Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-26
PUBLISHED "AILY AND TRI-WEEKLY BY
EDGAR SNOWDKN.
ALEXANDRIA,:
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY %, 1855.

Oar readers saw by the proceedings OF the
Senate, CD Monday. published in yesterdays
Gssette, that Mr.. Douglas has introduced q
bill ito restrain and redress outrages upon
tho flag and citizens Of the United States"
This bill provides "tbat in case of fagrant
violation Of the laws Of nations by outrages
upon the flag. soil or citizens of the United
States, or upon their property, under circum-
stances requiring prompt redress; and when.
in the opinion of the President delay would
be incompatible With tue honor and dignity
of the Republic. the President is authorized
TO employ such force az he may deem peces-
sary to prevent the perpetrati of such out
RACES and to obtain just redress and satistac
tioo for the same when perpetrated; and it
shall be his duty to lay the facts of each case
together with the reasons for bis actions in
the premises, bef,re Congress at the earliest
practicable moment for such further action
thereon as Congress may direct"
Tha Washington Union in commenting
upon this measure, says, that while 1.-The
President is armed already with all autbor-
~ to restrain and redress outrages and to
protect the citizens Of the United States who
may have business with the citizens or sub.
jscts Of other governments" and TIE power
Of the United States is coEfessedly sufficient,
the "real difficulty exists in the fact that the
executive authority is too limited to enable
the President to put in force the abundant
material we are acknowledged to possess
It. therefore, regards this bill "as eminently
apeace Misunderstanding an Efficient ad-
mipistration Of the government possible at
least, and by the known existence and con.
eentration of the power in the hands of the
President, restraining the aggressor against
acts of outrage against our Gag" Itfur,her
argues, that whilst this measure has been
introduced With no special reference to late
transactions, it is not probable that such
authority thus conferred upon the President
would in any manner tend to embroil the
country in difficulties with any nation" On
the other hand, the Baltimore American con.
tends, shat, practically, this bill would give
the President power to make wal; and, with
. rash man At the head of affairs, might at
any moment involve the country in trouble
and that legislation upon 80 important sub
ject. during the spssm Of excitement now
prevailing, ought to be discouraged" The
American adds
"Orders have already been forwarded to
fit the steamers Water Witch and Arctic for
sea, in order to be dispatched to join our
squadron in the Gulf, which will then con.
sist of the following vessels-ofwar now 10 the
Gulf or under orders to proceed there, viz
Steamers Colorado, Fulton, Wabash. Water
Witch, Arctic, Frigate Savannah, Sloop
Jamestown, Brig Dolphin, mounting in all
ITO guns. 10 addition to these movements,
Mr.. Mallory. Of the Senate Naval Commits,
tee. on Saturday, reported a bill providing for
the construction of six steam sloops-of.w.r
Of light draft. The bill was read twice
The Hou.e Committee on Naval Affairs, it lie
said. will report bill authorizing the cen
struction of ten steam gun-bOats. and it is
stated that the Committee on Foreign Rela
tions will propose to increase the number to
thirtyw