Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-11
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY s, 1854.
IN SENATE.


IN SENATE.
The PRESIDENT Of the Senate laid before the body
communication from the Department OF War; transmit
ting statements OF the contingent expenses Of the various
bureaus of the for the year ending both June 1853
Also report Of the Secretary of War, transmitting
returns Of the militia Of the United States and Terrific
res, with their arms, acooutrements &C. which was or
dered to lie on the table and be printed
MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS
The following memorials and petitions were presented
and appropriately referred $685.
By Mr.. BRODHEAD: From the representatives of the
religious Society Of Friends in Pennsylvania New Jer
sew Delaware and otherparts adjacent protesting against
the passage of the Nebraska bill other law by which
slavery may be introduced into the territory from which
it is now excluded.
Mr.. D. said This memorial has been brought to me
by committee of four gentlemen who represent the
cety named They not political abolitioniss bat
they express sentiments which have been long entertain
ed by the society which they belong Although may
differ from them in regard TO the constitutional power
Congress upon the subject nevertheless respect their
motives. will not ask for the reading of the emo
rial but the Nebraska bin is under consdera-
ton, will move that it lie upon the table, will not
ask it for another One Of the committee has in
formed me that they intend to present copy to each
Also six petitions from different parts of Pennsylva
MA demonstrating against the enactment of any law by
which slavery may be introduced by which the pro-
visions Of the Missouri compromise may be inrnged.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES,
Mr.. PRATT from the Committee the District OF Co
umbia, to which referred the bill to incorporate the
National Hotel Company Of Washington city, reported
the same without amendment. ,@ h.,.ss .-r
Mr.. BRIGHT, from the Committee on the District Of
Columbia asked to be discharged from the further
sheraton Of the memorial of citizens of Georgetown,
asking the erection of custom house; which was
agreed to-
BILLS INTRODUCED.
M. \
time by their titles and referred appropriate commit
tees:
BY Mr. SHIELDS: A bill to authorize the sale of Rock
Island, in the State Of Illinois, and for other purposes
Also bill granting portion of the public lands to
the State Of Illinois to aid in the construction of the Mis-
sissippi and Wabash railroad, in said State.
Also, bill granting portion of the public lands to
the State of Illinois to aid in the construction of the War
saw and Rockford Railroad
By Mr. BRODHEAD: bill to provide place for q
post Office in the city of Philadelphia and for the
Of the United States in the district of Pennsy
yaRia
LAND BILLS
On motion by Mr.. STUART, the Senate proceedi
ed to consider the bill granting the right of way and
making grant of land the State of Michigan aid in
the construction of the Oakland and Ottawa railroad from
Pontiac to Lake Michigan, and branches from Corunna
and Grand Rapids to the straits of Macknaw, and
tnuous branch from thence to Montreal river in said
State.
The bill having been amended, after brief discussion
it was ordered to be engrossed then passed by the
following vote ,.
YEAS-Messrs. Adams, Allen, Bell, benjamin Bright
Brown, Cass, Clay Dodge of Wisconsin, Dodge of Iowa.
Douglas Fitzpatrick Foot Geyer Houston James, Johnson
Jones of Iowa. Jones of Tennessee Mallory Petit Rusk Sc
bastian, Shields Sldel Smith,, Stuart Summer, Thomson
| of New Jersey, Walker, Weller, and Wright-a2.
NAYS-Messrs. Bayard Butler Clayton, Dawson Dixon,
Hamlin, Hunter Mason Norris Pratt Thompson Of Ken
/ tuky, Toonibs, Wade and Wiliams-1i.
The Senate then proceeded consider the bill granting
to the State OF Louisiana the right of way and donation
| o.
ing railroad from Algiers, the Mississippi river, to
the Sabine river in said State amended by the Com
mittee on Public Lands and the amendment having been
concurred in the bill read the third time and passed
the title having been amended to read San act
making grant of land the State of Louisiana aid in
the construction Of certain railroad in said State"
Mr.. BROWN moved to take up for consideration the
bill making grant of land to the States of Louisiana and
Mississippi to aid in the construction of certain railroads
in said States.
Mr.. SLIDELL alluded to on understanding which was
had the other cay that that class of bills should be taken
up some given day and disposed of to which he mr.
S. } had assented.
Mr.. BROWN thereupon waived his motion for the
present
FRENCH sPoIATIoNs.
On motion by Mr.. HAMLIN, the Senate proceeded to
consider the bill to provide for the asoertanment and
tsfaotion of claims of American citizens for spoatons
prior to 3lst july 1901.
Mr.. DODGE, of Iowa, moved an amendment providing
for the appointment of attorney to investigate said
claims, &c.; which having been agreed to
Mr. HAMLIN moved that the further consideration be
postponed until tomorrow, at halfpast twelve o'clock
which motion agreed to.
SENATORIAL GALLANTRY.
Mr. HOUSTON adyertcd to the extreme nclemency Of
the day and moved that the ladies be admitted the bar
in the Of the Senate The fulness of the galleries
bore evidence Of the interest excited and there
three hundred he thought round their doors seeking adj
mission. Here there laugh Of surprise ut the
number Indicated Well, (sad Mr.. H. may speak in
bounds when | say hundred; and If fifty of them
could be grat6ed it would be of pleasure This
was the first motion Of the kind ever submitted by him.
because in general hc opposed to the measure but
this occasion and under all the circumstances he
trusted that Senators would extend that courtesy Ito say
nothing of gallantry to which the preemi
nently entitled.
Mr. DODGE, Of Wisconsin, seconded the motion with
great pleasure The assigned by the gallant SEN
ator from Texas were good in themselves and ought to
prevail with Senator's This day they to listen to
gentleman renowned for his eoQuence and great ability
and for that reason independent of those offered by the
Senator from Texas, he would feel personally gratfed
the ladies could have opportunity of hearing the dis
tinguished Senator
Mr.. WELLER would feel compelled to object to the
motion, If he did consider il entirely upgracous as
well ungsllant do So His in rather an un-
fortunate location and the admission Of ladies in his
unfrequenty induced him TO turn listening ear TO
the conversation going behind him rather than that
in 'front.' but this motion bad ernanated from his gal
liant friend from Texas backed By his less gallant friend
from Wisconsin, he could find it in his heart OPP
pose it, and would content himself with expressing the
hope that the ladies' if admitted would be quiet as cir
cumstances would admit. [Laughter.l
Mr.. PETIT felt compelled to object Where were
the rules that were have been regousy" observed
the admission Of persons in the lobby Of the Senate
Besides, he had persons Of age and distinction
Judges of the Supreme Court) unable TO obain