The Shasta courier., 1854-02-25
Additional Items from the Atlantic.

Additional Items from the Atlantic
We publish the most Of the news brought Inv
the John L. Stephens, on the outside of to-day's
paper We extract the following additional item.
of interest from the Union and other exchange
In the House on the l3th the bill to give the
appointment of Assistant Secretary of the Trea-
sury to the President, was defeated by vote of
I07 nays to 20 ayes
In the House on the 18th, Mr.. Latham, from
the committee on public lands, reported bill
extending until March, 1855, the act TO ascertain
and settle private land claims in California. He
said the commission was appointed in the spring
of 1851, but was not organised till January, 1852
Between 500 and 900 claims have been fled
embracing a million acres of land in California
The commission have disposed of about 800 ca
ses. and about 200 cases have been argued and
submitted to the board, but remain undecided
1t was desirable the bill should be passed at
once to prev vent loss to the government and 10
claimants. The bill was passed.
In the House, on the 18th, Hon. Mike Walsh
and F. B. Cutting, of New York, made lengthy
spec ches against the Administration, both gen
tlemen being very hard democrats. On being
pressed very closely by Mr.. Smith of Alabama
to give a true definition, and the difference be-
tw cen hard and soft democrat, Mike replied
that it was " the difference between an honest
man and rogue" which was deemed directly
satisfactory.
WASHINGTON Jan. 19.-On motion of Mr. Bern
hsrl (dem.) J, of Utah, the committee Military
Affairs was instructed to inquire into the expe-
dency of constructing road from Great Salt
Lake City to the boundary of California, for mi
ltary ard other purposes.
Through the indelatigable exertions of Sena-
tor Gwin, select committee of the Senate has
been appointed on the Pacific Railroad Mr.
Gwin has been busily engaged in this matter
I
less be enabled 10 prepare bill which will not
only pass the Senate. hut will meet with favor
in the House. Senator Gwin has this advantage
over all others-he is pledged TO no particular
roue"-all he is anxious for is, that some bin
will be adopted, whose provisions will call for
the speedy construction of the road, OF such vital
Importance to all Calitornans.
The following is the select committee appoint
ed by the President of the Senate, on the motion
of Mr.. Gwin to refer much of the Presidents
message as relates to the subject of National
Road from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean.
1t is of the most able committees ever ap-
pointed i'll the Senate, and is follows: Messrs.
Gwin, of California; Bri sht ot Indiana /; Rusk,
of Texas; Douglass of Illinois Bell of Tennes-
see; Everett, of Massachusetts Seward of n.
York ; Geyer of Missouri and Evans of South
Carolina,
The Commtte held their first meeting on
Tue stay the 10Th. After free conference they
came to the conclusion that they could larmo-
mise their views and report satisfactory bill.
Five of this select committee are chairnen Of
prominent standing committees. viz-Mr Gwin,
of Naval Affairs; Mr., Bright, of Roads and Ca
mails; Mr.. Rusk, OF Post Offices and Post Roads.
Mr.. Douglass of Territories, and Mr.. Evuns of
Retrenchment.
Gen. Cass delivered speech in the Senate on
the lth ut., in regard to the ClaytoM aud Bull
Treaty and Central American Affairs. 1t
took two hours and half in its delivery. and is
look cd on very unsatisfactory. II cost the as-
sociated press Of n. Y. fifteen hundred dollars Ia
have the tclegraphel to them
Ferdinand E. yobz the wing candidate for
Mayor elected III PitsbtYg os the Ilih, by
1000 majority being the largest alaioriiy ever
given to whig candidate in that city Of coai
and smoke.
The resolution. IN the House of Representa-
tlves voting The thanks of Congress and n medal
to Capt. Insrallani passed by vote OF ia ayos
To nays.
The splendid new hotel called the Lafayse
House, TO which the Metropolitan Hall waa at
tached, has been totally destroyed by fire. The
hotel was on Broadway. above the ST. Nicholas,
had marble front. and was superbly fnrn; SHE'D.
1t was to be opened in few days and was in-
tended to eclipse all competitors. Metropolitan
Hall was formerly called ''Tripler Hail.
On the 10Th January, a block of buildings
know as the new City Hall. IN the rear of tao
City Hail. New York. was DESTROYED by fire --
Most OF the important papers preserved within
The buildings were saved.