The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-31
Thursday, July "a, 1856.
SENATE


The Senate proceeded to the consideration of
the bill to authorize the protection of citizens
of the-U nited States who may discover deposits
of guano.
The bill provides that whenever any citizen of
the United States shall discover any new guano
islands, &C., not occupied by persons belonging
to any other Government, and occupy the same,
they shall be considered as appertaining to the
United States. DISCOVERIES are allowed the
exclusive right of selling and delivering such
guano, which is to be only for the use of citizens
of the United States. Any breach of this priv
ilege is TO work forfeiture of the rights. The
land and naval forces are to protect such islands,
and the laws of the United States are to extend
over them. The bill was passed.
The bills for the improvement of the harbors
of Milwaukee and Kalamazoo were passed.
The bill for the improvement of the harbor
at the mouth of Grand river was discussed till
the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
There being very slim attendance at the
meeting of the House, a call was ordered, to pro-
cure full attendance. The doors we're closed,
to hear the excuses of the sbsentees.
After consuming an hour and half in this
business, the House went into Committee on the
army appropriation bill.
pay of the army having been read, Mr.. Barbour
offered an amendment: That Congress hereby
disappearing of the code of alleged lave com.
mpnicated, claiming to have been passed by the
Territorial Legislature Of Kansas, and disap-
proving of the manner in which the said alleg-
ed laws have been enforced by the authorities
of the Territory, expressly declare that until
such alleged laws shall be confirmed by the
Senate and the House of Representatives as
having been enacted in accordance with the Or.
ganic law, by the people of Kansas, no part of
the military forces of the United States shall be
employed In their enforcement, nor shall any
citizen of Kansas be required to act as the
posse comitatus of any officers acting as marshal
or sheriff of said Territory.
Mr.. Phelps raised a question, that the amend
ment was not in order.
The chairman Mr.. Letter, of Ohio) decided
that the amendment merely proposed to regu-
late the appropriation, and was therefore in
order. The decision was sustained By avots
OF ayes IN, noes 81.
Mr.. Barbour said his resolution was to stop
revolution, &C., by preventing the enforcement
of laws passed by usurpation, and disgraceful
and shameful in their character. Never before
had the army been employed to arrest or dis.
perse citizens who are presumed guilty of VIC
lating sham laws.
Ar. Phelps replied, that the amendment pro-
posed that there shall be no laws for the gov
eminent of twenty or thirty thousand people,
and would close the courts against the redress
of injuries in civil cases, Tie army was Eent
to Kansas in obedience to the application of
the Free State men, and for their protection.
Mr.. Stephens did not think that Congress
had power to control the President in the man
ner proposed. The President being commander:
in-OAief OF the army, they could not impose con.
ditions upon him. The Legislature nothing