Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-25
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY %, 1854.
IN SENATE.

Mr.. HAMLIN presented the credentials of the Hon
WILLIAM PfrT FEssEspEs Senator elect from the State
of Maine. The credentials having been read the oath
prescribed by law administered and Mr. F. took his
seat
Mr. SHIELDS presented the credentials Of the Hon.
STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS Senator elect frem the State OF
Illinois The credentials were read and fled.
The PRESIDENT Of the Senate laid before the body q
communication from the Department Of the Interior,
made in compliance with resolution calling for nforma-
ton any deficiency in the appropriation to complete
the Insane Asylum in the District Of Columbia, and
whether any additional appropriation be necessary &C.
which referred to the Committee the District Of
Columbia and ordered 10 be printed.
THE Secretary of the Interior states that Of the sp-
preparation Of $4,000 made by the of August 1852
there remains unexpended in the Treasury $780, 1866
30 that no actual deficiency present exists but to
pee and fit up those sections Of the building for the
cepon of patients the superintendent Of the hospital
Inmates tue amount required at about S4S6 54 IS, and
hence further appropriation of 1s 209 will be neces-
sary for the completion Of the work
MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS
The following memorials and petitions presented
and appropriately referred:
By Mr. SHIELDS: From Ithie s. Richardson. asking
appropriation to test the praccabty Of an atmo-
spheric telegraph between Washington and Baltimore for
the conveyance of letters aud packages
1.-THE memoralist ssys he is fully satisfied Of the
ticablity, utility and economy of the line and asks the
Government to appropriate money to construct line of
atmospheric telegraph two feet in diameter under his
direction the not TO exceed 5000 000 TO be drawn
in sums of 000 rs the work may require provided
that when ten miles Of the line shall be completed
be put in operations and if then appears that it is not
applicable TO the safe transportation Of letters and pack
ages q speed of than FIVE hundred miles an hour
then the work shall be abandoned and greater sum
to be drawn than viii he sufficient to pay the actual eos
Of the ten miles, and the expense of testing the
hut if the ten miles shall prove competent to the
portaon Of five thousand pounds from either end 10 TIL
other at the above rate OF speed then he is to be allowed
to build the remainder Of the line TO Baltimore, &c
The memorial, motion Of Mr.. SHIELDS, referre
to q select committee Of FIVE.
Also, from Thomas Bassuett asking the attention Q
Congress his discoveries OF value the navigating in
terests disclosed in work written by him. Mr. Bas
says that at this time the loss Of the San Fancsc
has prepared the people for the reception Of such dis
covery, for boldly assert that if the directions ba
been observed which contained in that work this
noble ship might have been safe this day. have mad
the calculation according to the principles laid down.
find that the point reached by the ship on the 33d Dc
cember last was the very point have been avoided
delay of twelve hours would have saved the vessel"
By Mr. MORTON From citizens Of West Florida ash
inr the establishment Of land district west Of h
Chatahoochee river, in that State.
Also from Jasper Strong and George Terrill, askn
authority 10 construct railroad from Perdido river
the Bay Of Pensacola the town Of Warrington,
that State.
By Mr.. EVERETT: From citizens Of Nantucket, at
town meeting Of the same asking Congress to take som