Washington sentinel., 1855-01-05
.CongrfssiOnak.
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
Senate Thursday, January 4, 1855.

the Board oil Commissioners now IN session III
| California for the adjudication of land claims.
Mr.. SUMNER presented a memorial ofcitizens
of Massachusetts, in which they set forth evils
which, they think, result from foreign mmigra.
tion. The memorialists express their conviction
that the means for remedying those evils cannot be
| found in any modification of the existing natu-
ralizaton laws, ndconclude that the only effective
means to accomplish their object will be the pas
| sage, by Congress, of law imposing direct tax
of not less than two hundred and fifty dollars on
| every immigrant arriving from foreign country
1t was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
The bill TO grant three years credit TO railroad
| companies for duties on iron which they import
| was reported back this morning by Mr.. TouCEY,
| from the Committee on Finance, with recommen-
dation that it do not pass.
| Mr.. HUNTER, from the same committee, re.
ported back the Military Academy appropriation
bill, and intimated his intention 10 cali up at the
| earliest opportunity.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the
bill to extend The bounty land law.
| general debate ensued on amendments; but
| Senate proceeded to the consideration Of Execu-
| tive business, and afterwards adjourned.
House Of Representatives.
The SPEAKER laid before the House mes
sage from the President Of the United States, in
| closing communication from the Secretary of the
Navy, in response to resolution Of the 1lth ut,
calling for the views of the last named officer with
regard TO the re-establshment Of the navy-yard at
| Memphis, Tennessee.
| Mr.. STANTON Of Tennessee, said that when
the Navy appropriation bill shall be taken up, he
will move an amendment with view to re-estab-
| sh the navy-yard at that place. He moved that
the message be referred 10 the Committee of the
Whole on the state Of the Union.
Mr.. PHELPS objected, saying, we have too
many navy-yards, and that, therefore, he should
] oppose any further increase of them.
/ Mr. STA ANTON m0vad the IN ass apa he ref erra1
TO select committee of five members; and this
| was agreed to.
| Mr.. FENTON introduced bin tor continuing
| the improvement Of the harbor at Dunkirk New
York; which was referred 10 the Committee on
Commerce.
| Mr.. SOLLERS moved that the bill further sup.
| Elementary 10 the act authorizing payment for
property lost captured, or destroyed by the enemy
| while in the military service of the United States
and for other purposes, be made the special order
Of the day for the 1lth OF January. But objection
was made.
/ on motion by Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, a re.
| solution was adopted for terminating the debate
on the bill for the relief Of purchasers and locaters
of swamp and overfowed lands, in two hours
| after the same shall be again taken up in the Com
mittee Of the Whole on the state Of the Union.
| The House resolved itself into the Committee
Of the Whole on the state of the Union on this
bill, when
Mr.. HARRIS, of Mississippi, commenced a
i
the last-named gentleman's proposition author
izing the President of the United States TO tender
the mediation of this country with view to set.
tie the difficulties Of the powers of Europe now
engaged in warfare, but before concluding yielded
| TO motion that the committee rise.
| The House subsequently resumed the consid
Grafton of the pending subject in committee
/ when
Mr.. sOLLERS said be had listened to the re
marks of Messrs. BARRY and KElTT, in their de-
nunciation of Know-nothingism, but they had
failed TO utter single argument TO convince him
that he was wrong in his views concerning the
| new organization.
| He proceeded TO speak Of the iriumphs Of
/ "Know -noihinglsm" as the gentleman from South
/ Carolina called il, in Massachusetts, New Jersey
| Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. Suppose
| ow-nothingism did come from Massachusetts
| as the gentleman Mr.. KEITTl charged, in his Mr.
| SoLLERs'sl opinion, il came from the proper spot
Bunker Hill is 10 Massachusetts, and so are Con
--.i -..lL LSA e,l tha aas do those
men who there shed their blood will continue &c
maintain their liberty.
The gentleman from South Carolina opposed the
new party, because, among other reasons, he saiG
II interfered with State rights. But, from the
paper before hin, protesting 10 be the organ o
the Know-nothings, the object of the organiza
lion is not only 10 preserve the rights OF the
States, but the Union Of the States. If he knew
anything about il, il looks alike on the northern
Abotionst and the southern fanatic, and would
high as Haman The fanatics Of the North and
the South, if not in point of law, in fact guilty
Of moral treason II is for the preservation of the
Union, and the whole Union, that this new party
has been organized.
The gentlemen from Mississippi and South
Carolina had told the House what the Know.
Nothings are going TO do. But he would tel
them what the Know-Nothings will notdo. They
will not dissolve the Union, but uphold il; and, as
for Maryland, IL goes for the Constitution as il is
Il ...l - H. Il -
TO permit southern nulfers TO assert the doctrine
of secession, after having submitted questions ic
| the Supreme Conrt of the United States 10 decide
their consiitutionaty They do not intend tc
quibble about the Interpretation of the Oonstitu
| ton like prude and violate il like prostitute
They propose not TO invade any section, but insist
| on the preservation Of our nationality. He op.
| posed the vast immigration of foreigners, and
claimed, as constitutional right, the privilege 10
meet in secret for political purposes.
Mr.. LETCHER obtained the floor, but yielded
Ito
| Mr.. GIDDINGS, for an explanation. The last
named gentleman said he had asked Mr. SoLLERs,
| lwho had remarked in general terms that the
know-nothings will preserve the Union on the
| principals of the Constitution, and leave slavery
where that instrument placed IT'D whether they
would restore freedom to Kansas? But the gentle
man showed the white feather and backed out.
The gentleman was well-deserving of the prin-
| cipes which he processes as a Know-nothing or
say-nothing The people OF the United States
have right 10 know the principals Of any party.
The concealment Of them was deception and a
| fraud.
| Mr.. KEITT made brief explanation, relative
TO allusion Of Mr.. SoLLERs against nulli6caiion
The people Of South Carolina, he said fought that
| battle openly The nulfcation party OF 1892
| sought no subterranean hall; there was no Cati-
line there TO foster midnight conspiracy, and, when
denounced, plead Know-nothngism. They of.
ered 10 fight the government on principle, in open
day. He was member Of the secession party Of
| 1850; and avowed that il the government should
strike at The rights and liberties Of his State, by
heaven he would strike back. He only owed
| allegiance TO South Carolina, and through her TO
| the general government When anything per-
sonal was said he should answer by monosyl.
| table,
Mr.. LETCHER said that the subject nominally
under consideration was the swamp land bill and
that he imagined there were not FIVE men in the
House who had thought of the bill since the dis
cussion commenced. He then proceeded to speak
on the question, opposing the bill in its present
form, and offering an amendment, as substitute,
TO cover everything asked for 70 quiet conflicting
claims N lanha