The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-24
THIRTY-F0URTH CONGRESS-.
Rirat SAaainn
Wednesday, July l6, 1856.
SENATE

Mr.. Brown, from the Committee on the Dis
| trict of Columbia, reported bill retrocedine
| Georgetown to Maryland.
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, made a speech on
| the three million armament bill, contending
that the appropriation was necessary to place
| the country in proper state of defence. Ii was
| a peace, not a war measure. There was not
| ammunition enough on the whole Pacific coast
to FIRE ten rounds with the guns there, and in
| case of war there was not enough in the whole
country to fire twenty-five rounds with all our
guns.
The further consideration of the bill was then
postponed till Monday.
The Senate then went into Executive session,
and was nearly four hours engaged in consider
alton of the question, whether the more than
two hundred nominations or promotions of the
President, sent in some months ago, to supply
the vacancies occasoned by the action of the
late Naval Board should be passed upon before
the House shall take action on the Senate bill
providing remedy for meritorious officer ag-
grieved by the Naval Board. Finally, Messrs.
Pendergast and Nicholson were severally con-
frmed as Captains by so large vote as to be
regarded as favorable to all the remaining
nominations.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Keitt said it was not his purpose to widen
any breach, or exacerbate any feeling. He
much preferred the opposite. He INDICATED
South Carolina against the charges brought
against her conduct in the Revolution. He
wildly depicted the sufferings and patriotism
Of the South Carolinians, contending that the
exploits of Massachusetts in that struggle had
been greatly exaggerated.
Mr.. Keitt, after speaking in disparagement
of Massachusetts, and in no complimentary
terms of Mr.. Burlingame's sentiments and
rhetoric, said he was In the Senate when the
assault was committed. He knew that it would
be committed, unless Mr.. Sumner should make
an explanation or apology; but he repeated he
knew not the time when, nor the place where,
the assault would be made. He did not anti
cipate it would be in the Senate Chamber.
Northern papers had attempted to establish
completely on his part, charging it as slave
holding act, and had attempted to fix the re-
sponsbility on South Carolina. Those who
wish to drag in dust the garments Of their State
might do it. He certainly should not the gar
ments of his own. Itappeared that his offence
was that he did not turn informer-a character
which he branded as infamous. He would
never violate the confidence reposed in him,
even by his bitterest enemy, against the best
friend he had. Was he to inform in favor of a.
man who had made false charges against South
Carolina, and slandered distinguished Senator,
relative of his late colleague, Mr. Brooks !?
For the individual opinion of the House he
cared nothing, but he did care for the opinion
OF the House officially expressed. He repre-
scented men who live on battle plains. which
had been DETAINED by Mr.. Sumner, and there
fore he was sensitive. He had already sent his
resignation to the Governor of South Carolina,
to take effect to-day, and would now announce
ne was no longer member of this Congress.
The galleries applauded, while cries of'' Or
der went up from those below.
The friends of Mr.. Keitt crowded round him
and shook hands with him, and amid consider
able confusion he retired.
The House then took up the resolutions of
the Committee on Elections, that j. c.. Allen
was not and William B. Archer was elected
Representative from Illinois, and entitled to his
seat.
Mr.. Washburne, of Maine, advocated the
resolutions.
Mr.. Allen replied in his own defence.
Adjourned.