Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-12
THURSDAY. JANUARY 7, 1858.

THURSDAY JANUARY 7, 1858.
SENATE.
Mr.. Hammond, Senator elect from South Carolina,
in!place of Hon. Mr. Butler, deceased, took his seat
to day.
Mr.. Seward presented petition from the citizens
of Cansndaigus, New York; praying for the adop
ton of some practical measure by which the people
of the North may cooperate with the people OF the
South in the eItinguishment OF slavery by making
fair and honorable compensation to save owners Tor
the full value Of their slaves. The petition was or
dered to be laid on the table.
On motion of Mr. King, resolution was adopted
requesting the President to furnish If not incompat
lille with the public interests, copies of the cores
pondence and dispatches from our Ministers at the
courts of England, France, and other powers on the
subject Of the dangers to emErants arising from con-
tracing with irresponsible parties for their inland
passage.
On motion of Mr.. Foot resolution was adopted
calling on the President to communicate all the Off
csl dispatches and correspondence of Robert ID.
McLsne and Peter Parker, late commissioners in
Chins, with the State Department.
On motion of Mr.. GwiR. the committee on foreign
relations were instructed to Inquire into the expedi
ency Of making an appropriation BY law for the COM
peRsaton of minister plenipotentiary, to the empire
Of japan and for other officers Of the United States
government In Japan.
The President sent in message in response to the
call for information relative to Central America and
the arrest of Walker. While he says Commodore
Paulding committed great error in arresting Walk.
or, he thinks it quite evident that he was actusted by
patriotic motives and DESTROYS to promote the in
terests and viudicate the honor Of his country Nj.
caragua sustained no injury by the act, but was
Their benefited. She alone would have q right to
complain, and it quite certain she will never e1er.
else that right.
A long and warm debate ensued In which Messrs.
Seward, Doolittle and Pearoe sustained the Presi.
dents views, and Msssrs. Davis, Crittenden, Brown,
Pugh, Toombs and Douglas took the opposite side.-
The message was finally referred to the committee OF
foreign relations.
Tbs Senate then went into an executive session. af
ter spending several hours therein adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The select committee appointed to inquire into the
circumstances attending the sale Of Fort Smelling con
sss of Messrs. Burnett, Morris, of Illinois, Merrill
Faulkner and Petit
Tomorrow being the anniversary Of the battle of
New Orleans, II was agreed that when the House ad
journs to-day it be till Monday.
The House then went into committee Of the whole
on the Presidents message.
Mr. Thayer of Mas, argued in favor of American.
it. He was against doing this by means of armed
and illegal expeditions but by organized emigration
Owing to the surplus population Of the North, they
must have some vent They were now crsmmed in
between the Atlantic 0cssn and the Rocky Noun
tains. II the neutrality laws shall be repealed, the
North would fill up Nicaragua before 1859, 10 be suf
6cently comfortable. Laughter He repeated, that
there would be surplus population enough to make
sight States If we have territory where We can put
them, and use the people economically.
Mr.. Adrian made q speech against flibustersm
and condemned, in severe TERMS the marsuding spir
it. The neutrality laws should be changed 80 90
more efsctuslIy to check it.
Mr.. Washburne Of Maine, made speech on the
subject Of Kansas affairs, msntsining that Congress
has the power to legslate regarding slavery in the
Territories.
The committee then rose and the House adjourned