Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-06-16
G0narfssi0aals
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION.
senate-Thursday, June IS. 1854.

Senate-Thursday, June Is, 1854.
Mr.. SUMNER presented the credentials of the
Hon. JULIUS ROCKWELL senator from Massachu-
sets, appointed by the governor Of that State 10
the Hon. EDWARD EVERETT.
Mr.. ROCKWELL appeared and took the oath
prescribed by the Constitution.
BILLS PASSED.
Mr.. RUSK reported joint resolution for the
relief Of Rebecca ]. Birdsall, andrthe same was
considered and passed.
Mr.. SLIDELL reported bill for the relief OF
William Duer; and the same was considered and
passed.
CREDITORS OF TEXAS.
Mr.. PEARCE, from the Committee on Finance,
reported back the bill providing for the settlement
Of the claims Of the creditors Of the late republic
of Texas.
CHIPPEWA INDIANS.
On motion Of Mr.. SEBASTIAN, the Senate
proceeded to Reconsideration of the bill from the
House of Representatives, to provide for the ex-
tingnishment Of the title of the Chippewa Indians
TO the lands owned ana claimed by them in the
Territory of Minnesota. and State OF Wisconsin,
and for their domestcation and civilization. I'll
Mr.. SEBASTIAN having explained the BILL
Mr. PEARCE said he regarded the bill as pre-
scribing what should be the terms Of treaty
with these Indians, and he could not support il.
Mr. WELLER thought the subject ought to be
postponed 10 give time for examination, and
therefore he moved il be postponed And the
motion was agreed 10. 4.
RED RIVED RAFT. -s
Mr. JOHNSON said that by the last river and
harbor appropriation bill, an appropriation was
made for the removal Of the Red river raft that
appropriation had been coupled with condi-
ton that il should be expended only after a con-
tract with some person who would remove the
raft and keep the navigation open No contract
could be obtained on these terms, and the money
had not been expended. He desired now to in
troduce joint resolution TO authorize the secreta-
ry of war TO expend that appropriation in the i'm
provement of the navigation of Red river, in such
manner as to him may appear best. No objection
being made, the resolution was read twice.
After some remarks Of Messrs. WALKER and
JOHNSON, the resolution was passed. II
LIEUTENANT NJ. F. MAURY.
The joint resolution giving the consent of Con-
gress to the acceptance, by Lieutenant M. F.
Maury, Of gold medal rendered him by the King
ofSweden, was taken up and passed.
VETOED LAND BILL.
The Senate then resumed the consideration of
the bill granting land 10 the several States for the
relief of the INDECENT insane.
Mr.. CLAYTON addressed the Senate for over
two hours in defence of the bill and in controvert-
ing the arguments made against its constitution
atty.
He also denied that the President of right had
the power to exercise Legislative authority by We
TONG any measure passed by Congress- TO which
there was no constitutional objection.
He referred TO the many acts of Congress, max
ing grants OF land for various purposes, which had
been approved by Monroe Jackson, and others,
and held that this act was clearly constitutional
and fully sustained by numerous precedents. /
3 Mr. SEWARD obtained the foor and the Sem
ate adjourned