The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-01-12
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
THIRTY-FIFTH CONGRESS- SECOND SESSION.
WASHINGTON, Jan. IL, 1859.
son, from the Committee on Foreign Re-

WASHINGTON, Jan. IL, 1859.
SENATE.
Mr.. MASON, from the Committee on Foreign Re-
lations, reported the following joint resolution:
Whereas, the President in discharge the duty i'm
posed on him by the Constitution from time to time
give to Congress information of the state of the Union
and recommend to their consideration such measures as
ne snail Judge necessary and expedent has informed
Congress that by reason of the distracted and revolution
ary condition of Mexico of certain the States Of Cen
ral America and occasionally of those Of South America
as well the property the lives and liberties
citizens peaceaby and rghtfuly within their respective
limits are subjected to lawless violence or otherwise
placed in peril by those claiming to be in authority and
Ior redress hereof negotiation and remonsrance in the
form Of diplomatic intercourse attempted in vain and
1t being manifest to Congress, that condition of
things IN the States aforesaid will continue so long as
Government is found there the unsettled and rrepon
soe condition at present. and at times heretofore oera
ted by their people, and it being the indispensable duty
OF the Government of the United States to protect its c
zens against lawless violence without the limits of the
United states wherever found lawful ferrand-thereoer
Resoced, That whenever it shall be made to appear to
the President that any citizen citizens of the United
States have been subjected within the limits of any of
the States aforesaid, and without commensurate offence
on their part to any act of force the part of those
claiming to be in authority therein affecting the Ii or
liberty of such citizen citizens and the in the
ION the PRESIDENT demands his part the interposton
hereinafter provided, it shall be lawful for the President
to use the land and naval forces of the United States
such part thereof as he deem requisite such way
as in his Judgment may be eectual by force within
the country so offending to give full and adequate relief
States so injured and impered and his discretion to
OBTAIN redress for any wrong done prOvded that the
resdent Snail report to Congress W in session. forthwith
or In recess, at its first meeting thereaer whatever
may be done by him at any time in execution of this act
and provided further, that object shall be
OBTAINED any case whern the provisions this shall
be carried into execution, the land naval forces
used shall be withdrawn "
The Vice President laid before the Senate A COM
municatlon from the Secretary of the Treasury,
relative to fixing the value of certain United States
and British coins, and stating that, in accordance
with recommendation in his annual report he
had appointed Commissioner on the part of the
United States to meet the Commissioner on the part
OF England for that purpose.
Several House bills were here received and re-
ferred.
Mr.. STUART introduced bill for the relief of GER
tain half-breed Indians in Kansas Referred
Mr. DooLTTTLE presented the memorial of the
mayor, councils, and board of trade of Racine Wis
consin, asking for the establishment of lighthouse
In the harbor at that place. Referred
Mr. HALE moved that the papers in the San Fran
cisco post office case, which were on the table, be
referred to the Committee on the Post Office and
Post Roads Agreed to.
Several reports of private nature from commit
tees were received and disposed Of
Mr.. SHIELDS introduced bill to establish the
Lake Superior and Pacific Overland Mail route
On motion of Mr.. DAVIS, a resolution was adopted
calling on the President for the correspondence in
struction and other information in relation to out
RACES committed upon citizens of the United States
upon the lsthmus of Panama
The Pacific Railroad bill was then taken nm
Mr. WILSON, of Massachusetts,, advocated the con-
struction OF Railroad on a Northern route from
Lake Superior to Pugets Sound, where there was
plenty of grass, wood and water He called the
Southern route the "desert route" and "disunion
line" He thought it would be benefit to this
country for England to build Railroad across her
possessions to the Pacific. He further opposed the
Southern route and referred to Captain Pope's un-
successful attempt to get water in artesian wells in
New Mexico. alOnp the limo Df tho
He also quoted from Major Emory's and Commits
sioner Bartletts reports, to show that sterility
there reigns supreme, and nothing but camels car
live
Mr.. WILSON spoke at great length, arguing that
freight could not be carried over the Pacific Rail
road to compete with sailing vessels, as the cost
would be live times as great. Several Northern
roads, with large amount of business made little
or no profit.
Mr.. HARLAN urged union in this measure on the
part of those favorable to a Pacific Railroad. The
North and South should be willing to compromise
on middle route.
Mr. DAVIS, Of Mississippi, denied the insinuation
OF the Senator from Massachusetts,, that he had
favored Southern route He was not influenced
by sectional considerations. He argued in favor o.
the constituionality of the road, and said if Con
gress could appropriate money for road of earth
1t could do so for one of iron.
Mr.. WILSON rejoned briefly, and the Senate ad
journed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
communication was received from the Secreta
ry OF the Treasury in reference to the establishment
OF universal system of national coinage.
Mr.. HILL, of Georgia asked leave to introduce .
resolution Tor the admittance of future States OF
condition that it has been found by census pro
pery taken, that the Territory has sufficient DO
pulation, according to the established ration O
Congressional representation. Objected to-
The SPEAKER stated the business first in order t,
be the consideration of the report of the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, made last session, in the
Gen Wm W alker, the question being on the reso
lulons that inasmuch the United States can never
consent that any foreign power should have tn,
right to enter its territories with the view of forci
ply carrying away any person. so it becomes the
duty OF this Government to disclam any right or
Its part to enter any foreign state; that officers
have right to use the forces under their command
for the benefit of foreign state, unless previously
authorized by Congress; and that the message OF
the President is in accordance with these principles
no action Is necessary on the part of Congress-
Mr. RTTCHIE, of Pennsylvania offered an amend
ment that the thanks of Congress are hereby ten
dered to Commodore Paulding and his officers and
men for the capture of Walker.
Mr.. BARKsDALE, OF Mississippi, offered an amend
ment that the conduct of Commodore Paudng in
the capture of Walker, was without authority
of law, and meets with the condemnation of the
House.
Mr.. WRIGHT, of Georgia, offered an amendment
that the capture of Walker was without authority
OF law, but was in accordance with the letter and
spirit OF the instructions of the Navy Department.
and that every American citizen had the right
which should be sacred and invioIable to expatuate
himself or emigrate with arms in his hands, and
that he could not be constitutionally deprived of
this right.
Mr.. SMITH, of Virginia, moved to lay the whole
subject on the table. Lost-yeas SO to 1O5 nays.
The previous question was now seconded, and the
vote taken on the proposition to refer the subject
to the Committee of the Whole, which was mega
tived by yeas 80; nays 102.
The motion to lay on the table was renewed and
lost by yeas IS, nays Ill.
The amendment of Mr.. WRIGHT of Georpia was
then rejected.
Mr.. MARSHALL, of Kentucky, moved to reconsider
that vote, which motion was laid on the table.
The question then recurred upon Mr.. RANDALL'S
amendment which was rejected by yeas &c. nays l2S.
Mr. HUGHES moved to lay the whole subject on
the table, which motion did not prevail.
The question then was taken upon the amendment
of Mr.. RITcHIE, of Pennsylvania which was adopted
by yeas 80, nays S5.
The question then recurring on the report of the
Committee as amended, Mr.. Cox of Ohio, moved
to lay the whole subject the table, which motion
carried by yeas 81, nays SO.
MIR. CLARK, of New York, offered a resolution,
calling on the Committee on Naval Affairs, to make
inquiry as to what navy yard be dispensed with
and to recommend the closing of such as are not
necessary. Adopted
The Naval Appropriation bill was then taken up.
Mr. PHELPS, of Missouri, moved to refer the bill to
the Committee of the Whole.
Mr. SHERMAN, of Ohio, moved to refer the bill to
the Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. PHELPS opposed Mr.. Sherman's motion on the
ground that it departure from the established
custom, and would accomplish no good purpose.
The Committee of WAYS and Means was financial
Committee, charged not only with the duty of re-
porting the amounts necessary for different branches
of the public service, but also with that of econo
missing IN the appropriation much as possible.
Mr.. BococK of Virginia, advocated the reference
of the bill to the Naval Committee, so that it could
then undergo thorough overhaung and unneces
sary expenses be Topped off
Mr. PHELPS said the Committee of the Whole had
the same power as the Naval Committee, and any
gentleman could propose amendments when the bill
came up. If the manner of conducting the busnes:
was unacceptable, the proper plan was to change
the rules of the House.
Mr.. BoCoCK said it was universally admitted that
the present expenses of the Government we e toe
great, and that some plan must be adopted to reduce
them. Our present system of bringing forward thu
appropriation bills was wrong The Committee OF
Ways and Means should be confined simply to the
duty of deyising and reporting means for raising
revenue for the support OF Government. He show
ed that the practice of the British Government as
entirely different and contended that we should
change our system, and commence by referring
this bill to the Naval Committee which had pro
perly charge of this subject
The matter was debated at some length but with
out coming to vote the House ad iourned
THE ACQUISITION OF CUBA.
Mr.. Slidell introduced bill in the Senate on
Monday, to facilitate the acquisition of Cuba. The
bill opens with preamble in effect:
That whereas the geographical position of the IS
land of Cuba invests it with commanding infu-
thal L. ,o1l,,