Washington sentinel., 1854-07-20
Gongrfssi0naI.
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
i-l FIRsT SESSION.

senate-wednesday, July 10, 1864.
Messrs. SUMNER and CHASE presented me-
MORALS in favor Of the repeal of the fugitive slave
law. m m
DISTRICT ARM0RY.
Mr.. NORRIS presented documents showing
the expedency of constructing an armory for the
militia Of the District of Columbia which was re-
ferred to the Committee on the District OF Coiuln-
bia
COMPRESSED COAL.
Mr. MALLORY, from the Committee on Ma
val Affairs asked 10 be discharged from the con-
sderaton of the memorial OF Richard y Coke,
William A. Bradley, and 9. l.. Thompson, Offering
to furnish the navy with compressed coal; on tue
ground that under the act Of 1851 the Navy De-
partment has control ofthe matter.
BILLS INTRoDucED.
Mr.. GWIN introduced bill granting the right
Of way TO the Marysvle and Benicia railroad
company. Referred.
Mr.. JONES, ofIowa, introduced bill granting
land 10 the State of Iowa TO aid in the construc-
tion of railroad in that State. Referred.
Mr.. BRIGHT introduced bill for the relief of
Colonel E. r. s. Candy.
INDIAN BUREAU.
Mr.. HUNTER, from the COMMITTEES on Finance,
reported bill for the relief of the clerks in the
Indian Office. And the same was considered and
passed.
FUGITIVE SLAVE Law.
Mr.. PETIT, from the Committee on the Judi
cary to which had been referred several memo
rials praying the repeal of the Fugitive slave law,
reported that the committee are of opinion that
such legislation was inexpedient, and had in-
structed him TO ask that the committee be dis
charged from the further consideration OF the sub
ject. And the committee were accordingly dis!
charged. H
Mr.. HAMLIN, from the Committee on Com.
merce reported back the lighthouse appropria-
ton bill without amendment.
CREDITORS OF TEXAS.
On motion by Mr.. BRIGHT, the Senate pro-
ceeded TO the consideration Of the bill making
provision for the settlement Of the claims of The
creditors ofth late republic of Texas.
Mr.. BRIGHT explained that the bill appropr-
ated eight and half millions TO be distributed,
with the consent Of Texas, pro rata among the
creditors. The five millions retained by the United
States would amount at the end of the term
limited for its payment, by the addition Of the
accrung interest TO the sum appropriated by the
bill The question to be tested was, would the
United States, in order to get rid OF the matter,
anticipate and pay now the amount il would
have TO pay in the end.
Messrs. WALKER. HUNTER, and CHASE
opposed the bill in its form Messrs. PEARCE
and BRIGHT supported it.
After some remarks from Mr.. RUSK, the bill
was postponed
u EXECUTIVE BUSINESS.
Mr.. MASON moved that the Senate proceed TO
the consideration of executive business and after
debate the motion was disagreed to.-Yeas 20,
nays 81.
THE HOMESTEAD.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
of the bill granting a homestead Of one hundred
and sixty acres of the public lands to actual set
lers
The question pending was on the amendment
proposed by Mr.. GwIN TO strike out the words in
the first section, "free of cost and insert in lieu
thereof, sat twenty-five cents an acre"
Mr.. MALLORY addressed the Senate at con-
siderable length upon the land system generally,
and in support Of graduation Of the price of the
public lands.
The question was taken, and the amendment
was rejected.-Yeas l9, nays 80.
Mr.. BRODHEAD moved to strike out the fourth
section of the BILL which is in these words:
That all lands acquired under the provisions of this
act shall in no event become liable to the satisfaction
any debt debts contracted prior to the issuing the patent
therefor"
Mr. CHASE moved first to strike out the word
"contracted;" agreed to-yeas %, nays Id.
The question recurring on the motion TO strike
out the whole OF the fourth section, it was agreed
to-yeas 26, nays 20.
Mr. BROWN moved substitute for the bill
graduating the price of the public lands, and ex-
tenulng the rlSnt ol possesson 10 actuai occu'
pants, &c.
This was rejected-yeas 25, nays 26.
| Mr. ADAMS moved to amend the bill by provd
ing that before any patent shall issue for the lands
granted by this act the settler shall reimburse the
| United States the cost thereof Lost.
Mr.. CLAY moved several amendments, all o.
| which were rejected
| Mr.. MASON moved TO add 10 the bill proviso
| that nothing in the act contained should be con
sidered applicable 10 the territory northwest o
the Ohio river and ceded by the State of Virgins
| upon the express stipulation that il should be helt
| by the United States common fund for The
| general benefit of all the States.
| Messrs. PETIT, CASS, and BADGER op
| posed the amendment, and Messrs. MASON
| FISH, DAWSON, and TOOMBS supported il.
Mr.. CLAYTON then moved as test question
| that the bill be laid on the table, which vote wal
disagreed to--yeas "a, nays 27-as follows:
YEAs--Messrs. Badger, Bayard, Benjamin, Brodhoad
Butler Clay, Clayton, Dawson, Dixon Evans Fesseuden
Fish, ftxpatrck Foot Houston, Hunter Mallory, Mason
Norris, Pcarce Pratt, Thomson Of Kentucky, Toombs
and Toucey-A.
NAYs-Mcssrs Adams, Allen, Atchison. Bell, Bright
Cas- Chase Dodge Of Wisconsin, Dodge Of Iowa. Douglas
Geyer Gillette, Gwin James, johnson, Jones Of Iowa
Jones OF Tennessee, Petit Rockwell Scbastian- Shields
! sdcll, Stuart, Sumner, Walker, and Weller-27.
And then, on motion,
The Senate adjourned.