The daily union., 1856-12-23
IN CONGRESS- OF THE U. STATES.
Thirty Fourth Congress-Third Session
MONDAY, DECEMBER %, 1856.
SENATE.

MONDAY, DECEMBER q, 1856.
SENATE.
Hon. ROBERT TooMBs from the State of Georgia. appeared
in his seat this morning.
MEMORIALS, PETITIONS, ETC.
Mr. FISH presented the petition of Edward N Kent set
ting forth that he is the inventor Of apparatus for spa
rating gold and other precious metals from foreign sub
stances which in successful operation in the Uni
ted States mint in Philadelphia and the United States as
say Office in New York. by which large amount is saved
for the benefit Of the government and praying an appro-
praton compensation to him for the perpetual Of
1t in the United States mnt and assay office which was
referred to the Committee on Finance. a. - .
Mr. T. also presented the petition Of the heirs of Cain
Thomas Hazard officer in the revolutionary army Tray
ing be reimbursed for sums OF money expended by him
in raising and equippng company OF men to serve in
said which referred to the Committee on Revo-
lutonary Claims.
Mr. STUART presented the petition of Thomas Hen
derson praying the confirmation of his title to certain
tract of land in Michigan which was referred to the
Committee on Private Land Claims
Mr. WILSON presented the petition OF James Appleton
and Others citizens of Essex county, Massachusetts, praying
that bounty lands may be granted to all the officers and
soldiers in the Of 1912, whether they were regularly
mustered into the service or not and TO their widows
which was referred TO the Committee Public Lands
Mr. YULEE presented the petition of George Phelps, a
messenger in the Office Of the Quarermaser General pray
ing compensation for vices performed after Office hours
which was referred TO the Committee of Ciaims,
Mr. CASS presented the petition Of William Durell,
Detroit Michigan for the Of the territorial Legislature
by direction OF the governor of the Territory which
referred to the Committee Of Claims.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
On motion by Mr.. THOMSON, of Now Jersey, the Com
mitee on Naval Affairs discharged from the further
consideration Of the petition OF the widow Of Capt Alex
snder claxton, and it referred to the Committee on
Tensions. '#a
On motion by Mr. WELLER, the Committee on Military
Affairs discharged from the further consideration OF
the petition Of A. L. Wright and 1t was referred 10 the
Committee Of Claims,
mLL INTRODUCED.
Mr.. BR0DHEAD asked and obtained the unanimous
Of the Senate introduce bill to authorize the
President of the United States to to be procured
purchase otherwise suitable be stationed al
the port Of Philadelphia revenue cutter, and for the
purpose OF aording relief distressed vesses their pas
sengers and crews which ad twice and referred TO
the Committee on Commerce
STEAM REVENUE cUTTER AT NEW YORK.
on motion by Mr. SEWARD, the Senate proceeded TO
the consideration of the bill from the House Of Representa-
yes 10 authorize the President Of the United States 70
cause TO be procured by purchase otherwise suitable
steamer 10 be stationed at the port Of New York reye-
cutter, and for the purpose Of aordng relief 10 dis
sssed vessels their passengers and The bill
read and proposes to appropriate slsooOo to the object
above stated.
Mr. SEWARD stated that he had an amendment 10 pro-
pose which would render the bill satisfactory TO the Pres
dent and the Secretary OF the Treasury This was strike
out the words land for the purpose Of aording relief TO
Mr.. FISH inquired the object OF striking these words
from the bill II had been customary heretofore for
nue. cutters TO perform these relief services.
Mr.. SEWARD replied that the amendment not pro-
posed for the purpose Of preventing this vessel from being
employed In that manner but In order place upon the
footing with all other cutters be employ
ed under the direction and at the discretion Of the Treasury
Department instead Of leaving IL doubtful how much Of
her services TO be rendered in capacity and
much In the other. ....
Mr. TooMBS inquired whether there was any recommen-
Aattnv1 1f
Mr.. SEWARD said that the bill had been submitted to
the Secretary OF the Treasury and with this amendment
that officer was willing that Il should be passed.
Mr.. TO0MBS could zee propriey In the The
same reason although not operating 10 The same extent
would apply to every other port in the Union and they
might all claim TO have steam cuers instead Of
those employed, which would involve ten times the
present. expense Boston, Charleston and New Orleans
would be presenting their claims for similar appropia.
ton. II was question Of degree and not Of principle If
Il proper protect the lives Of one thousand men
which endangered of the port Of New York the same
would make II your duty TO protect nine hundred
men at Boston, five hundred at Norfolk hundred At
Savannah, or fifty at Charleston Where this system
to end7 II the Secretary Of the Treasury said that sailing
vessels inadequate for revenue purposes he would
cheerly vote for any increase that might be requisite
but this proposition did not originate in the department.
He regarded Il gotten by the insurance offices and
being designed for the special benefit Of people engaged
commercial pursuits
Mr.. SEWARD stated that the bin had originated in the
House Of Representatives and had been here and had
been referred TO the Committee Commerce. As
ber OF that committee he had consulted the chairman Of the
Committee Finance Mr. HuyTER and the Secretary Of
the Treasury in regard IL The necessity and importance
Of such vessel at the port Of New York conceded BY
them and they recommended that should paas with the
modification which ne proposed lie also proceeded
10 read letter from Hon John McKeon district attorney
for the city Of New York. In which such vessel rec.
commended, among other reasons, additional safe
guard against the fitting out Of vessels 10 engage in the
slave trade,
Mr., To0MBs thought that wss very singular argu-
ment was proposed to have steamer employed NJ the
porto New Yorknot the coast Of Africato prevent
tnese exceedingly conscientious people who will not be
deferred BY the laws against piracy from engaging n the
African slave tradel (LsugberI lie would not object
TO the enlargement Of the revenuecutr service to the
tent that the public wants required but he thought this
system would lead 10 great abuses. ....
Mr. FESSENDEN hoped the amendment would not be
adopted but he prepared TO for the bin in Its
present form Hs hoped the matter would be fairly under
stood BY everybody lie Thought this was good srsten