Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-18

paid for those Sites and whether such sums were Or were
not rsaonab compared with valae price Of land
he vicinity Of those sites"
And in the amended form It was agreed 70.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr.. BiDGER, in pursuance Of notice, introduced .
bin making further appropriation for the Improvement OF
Cape Year River, North Carolina.
Mr. b. said hs would not ask to have the bill read
second time with view to reference, but that 1t should
lie on the table and be printed together with some docu
mens which would show that it was indispensable that
the work should DO done without delay or there would
be danger that the navigation would be entirely closed
The moment the bill and documents were printed
he should move take it up and have It passed at once
Mr. BROWN introduced bill to perpetuate preemp-
ton to actual settlers the public lands which was
referred TO the Committee on Public Lands.
Mr. CLAY in pursuance Of notice, introduced bill
granting to the State Of Alabama public lands in alter
sections to aid in the construction Of the Alabama
and Tennessee Railroad from Selma, on the Alabama
river to the Tennessee river at Guners Land
ing and also the Memphis and Charleston Railroad from
Memphis the Mississippi river to some point connect
ing with the Nashville, Chattanooga and Charleston Rail-
road which referred to the Committee on Public
Lands.
Mr.. FITZPATRICK, in pursuance Of notice, introduce
ed bill making grant Of land to the State Of Alabama,
in alternate sections aid in the construction of rail
road from the line Of Georgia, the
to the city Of Mobile.
Also, joint resolution for extending an existing con-
tract Tor carrying the mall In Alabama.
The following bills from the House Of Representatives
were read and referred to appropriate committees
An for the relief Of Harriet Leavenwoh widow Of
the late Bvt. Brig. Gen. Leavenworth.
An act for the relief Of VIM. b. Edwards.
An act for the relief Of the heirs of Anthony q Will
Lis, deceased.
NEBRASKA BILL
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the bill
to organize the Territory Of Nebraska; when--4 !,
Mr. WELLER being entitled to the floor rose and ad-
res for n n O
Mr. HOUSTON felt hoarse and too much indsposed to
proceed and on his motion tie further consideration Of
the subject was postponed until tomorrow.
RAILROAD BILLS.
On motion of Mr.. SLIDELL, the Senate, as in Com
mittee of the Whole proceeded to the consideration of
the bill granting to the State Of Louisiana the right Of
way and donation Of public land for the purpose Of To-
eating and constructing railroad from Shreveport to
the Mississippi river.
Mr.. BAYARD desired to be heard at some length on
the constitutional question whi0 he conceived this and
other similar bills the calendar involved, and with
this view he desired postponement.
Mr. JONES expressed desire to couple with the con-
stitutional question the subject Of equitable
distribution of the public lands among the several States
for they should be discussed and decided together.
Mr. DODGE, Of Iowa, contended that each question
should be decided separately on its own merits.
Mr. GWIN also argued in favor of favorable action
upon the several railroad bills.
Mr.. BAYARD responded, and contended that the Uni
ted States had not the constitutional power thus to dis
action the railroad bills until he could be fully heard
Mr. SLIDELL opposed the postponement. He thought
the Senator from Delaware had had ample time to oons
der the principles and details Of the BILL and that he
well prepared to discuss them he would be
any future time
Mr.. BAYARD explained.
Mr.. CLAYTON hoped the usual courtesy Of the Senate
would not be departed FROM but that the postponement
would be acceded to.
Mr. JOHNSON, was not willing to grant postpone
ment until Monday next. He thought it hardly just that
80 long posponement should BIO asked and he moved
fix Wednesday next.
Mr.. BROWN appealed to the Senate not to postpone
these bills long to endanger action upon them in the
House of Representatives
Mr.. BADGER contended that, as the Senator from
Delaware proposed to discuss the whole principle involved
In these several railroad bills he should be allowed the
postponement which he asked.
Mr.. SEWARD advocated the postponement.
Mr. SLIDELL after consultation with his friends as
scented to the postponcment until Monday next
After few words from Mr.. DODGE, Mr.. JOHNSON,
and Mr. DAWSON the further consideration of the bill
was postponed to Monday next.
Mr. GWIN moved that all the other railroad bills be
made the special order for the same day; which was
agreed to.
DEFICIENCY BILL.
Mr. GWIN gave notice that he would introduce the
bill to supply deficiencies in prior appropriations laid
the table by the House of Representatives and ntmated
that unless it received prompt action the wheels Of Gov
eminent might be stopped.
On motion by Mr.. BUTLER, the Senate proceeded to
the consideration of Executive business; and after
considerable time spent therein the doors opened
and the Senate adjourned.