Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-12-21
rH1RrY-r1rrH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION.
THrEspAY DECEMBER Ii. ls5S.
SENATE

SENATE
Mr. Stuart desired to bring up Senator Dl
Wis motion made yesterday TO get rid OF tn
. adverse reports on the calendar.
Mr.. Clingman hoped it would not be pressed
and that no discussion would take place. II
moved to amend Il portion of the preamble am
resolution relative to correspondence relating l.
Central America.
Mr.. Mason desired to say that he would no
oppose the taking up Of the matter, but tha
when up he would find it his duty To move Il
let it lie on the table.
Mr. Seward suggested the resolution be refer
rcd to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr. Mason preferred that the motion to tai,
up he proceeded with as test
Mr.. Shields was for the amendation Of III,
resolution. because as it stands now there is Al;
Interpretation of the Clayton.Bulwcr treaty
He voted for that treaty in the view taken of il
BY our Government, and he did not wish al
this particular juncture TO stultify himself oi
the Government on the point. He did not want
the Senate TO give any fresh Interpretation to
it now. There was decided difference between
us and Great Britain on the Interpretation o
tho treaty, and all negotiations on the matter
have been failures.
III ne lnlcTStOOu lnc 1'TcSlucUlS IlcSS.lSt
Alright it exhibited determination to let
Great Britain do all the negotiation, we had
failed in treating with her and with Central
America up to the present. He was disposed
! to vote for the resolution, if amended.
Mr.. Clingman said he wanted the resolution
passed; he did not care 50 much about the
preamble.
Mr. Collamer asked il the Senator from North
Carolina would strike out the preamble:
Mr.. Clingman could not say he would
Mr. Collaner thought it would take not only
days, but months. to discuss the matter. He
referred TO the fact that the President an
nounced that negotiations were pending: alto
gethcr he (Mr. Collamer) was opposed to tax
ing it up.
Mr.. Mason was not disposed to 20 into the
whole question Of the President, transactions
and negotiations with Great Britain. The dc.
. sire Of the Senator from North Carolina TO drag
up the matter after the announcement in the
message exhibits the purpose Ia make an issue
with the President II is q direct inference. for
some supposed reason or other that the ncgo-
tiatonS have been mismanagcd. lfhc Mr. NJ
voted for such resolution. he would consider
that he ia, q Senator made a demand on the
President. ovcrrung his discretionary power
Mr. Clngman said that at the last session he
was in 4 position 10 learn some things which
have not been mad. public. and which, if
known, would thoroughly justify the call he
made. lie further said that Oh a certain
casion. he told the Senator from Virginia the
reasons hc had 10 press such point when an
attempt was made to stay him CMr c. from
pressing it in the House when member Of that
body.
Mr.. {. was decidedly i'll favor Of the abrosa-
ton Of the Claytcn-Buwcr treaty. lie was
not certain but il would be npoitir at present
10 make movement towards Nicaragua; but if
the treaty was abrosatcd two years would not
roll over before it would he open Gct tho
treaty out Of the way and then we can act ac
cortling to circumstances. lie thought it nc
ccsSarv to recommend an abrogation last ScS-
sion. Nothing had been done. and hc, from
circumstances was in favor Of n stronger pro-
position now Congress ran abrogatc treaty
1t has done So before. in the case Of France.
Mr.. Shields reviewed and denied the alln>ion
Of the Senator from Virginia, (Mr. Mason,) that
in calling for this information Il dsrcspcrt was
meant for the President and an inference ofhS
mismanagcmcnt in conducting the Nicaragua
affairs Mr. ). remarked that the President
asked for the army. navy and funds for some
purpose on Central America. We cannot act
on this request without information. He could
not sec that respectful, courteous call on the
Executive. was making an issue will him. lie
thought it wise and polite to lay any inforna-
tion-that would not lead to diiiruty--if any
there were, before the public.
The vote was called.
YEA,-M-.srs Jsayard. Benjamin. Bright. Frederick,
Clark. Clay cingman. rri,'en'cn fit'ra'rcs' Green
Houston IcrSon Mason Polk, Reid Rice Shield room-,
Trun.bull. Wade, Ward and Wison-.:.
NOES Es-M.,srs Allen. Brli Byler Chandler. Colamer.
Davis Dixon, Dooittl- Durk-c F.ssend.n. fch Fo"t,
Foster. G.in. Hale Iamn; Hammond Harlan linn,Gr
Johnson OF TeDn Jones. King. Sebastian, Seward shd"
stuart, Thompson Of ky, and WrIeh'-2,.
The Pacific Railroad till next came up.
Mr. Bell reviewed the progress Of American
interests since the treaty of Guadaloupe Hi
dalgo. He believed that unless the Govern
mcnt gave its aid to the road it never would be
success, nor could we hold orr Pacific terri
torv He held it To be a matter Of necessity
that We should have route across the country
in the event Of a war with any foreign Power.
Mr. Fitch presented q memorial for the relief
Of Harrison Morgan
On motion Of Mr.. Davis. the calendar was Ia
ken up. with the view oi concurring in the adj
verse reports.
One hundred and twenty.eght adverse ic-
ports from committees were concurred in.
Fifty bills were indefinitely postponed.
Mr.. Ivcrson introduced bill for the back
nav Of naval officers who were retired by the
Navy Board of Inquiry, and were rcinStatcd.
Referred to Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. Slidcll moved an adjournment
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Speaker laid before the House Il com.
munication from the President, transmitting,
in compliance with resolution Of the House.
information in reference 10 the recent boartlin.
of American vessels 10y British cruisers, i'll tlc
Gulf of Mexico.
On motion of Mr.. Clay. Of Ky. ;hc reading
of the papers were dispensed with.
The message was REFERRED to the Committee
on Foreign Affairs. and ordered 10 be printed.
The consideration Of the Maryland contested
election case was resumed
Mr.. Stewart. Of Nd. in RESPONSE toa qucs-
iion. stated. for the information Of the House,
founded on the proceedings in this case. that
Mr. WHITE contests the SEA, of Mr. Harris.
The majority Of the Committee Of Elections
had come to the conclusion that the seat ought
to he vacated, hut thu minority Of the commit.
tee were Of thu opinion that Mr.. Harris should
retain his seat.
Mr. Boycc laid he had been Informed that
Mr.. Whyle does not claim the seat for himself,
but has petitoncd against Mr.. Harris retaining
it, on the ground that by reason Of frauds. riots,
etc. in Baltimore there could not bca fair cleo
ton.
Mr.. E,l>tis ol Louisiana, moved to lay upon
the table the report of the committee and the
accompanying resolution, which is as follows ::
Resolved, That it appears to this House
that there was such tumult. disorder. riot, init
mdation. and injustice in the election OF re-
preventative to Congress from the third Con-
sressional district of the State of Maryland on
the Sd dav of November lsj1. i'll contempt OF