Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-05-21
XxxvTH CONGRESS.
Wednesday. Nav -

protection of the harbor of San Francisco.
Mr.. Fesscnlcn of Maine objected to the
price demanded, 5000 900, and thought the
necessity not g, urgent that Congress should
submit to such enormous imposition.
Mr.. Gwin of California said the site was
indispensable for the protection of the harbor,
and that Congress should not hesitate about
the price
Mr., Brodcrck of California declared that
the whole rancho was not worth .IOOo.
Referred to the Military Committee.
a variety of unimportant business was
transacted, after which the Fishery Bounties
bill was taken up.
Messrs. Doolttc and Foster opposed the
repeal of the bounties. Mr.. Clay replied.
lIr. Allen of Rhode Island offered a reso-
luton, ,ls an additional section to the bill, re-
pealing all duties on salt.
\ lengthy debate ensued upon this when
Mr.. Trumbull moved to include sugar.
Mr.. Slidell gave notice that if the amend
mcnt was adopted, he should move to include
textures and fibrcs, and the adjustment OF
Custom Houses.
Mr.. Seward was opposed to altering the
tariff act of the last Congress. He would go
for the adjustment Of the duty on sugar,
and if the Senator from tennessee would 20
with him, he would favor the adjustment of
the duty on iron.
Mr.. Wilson Of Massachusetts, said that
Massachusetts, owns one half Of the fishing
vessels of the country, and the business has
for over $50 years been u source of interest
to her people. In the beginning of the 18th
century Massachusetts, exported the value OF
81 900 900 from her fisheries. The posses
sion of the fisheries was an element in the
revolution, and their encouragement has ever
been the settled policy of the government.
lie quoted as authority Ames, Gerry, Wash
| ington, and jefferson, in proof this assertion,
and also that they were rcgardcdasa nursery
| for scamcn
The Fishery question was suspended, and
| the credentials Of the Hon. Henry NJ. Rice
presented as Senator from Minnesota.
As soon us they were read, Mr.. Harlan of
Iowa presented charges from the people of
Minnesota, that Mr.. Rice had been guilty of
corruption in connection with the land sales
in that territory.
Mr.. Brown of Mississippi objected to the
credentials being received, not because OF
the charges made, but because Minnesota
was not State when she elected Rice and
Shields. The whole thing, he said, was
| wrong.
A debate ensued
| Mr.. Harlan did not know what course to
pursue, but would object to the reception of
the credentials. One of the charges is that
Rice sold land at 81 80 per acre, and gave
receipts for it at 81 ,25.
| Mr.. Seward of n. Y. thought Mr.. Brown
metaphy sical rather than practical. The action
of Minnesota was taken when she was passing
from a territorial existance into the matu-
rity of a state. The election of these gentle
men was conditional that the result should
be effected from the period off its becoming a
State
Mr.. Stuart, of Michigan, condemned the
course of Mr. Harlan, and spoke in the high
est terms of the Senator elect.
Mr.. Harlan said he did not personally
know the Senator elect, but felt it his duty to
present the petitions of his constituents and
the facts of the case.
Mr.. Benjamin, of Louisiana, explained how
the charge originated. In the report Of Mr.
Rice, made to the War Department, he stated
how this occurred. No advantage was taken,
as intimated, nor was there any thing wrong
in the case.
Mr.. Bright, of Indiana defended the new
Senator from imputations, and believed that
Mr. Rice would explain the matter satslac-
torily to the country.
Mr.. Davis, OF Miss. sustained Mr.. Harlan in
presenting the charges.
Mr.. Rice was sworn in, and Immediately
addressed the Senate. This, he said, was his
first appearance in this body, and he felt that
he was placed in an embarrassing position
He had never received any intimation of these
charges. If the Senator from Iowa, Qlarlan)
had examined the papers on file in the War
Department, he would have found that there
was not one word of truth in the charges. He
| (Rice,) should demand an investigation, and
if one single word impugned his motivee as q
Government officer, he would resign his posi-
| ton as a Senator.
Mr. Harlan then offered "a resolution for a
Committee of Investigation, with authority
to send for persons and papers laid over.
Mr.. Crittenden presented he credentials OF
General Shields, who was also sworn in as Il
Senator from Minnesota. Adjourned.
Thursday, May ID.
Mr.. Phillips, of Pa, said that Messrs. KAY
anaugh and Phelps, members from Minnesota
were present, and moved that they be sworn
Their certificates of election were read, and
found to be signed Samuel Medary, Governor
of Minnesota, and dated in December last
Mr.. Sherman of Ohio, objected to the adj
ministration of the oath. 1t was known that
the Constitution of Minnesota provided fol
the election of three members by genera
ticket, and he desired to be informed where
the credentials of the third member were
Mr.. Phillips replied these We're the only
credentials he had seen.
MIR: sherman said that by another provls
ION OF the Constitution OF Minnesota, tho
GOvernorship does not commence until after
the State is admitted into the Union, and thi,
was the only mode by which the House could
judge who is the executive officer of tina
I1aT nouaiy 70 not oo,erhor vi -iii',,eso,i
out ros'Hasoer OF columbus, ONO. lie di'
no. Know oy what power or authori'y, OF
lo',ery schene, TWO members were selected
OUT Oh tne three sent sent mere w no II