The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-04-08
CONGRE s s.

| action of the Naval Board. Mr.. Iverson
attacked the Board. Without concluding
the debate the Senate adjourned.
In the House, on motion of Mr. Phelps.
the Military Committee was instructed to
enquire into the expediency of accepting
| the services of volunteers, to aid in the sup
preston of Indian hostilities on the Pacific
| coast. The House considered bill appro-
priating three hundred thousand dollars to
preserve and maintain peace with the In
dams on the Pacific coast, and one hundred
and twenty thousand dollars to purchase
gunpowder. The House then adjourned.
APRIL In the Senate Mr.. Mason,
from the Committee on Foreign Relations,
reported joint resolution amending an act
of March, 1855, to remodel the Diplomatic
and Consular system of the United States
Its purport is to remove the feature making
it mandatory on the President to elevate
all foreign ministers resident to ministers
plenipotentiary. Congress had no power
to command, could only recommend to the
President The resolution passed. The
Senate debated the action of the Naval
Board until the hour of adjournment. Quite
an exciting scene occurred between Sena-
tors Clayton and Bell, each accusing each
other of insolence.
In the House, among the reports from the
Standing Committees, were bills establish
ing additional land districts in Nebraska
and Kansas. Ten thousand copies each
of the Central American correspondence
that on the arbitration aud enlistment oues-
tons, and documents concerning CONNER
cial relations, with all on foreign relations.
were ordered to be printed. The House
passed a bill appropriating 100000 for
restoring and maintaining the peaceable
disposition of the Indians on the Pacific
Coast, and $4,000 for the purchase of
gunpowder. In Committee of the Whole,
on the Presidents Message, Mr. Warner
the rights of the South to occu-
Ply the territories of the United States in
common with the North. Mr.. Allison OPP
posed the extension of slavery, after which
the House adjourned.
APRIL 2.-In the Senate, Mr.. Mason, |
from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, re-
ported joint resolution permitting DR.. |
Kane and his associates, who went in search
of Sir John Franklin, to accept such token !
of acknowledgment of their services as the
British Government should be pleased to |
present. The resolution was debated by |
Messrs. Cass, Mason and Seward in favor. |
and Crittenden, Bayard and Butler in op-
position.
In the House, nothing of Importance
.ranspired.
APRIL Sin the Senate, the bill for the
relief of the officers, seamen and marines of
he sloop of war Albany, and the joint reso-
ution declaring the manner in which the
pension laws for the benefit of the Cherokee
Indians shall be executed. were passed.
Mr.. Collamer argued at length that Con
5ress had the right to legislate
N the subject of slavery in the territories,
md he defended the emigrant aid societies
# the North.
In the House, reports of no general i'm
'ortance were made from the standing COM
nittees. The House was engaged upon
he Senate's amendments to the Deficiency
Bill, but took no action thereon. /
APRIL 4.-The Senate passed the House Z
i'll appropriating money for the Indian war +
1 Oregon. Mr.. Collam er made a speech .
n Kansas affairs. He was followed by Mr.. =
Douglas. Mr. Seward gave notice of his :
ntention to introduce bill supplementary :
} the copyright law of 1880. The Senate ,
len adjourned to Monday.
In the House, the business transacted
as unimportant. Mr.. Evans introduced a.
i'll authorizing and facilitating a Pacific
Ill road way and telegraph line, which was
'ferred. On motion of Mr.. Underwood.
lie committee on the Judiciary was in Il
ructed to inquire into the expediency of Il
'gulating and making uniform the right of I"
lallenging jurors in criminal cases before d
e Federal Courts. The House adjourned -
Monday. u