Washington sentinel., 1854-02-28
C0narfssionaI.
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
senate-Monday, February 81, 1854.
FIRST SESSION.


Memorials and petitions were presented against
the passage Of the Nebraska bill, by Messrs. SE-
WARD, SUMNER, EVERETT, SMIrH, FISH, WADE,
THOMPSON OF New Jersey, BRoDHEAD, and CHASE.
FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
Mr.. CHASE presented memorials from Ohio,
praying The repeal of the fugitive slave act Also
petitions praying the abolition of slavery in the
District OF Columbia. Also, the prohibition of the
taking Of slaves in payment of debts due to the
United States.
VIRGINIA STATE RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. MASON presented the resolutions of the
legislature OF the State Of Virginia. instructing
their senator's and requesting their representatives
from that State to use their endeavors 10 procure
an amendment ofthe laws regulatinQthe payment
OF Invalid pensions; also, 10 procure an amend
ment SO as to provide that all persons engaged at
sea or on land IN the military service Of the Uni
ted States in the war of 1912 should be entitled 10
one hundred and sixty acres Of land
LOUISIANA RESOLUTIONS.
MT. BENJAMIN presented the resolutions OF
the Legislature Of Louisiana. urging the passage Of
the several bills granting land for railroads in Lou
isiana.
LAND FOR RAILROADS.
On motion of Mr.. BENJAMIN. the Senate nro.
ceeded TO the consideration of the bill granting
land to the State of Louisiana for the purpose Of
locating and constructing railroad from Shreve.
port TO the Mississippi river; and the same was
considered and passed.
On motion of Mr.. DODGE, of Wisconsin, the
Senate proceeded TO the consideration of the bill
granting 10 the State of Wisconsin land 10 aid in
the construction OF a railroad from Madison TO the
mississippi river; and the same was considered
and passed. 4
On motion of Mr. BROWN, The Senate pro-
ceeded TO the consideration of the bill granting
land TO the States of Louisiana and Mississippi TO
and IN the construction of certain railroads in these
states; and the same was read third time and
passed.
On motion of Mr.. GWIN. the Senate proceeded
TO the consideration Of the bill making grant of
land TO the State of California TO aid in the con-
struction of railroads from San Francisco 10 San
Jose Benicia TO Marysville; Sacramento city, via
Auburn, to Nevada city; and Stockton to Sonora
and the same was read third time and passed.
On motion of.Mr DODGE, Of Iowa, the Senate
proceeded 10 the consideration of the bill making
grant of land 10 the State of Iowa, in alternate
sections to aid in the construction of certain rail
roads in said State; and the same was read third
time and passed ss
On motion of Mr.. CLAY, the Senate proceeded
TO the consideration of the bill granting TO the
State of Alabama public lands in alternate sec
tons, TO aid in the construction of the Alabama
and Tennessee railroad, from Selma, on the Ala
bama river, TO the Tennessee river, al or near
Gunter's Landing; and also the Memphis and
Charleston railroad, from Memphis, on the Mis-
slssppi river, TO some point connecting with the
Nashville, Chattanooga, and Charleston railroad.
And the same was read third time and passed.
On motion of Mr.. FOOT, the Senate proceeded
TO the consideration ofthe bill making grant of
and 10 the State of Alabama, in alternate sections,
to aid in the construction of railroad from the
line of Georgia on the Chattahoochee river, to the
city of Mobile. And the same was read a third
time and passed. e
On motion of Mr.. JOHNSON (n behalf Of Mr..
MALLORY, called away by iness,) the Senate pro-
ceeded TO the consideration of the bill giving the
right of way and granting alternate sections Of GER
tain public lands 10 the State of Florida 10 further
the construction of certain railroads therein speci-
fed And the same was read third time and
passed.
On motion of Mr., JOHNSON, the Senate pro-
ceeded 10 the consideration ofthe bill granting the
right of way and making a grant of land TO the
State of Arkansas, TO aid in the construction of
railroad from point on the Mississippi in the
region of Ganes's landing, via Camden, TO the
Texas boundary, near Fulton, in Arkansas. And
the same was read a third time and passed.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
On motion Of Mr.. RUSK it was
esored That the Secretary Of the Treasury be and he
hereby directed to inform the what amount has
been paid for the transportation of troops supplies and
also what has been paid for the transportation of nails
including the transportation by the Isthmus
amount any been paid to the contractor on the line
by way Of Vera Cruz and Acapulco for the last three
years, designating the amount for each year. i
LAND FOR THE INSANE.
a. Mr.. DAWSON said that, after the passage of the
various railroad bills, the States were in good
humor; he never saw more smiling faces than
now appeared among the senators from the new
States. This he thought was an opportune mo-
ment for mixture of humanity in this land legis-
lation, and the proper time to take up the bill grant
ing land 10 all the States, old and new for the sup
port and maintenance of the poor insane, dumb
deaf and blind.
Mr.. JOHNSON hoped the motion would prevail
that measure was just and he would vote for it,
Mr.. GWlN said he had an amendment 10 offer
to the BILL not TO defeat it, but TO protect his own
State. II would not change the principle of the
bill in the least. He would be prepared TO offer it
tomorrow. The bill was postponed till tomorrow
NEBRASKA BILL.
Mr.. CHASE submitted, informally, an amend
ment 10 the Nebraska bill, which was ordered 10
be printed providing for the election Of governor,
secretary, and judges, as well as members of the
Territorial Legislature, by the people.
SAN FRANCISCO SUFFERERS.
Mr.. GWIN gave notice of substitute for the
Joint resolution making provision for national
TO the officers and crews of the
vessels who aided in rescuing the persons on
board of the wreck of the steamer San Francisco
The substitute proposes no money compensation,
but gold, silver, and bronze medals, with suitable
NEBRASKA-SLAYERY.
On motion Of Mr.. DOUGLAS, the Senate pro-
ceeded TO the consideration Of the bill TO establish
a territorial government for Nebraska.
The last clause in the 14th section now is in
these words:
That the Constitution and all laws Of the United
States which not locally inapplicabe shall have the
force and effect within the said Territory Nebraska
elsewhere within the United States except the Sth sec
on of the act preparatory to the admission Missouri
nto the Unon approved March g. 1920 which, being in
consistent with the principle Of nonnervenion by Con-
gress with slavery In the States and Territories,
cognised by the legislation Of 1850 commonly called the
compromise measures, Is hereby declared imperative
and vod 1t being the true intent and meaning of this
act not to egsate slavery into any Territory State nor
exclude it thererom but leave the people thereof
perfectly free to form and regulate their domestic nstitu
tons In their subject only to the Constitution Of
the United States" T7- |
The question pending was on the motion of Mr.. |
CHASE 10 amend the same by adding thereto the
"Under which the people Of the Territories through
their appropriate Representatives may they see t pro
hbit slavery therein
Mr.. CASS said that he preferred the bill origi
rs.I L.,s ~