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


The Speaker laid before the House communica-
ton from the Superintendent of the Coast Survey lin
answer to resolution ct Mr. Phelps, of Maryland,
ent river as site for Navy Yard; which was re-
terTed to the Committe on Naval Affairs.
The superintendent says in his report
LIST. That the greatest depth of water which can be
taken the bar at the mouth of the Patuxent is
3l4 feet and 50 mean feet at light water. %. The
wateris $50 yards across 3d. The distance across the
bar at this depth is one mile and the the bar
Good anchorage can be had for 10 or - miles above
the mouth haviog depth Of from to 2 fathoms
from Is to l32 feet with breadth from $50 yards to
IA miles. 5th There are several localities on the
river affording suitable site for navy yard but
that offering the greatest inducement is a neck of
land, the extremity of which is known as Point Pa
tence, 212 to miles above the mouth of the river
which is bounded the west by small creek known
Galen'S Gut, containing 700 acres of land with a
bank from to % feet above water As to its defence
IN time of the says the mouth of
the river has low land, and would require several per
anent forts and armOred vessels to protect it. Thin
sheets OF ice formed above and below Point Pa
hence, but the mouth Of the river has not been
frozen but once in is years.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE PRESIDENT
The Speaker laid before the House communica-
ton from the President, in which he recommends
the recognition of the Dominican Republic. 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 printed
letters from the New York Herald.
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 Gen
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 Eouse Of Represcntatires:-While
time shall last and the republic shall endure, of
diers who periled their lives its preservation.
True as the truest and brave as the bravest were
MAJOR General Meade, commander of the Army Of
the Potomac, and Major General Thomas, com
mander Of the Army of the Cumberland whom l
have the pleasure to introduceto you to-day. Great
Major General Meade then said:
GeaIelen Cf the House Of Representatiyes:-Im-
pressed as am, and as may say, with the solemnty
OF this 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
hlhomas IN Tor thus compliment: five may be permit
tea 10 consider this distinguished honor as an ap-
Proval OF our course in the late war, which, by the
blessing OF God, has glOriOusly terminated,
1t will be to US an ample reward which we shall
regard Win grateful remembrance and bear in mind
with thauktGlness. Renewed cheering.l
Loud calls were made for Gen. Thomas, who stood
on the let Of the Speaker, to respond.
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 | sincerely thank
yom TOR the compliment. Renewed cheering.l
Mr.. Spalding, of Ohio, proposed three cheers for
General Thomas, which were given with great ca
thusiasm 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.
BRO0Ks-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 clerk IS Office to the Committee on Elec-
tons bearing on the contested case of Brooks VS.
Dodge. The latter was permitted to speak also.
- QUARANTlNE REGULATIONS.
MIR. Raymond, of New York. introduced, on leave
a Dill relating TO quarantne regulations in New
York harbor. Referred.
Mr.. Stevens, tlom the Committee on Appropra-
TONS reported the Executive, Legislative and Judi
elal appropriation bill, which was referred to the
CommIttee of the Whole, and made a special order
for February 18th
FREEDMENs BUREAU BILL.
The special Order the Freedmen's Bur eau BILL was
taken up, and Mr.. Kerr of Ind, resumed his re-
marks ma commenced yesterday, in opposition to the
bill. During the speech a cOlloquy took place be-
tween MeSSrs. Chaner of N. Y. and Eliot, of Mass,
from which 1t appeared that General Sherman at the
request OF the President had just written letter ex
pialnlng his Order turning 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
and to extend only to decrepd and not to abebodied
freedmen.
Mr.. Eliot said that its contents were not stated
correctly.
Calls were made for the letter, but no one seemed
to have a copy.
The House then adjourned till tomorrow.