The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-01

the motion, an adjournment was carried
Saturday, January ~, 1855.
SENATE
The Senate did not sit today.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The Speaker laid before the body commu-
nication from the Secretary of the Treasury,
transmitting estimates for carrying into effect
the law for the preservation Of lives and prop
erty on the coast of the United States. Refer
red to the Committee of Ways and Means.
Mr.. Goodwin introduced bill providing for
the working of the United States steam dredge-
boat, at the harbor of Oswego, on Lake Onta-
rio; which was referred to the Committee on
Commerce.
Mr.. Kerr submitted resolution, "That the
President of the United States inform the
House, if not incompatible with the public in
terest, whether, in any correspondence with the
Minister of the United States at Madrid and
the Spanish Government, or otherwise, it is in
sisted by the latter that the treaty of 1895, be-
tween Spain and the United States, is not
applicable to the Spanish colonies, and that
American citizens residing in said colonies are
not entitled to the benefits of the provisions Of
said treaty"
The House, after refusing to refer the resolu-
ton to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, pass
ed it.
Mr.. Edgerton moved that the House resolve
itself into Committee of the Whole on the
private calendar; but the motion did not pre-
vail--yeas Al, nays not counted.
On motion of Mr.. Bayly, the House resolved
itself into the Committee of the Whole on the
state of the Union, Mr.. Seymour in the chair
and resumed the consideration of the French
spoliation bill.
A large number of amendments were offered
and discussed two only were adopted.
Finally the substitute offered by Mr.. Bayly
for the House bill-similar to that which pass.
ed the Senate-was agreed to.
1t was subsequently reported to the House
and passed-yeas ITO, nays 76.
Mr.. Walsh offered an amendment to the title
of the bill, declaring it was for the benefit of
heartless spectators, lobbyers, &c.
The question was taken on it, Mr.. Walsh
only voting in the affirmative.
The House adjourned.
Nonday January 20, 1855.
SENATE.
The French spoliation bill was received from
the House, and ordered to be printed the
Senate, however, refusing to make it a special
order A motion to proceed to the considera-
ton of the bounty land bill failed, and the
Senate then took up the army appropriation
bill. After some conversation, Mr.. Hunter
submitted an amendment, to increase the army
by an addition of two regiments of cavalry. and
five hundred mounted volunteers, the purpose
being to provide forces for the suppression of
Indian hostilities. Mr. Houston spoke at length
on the whole subject, and indicated the In
dians, traced their hostilities to the proximity
of white men, and ridiculed the idea of chasti-
sing the roaming tribes Of savages by force
of 5000 volunteers.
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, replied, enlarged
upon the outrages committed by the Indians
and spoke sarcaStically of General Houston's
tears for the red man. Mr.. Houston rejoined
and the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
On motion of Mr.. Chandler, the House took
up the Senate resolution respecting the Arctic
expedition, and it was read twice. Mr. c. made
a brief and effective appeal in behalf of our
fellow citizens now suffering in the Arctic re-
gions, and called upon the House to pass the
resolution without delay. 1t was read third
time and passed.
The Texas creditors. bill was made the
special order for February 9th, the debate on
it to be closed that day at 3 o'clock.
Mr.. Cutting, from the Committee on the Ju-
dietary, reported Joint resolution to disap-
prove and disaffirm an act of the Legislative
Assembly of the Territory of Minnesota, entitled
T" An act to incorporate the Minnesota and
Northwestern Railroad Company;" which was
read twice.
Mr.. c. explained the circumstances under
which this resolution was reported, and asked
its immediate consideration; when it was read
the third time, and passed.
Also, from the same committee, reported a
joint resolution disappearing of the act of the
Legislative Assembly of the Territory Of Mime
sofa, entitled San act to incorporate the Tran
sit Railroad Company;" which was read twice.
Mr.. G. explained the resolution, when it was
read the third time, and passed-yeas ll6,
nays l6.
Hurrah for Squatter Sovereignty Popular
Sovereignty, the right of People to govern
themselves.
Another effort was made to get up the bill
for raising three thousand volunteers, but it
failed
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union, Mr.. Phelps,
of Missouri in the chair,) and resumed the con-
sideration of the bill to enable the people Of
Oregon Territory to form Constitution and
State Government, and for the admission Of
such State into the Union, which was pending
when the Committee, during the last session,
had up Territorial business.
Without debate, the bill was laid aside to be
reported to the House with the recommendation
that it pass.
The joint resolution making an appropriation
for the purchase of Territorial libraries was then
taken up, and, having been amended so as to
appropriate 800 for libraries for Kansas and
Nebraska, was laid aside to be reported to the
House with favorable recommendation.
The Committee next took up the joint reso-
luton authorizing the accounting officers of the
Treasury to adjust the expenses of board of
commissioners appointed by the Territorial AS
sembly of Utah to prepare a code oflaws; which,
having been read, was laid aside to be reported
to the House with the recommendation that it
do not pass.
The Commute rose, reported the bills to the
House; they were then passed, and the House
adjourned.
Tuesday, January 80, 1855.
SENATE
After receiving and disposing of petitions,
reports, &C.,
Mr.. johnson introduced resolution asking