The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-07-09
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
SATURDAY, JULY 8, lsl

SATURDAY JULY 8, 1854.
The House met at IL o'clock M
Prayer by the chaplain Of the House.
The journal of yesterday was read and approved
cUsroM-HoUsB yRARcsco
Tho SPEAKER laid before the House communication
from the Treasury Department. transmtp~ rport rea
tive to the appropriations for the erectoa of custom
house at San Francisco: referred to the Committee of
Ways and Means and ordered to be printed.
PRIvArE BUSINESS.
Sundry private Senate bills were read twice. and refer
req to standing committees except the following; which
bill to confirm the claim of William Henderson and
the heirs Of Robert Henderson to five hundred of land
In the Bastrop grant
bill to change the name of the American brig "Iallo
welp to that Of "Thomas Rhodes"
MILITARY LANDS.
Mr. MAXWELL asked that the Senate bill providing for
the sale OF such lands have been reserved for military
purposes and not required for those purposes be taken
up ~
Mr. WELLS having objected to the consideration of the
bill, it was referred to the Committee Public Lands
PRIVATE CALENDAR
On motion Of Mr. THURSTON, the House resolved itself
into Committee of the Whole and proceeded r STANTON
OF Kentucky in the chair to the consideration of the bills
on the private calendar
THE COLT EXTENSION
The bill authorizing the Commissioner of Patents to
grant extension of patent Samuel Colt citizen of
the United States, for an improvement in firearms
considered.
Il The bill authorizes the Commissioner of Patents to
grant to Samuel Colt from the twenty day Febr-
airy, eighteen hundred and fty-seven for the term of
seven years thereafter the full and exclusive right
privilege OF making constructing, using and vending to
others to be used his improvement in rearms Provided
That the of the United States shall have all
times full right to make and manufacture the said fire.
arms according to said patent in all of their
ries for military and naval purposes
q Mr. CLlNGMAN said that extraordinary means had
been resorted to to secure the passage Of this barge
Of money having been offered to gentlemen to induce
them to vote for it, be absenthe would suggest that
in justice to the House. before the should be taken
there be call Of the roll in order to have full attend
ance when that bill should be voted upon ia the House
He would not say that any gentleman had been influenced
by such offers of money,
the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr CLNGMAS1 had
for making that statcment2
: Mr.. CLINGMAN said that If the House should think
proper to investigate the question: and should call upon
him for information he would be willing give it, but he
would say that he had doubt that certain sums had
been offered to induce members to favor the passage Of this
bill He had the Information the testimony Of persons
whom he fully relied lie did know that it had
been offered TO members themselves but friends of
members He had no doubt Of the fact than he had
that he was addressing the House
Mr. SEWARD replied, calling upon the gentleman to
Of money offered them if he knew of any other
illegal means having been resorted TO- to speak Of it.
Mr. CLlNGMAN explained that he had not said that the
money had been offered to members of the House. but to
their intimate friends supposed to possess infuerce with
members He would be willing to give his information,
shSpq nS hGass appoint oSmmttes on the subject
and docs not communicate it he stands condemned before
the judgment Of the country.
Z Mr.. CLINGMAN. Raise committee.
Z Mr. SEWARD. IL is not necessary to do that rs
derstand the gentleman TO say that large been
offered to members either not the bill
themselves r.e
Mr.. CLINGMAN. do not say that money has been Of
fcred to members but to individuals having influence with
members. i,i e9
Mr.. LETCHER said 1t was his intention when the com
mittee should RISE for select committee to inquire
whether money had been offered other illegal means re-
sorted TO influence members their votes and to secure
the passage Of the bill for the extension of the patent of
Samuel Colt lt ct,H f1nt'sa
Mr. TURSTON submitted the reasons Of the Committee
on Patents for reporting the bill.
Mr. STEVENS Of Michigan, asked why all this opposi-
ton to the extension Of this patent Why did the gentle
man from North Carolina Mr. CLSexAS make remarks
rejecting on the honor and integrity Of the House He
did not suspect the honesty Of that gentleman but he
not good to suspect that he had influenced
in his opposition to the bill that gentleman had to sus-
pcct the advocates Of the bill having SO influenced
Mr. BLISS considered no bill had been brought forward