The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-17
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1854.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

The House met at IL o'clock, IN.
Prayer by the chaplain of the Senate
The journal OF yesterday read aud approved.
The Speaker laid before the House communication
from the Clerk OF the House. asking an Increased appro.
praion for deficiencies in the appropriations for mscei-
aneous items for the House OF Representatives referred TO
the Committee OF Ways and Means.
THE ouTRAGEs AT HAVANA.
MIR. GIDDlNGS moved to reconsider the vote by which
the message of the President yesterday referred TO the
Committee Foreign Affairs He had hoped that some
friend OF the present administration, some who had
opposed the election of Franklin Pierce TO the pres
dency, would have called the attention OF the House 10
the extraordinary character of that communication.
MIR G. then proceeded TO relate the circumstances OF the
seizure oil the Black Warrior and coDtended that il had
been in consequence OF violation Of the well known laws
of Cuba in relation to vessels coming into lis ports and that
the port OF Boston for violation OF custom
house laws. He stigmaiized the latter portion OF the
message OF The President lecture TO the House, TO in
duce them to make preparations for war; IN order TO
strengthen slavery interests by the annexation of Cuba
a time when England and France combined to sus-
tain involae the colonies, in both hemspheres Of the
Spanish government His object not TO let the mes
sage go the country without such comment would
place the question right in the estimation of The people
Mr. BAYLf, OF Virginia, did not rise TO address the
House at length, the communication had not been
printed still there remarks which required reply.
The gentleman from Ohio had preludged the case.
Mr. GlDDINGS said he bad only stated facts as they
Mr. BAYLY said the gentleman had said the Pfesi.
dent had not been satisfied with communicating the in
formation asked for, but had gone further He contend
ed that the law authorized the President in making such
statements as he bad in reference to foreign affairs
Mr. GlDDlNGS explained that his position was that
the President bad not communicated to Congress- but 10
this House. and not to the Senate.
MIR BAYLY SAID the request had been sent from the
House He hoped the House would be willing TO follow
rather ha lead the Executive in matters relating to for
egn affairs The constitution declared that the Execu-
tive possessed the right TO make suggestions to The
House such questions.
Mr. GlDDlNGS asked where other in
which the Spanish authorities had nsued the United
States flag, and which had been spoken of in the
MIR BAYLY said the gentleman was one of the nest
attentive members OF the House, and ought to have
melabered the case of Captain Beacham, in which the
United States flag had been grossly nsuted and which
case had been before the House The Spanish autbor-
ties, il appeared had made laws which they had long
allowed be violated, until opportunity served, in ela
ton to the Black WARRIOR TO add to the insults towards
this government by following the strict letter OF the law
The information not yet complete the subject and
he did wish to continue the debate but the
try might be peludlced by the statements OF the gentle
man from Ohio MIR. GIDDINCs, he could speak from
liable information when he said that this bad been purely
vexaiious evasion OF former practice When a
sci bad stopped at any port without any purpose OF
loading, when the cotton that they had their hold
put there simply for ballast IL customary TO report il
ballast 10 the authorities the port Just salt
brought from Liverpool. although article which
the United States laid duty He commended that the
Spanish authorities had been pursuing OF az
gravatng and irritating character towards the United
States, and the President justified in the recommend
atoms he had made to the House He moved that the
motion to reconsider be LAID the table; which was
agreed to-
THE DEFICIENCY BILL
On motion of MIR. BRECKENRIDGE, the House went
INTO committee the deficiency BILL and proceeded MIR
CHANDLER in the chair TO The consideration OF the
Gus amendments before the committee, which were de-
bsied under The hve-minutes rule.
The amendment OF the gentleman from Kentucky,
lMr PREsTos,] 10 introduce the items for custom
houses and marine hospitals was on motion of
Mr. RrTcHIE amended BY adding clause providing for
the completion OF the building for cusiom-house
post office, and courthouse al Psburg, Pennsylvania
with such amount the Secretary of the Treasury
may deem necessary provided that should not exceed
the remaining unexpended OF appropriations
heretofore made Tor said building.
SuudTy other amendments 10 the amendment de-
baied and rejected and, without action The amend
ment,
Ter TO four o'clock.