantinople. 'a. ~. -
large m ass of petitions remonstrances, SC. were
presented by Messrs. FESSENDEN, SEWARD, ALLEN,
and others. #...' '.. w.. s"...
.....,... THE NEBRASKA QUESTION.
Mr.. FEssESpEN having presented several petitions
against the passage of the NebraskaKansas Territorial
BILL and moved to lay them on the table, as the bill was
not now before the Senate
Mr. BADGER said : Mr. President should be glad II
the honorable Senator who presents these memorials
would withdraw his motion that they lie the table
wish to submit few remarks.
Mr.. FEsSENDEN. Very WELL sir; 1 withdraw the
motion ...@ -.
Mr. BADGER 1 shall have probably, Mr.. President,
in my possession, understand tomorrow, petition
from constituents of my against the passage of the
Nebraska bill. had expected to have it this morning,
but have been disappointed wished, upon submitting
that petition make few remarks to the Senate, and
they quite appropriate far as see, upon the
petitions of like purport offered by the Senator from
Maine and will therefore ask the Senate to indulge
in submitting them now.
1t is my purpose, Mr. President to endeavor to correct
mistakes which to have been made respecting
the effect and operation of an amendment moved by my
self and adopted by the Senate the bill to organize the
Territories of Nebraska and Kansas coming in it did,
Immediately after the amendment respecting the Mis-
souri, compromise line, adopted the motion of the
chairman of the Committee Territories 1t has been
supposed in the first place. that that amendment in the
form Of provso produces in law effect operation
which the words preceding it would of themselves
have produced; and particularly Southern gentle
men have taken up idea that that amendment which
moved has produced effect, in other
unavorabe to the Southern interest which they repre-
sent and which they desire to promote and forward
Sir, took occasion, when the subject was under dis
cusson in the Senate the night of the I'd of March,
TO say that in my judgment, professional man. the
amendment reported from the committee would have the
effect and only the effect Of leaving that Territory with
any law, either of allowance prohibition that the
repeal of the eighth section of the Missouri compromise
would not set up introduce any law which might
have existed previously in that Territory But was
perfectly sincere in entertaining that opinion and
doubts were expressed by some gentlemen who were /
members Of this body whether it might not have another
and different effect, and besides, deemed it to be
important that perfect ankness should characterize all
our legislation and that opportunity might be afforded
Others either for good i'll purposes to msrepresen
the action of the Senate upon that subject to put end
any possibility Of such misinterpretaon submitted
the proviso which adopted by the Senate.
And now sir, have stated, wish, in the first place.
10 show and as far as subject of this kind is capable
it, demonstrate that the bill without the provso had
precisely the legal effect and operation, and
other it had with the proviso The language to which
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