The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-10
1gIRTY-F0URTH CONGRESS-.
First Session.
Wednesday, July 2, 1856.
SENATE.

.,oaedings of the Board of American Com
fasteners at Paris to liquidate and audit the
claims of American citizens against the French
Government.
The document was ordered to be printed.
Mr. CLAYTON desired to call the particular at
.,ntion of the Senate to it, because it com
nleteIy refuted the ground upon which the last
Fs,o of the French spoliation bill was based.
The veto of the President rested upon the as
,nmption that these claims had been examined
.nd allowed by the Commissioners under the
Convention of 1903 but this document would
now disclose the important fact that these
nloims had been excluded on the sole ground
that the convention had nothing to do with
them.
Mr. Mason, from the Committee on Foreign
Relations. to which was referred the bill to au-
,borize protection to be given to citizens OF the
United States who may discover deposites OF
gnano. reported back the same with an amend
ment. striking out all after the enacting clause.
The amendment allows that any person DIS
covering deposite of guano on any island not
within the lawful jurisdiction OF any other Gov-
eminent, the said island or territory may, At
tho discretion of the President, be considered
rs appertaining to the United States, Tor the use
of IN. discoverer, or his heirs or assigns, and
fn1N
Tinted States with the necessary formallties.
Sec. provides, that in order that the discov-
e-er or his heirs or assigns may receive proper
,,rn,sc,;ou in his rights, and at the same
Inc be restrained from imposing onerous bur-
d.ns on the consumers of guano, he is required
% Give bonds to deliver said guano to the citi-
zans of the United States at said island or other
territory. on board United States vessels, at a
price not exceeding Sl2 per ton, and to provide
sU the necessary facilities for that purpose.
Sec. > provides for the Importation of guano
into any port of the United States upon the
same footing as the Importation of articles from
one part to another of the United States.
Sec. provides that nothing in the act shall
he construed as being obligatory on the U United
States 70 retain possession for the discoverer,
after the gusno has been removed.
See. ) authorizes the President, at his dis
cretion. to employ the land and naval forces OF
the United States to protect the discoverer.
Sec. provides that, until otherwise ordered
by law, all crimes committed on such islands,
OF in the waters adj accent, shall be deemed to
have been committed on the high seas, on
board ship or vessel belonging to the United
States, and be punished according to the laws
of the United States, which said laws are ex
tended to and over such islands.
Mr. Seward inquired if any day was fixed fol-
the consideration of the bill? If not, he would
name Tuesday week as an appropriate time.
Mr.. Mason said that the bill was very simple
IN its details, and pretty generally understood
aud perhaps, if permitted to go on the calendar
It might be taken up sooner than if made a
special order.
Mr.. Seward moved that the bill be the special
order for Thursday week at one o'clock which
motion was agreed to.
The Senate then proceeded to consider the
special order, being the bill to authorize the
people of the Territory OF Kansas to form a
Constitution and State Government, preparatory
TO their admission into the Union on an equal
footing with the original States, the amendment
pending being that of Mr.. Adams, to strike out
that portion of the bill which admits those for
eigners to vote who have filed their declara,
tion to become citizens of the United States.
Mr.. Wade addressed the Senate at great
length in opposition to the bill.
Mr. Pugh replied to several of the points as
sumed by Mr.. Wade.
Mr.. Bigys followed in support of the bill, as
emiuently calculated to restore harmony and
peace among the bona fde settlers of Kansas,
paying high compliment to the course pursued
hy the present Administration in relation to the
subject
Mr.. Wilson moved to take a recess of one
hour. As it was understood that the bill was
to be pressed to a vote tonight, he thought II
better TO take short recess.
The Chair ruled that such motion required
unanimous consent.
Mr.. Douglas objected.
Mr. Clayton desired to address the Senate,
but did no. wish to speak to empty seats. Push.
fla or
stances appeared to him something like check.
ing the freedom of debate. He fattered him.
sell th.t he had something to say that would
b. worthy of being heard.
llr Iyerson thought it would be as well to
,Ake recess. AS ii it were found there was no
quorum the Senate might ad journ.
Mr. Adams suggested that the true course
would be to eend the Sergeant at-arms for
absent Senators.
Mr.. CLAYTON moved to adjourn; and if the
Senate refused to do this, he would have no
course left but to retire from the debate.
The motion to adjourn was voted down, with
out a quorum being present
Mr.. Douglas moved that the Sergeant-at-
arms be dispatched, to bring up the absent
Senator's: which was agreed to.
The question was then taken on MIR. Adams q
amendment by yeas and nays, and it was shown
there was no quorum present, and yet several
Senator's not voting when their names were
called
discussion ensued on the rules in relation
10 the obligation of Senators to vote, &C., when
their names we're called, in which Messrs, Doug
las, Yulee, Geyer, Bayard, Bell, and others, par
uopated, when a number of Senators made
Their appearance, and the amendment of Mr.
Adams prevailed by the following vote:
Mr.. Wilson next moved to strike out all after
The enactng clause, and to state In effect thai
all the acts of the Legislature Of Kansas are
nall and void.
DIR. Critenden, know Nothing,) Of Ken
lucky, said ii seemed to him that some expia'
nation was required. Was the remedy Tor the
disturbances in Kansas complete and entire?
Mr.. Wilson replied, that in his judgment the
Oil was to make Kansas a slave State. The
report lust made to the House shows that there
were forty-nine hundred Missourians forced on
lhe people of that Territory, and that it was the
legislature, which passed inhuman and unchris
.ain enactments, that occasioned all the trouble
hS proposition was designed as preliminary
10 Siber legislation to protect the people in theil
sights. and punish all violations of the laws o.
'he country.
Mr.. Weller, lDemocrat) of California. The
proposition Is to sepeal all laws, and settle the
dispute by physical force
Mr.. Toombs, (National,) of Georgia. That's
good way. Nobody objects to that.
Mr. Seward, lRepublican,) of New York, SAID
ne would with the greatest pleasure vote for MIR
"hson S amendment. The present bill can have
no ether tendency and effect than to confirm the
success Of The object of the passage OF the Law
aOTogatng the Missouri Compromise, and form
. slave State oat of Kansas. There is no code
'nere are no laws, and no legal society, in Kan
"a SSs' other than that of the organic act of 1854
the Government of that Territory is usurpa
uoa and tyranny, and there are no legal nor NOR
q, oo.gations to treat it with the least respect
ne House, more true TO Freedom than thu
"ela'e, sent a commission thither, whose re
Ill