Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-01-17
CONGRESS-.
THIRTY.THrRD coNGRrss-yIRsT SESSION.
House of Representatives.

THIkTf@THfkD CONGRkss-FIRsT SESSION.
House Of Representatives
After our report closed yesterday,
MIR. Smith, Of New York, submitted the fol-
lowing preamble and resolutions
ist Whereas all the members Of the human
family, notwithstanding all contrary enact
ments and arrangements, have. at all times
and in all circumstances, az equal q right to
the soil as to the light and the air, because as
equal anatural need Of the one as OF the others,
and whereas this invariably equal right TO the
soil leaves no room TO buy, or sell, or give it
away:
Resolped therefore, That no bill or PROPOSE
ton should find any favor with Congress which
implies the right Of Congress to dispose Of the
public lands, or any part Of them, either by
sale or gift
I'd. Resolued, That The duty OF civil govern
ment in regard to public lands, and indeed to
oil lands, is but to regulate the occupation Of
them; and that this regulation should ever
proceed upon the principle that the right Of
all persons to the soil---t0 the great source Of
human subsistcnce--is az equal, as inherent,
and as sacred, as the right to life itself
Sd. Resolped, That Government will have
done but little toward securing the equal right
to land, until it shall have made essential to
the validity Of. every claim 10 land, both the
fact that it is 'actually possessed, and the fact
that it does not exceed in quantity the maxi
mum which it is the duty Of Government to
prescribe.
4sh Resolved, That ii is not because land
monopoly is tho most efficient cause Of inordi-
nate and tyrannical riches on the one hand, and
Of dependent and abjeot poverty on the other;
and that it is not because it ID therefore the
q
ton so weli-nigh fatal to the spread OF Democ.
racy and Christianity, that Government is call
ed on to abolish it. but it is because the right,
which this mighty agent Of evil violates and
tramples under foot, is among those clear, GER
tain, essential, natural rights which it is the
province of Government to protect ut all haz
ards, and irrespective Of all consequences.
On motion by Mr. Hubbard, the preamble
and resolutions werc laid on the table
Mr. McDougal, Of California, in pursuance
Of notice, introduced bill to provide for the
establishment Of line Of military posts and
q common road also, authorizing the construc-
ton Of a telegraph line and railroad from
the valley of the Mississippi to the bay Of San
Francisco which was read twice, and referred
to special committee Of thirteen.
The House adjourned.
Senate, January II, 1854
The Chair laid before the Senate oommu-
nication from the Postmaster General, in re-
Hponse to the resolution Of the Senate calling
for information rs to the detention Of the
Northern mails. Referred.
Also communication from the State De-
partment in response to a resolution of the
Senate, calling for information in relation to
certain expenditures
Mr. Cooper presented the remonstrance of
citizens Of Philadelphia against the establish
ment Of a mint at New York
Mr. Douglas gave notice that on Monday
next he would move to take up the bill estab-
fishing Territorial Government for Nebraska
Mr.. Summer presented a memorial from New
York signed, he said, by men who have become
eminent in the various walks of life, among
whom he named William Jay and John Jay,
a name distinguished through several genera
tions, and also the name Of their late associate
in the Senate, the Hon. John p. Hale. The
petition prayed the adoption by Congress of
such measures as would forever terminate all
connection, ON the part Of the Government
with Slavery and the slave trade. As the
subject-matter Of the petition appropriately
belonged to no one OF the standing committees
of the Senate, he would not move it's reference
stion to raise select committee on the subject
came up.
Bills of the following titles were reported,
considered, and passed:
A bill for the relief OF Ezra Williams.
A bill to relinquish to the State of Wiscon-
sin the lands reserved for salt springs therein.
A bill for the relief Of john Pagan.
A bill for the extension of the presumption
privilege TO California.
A bill for the relief Of Judith Worthen.
A bill for the relief Of the executors Of Com
modore Warrington, and other persons.
Mr. Hamlin, from the select committee to
which bad been referred the bill to provide for
the ascertainment and satisfaction Of the claims
at American citizens for spoliations by the
French, PRIOR to 1901.
Mr. johnson, from the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, reported back the joint resolution
providing for tho presentation Of sword to
tho nearest male relative Of the late Major
Ringgold, with recommendation that il be
rejected
The following bills were passed:
A bill for the relief of Moses 0lmstead.
A joint resolution authorizing an Increase Of
the number Of clerks in the Office Of the Super
intendent of Printing
A bill to incorporate the Pioneer Manufac-
turing Company Of Georgetown, in the District
oil Columbia.
Mr. Petit moved to amend the bill by add
ing clause providing for the individual liabil
ity OF stockholders; which amendment was
agreed to--ycas 27 nays H. The bill az
amended was passed.
A bill for the relief Of Joseph Gideon.
Mr. Summer submitted an amendment which
he intends to offer to the Nebraska Territorial
bill. II provides that nothing in the act shall
be construed az abrogating or contravening
that part &C the act Cor the admission Of Mis-
souri,, which prohibits Slavery in the Louisiana
Territory north Of 36 deg 80 min. Ordered
TO be printed.
The Senate wentinto Executive session after
which t adjourned