Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-03-25
TUESDAY, MARCH 81, 1854.
IN SENATE.


Mr. SHIELDS presented resolutions of the Legislature
of Illinois, nstrucng their Senator'S and requesting their
Representatives to procure such modification OF the tariff
will admit sugar, moiasses and railroad iron free OF
duty They regard he present tax OF thirty per cent
ad yaorem sugar and moasses oppressive to the
aborng classes which such articles are Of prime ne
cessity.
Also from the same in favor of grant of land to aid
in the construction Of railroad from the west shore of
Lake Michigan the mineral region of Lake Superior
Also from the same, preamble and resolutions in favor
Of grant of land to aid in the construction OF ship ca
nal around the Falls of Niagara.
The preamble says that ship canal on the territory
Of the United States of sufficient width and depth for
sells of from thousand eighteen hundred tons would
enable the -four wheat corn, pork and beef OF Illinois TO
be shipped Eastern Cities direct to Europe with
out breaking bulk and AT cost greatly below what they
are now subject and in of between this Gov
and Great Britain be the means of protection to
the lake commerce and the various cities the borders
of our lakes which could only be had under different cir
cumsances by keeping up heavy naval ornaments the
ST. Lawrence river and Lakes Ontario Erie, Huron
Michigan, and Superior.
MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS ..
The following memorials and petitions presented
and appropriately referred:
BY Mr.. FISH: From the Chamber of Commerce of New
York representing the impaired state of the merchant
service arising chiefly from the great deficiency of Anne
rcan seamen and the want of proper means Of supply
ing them and asking the establishment Of naval schools
in the principal ports of the United States They state
as an alarming fact that while the commerce of the
portance it's practical organization has become greatly
enfeebed in its vital points that the order and dis
cpne Of the marine the character and qualifications of
sailors and the standard of seamanshp have deprecated
to such degree to bring dscredt upon
both at home and abroad and to render almost impos
sble carry any department of foreign trade with
mourning great and constant hazards arising from the
incompetency and ignorance of crews.
The Chamber estimates that the total annual cost OF main
tenance Of officers and two hundred boys at New York,
Boston, Portland Philadephia, and Baltimore would
exceed 40 000 and the purchase and equipment of
six huls for New York and FOR each of the other
ports would not exceed S150000 that the expense in
volved would be than compensated by its immediate
benefits, while, in view of the Ultimate advantages the
cost should hardly be taken into account.
Also from the society OF Universal Democratic Repub
leans asking the intervention of the United States in
behalf of Frederick Wiechel who it alleges has been e
galy imprisoned in Saxony and Bremen.
BY Mr.. PRATT: From the Maryland Institute for the
Promotion Of the Mechanical Arts, asking that Congress
will adopt to to the United States and
Great Britain coinage identical in weight fneness and
value.
Also in connection with the same subject from the
American Philosophc Society at Philadelphia, setting
forth that the present moment there is favorable OPP
portuny for eecng result of great public interest
and convenience by establishing coinage which shall be
identical in weight neness and value for the two great
commercial nations which use the English tongue
by Mr.. RUSK Prom Robert Mills, engineer and
architect asking appropriation to enable him to de-
monsrate the advantages Of certain improvements made
Mr. Mills states these advantages to consist in
my personal security in travel under any speed its stea
dy position notion and freedom from ground accidents
TO which the present plan is subject the wheels
never fly the track or injure any passing body.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr.. BR0DHEAD, from the Committee Of Claims, sub
mitted report accompanied by bill for the relief of
RulifYan Brunt.
Mr.. WADE, from the Committee Of Claims, to which
were referred the bills from the House of Representatives
for the relief Of the legal representatives of Isaac p
Simontoi and for the relief Of Madison Parton severay
reported item back without amendment and recommend
ed their passage.
Mr. CLAY, from the Committee Of Claims, to which
was referred House bill for the relief Of Samuel K Ray
burn reported back without amendment and asked its
immediate consideration
Mr. c. having explained the bill, it was read third
time and passed.
Mr. PEARCE, from the Committee on Finance, sub
mitted report accompanied by bill for the relief Of
Horace Southmead & Son.
Mr.. WILLIAMS, from he Committee of Claims to
which referred House BIZ for the relief Of the legal
representatives Of Capt VIM. havis late commander Of
the United States transport Schooner Euaua reported
without amendment.
Mr.. PRATT, from the CommitteeSf Claims submitted
report accompanied by bill for the relief of the legal
representatives of Robert Sewel
Also, from the same committee adverse report on
the memorial of VIM. G. Parke.
BILLS INTRODUCED
Mr.. GEfER introduced bill supplementary to an act
confirming claims to land in the State of Missouri and
for other purposes.