Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-02-03


The Speaker laid before the House. communica-
ton from the Superintendent Of the Coast Survey lin
relative to any portion of the capacity of the Patux
ent river as a site for Navy Yard; which was re-
ferred to the Committe on Naval Affairs.
The superintendent says in his report
LIST. That the greatest depth of water which can be
taken over the bar at the mouth of the Patuxent is
BIZ feet. and 80 mean feet at light water 3D. The
northwest part of the channel having this depth of
wateris $50 yards Sd The distance across the
bar at this depth is one mile and the mddeof the bar
lies two miles outside of the mouth of the river
Good anchorage can be had for 10 or u miles above
the mouth, hayiug depth of from to y fathoms
rom Is to ~ feet, with breadth from 450 wards to
IA miles. 5th There are several localities on the
river afording suitable site for navy ward, but
that offering the greatest inducement is a neck of
land, the extremity of which is known as Point Pa
tence, 20 to miles above the mouth of the river.
which Is bounded on the west by small creek known
as Galen's Gut, containing 700 acres of land with a
IN time of war, the says the mouth of
the nver has low land and would require several per
manent forts and arm0red vessels to protect it. Thin
sheets OF ice formed above and below Point pa
tience, but the mouth Of the river has not been
frozen but once in is years
COMMUNICATION FROM THE PRESIDENT
The Speaker lald before the House a communion
ton from the President, in which he recommends
the recognition of the Dominican RepubIc Re-
ferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
Also a Communication transmitting documents
from the Office of the Secretary of State relative to
the so-called Mexican Imperial Express Company
Most Of the correspondence is in the shape ofprinted
letters from the New York Herald.
r.
At this point Major Generals Meade and Thomas
entered the House.
Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio, moved that the House take
recess OF ten minutes and that the Speaker escort
them to the Speakers chair and present them to the
House; which was agreed to unanimously.
The Speaker then left the chair, and taking Cen
erals Meade and Thomas by the arm, escorted them
TO the Speakers desk, amid cheering on the floor of
the House and in the crowded galleries. When the
applause subsidized the Speaker said:
Gentlemen Of the HoWse Of ReprescntatiDes:-While
time shall last and the republic shalt endure none of
dIerS who periled their lives f its preservation.
ifue as the trueSt and brave as the braVest were
nIaJ0r General Meade, commander of the Army Of
the Potomac, and Major General Thomas com
mander OF the Army OF the Cumberland whom I
nave the pleasure to ntroduceto you to-day. Great
Major General Meade then said:
UeM[eme4 Of the House Of RepreseatdtiUes:-Im-
pressed as am, and rs may say, with the solemnty
OF thls occasion, having been introduced to YOU in
such complimentary and distinguished terms by the
Speaker Of the House, it is almost impossible for me-
and Tor my friend and brother officer General
Thomas, for this compliment: live may be permit
ted TO consider this distinguished honor as an APP
PToval OF our course in the late war, which. by the
blessing, Of God, has so gloriOuSly terminated
II VIII be to us an ample reward which we shall
regard with grateful remembrance and bear in mind
with thanlfulness. Renewed cheering
Loud calls were made for Gen. Thomas, who stood
Gen. Thomas then said: 1T was not my intention
to say anything but to let my friend, Gen. Meade,
reply to this compliment. But since you have called
every word he has uttered, and l sincerely thank
you Tor the compliment. Renewed cheeringl
- Mr. Spadlng. of Ohio, proposed three cheers for
General Thomas, which were given with great ca
thmsiasm by the members and the spectators in the
galleries.
The Speaker then introduced the members sepa-
rately to Generals Meade and Thomas. after which
ceremony the House proceeded to business.
BRooKs-DODGE ELECTION CASE.
A DEBATE Of two hours then took place between
MessrS. Brooks and Raymond. of New York, and
Dawes, of Mass, relative to the reference of certain
papers in the clerks Office the Committee on Elec-
tons bearing on the contested case of Brooks vs.
Dodge. The latter was permitted to speak also.
- QUARANTINE REGULATIONS.
MIR; Raymond, of New York, introduced on leave
q Dill relating TO quarantine regulations in New
York harbor. Referred
Mr.. Stevens, from the Committee on Appropria-
tons, reported the Executive, Legislative and Judi
clal appropriation bill. which was referred to the
Committee of the Whole, and made special order
for February 18th.
m FREEDMEN's BUREAU BILL.
Inc special order, the Ereedmens Bu1 eau BILL was
taken up, and MIR. Kerr. of Ind, resumed his re-
marks i commenced yesterday, in opposition to the
Dill During the speech cOlloquy took place be-
tween MeSsrs. Chanler, of N. Y and Eliot, of Mass
from which 1t appeared that General Sherman at the
request of the President had just written letter
pIalnlng ms Order turning over the South Carolina
Sea Island cotton lands Of the negroes.
Mr. Chanler, of N. y, said that the letter shows
that the Order was only intended to be temporary
ana to extend only to decrepd and not to able
freedmen.
Mr.. Eliot said that its contents were not stated
correctly.
Calls were made for the letter. but no one seemed
to have copy.
The House then adjourned till tomorrow.