The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-13
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
Senate.

WASHINGTON, April H. 1854
RESIGNATION TRUMAN SMITH.
The CHAIR presented letter from the Hon. Truman
Smith, Of Connecticut resgning his seat in the Senate
to take effect on the oath of May next.
CUSTOM HOUSE BURLINGTON, VERMONT.
Mr.. FooT, (whig) of Vermont submitted a resolution
directing inquiry by the Committee Commerce into
the expediency Of making appropriation for the pur
chase Of site and the erection Of custom house at
Burlington, Vermont The resolution was adopted.
THE INDIANS AT PUGEr's SOUND.
Mr.. PETIT, (dem.) of Indiana, presented petitions
praying that steps may be taken TO colonize and cyize
the Indians Pugets Sound in Washington Territory
CORRESPONDENCE OF MR.. BARNARD, U. s. MINISTER
BERLIN.
Mr.. FRH's resolution, offered Monday calling for
the correspondence of Mr. Barnard while Minister OF the
United States at Berlin, taken up and adopted.
THE INDIAN APPROPRIATION BLL.
Mr.. HUNTER, (dem) of Va, reported back the Indian
Appropriation bill, with amendments.
RELKf OF JOHN M'AvoY.
The bill for the relief of John M'Avoy taken up
and passed.
ON DIAMONDS.
Mr.. PRATT (whig) Of Md, presented a memorial from
the merchants of Baltimore and others, praying for the
repeal of oil duties diamonds and other precious stones
THE U. > MAILS,
Mr.. RUsK (dem) OF Texas, introduced bill providing
for the transportation of the u s. mails railroads
This bill provides that all railroad companies or indivi
be constructed, who shall contract with the United
States to carry the United States mails troops and mun
tiops of free of charge and allowing the Postmaster
General to regulate the and time for ransporta-
ton Of said mails shall be allowed to import free of
duty all iron required for the and repair OF such
roads And to all railroad companies who may have,
or who shall construct, good substantial double track
road and who shall contract aforesaid there shall be
granted by the United States six sections Of public land
for each mile Of such double track road.
The bill was referred.
nn WEIGHT AND MEASURE SYSTEM
Mr.. HAMIN, {dem) of Me-, presented several docu-
ments in favor OF the adoption of decimal metrca sys-
tenn, to form part OF uniform system of weights and
measures
rRorRAc1ED EXECUTIVE SESSION.
The Senate at twelve O'Clock went into executive ses
scu and the doors not opened till five O'Clock
when the Senate adjourned
House OF Representatives.
WASHINGTON, April 10, 1854.
NEW MEMBER
Mr. COLUMBIA LANCASTER delegate from Washington
Territory was introduced and took the oath to support
the constitution
MAILS DErwES NEW ORLEANS AND SAN FRANCISCO
The bill empowering the Postmaster General TO contract
for carrying the mails between New Orleans and San
Francisco, according to time, was taken up.
Mr.. HAMILTON (dem.) of Mich, said this bill in
effect merely to grant additional mail facilities between
those points at enormous expense to the Post Office
Department thus imposing greater burdens.
Mr.. PHELPS, (dem) Of No., took similar ground, urg.
ing tnat the bu snoud pass ~ woud increase the nos'
Once deficiency to three and half millions OF dollars
Z annually.
Mr.. CHuRcHwnI, (dem.) Of Tenn, said neither of the
gentlemen had touched the merits Of the BILL but had
merely animadverted the details He cared nothing
Tor the schedule OF prices, his main object being
20 hold out Inducements FOR carrying the mails in the
.Sad On motion SH Of Sr Kr whs) of c. the bill was
TIE BILL GRADUATING THE PRICE or LAND
The House went into committee on the bill reducing
She time they have been in the sna ms "'"s v
1he general debate had terminal. ! ~ :. -'th