The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-14

ring the session of Congress for which men,
bers respectively shall be elected.
An amendment was made, appropriating
100000 for the site, &C., of courthouse in
Baltimore, Md.
After the 18th of November next, the mill
tary superintendency of the public buildings is
to be abolished-yeas SO, nays 80. This pro-
viso was attached at the instance of Mr. Ball.
of Ohio.
The bill was passed.
Mr.. Thomson, of New Jersey, addressed
| the Senate at some length in reference to the
| connection of Colonel Fremont and Commo-
dore Stockton with the operations in California
| some ten years since-in the course of his re-
marks maintaining that Fremont was not the
conqueror of California, as had been claimed
by his friends, but that the honor belonged to
Commodore Stockton.
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, defined his position
on the Presidential question. He should go
for Buchanan.
Mr.. Bell, OF, Tennessee, would adhere to Mr..
Fillmore.
Mr.. Bigler submitted resolution calling on
the President for copies of the vouchers on
which Colonel Fremont's accounts, as an Off
Ger OF the Government, from his first taking
possession of California, were settled and al
lowed, 80 that the nature of the disbursements
may be seen also, inquiring whether there was
any public money in his hands unaccounted
for, or whether there are any papers on file in
the Departments, from official sources, charg-
ing him with malfeasance in office.
Mr.. Foot made a speech on the wrongs of
Kansas, maintaining that the repeal of the Mis-
| souri, Compromise was the cause of the present
excitement throughout the country, which
threatened the perpetuity of the Republic.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE.
On motion of Mr.. King, a resolution was
adopted, requesting the Postmaster General to
make special and vigilant inquiry as to the alb
stracted or detained from the mails, transmit
ted from Washington, books and public docu-
ments transmitted by members of Congress.
The House then proceeded to act on the six
ty-seven Senate amendments to the Indian ap-
preparation bill.
Mr.. Faulkner, of Virginia, asked and obtain
ed the unanimous consent of the House to re-
port, from the Committee on Military Affairs,
bill for the better organization of the army,
and for other purposes, which, on his motion,
was read twice, and referred to the Committee of
| the Whole on the state of the Union, and Or
dered to be printed.
The consideration of the bill making appro-
priations for the coast survey, lighthouse es-
| Enlistment, &c., was resumed.
| Mr.. Bowie offered an amendment namely
| to enable the President to comply with the con-
| tract made by him with the owners of the Mer-
chants Exchange, for the purchase of said
building and grounds, in pursuance of the act
of 18th Of February, 1855, $z67, 900, for post
Office purposes.
| Messrs. Davis and Harris of Maryland warm
ly opposed the amendment, on the ground, gen.
orally, that the building was inconvenient and
ineligible, and was not worth the money which
it was proposed to pay for it, and were not sat
isfed that 100000 only should go for postal
accommodations in the city of Baltimore.
kessrs. Bowie and Stewart advocated the
amendment, arguing that the money should be
voted to carry out the contract which had been
made by the President. The former said the
Exchange building was the most magnificent
in the world, excepting the Capitol of the Uni
ted States. Laughter.
Messrs Barbour, Tappan, and Simmons, OF
the Judiciary Committee, advocated the pro-
priety of confirming the contract. And during
the debate, in which other gentlemen INDUCED,
reference was made to the conflicting opinions
| of the people of Baltimore on the subject.
Mr.. Campbell, Of Ohio, said, the Committee
of Ways and Means have under consideration
the Senate bill upon this subject; and hence
they had offered no amendment, connected
Herewith, to the pending bill.
Finally the question was taken, and Mr. Bow.
les amendment was rejected.
The House took q recess until o'clock, for
the purpose of general debate, and at late
hour adjourned.