Washington sentinel., 1854-06-23
GonQressionaI.
THIRTY-THiRD CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
senate, Thursday. June aa, 1854.

Senate, Thursday, June 22, 1854.
FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
Mr.. ROCKWELL presented the memorial of
1 900 citizens of Massachusetts, praying the i'm
mediate repeal of the fugitive slave law. He said
that the memorial was signed principally by cit-
zens of Boston, comprising persons engaged in all
occupations and professions, the most of whom
were persons who had been devoted 10 the support
OF the compromise measures of 1850, and who
were only moved 10 ask the repeal of the fugitive
slave law by the recent repeal by Congress of the
Missouri compro mise. He moved il be referred
10 the Committee on the Judiciary.
MIR. DIXON said that before the question was
taken he, and perhaps other senator's. desired 10
make some remarks upon it. He moved that the
motion 10 refer be postponed till tomorrow. And
the motion was agreed 10.
TRADE IN BREADsTUFFs.
Mr.. CLAYTON presented the proceedings of
a public meeting in Delaware demonstrating
against the ratification OF any treaty, the adop-
tion Of any measure having in view reciprocal
trade with Canada in breadstufls.
STEAMERS TO JAPAN AND CHINA.
< Mr.. SEWARD, from the Committee on the Post
Office and Post Roads, 10 which had been referred
several bills the subject, reported bill 10
tablish line of mail-steamers between San Fran
cisco and Shanghai.
The bill provides that the Postmaster General
be directed 10 enter into contract for term not
exceeding five years, for sum not exceeding
So O,000, with the lowest bidder offering satsfac-
tory security, for the transportation of the mails
monthly from San Francisco via The Sandwich
Islands and Japan, to Shanghai, in China, in steam
vessels of not less than 1000 tons, the same 10 be
ready at the shortest practicable time.l
Mr.. SEWARD gave notice that on Monday
next he would move TO take up the said bill.
Mr.. RUSk, from the same committee, reported
back the bill 10 provide for the transportation of
the United States mails upon railroads, and said
that at an early day he would move 10 take up the
same
RAILROAD THROUGH WASHINGTON CITY.
Mr.. MASON, from the Committee on the Dis
irict of Columbia, reported back the bill author
zing the Washington and Alexandria railroad
company 10 construct their railroad upon and over
the long bridge and the streets of Washington
city, from the Virginia shore 10 the depot OF the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad.
# Mr.. MASON explained that the bill allowed this
road to be constructed over the long bridge tenn
porarily, and left 10 the future reflection Of site
for the Potomac bridge unaffected. He urged the
urgent necessity for allowing this the only break
in the continuous chain of railway from the north
TO the south, TO be at least temporarily supplied by
the use Of this bridge.
Messrs RUSH, and DAWSON supported the
bill.
Messrs. PRATT, BRIGHT, and BADGER op.
posed the bill, because il would tend 10 give the
present long bridge permanency. They all de-
nounced the long bridge a great public nui-
sance, and one which without delay ought 10 be
Immediately removed.
The bill was then postponed.
MINNESOTA RAILROAD.
House bill TO aid the territory Of Minnesota in
the construction Of railroad therein was read
twice and referred.
PENSION LAWS
On motion by Mr. HAMLIN, the joint resou-
ton relative TO the administration Of the pension
laws, was taken up and recommitted to the Com.
mittee on Pensions
TERRITORIAL BILLS.
Mr.. JONES, ofTennessee, from the Committee
on Military Affairs, reported back the following
House bills:
A bill to provide for the construction of mill
Iary road from Great Salt Lake City. in Utah, TO
The eastern boundary Of the Stale of California.
A bill to provide for the continuation ofthe mill
larry road from Myrtle Creek to Scotsburg, in
Oregon.
A bill to authorize the Secretary Of War to set
lie and adjust the expenses of the Rogue river
Indian war.
bill TO refund 10 the Territory of Utah the ex-
penses incurred by said Territory in suppressing
indian hostiliies.
A bill to provide for the payment Of the civil
officers employed in the Territory of New Mexico,
while under military government.
SURGEONS MATES.
Mr.. DAWSON, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, TO which was referred the Joint resolution
N relation to surgeons mates Of the army Of the
revolution; and the same was considered and
passed. The bill abolishes the legal distinction
between surgeon and surgeons mates, in the al
owances made 10 revolutionary officers.
MADISON, INDIANA.
Mr. HAMLIN reported bill to make Madison,
n Indiana. port Of delivery and on motion by
Mr.. BRIGHT, the said bill was considered and
passed.
HoosAC TUNNEL.
Mr. SUMNER introduced bill making grant
If land warrants TO Massachusetts to aid in the |
construction of a tunnel under the Hoosac noun
ain, and providing for the conveyance Of mails, |
roops and munitions of war through the same
rec of toll; and the same was referred to the
Committee on Public Lands,
VETOED LAND BILL.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the |
,ill granting land TO the several States for the re-
ief of the INDECENT insane.
Mr.. BELL resumed and concluded the remarks |
yesterday by him in support of The |
,l and in reply TO the objections 10 il contained
n the message The President.
When he had concluded his remarks, Mr.. |
3RQDHEAD obtained the floor, and was about !
'elded the floor to
Mr.. NORRIS, on whose motion the bill was
'ostponed till 10. morrow.
LAND SURVEYS IN OREGON.
Mr.. DODGE, of Iowa, reported House bill !
mendatory of the act establishng the Office of /
urveyor general Of Oregon. And the same was
onsdered, amended, and d.passed.
The Senate then proceeded 10 the consideration
4 executive business, and shortly after adjourned.
House Of Representatives.
MEXICAN TREATY
Mr. HOUSTON, from the Committee of Ways
nd Means reported bill to enable the President
the United States 10 fulfil the third article Of the
'eaty between the United States and the republic
Mexico. of the 3oth of December, 1853, az
mended by the Senate Of the United States. [It
ppropriaies ten millions Of dollars for that pur-
ose.l
The bill was referred to the Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union, and ordered 10
e printed.
Mr.. HOUSTON wished 10 submit PROPOSE
on. Tomorrow, as he understood will be lob
,ction day the private calendar, and of course
would be proper for the House to pay proper at
,ntion 10 that subject. They can ifthey will, do
ood work with it. Ii the civil and diplomatic
bill should not be got through with
,-day, il would go over to next week. He should
Ike very much for the House TO give him the
corning hour, in order TO consider with view Of ,