Washington sentinel., 1854-05-07
House of Representa atiyes.

Mr. WASHBURN, of Maine, presented the
resolutions of the Legislature of that State, in
structing their senators and requesting their rep
resentatives TO take such measures may bring
before Congress the claims of Maine for indem.
nifty on account lands taken or required TO be
taken 10 carry into effect the treaty of Washington
Also, the resolutions of the legislature OF thai
state expressing the opinion that every principle
OF justice and national honor requires speedy pro-
vision 10 be made for the satisfaction of claims on
account OF French spoliations committed on
American Commerce.
Laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
TERRITORIAL BUSINESS.
Mr.. STEVENS, of Michigan from the Com.
mlttee on Public Lands, reported bill 10 aid the
Territory OF Minnesota in the construction of a
railroad therein, and asked that il be put on its
passage.
Mr.. HAMILTON raised a question that the bill
could not be reported under the resolution of the
House setting aside this week for the considera
tion OF territorial business.
The SPEAKER decided that the report was
in order.
Mr.. HAVEN appealed from the decision.
Mr. EDGEkTON moved that the appeal be
laid on the table.
Pending the question
Mr.. FLAGLER moved that the House do now
adjourn.
Decided in the negative--yeas 5s, nays Sc.
Mr. M HAVEN withdrew his appeal.
The bill having been read by its title
Mr.. HAMILTON moved that il be rejected.
Mr.. STEVENS, of Michigan, said il had beer
suggested that he should withdraw the BILL as the
reporting Of il was springing surprise upon the
House. He protested against a charge Of thi.
kind DE was the last man in this House who
would do such all unfair thing. He had been in
structed by the Committee on Public Lands to
report this bill, and he had promised the delegate
from Minnesota that he would do so. He was
therefore only redeeming this promise, aud fulfill
ing this duty. The bill did not affect him person
ally, but it affects the United States at large
When this road shall have been completed, il will
be but single link of the great line Of steam
communication from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake
Superior, TO the head of the Mississippi; and tc
the Pacific. The people of Minnesota are not
able of themselves to construct the road but pass
this bill, and the line will be completed He
thought that more than any others, bills of this
kind so important in their results, should become
laws. He briefly explained the provisions of the
measure, and in conclusion, demanded the pre-.
vious question
Mr.. LANE, of Oregon, moved that the House
resolve il. elf into Committee of the Whole on
the state Of the Union
Mr.. MEACHAM moved that the House ad
Journ; but the motion was not agreed to-yeas
", nays 78.
The question recurred on going into Committee
OF the Whole on the state of the Union, and the
yeas and nays were ordered. 81
MIR. LANE, OF Oregon, appealed to the House to
go into Committee. saying this the last day sci
apart for the consideration Of territorial business
Mr.. LETCHER moved that the House adjourn
The question was taken and decided in the aifir
mative--yeas 6S, nays 65.
So, at half-past one o'clock, the House ad
journed.