Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-12-14
XXXEM CONGRESS--2d SESSION.
SENATE
W ARLINGTON

WASHINGTON. December -
Mr. Sumner presented petition from Lake
Brothers. brokers, for indemnity for $40 900 L.
5 certificates which was referred 10 the france
| committee.
Mr. Sumner also introduced bill authorizing
the President TO transfer a gunboat 10 the repub
lie of Liberia
Mr. Sherman introduced bill appropriating
one million OF dollars for the construction of sir
revenue cutters for the lakes.
Mr. Howard introduced petition from the
collector OF the port of Detroit praying for relief
from the ope .tion OF the joint resolution of last
session increasing the rate OF duty on imported
articles per cent The petition was referred 10
the committee on finance
Mr.. Sherman reported bill authorizing the
construction of six cutters for service on
the lakes. and appropTiating 81 900 900. or so
much ss is necessary, for that purpose He asked
that the following letter from the secretary of
the treasury be read:
| have the honor 10 acknowledge the receipt
OF your letter Of the 9Th inst, requesting infot
nation ~ to the lumber of revenue cutters now
employed on the lakes, their efficiency aud the
necessit, OF their increase The number of cut
ters heretofore maintained on northern lakes was
Elk They are sailing vessels of such build and
rig prevent their cruising with efficiency.
In 1861 five OF them were directed TO be
=
lantic coast, that they might be used in the pre-
vention service, and WAS left upon the lakes, but
on being found to be worthless was sold During
the last winter a contract made With the
parties TO build an efectual steamer for the rev.
enue service on Lake Erie, which vessel is so
nearly completed that her trial has been ordered
Tor 10 dav This is the only steamer belonging
to the government applicable to revenue pur
poses on al the lakes The necessity, however,
for preventing smuggling along our Northern
frontier, which the government has satisfactory
evidence is carried on TO great extent. induced
the secretary to charter two steamers for tempo
rary service one on Lake Erie and one on Lake
Ontario one OF these was lost on entering the
Cleveland hsrbor, and the charter Of the other
ha. expired and she has gone out OF service
| therefore recommend that authority be given
given 10 build Or purchase five efficient vessels
for the use of the revenue department on she
northern lakes, which IN addition TO the one just
completed. will make the number Of cutters the
same previously employed. IL il pOssiblethe
number recommended viii be All that will be re-
CURED.
The grea, length Of the coasts to be guarded
and toe close proximity OF some Of the ports to
the CAusda shore. demand constant vigilance
and authority should be conferred 20 meet the
consequences
Ii possible such vessels should be completed
and commissioned BIZ the opening of navigation
Very respectfully, ". r. FrssESpKN
Mr. Foster asked IL she vessels provided for
were armed vessels
Sherman replied ihas ne understood that reve
nue. cutters we're mostly armed With pivot guns
only thew were not vessels Of war
Foster said that by ar arrangement between
the United States and Great Britain until April,
1861, there was stipulation in regard to the
armed force which the government Of the ULiied
States should keep on the lakes.
NJ. Sherman said that the committee on CON
nerce bad carefully considered that arrange
ment before taking action the bill. IL did
not interfere With that IN any way The Dill as
repealed was thea passed
Nr. Wilson introduced joint resolution 70 en-
courage enlislments 10 the army By making free
the wives and children of colored soldiers now
held as slaves in the South
Adjourned