Washington sentinel., 1854-04-11
G0ngressi9nal.
THIRTY~THIRD CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
senate-Monday, April 10, 1854.

FIRST SESSION.
senate Monday, April 10, 1854.
Memorials, demonstrating against the passage
of The Nebraska bill, were presented by Messrs.
EVERETT, SEWARD and SMITH. Memorials in ia
vor Of the passage of the Homestead bill, and in
favor Of securing religious freedom TO Americans
in foreign countries, were also presented.
OHIO FALLS RAILWAY.
Mr. BRIGHT from the Committee on Roads
and Canals, 10 which was referred the memorial
of the president and directors of the Ohio Falls
Company, asking grant of 100000 to aid in the
con struction OF marine railway around the falls
OF the Ohio river, reported adversely thereon.
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD.
Mr.. MASON gave notice OF bill TO authorize
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company 10 ex-
tend their railroad TO some point on the Potomac
river, at or near the city Of Washington.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr. BRIGHT introduced bill 10 amend an act
entitled I" An act 10 provide compensation 10 such
persons as may be designated by the Secretary of
the Treasury TO receive and keep the public mo-
ney under the fifteenth section Of the act OF the
9th Of August, 1876, for additional services re-
quired Of them by that act" approved March 2,
1853. Referred 10 the COMMITTEES on Finance.
Mr. BADGER introduced bill supplemental 10
an act entitled An act 10 authorize notares pub
lie 10 take and certify oaihs. afIirmations and ac-
acknowledgements, in certain cases
CORRESPONDENTS WITH PRUSSIA.
Mr.. FISH submitted The following resolution
esed That the President OF the United States be re-
auested to communicate the Senate If not in his opinion
Incompatible with the public interest copies Of the
epondence of Barnard late minister Of the United States
Prussia with the United States consul at Bremen and Of
that consul with the OF Bremen relative to
the case of Conrad Schmidt nauralized citizen of the
United States Bremen and detained there upon
reauisition from the government Of Hanover claiming
Schmidt as a subject of that kngdom; also, copy of
letter addressed by Mr. Barnard while minister Of the
United States at Berlin TO his majesty the King Of Prussia
ss on the s I ~ Sa ana
Of State in reference thereo also copies Of the CORES
pondece ofhe legation ohe United States at Berlin with
the minister the Grand Duchy of Baden at Berlin in
regard to the arrest and maltrcament Of f. Dana, W.
B. Dwight and DR. Ramsey citizens o. the United states
at Heidelburg, in the Grand Duchy Of Baden.
Mr.. WELLER objectng to the present con-
sideration Of the resolution, il was laid over.
CUSTOM HOUSE &C. AT DETROIT.
On motion Of Mr. CASS:
Resolved That the Committee Commerce beinstructed
tonquire into the expedency of making appropriation
for the construction of customhouse and also an appro
pation the construction Of marine hospital at Do
tro Michigan
On motion by Mr. CASS:
Resolved That the Committee on Post Offices and Post
Roads be instructed to inquire into the expedency Of in
creasing the mail facilities in the upper peninsula Of
Michigan. ..
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
The Senate then proceeded 10 the consideration
of the bill 10 provide for the construction OF rail
road 10 the Pacific
Mr.. GWIN addressed the Senate for nearly two
hours in support of the bill.
He said
Mr.. President, the history of the country pre-
sents no instance of a measure Of great national
importance in which there has been such unanm-
ty Of public sentiment ia its favor the project
of connecting the Atlantic and Pacific by means
of railway. We are left in no doubt as 10 the
judgment Of the American people on this subject.
The agricultural, commercial, mechanical, and
manufacturing interests; our statesmen who held,
and who now hold. high places in the councils OF
the nation; our citizens in primary assemblies,
and legislatures of sovereign States have declared
in its favor; and the press in its power, IN terms
not 10 be misunderstood, has echoed and re-echoed
public opinion in its support, from enc end of the
Union 10 The other. Yet nothing definite, thus far
has been done, although appeals have again and
again been made 10 the Congress of the United
States To- take the initiative in this great measure
Upon what plea can we go before the tribunal OF
public opinion, and excuse ourselves for longer
delaya With an overaowing treasury, whose.
annual accumulations source OF embarrass-
msnt, reversing the experience Of al other ma
tions. and happyin the quiet, yet progressive de-
veopment of the arts Of peace, without speck
of war threatening our horizon, what time more
propitious than the present for us TO act in this
matter so earnestly passed upon us by public
sentiment, and which the Chief Magistrate has so
distinctly recommended in his annual message 10
Congress
Ask me afor anything but time, said the great
Napoleon, g and you shall have IT," Is there any
senator, friendly TO this measure, who is insensi-
Bile to The Importance Of immediate legislation in
regard tolt1 individuals, for few feeting years,
perform their part, and one after another, soon
pass off the theatre Of human affairs. Their use
iuIness in the role Of life is then seen in the wis
dom of their policy, Of which prosperity will best
Judge. The necessity for this work, in thousand
forms, crowds upon the mind as we survey our
present condition, our capacities, our wants. The
enrching power Of trade, foreign and domestic,
and the prospect Of our advance in greatness, are
the inducements TO begin il now. The results no
one, at this time can properly estimate.
The select committee charged with this subject
have given it that careful examination which its
importance demands and have instructed me, as
chairman, 10 report The bill now under consdera-
ton To secure prompt, Cordial and, if possible.
unanimity Of action, we have endeavored care
fully 10 exclude everything that might give rise TO
constitutional doubt or objection, or tend in any
ma anner 10 create local or sectional preludices.
II proposes a grant of land by the government
similar to that repeatedly conceded from the days
of President Monroe, thirty years ago, down,
through every successive administration, 10 the
present period with a reasonable compensation
for carrying the United States mails. II estab.
fishes no eastern terminus II gives no preference
10 any State in the great valley ofhe Mississippi;
no advantage 10 any particular locality, except
that given by nature herself; and assigns the con-
tract, on ample security TO the best bidder, after
full and fair competition. The means are no more
than adequate TO secure the result, and not dol
lar is 10 be paid from the national treasury except
for service performed BY this bill The mail viii
be carried daily, both ways, in less than week
from our Atlantic and Pacific borders for little
more than il now costs for sem-monthly mail,
near four weeks in the transit. With
out the road, the lands are valueess; but with it,
The alternate sections will bring millions of dollars
into the treasury, whilst an enterprising and in
population will settle, cultivate, and rap
idly fill up the country on either side of tue route
from the Mississippi TO the Pacific.
Is il not our clear constitutional right to con-
struct this great highway through the territory of
lhe United States? Could language be more ex-
pcit than the delegation of authority in the fourth
article of III Constitution, for Congress "to dis.
pose OF and make all needful rules and regula-
ions respecting the territory of the United States"
coupled with the power given TO the first article
sto establish post Offices and post roads," saying
nothing Of those powers naturally flowing out OF
hat instrument to carry out its great purposes'
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