Washington sentinel., 1854-01-25

survey. He said the annual report of the coast
survey Office was now in the hands OF the binder,
and in short time would be ready for distribu-
ton. The documents to and from this Office now
pass through the Treasury Department; and he
was informed by the clerk there thai twenty five
thousand documents for the coast survey are
iranked in the course OF year. During the last
nine months, fifteen large wagon-loads OF docu-
ments left that office. The bill was designed 10
relieve the Treasury Department from the labor Of
franking the documents, and at the same time
contributing 10 the convenience OF the coast survey
Mr.. OLDS remarked, he had consented that the
bill should be reported, although, during the ses-
sion, he intended TO introduce one TO abolish the
franking privilege
Mr.. MACE moved an amendment, TO extend
the frankng privilege TO the superintendent Of the
Smithsonian institutions. He thought that the
privilege could not be extended 10 more merl-
torious quarter.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, opposed the amend
ment, and moved that the bill be referred 10 the
Committee of the Whole on the state OF the Union.
This was disagreed to; and the bill was subse-
quently passed.
wAsHINGToN AQUEDUcT.
Mr. HAMILTON, from the Committee for the
District Of Columbia, reported joint resolution
appropratng $500,000 for the continuation of The
work on the Washington aqueduct. He expressed
the hope that the House would now consider the
subject; but objection having been made, It was
referred to the Committee of the Whole on The
state Of the Union.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL.
Mr. BISSELL, from the Committe on Military
Affairs, reported back, with a Recommendation
that il do pass the Senate resolution authorizing
the President Of the United States TO confer the
title of lieutenant general by brevet for eminent
services.
Referred 10 the Committee of, Whole on the
state of the Union.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The House resolved itself into Committee OF
the Whole on the state of the Union, Mr. ORR in
the chair, and resumed the consideration Of the
resolutions heretofore introduced, proposing 10
refer to the appropriate standing committees the
various branches of the Presidents annual mes
sage.
Mr. OLIVER, of Missouri, remarked that he
would not now have risen to disturb the quiet oi
the House, if il had not been for the magnitude
and importance of the subject 10 which he wished
TO call attention. Before entering the perilous
adventure, he begged to be ndulged in speaking to
his friends and immediate neighbors and col.
leagues on both sides of the House If he should
fall wounded on the wayside, he trusted he should
encounter good Samaritans but if he should re-
tain his feet and be taken into captivity he trusted
some gallant knight, like Ingraham, would come
to his rescue, when he should not only simply ex-
press his gratitude, but award to them medals
with appropriate devices.
He then called attention to that part of the
Presidents message which relates to tonnage du-
ties, opposing any plan for that purpose uncon-
stitutonal, and regarding il as an outrage and an
insult TO the Intelligence and patriotism Of the
people
MIR MAXWELL spoke in favor of the policy
Of donating alternate sections Of the public lands
for railroad purposes; and entered into an argu-
ment TO show that it was constitutional.
The lines of railroad for which he asked grants,
would extend one of them from some point on
the Atlantic coast, or from some tributary Of the
Atlantic, crossing the peninsula proper OF Florida
al point south of the Suwanee river, 10 such
point as may be designated by the State another,
through middle and west Florida TO Pensacola,
with connexion between the two, which would
constitute the main trunk of the thoroughfare
through Florida and another line for which he
asked grants is from Montgomery, Alabama, to
Pensacola, Florida He showed that the lands
through which these roads would pass are now
worthless, but would be rendered valuable by the
improvements proposed. The bills, II passed,
would give Florida about two millions of acres.
Mr.. ETHERIDGE obtained the floor, when the
committee rose.
DEATH OF N. DE BODISCO.
Mr.. BAYLY said the House already knew that
the Oldest member Of the diplomatic corps in
Washington is no more. To enable such mem
bers as might be desirous to attend his funeral to-
morrow 10 do so, he moved that when the House
adjourn to-day il adjourn TO meet on Thursday
next.
y Mr. BENTON seconded the motion of the gem
tleman. There were reasons why this House
should adjourn over. All who have been in Con-
gress long time had formed with the deceased
relations ofprivate frindship The minister from
Russia, just departed, was here almost twenty
years married an American lady; and during that
entire period his intercourse with the government
in all its branches, was always respectful and with
public and private individuals always kind and
courteous. He had knowledge Of numerous in
success in settling personal difficulties. Repre-
senting great power, with which from the be-
ginning we have.never had any difficulty what.
ever, and always on friendly terms, and in con-
sderaion of the high character of the late minister
from Russia, il was but due that the House should
extend the mark Prospect ofattending his funeral
Mr.. HOUSTON desired to ask the Chair ques-
ton: whether the gentleman had offered resou-
ton relative to the death of Mr.. Bodisco, or
whether il was simple motion TO adjourn over.
The SPEAKER replied, a motion TO adjourn
over.
Mr.. HOUSTON said he thought the whole thing
wrong, and should vote against il.
The motion was agreed to.
THE LONDON INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.
The SPEAKER laid before the House mes.
sage from the President of the United States,
transmitting report from the Secretary of State,
together with the set of works illustrative of the
exhibition in London, in 1851, a present from her
Britannia majesty to the American government.
Referred to the Committee on the Library.
The House adjourned.
Supreme Court of the United States