Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-01-17

Mr.CUITlNG asked the gentleman from Penn
syivania whether he had any objection TO enlarge
the scope OF his inquiry Il would, he said, be I'M
becoming IN this government not TO allow the
owners and masters the merchantmen that lost
theiriime IN taking on board the unfortunate pas.
sengers ana Transporting them 10 places of safety,
2 reasonable compensation as if bargain had
been made 10 that effect. Therefore, he suggested
an amendment, instructing the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs 10 inquire and report whether some
provision, by pension or otherwise, should mol be
made in favor ofthe widows, or, IL no widows the
children of such officers and men who embarked
by order OF the government, al New York and LOST
their lives after leaving that port. Also, whether
indemnify ought MOTTO be provided in favor of the
officers and men, in the service of the government
whose baggage was lost or damaged by the peril
of the voyage And that the committee also re-
port suitable measures 10 express the apprecia-
ton, by Congress, OF the gallant conduct of the
masters, officers, and crews OF the Three Bells,
the Antarctic, and the Kilby Also, whether com.
pensation or indemnity ought naAL 10 be made 10
the owners and masters of those ships for The ser
vices rendered, and the loss and expenses incur
red by them in saving and transporting in safety,
officers and men in the service Of the United
States, rescued from the wreck of the San Fran
cisco. M @
Mr.. FLORENCE asked leave to offer a resolu-
ton, prefaced by preamble, rendering the sincere
and heartfelt thanks Of Congress 10 the gallant Off
GERS and crews of the ships Three Bells, Antarctic,
and kilby, for their humane conduct in rescuing
many persons from the Inflated San Francisco and
restoring them TO their friends; and requesting the
President Of the United States 10 cause medals 10
be struck, with suitable devices and presented TO
those engaged in the act, together with copies OF
the resolution Also, that the Secretary of War
extend such relief to the survivors and their farn
lies as may be just and proper, and report at an
early day to Congress-. a15 ~ UaE
MI. FAULKNER suggested that the subject be
referred TO the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. CHANDLER objected he desired il to go
to special committee.
Mr.. BISSELL said it was clothing and food
which these poor fellows want, and they want it
now. When the House had got through with this
they could attend to thanks and medals. tFb
Mr.. CHANDLER, expressed the hope that the
House would not lose the advantages of good ma
tnre this morning. He was opposed to sending
the resolution TO the Committee on Military AT
fairs IA
Mr.. WALSH said having understood the reso-
luton of the gentleman from Pennsylvania mr.
FLoRENcEl to propose the thanks of Congress and
medals, with copies of the resolution; he was OPP
posed 70 accompanying an act Of charity with the
infection Of reading all those resolutions.
Y Mr.. CUTTING withdrew his resolutions, and
at subsequent period of the day they were re-
ferred to the Committee on Military Affairs
Mr.. CHANDELIERS resolution was then adopt
ed under the operation of the previous question.
DUTIES ON RAILRoAD IRON.
The House resumed the consideration of The
following resolution, heretofore offered by Mr..
CHURcHwELL: ts,,lI zasl%tfs a a&H
Reslred That the Committee Ways and Means be in
structed oreporta bill giving credit Of four years
road companies TO pay the duty imported by them
for railroad purposes
motion was pending to lay the resolution upon
the table; and this was agreed to-yeas 9s, nays
HOMESTEAD BILL.
On motion of Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, the
homestead bill, and the bill 10 graduate the price
ofthe public lands, were made the special order
hn Iax fHp 10. al, 1lsl~~
debate 10 terminate on the 21st of that month. I
X ltei.igt NAVAL STEAMERS.
Mr.. ZOLLICOFFER introduced resolution 10
make the bill providing for the construction Of six
first class steamers the special order for the 10Th
instant; 1t was rejected
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR HUMANE SERVICES
Mr.. BISSELL offered resolutions which was
agreed to, instructng the Commute on Foreign
Affairs 10 inquire into the expediency of making
annual appropriations to enable the President Of
the United States to make suitable acknowledge
ments 10 captains of foreign vessels who may risk
their ships and lives in rescuing American cti-
zens from marine disasters. es#. TIT
RAILROAD IRON
Mr.. WENTWORTH, of Illinois, offered the
following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means be In
sruced afer consulting with the Secretary Of the Tran
and the Postmaster General INQUIRE into the az
railroad a. viii obrse ~ iron to
transportation Of mails under such rerulaton pas
such rates Of compensation as be prescribed by the
MIR. FULLER moved that the resolution be laid
upon the table and the motion was agreed to-
yeas 81, nays g.
MAIL FACILITIES.
Mr. McDOUGAL introduced a bill providing
for Increased mail facilities between New YORK.
San Francisco, and Oregon, and between New
Orleans, San Francisco, and Oregon which was
rpd m fha 'nrS1n <,d.
Post Roads.
RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC.
Mr. McDOUGAL introduced a bill 10 establish
! line of military posts and opening common
road, and authorizing the construction of tee-
praph line and railroad from the valley of the Mis-
'issipp to the bay Of San Francisco. He moved
nat tue Dill, and everything connected with the
subject, be referred to speciacommittee of thir-
cen members. And this motion was agreed to-
ieas ~, nays not counted
NEW YORK ASSAY OFFICE.
Mr.. WALKER offered the following resolution
Resolred, That the Secretary of the Treasury DO re.
to report to this House whether the assay Office
lent capacity coinage Of gold and silver; and If So
WHETHER In his opinion woud be considered proper for
congress to authorize such coinage at said office.
Mr.. FLORENCE objected 10 the consideration
,fthe resolution. " m
Mr. WHEELER moved a suspension Of the
ules, but the motion was not agreed to.
nall THE SAN FRANCISCO AGAIN.
On motion Of Mr.. WALBRIGE, it was
Resolved That the Committee on Military Affairs be In
tructed to have prepared joint resolution extending
ne thanks Of Congress to Captain Creighton Of the Brfb
hip Three Bells To the Of the bark Kilby
Boston, and ship Antarctic New York for their hn
generous and heroic in recnng the officers
nd crew OF the mall steamer San Francisco at the init
ent hazard Of their lives and those who their
ommand, ..tt5. tI PHI 80 $500
Resolved, That the committee by bill or otherwise n.
ort the necessary legislation making provision BY the
overnment Of the United States to indemnify the losses
Incurred by the commanders and of the vessels
named In their endeayors 10 the lives Of the
Ulcers and soldiers OF the United States army from the
'reck Of the San Francisco and inquire into tho pro-
rey Of granting testimonial OF abbrobation TO the
officers and crews Of the Three Bells Kiby,
INTERFERENCE WITH STATE ELECTIONS.
Mr. MAURICE offered the following resolu
ions, which, having been objected TO- wen, over
nder the rule: vi"
Re'o'ved That the removal Of Greene c. Bronson late
oector Of the Port of New York. by the Secretary
easury for the causes alleged In the correspondence
Weon such Secretary and the said Bronson sAd the
emily published letter Attorney of