The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-03-20
In CONGRESS OF THE u. STATES.
Thirty Fourth Congress-First Session.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH TO- 1855,
SENATE.


su ..a. SENATE.
T. ExEcuTyE COMMUNICATIONS
The PRESIDENT pro laid before the Senate report
of the Secretary Of the Interior communicating In com
aton the printing paid for BY that department during the
year ending December 81, 1885 which read aud
dered to lie on the table and 70 be printed
The PRESIDENT pro fep also laid before the Senate
report from the Secretary Of War; in reply 10 resolution
Of the Senate Of the 18th instant calling for information
in respect the improvement OF the falls Of the Red river
al or near Alexandria which read and, motion by
Mr. SEWARD il wac referred 10 the Committee on Com
Inerce
On motion by 1Ir FOOT, the bill from the House Of
Represen ayes amend the act in addition 70 certain acts
granting bounty lands 10 certain officers and soldiers who
have been engaged in the military service of the United
mitted to the Coulmtee'on Public Landas .a.-..
! MEMORIALS, pErirIoss, ETo.t
| Mr. DODGE and Mr.. JONES' Of Iowa. presented several
petitions praying for the establishment OF certain mail
which referred 10 the Committee the Post
| Office and Post Roads
M. SEWARD presented the petition Of Oscar Piter
praying compensation for property destroyed in the bom-
bardment Of Greycw by the United States soopo-war
! Cyene which was referred 10 the Court OF Claims
Mr. MASON presented the petition Of the clerks OF the
thenssIres and the cIorks q t6e national armory at
Springfield, Massachusetts praying an increase Of their
compensation; which was referred to the Committee on
Mr. JONES, of Iowa, presented the proceedings of
meeting Of citizens of Woodbury. county Iowa in favor Of
were referred to the Committee Territories.
NOTICES OF BILLS.
Mr. SUMNER gave notice Of his intention to introduce
bill amend act entitled "An regulating passen-
ger-ships and vessels approved March 3D. 1919; also
bill TO amend the law Of copyright and bill TO amend the
law Of patents.
REPORTS coNnnTTEIs
Mr.. BENJAMIN, from the Committee on Commerce to
whom referred bills continue the improvement of
the harbors of Chicago and Waukogan Illinois, Charles
la
them back aud recommended their passage
Mr. SEWARD, from The same committee reported bill
to continue the improvement of the Illinois river and
bill to provide for the protection of Cape Cod harbo in
Massachusetts .H ~ e.
Mr. HUNTER, from the Committee on Finance to whom
referred the bill from the House of Representatives
making appropriations for the support OF the Military
Academy Tor the year ending goth June 1851 reported il
with sundry amendments and asked its immediate consd-
Grafton The amendments having been agreed TO- the bill
read the third time and passed. ...a
Mr. H. from the committee also reported back tho
bill from the House of Representatives making appropa-
tons tor the payment of invalid and other pensions of the
United States for the year ending the Both june 1851 and
gave notice that he should call up for consideration to-
morrow.
Mr. WELLER from the Committee on Military Afnirs,
reported bill respecting the harboring Of desertcrs from
the military service and 10 protect the public interest in
gard 10 the enlistment and discharge OF minors which
read aud passed to q second reading,
BILL ETRopuoEp.
Mr.. MALLORY asked aud obtained leave to introduce
bill the relief of Mrs. Chds which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Pensions.
SAVANNAH RIVER
On motion by Mr. STUART the bin to amend an act
passed March 1866 for the improvement Of the Ssvan
nah river taken up and made the special order for
Tuesday next at ono o'clock.
cEsrRAI AMERICA.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration Of the
motion submitted by Mr. CLAYToS the cath of January
last to refer to the Committee Foreign Relations the
message from the President Of the United States transmit
ting copy Of the letter Of Lord John Russell 10 Nr.
Champion dated January ls, 1881 Ia which the British
government declare that they utend to adhere strictly 10
the treaty Of Washington OF the 10th Of April 1850 aud
not to assume any Sovereignty either direct or indirect in
! Central America
( Mr. CLAYTON resumed and concluded his remarks In
relation to Central American affairs In reply 10 que
ton asked by Mr. SgwAED the other day he stated the
authority ofMr Vanderbilt the president Of the Acctsor,
Transit Company, that there had been any
the part Of that company which ia any encouraged
General Walker in his invasion Of the State Of Nicaragua.
He alluded TO the fact that Walker bad seized property o!
the Transit Company amounting 10 nearly million 81
dollars in yalue and letter from Mr. Vanderbilt 10 Mr.
Marcy read in which the former asks the sid OF this
government ia order that he may obtain redress Tn"
seizure made the ground first, that be company
indebted the State Of Nicaragua, and denied such
Indebtedness and second that the company refused
submit the award Of the arbiuaors both Of which
charges utterly false.
Tho practical question in relation to cur difficulties with
Great Britain was What remedy shall adop9 Three
methods had becu proposed aud discussed which he briefly
alluded to- The first TO abrogate the treaty alto
gether Mr.. O. thought this should not be done, for Il
would give Great Britain opportunity to gain posi-
ton in the Belize which would enable her TO command
of most important Of communication with the
Pacific. Arbitration had been alluded 20 but,
well said By the senator from Mississippi Nr. RRoUE
and othsrs there government sufficiently ndepend
and impartial TO act umpire and in addition 10
that il would be unequal reference nasmuch pass
age through the ishmus absolutely necessary for u.s.
bot was matter Of small Importance 70 Great Britain
He would be afraid 20 leave the matter to arbitration
nany impartial umpire could be found, for case
20 clear that there could be doubt At all the d.
cision The third proposition give notice Great
Britain that unless she abandoned her elaine Central
America within given time, should 70 forcble
10 remove her But he thought such course
not advisable under present circumstances lie
proposed that should continue TO carry pogotaou
and endeayor 10 bring Great Britain by argu
mcnt and Ia the mean while that should arm in
defence, protect coast by building forhcatons
and increase navy--not such extent TO
deavor rival the navy Of Great Britain, but enough
enable us, with the aid of our forhcstions 10 de-
fend seaooasts from any hostile attacks. We
could take time 10 do this. IL the worst
time in the world TO 20 TO with Great Britain,
armed as she IL ogp-a-pie, and almost defence
less. Why should we procpitae ourselves into war
with her when soc has forty thousand veteran troops
ready 10 be thrown upon as they arrive
from the Criea and when sbe has the greatest naval
equipment that has been known 10 the history Of the
world7 That his proposition and Great Britain sees
that resolved enforce rights and that We
pursuing the course which Washington hnself incucaied,
In peace prepare for by building orthcahons
and increasing naval power she sees by our acts
condact that determined to maintain the posi-
ton VIC have assmed-the British government will be
claims had received information from which
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