The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-02-09
CONGRESSIONAL.
Thirty Firm Congress- second Session
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5. 1859
sENATE.

body a communication from the Secretary OF the Navy
n answer to resolution calling that officer for his
opinion to whether it would be expedent 10 tinsfei
the cutter from the Treasury TO the Navy
Department, and TO the ia which such trans
fer could be made most eiectualy to perform the
service required of it, nc which was read and laid upon
the table
THE Secretary referred the resolution to the heads OF
the Bureaus of Yards and Docks and Ordnance and Hy
biography for the purpose of ectng the views OF naval
officers of experience and transmits their report TO the
Senate. These officers base their objections three
grounds
First that the transfer is of very doubtful expedieney,
because ii transferred to the navy. difficulties might
arise in arranging Joint jurisdiction. The service
would necessarily be under the naval laws and regula
tons but for all purposes controlled by the
Treasury Department for the proper protection OF the
customs
Second, should a transfer be made and the present
system be abolished the vessels would be placed
under the command of naval officers and subject to the
laws and rules which govern the navy. Ii the revenue
officers be retained the subject of assimating rank in
the two services would be embarrassing one and, in
deed it would be almost impossible to arrange this deli
cate question, the grades and rank dssimar and
might operate unusy and oppressyey to the officers OF
one other branch of service.
Third, the revenue vessels arc Of small size from
eighty to one hundred and eighty tons, mounting only
guns of light cabre and it could not be expected there
FORE that they could render very efficient service in coast
harbor defence yet they think that if these vessels
were manned, furnished, equipped, and governed by
naval officers, they would be rendered effective for
coast defence than constituted.
Also report from the Secretary of the Treasury in
to resolution of the Senate respecting the
structon of building at Springfield, Illinois, for the
commodaton of the courts, post Office &C.; which,
motion by Mr. TRUMBUIiI, referred to the Com
mittee on the Judiciary and ordered to be printed
RESOLUTIONS LEGISLATURE
Mr.. KENNEDY presented resolutions of the legisla-
ure of the State Of Maryland relative to the erection
monument to the memory of Major General Baron De
Kalb; which were referred to the Committee the Lii
brary M h
Also from the same, in favor of the enactment of
law for the final settlement and payment of the half pay
for life promised by the Continental Congress to the Off
OF the revolutionary army for the payment Of which
national faith s pledged and all those and
members who have taken active interest ia behalf OF
the officers of the revolnan. their widows and children
entitled to the thanks aud gratitude of the country
which referred to the Committee Revolutionary
Claims.
MEMORIALS ETC.
The following memorials and petitions were presented
and appropriately referred
BY Mr. SEWARD: From VIM H. Ward, asking that
the Secretary of the Treasury may be authorized
board of nine members for the purpose of exam
ming the various systems of marine signals
The memorialist says that the pressing demands Of
the naval and merchant marine throughout the COM
mercia world for and definite method of COM
municatng by night and day from ship ship and be-
ship and shore, that danger may be avoided dis
property, call IoudIy lor lirc sNsos,o ''~e-sse
measure
BY Mr. DOUGLAS: From f. II. Hadducs and Others
~ : ~ ,..o. ~ Ia,, s., IoaaI;oa +o sale of t,e
ashihs .,o ps0'aSo - " M ~ Si ~ ~ y ~
site Oh fort M penrp - ~,
ny MI MINI FROM ci.1eiis " tNc" ho'h' ushi'is
ulc ctuo'"i " COZ e ...n o 80 w ~ "
New fork cl,y anu ylcihi.y'
Dy t 49,. 1a i; a. ~ ~ ,,ra,;. 'l. w.
TONED AT roo anis' ieA'''' asNius eh'' PiosiSv, "
maze tor suPPoi''s pahus VI iiu'o - ''e "'''
service, .,... = W..
ny MI foi'h AWo mciho.iAs ION Ii'iAens u WASH
lhStoh couhS, m.sspul as's . 'y ,.y i " ~
posed on iron suihcieh' 70 noio po'ecuoh " aieioan
labor ensagcu ia ,i, i,s i',huia1.e. s, ,,.. !.
ny Mr pa AM rioi D.''o' . n'o1A'oiy' . soiu'0 ~
the florlua "'i, ashiho Pohs'on
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
Mr. MASON from the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions TO which referred the joint resolution from
the House of Representatives in relation to the tobacco
trade Of the United States with foreign nations reported
back without amendment, and recommended lts pas
sage 80, ~,
Mr. MhoOs S'eu eno ''..o.p ~ ,,, "a ~. W.. D " -"
importance the subject, asked the immaculate