Washington sentinel., 1854-05-07

House Of Representatives.
Mr. WASHBURN, of Maine, presented the
resolutions Of the legislature of that State, in
structng their senators and requesting their rep
resentaiives to take such measures as may bring
before Congress the claims of Maine for indem-
nifty on account lands taken required 10 be
taken to carry into effect the treaty of Washington
Also, the resolutions of the Legislature of that
state expressing the opinion that every principle
OF justice and national honor requires speedy pro-
vision 10 be made for The satisfaction of claims
account OF French spoliations committed on
American Commerce.
Laid ON the table and ordered to be printed.
TERRITORIAL BUSINESS.
Mr.. STEVENS, of Michigan from the Com
mittee on Public Lands, reported bill TO aid the
Territory OF Minnesota in the construction of a
railroad therein, and asked that il be put on its
passage.
Mr.. HAMILTON raised question that the bill
could not be reported under the resolution Of the
House setting aside this week for the considera-
tion OF territorial business.
The SPEAKER decided that the report was
in order
Mr.. HAVEN appealed from the decision.
Mr.. EDGERTON moved that the appeal be
laid on the table.
Pending the question,
Mr.. FLAGLER moved that the House do now
adjourn.
Decided in the negative--yeas S. nays SO.
WI. HAVEN withdrew his appeal.
The bill having been read by its title
Mr.. HAMILTON moved that il be rejected.
Mr.. STEVENS, of Michigan, said it had been
suggested that he should withdraw the BILL as the
reporting of il was springing a surprise upon the
House. He protested against charge of this
KIND. he was the last man in this House who
would do such ali unfair thing. He had been in
structed by the Committee on Public Lands TO
report this bill, and he had promised the delegate
from Minnesota that he would do so. He was
therefore only redeeming this promise, and fulfill
ing this duty The bill did not affect him person
ally, but it affects the United States at large
When this road shall have been completed, il will
be hut single link Of the great line Of steam
communication from the Gulf Of Mexico 10 Lake
Superior. to the head of the Mississippi; and TO
the Pacific. The people of Minnesota are not
able OF themselves to construct the road but pass
this bill, and the line will be completed He
thought that, more than any others, bills of this
kind, so important in their results, should become
laws. He briefly explained the provisions of the
measure, and in conclusion, demanded the pre-
vious question.
Mr.. LANE, of Oregon, moved that the House
resolve il elf into Committee of the Whole on
the state of the Union.
Mr.. MEACHAM moved that the House ad-
Journ; but the motion was not agreed to-yeas
", nays 7S.
The question recurred on going into Committee
Of the Whole on the state of the Union, and the
yeas and nays were ordered.
Mr.. LANE, of Oregon, appealed to the House 10
go into Committee, saying this was the last day set
apart for the consideration of territorial business
Mr.. LETCHER moved that the House adjourn
The question was taken and decided in the afr
mative-yeas SS nays G5.
So, at half-past one o'clock, the House ad-
journed.