The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-01-19

vi cilDSylFdDld, T6du bue INV
OF 1902 and thought it was prospective but
acknowledged his error on the explanation of
Mr.. Cutting.
MT. Haven moved the previous question,
which prevailed; and the bill was read third
time, and passed
Mr. Stanton, from the Committee On the
Judiciary, reported back bill for the division
Oh the state OF Arkansas into two judicial dis
trlcts, with an amendment empowering the
Judge OF thew estern district to commit prison.
ere to the penitentiary of the Eastern district.
The bill, thus amended was read third time
and passed.
Mr. Stanton also reported a bill creating o
Southern judicial district for the State of Cali
fornia; and stated that the duties Of the pres
ent court were onerous to an extraordinary
degree.
Mr.. Houston, of Alabama, said that an act
OF 1852 had raised the salary of the Judge of
the court now existing from SO 500 to $4,000
because OF the increase of his duties.
Mr.. Latham explained that the experience
OF the State had shown the absolute necessity
OF another court, and denied that tho creation
o! the now district would afford reason for
reducing the salary of the present Judge, a.
though SO 500 was all that was asked as the
compensation of The new appointec.
The further consideration of the subject was
here suspended, and, on motion, the House
went into Committee Of the Whole on the
state of the Union when
Mr. Ewing. Of Kentucky arose and address
ed the Committee on that part of the Preki-
dents Message relating to rivers and harbors,
and especially the recommendation OF tonnage
duties on domestic commerce f0r this purpose
He was not prepared to defend in all particu-
lars the present system but thought the plan
nt tod nv tho DraciAnCt ,,S oIr
the Senator from Illinois Senator Douglas |
would be unconst:tntioy al and declared that
1t would be resisted ia lis section of the coun-
try. first by constitutional means, and finally,
II necessary, by er'rI- constitutional means
Mr. Ewing read from many authorities in
support OF his position on the constitutional
question. He also thought that, after the ex-
penditure OF such immense sums Of money upon
the Improvement Of ports and harbcrs on the
Atlantic coasts, the present suggestion came
with bad grace from the President; but its
approval by the distinguished Western Senator,
already named, was still more marvellous. He
might almost call it an act Of moral treason,
or It's commentator to the w est by that Sen
ator must be regarded as an indication of sim
gular simplicity in so astute 4 politician and
statesman.
The Committee then rose, and reported pro-
SiSoo, VII hSlIb having UUbflucu tnt llOOT.
Ga melton of Mr. Houston, the House then
proceeded to the consideration of the business
On the Speakers table, the fret business in
order being the Senate BILL entitled San act
prescribing the manner of appointing the As
sistant Secretary of the Treasury" and the
pending question being on the demand for the
previous question; which was sustained.
The question then REQUIRED on the adoption
of the substitute for the bill On which ques-
ton the yeas and nays were ordered and re-
sultcd-yeas sc, nays TO-
So the substitute was adopted.
The question was then taken, and the bill
was rejected, as ameLded-yeas 10, nays I07.
motion was made to reconsider the vote
rejecting the bill, and to lay that motion on
the table
Mr.. Macdonald moved to reconsider the
vote just taken, and also moved to lay the mo-
ton to reconsider on the table.
Mr.. Stanton, of Tennessee, demanded the
yeas and nays on the motion; which were or
derod, and it was decided in she Affirmative
yeas 100, nays 30.
The House then adjourned until Monday
next, for the purpose of enabling the Door
keeper to adjust the gas fixtures about the hall
Senate, Monday, January IS, 1851.
Mr.. Pearce submitted q resolution, directing
the Committee on Naval Affairs to inquire into
the expediency of making some national &C.
Acknowledgement to the officers and crew Of the
British ship "Thrcc Bells" ard to the Amori-
can vessels g Kilby" and Antarctic" for their
bravery and humanity displayed in the peril
GUS rescue by them of the passengers Of the
steamer San Francisco.
He paid an eloquent tribute to the gallantry
and high degree of humanity evinced by the
noble commander of the British vessel "Three
Bells' in lying, with his own brig shattered by
the same storm, alongside of that steamer du-
ring the perilous situation of those on board.
He commented also on the admirable conduct
displayed by the officers and crews of the other
vessels, and said such exertions only could have
been prompted by the purest feelings Of hui
manity.
Mr.. Shields submitted as a substitute for
the resolution, one calling upon the Secretary
of War to communicate to the Senate all au-
thentic information in the possession Of the
War Department in relation to the cause of
the wreck, Of the steamer San Francisco, and
the means used and employed in the rescue Of
the persons on board the same.
He said he had had OH interview with the
Secretary Of War on the subject and was in
formed that he expected full ard authentic in
formation upon the whole subject matter in
three days. When this information was re-
ceived, the Senate could act adviscdly in with
holdiug and bcstowing Acknowledgements and
rewards.
Mr. Gwin was in favor of the resolution Of
fered by the Senator from Maryland. He
thought this subject would involve many in
quiries appropriate to several committee
whether relief ought not to be. given to those
who rescued the passengers; whether pensions
ought not to be given to the relatives of those
who lost their lives in that vessel, and remu-
neration made to those who lost their property
in that vessel
Mr.. Mason supported the resolution of the
Senator from Maryland, but thought the in
quiry ought to be sent to the Military Com
mittee.
Mr.. Butler took a similar view of the subject
After some remarks by Mcssrs. Badger and
Houston, the resolution offered by Mr.. Pearce
was agreed to, and also the resolution offered
by MIR. Shields.
Mr.. Petit from the Committee on the Judi
ciary, to which had been referred the question
of the right of the Hon. s. S. Phelps to occupy
a seat as a Senator from the State Of Vermont,
made report, which was ordered to he print
ed; and, on his motion, the subject was post
poned till Wednesday next.
He also presented paper containing the
views of the minority of the Committee ON the
subject.
Mr.. Hunter presented the memorial Of the
Southern Baptist Conference, asking the adop-
ton, by the United States, of measures to secure
to Americans, while travelling or sojourning in
foreign countries, the right of religious freedom.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. Dixon gave notice Of an amendment he
intended to offer to the bill to establish a Ter
ritorial Government for Nebraska which would
provide that so much of the act of Congress of
1920, in relation to the admission Of Missouri
as State, as prohibits Slavery and Involuntary
carvituda hot vnrt,oD nc 10 Tarr;fo-u ,f