Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-04-29

By Mr.. GwIN: From the widow of Capt. George G..
Westcot Of the u g. Army asking TO be placed on the
pension list.
BY Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee: From John F. Moses,
Of New Hampshire, asking such action on the INDECENT
veto.
BY Mr.. STUART; document in favor of establish
ing certain mail routes in the mineral region OF Lake
Superior.
BY Mr.. EVANS Two petitions from persons profess
ing the Jewish religion in favor Of religious toeration
being secured to American citizens abroad.
Several petitions presented by Messrs SEWARD,
SUMNER, and others, in the shape of remonstrances
against the passage Of the Nebraska bill and violation OF
the Missouri compromise; which laid the table.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
Mr.. HAAILIN from the Committee on Commerce, sub
mitted report accompanied by bill for the relief of
Geo. bennett OF New Hampshire.
Mr.. GWIN, from the Committee Naval Affairs ask
ed to be discharged from the further consideration of the
memorial Of E. A. f. Lavalette, of the u s. Navy, and
that IL be referred to the Committee Foreign Rela-
tons; which agreed to-
Also from the committee asked to be discharged
from the further consideration of the petition of Michael
Hanson, and that it be referred the Committee PEN
sions; which agreed to-
Mr.. NORRIS, from the Committee the District of
Columbia asked to be discharged from the further
sderation of the several memorials of citizens of Wash
ington asking that Pennsylyania may be paved
with Russ pavement; which agreed to.
Mr. JONES' of Iowa, from the Committee on Pensions
submitted report accompanied by bill for the relief Of
Urban Scott.
PORTRAITS OF THE PRESIDENTS.
Mr. PEARCE, from the Committee on the Library re-
ported bill to authorize the purchase of portraits of the
first five Presidents Of the United States and asked its
immediate consideration.
Mr. HUNTER. have no objection to considering the
bill now, provided the Senator will agree postpone it if
it gives rise to debate We wish to dispose of the Indian
0nn ationh
Mr. PEARCE If find that the bill gives rise to any
debate Of more than few minutes DURATION will
sent to Its posponement
The bill read second time and considered as in
Committee of the Whole.
tproposes authorize the President purchase and
place in the Executive Mansion series of portraits of
the first FIVE Presidents of the United States by Gilbert
Stuart and to appropriate 5OOO much thereof
may be necessary, for that purpose
Mr.. PEARCE Mr. President, there five portraits,
being those of the first five Presidents of the United
States which have been offered to the Government They
all painted by Gilbert Stuart, whom the Senate
knows to have been one Of the most eminent artists Of
the country They originals, except that Of Wash
ington which is Stuarts copy from his original. They
paintings Of great value is certified by number
of gentlemen who themselves artists amateurs of
great skill and judgment. AL the portraits Of Stuart
highly valued, know Very lately portrait of
Washington painted by him purchased, believe, by
the Boston Athennum for 81 000 Those portraits
now insured at the sum of So OOO They believed to
form the only complete series of portraits Of the first five
Presidents by Stuart in existence There Sc
res Of the Presidents by the artist which the
had deposited in the Library of Congress few
years ago. but they destroyed by the FIRE which
sumed the Library in 1852. This is probably the only
opportunity which the Government will have of acquiring
the portraits of the Presidents by such a master.
The committee thought they would be appropriate
the Presidents House, and fitting testimonials
of the great who served their country well and
ably in the Office of Chief Magistrate The committee
had doubt that Congress would readily furnish the
thatrr 1asva
in the Presidents house.
Mr.. HAMLIN. Mr.. President / think mysefit is very
desirable that this appropriation should be made, and
shall vote for the bill with great cheerfuness. should
however for it with much cheerfulness if the
committee had thought it expedient to make its prov
sions extensive This may perhaps be the last op
poruniy shall have to obtain the FIVE portraits for
which the committee makes provision. suppose, with
the lapse of years, that difficulty will increase and it
will also increase in regard to those not provided for Ii
to that the bill should be amended to in
clude all the Presidents at least all the
for there might be improperly in including the Pres
dent for the time being But certainly should be glad
to the Executive Mansion adorned with the portraits
of all the preceding Presidents, and if there is i'm
propriey in the thing would also include the present
President think the portraits of all Chief Magis-
rates ought to be preserved the Executive Mansion
Mr.. PEARCE. If we knew where we could procure
portraits Of the other Presidents executed by competent
masters and at the proper price, should have sort Of
objection. This, however, will do for beginning We
know that get these portraits painted by
summate artist and think it is as well to begin this
way and leave any thing further time and the future
determination Of Congress-
The bill was reported to the Senate without amend
ment ordered be engrossed for third reading, read
third time, and passed
RESOLUTION.
On motion by Mr.. MALLORY,
Rotucd That the Secretary Of the Interior communicate
the Senate copies of the contract and instructions under
which Luther Blake employed the Indians
fro Florida together with copies OF his correspondence with
and af
vouchers of his expenditures such agent.
Mr. FISH alluded to the fact that last Friday had been
set apart for the consideration Of the adverse reports that
have accumulated the private calendar. He would
ask that Friday be assigned for their consdera
ton; which was agreed to.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
On motion by Mr. HUNTER, the Senate then proceeded
to the consideration of the bill making appropriations for
the support of the Indian Department for the year end
ing 30th of June, 1855
Mr. SEBASTIAN moved an amendment to the bill Civ
ing authority to the President to change the location Of
the several Indian superintendences.
Mr.. STUART moved to amend the amendment by q
provso separating the duties Of and Indian
perintendent Of Minnesota
The motion of Mr.. STUART lead to considerable dis
cussion, in which Messrs. STUART, HUNTER, SEBAS-
TIAN, WALKER, DOUGLAS, DAWSON, ToUCEY, and
others participated when the amendment to the amend
ment rejected.
The amendment of Mr. SEBASTIAN was then agreed to-
with proyso to the effect that, whenever the Pres
dent shall transfer the duties of Indian superintendent
from the governor of Minnesota the salary OF said
ernor shall remain it stands So 500 per annum
Numerous other amendments adopted making ap-
preparations to carry out treaty spuaons with various
Indian tribes.
And the further consideration of the bill postpon
ed until tomorrow. ..
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