The New York herald., 1862-02-07
Assembly.

Assembly,
ALBANY, Feb. 6, 1862
..,sst Searles, member elect for the First Assem-
isrict of Albany, to fill the vacancy occasoned by
death Of Mr. John vanderzee appeared and took his
oath Of Office.
The House took up, Committee of the Whole, the bill
to amend the law Of 1861, ceding Jurisdiction to the
United States lands within the State, sights for
lighthouses and fortifcatons. The bill allows the
United States acquire lands for the purpose Of build
ing forts, &c, adjacent to Fort Hamilton. Long
| Island, and Fort Tompkins, Staten Island
The bill makes provision that if the United States fails
agree with the for the appointment
soners by the COURT who shall make report within thirty
days after the appointment, giving proper compensation
for improvements land and damage If any, to ada
| cent lands now belonging to the owners
Mr.. TAIIMAN moved amendment providing compensa-
ton to the several for fisheries and water rights
for damage by being cut Off from access to highways
! from the purpose to which the land may be put
Mr.. BENEDICT opposed the amendment on the ground
that the amendment will be the of embarrassing
the government in getting possession of the land which
ought to be in their possession, which fortca
tions should be erected Immediately.
Mr.. ROYAL PHELPS, Chairman Of the Committee
on Commerce and Navigation. stated tnat every az
| tention had been paid to the argument OF owners
Of land and all parties interested, and that the United
States had desire to take private land under it's eg
mate value The committee could have no object In
venting the receiving full value for their pro-
perty But he had in mind the Fort Smelling swndle that
had been perpetrated the government; and
pectng that the owners of this land had any desire
follow in the footsteps Of such men, the committee wish
ed to frame the bill as to guard against unnecessary
delay. The committee had been urged to insert a
clause requiring the commissioners to examine the
Of land to the value and damages and to make
their decision accordingly This reversed the duty Of the
appraisers, which to value the lands fairly be-
tween the purchasers and owners Rcompensation is to
be made because forts erected three miles
distant have good claim for damages. The claims
for fisheries have never been made before the COM
mtee, the examination would have been made the
ground that the claim had been ascertained that the
United States had been dofr8uded. The peODle
though often had derauded the United States He argued
the necessity od tho general government obtaining i'm
mediate possession Of the land After long debate Mr.
Taman withdrew the portion OF the amendment relating
to fisheries.
Mr. Tallmans amendment was lost-ayes. .12 nays, 54
Other amendments proposed to last bill ordered to third
reading 40 reported by the COMMITTEES.
The Defences OF New York.
IMPORTANT BILL FROM THE LEGISLATIVE MILITARY
COMMITTEE.
The Committee Militia and Public Defence in the Az
semby, through their chairman, Mr.. Pierce, Of Ulster,
have prepared and will itroduce bill with the follow
ing PROVISIONS
The Governor Lieutenant Governor and Comptroller
hereby constituted commission 10 be called the Com
OF Public Defence The Governor and either Of
the other commissioners shall have full power to act in
| the absence Of the third.
The Engineer in Chief the State Engineer and Surveyor
together with three engineers Of good repu
taon be designated by the Board Of Commissioners
aforesaid shall form board consider and report plans
for the defence protection Of the harbors and frontier
Of the State. And suitable compensation, to be fixed
by said Board Of Commissioners, shall be allowed to
the three engineers thus be and actual
penses necessarily incurred by said Board of Engineers
in the discharge of their duties, shall be refunded
| to the several members thereof.
The Commissioners Of Public Defence are hereby
thorzed and empowered 70 TO be procured and
nuscured such supply OF heavy ordnance TO be mounted
at the several existing fortdcaons within the territorial
limits OF TINS State and such further supply Of ordnance
for at exposed points within this State and for general
purposes Of defence after satisfactory examination
shall by them be deemed and necessary and also
to to be procured and manufactured all the
sary carriages implements and other appurenances be.
longing such ordnance and the necessary supply OF
ammunition and proectiles therefor, and 10 all
cessay expenses incident TO the transportation and
The Commissioners Of Public Defence hereby a,-
thorized and empowered to procure 10 be
nufacturod, in addition to the serviceable the
property of the State and under it's control such add
onal number OF approved arms, accoutrements and am
munton as may by said Board be deemed necessary
for the efectua srmng Of the militia OF the State under
| whatever name they may be hereafter designated.
The Commissioners OF Public Defence are hereby
thorized and empowered to TO be made such
veys, other examination for ascertaining the opo-
graphy and general features of defence at all exposed
points within this Sate and such plans for defensive
works at such points shall by them be deemed
| sary.
| The Commissioners Of Public Defence are hereby au.
horized and empowered TO accept the service and To
be enrolled and mustered into the service Of the
State from time to time, may become necessary for
year. unless discharged by the order Of the
| said Commissioners, such number OF volunteers in
their discretion may be deemed necessary to exceed
hundred thousand men, to be olfcered, organized
and equipped in such manner the said Comm
may order and direct and to be formed and organized
without regard 10 military Districts the said force here
by authorized being in addition the present military
organization Of the said State, and part Of the militia
| thereof.
| The Of two millions OF dollars, or so much there
Of may be necessary is hereby appropriated de-
fray the expenses authorized by the third and fourth
| sections Of this act.
The Of thirty thousand dollars or so much there.
Of become necessary, is hereby appropriated TO
deay the expenses authorized by the fifth section Of this
and for other contingent expenses incurred by the
| engineers department.
The following will probably be embodedSin separate
| bill
The Commissioners Of Public Defence are hereby
authorized and empowered to to be erected such
and many temporary Notifications and defensive
works. and to to be constructed and prepared such
works and means Of defence, and Mt such points and
places within this State after receiving the Report OF
the Board Engineers authorized by the second section
Of this act may, by the said Commissioners be deemed
| necessary.
la addition TO the authority specially conferred upon
the Commissioners of Public Defence by this act
they hereby empowered, in OF war invasion,
nsurection or imminent danger thereof 10 take all need
f for aordng entire security 10 the
and property Of the citizens OF this State.
The Of 81 goo ,000 so much thereof as may be
Necessary hereby appropriated 10 defray the cxpend-
lures contemplated by the other provisions Of this
TO be expended such manner as the Commissioners
aforesaid shall deem most appropriate for the purpose
efficiently organizing, cquppng and marshalling the
militia the State and providing for the public defence