Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-17


sent in compliance with a resolution of the Senate
of the Goth utimo, calling for information respect
ing the adjustment of the boundary line and the
payment of the three millions under the treaty
with Mexico of December, 1853. 1t was laid on
the table and ordered 10 be printed
The documents are somewhat voumnous, con-
sisiing of forty-six letters from 10Th June 1855,
10 18th April, 1856, chiefly from the Mexican
Minister to the Secretary Of State, and his replies
thereto, from Rowland 81 Aspinwall, Mr. Cush-
ing Hulbide Hargous a. Brothers, &c, showing
the payments made 10 Rowland Il Aspinwal
Hargous IL Brother, and the authority on which
they were made, &c. The amount in arrears 10
be paid On the settlement Of the boundary was
three million dollars; of which sum it appears
that $4,000 were paid 10 Hargous IL Brother,
and So, l25, 900 to Rowland & Aspinwa
Mr.. Rusk, from the Committee on Post Offices
and Post Roads, to which was referred the memo
ton, asking an extension of mail contracts, re-
ported bill to encourage ocean steam navigation,
provide for The transportation Of the mails by sea,
and for other purposes.
The Senate discussed the motion to reconsider
the vote by which was passed the joint resolution
removing the District Armory from the mall TO
the Judiciary Square. Finally, Mr.. Hamlin moved
to recommit the joint resolution, with instructions
to the Committee on the District Of Columbia TO
report bill repeating the act making appropria-
tion for the construction of the armory, and to
provide for paying al damages which have arisen.
The motion was agreed to--yeas 80, nays 10;
and, after an Executive session, the Senate ad.
iourned.
In THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Mr.. Quit
man, from the Committee on Military Affairs,
reported without amendment Senate bill for the
relief of Jacob Dodson, and asked that il might be
put upon its passage, stating that Dodson was
colored man who, when labor was very scarce in
California and commanded high rates, entered the
service Of the United States and received an
honorable discharge This bill was necessary to
enable him TO receive compensation for his servi-
ces, as the laws Of the United States did not
provide for the mastering Of colored men into the
service of the country.
There being no objection, the bill was read a
third time and passed
Mr.. SArP, of Ohio, from the same committee,
reported without amendment House bill 10 amend
an act to provide for the payment OF horses and
other property lost or destroyed in the military
service Of the United States, approved March
1S49, and it was passed.
The House went into Committee ofthe whole on
The state ofthe Union, and resumed the considera.
lion Of the amendment Of the Senate to the de-
fciency bill, the question being on the amendment
appropriating 100000 for continuing the work on
he Washington aqueduct, as amended by the ad-
ihion thereto of the following proviso:
Provided, That when this work shall have been
completed the cities Of Washington and George
town and their inhabitants shall only be allowed
10 tap the same on the quarterly payment Of such
rates as may be settled between the Commits
sioner of Public Buildings and Grounds and the
corporate authorities of said cities and the
arising therefrom shall be devoted TO keeping the
said work in repair"
The Senate, amendment, as thus amended, was
AZ, noes not counted
After further proceedings the committee rose
and the House adjourned.
In THE SENATE, yesterday, the Chair laid before
the Senate a report from the Commissioner Of
Patents, transmitting the agricultural portion of
the latter's annual report.
Mr.. SEWARD offered the following joint resolu-
ton, which was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations:
GThat any and all unnhabited islands lying be-
yond the maritime Jurisdiction of nations, which
have been, or shall hereafter be discovered and
taken possession ofby American citizens, whether
in the public service or not, shall become part
Of the territory of the United States Of America,
whose Jurisdiction shall be asserted and main
ained over the same but the right Of property
in deposits Of guano, or of any valuable natural
products of such islands, and of the embayed
waters thereof shall be vested in the persons who
shall have discovered and taken possession Of the
same, provided they shall be citizens of the
United States not engaged in the public serviceD
heir successors, administrators, or assigns with
he privilege OF entering upon and occupying the
grounds and waters appertaining 10 such islands,
for the purpose of preserving disposing OF, and
taking away the said depostes and productions"
Mr.. BRowN, from the Committee for the Dis
,rict Of Columbia, reported bill TO authorize the
Of Public Buildings TO remove OBJ
structions in certain streets and avenues in the
city OF Washington, and prevent trespass upon
the same also, bill 10 repeal so much fthe act
Of March 3, 1855, as provides for the erection Of
an armory in the city of Washington.
The bill in relation TO foreign coins, and the
coinage Of cents in the mint of the United States,
was taken up and passed also, bill to change
the place Of holding the United States courts for
the District OF Delaware.
The Senate debated the Bounty Land bill, and
then laid il aside, with view that Mr.. Jones, OF
Iowa, might make speech on the Kansas ques.
ton, in reply TO his colleague, Mr.. Harlan.
In THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, April 16,
bill was passed for the relief Of lady in South
Carolina who lost her husband and three sons in
the Mexican war.
Mr.. TYsoN from the Committee on the Library,
reported joint resolution for the purchase Of
fifteen thousand copies, five dollars each OF Dr.
Kanes Narrative of the Arctic Expedition, in
search of Sir John Franklin, for distribution
among members OF Congress, and authorizing
the Secretary OF the Navy to have appropriated