The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-02-01
CONGRESSIONAL.
MoNpAY, JANuARY 81, lsss.
sENATE.

ted States, transmitting, IN compliance with resolution
OF the 25th instant copy Of the report OF the ape a
agent OF the United States recently sent 30 Vancouver
Island and British Columbia which, motion OF Mr.
MASON, referred 10 tine Committee Foreign lie
lations.
Ihe report OF the agent consists OF 1913 pages and
dated Washington, JANUARY g. 1859. The agent say,
that his arrival at Victoria lie found that large mum
Der OF those who had gone TO the Fraser river mines had
left theT return TO California; having become dssat
fed with the country and the prospect and that Of tho
who remained, by far the greater number merely
waiting 10 realize sufficient IL deiay their expenses back
10 their homes 1t still likely however that con
siderable number would remain both at Vancouver
Island and the mining region of Fraser river during te
winter III not longer and addressed himself to the mis-
sion 10 which he had been honoed by the President Of
the United States the chief object Of which, under
stood by him, to nluse among the citizens OF The
United States temporarily in the sinty of Fraser riy
a spirit OF sbordinAton 10 the colonial authorities ami
respect for the laws of Great Britain, and at the
time by such representations TO the Of Van
couyer's Island circumstances would suggest % en-
deavor 20 obtain from that functionary the abroaton Of
the rigorous system of exaction heretofore pursued aud
the adoption for the future of such policy towards
Americans would not be Inconsistent with their rights
the citizens of friendly power and would further.
tend to promote among them feelings Of kndness
and goodwill towards the subjects of Great Britain
The agent goes on further TO say that such inter
yention by the United States deemed necessary for
the that much evaporation alleged exist
among those of citizens then making their way 10 the
Fraser River mines against the OF the Hudson
ia consequence OF the enormous exacons TO which they
were said To have been subjected by those officials &c
Also, from the President of tho United States a mes
sage transmitting report from the Secretary of State
covering further statement in answer resolution
Of the iAth June last calling for list of claims of cit
zens OF the United States which reah and on mo.
ton by Mr. BENJAMIN ordered to be printed
Also, nom the same covering letter from the Score.
try OF war, calling the attention of Congress to ap
pcation made through Lord Napier Con a sum money
borrowed from Gov. Douglas of yanconveys Island for
the purchase of stores for the of volunteers engaged
in suppreng Indian hostiiiiies ia the Territory Of WASH
ington which was read, and on motion OF Mr. MASON
referred 10 the Committee on Territories.
ihe Secretary says in his letter that the Territory be-
ing without funds, and all endea,ors to Obtain advances
from private having failed Gov Douglas was an
pcled to by Gov. Stevens to lend his assistance which
promptly responded to- and funds advanced from
Gov, Douglas private different occasions
amounting in all 10 81 900 for which Gov S. pledged
the faith of the United States and bcgs leave earnestly TO
recommend that application be made 10 Congress oi AN
appropriation to refund the amount Of the claim with in
terest which is clearly demanded by the circumstance Of
the case
The PRESIDENT tenn laid before the Senate a com.
municaon from the Treasury Department made ia com
piancc with resolution Of the 18th instant as to the
number Of American vessels which directly engaged
in the palmoil trade tie coast of Africa Be- which
on motion by MIR SEWARD referred TO the Commit
Tee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed
Also from The Secretary OF the Navy. aconmnnica
aon made in compliance with resolution OF the 9th
in the department the subject OF the sale and pu
chase of the site for anaya depot brunswick Gcor
gia nc which was read and ordered 10 lie the
table.
Also communication from the Secretary OF the Treas
ny in answer TO resolution calling copies of all bids
for furnishing granite for the extension OF the treasury
building made ia 1885 which read aud ordered TO
lie on the table.
MEMORIALS
The following MORALS and petitions we're presented
and appropriately referred u.s.
by Mr.. Bi;opEiICK From the citizens Of jackson
aud its vicinity, in the State of California very nunler
ousIy signed asking the establishment OF a til weekly
mail between ST. Joseph Missouri, and Paceryc Cali
foinia @fa
Mr. D. called for the reading of this memorial which
sets forth in effect that for the last nine years the cen
trail road to the Pacific via Salt Lake City Is the great
thoroughiarc of emigration to California that in add
ton to its being the best road for the same distance on
the globe, it Is also supplied with continuous meadow
OF nutritious grasses, upon which Of thon-
sands of animals subss during the annual heira that
from what has already been accomplished they aIc con
WINGED that In less than two years from the present dale
the mails can be carried this in fifteen days
travelling time.
BY Mr.. MASON From Noah Fairbank, asking that
segoing vessels of certain tonnage may be required TO
take with them ON every voyage copy of the directions
for making fresh water from water. f
BY Mr.. YuLEE From Mrs. Ann w. Angus widow Of
a naval chaplain, asking certain allowance
BY Mr.. MALLORY From residents OF Key West re
monstrtng against dsconnnance of the mail service
between Charleston and Havana, vim Key West
by Mr.. JOHNSON, Of tennessee From citizens OF
JoneslTo Tennessee, urging upon the Senate the pas
sage of The bill granting pensions to the soldiers The
Of 1872, before that body or some similar bill
Also from the National Land Reform Association Of
New York urging change in the present system Of dis
posing of the public lands
By Mr.. GREEN From the legislature of the Territory
OF New Mexoo, asking appropriations for the completion
of the capitol and peitentiary buildings in said Territory
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES H
Mr. MALLORY from the Com mttee on Naval Affairs
TO which the subject referred submitted report in
relation 10 the present condition OF the Navy which
ordered TO be printed
fhe report is OF interest and says that the wis
dom and policy of fostering navy were never
obvious than at this moment when the naval powers of
Europe are rapidly augnenting their already gigantic
services That same policy dictates not the organ
izaton of large fleets the construction of numerous
ships, but that vessels limited in number should in
every case be the most perfect of their class
BY the leading naval constructions of England naval
warvesels moved by sails alone regarded as obsolete
and we are called upon at 10 act upon the idea that
sea-power Is no longer 10 be regarded the auxiliary,
but as the primary power, and sails furnishing the
auxiliary power.
From The character OF the Gulf Of Mexico and the i'm
mense trade which floats upon its bosom il is evident
that the first naval contest in which this country shall
6tef lie engaged viii be in lbs waters vast commerce
already valued ut two hundred and fifty millions of dol
iars annually, threads its way between the Cuba snd
FLORIDA shores strait which six heavy steamships may
bridge and speak each other nv signals even
twenty minutes and that either OF the great naval pow
of Europe in the event of hoses with u.s. conld
With her present steam fleets furnish such bridge with
Out materially wcnlepify her naval frees