New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-07-01
Congressional News.

WASHINGTON, June %, 1854.
SENATE Mr.. Rockwell presented memorial
signed by over 1900 persons, principally of Bos-
ton, asking the immediate repeal of the Fugitive
Slave Law. He said the signers were persons of
all professions and occupations, and mostly per-
sons who had been disposed to support the Com
promise measures Of 1850. They were induced
to ask the repeal Of the Fugitive Slave Law
because of the late act repeating the Missouri
Compromise. He moved that it be referred to
to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. Dixon said that before that motion was
adopted, he, as we'll as other Senators, desired
to be heard. He therefore moved that it be
postponed until to- morrow .. .5.
Mr.. Sumner hoped the memorial would be
referred.
Mr.. Dixons motion was agreed to.
Mr.. Seward reported bill for the establish
ment of a line of steamers between California
and Shanghai, in China and gave notice that
he would call it up tomorrow.
Mr.. Stewards bill is as follows: That the
Postmaster General be, and he is hereby di-
rected to enter into contract for q term not ex-
ceeding years, for sum not exceeding half q
million of dollars, with such person or persons,
being the lowest bidder, offering sufficient and
satisfactory security, after one public notice,
for the transportation Of the United States mails
upon the best terms, for the United States,
monthly from San Francisco via the Sandwich
Islands and Japan, lin any port in the Empire
which shall be opened to the U. States,) to Shane
hal in China, and back, in steam vessels of not
less than 1000 tons burden of the best form of
construction adapted to the navigation of the
Pacific Ocean, thessame to be ready as early as
practicable, and any excess of the moneys so to
be paid on the amount of hostages collected,
shall be paid out of the United States Treasury
Mr.. Rusk reported n bill providing for the
transportation of the United States mails on
Railroads 1t gives land to any Road which
will contract to carry mails free of expense to
the United States.
Mr.. Clayton presented the proceedings of a
meeting, in Delaware, demonstrating against
any treaty or other measure for reciprocal
trade in breadstuffs
Mr.. Mason reported bill allowing the
Orange Alexandria Railroad to construct II
railroad over the Long Bridge, and through
Washington City, to connect with the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad.
1t was debated until one o'clock, and then
| postponed,
Mr. Jones, of Tenn, reported back all the
House bills for the relief of territories.
| Mr. Dawson reported joint resolution abol-
ishing the distinction between surgeons and sur
geons mates of the revolutionary army, with
respect to extra allowances to the same. Passed.
| Mr., Hamlin reported bill making Madison,
| Indiana, port of delivery. Passed
| Mr.. Sumner introduced a bill granting land
warrants to Massachusetts, to aid in the con-
struction of tunnel through the Hoosac Noun
tains. Referred.
The vetoed Insane Land bill was taken up.
Mr., Bell resumed, and at half-past three
finished his speech in favor of the bill.
| Mr.. Brodhead got the floor, when the bill
was postponed.
The House bill, creating the Office of Surveyor
| General of Washington Territory, was taken
up, amended and passed
After a short Executive session the Senate
adjourned.
| HoUsE.-Mr. Houston, from the Committee of
| Ways and Means, reported bill to enable the
President to carry into effect the Gadsden trea-
1 ty-appropriating $4,000, 600 for that purpose,
Referred to the Committee of the Whole on
the State of the Union.
Mr.. Benton said he was not willing to go into
the consideration of that bill until they had an
opportunity to inquire whether the privileges Of
the House have not been involvedin the negotia-
ton Of that treaty.
Mr.. Houston replied it was a distinct bill and
was not designed to be taken up in common
with the General Appropriation bill. There
was an express provision which requires bills to
carry treaties into effect 10 be separately con-
sidered in Committee Of the Whole.
| Mr.. Odds, from the Committee or POST Offices,
reported bill to amend the postage law charg-
ing three cents on single letter for any dis
lance not exceeding 8 600 miles, over that dis-
lance ten cents Ocean postage to foreign
countries, under 5000 miles, cents, over tnat
distance 10 cents, Drop letters one cent, ad-
vertised, one cent additional.
Mr. Odds moved that the bill be put on its
passage; but further action was deferred till
tomorrow.
Some personal explanations as to recent oc-
currencesiwere made, when the House went into
Committee on the General Appropriation bill
and after acting on various amendments ad-
journed.