Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-03-18

-+ze ''-.s go -.
ri. Foot presented petitions against the Nebraska
IN M. seward presented similar memorials, one Of
them in German, from lew York.
Mr.. Toneey presented similar memorial
ter from Massac husetts.
Messfs. Seward, Eoucey and Sumner presented re-
Inconsistencies against the rat the
Mr.. Seward presented petition Of the tobacconists
Of NeMYof praying that duty of 40 per cent. be
imposed on sported cigars e
Mr: Stuart ntroduced bill granting land to Mich
Mr.: Fish presented memorials praying grant Of
land to aid New York in constructing aship canal
around the Falls of Niagara, and moved that It be
referred to the committee on commerce.
lss Mr.. Stuart objected, and debate ensued
Mr Stuart moved to lay the memorial on the table
On this question no quorum voted The vote was
again taken by yeas and nays, and resulted yeas 10
Mr.. Everett presented memorials from thirty towns
of Massachusetts, against the Nebraska bill
Mr.. Fish presented the memorial of Bishop VAIN
right and other clergymen of New York, against the
Mr. Everett presented the memorial of Lieut. Mau-
ry, in behalf of the Memphis Convention, in favor of
the adoption OF measures to open the navigation of
Messages were received from the President con-
corning the arrest and Imprisonment of James II.
Webb, by the authorities of Cuba in 1851, and the
correspondence between Mr.. Schenck, ministersto
Brazil and the State Department, relative to the At
rican slave trade
Mr.. Clay presented the resolutions of the Legisa-
ture of Alabama favorable to the repeal of the duty
on railroad iron. -. -
bill to provide for the construction of railroad from
the Mississippi valley the Pacific ocean. He said
the committee had the matter before it. and that this
bill only to be considered as report in part.
Than do Aov,<
23d instant. .z@ss
The Vermont contested election case was then ta-
ken up. Mr.. Phelps continued bis remarks for an
hour and a half in support of the claim Mr. Bad
ger replied, and Mr.. Foot got the floor, when the
subject was postponed.
After an executive session, the Senate add
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Speaker laid before the House communica-
ton from the Secretary of the Navy in reply to Mr..
Walkers resolution, asking whether the steamships
employed in the ocean mail service are of proper
construction to be converted into vessels of war; in
the event of their for that purpose and, if So
how many.
The Secretary, in his reply, says he has carefully
examined the numerous reports file in the depart
ment IN addition to those recently received, and,
while those reports and public results demonstrate
conclusively the admirable adoption of the steamers
to the performance of the service in which they
now engaged he cannot resist the conviction that
the general principles of construction which they
built is such that it is impossible to convert them
into vessels of war to be relied for efficient sery
regular men of war They, however in the
event of war; could be made very useful and service
able transports for men and troops and are sus-
ceptble of being strengthened and rendered capable
of bearing small ornaments. such as would enable
them to annoy the enemy's commerce, and do good
service as privateers not too remote from sites of
coal.
Mr.. McDougal, from the select committee on the
subject, reported bill for establishing railroad
and telegraph from the Atlantic States to the Pacific
ocean, and for other purposes. The House rsfused
to make it special order for the second Tuesday in
May, and referred it to the committee of the whole
on the State of the Union.
The bill provides that for the purpose of securing
the construction of railroad and telegraph line
from the Mississippi river to point North of the
37th parallel of North latitude San Francisco there
shall be granted quantity of land in alternate
tons to the width of Is miles each side of said
road, from the terminus of the Mississippi to the
106th degree of longitude west from Greenwich and
thence westerly to the eastern line of California, al
ternate sections to the width of % miles on each
side of the said road Advertisements to be publish
ed inviting scaled proposals for the road proposing
cession of lands appropriated, and also the pay
ment of a sum not exceeding six hundred dollars
per mile per annum to the contracting parties for
the use of such road and telegraph line by the uni
ted States for postal military, and all other govern
ment purposes.
resolution adopted nstructing the commit
tee the library to enquire into the expediency of
procuring from the American Sculptor, Hiram Pow
ers, specimen of his genius to adorn the capitol
On motion of Mr.. Perkins, of Louisiana, resolu-
ton was adopted. directing the committee on For
eign Affairs to enquire and report such action may
be necessary and proper for Congress enable the
President of the United States redress the outrage
recently committed the flag of the United States
the persons and property of its citizens by the Span
ish Government or its officers in Cuba, and to
cure the United States from further danger annoy
ance resulting from the action of the Spanish au
thorties
The resolution was voted down on the ground
thata resolution of enquiry had already been adop-
ted, and that an answer from the President on the