The weekly Placer herald., 1854-01-07
Later News from the Atlantic
States.
THE SIERRA NEVADA ARRIVED.


children came passengers on the Sierra
Congress organized Dec. 5th. Lynn
Boyd, OF Ky., was elected Speaker, hav-
ing received l43 votes out of 2l7 John
w. Forney was re- ele, ted G. ERIK. The
Senate organized with Mr.. Atchison, of
Missouri, President pro tenn in the chair
We notice that in this body MIR. Gwn
gave notice of the following bills: A bill
making donation Of public Iands to Cal
lfornia, for the purpose of constructing Il
Railroad ard TELEGRAPH Line from San
Francisco to the Colorado River, or south
eastern boundary of said State, with II
branch passing through the Valley of tn
Sacramento River to the boundary of Ore
gon; a bill to establish line of Mai
Steamers from San Francisco, via the
Sandwich Islands, to Shanghai; bll au
thorisIng the appointment of a u. ).
Judge for the Southern District Of Cali
fornia; till to pay the expenses incurred
hv California in >uppres>ing Indian hos
tliries in said State
The credentials Of Messrs Johnson of
Arkansas, Bell of Tennessee, and Allen Of
Rhode Island, were presented. Ben
janin, of Louisiana, announced the cleo
ton of John Slidel' as Senator from Lou
isiana, in place of Mr.. Soule Mr. SldpIl
and the other new members were sworn
IN and took their seats. Committees were
appointed to wait upon the President of
the United States, to inform him of the
organization, and that the two Houses
were ready to receive a Message from
him.
The message re-affirmS the principles
which have been enumerated by Mr..
Marcy in the koStza case, and proclaims
the determination of the President to
Aide by them
1t shows that our relations are promi-
sing and ppacefui and that the guano diff
firu ~ arising out of the question Of prop
erty in the Guano Islands has been defin =
itelv and satisfactorily adjusted with Peru.
The importance of opening the ANA
zon to the commerce of the United States
and other nations of the world, is dis
cu-scd, and it is minated that the Ad-
mni~tration is making strenuous efforts
to accomplish it.
The fishing question is still unsett ed,
although negotiations for its arrangement
are in progress.
The attention of Congress is particu-
larly called to the Importance of having a
more accurate definition of the boundary
between the United States and the Eng
lish possessions on the Northwest.
The justice Of the Spanish cain for
indemnity in the case of the schooner
Amistad, is conceded; but severe animad-
versions are made on the conduct of the
Spanish authorities towards American
citizens in Cuba, and it is intimated most
distinctly that such conduct will not he
tolerated. and must at once he stopped.
With regard to the subject of slavery,
the message re-affirms, in the strongest
terms, the principles on which the com
promise was based and adopted, and re-
asserts the Union doctrines proclaimed in
the Inaugural address, with explicit and
decided emphasis.
The reducton of duties on certain ar
tcles is urged, and the removal Of duty
aItOgether, in some cases, by the addition
of new articles TO the free list, so as to
make a reduction of fifteen millions on
the receipts Of the past year.
A very large increase and efficiency of
our navy is recommended, As is also
modification in the strength and organiza-
ton of the army.
An extension Of the public land system
is suggested, as rendered quite necessary
by the circumstances of change and pro
gress which are operating throughout the
Republic.
The Judicial system is shown to need
very important changes, and it is sugges-
ted that probably reduction of the num-
her of the Judges in the Supreme Court
as vacancies occur, so as to limit it to five
members only, who should be entirely re-
lleved from attention to circuit duties,
would he a judicious step. And it is
proposed, thar, should this he taken, cir
cult judges should he appointed ndepen-
dent Of the Supreme Judges.
No appropriations for internal improve
ments are recommended. Reasons for
Withholding them are assigned at length
These are based upon the injustice, the
irregularity, the inefficiency, and total in
adequacy of The present system on which
they are generally conducted. They are
shown to he utterly inadequate to meet
the demands of commerce, or afford the
necessary protection TO human life and
property. The question is argued close y
and minutely, and it is suggested that
Congress should empower the severa
States to levy tonnage for the purpose of
raising funds for the works they may
deem it necessary to commence. 1t is
recommended that all appro-
priationS by the General Government, for
the purpose of building the Pacific Rail
road hp iii iSc cOutinue6. and obIectiouS .ro