Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-01-13
Abstract of Proceedings in Congress.

THURSDAY Jan, 6. 1859.
In the SENATE, the Constituti IN adopted by
the late Convention in Kansas was presented
hy Mr. SEWARD, and referred to the Committee
on Territories The French Spoliaton bill was
taken up on motion of Mr.. CRITrENDEN, who
addressed the SENATE in vindicaton of the
Justice of the claims The bill is the one intro
duced during the last Session, and appropriateS
a sum not exceeding five millions The Pacific
Railroad bill then coming up as the special
order, the SpOliaton bill was postponed, and
Mr. BIGIER finished his speech, commenced on
Wednesday, in favor of the Railroad He was
followed by Mr. HARLAN, of Ohio Mr.. WARD
of Texas, aud Mr. IyERSoN, of Virginia, the
latter of whom made a violent sectional apeech,
and expressed himself in favor of two roads,
Northern aud Southern.
In the HOUSE, the special order was the bill
for the codifcation of the Revenue laws, and
for other purposes, which was considered in
Committe of the Whole JOIN COCHRANE made
a speech in favor of the bill, after which its
further consideration was postponed until next
week The Indian Appropriation bill was
considered in Committee, and gave raise to a
spirited debate, which Messrs GIDDING, of
OHIO, and BRYAN, of Texas, entered in dis.
cusson of the relative good and evil resulting
from the annexation of the latter State.
FRIDAY, Jan. I, 1859.
Nothing OF special Importance occurred in
Congress Friday, though the proceedings were
not devoid of interest. 1t was private calen-
dar day in both Houses, and considerable
routine business was dcne.
In the SENATE Mr. SEWARD presented re-
solution, which was adopted, calling on the
President for recent correspondence between
the British Government and the American
Minister at London, relative to the abuses of
the American flag in the African Slave trade,
and especially touching the case of the yacht
HIandercr. A resolution, offered By Mr.
HARLAN of Ohio, calling for information respect
ing the ships, officers and pay OF the Navy, was
passed 1t was then agreed to take up the
French Spoaiion bill, but on account of the
illness of Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi who was
entitled to the floor, its consideration was post
poned and the Pacific Railroad bill came up,
the debate on which occupied the rest of the
day
The SENATE adjourned over until Monday,
Saturday being the anniversary of the Battle
of New Orleans.
In the House. bill was introduced by Mr.
BLAIR of Missouri to establish an assay Office
at ST. Louis Mr.. STEPHENS of Georgia, an
nounced that he was ready to report the Ore
gon bill whenever the Committee on Territories
should be called A bill was reported from
the Committee on Ways and Means, making
appropriations for Notifications A resolution
was passed calling on the Secretary of the
Interior to report under what law and by what
authority the Advisory Board of Agricul
tursts to the Patent Office is assembled and
for other information relative to them After
the passage of eleven private bills in Committee
of the whele, the HOUSE adjourned.
SATURDAY, Jan. 8. 1850
Only one branch of Congress was in session
the HOUSE. A message was received from
the President, accompanying reports from the
Secretary of the Treasury aud Postmaster Gen
eraI, relative to the abrogation of tie mail
contracts of CoRHACK and RAMSEY The docu
ments were referred to the Judiciary Committee
The Secretary of the Interior was called upon
by resolution for information as to whether the
Rock Island military reservation has been
transferred from the War to the Interior De
partment and thrown open to settlers. A re-
solution was adopted, on motion OF Mr..
FAULKNER of Virginia, calling on the Secretary
of War for statement Of the cost for ten years
of barracks, officers, quarters, etc. The HOUSE
then adjourned, three or four motions with that
object having previously been made.