The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-02-09
Monday, February 6, 1860.
SENATE.

On motlon OF Mr.. Pearce, resolution was
adopted, requesting the President of the Uni
ted States, if in his judgment, not incompatible
with the public interest," to communicate to the
Senate copies of the instructions to and dis
patches from the late aud present Ministers in
China, down to the period of the exchange of
rati6cations of the treaty Of Tientsin, and also
a copy of the instructions from the Department
OF State OF February, 1857. to Mr.. Parker,
former Commissioner in China.
On motion of Mr.. Hemphll, a resolution was
adopted, directing the Committee on the Post
Office and Post Roads to inquire into the expe-
diency of providing for the establishment of a
semi-weekly mail between New Orleans and
Ell Paso, Texas, via San Antonio, which shall
give New Orleans a semi-weekly overland mail
to and from San Francisco, within twenty DAYS
time for the transit.
The Vice President laid before the Senate a
communication from the Secretary of State,
transmitting in obedience to law, a statement
Of the commercial relations of the United
States with foreign nations for the year ending
September 30, 1859.
Also, communication from the Secretary
of the Treasury, in compliance with resolu-
ton of the Senate of the 23d ult., calling for
information relative to persons employed by
that Department whose appointments are no.
confirmed by the Senate, and by virtue Of what
law they were appointed, The Secretary states
that the appointments were made under the
acts of March, 1899, and August, 1s46-and
gives the names of the agents the one receiv-
ing the highest compensation being John Ross
Brown, who receives SIG per day, when EN-.
ployed, with ten cents mileage.
Several other reports from the Executive
Departments were also laid before the Senate
also, the annual report of the Superintendent
of Public Printing.
HOUSE.
The Speaker appointed Messrs Grow, Miles,
and Etheridgs, a committee, in conjunction
with one to be appointed by the Senate, TO wait
on the President, and inform him that Congress
was ready to receive any communication be
may be pleased to make. fa
Mr., Phelps asked the unanimous consent of
the House to proceed to the consideration of
read fof the information of the members.
Mr.. Maynard wished to modify the third sec
ton, so as to make the six per cent. interest
therein provided for payable to the contractors
themselves, and not to their assigns, to whom
they have sold their scrip at various discounts;
and that the contractors accept this interest in
full satisfaction of all demands for damages.
Mr.. Petit objected, preferriug that the bill
should take the usual course,
The House, by vote Of l57 in the afirma-
tive to Al In the negative, gave consent to a
suspension Of the rules to introduce the Post
Office appropriation bill.
Mr.. Phelps moved an amendment to the Of
feet that the 81, 400, 900, mentioned To the sec
ond section, be paid exclusively as compensa,
ton TO postm asters and clerks in their Offices,
mail depredaiious, special agents, and for trans
portation of the mails.
After further proceedings, the House adopt.
ed Mr.: Phelps's amendment designating the
purposes for which the $a,40o, 900 shall be
paid. ,
The House then voted on and refused to
strike out the provision for the payment of ak
per cent interest TO the mail contractors. The
bill was then passed. f.s e.f 80 ,v....
Mr.. Sherman moved TO proceed Va the cleo,
ton Of = DoorkeepeF which motion vas
agreed 70. ts6.gsu =, q .gsstee ~
Mr., Winslow nominated Alexander Ward, of
New York. ,7w s.8isf 8fna-l farslltf ft.sa
Mr. Peyton nominated A. ii. MARYLAND.
Mr.. Riggs nominated the present incumbent,
Joseph L. Wright -. 4 airs'
Mr.. Maynard nominated A. J, I.asner, Of the
District Of Columbis, p'A.S ,'e4
Mr.; Tspp.a nominated George Marston, Of
New Hampshire.
Messrs. Riggs, Tappan, Maynard, aud Han.
ilton, were appointed tellers, 5''> isef o'
The result was; Whole number of votes 207,
necessary 10 choice 104. Marston lie, Wright
81, Ward II, MARYLAND Is, Larper IL.
Mr.. Marstcn was declared duly elected.
Among the notices given today Of intentions
to introduce hills we're the following; BY Mr..
morrill,, OF Vermont . bill 10. provide for the
payment Of outstanding Treasury notes, 70 au-
thorize loan, aud to regulate aud FIX the du-
ties on impotts, and for other purposes. Also,
bill to papish and prevent the practice of
polygamy in the Territories Of the United
States and other places, and disappearing of
certain acts Of the Legislature of the Territory
of Utah. Also, bill donating public ARds %
the several States who mar provide colleges for
the benefit Of agriculture and the mechanic
arts By Mr.. Kiilinger: To locate and estab-
Esk . ustioaAl foundery 10 Pennsylvania.