Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-08
WEDNESDAY,, JANUARY S, 1855.


M.. Fessenden introduced French spoliation bill,
and moved its reference to u select committee OF
seven.
The bill was referred to select committee, con-
sistiug of Messrs. Crittenden, Colamer, Toombs,
Hamin. Hunter, Davis and King.
Mr. Davis said that Mr.. Brown was too unwei to
speak to-day on the Kansas question.
Mr. Slidell introduced a bill ainendatory OF tue
coinage act relative to hall dollars ana smaller siVer
coins.
Mr. Gwin submitted resolution, which lies over,
instructing the committee on foreign relations 10 III
quire into the e1pedency OF providing by law for the
appointment o Minister Plenipoentlary 10 Inc Em'
pire of Japan.
After further proceedings OF less intee est the
Senate went into an executive session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The House went into committee of the whole on
the State of the Union on the Presidents annua!
message.
Mr.. j. Clancy Jones submitted series of resou-
ons referring the various branches OF the message
TO the appropriate standing committees, and express
ed hope that they would be adopted forthwith, as
the message had been before the country nearly
month
Mr.. Quitmsn said that these so-caed neutrality
acts should be swept from the statute books. There
was no constitutional power to enforce them. He
emphatcay denied that the law of nations requires
independent States to restrain their citizens from hos
tile expressions on another power He expressed the
hone that the sympathy now manifested in behalf Of
Central American affairs would not be restrained by
force Our citizens, he said, good judges Of
their own morality 40 Congress was Ger them. He
looked upon the recommendation of the President H.
one to make the neutrality laws more s.riugent with
means to carry them into execution.
| Mr.. CLANCY Jones said if he understood The most
distinguished characteristic OF our government, 1t
was government of national, constitutional and
common law therefore, in framing his resolutions,
he proposed to send this subject to the committee on
the judiciary He could not say how far he was pre-.
pared to 90 in the modification Of the neutrality law,
but he understood the President simply 10 mesn-"lf
you :.een me 10 carry out and execute the laws as
now existing yoa lliGt clethe me with more power.
Mr.. keitt strongly condemned the conduct Of Com.
Peulding II the President has right to seize man
il foreign land, He has the pretogatiye OF despot
Mr.. Stephens likewise condemned the Illegally Of
the act lie took occasion TO Fay that great outrage
Lad been committed without law the sembsnce
of law. Walker and his men ought TO be sent back
in national ship and restitution be- made for all
damages.
Mr. Bocock said, 40 at present advised be consider
I'D the act OF Com. Pauldng Illegal but he desired
that The neutrality law should be inquired into. The
great aea is neutral ground WHICH vessels may
capture fugitiyes aud bring them hack for trial.
Mr. Grow said he was glad to such jealousy
manifested the other side with regard to the em
ployment of military iorce and he took occasion to
remark, that for two years ihe Executive had en-
ployed the army 10 perpetuate Ill outrage the
rights If the people of Kansas.
Mr. LoveJoy protected against Walker being mag
niied into hero and martyr, when he WAS simply
rascal. Laughter.
Other gentlemen followed in the depSte, but With
out coming to a conclusion upon the question, the
House adjourned.