The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-01-15
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD.
XIIVTH CONGRESS list SESSION.
yyash,nQtOn, Jan.

SENATE. Messrs. Hunter and Toombs
asked, but the Senate refused, to excuse
them iIom serving on the French spolIation
bill Committee.
The Senate then proceeded 10 the consid-
Grafton of Mr.. Crittenden's resolution in IN.
yor of increasing the duties ON imports and
substituting foreign valuation.
Mr.. Crittendon spoke as to the necessity
for the adoption Of such measure. lie did
not believe that the present law would pro-
duce an adequate amount for the support Of
the government. An increase OF B per cent
on wooden and cotton, would be sufficient to
afford all necessary protection.
Mr.. Pugh presented petition from the
citizens Of Portsmouth. Ohio, praying for a
charter for National Bank for thirty years,
with capital Of 5000 900, and an increase
Of tho tariff
After the transaction o. some further bust
ness, of no special importance, the Senate
adjourned.
HoUsE. Mr. J. Clancy Jones, FROM the
Committee on Ways and Means, reported
the appropriation for the support OF the
military Academy at West Point.
Mr.. Washburn, Of III from the commit
tee on Commerce, reported bill to further
amend the act providing for the better secu-
rity of the lives of passengers on board steam
yessels. It's consideration was postponed till
the first Tuesday in February.
The House then went into Committee on
the Presidents message.
MIR. Sickles spoke at considerable length
on the Central American question.
Mr.. Bliss, Of Ohio, spoke against the
bred Scott decision.
Mr.. Haskins. of New York, followed in
remarks ON tho Central American question.
Mcssrs. Cockrane, Stephens and BocOck join
Cd in the debate, at the conclusion OF which
tho Committee rose and the House adjourn
ed.
Washington, JAM.
SENATE. Mr.. Hammond, OF ). c., in
place of Mr.. Butler, deceased, took his seat.
Mr.. Seward presented petition from the
citizens Of Cannadaguo, y. y, praying for
the adoption of some measures by which the
people Of the north may cooperate with the
people of the south. for the extinguishment
Of slavery by making fair and honorable
congregations 10 slave owners for the full
value of their slaves. The petition was or
dered to he on the table.
On motion Of Mr.. King, resolution was
adopted, requesting the President to furnish.
II compatible with the public interest, cop
les of the correspondence and dispatches
from our Ministers Mt the courts Of England
and France, and other powers, on the sub.
ject OF the danger to emigrants, arising from
contracting with irresponsible parties for
their inland passage.
The President sent in his MESSAGE in re-
sponsc to to the call for information relative
10 Central America. While he says that
Com. Paulding committed great error in
arrestIng Gen. Walker. be thinks II is quite
evident that he (Paulding) was actuated by
patriotic motives, and a desire to promote
the interests and yindicate the honor Of his
country. Nicaragua sustained no injHry by
the act, but was rather benefited. She
alone would have the right to complain -
but he, 1.-THE Presidency was quite certain
that she would never exercise that right.
4 warm and long debate followed, in
which Messrs Seward, DoOlittle and Pearcc
sustained the Presidents views.
Messrs Davis, Crittenden, Brown, Push,
TOOmbs and douglass, took the opposite
side.
The message was referred to the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations.
The Senate then wen. into executive Sos
sion, and on opening the doors, adjourned.
HousE. A Select Committee was appoint
ed 10 inquire into the circumstances attend
ing the sale Of the Fort Smelling reservation.
Ii consists oC Mcssrs. Barnett, Morris Of IL
linois. Morrill,, Faulkner and Petit.
Tomorrow being the anniversary OF the
battle of New Orleans, IL was agreed that
when tic House adjourned, II 10 till Mon
day.
The House then went into Committee of
the Whole on the Presidents message.
Mr.. Washburn, Of Maine, made a speech
TO show the Alessrs. Douglas and Cas-, and
other prominent statesmen who were instru-
mental in the passage OF the Kansas Nebras-
ka bill, claimed that the doctrine of popular
sovereignty gave the peOple OF the Terrific
rics the right Ia l'sislate ON all their domes-
tic institutions, while the President main
tanned that the slavery question only Was
TO be submitted for their Judgment. MIR.
Washburn argued that Congress had the
right to lcgislatc ON slavery in the terrific
ries, and that the administration never in.
tended the peoplo of Kansas should decide
that question for themselves. In the course
of his remarks, no reviewed and condemned
the LecOmptOn movement. which he said
was founded on fraud and injustice.
The committee then rose, and tho House
Al