The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-01-29
Wednesday, January q, 1857.
SENATE


Telegraphic Communication with England.
Mr.. Seward called up for consideration the
bill to expedite telegraphic communication for
the uses of the Government in its foreign inter
course
This bill and documents on which it was re
ported having been read
Mr. Hunter took exception to the bill, as
giving discretionary power to the President to
pledge the United States for the payment oil
any sum which the English Government might
hereafter see fit to embark in.
Mr.. Colamer entered into a full explanation
of the bill, contending that it contained ell the
necessary limitations as it stood.
Mr.. Seward was willing to remove all objec-
tons by offering an amendment, saying that
the amount should not exceed $4,000 until
the nett profits should be equal to a dividend
OF SIX per cent. per annum, and then not to
exceed $4,000 for twenty-five years; and also
proviso at the end of the bill, that the arrange
ment made by the British Government shall
not differ from that already proposed to the
New York Company.
The amendment of Mr.. Seward was agreed
to.
Mr.. Rusk avowed his intention to support
the bill, either with or without the amendment,
but would prefer it SIS it stood.
Mr.. Pugh thought there ought also to be a
proViso to the effect that the arrangement
should not take effect until the matter was
guarded by treaty, in the same manner as that
relating to Central America. In case of war,
the line would be valuable to Great Britain,
but he did not see how it could possibly be
made 80 to US until we were placed on like
footing with Great Britain. He would there
fore move to amend the bill by adding pro.
viso, that the act should not take effect until a
treaty shall have been concluded and ratified
by the Governments Of Great Britain and the
United States, whereby such provinces in North
America as command the western terminus shall
be subject to the principle of naturalization
adopted in the convention relative to Central
America, and such other supplementary pro
visions thereto as may be ratified hereafter.
This amendment led to q spirited discussion,
which lasted until the hour for taking up the
special order-Messrs. Seward, Hale, Butler,
Toombs, Rusk, Douglas, Hunter, and others.
taking part-when the further consideration OF
the subject was postponed until half past twelve
to- morrow, and made the special order for that
hour.
The Senate then proceeded to the considera.
ton of the bill to establish naval depot at
Blythe island, near Brunswick, on the coast of
Georgia, the motion pending being that of Mr..
Mallory, to recommit the bill to the Committee
on Naval Affairs
A protracted discussion ensued.
HOUSE.
Question of Privilege.
The Journal of yesterday having been read
Mr.. Orr, of South Carolina, rising to a ques.
ton affecting the privileges OF the House, sub
naitted the following report from the Select
Committee appointed on the 9th instant:
The Select Con mi,es appointed 10 investigate charges
that members of the House had entered into corrupt
combinations for the purpose of passing and OF prevent
ing the passage of certain during the presen,
Congress- respectfully submit the following special re-
port;
tion they have summoned as a witness J. W.
Simonton, the correspondent Of the New York