Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-04


The Senate 1.-THE second session>of the asa Con.
gress) met to-day, being the first Monday Of De-
cember of 1854 and was called to order by AS
bury Dickens, Secretary of the Senate in the alb.
sence of the President of the Senate VIM ArcHI.
SON, of Missouri.
The following Senators were present;
Messrs. Adams, Allen, Bayard, Bright, Brod-
head Brown, Butler, Cass, Chase, Clay, Cooper,
Dawson, Dodge of Iowa, Dodge of Wisconsin,
Evans, Fish, Fitzpatrick, Foot, Hamlin, james,
Jones Of Iowa, Jones Of Tennessee, Mason, Petit,
Rockwell Seward, Shields Sdell, Stuart, Sumner,
Thompson of Kentucky, Toucey, Wade, Weller,
Wright, and Brainard-37.
Prayer by the Rev Mr.. Slicer
The Secretary of the Senate read to the Senate
letter from Mr.. ArcHIsos, informing that he should
not be able to reach Washington before the second
or third week in December, and requesting them
70 appoint a presiding officer in his place.
On motion, Mr.. CAss was appointed President
OF the Senate until the arrival OF Mr.. Atchison.
Mr.. FOOT presented the credentials of Mr. LAU-
REfcE BRAINARD, United States Senator elect from
Vermont, in the place of Mr. Phelps, appointed by
the governor, Credentials read, and Mr.. BRAISARD
sworn.
A committee Of three were appointed, of which
Mr.. DODGE was chairman to wait upon the Presi.
dent and inform him that they were ready to re.
ceiye any message which he desired to commute
cate.
Mr.. BRODHEAD gave notice that he should as
early as possible, ask the consideration Of the SEN
ate upon the extension Of the provision relating to
bounty lands.
Also, that upon resolution investigating the
causes Of danger and safety in steam vessels
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The SPEAKER, at twelve o'clock, called the
House to order, when
The Rev. Mr.. MLBURN, Chaplain to the House,
offered up an appropriate prayer.
The list Of members was then called, for the pur-
pose Of ascertaining II quorum was present, when
one hundred and ninety-three members answered
to their names.
On motion Of Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, the
Clerk was directed to inform the Senate, that a
quorum of the House had appeared, and that they
were ready to proceed to business.
On motionof the same, a committee of three was
appointed to wait upon the President of the United
States, in conjunction with similar committee to
be appointed by the Senate, to inform him that d
quorum Of the two Houses had met, and were ready
to receive any communication he might be pleased
to make ls ss
CHARLES s. LEWIS, elected representative from
the 18th Congressional district Of Virginia, to sup
ply the vacancy caused by the death Of Mr.. Snod.
grass; i. n. BRIsrow, elected representative from
the Sd Congressional district Of kentucky, to sup
ply the vacancy caused by the death Of Mr.. Ewing
ISAAC TELLER, elected representative from tho
18th, and HENRY G. GooDwIx, elected represen..
tative from the 22d districts Of New York, In place
Of Mr.. Dean and Gerrit Smith, resigned, severaly
appeared, and were qualified by taking the oath to
support the Constitution Of the United States.
On motion Of Mr. FLoRKscE, resolution was
adopted providing for the drawing of seats for the
present session, when the House proceeded to ex-
ecute said order.
Separate slips Of paper, each containing the
name Of a member, were deposited in box, aud
were drawn thercfrom by the Clerk, who an
nounced the name on each slip as it was drawn.
Each member, as his name was announced, selected
his seat; and fully an honr occupied in this
operation.