Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-04
Congressional.
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
enate w ednesday. january ,, 1863.


Senate w ednesday, January ,, 1865.
The PRESIDENT laid before The Senate a
message from the President of the United States,
Transmitting, in compliance with resolution OF
the Senate, copies of the instructions and
pondence between the different Departments OF
The Government and Major General Wool, com.
handing the Pacific division of the Army inre-
gard 10 his operations on that coast.
Mr.. WELLER said, that by the call which no
originated for this correspondence, he did not
mean TO propose Legislative action on the sub
Ject. His main object was 10 vindcate the
reputation Of officer of the Army, who, in
his Judgment, had been somewhat abused. He
believed that General Wool was not only one OF
the ablesl, but onesbf the most gallant officers in
the Army Of the United States. That distinguished
soldier was sent to the Pacific coast. not alone for
the purpose of commanding the military depart
ment there but for the purpose of arresting the
spirit of flibusterism which I'D been rite that
coast. Very full and specific instructions were
given 10 him by the Department Of War, and a
literal compliance with those instructions placed
him above the civil authorities, and required him
really TO take the initiative, and he has been sub
Ject TO some censure in some public places in con-
sequence OF strict compliance with the letter OF
his instructions. When these documents shall
have been printed-and a motion for that purpose
was agreed to--Mr. WELLER said he would take
OCCASION to present his views of the course pur.
sued by General Wool and by the department.
The message of the President of the United
States, which was yesterday presented TO the
House Of Representatives and ordered to be
printed on the subject of internal improvements,
was, this morning, received by the Senate. II
gives, in detail, the views Of the President, on
which he based his veto of the bill Of the last SEES
sion TO make appropriations Tor the Improvement
OF rivers and harbors. After the message had
been read il was ordered TO be printed, and TWEEN
~ thousand extra copies were ordered.
The bill 10 reorganize the army Of the United
States was recommited 10 the Committee on
Military Affairs, on the motion Of Mr.. SHIELDS,
who stated as the reason for his motion, that the
military committee of the House of Representa-
tives and of the Senate were TO meet together for
consultation tomorrow, at which they would
have the advantage Of the counsel of the Com
mander.in- Chief MAJOR General Scott.
The Senate passed bill to incorporate Mu-
Columbia. The bill to incorporate the ST. Josephs
Male Orphan Asylum in the District Of Columbia
was considered but final action was postponed.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the
bill to extend the bounty land law TO old soldiers,
when
Mr.. STUART called attention 10 the fact, lha,
in the shape in which this bill was found, II
would dispose of three hundred millions Of acres
Of the public lands. At the rate a, which the
public lands have been hitherto disposed OF, the
throwing of SO large quantity Of land scrip into
the market would render il valueiess and the
object by passing this bill for the scrip would not
purchase any Of them hat. But, in addition,
while they would be frustrated in their benevolent
designs TO the soldiers they would inInre the land
States by shingling them all over with land scrip,
aud do injustice the old States for the revenu e
received by the General Government Fl ON that
source would be lost for thirty years, al least.
Mr.. TOOMBS replied to the argument OF Mr.
STUART which resolved itself into an objection
to the giving Of much land. He extolled the
patriotism and disinterested sacrifices Of the sol
diers that succeeded in the Revolution, and won
our liberties and he demanded for them much
as was claimed for those Of more recent wars.
The extension Of the provisions OF the bill 10 all
the children, and not to the minor children alone
was advocated by Mr.. CLAYTON, who however,
said that he should, at the proper time, submit an
amendment TO restrict the power OF those who buy
the scrip, in locating land warrants, so that not
more than six hundred aud forty acres shall be
located in any one tract, nor more than one thou
sand two hundred and eighty acres in any one
township.
Mr.. CASS advocated the restriction 10 minor
children.
Mr.. EVANS entered into some statistical state
ments to show that the amount which would be
disposed of by this bill had been greatly exagge-
rated, and then the vote was taken on the motion
to reconsider the vote by which the word minor"
had been stricken out. The vote was not con-
sidered.
Mr.. CLAYTON submitted the amendment of
which he had given notice, to prevent the location
of land warrants by purchasers, in contiguous
tracts.
Mr.. BADGER opposed and Mr. CLAYTON de-
Tended the amendment.
Mr.. DODGE, of Iowa. while approving the
principle, suggested that the quantity Of land 10
be fixed by il was too large
He reminded the Senate of the fact that a British
nobleman-Lord Murray-went 10 Wisconsin,
and in the time OF bank expansion, and before the
issuing Of the specie circular, purchased large
tracts, which lay now in manner which afforded
evidence ofthe necessity OF some restriction. He
thought tract Of three hundred and twenty acres
would be sufficiently extensive.
A conversation ensued on the necessity OF
guarding against an evasion OF such provision
by land spectators, but, before any vote taken
The Senate adjourned.
House OF Representatives.
L A N - Ill