Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-01-30
TuInTY.TIuRD COSGRESs-2D SESSION
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1855.
SESATr

SENAlE.
AmcsSa.c Wis received from the President, cnclo.
sing Il communication from the Secretary of the lnte'
rior, asking au appropriation in reference 10 Indian
matters; referred 10 the IN on finance. Ano'
Their communication, continuing information relative
Ia the pust-Oilicc and clstunI. house sites in different
cities; ordered To be printed and referred to the conf
miftrc on post offices and post roads.
Mr.. Chase Introduced II bill for the improvement ni
the navigation Of the Ohio, which WAS made the spec
cial order for Monday next. ltapproprlatts S2OO,OOO,
aud makes the Louisville and Portland canal free.
Mr.. Cooper addressed the Senate in support of his
%emigrant, convict and pauper rcsolution,. He said
he presumed that senators were aware that several
Statcs of Europe transport their paupcrs and crimi'
mails here. This was untriendly and unjust. Nations
i'll unity with us have no right 10 make our land their
penal colony. But a month ago, II single vessel land
cd i'll New York $50 paupcrs and ID cnnvicts, wear
ing chains on their limbs. More recently another
vessel brought quite n number of Swiss, sent here nj
the expense Of their government. The Sandman gov
crnm"nt recently shipped "a convicted criminals 4"
New York. ltis a common practice in several al the
S,atrs of Continental Europe 10 make contracts Tor
transportation hither of their paupcrs, and snmctiiiics
inmates of their prnitentiaries.
The agents uf the great passenger lines make Ut.
ran2emrn,s for the removal nf the pampers "t INLAND
European towns 10 Antwerp, Bremen, Havrc' ana
other scuporis. for transportation hiIiIcr; ana III Ire
land. Il similar practice is pursued. We have rs
much ~right-.lt is H. much our duiy to pr"lrci our
selves against vice md crime IT, against disclose. Ii up
on n point Of national etiquette we receive an insult,
the whole nation tnkrs fire and war If tiIre"triIrd' pu'
we tnmely acqulcscc in this discharge ot a!m-l"uscs
and prisons on our shores, Tor fear that We may iose
the votes of our foreign population.
Mr.. Cooper said he was willing that the country
should continue 10 be tho asylum oi the oppressed Oh
every land: that they should be fed from our album
dance, as heretofore, and be protected by our instit,I'
tions in their persons and property; but he saii me
time had come when the door Of admission should De
forever closed against The settlers aud lcGulIsei pau
pcrs, and nll persons convicted or suspected 81
crime " ho shall be sent here by their respective gov
crnIncnts.
The Mayor of New York has addressed the munich
pal bodies of thu, city, rs well ~ the President q. the
United States, on that subject; nni enough has been
exhibited to alarm the Hpprchnnsion- ut every Cllrls-
tnn aud puiriut in the land. He severely criticised
the practice III large cities of organizing military com
pancs composed Of Foreigners, but thought Congress
would have 10 abandon the control OF such 10 the
governors nf tn. States in which they were organ
lied. Still Congress might do much Ia keep the ma
trrinl out at ile country which communicates our So
cicty and flEs our prison. aud work-hou.cs. lie dd
not believe the worthy immigrant would Object to the
measure proposed. IL would offend unly the lillrcl-
ing d,-puts and criminals.
Mr.. Cooper, III conclusions, reviewed the statistics
of pauperism and crime H. disclosed by the last cen
sus,, prison discipline md other societies. and said the
facts represented should induce Congress ut once 10
provide the necessary legislation for the protection Of
our people.
Airr II few remarks from Mr.. Bayuri and Mr.. Clay
ton, the further consideration Of the resolutions was
postponed, and the army appropriation bill WIS taken
up.
ton for the extension of the Capitol WIS not agreed
to.
Mr.. Shields submitted two amendments. The first
for the appointment OF three commissioners IN pro-
coed (" the Indian country and make treaties al ami
~ with friendly tribes and gunraulce them protection,
and report such tribes, nS well rs those WIN cOntInur
hostile, +" The President md such military command
rrS H. he sllall direct. The other, after rrcitims the
recent Indian difficulties, proposes that mounted vol
untc"rs, not exceeding three thousand, and not rx-
cce,ilng five hundred friendly Indians, the Inter for
rangers, scouts, hunters and guides, be called into ser
vice for eighteen months.
Mr.. Ca-- objected to the employment. Of the Indiana,
hut Mr.. Shields observed thnt for guides and scouts
they wtr: Indispensable. He recommended giving
the President this force immcdiatcl y, 10 proven! i'm
lnrnSu horlc- Of Indians from lcstrnyin. the settle
lnrnis al the whites next spring.
Mr.. Bell thought thar the pacific measures would
he nz ciiraci"us md more economical. lie said that
rould settle the difficulty: AMI that the
"f hostile Indians Ind been oyrrrnic'I.
Mr.. ltusk suggested TINT these commissioners
should be- men acquainted with the Indian character,
and not politicians.
Mr.. Shield. thought the most pacific measures
would BE- the innc,Iiutr chastisemrnt of The outlaws,
lIr finally, however, abandoned the employment "i
Indians, and Me-srs. .Iol''>"r' Hunter ana ''hctS
the appointment "i c"inmirs'nhcrs'
Mr.. Hunter thought m increase al the regulars
would be- preferable To M army oI volunteers the
butter would but invite war. ~
Mr.. Gwin Thought the proper commissioners WOMB
be the General in Chief, who wonld know when I"
Mr.. Houston then obtained the r""r, ami "n has
motion the Scini" niirIrnri.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.
The Sneaker laid bcfrr. The ll"u-r n mirssaGr from
the President nj the United Statr,. IN rcsl"iinr +" II
ui August last, relative 10 The selection al
Tor the accommodation "f the United Hintr'
ruurts AMI post-ohiccS at llliladc!Vl iia and New
York.
Mr.. Wittr understood, from the reading ri the lnc--
SAGE, that the President does not deem II advisable t"
ry,rci.. the authority conferred ON him, ana has sent
To III" House the various Propositions, that 1t may
mike n selection. Ii Is true the resolution gives nm
no authority tnlnake II final p%uTrhar,, bur only power
10 select -i;cs, requiring him 10 submit his action I"
he lluusc for their approval.
Mr.. Chandler made another Intellectual attempt I"
all NJ the Senate resolution authorizing an cAledi'
ion Ia be- sent for the relief ut DR.. Name
The House then went into committee Oh the r rchch
.pnliaiinn bill.
Mr.. Phelps said: Being personally Interested IN the
subject, not by any act al his own, ne Should '"he u"
in the legislation Oh the subject.
Mr.. Orr remarked that there was not Il Gehtcinh'
II tlr House but had been supplied with PIE: OF u"-
Imeuts in favor Of these claims, while iothinS nus
been furnished in opposition tn them. I'M "el'
,ssertcd a. truths would, on sitting mo documents
~rn "ut not facts. The $j.O0U, OOU proposed 10 be
,r,r,nrin,rd would be but the entering wedge 10
III. NifO.UUU more ut least. lie argued t" show thn'
Government abandoned these claims bcrausr.
,pJrr international law, they could not be properly
enforced agninst France.
Mr.. Philips amid: Proceeding on the admitted ihcls
bostilitirs were committed under tue autl"rlt! I'll
France on American commerce. he insisted tiat our
government is liablc for damages. lie denied III re-
,ly to Mr. Orr, TINT they have ever been ignored
IN the contrary, our government mas uhi!"rImy Hr
.ornizel nnl held them to he valid. >" lhr ifnh X
loriur these claims, Congress, III July. 1872 oy ue'
.larine us freed aud e1oncrated from tNc sspu."'l"nS
# ,h. trenties between the United States anu rrhhce'
mad. i the ground, i'll u most solemn manner o' 'hc
u-tnc-s nf the claims.
Mr.. Misnn argued i'll favor at excluding rom 'he
benefit. of tho bill, asSigncrs %! claimants ana i'IuI'
,ucr officers. Claimants have been niroitly laeu 10
,uild uu all influence tn secure tn" passage 'i ms oI''
hat the assignees and insurance officers may OBTAIN"
argcr share Of the appropriation. II should W CON-
ined to those who have claims for spoliati"ns.
Mr.. Bayly closed the general debate answering d.
rnpth the objections made against the Oill. Juu@e
lud snid To him. there never was .lnstrr
.lains on the face of the enrtli, and where mere wHs
stronger obligation on tho government 4" tay' Inc
act TINT n similar measure. was vetoed ny Mr' I"ih'
,u.lt infinitely TO strengthen the bill under colss'era-
ton.
Without proceeding further, the committee rose
md the House nd inurnrd.
FRIDAY, J,SuARY ~, lSoJ.
SENATE.
The bill for the relief nf the claimants o. the pr!fM''
armed brig Gen. Armstrong WIS taken up, ana MI
offered n substitute authnrising the Secretary
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