Tellers were ordered; and Messrs. CAMPBELL and MCMULLIN were appointed.

The question was then taken; and the tellers reported-ayes 81, noes 21.

So the motion was agreed to.

The committee accordingly rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Bocock) having taken the chair, the Chairman reported that a Committee of the Whole House on the Private Calendar had had under consideration House bill No. 58, "for settling the claims of the legal representatives of Richard W. Meade," and had come to no resolution thereon.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE.

A message was here received from the Senate, by ASBURY DICKINS, Esq., their Secretary, informing the House that they had passed a bill for the relief of David Myerle; and also, that they insisted upon their amendments to the resolution of the House fixing the day of final adjournment, and asked a committee of conference on the part of the House to meet alike committee on the part of the Senate.

Mr. HOUSTON. I move that the rules be suspended, and that the House resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole on the state of the

Union.

Mr. GREENWOOD. 1 ask for tellers upon

that motion.

Tellers were ordered; and Messrs. KERR, and JONES of Louisiana, were appointed.

The question was taken; and the tellers reported -ayes 47, noes not counted.

So the House refused to go into the Committee

of the Whole on the state of the Union,

Mr. ORR. With a view of getting at the message from the Senate just received, I move that the House do now proceed to the consideration of the business on the Speaker's table.

Mr. McMULLIN. I thought the understanding was, that we were to go into the Committee of the Whole on the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill.

[Cries of "No; that has been voted down."] Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. I ask if the motion to go to the consideration of the business on the Speaker's table is in order?

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair has been just inquiring whether an hour had been spent in receiving reports from committees.

Mr. JONES. You have let the time pass by when this motion might have been made.

Mr. ORR. I move that the House insist upon its disagreement to the Senate amendment, and that a message be sent to the Senate, notifying them that the House concur in their request for the appointment of a committee of conference.

Mr. HENN. I rise to a point of order. That resolution is not the first one in order. There are several bills before it.

Mr. ORR. It is the first business in order, because it comes in that class specified in the rule as messages and other Executive communications."

The SPEAKER. The rule is, that when the

House proceeds to business upon the Speaker's table, it shall first proceed to the consideration of messages and other Executive communications, and then to "messages from the Senate, and amendments proposed by the Senate to bills of the House."

Mr. ORR. I demand the previous question on my motion.

Mr. HENN. I ask for tellers upon the second. Tellers were not ordered.

The previous question was then seconded. Mr. FLORENCE. I move that the House do now adjourn.

[Cries of "No!""No!"]

Mr. FLORENCE. I have no idea of a committee of six men fixing what Congress shall do. [Cries of "Order!" "Order!"]

from Pennsylvania was not heard until the House The SPEAKER. The motion of the gentleman was dividing upon the pending question; and there

fore it is not in order.

The main question was then ordered to be put. Mr. FLORENCE.. I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. WHEELER. I move that when the House adjourns, it adjourn to meet on Monday next. The motion was not agreed to.

Mr. KEITT. I think a better motion would

be, that when the House adjourns to-morrow, it adjourn to meet on Wednesday next. Tuesday is the 4th of July, and I make that motion.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. I submit that the motion is not in order.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair thinks to-morrow will be the time to make that motion. Mr. KEITT. I submit to the Chair that when the House adjourned over to take up the carpets, it adjourned upon a motion of the gentleman from Alabama, [Mr. HOUSTON,] made beforehand, precisely as I now make this motion.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The motion of the gentleman from Alabama, to which the gentle man refers, was introduced, by unanimous consent, on Monday, by a suspension of the rules. The Chair decides that the motion of the gentleman from South Carolina is not in order.

"After one hour shall have been devoted to reports from committees and resolutions, it shall be in order, pending the discussion thereof, to entertain a motion that the House do now proceed to dispose of the business upon the Speaker's table, and to the orders of the day," &c.

Mr. JONES. Are reports from committees and resolution's under discussion now? The rule says "pending the discussion thereof." We have quit that business by going into a Committee of the Whole House. We have now come from the consideration of that business, and the gentleman has no right to make the motion.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair decides, in answer to the remarks of the gentleman from Tennessee, that as soon as the committee returns again into the House, the first business in order is the further reception of reports from committees; and, although no committees have been called for reports, that business is in order, and is the business now under consideration. Therefore the motion to proceed to business upon the Speaker's table is in order.

The question was then taken upon the motion of Mr. ORR; and it was agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT sine die.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The first business in order is the resolution of the House fixing the time for the adjournment of Congress, returned from the Senate this morning.

gentlemen will allow the committee of conference to be appointed. If the House do not approve the day they agree upon for the final adjournment, their report may be voted down. Let the committee be appointed, and let us see what they will recommend.

Mr. FLORENCE. I am very willing to acunanimous wish of the House; but, sir, in making commodate myself to what seems to be the almost my motion

[Loud cries of "Order!"]

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The motion is vania having announced his determination, the not debatable; but the gentleman from PennsylChair was indulging him in a little explanation. [Laughter.]

Mr. FLORENCE. I withdraw my motion. NCE. The question then recurred upon Mr. ORR'S motion.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. HENN. I demand tellers upon the yeas and nays.

Tellers were not ordered; and the yeas and nays were not ordered.

The question was then taken; and the motion was agreed to.

Mr. ORR moved that the vote by which the House agreed to appoint a committee of conference be reconsidered, and also moved to lay the motion to reconsider on the table; which latter motion was agreed to.

Mr. OLDS. I move that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House The motion was not agreed to.

Mr. WHEELER. I move that the House do now adjourn.

The question was put on Mr. WHEELER'S motion; and there were ayes thirty-eight——— Mr. WHEELER. I demand tellers. Mr. McMULLIN. I hope that the gentleman will withdraw the call for tellers, and let us go into the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union on the civil and diplomatic bill.

Mr. WHEELER. As we have refused to con

sider private business, I shall not withdraw my call for tellers for the purpose indicated by the gentleman.

Tellers were ordered; and Messrs. WHEELER and MACE were appointed.

The question was taken; and the tellers reported-ayes 58, noes 66.

So the House refused to adjourn.

Mr. McMULLIN. I move that the House resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union on the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill.

Mr. WHEELER. 1 demand the yeas and nays on that motion.

The yeas and nays were not ordered.
Mr. SAGE. I call for tellers.

Tellers were ordered; and Messrs. ASHE and Breckinridge were appointed.

The question was taken; and the tellers reported-ayes 74, noes 44.

So the motion was agreed to.

The rules were accordingly suspended, and the House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, (Mr. ORR in the chair.)

CIVIL AND DIPLOMATIC BILL.

The CHAIRMAN. When the committee was last in session on the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill, the question before the committee was on agreeing to the amendment of the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. GREENWOOD] to the amendment proposed by the gentleman from Pennsylvania, [Mr. CHANDLER.]

Mr. SEWARD. I move that the committee do now rise, and on that motion I call for tellers. Tellers were ordered; and Messrs. PRINGLE and RICHARDSON were appointed..

The question was taken; and the tellers reported-ayes 37, nces 80.

So the committee refused to rise.

Mr. SEWARD. I move to lay aside the civil and diplomatic bill, and to take up the next bill

on the Calendar.

The CHAIRMAN. The Chair decides the motion out of order.

Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia. I would like motion out of order? to know upon what ground the Chair decides the

it necessary to enter into an argument.

The CHAIRMAN. The Chair does not think

Mr. CLINGMAN. 1 object to any argument. Mr. STEPHENS. I wish to know the grounds upon which the Chair decides out of order the motion of my colleague to lay aside the civil and diplomatic bill, and to take up the next appropri ation bill on the Calendar ?

of order because the House has closed debate upon The CHAIRMAN. The Chair decides it out the civil and diplomatic bill, and directed the committee to proceed to vote upon it.

The pending amendment, offered by Mr. GREENWOOD, was then reported, as follows:

Add to the amendment proposed by Mr. CHANDLER, which is as follows: For continuing the aqueduct for bringing water into the city of Washington, agreeably to the plan adopted by the President of the United States, according to the provisions of the act of Congress, approved March 3, 1853, $500,000-›

-the words:

Provided, That no portion of the foregoing amount shall be applied unless the corporations of Georgetown and Washington shall appropriate and pay a sum equal to one fifth of the amount, to aid in the construction of the waterworks proposed.

Mr. SMITH, of Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I beg the attention of the committee to the few remarks I propose to submit, because I think it entirely in my power to satisfy the committee that the proposition of the gentleman from Arkansas is not as good as the one which is contemplated in the original amendment. I beg the committee to bear it in mind that the proposition which is now

quorum, had caused the roll to be called, and directed him to report the facts, with a list of the absentees, to the House.

The following is the list of the absentees:

The city of Boston, as it appears from the report upon that subject, expended $1,800,000 for the distribution of the Cochituate water through the city. Now, in the city of Washington, it will require twice as large a sum to distribute water to fifty thousand people as it did to distribute it to fifty thousand people in the city of Boston, owing to the character of our streets, our public squares, and other things of a like nature. In this regard the cities of Washington and Georgetown assume upon themselves to distribute the water. It will cost them to do so, from time to time, upwards of $2,000,000.

It is proposed, by the amendment to the amendment, that these cities shall contribute a fifth part to this job. If that be the obligation, the Government is under obligation to pay all except one fifth, which is to be appropriated by these cities. They not only will be bound to pay their proportion of the main structure, but to supply their proportion of three fifths for the distribution works. But, by the original proposition, the Government finds itself only legitimately bound for the supply of the main aqueduct and the pipes necessary to furnish the public edifices. It has nothing to do with the distribution. That falls upon the cities, and will involve an expenditure of upwards of $2,000,000-a sum greatly beyond what one fifth will amount to, as proposed by the amendment of the gentleman from Arkansas. I think we should act unwisely to adopt the suggestion proposed in that amendment. I ask if it is not introducing a new, embarrassing, and complicated feature into this bill? The Government has nothing to do, under the original amendment, but to make the aqueduct and lay down pipes to the public buildings. The Government has nothing to do with the details, but they appropriately fall to the cities of Georgetown and Washington. I think it wholly unwise to adopt this amendment, and I trust it will not be the pleasure of the committee to do so.

One word more. When the seat of Government was determined to be located at this place, Virginia gave money, or loaned money to the Federal Government. So did Maryland, and the people owning the land gave to the Government alternate sections of the entire land within the city of Washington.

Messrs. Abercrombie, Willis Allen, Ashe, David J. Bailey, Thomas H. Bayly, Banks, Bissell, Bocock, Boyce, Bugg, Chamberlain, Chase, Cook, Cox, Cumming, Curtis, Cutting, Dean, Dent, Drum, Dunbar, Dunham, Eastman, Eddy, Edgerton, Edmands, Edmundson, John M. Elliott, English, Fenton, Fuller, Gamble, Giddings, Goodrich, Grey, Hamilton, Andrew J. Harlan, Wiley P. Harris, Hastings, Hibbard, Daniel T. Jones, Kidwell, Lamb, Lane, Lindley, Lyon, Macdonald, McDougall, McQueen, Matteson, Maurice, Meacham, Andrew Oliver, Parker, Peck, Peckham, Phelps, Preston, Richardson, Rogers, Seymour, Shower, Simmons, Singleton, Skelton, Samuel A. Smith, Sollers, Stratton, Straub, Andrew Stuart, David Stuart,John J. Taylor, Walbridge, Walker, Warren, Israel Washburn, Wells, John Wentworth, Westbrook, Wheeler, Witte, Daniel B. Wright, Hendrick B. Wright, and Yates.

A quorum being now present, [one hundred and forty-six members having answered to their names,] the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union resumed its session.

The CHAIRMAN. The question pending, when the committee found itself without a quorum, was on the amendment offered by the gentleman dered. from Arkansas, upon which tellers had been or

Mr. GREENWOOD. I move that the committee rise.

The motion was agreed to.

having resumed the chair, the Chairman reported The committee accordingly rose, and the Speaker

that the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union had, according to order, had under consideration the Union generally, and particularly the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill, and had

come to no resolution thereon.

journed (at half past two o'clock) till to-morrow On motion by Mr. ROWE, the House then ad

at twelve o'clock, m.

IN SENATE.
SATURDAY, July 1, 1854.

Prayer by Rev. HENRY SLICER.

The Journal of yesterday was read and approved.

PETITIONS, ETC.

Mr. BADGER presented the memorial of Frances Ann McCauley, widow of D. S. McCauley, late United States consul general for Egypt, and consul at Tripoli, praying indemnity for losses and expenses incurred by her husband while consul at that place; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Also, the memorial of George Gibson, one of the heirs of Anna Gibson, deceased, praying the payment of certain bills of credit issued by the Continental Congress, which were deposited in the Treasury for redemption, and destroyed by the conflagration of the Treasury Building in 1833; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. STANTON, of Kentucky. The gentleman will allow me to suggest that there are two reservoirs and a dam to be constructed. Under the gentleman's amendment, as modified, one reservoir and dam would not be estimated for.

Mr. GREENWOOD. I was not aware of that, and so further modify my amendment that it will read "reservoirs and dam." I now demand tellers on the amendment.

Tellers were ordered; and Messrs. CAMPBELL and BRECKINRIDGE were appointed.

The question was then taken; and the tellers reported-ayes 45, noes 58; no quorum voting. The CHAIRMAN. There being no quorum voting, the roll must be called.

The roll was then called; the committee rose, and the Speaker having resumed the chair, the Chairman reported that the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union had, according to order, had under consideration the Union generally, and particularly the civil and diplomatic

praying that the present rates of ocean postage may be reduced; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. SUMNER presented a memorial signed by six hundred and eighty-four men of Massachusetts, chiefly citizens of Boston, asking for the repeal of the act of Congress of 1850, usually known as the fugitive slave law; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. NORRIS presented the petition of W. P. Young, praying arrears of compensation as an inspector of customs at Portsmouth, Virginia;

which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. MALLORY presented the memorial of Richard S. Coxe, William A. Bradley, and Gilbert L. Thompson, proposing to furnish, for the use of the Navy" compressed or composite coal,' an article of fuel recently invented by them; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Also, the memorial of Frederic Chatard, a lieutenant in the Navy, praying certain allowances in the settlement of his accounts as acting purser of the United States store-ship Fredonia, in the

year 1852; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. BRIGHT presented a petition of the inspectors of the customs for the port of Baltimore, praying an increase of compensation; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. ROCKWELL presented a memorial of citizens of Lowell, Massachusetts, praying the passage of a law prohibiting the employment of officers of the Army as superintendents of national armories; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES.

Mr. ADAMS, from the Committee on Retrenchment and Reform, reported a bill to establish a department of law, to prescribe certain duties of the Auditors and Comptrollers of the Treasury, and for other purposes; which was read, and passed to a second reading.

Mr. MALLORY, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred the petition of Jonathan D. Ferris, late a sailing-master in the Navy, praying the difference of pay for the time he performed the duties of lieutenant commanding, submitted an adverse report thereon.

He also, from the same committee, to whom was referred the memorial of Foxhall A. Parker, praying indemnity for various expenses necessarily incurred by him while commanding the East India squadron, reported a bill for the relief of Commodore Foxhall A. Parker of the United States Navy; which was read, and passed to a second reading.

He also, from the same committee, to whom was referred the memorial of Jasper Strong and George Terrill, praying authority to construct a railroad from the Perdido river to the bay of Pensacola, near the town of Warrington, Florida, reported a bill granting to Jasper Strong and their associates the right of way for a railroad through the reserved lands, near the navy-yard, Pensacola, in the State of Florida; which was read, and passed to a second reading.

Mr. BUTLER, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the memorial of George W. Harris, praying that Congress may pass an act to vest in him the copyright to the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth volumes of the Pennsylvania State Reports, reported a bill for his relief; which was read, and passed to a second reading.

Mr. CLAY, from the Committee on Claims, to whom was referred the memorial of the legal representatives of Henry Payson, assignee of John Randall, owner of the schooner Contradiction, praying indemnity for the confiscation of that vessel and cargo at the Island of Margaritta, in 1812, submitted an adverse report thereon; which was ordered to be printed.

Mr. SLIDELL, from the Committee on Foreign Relations, to whom was referred the memorial of Robert M. Hamilton, United States consul at Montevideo, praying compensation for diplomatic services, submitted an adverse report thereon; which was ordered to be printed.

He also, from the same committee, to whom was referred the petition of H. S. Sanford, late chargé d'affaires at Paris, praying to be allowed the difference between his pay as secretary of legation and chargé d'affaires during the time he acted as such, and the reimbursement of the amount paid for clerk hire in said legation, submitted a report thereon, together with a bill for his relief; which was read, and passed to a second reading. The report was ordered to be printed.

Mr. BRIGHT, from the Committee on Finance, to whom was recommitted a bill to provide for the payment of such creditors of the late Republic of Texas as are comprehended in the act of Congress of September 9, 1850, reported it back with sundry amendments, together with a report; which was ordered to be printed.

NOTICES OF BILLS.

Mr. BRIGHT gave notice of his intention to ask leave to introduce a bill donating a portion of the public lands, in alternate sections, to aid in the construction of a railroad from a point on the Ohio and Mississippi railroad, in the State of Indiana, by the way of the Falls of the Ohio and Evansville, to the Mississippi river, at or near Cairo.

Mr. SUMNER gave notice of his intention to ask leave to introduce a bill to repeal the act

passed in September, 1850, usually known as the fugitive slave act.

BILL INTRoduced. Mr. ADAMS asked and obtained the unanimous consent of the Senate to introduce a bill to amend the several acts granting bounty lands, and for other purposes; which was read, and passed to a second reading.

SCHOOL LANDS.

Mr. JOHNSON. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the bill allowing exchanges of and granting additional school lands in the several States which contain public lands." It has passed the Senate several times, and been sent to the House of Representatives, but it has never been taken up there.

Mr. MALLORY. The bill which is first in order to-day, as the unfinished business of yesterday, is the bill to "authorize the sale of reserved lands and for other purposes," which was half read through yesterday at the time of adjournment. It is on the same subject as the bill to which the Senator from Arkansas refers. There

will be no opposition to it, I am satisfied. It has been prepared at the Department. Its object is to authorize the sale of lands hitherto reserved for military purposes. I would ask the Senator from Arkansas, as that bill is a prior order, to let it be taken up first.

Mr. JOHNSON. I hope the Senator will not object to taking up this bill. It has heretofore passed the Senate without any objection. I cannot consent to give way. It is for the benefit of the Senator's State as well as mine; and I do hope he will not object to it.

Mr. MALLORY. I do not object to the bill; but the one to which I refer is first in order, and is on the same subject.

Mr. JOHNSON's motion was agreed to; and the bill was read a second time, and considered as in Committee of the Whole.

It proposes to authorize that where the sixteenth section, heretofore set apart for the use of schools in each of the several States which contain public land, has been or shall be found unfit for cultivation, or wherein the township, being fractional, it shall appear that there is no, or only a part of a, sixteenth section, the States, respectively, shall be at liberty to relinquish that sixteenth section, and to select any other section, either as a whole section, or in any legal subdivisions within the same township that may remain subject to sale by private entry; or should none such remain in the same township, then that the selection may be made in each case from any land within the limits of the State subject to sale by private entry, and upon the approval, by the Secretary of the Interior, of the new selection, the original tract is ipso facto to revert to and become public lands of the

United States.

There is to be selected, in the same manner, an additional section of land, either as a whole section, or in any legal subdivisions, for each township within the States, and under their authority, which section granted for the use of schools within the township, is to be recorded and conveyed as before stated.

The bill was reported to the Senate without amendment, ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, read a third time, and passed.

THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.

Mr. CLAYTON. I move that the Senate take up for consideration the bill reported from the Committee on Foreign Relations, "for the more effectual suppression of the slave trade in Americanbuilt vessels."

Mr. SUMNER. Before that motion is put, I should like to ask the honorable Senator from Delaware, whether it is his purpose to have the bill put on its passage now?

Mr. CLAYTON. Yes, sir, if I can. There is no time to lose. If it be longer delayed, the other House cannot act on it.

Mr. SUMNER. I have not examined the bill with the care which I should like to give to one of such importance. So far as I do understand it, I hope it may be amended in an important particular.

Mr. CLAYTON. That will be a subject for consideration when the bill is taken up. Let it come under consideration, and then it will be subject to amendment. The bill is not under consideration yet; when it is, the gentleman can offer

his amendment, or give his objections, if he has any.

Mr. SUMNER. I know it is not up; but I made the remark by way of suggestion to the Senator from Delaware; and I wish to follow it up by the direct suggestion that the bill be allowed to lie over for the present. It is within my knowledge that at least one honorable Senator desires to speak somewhat at length on some aspects of the questions presented by the bill. I do not myself.

Mr. CLAYTON. I have only to say that the effect of such an opposition will be to defeat the bill, and that I want the American people to understand. It is to defeat a measure which has for its object the suppression of the slave trade. Now, position. The question is now on the motion to sir, let us get at it, and then let us witness the opproceed to its consideration.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill was read a second time, and considered as in Committee of the Whole.

It proposes to direct whenever any American registered ship or vessel shall, in whole or in part,

be sold or transferred to a citizen or citizens of North or South America, or in any of the West the United States, at any foreign port or place in India Islands, or in the Cape de Verde Islands, or any island on or near the coast of Africa, the instrument of writing in the nature of a bill of

sale, reciting at length her certificate of registry, in pursuance of the fourteenth section of the act of Congress of December 31, 1792, concerning shall be utterly void, unless it shall be executed the registering and recording of ships or vessels, in the presence of a minister or consul of the United States there residing, and shall contain an express condition that such instrument, and the title of the purchaser claiming under it, shall not be valid if the vessel shall make, or attempt to make, a voyage to the coast of Africa before returning to the United States for a new register. such place, being the owner or agent for the sale And if any citizen of the United States, in any of an American vessel, shall sell it, knowing that she is to be employed in the African slave trade, or that she is about to make a voyage to the coast of Africa before returning to the United States, or shall charter a vessel of which he may be the owner or the agent for a voyage to the coast of Africa, with the intent to sell the vessel on that before the circuit court of the United States, for coast, every person so offending, on conviction any district wherein he may be brought or afterwards found, shall pay ten thousand dollars, and be imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years, at the discretion of the court. Every charter of an American ship or vessel at any such foreign place, with the intent that the vessel shall be employed in the African slave trade, and every sale

of an American ship or vessel on the coast of Africa, except it shall be duly condemned as unseaworthy, is to be illegal and void.

When any citizen or other person shall lodge information with the attorney of the district of any State or Territory, against any person for the violation of the act, by any sale or charter, or attempt to sell or charter any American vessel, contrary to the provisions of this act, it is to be the duty of the attorney to commence a prosecution against the offender, and upon conviction of such offense, the informer or informers who shall have lodged the information, as aforesaid, are to be entitled to receive one half the net sum recovered

and paid into the hands of the marshal of the district, exclusive of costs; and every vessel illegally sold or chartered, contrary to any of the provisions of this act, is with all her tackle and furniture, to be forfeited to the United States, which, after condemnation by any court of the United States in the district into which she may be brought or found, are to be sold, and one half the proceeds paid over to any citizen, or other person, who shall have lodged the necessary information before the attorney of the district for the condemnation of the vessel.

Every owner or agent for the sale of an American ship or vessel, who shall sell such ship or vessel in any of the ports as described, and every purchaser thereof are, at the time of the execution of the instrument of writing in the nature of a bill of sale for the transfer of the vessel, to make oath or affirmation before a minister or consul of the United States residing at the place, that the

vessel is not intended to be engaged in the African slave trade, which oath or affirmation is to be reduced to writing by the minister or consul, and by him duly certified and transmitted to the Department of State of the United States, which certificate, or a copy thereof, under the hand and seal of the Secretary of State, is to be evidence in any court of the United States; and if any such owner, agent, or purchaser, shall swear or affirm falsely in the premises, he is to be deemed guilty of perjury, and shall, on conviction suffer all the pains and penalties imposed by the acts of Congress for willful and corrupt perjury. Each party to every charter party executed in any foreign port is to make the same oath or affirmation, to be taken, certified, and transmitted, and a copy authenticated and proved in the same manner, and he is to be punishable in the same way for swearing or affirming falsely. No such instrument in the nature of a bill of sale, and no such charter party is to be held legal and valid unless the provisions of the act shall have been complied with.

Mr. CLAYTON. I have only one small amendment to offer. It is in the first section, to strike out the words," North or South America," and in lieu thereof to insert "on the Atlantic coast of America, or on any island, gulf, bay, inlet, or river, on or near that coast." The object of this amendment is to confine the foreign port or place where these sea-letters shall be prohibited in the way they are by the bill, to the Atlantic

coast, instead of the Pacific coast of North and South America.

The amendment was agreed to.

Mr. CLAYTON. Mr. President, I have but a few words to say upon the merits of the bill. We now maintain a squadron, and we have four ships on the coast of Africa. The English have twenty-seven, and the French twelve or thirteen. The English and French together have about forty vessels on the coast of Africa, and we but four.

It is but a fair calculation to say that they have eight times the force there, that we have. Now the effect of this bill is simply this: Even if our squadron be withdrawn from the coast of Africa, which this bill does not contemplate, it will put eight times the force on the coast of Africa for the suppression of the slave trade which exists there now, because it deprives every slaver of American nationality, and, in consequence of that, a foreign cruiser can search her and seize her. Without seize, cannot search her. If she, as I stated the this alteration in the law, a foreign vessel cannot other day, has a thousand slaves in her hold when a foreign cruiser boards her, she cannot stop her. Then, sir, the bill recommends itself at once, without further discussion, to the humane consideration of every gentleman present. I hope, without further debate, it may pass now, in order that it may go to the House of Representatives in time to become a law during the session.

Mr. HAMLIN. Mr. President, I shall vote for this bill in the form in which it is now presented to the Senate; but still, I desire to make a suggestion to the honorable Senator who has reported it, which, if adopted, will meet my approbation, and will, I think, make the bill much more effectual. I think I am justified in saying that there is no commerce between the Atlantic coast of South America and the coast of Africa, in which our vessels have been engaged, which is not directly connected with the slave trade; or, in other words, none of our vessels leave the South American Atlantic coast for Africa, except for the purpose of participating in the slave trade.

The bill, therefore, in my judgment, should be one absolutely prohibiting trade in American vesaels between the South American Atlantic coast and Africa, and forfeiting the vessel for any engagement in that commerce. Then, let the bill contain a further provision, that where any transfer has been made in the islands adjacent to us the vessel shall return home and take out new papers.

The object of granting sea-letters, I take it, originally was to benefit the navigating interest, to encourage ship building in the United States, in order that American vessels might be sold abroad.. I so understand it. If a sale were made in a South American port, as low down as Brazil, or lower, and you were to compel that vessel to return to the United States and obtain a bill of sale before the transfer was made, you might find it impossible, in many instances, to sell where you can sell by granting a sea-letter. I would not, therefore,

compel a return of the vessel absolutely, before the sale of the vessel in those ports, to get a bill of sale from the proper officers in the United States; but I would absolutely prohibit the trade in that vessel between the South American Atlantic coast and the coast of Africa. Then there can be no avoiding the provision.

Why, sir, the law is well enough now, but for an avoidance of it; and let me tell the honorable Senator from Delaware, that in my judgment, men who will engage in this traffic, will find ways enough to evade the provisions of this bill. There is no adequate method by which the trade can be suppressed, except by prohibiting intercourse entirely between these two coasts. I have come to this conclusion from a long conference with gentlemen who have resided in Brazil, and from a thorough investigation of it with a gentleman of Virginia, who was at the time resident in that place. He satisfied me, beyond a doubt, that the only possible way of suppressing the trade was to declare it illegal in whole from these southern ports, and then require your vessels absolutely to return from the islands which are nearest-Cuba, Jamaica, and all those islands-before transfer.

Before I sit down, I shall offer an amendment to this bill, providing for putting into the hands of the colonization society some funds, to furnish them help and aid to suppress this trade. Such a measure, in my judgment, will be more efficient than even this bill. Nothing, in my opinion, is so well calculated to suppress that trade as to create a cordon of civilized' towns upon the African coast, south of the present settlements in Liberia. A small amount of money, probably one third or one fourth the amount which it now costs us to maintain the squadron which we are bound by the Ashburton treaty to keep up on the African coast, will do four times as much service in the suppression of the slave trade as is now done by the maintenance of that squadron. I am therefore by no means wedded to its continuance. I am willing that the treaty shall be abrogated, so far as that is concerned, provided always we get something more efficient to take its place. But, sir, I am not willing now, in view of the passage of a recent measure that has excited the country, to remove and repeal the last barrier, as it will be said, whether truly or not, to the suppression of the slave trade, with a view to the importation of slaves into the country to answer a supposed increased demand. I cannot consent to withdraw that squadron, unless something more efficient, or, at least, as efficient, be placed in its stead. I believe, sir, that, instead of appropriating eight hundred thousand or a million of dollars a year for the maintenance of eighty guns on the coast of Africa, an annual appropriation of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to the American Colonization Society, to enable them to ply steamers between our coast and the African coast, Mr. CLAYTON. Mr. President, I could make with ordinary equipments, perhaps one long gun the bill more effectual, as the honorable Senator and other preparations for seizing and suppresssays, very readily by prohibiting all trade what-ing African slavers, and with a view to the purever from any Atlantic port, or any West India port; but, then I should trespass on a great principle of policy to which the United States have uniformly adhered; and that is, not to interfere with either the ship-building or the navigating interest of the country. That has been the cherished policy of the Government.

This latter provision may be some hardship. Perhaps sales may be sometimes prevented, if you require our vessels to return from there; but still the distance is not so great as to make it very onerous upon them; and a bill containing these two provisions, in my judgment, would be vastly more effective, and vastly more certain of producing the results which the honorable Senator from Delaware desires. Still, I shall vote for the bill in its present form, if it cannot undergo

this alteration.

Now, sir, I do not wish to have this great measure encounter any such opposition as this bill will meet if the suggestion of my honorable friend be adopted. I do not say that, thinking as I do of this inhuman traffic, I might not agree with him, even at the expense of the navigating interest, in the suggestion he has made. But, sir, I am satisfied that this bill is sufficient for the purposes we have in view, and it is not necessary at all to interfere either with the navigating interest, or the ship-building interest of the country.

chase of tracts of country from time to time on this coast, upon which to plant your emigrant negroes and build up civilized societies, will be the most efficient measure that can be adopted. On this coast slaves are now brought to market and sold there, as is well known, to traders for this continent and its adjacent islands. I believe that, by enabling the American Colonization Society to settle it with civilized communities, we should do tenfold more to suppress the slave trade than by the maintenance of the present squadron, or even the provisions of this bill.

The subject has not been well matured by me, but there can be, in my judgment, nothing so well calculated to suppress slavery and the slave trade, as civilization. Put civilization as a wall along the coast of Africa, where these creatures are brought from the interior by their brethren and

I think it is true that there is not a very exten-sold to the cupidity of American traders, and you sive trade between the South American and Afriwill at once, I believe, effectually suppress this can coasts, but nevertheless there is a trade, the trade. I wish to accomplish that object. But extent of which probably neither the honorable not being willing that our present preventive Senator nor myself is aware of. Our trade is grow-measures shall pass from our hands; not being ing with that country, and will continue to grow willing that this provision of the Ashburton treaty between different parts of the world, every year. shall be abrogated, or even that this bill shall be Here, sir, we have in view the adoption of a passed at present; and not being willing to trust great measure of humanity, and in endeavoring to to the liberality of Senators and members to pass get it through, let us avoid bringing it into conflict what, in my judgment, the occasion demands, with any of these questions of national policy. after the adoption of this bill, I shall insist, before As the bill now stands, it cannot interfere at all it be passed, that some provision like that which with the navigating interest of the country, nor I now offer shall be adopted, or some evidence with the ship-building interest in any form. It given that it will be adopted. With that view 1 cannot encounter objection from any man who is offer the following additional sections, as an amendnot resolved that the African slave trade shall go ment to the bill: on as it has under these sea-letters. I trust, therefore, that the bill will pass as it stands.

Mr. PETTIT. Mr. President, I regret that I am not better acquainted with the strategy and detail of commerce, and especially this kind of commerce which it is proposed to suppress. I will say, however, that there is no Senator who will go further than I will to suppress this traffic, which is abhorred by God and denounced by man. Its suppression is a measure that commends itself to the consideration and the approval of every man of heart in the country, as I believe.

SRC...And be it further enacted, That the sum of $250,000 be, and is hereby, appropriated, to be paid out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the order of the proper officer of the American Colonization Society, for the year ending 30th of June, 1855, for the purpose of enabling said society to establish a line of steam vessels consisting of two steamers. Said steamers shall each make three trips within the year, and, as near as possible, at regular intervals, alternating between the ports of New York, Baltimore, Norfolk, Savannah, and New Orleans, and the west coast of Africa, touching at such places as said society

shall direct.

SEC.. And be it further enacted, That the Government of the United States shall have the privilege of transporting to and from West Africa, the Government mails, and likewise the Government stores, each trip.

SEC.. And be it further enacted, That said society shall arm each steamer with one long, heavy gun, on a

I regret, sir, that I have not had an opportunity to examine the details of this bill. No such opportunity has been given the Senate at all. The bill has been but recently brought before the body. pivot, and two small guns, and shall man them with a I urged the Senator at his seat to consent to let the matter lie over until Monday, but he did not see fit to do so. I hope that something will arise that shall render it necessary to pass the bill over, until we can consider it further.

proper complement of seamen to render efficient service, under private commissions from the Government, to repress and check slavers on the line of their voyage between this country and the west coast of Africa, and along the line of said coast, and on their return voyage shall run down said coast as low as Cabarda, and return cruising along said coast as high as the Gambia.

Mr. CLAYTON. Mr. President, I hope that amendment will not prevail. If it be adopted it may perhaps defeat the bill. If the honorable gentleman desires to offer such a proposition as that the Government of the United States shall employ the Colonization Society in the business of navigating steamers between this country and Liberia, let him bring it forward on some other occasion. Let him bring it forward on some occasion when it will not embarrass a measure of this salutary character. There is nothing of necessary connection between this amendment and the bill.

1, sir, am myself a friend of the Colonization Society, and I should be very happy to see it advanced in all its great objects; but I do think that if this amendment be engrafted on the bill at this time, it will defeat it. We know that honorable gentlemen here, who are friendly to the bill as it stands, are directly opposed to this amendment. There is no necessary connection whatever between the two. I trust, therefore, that as the honorable gentleman professes to be in favor of the bill, he will consent to withdraw the amendment, if he discovers, as I think he will, on a very slight examination, that it must necessarily obstruct the passage of the measure.

I do not go into a discussion of the questions arising out of the amendment the gentleman has proposed. I confine myself in my objection to it to this single remark, that it must have the effect of impeding the passage of the bill. There is barely time now left for the bill to pass through the House of Representatives as well as the Senate, although I believe there is a general feeling in favor of the measure, in both branches of Congress. I hope the Senate will not agree to the amendment.

Mr. PETTIT. I will not say that the honorable Senator from Delaware is opposed to this measure to appropriate any money for the suppression of the slave trade, but he talks very much like a member of any legislative body who is opposed to a measure submitted. He says this is not the right place, it is wrong; it has no connec tion with this bill, move it somewhere else. Move it again, when we have the least possible chance of success, is the advice the Senator gives me.

Sir, so far as relates to its connection with this bill, none could be more appropriate. The bill is entitled "A bill for the more effectual suppression of the slave trade in American-built vessels," and nothing can be more appropriate for that purpose than the appropriation of a small amount of money to carry out the object. What could be more efficient than the plying of two steamers which it is proposed shall be plied? What could be more efficient than the appropriation of the money proposed by it?

I desire, Mr. President, however, while I am up, to say, that I shall press this amendment, or something in its form. I am not willing that this bill shall pass, that the subject shall be up in any form, that the abrogation of the treaty of 1842 shall take place, withdrawing our squadron from that coast, unless there shall be some substitute for it. I desire, however, to ask that the whole subject may lie upon the table, and the bill be ordered to be reprinted, with the amendment, in order that Senators may see it. It may need some pruning, some alteration, and some amendment; and until Senators can see it, they cannot well make up their minds. I move that the bill lie on the table, and be ordered to be reprinted with the amendment.

Mr. CLAYTON. I hope the Senator will withdraw that for a moment.

Mr. PETTIT. Certainly.

Mr. CLAYTON. The honorable Senator labors under an entire misapprehension of the character of the bill. Why, sir, the bill has nothing to do with the abrogation of the fifth article of the Ashburton treaty of 1842. It contains no provision on that subject whatever. It has nothing to do with it. It contains provisions for the suppression of the slave trade in Americanbuilt vessels, but it does not, in any part of it, refer to the Ashburton treaty, or to the withdrawal of any part of our squadron from the coast of Africa.

Mr. PETTIT. Another proposition does contemplate that.

Mr. CLAYTON. What is the effect of the Senator's proposition? To order this to lie on the

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table until he can have time to look at it further. The session is nearly at an end; we have no time to lose. If honorable Senators concur with me in the beneficent character of this measure, and the humanity of it, they will, unless they have objection to it, assist me in its passage, and I call upon them to stand by me and assist me in passing it now, in order that the other branch of Congress may have an opportunity to act upon it.

Mr. HUNTER. I hope this subject will go over. The amendment of the Senator from Indiana presents a very important question; and I think it is likely to commit the United States to the adoption of a very dangerous policy. At any rate, I should like to have time to look into it further. I hope, therefore, it will be allowed to go over. We ought not to be hurried to a vote on such a subject as this.

Mr. PETTIT. I move to postpone the further consideration of the subject until Wednesday, as the Senate has agreed to adjourn from to-day until Wednesday; and that the bill be reprinted with the amendment.

Mr. CLAYTON. Does the honorable Senator from Virginia propose to sustain the amendment of the Senator from Indiana?

Mr. HUNTER. No, sir; I am opposed to it as far as I understand it. I wish to examine it further, however.

Mr. CLAYTON. Would the honorable Senator under any circumstances give $250,000 to the Colonization Society for this purpose?

Mr. HUNTER. Certainly not. But I wish to look further into the matter.

Mr. BRIGHT. I sympathize with my colleague, and think his amendment germane to the bill. If he intends to press the consideration of the subject upon the attention of Congress at this session, it cannot be so properly done upon any bill as upon this. The amendment is an important one; it appropriates a large sum of money. The hour of one o'clock is arrived, at which the Senator from Texas is entitled to the floor. I therefore hope the subject will be postponed for the purpose of letting him proceed with his remarks.

The PRESIDING OFFICER, (Mr. BADGER in the chair.) The question is on the motion to postpone the further consideration of the subject until Wednesday next, and that the bill be reprinted with the amendment.

Mr. CLAYTON. It is not to order it to lie on the table.

Mr. PETTIT. No, sir; I submitted a motion to postpone in place of the other motion. The motion was agreed to.

TELEGRAPH TO THE PACIFIC. Mr. GWIN. I move that the Senate take up the bill to authorize the construction of a line of telegraph from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean, not for the purpose of considering it now, but to postpone it until Wednesday next,

so as to have it considered then. It has been reported from the Committee on Territories.

The motion was agreed to.

Mr. HAMLIN. I desire to offer a few amendments to the bill. It will take but a few moments for their consideration. The first is in the first section of the substitute of the committee, to strike out the words "or some other point on the Pacific coast." The object is to make the termination definite at San Francisco instead of indefinite.

The amendment was agreed to.

Mr. HAMLIN. The next amendment is in the second section of the substitute reported from the committee, to insert after the word "and" the word "after," so as to provide that—

Said working stations are to be supplied with all the requisite telegraph apparatus, instruments, operators, and men necessary to its efficiency and reliability; and the same shall be completed and put in operation within two years from the passage of the bill, and after such State legislation as may be necessary to authorize its construction by the States through which it may pass."

The amendment was agreed to.

Mr. HAMLIN. The next I propose is to add, after the word "legislation," in the same clause, "shall have been secured." It is a mere verbal

amendment.

The amendment was agreed to.

Mr. HAMLIN. The next amendment is in the sixth section of the committee's substitute, to insert after the word "lands" the words "ex

cluding all mineral lands." It now provides for land warrants to be issued for two millions of acres of lands. The amendment is, that all mineral lands shall be excluded therefrom. The amendment was agreed to.

Mr. HAMLIN. The next amendment is to add after the word "section," in the same section of the committee's substitute, the words, "in alternate sections." That is in the clause giving the right to select from the public lands along the line of the telegraph.

The amendment was agreed to.

Mr. HAMLIN. The next amendment is in

the same section to strike out the word "less" and insert the word "more." As it now reads,

it gives the right to select "not less than a section or more than a township in one body." The amendment is to make it read, "not more than a section."

The amendment was agreed to.

Mr. HAMLIN. I next propose to strike out of the sixth section the words: "Nor more than a township in one body. If more than a township shall be selected in the same locality, alternate townships only shall be taken." The bill will then simply provide for the sections to be taken in alternate sections, instead of townships. The amendment was agreed to.

Mr. HAMLIN. I next propose, in the same section, after the word "surveyed," to insert "if practicable," so that the clause shall read, "where unsurveyed lands shall have been selected, the President of the United States shall cause the same to be surveyed, if practicable."

The amendment was agreed to.

Mr. HAMLIN. The last amendment which I propose is in the proviso of the sixth section, after the word "with," to insert "the location and," so that the proviso shall read:

"That in the event a railroad to the Pacific ocean shall

be located on or near said line of telegraph, the grant of land contemplated in this section shall be so located as not to interfere with the location, and any grant Congress may make in aid of the construction of said railroad."

bate. The report is adverse to the claim; but he tells me that more than a majority of the Senate are disposed to give him something. He particulariy mentions my friend from Iowa, [Mr. DODGE,] who is on the same committee as myself. I move that the report be taken up, so that we may dispose of it.

Mr. HOUSTON. I shall not certainly interfere with the Senator from South Carolina, if it be possible to dispose of this report immediately. I have already given way this morning to gentlemen, to enable them to bring forward their bills, still, if this subject can be disposed of without debut it seems to me that the applications multiply; bate, I shall yield with pleasure.

Mr. EVANS. If it gives rise to debate I shall consent to postpone it.

Mr. HOUSTON. With that understanding, I give way.

The Senate accordingly proceeded to consider the report.

The committee do not consider the case as coming within the subjects of their cognizance Their proper business is to audit and control the funds set apart yearly for the contingent expenses of the Senate. The claim of the petitioner is for damages sustained by reason of the unlawful arrest and imprisonment by the officers of the Senate. This cannot be considered as one of the contingent expenses of the Senate which it is the duty of the committee to audit or control. If the petitioner is entitled to any damages, it should be granted by an act of Congress, or by a resolution of the Senate. Taking this view of the case, they are unable to conjecture why the petition was referred to them, unless it be that they should report on the facts. The subject has been more than once before the Senate, and two very full reports have been heretofore made, which, it is believed, embody all the facts of the case. To these, the committee have nothing to add, except that so far as has appeared to them, the petitioner is a harmless and inoffensive man, and had no design on the life of Mr. Clay, on a suspicion of which he was arrested by the officers of the Senate. He had conceived the notion that Mr. Clay had done him great in

He had drawn a memorial setting out his charges, and had applied to Mr. Foote, of Mississippi, to present it, and had come into the Senate Chamber with a view to get it presented. This led to the apprehension that his mind was disordered, and in order to prevent any act of violence, whilst under this delusion, he was arrested and committed to prison.

Mr. GWIN. These amendments have been made at my suggestion, and others may be neces-juries, and was unworthy of a seat in the Senate. sary before the bill is perfected. That in regard to the exclusion of mineral lands from donation I had inserted to put a stop to the circulation of falsehoods in my own State that, because these land donation grants do not, in express terms, exclude the mineral lands, they can be selected as other public lands, if the bills asking for those grants become laws. This is not true; but those who have told one falsehood to prejudice me among my constituents will repeat it on every occasion that a pretext is given them. Years ago, soon after I took my seat in this body, I advofornia from the operation of general legislation in cated the exclusion of the mineral region in Caliregard to the public lands; and it is now the law of the land, and through my agency. Yet I intend every bill donating the public lands, that may apply to California, to have an express provision excluding the mineral lands from its operation, to prevent enemies from misrepresenting me to my constituents. I move now the postponement of the further consideration of the subject until half past twelve o'clock, on Wednesday

next.

Mr. HAMLIN. I ought to have stated that the amendments were all made with the approbation of the Committee on Territories.

Mr. GWIN's motion was agreed to.

JAMES ROBERTSON.

Mr. EVANS. A man of the name of Robert

son, who is probably known to every Senator, sometime since presented a claim, through a memorial, which was laid before the Senate by the Senator from Mississippi. It was referred to the Committee on the Contingent Expenses of the Senate, and a report is now before the body on the subject, which I ask, as a special favor to myself, may

be disposed of now, I am harassed day by day by his applications. I have just received a note from him, in which he says that General HOUSTON is willing to defer the commencement of his speech, in order to enable him to have this thing acted upon.

Mr. HOUSTON. If it should lead to no debate, I have no objection.

Mr. EVANS. I presume there will be no de

Although the committee do not consider the subject as falling within the sphere of their duty, yet they were willing to collect the facts and to recommend, as has been heretofore done, some reasonable gratuity to one in his condition; but, on conversing with him, his demands were so exorbitant that they decline to make any recommendation-leaving it to his friends, of whom, he says, he has many in the Senate, to submit a resolution for further compensation, if it is considered he has any claims.

The PRESIDING OFFICER, (Mr. BADGER in the chair.) The Chair does not perceive that this report contains any recommendation for the action of the Senate.

Mr. PETTIT. I move that the Senate concur in the report.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair supposes that the Senator's intention is to discharge the committee from the further consideration of the subject.

Mr. PETTIT. Yes, sir. proposition to offer. Mr. EVANS. Some Senator may have a

Several SENATORS. Oh, no.

The motion to discharge the committee was agreed to.

ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE.

A message was received from the House of Representatives, by Mr. McKEAN, Chief Clerk, announcing that they had concurred in the report of the committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the resolution providing for the adjournment of the present session of Congress.

Mr. GWIN. I am instructed by the committee of conference to make a report. It is of course the same as that which has been concurred in by