Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-01-25
Thirty. third Congress, list, Session.

val Ahaiis W enquire into the expediency OF ma
king some acknowledgment by the United States
to the officers and crews Of the British ship Three
Bells, and the American vessels Kilby and Ant
arctic, for the afforded by them to the steam
er San Francisco.
MIR. Shields offered substitute, directing the
Secretary of War to lay before the Senate all the
authentic information he had relative to the wreck
Of the San Francisco. and all information in refer
ence to the rescue, SC. Some debate arose, all
the speakers being favorable to the sentiments of
the resolutions, and both were finally adopted.
Mr.. Dixon gave notice of an amendment, add
ing an additional section TO the Nebraska Terrific
rial Bill, providing that so much of the 9Th Sec
ton of the Act admitting Missouri into the Union
as prohibits slavery North of 35 30 shall be deem
ed inappicable to the Territory of Nebraska, and
all other Territories of the United States the peo.
| pie of whom, alone, shall have the power of de-
termining whether slavery shall or shall not exist
therein.
Mr.. Petit, from the judiciary Committee, re-
ported favorably upon the right Of Mr.. Phelps to
his seat as Senator from Vermont. A minority
report was presented but not read.
Mr. Shields reported bill to increase the Mil
itary establishment Of the United States. Also, a
bill 10 regulate the pay, increase the efficiency Of
the Army, &c.
Mr.. Clayton then resumed and concluded his
remarks on the Clayton Bulwer Treaty, in reply
to Gen. Cas-
House.-Mr. Bissel introduced bill for the
payment of the soldiers who embarked on the San
Francisco. Referred.
Mr.. Chandler offered resolution for the ap-
pointment of joint committee TO report some tes-
timonial to be offered to those who rescued the
lives of the passengers Of the San Francisco. A.
dopted. Mr.. Walbridge offered resolutions on the
same subject.
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, offered resolution
making the Homestead and Graduation bill. the
special order of the day for Tuesday the l4th of
February. Adopted.
MIR. Maurice offered the following:-
Resolved, That the removal of Greene C. Bron-
son, late Collector of the Port Of New York, by
the Secretary of the Treasury, for the causes al
legged 10 the correspondence between said Secreta-
~ and said Bronson, and the recently published
letter of the Attorney General of the United States
to citizen Of Massachusetts, in relation to the
design Of the Government to crush out partcu-
lar sentiment of political action were, and each Of
them, gross Infringement of the sacred principle
of State rights, and attempt on the part of the
Federal Government TO control or influence the
free exercise of the elective franchise by the peo
pie of sovereign States, and as such, deserves the
disapprobation and censure of this House.
Resolusd, That it be referred to the Committee
on the Judiciary. to inquire and report whether
any Legislation is necessary to preserve from fur
ther violation, the nalienabIe right Of the citizens
of the several States to conduct their separate
State elections in their own way unawed and un-
influenced by the interference offederal officers in
snch elections.
| Objection having been made, the resolution lies
over.
On motion of Mr.. Lyon, the following resolu-
tion was sent to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
| Resolred, That the sentiments of his Excellen-
cy the President, as set forth in his inaugural ad
dress in respect TO the rights Of every American
citizen in any part of the world to the protection
of the United States Government, and the great
principles oSinternational Law enunciated in the
correspondence of Secretary Marcy with the
Chevalier Hulseman, are hereby recognized and
affirmed, and that whenever a proper occasion &C.
ours the same ought to be applied and enforced.
TUEsDAY.-!Senate.- Sumner presented a
petition from New York, signed by men eminent
in all the various walks of life, amongst whom are
William and John Jay, and ex Senator Hale pray
ing that Congress would take the necessary steps
nection with slavery or the slave trade. f
Mr.. Hamlin reported bill in favor ofan appro-
praton of five millions of dollars to pay the French
Spoliation claims.
Mr.. Sumner gave notice that he would offer an
amendment to the Nebraska bill, providing that
nothing therein should conravene prohibiting
slavery by the Missouri Compromise.
HOuse-The House concurred in the Senate's
amendment to the resolution providing for joint
committee in reference to the San Francisco dis
aster.
The Judiciary Committee reported in favor of
the appointment of a Joint Committee of both
Houses, to consider the amendment to the Consti-
tuition, changing the mode OF election ofPresident.
The amendment to the Constitution proposes to
abolish the Intervention of Electors and destroy
the general ticket system dividing the States into
the same number of districts as each State has
Senators and Representatives in Congress. The
subject was passed over.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole, and Messrs. Walsh and Cutting. of New
York, made speeches on the "Hard" and "Soft"
difficulties.
-Senate-Mr Cooper introduce
ed bill granting land to the State of Pennsylva.
mia to aid in the completion of the Sunbury and
Erie Railroad, &c.. and addressed the Senate for
some time on the subject Mr.. Wade said the
application rame with poor grace after the Erie
difficulties, and he and MIR. Cooper then had some
discussion upon that question.
House.-A resolution was adopted providing for
the appointment of a committee of nine members
to join Senate committee, to whom shall be re-
ferred the proposed amendment to the Constitu .
ton. Mr.. Walbridge gave notice that he should
hereafter move the following resolution -
Resolred That the Select Committee for a.
mending the Constitution, be also instructed to
inquire into the expedency Of making provision
for the election by the people, Of Post Masters,
and Collectors of the Revenue.
Mr.. Bissell. from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported Bill to promote the efficiency
of the Army, by retiring disabled officers.
A bill for the relief of the troops on board the
San Francisco was passed
The bill making appropriations to the Military
Academy at West Point was taken up, and Mr..
Smith, of New York, madea speech in opposition,
on the subject of peace and war. The bill was
passed.
The House then went into committee of the
whole. and Mr.. Smith, of Alabama, replied to the
speech of Mr.. Cutting.
TsURspAY.-Senate.-- Petit offered res
olution, directing an enquiry into the proprety OF
extending the laws regulating the PENSIONS OF
widows of revolutionary soldiers to widows OF
soldiers of 1912.
Mr.. Gwin offered resolution calling for infor-
nation as to the disposal of the United States
Naval forces, at the time Of the expeditions from
California to Sonora. He read the Presidents
proclamation and said it came too late: Inc
proclamation, he said, would only irrtate the peo-
pie. whereas small force would prevent all these
expeditions Mr.. Petit commented on Mr..
OWNS remarks, and Mr.. Badger said that Con-
gress was to bame for the want of sufficient ma,
val force in California. The resolution was laid
on the table, and the Senate adjourned till Mon
day. a..
Ho,se.-After some business of no interest, the
House went into committee of the W hole, and Mr..