Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-15
rH1RTY.FIFTH C0NGRkss-Fir.t session
TUESDAY, JANUARY II, 1858.

SENATE.
Mr. Douglas presented petition from Henry O..
the western borders of Missouri to Fort Laramie and
the south pass of the Rocky Mountains. Referred to
the military committee.
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill explanatory of the act
granting bounty lands to the officers and soldiers OF
the army. passed March, 1855, 80 az to secure the
claims 10 the heirs of the persons making the claims,
but who have died before the land warrants were is-
sued. Referred.
The committee on commerce, by Mr. Benjamin,
reported bill to repeal an act passed two years ago
TO authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to change
tbs names of vessels and thus save the necessity OF
large amount of congressional aciIon out II mas
been found that il has operated very n]urousy anu
has been productive Of serious ca!amitles' Inc own
ers of vessels that have been long at sea ana oeco
frsi and unsesworthy, by q change OF name imposed
on the underwriters, and deuded passengers on board
who would not otherwise insure or iutrust their ves
| to such WORKOUT craft. He instanced the Cehlrai
America, whose loss, with 80 many passengers, 10
yet vivid on the public recollection. which would no,
nave been insured and so vauaby freighted II IL hdC
been known that she was the old George Law
The bark Tropic Bird has had her name changed
three times since that general act was passed. she
ls supposed 10 have oundered at Sea- az she has not
been heard from Tor a year. Sinety.two names have
been changed under the law; and in th:rty.one OF
these serious losses and Injuries have occurred
The bill was passed, for the emergency OF the case
required it.
The joint resolution some time since introduced by
Mr.. Mallory, to extend until April IT, 1855, the ope-
ration of the act Of January IT, 1857. Limiting The
storation Of naval officers whose cases haze recently
been before the courts Of inquiry, was considered and
parsed.
MIR. Mason moved to reconsider the votes on The
passage, and then on the engrosslnent OF the joint
resolution of the Hon. Jefferson Davis, passed yes
terday az TO the power Of the President in the ap
pontmsnt of naval officers. Agreed to. lie then
moved TO reconsider the vote adopting Mr.. Hunter
provso at the end of the BILL which motion lies over
for debate.
After an executive session. the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The Speaker laid before the House message
from the President in response 10 the resolution call
ing for Information relative to the recent events that
have trsnspired ia Central America.
On motion Of MI. Clingman, that portion OF the
Presidents message and accompanying documents
relating TO Commodore Pauding and having refer.
ence to the orders of the Navy Department were re.
ferred 10 the committee naval aslrs and the other
portion to the committee on foreign affairs.
A message from the President was aso received
stating that he had received copy OF the Constitu
ton of Minnesota, together with an abstract Of the
votes poled for and against it, and he now LAID 1t be-
fore Congress in the manner presented by that in
strument. Having received only one copy, he had
transmitted that to the House.
A message Was also received from the President in
reference to the resolution nquirng whether the gov.
eminent Of Nicaragua has made any complaint on
| account of the arrest of Walker by Commodore
Psulding its soil. The President through the Sc
cretsry of State, says that no such complaint has
| reached the department.
The House then went into committee of the whole
| on the state of The Union the Presidents annual
! message.
the supporting hands of his friends it was Who
| could tell which was the administration portion oil
| this House and what were the administration mea
| sures? Look to the Senate. There the Warwick OF
| int Tho InnEh I'm la F.Hn n
the administration The President entered upon the
| Presidency with plethorc treasury, which is now
bankrupt. The Central American question is press
ing hard upon him, aud the fbusters are trying &c
overwhelm him. Besides, there is the Kansas cues
ton which he 10 pressing forward for the destruction
of Fremonts hopes and The Indignation hurled back
is sinking him. Utah is beyond the control OF the
government, and Brigham Young is laughing him &c
| scorn. Well may he exclaim, save me from my
| friends"
As to Central American affairs, If the President
was derect ut all it wss because he did not with
firm and steady hand, carry out bis Intentions &c
prosecute Walker while he was within our lurlsoic
! ton. This was not question between w alker ane
the Government. 1t was whether the Government
shall discharge its duty and sustain its honor II II
| only when we just to our nelghbors We sustalr
our character and dignity; and, therefore, We are
bound to defend Nicaragua against the aggressloni
of our own citizens. He would not hang The offend
ers as has been suggested; but they were properly
| brought back ia sympathy Tor their wretched condl
ton. and to be taught, he hoped, that the rights o.
| the Government must be respected. lie maintained
that it was not only the right, but the duty of the
naval forces to enter upon Nicaraguan soil and ares
those whom the President denominated murderer'
| and robbers"
Mr.. Moore, of Alabama, said he would not venture
on the argument of :hs validity of General Walkers
title to "Pre.dent Nicaragua" but contended that
Commodore Pauldng had gone beyond his instruc
tons, and has committed wanton outrage. lie could
not concur with the Administration in its constructions
| of the neutrality laws.
| Mr.. Thompson, of New York earnestly condemned
Walkers conduct, and showed that Walker is not 9
pionaar Of the civilization of which we are 80 proud
but of semi barbarous policy, which obtains foot
hold by force and power.
Mr.. Warren believed that Com. Paulding bad e1.
ceeded his instructions, but he warned gentlemen not
| TO go beyond the line the President marked out. He
occupied the principal portion Of his hour in advoca
ting grants OF land for railroad purposes.
Mr.. Curtis advocated the carrying out OF the neu-
trslity lava of 1873.
When he had concluded the committee rose and tho
House adjourned