Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-02-14
-C0narsssi0maI.
TaIRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
senate-Tuesday, February Ia, 1856

TCUIuaTy 49, I0oOs
The PRESIDENT Of the Senate laid before
the body letter from the Second Auditor of the
Treasury, communicating copies of accounts of
persons charged with the disbursement of moneys
goods, or effects for the benefit of the Indians
during the fiscal year ending the 30lh of June,
1855
Also, letter from the Commissioner of Patents.
communicating his annual report for the year
1865
Various memorials and petitions were presented
and appropriately referred.
Mr.. BAYARD, from the Committee on the Ju-
dietary reported bill amendatory of the act en-.
titled An act TO regulate the fees and costs 10 be
allowed clerks, marshals, and attorneys of the
Circuit and District Courts of the United States,
and tor other purposes"
Mr.. BAYARD explained the object Of the bill,
which was 10 place Jurors Of this District on the
same footing with others of the United States
Courts. The prices Of living here quite
great as elsewhere, and the passage of the bill
would be but simple act of justice.
The bill was considered and passed
Mr.. WELLER, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, asked 10 be discharged from the further
consideration of the memorial OF Leslie Combs,
and that II be referred 10 the Committee Public
Lands; which was agreed 10.
Also from the same committee, reported bill
for the relief of Jacob Dodson
RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. HALE submitted the following resolution,
Its immediate consideration:
Rssolped, That the Committee on the Judiciary be
instructed to inquire and report whether the pro-
visions OF an act TO promote the efficiency OF the
navy, approved 2Sth February, 1855, are in accor-
dance with the provisions Of the Constitution of
the United States aud whether the proceedings
under said act, by which large numbers of officers
OF the navy have been nvouptarily placed on the
reserved list and on furough and others dismissed
from the service, are agreeably 10 warranted by
the provisions of said Constitution.
The consideration was objected to- and il lies
over under the rule.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
BY Mr.. HALE: A bill to repeal an act entitled
!" An act to promote the efficiency of the navy
BY Mr.. FISH A bill for the relief ofthe widows
and orphans of the officers, seaman, and marines
of The United States ship of war Albany, and for
other purposes.
Also, bill TO require the employment of appren-
tees in the commercial marine of the United
States.
BY Mr.. BROWN: A bill to incorporate the Co.
lumbar Wood Gas Company
By Mr.. FOOT: A bin making compensation 10
George p. Marsh for extraordinary services and
expenses on special mission 10 the Greek Gov
eminent and for negotiating a treaty between the
Government the United States and Persia.
BY Mr.. ADAMS: bill 10 provide for the salts
faction OF Choctaw reservations under the 10Th
article of thu treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek Of
September, 1880.
Mr.. WELLER introduced a Joint resolution
authorizing and directing the Secretary of War 10
furnish IN certain cases verified copies Of original
papers filed before the Board for the Examination
ofclaims contracted in California under Leuten-
ant Colonel Fremont.
NOTICE OF A BILL
Mr. YULEE gave notice of his intention 10 in
troduce bill 10 establish port of entry al Fer
nandina and at Tampa, in Florida
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Mr. BIGGS moved TO take up for consideration
the following resolutions
ReSoiUed That the Senate " i'll on Monday next
at one o'clock, elect a Secretary of the Senate
Sergeant-at-Arms and Assistant Doorkeeper
Resoired, That the following shall be one of the
standing rules OF the Senate, 10 wit: so. The Sec
rotary of the Senate, and Sergeant al. Arms, and
Assistant Doorkeeper, shall be chosen on the
second Monday Of the first session of every Con
gress
After debate, the question was taken on the
indefinite postponement, and decided in the affirm
ative--yeas SO, nays IL.
CENTRAL AMERICA.
The Senate then proceeded 10 the consideration
of the special order, being a reference 10 the Com
mtiee Foreign Relations of the letter commu-
nIcating the opinion of Lord John Russell as TO
the construction Of the Clayton and Bulwer
treaty.
Mr. WILSON addressed the Senate al conside-
rable length. He was for declaring the CLAYTON
and Bulwer treaty void, and leaving matters a.
they stood prior 10 its adoption, we might then
take fair start, and we should be likely 10 colo
nze quite as fast England. He thought the
treaty ought never 10 have been made aud that
our Government was'overreached in the affair
Mr.. MASON deprecated discussion on the sub
ject premature and rather calculated 10 en-
barrass than 10 relieve the matter and hoped the
reference would be made without further DELAY.
Mr.. BUTLER did not agree with Senators who
anticipated war from the present condition Of
affairs in Central America He thought the dis.
two such nations Great Britain and the United
States should feel il necessary go 10 war about
matters OF as small moment as the Ruatan Isl
ands. These two countries had the most import
ant mission Of all others, the civilization OF the
world by their example. He had no doubt the
day was not far distant when the sword would be
considered vulgar arbiter in the settlement of
the affairs Of men and nations. Mr.. B. referred
10 the warke position Cf the honorable Senators
from Delaware, New York, and Vermont and
that Of the venerable Senator from Michigan
whose absence forbade a reply 10 some illusions
m ade in speech. He thought the subject ought
TO be referred, and not discussed in its present
shape
Mr. FOOT said that Mr. CLAYTON desired 10
wind up the debate but, as that Senator was not
present, (beng indisposed AT this time) he would
that the further consideration OF the subject
be postponed until Monday next; which motion
was agreed 10.
And the Senate adjourned.