The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-02-28
HcdResdGy, February %, 1856.
r-- SENATE


Mr.. Douglas asked to be excused from serv-
ing on the Committee on Foreign Relations
which was granted by the Senate.
Mr.. Weller moved to change the rule Of the
Senate in relation to the order of business, So
as to call for petitions from States alphabetical
ly. Lost.
Mr. Crittenden inquired of the Chairman of
the Committee on the Judiciary when he would
be ready to report on the right of the Senator
from Illinois Mr.. Trumbull to his seat. 1t
was due to the Senate and to the Senator him
self that such report should be made, as he
must feel himself in delicate position.
Mr.. Butler evinced his own readiness TO take
up and dispose of all such questions. The com
mittee had had several meetings, and there was
some discussion on the subject. lie thought
they might be ready TO report next Wednesday
Some discussion followed, and the subject
was dropped
The Senate then proceeded to consider the
motion to refer TO the Committee on Foreign
Relations the message of the President commu-
nlcating the letter of Lord John Russell i'm rela-
ton to the Interpretation given by England to
the Clayton and Bulwer treaty
Mr.. Crittenden read from the speech of Mr.
wilson portione supposed ny Mr.. Clayton to
have cast imputation on his acts as a negota-
tor of this treaty.
MIR. Wilson denied emphatcally any inten-
ton on his part to east any reflection upon the
Senator from Delaware.
Mr.. Crttenden believed that one part of the
treaty Of 1850, upon which there was a contra.
riety OF construction, would never lead to any
hostility between the United States and Great
Britain. This was the alleged right to occupy
Kuatan as one OF tue dependencies of the Ba-
lie. 1t would be time enough for our Govern
M In nHO do IaJ l.
gave evidence of any resolve to assume practi-
cal dominion over that island. lie thought
that there was no great danger Of Englands
ever attempting to change her present shadow
Of poteotorate Of Mosquito into a substance,
at the cost of a war with this country. He be-
lieved that the Ministers Of that Pnaccr were too
wise, 700 d'...~-eet and had too much at heaa;..
me interests of commerce, Of the world, and OF
humanity He added, that, from his own in
vsstgations, he did not find that England ever
claimed the island Of Ruatan until after the sig
nature of the treaty. Then Sir Henry Bulwer
did send note to Mr.. Clayton, which was with
drawn after some correspondence. Mr.. Mason
asserted that no right to Ruatan has eyer been
put forward by England, except as one of tho
small islands forrling the dependencies Of the
Balize; which claim was nulified by the treaty
between England and Spain, under which the
poses, possession of the Balize and its ada
cent small islands.
On motion OF Mr.. Bell, the discussion of the
question was adjourned to Tuesday next.
The Senate then took up the resolution call
ing on the Secretary of the Navy for certain in
formation touching the proceedings of the late
Naval Board, when substitute, offered by Mr..
Jones, for the original, was agreed to.
And the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE
Several bills were introduced and referred
Mr.. Mace, of Indiana, repaired bill to grant
homestead Of one hundred and sixty acres Of
land to actual settlers.
Also, bill to prevent the extension of Sla-
very in the Territories of the United States of
America north of See 30/ north latitude; which
Mr.. NJ. moved to refer to the Committee on
Territories, end Oil this motion demanded the
previous question.
Mr.. McMullin, of Virginia, desired to know
if previous notice had been given of this biY
Mr.. Mace. If the gentleman will examine
the Journal, he will lind out.
Mr. McMulGn. l propounded respectful
question, and expected respectful reply