The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-07-20
CONGRESS-.
THIRrY-rH1RD coNeRrss-r1Rsr SESSION


In the House, Thursday,
The Army Appropriation bill was set aside,
without action thereon in Committee, and the
bill making appropriations for the service Of
the Post Office Department during the fiscal
year ending the 30kh of June, 1855, was taken
up; which, having been read, was laid aside to
be reported to the House.
The Committee then proceeded to consider
the bill making appropriations for lighthouses,
hgnt. boats, buoys, &c, and providing for the
erection and establishment of the same. and for
other purposes
Several amendments were made to tho bill
when 1T was laid aside to be reported to the
House.
The Committee then rose and reported its
action to Che House, when the Post Office Ap-
preparation bill was read the third time, and
passed.
The amendments made in Committee to the
Lighthouse Appropriation bill were then con-
CURED in, and the bill was read the third time
and passed.
In the Senate, Thursday,
Mr.. Chase, pursuant to notice. introduced q
bill to prohibit slavery in the Territories of the
United States. He said that the operative
words OF the bill wero those of Mr.. jefferson in
1854, of the celebrated Ordinance of 1887, and
of the Missouri restriction lately repealed by
Congress. The whole subject had been fully
discussed in Congress; he did not propose to
discuss the measure himself He did not in
tend to move its reference to any committee,
nor did no intend to ask any action on it at
this session. 1t might go over to the next scs-
sion.
The Senate resumed the consideration of tho
bill granting homestead to actual settlers
The question pending was on the amend
ment proposed by Mr.. Chase, to extend the
benefits of the act to aliens who may arrive
in the United States after the passage of the
act
After debate, the amendment was rejected
yeas Is, nays So.
Mr.. Dixon moved to amend the bill by stri-
king out the words any individual in the
sixth section, and insert in lieu thereof tho
words +" free white person.
The amendment was debated at great length,
and tho question was discussed, whether any
person but a white one could be citizen of
the United States. After which, the amend
mens was agreed to-yeas %, nays IA.
Scnate, Friday July IA, 1854.
The bills OF the following titles were sew
orally considered and passed:
The bill appropriating 5000, 600 to COM
mence the extension and completion of the
Treasury building, and also the construction Of
building for the War, Navy, and Interior De-
partments.
A bill to constitute Cairo, in Illinois, q port
Of delivery.
A bill granting lands in alternate sections
to the States of louisiana Mississippi, and Ain
bana, to aid in the construction OF o railroad
from New Orleans to Mobile
A bill to aid In the construction of certain
railroads in the State of Missouri, by grant
of public lands.
Mr.. Dixon moved further to amend the
Homestead BILL by adding to the sixth. section,
that in case any foreigner shall die before
becoming citizen lands shall not descend to
such Of his heirs or deviseos, born out Of the
United States, who shall be of the age of 81
years." which was agreed to-yeas 81, nays
20.
Mr. Brown moved to amend the bill by add
ing, that any foreigner who shall fail TO be-
come citizen of the United States Sbr six
years after entering upon the land shall forfeit
all his rights under the BILL and this was
agreed to-yeas 81, nays g.
Mr.. Benjamin moved to amend the bill, by
adding, that any American born person of the
age of 16 years and upwards, who shall cult
vate the land for FIVE years, shall be entitled
10 the benefits Of the act; and this, after de-
bate, was agreed to-yeas &C. nays 90.
Mr.. Clay moved to amend the bill, by re-
quiring all foreigners, availing themselves of
the privileges of the bill, to declare their in
tention to become citizens within sixty days
after the passage of this act.
This was debated by Messrs Stuart and
Slidell. and pending the question thereon,
The Senate adjourned.