The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-16
Friday, December 10, 1853.
SENATE


Friday, December TO- 1858.
SENATE.
communication was received from the
Secretary of the Interior, in reply to call
made at the last session for information respect
ing all moneys appropriated to the District of
Columbia. On motion of Mr.. Allen, it was
resolved that the Senate proceed on Monday
next to ballot for the standing committees. Al.
ter the introduction of several bills by Mr. Rice,
among which the most important was one au-
thorizing the establishment of a Northern
Pacific mail route, the Senate adjourned till
Monday next
The principal subject of discussion was the
report of the Judiciary Committee in regard to
the impeachment of Judge Watrous, of Texas.
Mr.. Billinghurst of Wisconsin and Mr.. Reagan
of Texas favored the impeachment, and Mr..
Ready of Tennessee, member of the committee,
opposed it. The House adjourned without com
ing to decision.
.SntnY11nn Deconho. II. rnrq
The Senate was not in session.
The House of Representatives was further
engaged in the consideration of the case of
Judge Watrous, Of Texas. Messrs Reagan
Stuart, Clark, Stanton, Davis, and Richie,
spoke On the question.
We have made brief work of the doings of
Congress, thus far, the proceedings having
been of no general or prominent interest.
Monday, December ID, 1853.
in SENATE H
Messrs. Sebastian and BENJAMIN appeared
in their seats.
The list OF committees were adopted by a
strict party vote of 30 to 81. The changes
from last session are as follows
Finance-Mr. Hammond vice Mr. Biggs
COMMERCIALS. Chandler vice Mr. Benjamin.
Military Affairs-Mr. Chestnut vice Mr.. Ierson
Naval Affairs-Mr. Hammond instead of Mr..
Evans. Judiciary-Mr. Clingman instead of
Mr.. Toombs Post Offices and Post Roads
Messrs. Rice and Ward vice Messrs. Fitch and
Thompson. Public Lands-Mr Chusnut vice
Mr.. Broderick. Private Land Claims-Messrs
Polk and Shields vice Messrs. Biggs and Ken
needy. Indian Afairs-Mr. Rice instead of Mr..
Reid. Revolutionary Pensions-Mr Shields
chairman, and Mr.. Chandler instead of Mr.
Wilson. Claims--Mr. Ward instead of Mr.
Polk. District of Columbia yessrs. Yulee
and Wilson vice Bigler and Chandler Pat
ents-Nessrs. Thomson of n. j. and Toombs
instead of Evans and Yulee. Public Build
ings-Yr. Kennedy instead Of Mr.. Bayard
L.
Douglas. Contingent Expenses-Xr Wright,
chairman Mr.. Johnson Of Tenn. vice Mr.
Evans. Printing Fitch, chairman; Mr.
Clingman instead of Mr.. Fitzpatrick. Libra
ry-Mr. Fessenden vice Mr.. Hunter
Mr.. Clingman asked to be excused from
serving ON the Committee on Printing--whch
was granted and the Chair authorized to make
the appointment.
The Chair presented report of the Secretary
of the Interior, showing the amount paid for
pensions in each of the States and Territories
A message was received from the President
of the United States, enclosing copy of the
treaty with Siam.
Mr.. Clingman introduced resolutions calling
on the President for the correspondence under
the CLAYTON Bulwer treaty He made few re-
marks in favor of abrogating that treaty, and
said our interests would never be protected
until that treaty was annulled. He alluded to
the recent searching of our vessels going to
Central America by British cruisers, which he
pronounced great outrage.
Mr.. Gwin moved to take up the Pacific rail-
road BILL
The bill was then taken up, 80 to ls, and
Mr. Gwin entered into an elaborate argument
in its favor.
Mr.. Gwin went into great statistical details
to sustain these propositions, and concluded by
urging on Congress the adoption OF this bill, as
demanded by every consideration Of patriotism
and duty
On motion of Mr.. Hunter, Of Virginia, the
further consideration of the subject was post
poned until tomorrow, and, after short Execu-
tive session, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House met at the usual hour. The Wat
rous impeachment case was taken up.
Speeches were made by Messrs. Cochrane Of
New York, Taylor of Louisiana, and Adrain of
New Jersey, in favor of the impeachment and
by Mr.. Maynard of Tennessee, on the opposite
side.
In the course of the discussion, Mr.. Clay, Of
Kentucky, interposed, with the offer of reso-
luton calling on the President, if not incom-
patible with the public interests, to communi-
cate any information he may now have, or may
shortly obtain, in regard to visitation reported
to be made by British officers of American YES
sells in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Mr..
Clay said he had been instructed by the Com
mittee ON Foreign Relations to offer the resolu-
ton.
Mr.. Morgan, of New York, objected to its re-
ception.
Mr.. Clay asked for suspension Of the rules
which was carried by large majority.
II The resolution then, under the operation of
the previous question, was adopted, with but
few dissenting voices.
The Chair presented communication from
the President of the United States enclosing a