Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-06-30
Cungrrsa.



ship canal at Niagara Falls.
Mr.. Hamlin reported bill amendatory of
the steamboat law.
Mr.. Seward introduced bill regulating
navigation of American owned vessels from
the West Indies TO the coast of Africa.
The naval bill after some amendment, was
passed by a vote OF "a to 1.
Mr.. Stewards bill provides that the Ameri-
can vessel which shall be sold in any Of the
West India Islands, shall return to the Unit
ed States, before making any voyage. and
obtain a register. The bill also declares
any commerce carried on in American YES
sells between the Spanish West Indies and
coast Of Africa unlawful. Laid on the table.
The vetoed land bill was taken up, when
Mr.. Toucey spoke in defence of the veto,
and against the bill.
Mr.. Bell followed, in support of the BILL
The subject was finally postponed and the
Senate adjourned,
HoUsE.-Mr. Fuller made an Intellectual
attempt to take up the bill authorizing the
purchase or construction of four additional
revenue cutters two for the Atlantic Ocean
and two for the Pacific coast.
Messrs. Cullum and Churchwell each apol-
ogized to the House for the scenes OF yester
day.
Mr.. Brooks gave notice that he would in
troduce bill, expeling by two thirds vote
any. member bringing concealed weapons
into the House.
THURSDAY, June %.
SESATE.-Mr Rockwell presented me-
moral signed by over 1900 persons, mostly
of Boston, asking for the immediate repeal of
the fugitive slave law. lie said the sIgners
were persons of all professions and ocoupa-
tons, and mostly persons who had been dis
posed to support the compromise measures
OF 1880, but were now induced to ask the
repeal Of 2he fugitive slave law, because Of
the late act repeating the Missouri compro-
mise.
Mr. Rockwell moved that the memorial
be referred TO the Committee on the Judici-
AIRY.
Mr.. Dixon said that before the motion was
adopted, he, as well as other Senators, de-
sired to be heard he therefore moved 1t be
postponed till tomorrow.
Mr. Sumner hoped the memorial would be
referred.
Mr. Dxon's motion was agreed to.
Mr.. Seward reported bill for the estab.
lishment Of a line OF steamers between Cali
fornia and Shanghai IN China. and gave no
tce he would call It up tomorrow.
Mr.. Clayton presented proceedings of
meetings IN Delaware, demonstrating against
treaty, or other measures for a reciprocal
trade In breedstufis.
Mr. Sumner introduced bill for granting
lana warrants to Massachusetts, to aid IN
constructing the Hoosac Tunnel. Referred.
The vetoed Land Bill was taken up,
when Mr.. Bel finished his speech and the
bill creating the office of Surveyor General
Of W ashington Territory was amended and
passed. Adj
IlOusE.-Mr. Houston, fronrthe Commit.
tee on Ways aud Means, reported bill to
enable the President to carry into effect the
Gadsden treaty, approprating SlOO00,0OO
for the purpose. Referred to Committee Of
tie Whole.
Mr. Benton said he was not willing TO 90
into consideration OF the ~ until they had an
opportunity of nquirng whether the prlvll-
eye Of the House has not been invaded 10
the negotiation of the treaty.
Mr.. Houston replied 1t was distinct bill.
and was not designed to be taken up with
general appropriation bill. There was
an express provision which requires bills to
carry treaties into effect, 10 be separately
considered IN Committee Of the Whole on
the state OF the UlOn.
MIR. Odds, from Committee on Post Office
and Post Roads, reported a bill to amend the
postage law, charging three cents on single
letters for any distance not exceeding 1900
miles Over that distance, ten cents. -
Ocean postage TO foreign countries, under
1900 miles, five cents. Over that distance.
ten cents. Drop letters, one cent. Adver-
Using, one cent additional
Mr.. Olds msyed that the bill be put on
~ passages but further action was deferred
tll tomorrow.
The House went into committee on the
General Appropriation Bill
Further personal explanations were made,
growing out Of the Cullum and Churchwell
affair. after which the House went into Com
mtteo on the Civil and Diplomatic bill, and
ter acuug on several items, adjourned.
FEiDAr June %
SENATE.-The bin for the relief Of the
owners OF the brig Gen. Armstrong was re-
jected-yeas II, nays 81. Adjourned to
Monday.
House.. The House was engaged all day
on private bills, and at a quarter to four o.
clock, no quorum being present, adjourned.
SATURDAY, June II.
Senate not in session.
House.. Several private bills were pas
sed, including the Senate bill to reimburse
New York city the expenses OF the first re-
giment New York Volunteers. Ia Com.
m,t,ee on the general Appropriation bill, the
amendment making appropriations for carry
ing on the Washington Water Works was
debated, but no acton was taken. Adj
MONDAV, June &c
SeNATE.-Mr. Bell presented series of
resolutions on various subjects, from the
Legislature OF Tennessee.
Mr.. Clayton, from the Committee on
Foreign Relations, reported bill for the
more etiectual suppression of the slave trade
IN Amerlcan-built vessels, and made
speech on the subject.
Mr.. Chase gave notice that Tomorrow be
would ask leave to introduce bill TO pro-
hlblt slavery in the territory of the United
States.
he following are the provisions of Mr..
Clayton's bill;
Whenever any American registered YES
sci shall, IN whole or IN part, be sold to
citizen of the United States, at any foreign
port in North or South America, in the
West Indies, Cape de Verde Islands, or on
or near the Coast OF Africa, :he bill of sale
shall be utterly void unless il shall be execu-
ted in the presence of the Minister or Con-
sui of the United States, aud shall contain
an express condition that such sale shall not
be valid, in case such vessel shall make
voyage 10 Africa before returning to the u
nlted States and obtaining a new register.
Any citizen Of the United States who shall
sell any such vessel, knowing that she is to
be employed in the African slave trade, or
that she is to visit the coast OF Africa before
returning to the United States, or shall char
ter such vessel for such a voyage, shall, on
conviction thereof, IN any United States
Court, be fined $4,000 and be imprisoned
for three years. Every charter of an Amer
lean vessel at such foreign port, with the
intent that such vessel shall be employed in
the slave trade, and every sale of an Amer
icln vessel on the Coast Of Africa, unless
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