The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-08
Monday May 5, 1856.


Mr.: Pugh presented the resolutions of the
Legislature of Ohio, in favor of the admission
OF Kansas with the Topeka Constitution.
On motion of Mr.. Clayton, the Secretary of
State was requested to transmit the original
journal OF the proceedings of the Board of
American Commissioners convened at Paris, to
liquidate and audit the claims of our citizens
to indemnity for French spoliations.
Mr.. Bayard spoke at length on the question
of the Naval Retiring Board. The prominent
features OF this substitute are, that it proposes
to restore to their former rank all the officers
who have been placed on the reserved list; and
to investigate the capacity and fitness of those
" dropped" officers, who may desire it, by
courts of inquiry.
MIR. Bayard did not conclude his remarks.
After an Executive session, the Senate ad-
journed.
HOUSE.
At the instance of Mr. Haven, the House
took up the Senate bill appropriating $4,000
tor deepening the channel of the st. Clair flats,
Michigan. 1t went through both branches at
the end OF the last Congress, but, for want of
time, failed to receive the Executive approval.
Passed by GO majority.
The House passed the bill specifically def
ming the objects for which the balance of the
appropriation for the improvement of the Sa-
vannah river shall be expended.
Mr.. Clingman asked leave to offer the follow
ing:
JOINT Resolution for the better protection of American
citizens.
BE ii Resolred by the Senate and House of
Representatives OF the United States of america
IN Congress assembled, That for the better
protection OF the persons and property of Ameri-
can citizens under the law of nations, and as
secured by existing treaty stipulations, with
reference to the thoroughfare or lines of travel
between the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans, the President of the United States be
and he is hereby authorized to employ any part
of the land or naval forces of the country, and
to call for aid and use any number of volun-
teers that may be necessary to provide for the
safety of passengers and other of our citizens in
those localities and such forces may be used
by him in aid of the local authorities, or other
wise, to insure the observance of such rights
as the Government of the United States and
its citizens are entitled to enjoy.
Objection having been made, Mr.. Clingman
moved a suspension of the rules.
Mr.. Stephens asked Mr.. Clingman what he
proposed to do with the resolution.
Mr.. Clingman replied that he thought it ought
to pass but if the House should refer it, he
would have no objection to that.
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, understood that the
resolution authorized the President to take pos
session of Central America. He did not want
it done at this time.
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, asked Mr. Clingman
whether, if the rules should be suspended, he
would give him an opportunity to offer an amend
ment looking to the annexation of the British
Provinces?
Mr.. Clingman said he would make no motion
which would cut off such amendment.
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, remarked that if the
House should now adjourn, the resolution would
go over till Monday next, and therefore he
made motion to that effect. In the mean time,
they could read tie proposition in print.
The motion to adjourn was lost.
An Intellectual motion was then made, that
there be call of the House.
Another motion was made to adjourn, which
prevsiied=-yeas IS, nays 65.