Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-01-26

rHIarYrHIRD cosGRrss--sIRsr SESSION.
Senate, January 26, 1854

the Hon. A. J. Brown, Senator elect from the
State of Mississippi for six years from the
fourth Of March last Mr. Brown appeared
and was sworn
Mr. Seward presented large number Of
petitions from the city and various parts Of the
State Of New York, praying q reduction OF
ocean postage.
Also. several petitions praying that Congress
would, by q grant of land. aid the State Of New
York in constructing Q ship canal around the
Falls Of Niagara.
Mr.. Everett presented the memorial Of the
Massachusetts, Historical Association, praying
that Congress would adopt some measures to
obtain from England copies Of all documents
and correspondence pertaining to the early
history Of the American Colonies
Mr.. Bell made inquiry Of the chairman Of
the Committee on Commerce, as to whether that
committee intended to report any bill making
appropriations for the Improvement drivers and
harbors, or whether it was intended, as hereto
fore, to wait for bill from the House on that
subject. He urged the propricty Of the Senate
expediting such an appropriation by origina-
ting the measure.
Mr. Hamlin responded, that the uniform
rule has been to wait for such bills to come
from the House. He did not know that the
committee intended to depart from that rule
at this time.
Mr. Badger said the Senate had the undoubt-
ed right to originate bills Of such q character,
and he hoped it would be done IL however,
the committee intended to report no general
BILL that they would report one specially pro-
viding for the removal of distractions in Cape
Fear river.
Mr. Seward expressed himself favorable to
the originating in the Senate Of River and
Harbor BILL
Mr. Hunter reported back the bill making
appropriations for the payment of invalid PEN
sions for the year ending June 80, 1855, with
an amendment
The amendment was concurred in, and the
bill was passed
Mr. Shields, from the Committee on Military
Affairs reported back the House bill for the
relief Of the officers and troops on board the
steamer San Francisco at the time of her dis.
aster, with amendments
The amendments extended the relief to such
officer or seaman Of the navy on board such
steamer by orders, and provided that they
should be released from the payment of the
six months pay and rations drawn by them in
advance
The amendments also provided that the widows
or orphans Of those lost on that vessel should
be entitled to the same pensions which would
have been allowed them, If these officers and
troops had been killcdin battle These amend
ments were CONQUERED in
Mr. Jones, Of Tennessee, moved an amend
ment, providing that the Second Auditor should
ascertain the amounts of private losses sus-
tanned by these officers and troops, and pay the
same.
Mr.. Jones supported his amendment, and
Mr. johnson opposed it.
Mr.. Shields said that the conduct of the off,
GERS who left their command on the wreck,
repaired to the Kilby, and escaped, was a SUBJ
ject Of military inquiry, and he was unwilling
to pay the losses OF such men, until their con-
duct had been fully explained
Mr.. Jones withdrew his amendment, and the
bill was passed.
The case Of Mr.. Phelps was taken up, and
Mr.. Petit addressed the Senate in support Of
the resolution reported by the Committee, that
Mr. Phelps is entitled to retain his seat, as a
Senator from Vermont.
When he had concluded, Mr.. Bayard rose
to reply, when various suggestions were made
as to the continuance Of the debate at this
time. Finally, the matter was laid on the
table for the present, and the Senate proceeded
TO consider Executive business.
House Of Representatives, Jan. rs, 1854.
A communication was received from the De-
partment Of the Interior, asking for an appro-
priation Of $4,000, to iquidatc certain ex-
penses incurred by the survey Of the Mexican
boundary; after the reading Of which,
Mr.. Jones, Of Tennessee, stated that the do.
bate on the Presidents Message in Committee
OF the Whole was to terminate at O'Clock to-
day that his colleague was entitled to the floor:
and that, in order to enable that gentleman to
give expression to his sentiments, no moved a
suspension Of tho rules, and that the House
would forthwith resolve itself into a Commit
tee Of the Whole.
This motion was adopted, and (Mr. Orr be-
ing in the chair
Mr.. Etheridge, Of Tennessee, arose and ad-
dressed the Committee on the proposition to
authorize the President of the United States TO
confer the rank Of Lieutenant General by brc-
vet, in consideration Of meritorious services
Mr.. said no unconstitutional and no un.
prccedented honor was proposed to be con-
ferred. He alluded to the many instances of
the compliment Of Congressional vote, and
the comforting Of special honors, in acknowl-
edgment Of meritorious services. And upon
whom could compliment be more appropri
ately conferred?
Tho resolution named no person as the re-
cipient OF this honor and It had been suggest
ed that the honor might be conferred upon
another He was willing to confde in the die
erection Of the President Never had that high
officer signed commission with greater pleas
ure, than he would that now contemplated to
be conferred upon Major General Scott
It had been suggested that something like a
title of nobility was contemplated by the reso-
luton proposed; but this could only emanate
from an unworthy prejudice. No such title
could be conferred in this country; for no other
nobility was here known than that which be.
longs to individual character--a nobility which
all delight in honoring.
Mr.. y. spoke at length, recapitulating the
many arguments in support Of the measure
when
The resolutions TO refer the Presidents Mes
sage to the several committees were adopted,
and the Committee rose, and the resolutions
were reported to the House, and forthwith