The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-01-25
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
THIRTY-FIFTH C0NGRESS---SECOND SESSION,
WASHINGTON, Jan. "a, 1859.
CENATE

THIRTy-FIFTH CONGRESS- SECOND SESSION.
W. ,WMAAs,HmINS,sroN, ling, Jan. "a, 1859.
The CHAIR presented long memorial from the
Legislature OF Indiana setting forth that that State
Is not now represented in the Senate of the United
States, and that it is their wish that Messrs Lane
and McCarty be recognized their Senator'S
Read and referred to the Committee the Judicial
ry.
Mr.. SEWARD submitted resolution, which lies
over, admitting those gentlemen to the floor to ad
vocate their claims to seats.
Mr.. BIGLFR presented resolutions of the Pennsyl,
vania Legislature asking increase of duties, es
pecialy those on coal and iron.
Mr.. CAMERON cordially approved the views ex
pressed in the resolutions.
Mr.. BIGLER intended, as far LAY in his power tc
carry out those views, believing them to be the
voice of majority of his constituents.
On motion of Mr.. CRITTENDEN resolution wa!
adopted calling on the President for copy of the
report of Thos. Rainey in relation to the negroes
from the SLAYER Echo, lately sent back to Africa il
| the Niagara.
| Mr. SLDELL, from the Committee on Foreigr
relations, made report on the bill relating to thu
| acquisition of Cuba. The report assumes that thu
| acquisition of Cuba is a fixed principle of Amer
ican policy, and that its accomplishment is only
matter of time. Cuba might come to us in three
days. by achieving her independence, in which case
it would become annexed; or by conquest
but that would involve general war; or by pur-
chase as we now propose. Spain need feel no deli
cacy in accepting the offer. 1t is but another
transaction like Louisiana and Florida. The Pres
dent only wants it by honorable means sexcept in
case of an overruling necessity a measure Of
selfdefence, when, it is implied, it may be necessa
ry to take it. The report, after setting forth all
the advantages of the transaction and saving that
nearly all the native Cubans desire annexation,
urges on Congress to sanction the Presidents
proposition for a renewal of the negotiations else
he may not probably attempt it.
Mr.. MASON said it was perhaps understood that
all who concurred in committee on the presentation
OF this report did not in some of its recon-
| mendatiOns. The report had stated that it is the
policy of this Government to extend its domnons
by successive acquisition of territory. He did not
believe in such policy.
Mr.. SEWARD, as representative of the minority
OF the Committee introduced bill, calling on the
President to transmit to Congress at the commence
ment OF the next session, statement of the rela
ton then existing between this country and Spain.
The bill also requires statement of the condition
of the Treasury, and the effective condition of the
army and navy at that time, so as to enable Con-
gress to judge whether it may be necessary to
adopt any extraordinary measures to maintain the
rights and interests of the United States in regard
to Spain.
Mr. SEWARD proceeded to show the financial hin
derances to the acquisition of Cuba. The passage
of this bill, BESIDES also conferred upon the Presi
dent powers which would compel the Senate to rati
fly them if exercised. This bill was in derogatior
of Senatorial power. He had supposed that politi-
cal necessities would Cuba to gravitate to the
Continent had been stated by illustrious states
men. But the time nor the opportunity had never
presented themselves and he doubted if we had ar.
rived at that point now. For ten years we had
made no overtures to Spain for the purchase Of
Cuba and she now clngs more tenaciously to the
Island Island than when she was in less prosperous con
dition. She was now in perfect repose. He had
read to the Senate report of the debate in the
| Spanish Chamber of Deputies showing that Gov
ernment intended to demand reparation from the
President of the United States for the alleged as
sault contained in his message regarding the pur
chase of Cuba.
MIR. SEWARD said he thought the proposition, tt
| buy Cuba now, unwise and ridiculous and charae
terized its purchase as much of necessity tina
of the auction woman in the play, who though
| that it might "come so handy"
Mr.. BAYARD briefly advocated the passage of tn
bill as reported. He thought it might be passeC
| whether the object was attained or not.
! Mr.. FoorE declared his entire and hearty concur
| renee in the remarks of Mr.. Seward, but woult
| speak tlength hereafter
| Mr.. ToOMBs replied to Mr.. Seward, answering
the constitutional objections. He thought the Sen
! ator was mistaken in saying that the Senate wa
obliged to ratifv the treaty made by the President
There was no derogation of Senatorial power, a
Senators could exercise constitutional power b.
opposing it when it came before the Senate.
Mr. HALE opposed the idea of the annexation O
Cuba on the score of ancient friendship with Spain
and said the march of manifest destiny was Away
| Southwark. We gave away part of Maine and &
constantly trying to extend at the South.
Without taking any action the Senate went into
executive session and shortly thereafter adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The SPEAKER stated the business first in order t.
be Mr.. Stephens motion to suspend the rules, tc
enable him to introduce resolution setting aside
the 25th, 26th and 9th of the e'present month fol
the consideration of territorial business.
Mr.. STEPHENS, of Georgia, after modifying his
resolution by substituting the first second and thirC
days of February, said he hoped Mr.. Morgan would
withdraw his objection so that the resolution could
| be received.
| Mr.. MORGAN, of New York, would not object, i
nothing in relation to the admission of new States
| be included in the resolution.
| Mr.. STEPHENS could not agree to such provso
but willing that the gentleman should propose
an amendment to that effect.
Mr.. MORGAN preferred to adopt another course
he well knew what the result would be.
| Mr.. STEPHENS pledged himself to secure him
! vote upon his amendment.
Mr.. MORGAN still insisted upon his objection.
| The question being upon the motion to suspend
Mr. STEPHENS moved a call of the House. Mo-
! agreed to-yeas "a, nays SO.
| Mr.. STEPHENS then further modified his resolu
ton so as to set apart only the lst and I'd days
| February
The question being then put-the rules were no
| suspended-yeas lO5, nays 7l-two-thirds no
| voting in favor thereof.
| Mr. KELSEY, of New York, asked leave to offer
resolution providing that ON Saturday next, imme
diately after the reading of the journal, the Hous
proceed in Committee of the Whole to the consider
alton of the bills upon the private calendar on
objection day, and that five minutes be then allowed
for objection to each BILL and the time for
ply, after which the question shall be taken tn
pending amendments, if any, and then on reporting
| the bill to the House without further debate.
| Mr.. BURNETT, of KY, objected.
Mr.. KELSEY, of n. Y, moved a suspension of tn
rules. Not agreed to-yeas l3l, nays 62-two-thrd
not voting in favor thereof
The question recurring on the adoption of tn
resolution,
Mr.. JONES, of Tenn, moved that it be laid upo1
the table, which was not agreed to.
The resolution then passed-ayes los, nays AZ.
Mr.. PHELPS, of Mo-, offered bill appropriatinG
$4,000 to pay the expenses Of witnesses summoned
during the present session.
Mr.. SEWARD, of Ca, objected.
Mr.. PHELPS, of Mo-, moved that the rules be sus
pended, which was agreed to-ayes l36, nays no
counted.
Mr.. SEWARD then insisted that the bill, inasmucf
as it made an appropriation should be first consid
cred in Committee of the Whole the state of thu
Union.
Mr. PHELPS moved to suspend the rule requiring
such consideration of the bill, which prevailed
ayes 1l9, nays not counted.
Mr.. REAGAN, of Texas, moved to add so tina
no portion of the amount should be paid for con
structve mileage for summonng witnesses.
Mr.. HUGHES, of Ind, moved to ad an addi
tional proviso that none of the money appropriated
by this act shall be used for the payment OF expense
incidental to the defence of parties implicated be-
! fore the committees, nor for constructive mileag
to witnesses.
| Mr. PHELPS was willing that the amendment
should come before the House, and demanded tn
| previous question.
The previous question being seconded, the amend
ment of Mr.. HUGHES rejected.
The amendment of Mr.. REAGAN was then agree
to, and the BILL as amended, passed.
The House then went into the Committee of tn
Whole on the state of the Union and took up tn
| Consular anc Diplomatic Appropriation bill
| priation bill, in which Messrs. Loveoy, Reagan
Stephens, Bocock, Crawford, kellogg, Phelps ant
| others participated.
| Mr.. SHERMAN's amendment was adopted, striking
out the appropriation and inserting S1O5,OO fo
ministers to England, France Russia, Spain, Bra
! zil Mexico, China, Peru, Turkey and Nicaragua.
The House then took recess till seven.
| When the House reassembed several gentlemen
made speeches, and the session continued till a lat
| hour.
The ship Emerald, from London Dec. 6, arrived
at New York on Saturday. Captain Cook reports
| From Dec. l6 to 23d we had most severe hurri
cane from w. s. W., which exceeded anything eve
! before by me. The barometer did not rist
| above 28.30 at any time, and the principal par
stood at 2S to 810 the ship drifted from lon 25 tt
20. Dec. 81 at 10 p. NJ. shipped sea, which filled
| the decks and washed overheard the chief mate
Mr.. Henry Grayton, of New York, and David King
seaman, of Providence, r. l., both of whom were
lost; it also disabled the entire starboard watcf
| Except two) by washing them about the decks
| fracturing and bruising their limbs in such man
L..