Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-03-21

Senate, Tuesday, March 81, 1854.


Senate, Tuesday March 81, 1854.
Il Mr.. Seward presented two memorials from
the State Of New York, demonstrating against
the passage Of the Nebraska bin.
Mr.. Summer presented the resolutions Of the
town Of Adams, Massachusetts,, and also OF
the town Of Bedford, in the same State, remon-
strating against the abrogation of the Missouri
Compromise or the extension of Slavery to
territory now free.
Also two remonstrances signed by 963 wo-
men Of Litchfeld, Maine, against the same
bill
Mr.. Shields presented the resolutions Of the
Legislature Of illinois, in favor Of grant OF
land by the United States, To aid in the con-
struction Of ship canal around the Falls Of
Niagara
MI. Pratt presented the memorial Of the
Maryland Mechanical Institution, and the
Philadelphia Philosophical Society, stating that
there wore grounds to believe that Great Brit
ain was about to adopt the decimal computa-
ton 10 her coinage, and recommending that
measures be taken that will lead to the adop-
q uniform system of coinage, with devices and
value. Referred.
Mr. Shields said there was resolution upon
the table, explanatory Of the law regulating
appointments to West Point Academy. II sim
ply provided that those new Congressional dis
tricts, established under the last superintendent
should not be denied the right of appointment
Mr.. Badger said the resolution ought to be
referred He had thought for some time that
the law regulating the appointment of cadets
should be amended 80 as to give Senators the
same power Of selecting as was held by MEM
bers Of the House.
Mr.. Shields said he had bill which provided
for that matter, and he would call it up to-day,
perhaps This bill, however, ought to be passed
at once.
The bill was then read, and after some fur
Their remarks, the resolution was referred.
The joint resolution for the House to con-
tinue certain existing contracts for supplying
provisions clothing, or small stores for the use
Of the navy, was taken up.
Mr.. Gwin urged that it be put on its passage
After some remarks by Messrs. Fish and
Shields, the resolution was referred.
Mr.. Mason moved an Executive session !;
which motion was disagreed TO-
On motion by Mr.. johnson, the bill for the
relief Of the heirs and legal representatives Of
Col. Alexander G.. Morgan was taken up, and
the same was explained and passed
On motion Of Mr.. Brodhead,
Resolved, That 5000 additional copies of the
report Of the Secretary Of the Treasury, COM
municating statistics of the Federal, State, oor-
poration, and municipal indebtedness of the
United States held in foreign countries, be
printed one thousand of which to be for the
use of the Department.
Mr.. Hunter introduced bill to graduate
the price of the public lands, and for other
purposes.
Also, bill to provide for the sale of q por-
ton of the public lands to the States in which
they lie, for the purpose of constructing rail-
roads aud canals
On motion of Mr.. Shields, the Senate took
up the bill increasing the pay of the rank and
file Of the army, and also giving Senator'S the
right of appointing cadets to West Point
Mr.. Petit moved to strike out the latter
provision.
Messrs. Cass, Dodge Of Iowa, and Petit, sup
ported the motion, and Messrs.' Shields, Butler,
Rusk, and Seward, opposed il. Tho bill was
then postponed, and the Senate proceeded to
the consideration Of Executive business
House Of Representatives. Mareh 81, 1854.
The Speaker laid before the House q com-
munication from the Executive, transmitting
certain information from the Interior Depart
ment.
Also communication from the Treasury
Department, giving estimates Of the cost Of
certain breakwaters.
They were laid on the table, and ordered to
be printed.
MIR Washburn, of Illinois, presented certain
resolutions of the Legislature OF his State ;
which werc laid on the table, and ordered to
be printed
Mr. Murray, from the Committee on Print
ing, reported a resolution, recommending the
printing Of 900 copies Of the Agricultural
portion Of the Report Of the Commissioner of
the Patent Office. Adopted.
Mr. Breckenridge moved that the House
should 90 into Committee Of the Whole for
the purpose Of considering the custom-house
erection appropriations; which did not prevail.
Mr. Dunbar presented q resolution Of the
Legislature Of Louisiana, relative to the con.
struction OF railroad in that State which
was laid on the table, and ordered to be
printed.
Mr. Haven called for the regular order of
business.
Tho Speaker announced this TO be the pre-
sanitation Of reports from the Committee on
Public Lands
Mr. Cobb reported back, and asked that the
Committee be discharged from q variety of pc.
titions, asking for grants Of public lands; ur-
ging the enactment Of Homestead bill ask
ing Congress 70 stop the sale Of public lands;
asking lands for school purposes, go.
Mr. Cobb also reported, from the same COM
mittee, bill authorizing the issuing Of land
warrants to the widows or children OF deceased
soldiers, although the widows may be married
again, or the children may be minors, and not
TO the estate Of the deceased. Referred to the
Com mittee of the Whole.
Mr. Warren, from the Same committee re-
ported bill TO compensate land agents for
certain services which was referred to the
Committee OF the Whole.
MIR. Warren also reported, from the same
committee, bill for the relief of settlers upon
lands reserved by statute for railroad purposes.
Mr.. Letcher moved TO lay it ON the table,
upon which the yeas and nays were ordered !;
and IL was decided in the negative
-. xvsoh A. vaooh