Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-02-15
DoINgs OF CONGRESS.

SENATE.-Mr. Houston s speech, yesterday, /
consisted mainly Of defence of the Indians,
# the Indians were to be removed, he sp- |
pealed to the Senate not to do it under the |
solemn forms of treaties He would prefer |
that they should be driven out at the point of |
the bayonet That would be an act OF daring /
and accomplished villainy. But the manwho |
would steal land from them under false prom |
Uses, he would despise.
Mr.. Stuart said as the Senator was unwell,
and could not get through to-day. he moved
to postpone the subject till tomorrow, which
was agreed to. fE tEg
Amer an executive session, the Senate ad.
journed.
HeusE.-Yesterday, in the House, after we
went to press, Mr. Dawson (who reported the
measure from the Committee on Agriculture)
concluded his opening speech in favor of the
Homestead bill, the House being in Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union.
Mr.. Mace then addressed the committee for
an hour, against the provisions Of the Nsbras
ka-kansas bill vitiating the Missouri Compro.
mise.
Mr.. Shelton also addressed the committee
for some time, arguing against the same pro-
cluded, the committee rose, and the House ad-
journed
PROCEEDINGS OF TODAY.
SENArE.-After prayer and the reading of
A communication from the Executive, with
Lieut.. Herndon's report of the exploration in
the valley of the Amazon, was read.
MIR. Hamlin observed that a vote upon the
printing of the report was unnecessary, as it
had already been voted upon at former
period.
Mr. Everett presented a petition for an ap-
preparation to the Shipwrecked Mariners
Society" Of Massachusetts. Referred to Com
mit.ee on Commerce "'sJ.l.
Mr.. Fish presented remonstrance from the
Society Of Friends, of New York, against the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise. Lail on
the table.
Mr.. Dawson introduced bill granting ad-
ditional privileges to the Corporation of Wash
ington. Read first time.
Mr. Stuart introduced resolution making
an appropriation for the improvement of har-
bors and rivers. Laid on the table.
Mr.. Rusk brought in bill to provide for the
surviving officers of the Texan Navy; read
twice.
The French Spoiation Bill was then put on
its first passage and carried in the affirmative.
Mr.. Gwin moved the taking up of the bill
constituting San Diego, in California, a port
OF entry; which, with the addition of verbal
amendment by Mr.. Hamlin, was then passed
Mr. Chase introduced bill, granting to the
State of Ohio the unsold lands in that State
The act not to affect the right of pre-emption
and not to include certain named reserves
The quantity amounted to 100000 acres. The
bill was then passed.
granting certain town lands in Dubuque, Iowa,
to the Corporation of the city for local i'm
proyements. Passed
Mr.. Houston here continued his speech from
yesterday, and said, that although indisposed
in health, he would conclude day, as there
appeared a desire to hurry it through the Sem
ate. Yesterday he had spoke of the Indians
in Kanzas. 1t would have been easy to have
so drawn the line, as not to circumScribe them
within its limits. He denied the argument
| that the Indians would not be within the jul
risdiction of the territory although residing
within its limits.
He.instanced the Indians residing in Georgia
as proof of the reverse, and was speaking on
the subject of his early acquaintance with the
Cherokee, Creek and Choctaw Indians, before
they were brought within the pale of civiliza-
| ton, at our departure.
HousE.-To-day, the Speaker laid before the
House Treasury Department communication,
covering the commissioner of customs accounts
for the three years previous to 1853 referred
to the Committee of Ways and Means.
MIR. Cobb, by leave, introduced an amend
ment to the Homestead bill.
MIR. Etheridge, also by leave, introduced an
amendment to the same bill
Whercupon, both these amendments togeth-
er with Mr.. Crows substitute proposed yester-
day, were referred to the Committee of the
Whole on the state Of the Union.
The Speaker then went on to call the com.
| mittees for reports, whereupon reports of va
rlous kinds were made and referred to the
Committee Of the Whole In the course of
| these proceedings, which occupied the morn
ing hour. Mr.. Bissell reported back from the
Committee on Military Affairs, the bill for the
| relief of the troops Of the United States who
were on board the steamship San Francisco, as
| 1t had been referred to them on coming back
amended from the Senate.
MIR. b. reported from the said Military Com
mittee in favor of the Senate's amendments to
this BILL and against one thereof; and this re-
port was concurred in by the House
Mr. Ewing presented a memorial from New
| York city, representing that the Hon Mike
" alsh, representative from New York was
neither citizen of the United States by Dir, h.
nor by naturalization, and, therefore, was not
entitled to his seat in Congress; referred to the
Committee on Elections