The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-01-01
THIRTY-F FOURTH CONGRESS-.
THIRD SESSION.
Tuesday, December %, 1856.
CITNA Tyy


The Senate considered the House bill on the
settlement of the officers of the Revolutionary
army, and the widows and children OF those
who died in the service.
Mr.. Evans opposed the amendment, as it
might delay, if not defeat the bill.
Messrs. TOombs and Stuart opposed ii,
viewing it as a bestowment of gratuity, founded
upon no principle of Justice. The latter said
one OF the beneficiaries under the bill would be
President Pierce, who would receive about
Sl6,OOO Tor the Revolutionary services Of his
father.
Mr.. Mason thought the payment of these
claims would render it obligatory on the Gov
ernment to make a similar compensation to
others not included in the bill, and even to re-
deem all the Continental money.
Mr.. Crittenden believed it better to take the
bill with all lis imperfections, than 10 run the
risk, by amendment, of losing it.
The Senate then adjourned till Friday, with
the understanding that they will then adjourn
till Monday.
Mr. Letcher, from the Committee of Ways
and Means, reported a substitute for the bill for
the revision of the tariff.
Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio, from the Committee
OF Ways and Means, reported the navy and for
LITIGATION appropriation bill
The House passed the Senate's Joint resolu-
ton extending the time during which the cred
itors Of the Republic of Texas shall present
their claims to the first of January 1858 and
repeating so much of the act of August, 1856,
as provides that the residue (about S400,OO0)
of the sum thereby appropriated shall be divi
ded pro rata among the creditors who have filed
their releases.
Mr.. Campbell, Of Ohio, in moving the House
to go into Committee on the Indian appro-
priation bill, said it was vary important that il
should pass speedily, as i contained an appro-
pration carrying out tie treaty between the
Creeks and Seminoles, made in August last
The House went into Com mittee of the Whole
on the Indian, military academy, and invalid
pension appropriation bills, and subsequently,
passed them. The House then adjourned.
Wednesday,, December q, 1856.
The Senate was not IN session to-day.
HOUSE.
Mr. Campbell, of Ohio, from the Committee
of Ways and Means, reported the Post Office
mail steamer and deficiency appropriation bills.
Mr. Phelps, from the same committee, report
ed, with amendment, the Senate bill relative
to foreign coinage and the coinage of new cent
pieces.
MIR. P. explained that the object was, the
withdrawal from circulation OF all deprecated
foreign coin, receiving Mexican and Spanish
quarter, eighth, and sixteenth of dollar pieces
at twenty, ten, and five cents. The Committee
of Ways and Means propose that the President
should fix, by proclamation, the description of
the new cent coin-that precedent was set in
1876.
Mr. Haven was fearful the bill, in It's present
form, would disturb, to a great extent, the com
mercial transactions of the country, as it is
proposed to repeal all laws making any foreign
coins legal tender
The further consideration of the bill was then
postponed for two weeks.
Mr.. Herbert made an hours speech, in reply
to Mr.. Denver, on the subject of the California
land patents.
Mr.. Rice, the Delegate from Minnesota, in.
troduced bill authorizing the people of that
Territory to form Constitution and State Gov.
eminent, preparatory to admission into the
Union, on footing with the original States.
The House then adjourned till Friday