Washington sentinel., 1854-03-03


lands from commercial points on the Gulf of
Mexico, on the Mississippi river, 10 commercial
points in California and Oregon, and also TO grant
by donation 10 actual settlers on the condition of
occupancy and cultivation, for the length OF time
therein named every alternate third quarter
ton OF the public land for forty miles IN width
each side of said railroads, throughout the whole
length thereof And ALSO TO grant every alternate
third quarter section of the pubic land within The
aforesaid limits TO aid in the construction OF said
railroads.
The bill having been read twice, was referred
10 the select committee on the subject of rail-
road to the Pacific ocean.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.
The SPEAKER laid before the House several
Communications from the Treasury Department:
l. in answer 10 resolution calling for information
in relation TO the drawing OF money for compensa-
ton outfits by minister's secretaries OF legations,
and other diplomatic officers =, report from
the director Of the mint, with regard TO the fine
ness and value of certain gold and silver; and, 3,
copy of letter from the collector OF the Gus
toms at New Orleans, recommending the purchase
of certain grounds at the Southwest Pass.
They were laid on the table and ordered TO be
printed.
GUANO.
Mr.. SOLLERS asked leave to offer the follow
ing resolution which was read for information
Resred That the President Of the United States be
gotations have been had between this government and
the of Peru 10 regard to the reduction Of the
price guano imported into the United States and any
what is the state Of the said negotiations
Resolved That II II has not already been done the Pre-
dent of the United States be requested to cause negoa
tons TO be opened with the Peruvian government either
for the purchase by the OF the United Staes
Of one or more the Chincha islands for the abolition
Of the AngoPeruvian monopoly, by which guano Is sold
in this country at the present high prices
Objection was made TO the introduction Of the
resolution. a
HOMESTEAD BILL.
The House resolved itself into Committee OF
the Whole on the state of the Union, Mr.. OLDs in
the chair and resumed the consideration of the
bill 10 encourage agriculture, commerce, manu-
factures, and all other branches of industry. by
granting TO every man who IS the head Of family
and citizen of the United States, homestead
of one hundred and sixty acres of land out Of the
public domain upon condition of occupancy and
cultivation of the same for the period herein
specified.
The first section Oft the bill being under conside-
ration, various amendments were proposed and
severally discussed in ive-minute speeches, in
volving the questions whether or not the poor
man would be benefited by this measure, and like
wise the constitutionality OF granting lands for
hornesteads, in the manner proposed.
4 Mr.. HAMILTON, in the course Of the proceed
ngs, offered an amendment TO charge twenty-five
cents per acre for the land, 20 cover the cost Of
original purpose, survey &c-) instead OF giving
it free of charge TO the settlers.
Mr.. CHANDLER opposed the amendment,
when il was rejected by vote of the Committee.
Mr.. PECKHAM moved an amendment, to the
effect that the bill shall not go into operation until
one year after its passage. If the bill should re-
main as ii was, people of the west, right on the
spot, would enter the land at once, TO the great
disadvantage of those who live in the eastern
States.
Mr. DAWSON said, suppose every man in
T. Missouri
should enter quarter section, that could not be
tithe Of the aggregate quantity Of the public lands.
Mr.. PECKHAM replied there were people
enough in Illinois ready TO act under the provi-
sons of the bill and possibly all the vacant lands
would be occupied before people in New York
and Pennsylvania could start on their way thither.
Mr.. DAWSON said that, according TO the official
report, there were four millions of public lands In
Illinois on the 30th of June last.
Mr.. GRAY opposed the amendment, which was
rejected
Mr. CLINGMAN said that the attempts to
amend the bill were useless. and only consumed
time. He therefore proposed that. by general con-
sent, the bill be reported to the House, where 1t
may at once be voted on ; there being much press
ing business TO be transacted.
Mr.. WENTWORTH. of Illinois, remarked that
if the enemies of the sit silent, its friends would
kill it, He would show his love for the landess
by sitting here without his dinner until the bill
shall be passed. Who he asked, can make a bet
ter buncome speech than that! lLaughter.I
Other amendments We're acted upon; and with
out perfecting the first section of the BILL the COM
mttee rose.
And the House adjourned.
PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS.
BY Mr.. PRATT. The petition of Clarrissa
Packwood and four sisters; daughters of late Jo-
seph Packwood of Colchester, New London Co.,
Connecticut, asking remuneration for services
redered by their father in the war, Of the revou-
tion.
BY Mr.. PRATT. A remonstrance, signed by
Giles Stillman and two hundred others, inhabi-
tants of the town of New Britain, Hartford Co.,
Connecticut, against the repeal of the Missouri
compromise.
BY Mr.. RIDDLE. A memorial OF the Chesa-
peake and Delaware canal company, praying Con-
gress 10 appropriate sufficient sum of money for
the purpose of improving the navigation of Back
creek near the entrance ofthe said canal, and aid
in the construction Of suitable harbors thereon.
Also, several memorials Of citizens OF Whining
ton Brandywine, Glasgow, Dover, Georgetown
MiIlsborough and Laurel State of Delaware, in
favor Of the Senate bill establishing territorial
government for Nebraska.
Also, a memorial of Sundry citizens OF New
Castle county. State of Delaware, praying Con-
gress to establish postroad between the towns
of New Ark and Glasgow, IN said county.