The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-12-16
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

order was the pending motion OF Mr. MORRILL, OF YER
mont to refer the bill introduced yesterday to vote pub
lie lands to the several States and Territories which may
provide colleges for the promotion Of agriculture and the
mechanic arts,
Mr. LETCHER Of Virginia, stated that he rose to
privileged question He desired to correct the journal
The motion which he had made to refer that bill to this
Committee Public Lands had not been entered the
journal. 3%@E Ht''++ #sA 4t& 'Ha1
There being no objection the motion was considered
entered. .te s'~ '"F q. tt'.'ss tb-a4tt haR na7F&
The SPEAKER laid before the House message from
the President Of the United States transmitting copy
Of letter Of the 30 of May last from the commissioner
of the United States In China and of the and reg
natons which accompanied It, for such revision thereof
as Congress might deem expedient which referred
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs f o}a' l1lsn4
Also the annual report OF the Superintendent OF Pub
lie Printing which was laid on the table and ordered to
be printed. .. ~-t
Also a communication from the Secretary Of the In
terror transmitting statement of the contingent
penses of that department. which laid ON the table
and ordered to be printed taaa1Ea# .s siltt aa+
Also copies Of the laws of the Territories of Washing
ton and Kansas which respectively referred to the
Committee Territories a@ "4 #i aEta-&a "g3Iagsa
Also a report from the Court of Claims submit
ting sundry bills; of which those which were favorably
reported upon referred to the Committee on Claims
whilst the adverse reports were ordered to be placed On
the calendar. ~ Itttt 'f' no ais'',fgI rIattg gsG
Also certain dispositions Of contested elections in OHIO
and Nebraska which respectively referred to the
Committee on Elections and ordered TO be printed
The question recurring npont the motion of Mr.
LrcEn OF Virginia. that the bill be referred to the Com
mittec on Public Lands III 2F@ahi"A aha 81 80 E.sit"i
Mr. MORRILL, remarked that it would be seen by ref
to the rules of the House that there nothing
them that defined the duties Of the Committee on Ag
ricuture and that therefore It left to the discretion
of the House as to what bills should be sent TO II
n Mr. LETCHER urged the adoption of his motion add
inc that the only interest which he had in the bill was
that should have the proper reference at the start
4 The question was taken, and the amendment agreed
to--yeas los, nays S9.,g a+s, AZ bertfi, sf ff9l.
R,'yais 1eia DEATH or HON IJAxEs BELL .ra1 siit 4a
message was received from the Senate informing the
body that the death Of Hon. JAMRs BELL late senator
from New Hampshire had been announced, and that the
Senate after passing resolutions Of respect to his memo
ry had adjourned l1'i5s''2 .t.' |sa1h9& gsa s tH'1
Mr. TAPPAN, Of New Hampshire rose and delivered
an appropriate address, in conclusion submitting the
following resolutions. 3aN9 5a s ny
Resolved unanimously That as testimonial Of respect
to the memory Of JAMES BEIL late senator in Congress
from the State Of New Hanlpsre the members and Off
GERS Of this House will go into mourning and wear Grape
on their left for thirty days " 97FT 4i - yt1
Resolp4 That the Clerk be directed to communicate
copy Of these resolutions to the widow Of the deceased
Resolved las further mark Of respect that the House
do now adjourn Shl f3 5ia1faiaI ,sat29a4 E1rU3B
Appropriate eulogies were delivered by Mr. CoLFAX
of Indiana and Mr.. WASHBURN OF Maine; and then
the resolutions adopted, and the House adjourned
o 1iafg sudps 81 ii PETITION, ETC s k.tsfs o.. tr-
4 BY Mr., DoWDELL: The petition Of Lee HI. Thomas
soldier of the of 1872 and citizen of Alabama, for
pension referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions
entitled An act provide for the better security Of the
lives passengers board Of vessels propelled in whole
part by steam and for other purposes, approved Au
gust 30 1852 Also bill to authorize the appointment
of additional Indian agencies for the State Of Cali
fornia. 81 a"5As ti'''lk1te2 94 aaH ~ h0slE
BY Mr.. McEIBBIN Concurrent resolutions of the legis
lature of California for additional allowance to the off,
GERS and men Of the United States army while serving in
the Pacific division and also the officers connected with
the Lighthouse board Of this coast Also memorial of
certain merchants and importers of the city Of San Fran
CISCO asking the return of duties paid goods destroyed
in that city by the fires of 1850 and 1851 Also, bill
for the construction of railroad from the Mississippi val
lev to the Pacific ocean Also bill to provide for the
payment by the United States of certain bonds ssned by
the State of California in the prosecution and conclusion of
certain Indian in that State. Also, bill for act
to establish two additional land oces In the State OF Cal
ornia Also, a bill to refund the duties paid by certain
merchants and importers of San Francisco goods de
stroyed in that city by the fires Of 1850 and 1851
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