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on the ? day of , 1853, in regard to tb? fees of marshal*,1 district attorney*, and clerks of the federal court*, so a* to gire them increased compensation for their aerriee*. On motion by Mr. ORR, Retolvii, That fire hundred oopiea of the oompendlum of the cen*u* ordered to be printed by resolution of the House on the 11th day of January last be delivered to the Superin tendent of the Census for the use of the Census Bureau. AMERICAN CONSULS IN THE EAST INDIES. Mr. BOVCE submitted the following resolution : Retolved, That the President be and he is hereby requested, If not inconsistent with the public interest, to communicate to the House of Representatives any correspondence which may hare taken place between our Government and the Govern ment of Holland in reference to the refusal of the Dutch au thor! ti** in the East-Indies to receive or recognise American consul*' Mrl B. said that there was no part of the globe more inviting to our commerce than these islands. This Chi nese custom on the part of the Dutch authorities had practically excluded our commerce, nn'l he wished to as certain what action the Government was taking to pro tect our rights. Mr. BAYLY, of Virginia, remarking that he was not opposed to the resolution, moved its reference to the Com mittee on Foreign Affairs; which was agreed to. Mr. DENT submitted the following preamble and reso lution, which were agreed to : Whereas the United States Court for the district of Georgia sits at the town of Marietta, in the county of Cobb, holding its sessions in the court-house erected by levying an extra ordinary tax upon the citizen* and property of said county : therefore Retolre</, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instruct ed to inquire into the propriety and expediency of the United State* paying to the justices of the inferiorcourt of said coun ty and State such sum as may be deemed just and equitable, and receive a proper guaranty from the legally constituted authorities of said county for the use of said court house in future; and that said committee report by bill or otherwise. On motion by Mr. HOUSTON, Revolved, That the Committee on Public Lands be instruct ed to inquire into the expediency of granting the right of way and alternate sections of the publio lands to the Stale of Ala bama, to aid in the construction of the Alabama and Tennes see Central Railroad, and also the Florence and Nashville Railroad. On motion by the same, also, Retolved, That the Secretary of War bo requested to fur nish the House of Representatives with such plans and estimates as may be in his Department for the removal of the obstruc tions at Colbert's Shoals, in the Tennessee river. PAY f?F DEPUTY POSTMASTERS. On motion by Mr. COBB, Rttolved, That tho Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads be instructed to inquire into tho expediency of so amending the post office laws us to authorise the Postmaster General to increase tho compensation of deputy postmasters where their pay is inadequate for services rendered, and re port by bill or othorwise. On motion by Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Retolved, That the Committee on Public Lands be and it is hereby instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing relief for the class of bounty land claimants in which tho ap plicant dies between filing hi* application and the granting of the warrant, and report by bill or otherwise. Mr. PERKINS, of Louisiana, submitted the following resolutions, which were agreed to : Retolved, That tho President be requested to communicate to this House if any and what modification of the present di plomatic and consular system of the United States seems to him required by the publio interest. Retolved, That the President be requ'sted to communicate to this House, if compatible with the publio interest, uny cor respondence not yet published that inay have occurred be tween the State Department and tho American Charg( at Aus tria, with roferenco to persons claiming the protection of the Government. On motion by Mr. TAYLOR, of Ohio, Retolved, That the Select Committeo on Rules be and tbey are hereby instructed to inquire whether the 24th rule as it now stands does not conflict with the first amendment of the Constitution of tho United State*; and if so what modification of said rule is necessary. And that they do inquire what mode tho time of this House usually devoted to the practical busi ness of the country may be most equitably distributed amongst Its members, so as to enable each Representative to prosent without delay the business of his constituents, and that they report thereon to this House. And also that they inquire into the expediency of evening sessions for general debate when the House may be in Committeo of the Whole on the state of the Union, in which evening sessions no vote shall be taken; and that said committee report upon this subject to this House. On motion by the same, also Rttolvtd, That the Committee on Foreign A (Fairs bo instruct ed to inquire what changes, if ?ny, are nececsary in the amounts now paid to our ministers at (ho various foreign courts where we are now represented; and also what chnnge, if any, should be made in the mode of compensating our con suls, and of the amounts uow paid to thein; and that suid committee report to this House by bill or otherwise. On motion by the same, also Retolotd, That tho Committee on Revolutionary Claims be instructed to inquire into the expediency of causing an index to be made of tho Washington papers, now on dwposite in tUe State Department. Mr. TAYLOR also asked consent to introduce the fol lowing resolution: Retoived, That tho Committee on Military-Affairs be In structed to inquire into the expediency of changing the site of the military asylum near tbe city of Washington from its present looation to tho estate of Mount Vornon, or a part thereof, if the same can be purchased at a rcasonablo price; and that said committee also inquire and report to thii House the ori ginal cost of the present site of said asylum, the quantity of land contained therein, and the amount expended in improve ment to this date ; and that they report to this House by bill or otherwise. Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, objected. Mr. TAYLOR moved a suspension of the rules; which was negatived. LIBERIA. Mr. CORWIN introduced the following resolution : Rttolvtd, That the Committee on Foreign Affairs bo in structed to inquire into the justice and expediency of the Qovernmentof the United States recognising tho Government of the Republic of Liberia, in Africa, and that said commit tee report by bill or otherwise. Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, proposing to debate tho re solution, it lies over. MAIL CONVEYANCE. On motion by Mr. WADE, Rttolvtd, That the Committee on the Post Offieo and Post Roads bo instructed to inquire what legislation, if any, is re quired to secure tho safe, expeditious, and uninterrupted con veyance of tbe United States mail on railroads; and that tho committee have leave to report by bill or otherwise. On motion by Mr. LINDSLEY, Rttolvtd, That tho Committeo on Commerce be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing for the erection of a custom-house and post office building at Sandusky city, Ohio; also, the closing of a breach made by the waters of Lake Erie across the peninsula which divides the waters of tbe Sandusky bay and Lake Erie; also, tho completion of the public works at the mouth of Huron river; als >, the comple tion of the publio works at the mouth of Vermillion river. Mr. BRtiCKENRIDGE submitted the following: Rttolvtd, That the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions be directed to inquire into the expediency of causing to be published ten thousand copies of Ferdinand Moulton's compi lation of 'he pension and bounty land laws, for distribution by the Commissioner of Pendions, and to ascertain tho cost per copy. Mr. MILLSON proposing to debate the resolution, it lies over. NATIONAL INTERVENTION. Mr. CIIURCIIWELL introduced the following joint re solutions : Rttolvtd, <fv That the people of this Union have ever view ed with the deepest concern the renewed intervention ot Pow ers in the affnirs of countries not embraced within their bor ders, particularly when such intervention had avowedly for its object the repression of generous political sentiments; and that they will never permit such an occurrence upon this con tinent without physical resistance to it. Rttolvtd, <f-c. That, whilo the United States of America nre disposed to observe in a spirit of good faith international ob ligations, tlicy desire a similar observance of such obligations by all of the nations of the earth; and that they can never behold with indifference the obliteration of independent States by a thirJ Power because of the political freedom of such States. Rttolvtd, if-e. That tho President bo and he is hereby re quested to causo a copy of these resolutions to bo communi cated to each <>f tho diplomatic agents of foreign nations re siding near this Government, and also copies thereof to bo transmitted to our diplomatic agents in foreign countries, in order that the sentiment and the purpose of this Republic may be neither misconceived nor misunderstood in any quar ter of the globe. Mr. C. moved to refer the resolutions to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Mr. H1LLYER moved to lay them on the table; which was negatived. The motion of Mr. Crurohwili. was then agreed to. On motion by Mr. STANTON, of Tennessee, Rttolvtd, That the Committee or. the Judiciary be instruct ed to inquire into tho expediency of providing lor the revision and re-arrangement ol the laws of the United States, and that they report by bill or otherwise. Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, withdrew tho resolution submitted by him on the 12th of December last, direct ing the Clerk of the Huuse to furnish the reporters of the Congressional Globe such stationery as may be required in the discharge of their duties. On motion by Mr. MACE, from the Committee on Rules, Rttolvtd, That the Committee on Rules be permitted to eausc to be printed for the uso of tho House such amend ments as they may propose to the rules. ?* Mr. PARKER, of Indiana, submitted the following re solution : Rttolvid, That tho Superintendent of the United States Census be requested to furnish this House, at an early day, with what he may derm the test plan for Congress to adopt to induce tbe establishment of State bureaus ?f statistics, that may be relied on for all desirable eeniu information other than the decennial enumeration of the people, and otherwise to supply the defect* of the system heretofore acted upon, and at the lame time eoonomiee the ezpenie of the 17 item. Mr. DUNHAM proposing to debate the resolution, it lies over. On motion by Mr. MILLER, of Indian*, Hetolctd, That the Committee on Military Affair* be and they are hereby instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a national armory at Evansrille, on the Ohio river. On motion by Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinoia, Rttolved, That the Committees on Commerce be instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a marine hos pital at Gahna, Illinois. Mr. J. C. ALLEN submitted the following resolution; UcmIced. That a select committee of five members of this House bo appointed by the Speaker to examine the mode of an invention by Samuel Huffman for taking the yeas and nays in legislative bodies, and that th?y be instructed to-re port upon the expediency of adopting the same in this House. Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, proposing to debate the re solution, it lies over. On motion by Mr. WARREN, Rttolved, That the Committee on Public Lands be in structed to inquire into the expediency of increasing the pay of the registers of the different land offices. On motion by Mr. GREENWOOD, Rctolvtd, That the Committee on Public Lands be instruct ed to inquire into the justioe and propriety of compensating the registers and receivers of the several land districts in the United States for the location of publio lands with scrip, and that said comuiitteo report by bill or otherwise. On motion by Mr. SMYTH, of Texas, Rttolved, That tho Judiciary Comuiitteo be instructed to inquire into the expediency of dividing the State of Texas into two judicial districts, and report to this House by bill or otherwise. On motion by the same, alse Rttolved, That the Comuiitteo on Commerce be instructed to inquire into the expediency of erecting a lighthouse on Sa bine Pass, at the mouth of Sabine river, and report to this House accordingly. On motion by Mr. WENTWORTH, of Illinois, Rttolved, That tho Committee on Revolutionary Pensions be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill extending tho pensions laws to all those persons who were engaged in tho war of 1812, or the Indian wars prior thereto, and to their widows in case of their decease. On motion by Mr. HENN, Rttolved, That the Oammittee on the Judiciary be request ed to inquire into the expediency of dividing the State of Iowa into two judicial districts. On motion by Mr. EASTMAN, Rctolvcd, That the Secretary of the Interior be and ho is hereby requested to inform this House whatstcps he has taken to prevent trespasses upon the publio lands iu the State of Wisconsin and tho Territory of Minnesota, and whether or not ho h;is appointed an agent or agents for that purpose, and, if so, who are appointed and the date of their appointment, and under what provision of law are they appointed, and what instructions ho has given said agents; and also to commu nicate to this House any report that such agents bavo made in full; and what salary or compensation is paid to such agents, and how much money has been received by said agents from persons who have cut timber on tho public land by way of compounding such trespasses, and the expenses incurred in collecting the same, and all tho items thereof. Mr. WHEELEi^submitted the following resolution: Rttolved, That a select committee be appointed to examine into and report whether tho census report, as printed under tho law, has boon performed in conformity thereto, and, if not, wheroin and to what extent tho act of Congress has been violated. On motion by Mr. ORR, the resolution was amended by striking out the words " a select committee be appoint ed," and inserting the Committee on Public Printing be instructed and, as thus amended, it was agreed to. Mr. WALBRIDGE submitted the following resolution, which was disagreed to: Rttolved, That the select committee appointed to inquire into the expediency of amending the constitution so as to give the election of President directly to the people, be also in structed to inquire into tho expediency of the election of post masters and collectors of the revenue by the people, and to report thereon at an early day. Mr. PECKHAM submitted the following resolution : Retolved, That the President of the United States be re spectfully requested, if not inconsistent with the public inte rest, to transmit to this House copies of the correspondence not now communicated of the United States Legation at Con stantinople and the United States Consulate at Smyrna with Capt. Ingraham and with .the Government of Austria and with this Government, together with the instructions from this Government to their agents abroad touching tho seizure and rescue of Martin Koszta, and the terms and conditions on which ho was liberated and sent to this country. On motion of Mr. HOUSTON, the resolution was refer red to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Mr. PRINQLE submitted the following resolution i Retolved, That the Committee on the Territories be in structed to report at an early day the bill which passed the House of Representatives at the lust session of Congress pro viding for the organization of tho Territory of Nebraska. Mr. HAMILTON proposing to debate the resolution, it lies over. NEW YORK ASSAY OFFICE. Mr. WALKER called up the following resolution, sub mitted by bim on the 16th of this month: Retolvcd, That tho Secretary of rhe Treasury be and is hereby requested to report to this House whether the assay office now in the course of construction in the city of New York is of sufficient capacity for the coinage of gold and sil ver ; and, if so, whether, in his opinion, it would be convenient and proper for Congress to authorize such coinage at the said office. And the question being taken, the resolution was adopted. Mr. CUTTING, by consent, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported back Senate bill to provide a place for holding the courts of the United States in the southern district of New York, and for other purposes, when it was read the third time and passed. Mr. DAVIS, of Rhode Island, presented certain resolu tions of the Legislature of that State, requesting their Senators and Representatives to vote against the repeal of the Missouri compromise; which were referred to the Committee on the Territories. Mr. LATHAM called up the motion heretofore submit ted by him to reconsider the vote by which House bill supplemental to an act entitled " An act to ascertain and settle the private land claims in the State of California," approved March 3d, 1851, was committed to the Commit tee of the Whole. ' Mr. L. briefly explained the bill, when the motion to reconsider was agreed to, and the bill read the third time and passed. BILLS INTRODUCED. The following bills were introduced in pursuance of no tice, read twice, and appropriately referred : By Mr. LILLY : A bill for the relief of James W. Mar shall, of Coloma, Eldorado county, California. By Mr. STRAUB: A bill establishing the post office at Northumberland, in the county of Northumberland, Penn sylvania, a salaried office. Also, a bill for the relief of John Klock and Decatur Herb. Also, a bill granting to the State of Pennsylvania a por tion of the public lands to aid in constructing and finish ing the Saiibury and Erie Railroad and for other purpbses. By Mr. BRIDGES: A bill for the distribution of the proceeds of sale ?f the public lands among the several States for educational purposes. By Mr. FAULKNER: A bill further to prohibit officers of the army and navy from having an interest in any con tract for the supply of any article for any branch of the service to which such officer belongs. By Mr. MoMULLEN: A bill to change the mode of compensation to the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and the delegates from Territories. By Mr. ORR: A bill defining the terms on which trea ties shall hereafter be made with certain tribes of Indi ans, and for other purposes. By Mr. McQUEEN : A bill for the more effectual pro secution of land claims belonging to the United States. By Mr. DENT: A bill to establish a mail route from Greenville, by Woodbury and Magd&lena, to Pleasant Hill, Georgia. Also, a bill for tho relief of Hannah Scroggios. By Mr. SMITH, of Alabama: A bill to donate a por tion of the public domain to the Northeastern and South western Railroad in Alabama. Also, a bill granting the right of way and donating a portion of the public domain to the Gainesville and Mis sissippi Railroad Company. By Mr. PHILLIPS: A bill to repeal an act entitled " An act concerning tonnage duties on Spanish vessels." By Mr. BARRY: A bill to amend an act entitled "An act to enable the State of Arkansas and other States to reclaim the swamp lands within their limits." Also, a bill for the relief of Simon Myers. By Mr. PERKINS, of Louisiana: A bill to repeal part of an act entitled " An act to provide for the safekeeping of the acts, records, and seal of the United States, and for other purposes." By Mr. JONES, of Louisiana: A bill to revive the act approved 3d March, 1823, and the act approved 26th May, 1844, supplemental thereto, in reference to the Rio Honda cloims to lands in Louisiana. Also, a bill fur the establishment of a marine hospital at Shrevcport, in LouMana. By Mr. GREY : A bill to provide for the unpaid claims of the officers and soldiers of the Virginia and continen tal lines of the revolutionary army. By Mr. CHURCH".VELL : A bill to empower the Post master General to contract for the transportation of the United 8tates mail from New Orleans to San Francisco according to time. Also, a bill granting public lands to the several States of the Union lor the establishment of a permanent and efficient system of common schools. By Mr. MACE: A bill to prevent malicious mischief and protect property in the District of Columbia. By Mr. MILLER, of Indiana: A bill in addition to an act entitled " An act for the relief of the inhabitants of the referred township in Gibson county, Indiana," ap proved August 11, 1842. By Mr. MILLER, of Missouri: A bill granting to the State of Missouri the right of way and a portion of the publio lands to aid in the construction of a railroad from St. Louis to Kansas. Also, a bill for the relief of the legal representatives of George McGirk. By Mr. OLIVER, of Missouri: A bill to relinquish to the State of Missouri, on certain conditions, the two per centum of the nett proceeds of the sales of the public lands sold in said State since the first day of. January, 1821, and reserved by the act of Congress of the Oth of March, 1820. By Mr. HENN: A.bill to amend an actventitled " An act to authorize the correction of erroneous locations of military bounty land warrants by actual settlers on the publio lands in certain cases." Also, a bill to increase the salaries of the judges of the United States courts in the Territory of Utah. By Mr. LANE, of Oregon : A bill to amend an act en titled " An act to settle and adjust the expenses of the people of Oregon from attacks and hostilities of Cayuse Indians in the years 1847 and 1818," approved August 21, 1852. By Mr. DEAN: A,bill to remove the United States Mint from the city of Philadelphia to the city of New York. By Mr. HASTINGS: A bill to amend the pension laws therein mentioned. The House then adjourned. Tuesday, January 31, 1854. IN SENATE. The PRESIDENT of the Senate laid before the body a communication from the Secretary of War, made in com pliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 3d instant, calling for information in relatiou to the improvements of the Arkansas river; which was ordered to lie on the ta ble and be printed. Also, the first part of the report of the Commissioner of Patents; which was laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Mr. WADE, from the Committee of Claims, reported a bill for the relief of John Branson. Mr. BRODHEAD, from the Committee of Claims, re ported a bill for the relief of John P. McElderry. Mr. BADGER, from the Committee on Finance, to which was referred the bill allowing a credit for a limited period for duties on railroad iron imported into the United States, reported back the same with an amendment. On motion by Mr. PEARCE, Retolted, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to communicate to the Senate a statement showing tho amount of money that has been collected and paid under tho acts of the 2Gth June, 1834, and 29th May, 1830, to the owners* re spectively of the following named vessels sunk for the de fence of the harbor of Baltimore, to wit: ship Scioto, schoon er Packet, ship Packet, brig Ann, brig Betsey, brig George, ship Adriana, schooner Scudder, brig Blanche, lirig Sally, ship Mars, sloop Rosana, schooner Enterprise, [brig Eliza, brig Swallow, schooner Columbia, ship Thomas Wilson, and ship Chesapeake. On motion by Mr. MALLORY, Revolved, That the Committee on tho Judiciary be instruct ed to inquire into the expediency of providing for nppeal* from the district courts of the United States in the Stat* of Florida to ono of the circuit courts of the United States in all eases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction in which the amounts in controversy may be less than $2,000, exclusive of costs. On motion by Mr. DODGE, of Iowa, llt'olverl, That the Committee on tho Post Office nnd Post Roads be instructed to inquire into the expediency of estab lishing a post route from Macedonia, via Bethlehem, to Glen wood, in Iowa. Mr. CLAYTON submitted the following resolution: JCenohed, That the President be requested to communicate to the Senate, if not incompatible with the public interest, co pies of all correspondence between the Governments of tho United States and Great Britain in regard to the Sandwich Islands, including copies of all communications between tho Seoretary of State and Mr. Fox, the British Minister, during the years 1843 and 1844, in regard to the independence of those Islands; and especially of the lottors of Mr. Fox to Mr. Upshur of the 25th June, 1843, and of Mr. Upshur to Mr. Fox of the 5th July, 1843 ; also, a copy of any protest or other communication from the King of the Sandwich Islands to this Government in regard to tho seizure of those Islands by Lord George Pawlett, commander of her Britannic Majesty's ship "Carysfort," and of any reply of this Government thereto. BILLS INTRODUCED. By Mr. FOOT: A bill to incorporate the National Pa cific Railroad Company; which was read and referred to the select committee appointed on that subject. By Mr. PRATT : A bill to incorporate the National. Ho tel Company of Washington city. [The capital stock of the company amounts to $500,000, to be divided into five thousand shares of one hundred dollars each ; the company to be conducted by a president and six directors, to be elected by stockholders.] By Mr. MALLORY: A bill to constitute Palatini aflfl Bayport, in the State of Florida, ports of delivery re spectively. SALARIES OF GOVERNMENT CLERKS. On motion by Mr. ADAMS, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill to amend the third section of the act making appropriation for the civil and diplomatic ex penses of the Government. Mr. ADAMS explained the object of the bill, which was intended to be temporary in its character. They were about to investigate the whole subject, and arrange a proper classification of all the clerks in the employ of Go | vernment. > A brief discussion ensued, in which Messrs. CLAYTON, HUNTER, BELL, BRODIIEAD, ADAMS, and others par ticipated, when the bill was amended and passed. LAND TO WISCONSIN. On motion by Mr. WALKER, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill granting a portion of the public lands to the State of Wisconsin to aid in the construction of a rail road and branches in said State. Mr. WALKER having made a brief exposition of the objects of the bill? Mr. DAWSON did not believe that they had the right or the power to make any such disposition of the public lands; but, if they had the right, it ought to be exer cised in such way as to do equal and exact justice to all the States of the Union. He wished the bill to lie over that he might have time for its investigation. He expressed the opinion that the emergency of the case was not such as to demand hasty action. If the old States ever in tended'to assert their rights to a share of these lands, now was the time to do so ; and therefore they ought not to embarrass themselves by establishing precedents for giving away the public domain before the general prin ciple on which it should be granted was fixed. Mr. DOUGLAS expressed the opinion that the bill wpuld lead to debate, and hence felt compelled to move its postponement with a view to take up the Jebraska bill. Mr. WALKER felt bound to advocate the bill because instructed by his Legislature to do so. He had discussed it fully at a prior session, and had nothing new to ad vance. He wished very much, however, to get a direct vote on the bill and have the Bubject off his mind. If the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Chask) was ready to proceed in his speech on the Nebraska bill, he would consent that his bill should lie over. Mr. CHASE observed that, so far as his personal con venience was concerned, he would rather the special order might be postponed. The Senator from Illinois (Mr. DocaLAsl in his opening speech had referred to certain historical facts ami documents that would require some examination on his (Mr. C.'s) part, but, in consequence of other engagements, he had not had an opportunity to do so. Mr. DOUGLAS made a brief reply, and the debate was continued by Messrs. CHASE, DOUGLAS, CASS, W'EL LER, CLAYTON, SEWARD, BRODHEAD, GWIN, BAD GER, and others. Mr. FOOT moved to postpone the further consideration of the subject until Friday at 1 o'olock ; and the question was taken by yeas and nnys and decided in the affirmative: Yeas 80, nays 14. So the further consideration was postponed. The bill grunting laud to Wisconsin to aid in the con struction of certain railroads was, on motion of Mr. WAL KER, taken up aud parsed. HILLS PASSED. The following bills, ordered to be engrossed Friday last, were severally read a third time and passed : A bill for the relief of Geo. M. Bouton, Geo. Wright, and the'widow of Marvin W. Fisher. A bill for the relief of Jacob Gideon. A hill for the relief of the legal representatives of the late Cnpt. Wm. G. Williams. OFFICERS OF TlIE ARMY, AC. On motion by Mr. SHIELDS, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill to promote the officers of the army by retiring disabled officers. Mr. HUNTER argued against any precipitate action on this bill; it was an important subject, ami should be duly considered. In his opinion it would be much better to fix a certain day for its consideration. Mr. SHIELDS said that this bill had passed the Senate three several times, and had been thoroughly considered hy the Military Committee, and had the sanction cf the War Department, lie spoke of the importance of these military bills, which he oonsidered quite as great as that of any others ; aud if they were to be postpoued until the privileged question, the right of a Senator to a Beat, and the Nebraska biU were disposed of, ho feared tl?cy would be lost for want of time in the other branch. After some further remark* from Messrs. HUNTER and WELLER? Mr. GWIN thought these bills too important in their character to be passed on hurriedly and without investi gation, and moved that the subject be postponed until Tuesday, the 14th February. Mr. SHIELDS then moved to make all the three bills relating to the army the special order for that day ; which was agreed to. On motion by Mr. STUAliT, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill to provide for the final settlement of the accounts of Jonathan Kearsley, late receiver of public moneys at Detroit, and of John Biddle, late register ot the land office nt that place, which, after explanation from Mr. S.t was read the third time and passed. LIMITS OF THE l'ORT OF NEW ORLEANS. Mr. BENJAMIN moved that the Senate proceed to con aider the bill to extend th.e limits of the port of New Or leans; which motion having been agreed to? Mr. B. briefly explaiued the objects of the bill, and it was read a third time and parsed. tin motion by Mr. HAMLIN, the Senate proceeded to the consideration of Executive business ; and, after a brief period spent therein, the Senate adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mr. OUR, fron\ the Committee on Indiau Affairs, to which was referred Senate bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Joshua Kennedy, deceased, reported the same buck without amendment, aud it was committed. Mr. GREENWOOD, from tho same committee, to which was referred Senate bill for the relief of John Phagnn, re ported tbe same back without amendment, und it was committed. Mr. FAULKNER, from tho Committee on Military Affairs, made an adverse report on the petition of tbe Petersburg volunteers, praying interest on rations and pay in the war of 1812. Mr. TAYLOR, of Ohio, from the Committee on the Ter ritories, reported a bill for the relief of Grafton Baker; which was read twice and committed. NERRASKA ANI) KANSAS TERRITORIES. Mr. RICHARDSON, from the came committee, report ed a bill to organize the Territories of Nebraska and Kan sas ; which was read twice. Mr. ENGLISH said that, as a member of tbe Committee on the Territories, be desired to state that the bill which i had been reported, in its present shape, did not meet the approbation of all the gentlemen on the committee. 8ome of the connnittoe, he believed, opposed it because it con | dieted with the act of 18120, kuown as the Missouri com promise; bathe wished now only to speak for himself, intending to make no argument on the subject, but simply wishing to indicate some few objections which he had to the bill before the House. He objected to the boundaries proposed by the bill, which he said on one side included one-third of the Ter ritory of Utah. Although he hail no particular love for the Mormons, nor for their peculiar institutions, he was not willing to encroaoh on their territory, and especially to the extent designed. A more delicate question?that of slavery?was in volved in this bill. He was a native of a free State, and his sympathies were with the people of the free States, lie regarded the institution of slavery as an evil to some extent, and as injurious to the States in which it existed, but, notwithstapding these views, he was willing that the people of the Territories, through their own Legislatures, should determine whether slavery should be admitted or excluded witliin their limits. It was because he did not consider the bill definite as lo this point that he was not willing to vote for it. This power was not conferred by the bill, unless it was given by implication, and he desired it grauted by direct terms. He was*willing to repeal all 1 laws which conflicted with the doctrine that the people had a right to determine this question for themselves; and gave notice that he should propose amendments to remedy the defects to which he had referred. Mr. RICHARDSON said that when he reported the bill he moved that it be committed, so as to afford all gentlemen an ample opportunity to investigate its provi sions, which motion he wished to be decided without de bate. As the gentleman from Indiana, however, liau urged some objections against the bill, he hoped lie would be permitted to reply. Oue reason why the boundaries were extended into Utah was that persons residing in the portion of the territory included in this bill had come here and besought the Government to take them ?ro,? under the ru'e of the Mormons; and another was that emigrants to the Pacific coast might he more effectually protected. The gentleman was mistaken in saying that the committee proposed to establish an ideal boundary. Mr. PHILLIPS (interrupting) remarked that lie knew it was the intention of the gentleman from Illinois, as it was of the committee, that a bill of this importance sjJou1'1 not be hastily brought up for discussion; but that it should be referred and printed. He therefore suggested that the gentleman desist from any further remarks in reply to the honorable member from Indiana, and permit the bill to take the course he had indicated. Mr. ENGLISH then guve notice of several amendments which he intended to offer at the proper time; which are as follows: , < the asotion deSning the boundary of Kanttvs *o n* to make tho eastern boundary of U tah?vi*. " the summit o the Rocky Mountains"?the western boundary of Kansas. Strike out of tbe 14th and 31th sections these words : " Except the eighth section of the act preparatory to the admission of Missouri into the Union, approved March sixth, eighteen hundred and twenty, which was superseded by the principles of the legislation of eighteen hundred and fifty, 'commonly called the compromise measures, and is hereby de clared inoperative." And insert the following: ' i ?< Provided, That nothing in this act shall be so construed as to prevent tbe people of said Territory, through the pro perly constituted legislative authority, from passing such laws in relation to the institution of slavery, not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States, as they may deem best adapted to their locality and most conducive to their happi ness and welfare: and so much of any existing act of Congress as may conflict with the above right ot the pe.-ple to regulate their domestic institutions in their own way, be and the same is hereby repealed." Mr. DEAN gave notice that he intended to move to iu sert in the bill the following: . " Provided, That nothing in this bill contained shall bo construed to legalise or e|tublish slavery or involuntary ser vitude within said Territories, or either of them. Mr EDGE11TON gave notice that he intended to offer, as a substitute for tbe bill, the bill passed by the last Congress to organixe tbe Territory of Nebraska. The bill was committed and Ordered to be printed. Mr. ENGLISH then submitted a report containing the riews of a minority of the Committee on the Territories; Vhich was committed and ordered to be printed. Mr. FARLEY stated that, as a member of the committee, he did not concur in the reports which had been made. Mr. TAYLOR, of Ohio, stated that there was no formal minority report. The committee stood five in favor of reporting the bill to three against it. He objected to the bill in its present shape, and was not satisfied that any bill should be reported at the present .time. If any was to be reported, he was rather in favor of the one passed by the House at the last session, with some modiflcations suggested by tbe gentleman from Missouri, (Mr. Millkr.) He (Mr. T.) did uot agree to either a majority or a mino rity report. No report was prepared by the mnjority other than the bill before the House ; and the gentleman from Indiana, (Mr. English,) one ef the minority of three he supposed, merely desired to present what be might offer as an amendment at the proper time. They would all have the same privilege. OTHER REPORTS. Mr. MIDDLESWAR l'H, from the Committee on Revo lutionary Pensions, made an adverse report on the peti tion of Klniira'White, widow of'Thotuas R. White, for back pay. Mr FLAGLER, from the same committee, made ad verse reports on the petitions of Ira W hi taker, of tho heirs of J<>neph Wheaton, of Surah Liscomh, and of Enoch Perkins, heir of Zopbnr Perkins. Also, from the siune committee, to which was referred House joint resolution directing the accounting ollioers of the Treasury to adjust the accounts of Win. Woodbury, late pension agent at Portland. Maine, reported the same hack without amendment, and it was committed. Mr. M1LLKR, of lndiaua, from the same committee, made an adverse report on the petition of David Taylor for a change of law respecting Revolutionary pensions. Mr. STUART, from the Committee on Invalid Pensions, reported a bill for the relief of Mary Denny, widow of the iate Lieut. James A. Denny, of the U. S. army, and a bill for the relief of John 8. King, of Virginia; which were severally read twice and committed. Also, from the same committee, made adverse reports on the petitions of Charles W. Hlakenian, of Elijah L. Pomroy, and of Washington Porter. ^Mr. RITCHIE, of Pennsylvania, from the Committee on Roads and Canals, to which was referred House bill to cede to the State of Illinois that purt of the Cumberland road lying within said State, reported the same back without amendment; and it was read the third time and passed. Mr. PERKINS, of New York, from the Committee on Patents, made an adverse report on the petition of Thos. McAuaspie. Mr. TRACT, from the Committee on Tatcnt?, to which was referred House bill for the relief of lliram Moore and John Hascall, reported the same back without amend ment; and it w is committed. Mr. EDGERTON, from the Committee of Claims, to which was referred Senate bill for the relief of Eira Wil liams, reported the fcaue back without amendment; and it was committed. Also, from the same committee, to which was referred Senate bill for the relief of Chnrles Cooper & Co., report ed the same back without amendment; and it was com mitted \ Also, from the same committee, to which was referred Senate bill for the relief of John Boyd, of Louisiana, re ported the same back with the recommendation that it do not pass ; and it was laid on the table. Also, from the same committee, to which was referred Senate bill for the relief of James Dunning, reported the same back without amendment; and it was committed. Mr. HEADY, from the same committee, reported a bill for the relief of Tho?. 8. J. Johnson, of the Territory of New Mexico; which was read twiee and committed. Mr. LETCHER, from the same committee, made an ad verse report on the petition of Wm. H. Topping. Mr. CURTIS, frotn the same committee, reported a bill fur the relief of the administrators of Oliver Lee, deceas ed ; which was rend twice and committed. Mr. FULLER, from the Committee on Commerce, re ported a bill authorizing the purchase or construction of four additional revenue cutters, and for other purposes; which was rend twice and committed. Also, from the same committee, to which was referred Senate bills for the relief of Charles A. Kellett und to pro vido for the establishment of r marine hospital at St. Mark's, in the State of Florida, reported the same back without amendment; and they were committed. Mr. WARREN, from the Committee on Public Lands, to which was referred House bill granting lands in alter nate sections to the State of Arkansas to aid in the con struction of the Mississippi, Ouachita, and Hed River Railroad, reported the same back with an amendment in the nature of n substitute; and the bill and umendment were committed. Mr. HiESTKR, from the snme committee, to which was referred Senate bill for the relief of Joseph Mitch ell, reported the same back without amendment, and it was committed. Also, from the same committee, made an adverse report on the petition of Charles Simmons. Mr. LATHAM, from the same committee, to which was referred House bill to grant certain privileges to the trustees of the University of the Pacific, situated in the county of Santa Clara, State of California, reported the same back without amendment, and it was committed. OBSTRUCTIONS TO THE MAIL. Mr. OLDS, from the Committee on the PoRt Office and Post Roads, reported a bill to Becure the Rafe transmis sion of the mails of the United States upon railroads; which was read twice. [It provides, in effect, that every person who shall un lawfully obstruct, hinder, or delay the transportation of any mail of the United Stntesupon any railrouu which shall have been declared by law a post route, or upon which the msil of the United States shall be transported by the direction of the Postmaster General, unless such act shall be done by or in obedience to an order or decree of some court of competent jurisdiction, or by virtue of other competent legal authority, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, for every such offence, upon conviction thereof, be fined in a sum not less than one hundred dollars nor more than dollars, or be im prisoned not more than days, or both, at the dis cretion of the court.] Mr. HAMILTON moved to commit the bill.' Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, believing that Congress had (no jurisdiction over the subject, moved to lay the bill on the table; which motion was negatived: Yeas 57, nays 10?j. Mr. TAYLOR, of Ohio,-thought that the bill oupht to bo passed immediately. It was well known to the House that the mails of the United States had been and were now frequently obstructed, and that there was no law of Congress to punish the offenders. A committee had ex amined the subject, and had reported to the House that there was an absolute necessity for the passage of such a law as this. It was one of their highest duties to act upon the subject, aud to act promptly ; for he believed if there wan any injury to the public of a higher grade than any other, it was that of interfering with the carrying of the United States mail upon railroads, which put pas sengers as well as the mails at, the mercy of some foul miscreant, whe ought to be hung up as soon as they could make laws strong enough to hang him. The bill was then committed: Yeas 108, nays 70. DEFICIENCY BILL. Tho House then went into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, (Mr. Stanton, of Tennessee, in the chair,) and resumed the consideration of the defi ciency bill. Several amendments were offered, mostly by the Com mittee of Ways aud Mean?, and disposed of, when, with out disposing of the bill? The committee rose and the House adjourned. Wednesday, February 1, 1854. IN SENATE. The followipg memorials and petitions were presented and appropriately referred: By Mr. WALKER: From the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Milwaukie, relative to the mode of expending the money appropriated for the harbor of that city. Also, a presentment of the Grand Jury for the'District of Wisconsin, representing the necessity for providing suitable buildings for the custom-house* post office, anil courts in the city of Milwaukie. By Mr. ALLEN: From Harriet II. Saunders, widow of an officer of the United States revenue service, who was lost on board the cutter Hamilton. By Mr. THOMSON, of New Jersey: From citiiens of Ilackensack, New Jersey, asking that a monument may be erected over the remains of Brig. Gen. Poor, of New Hampshire. By Mr. SEWARD: From Abraham Boileau, grandson of Ensign Amable Boileau, of the Revolutionary army, asking to be allowed commutation pay. Also, from Surah J. Hino, widow of an officer in the re venue service lost on board the cutter Hamilton, asking to be allowed a pension. By Mr. STEWART: From Joseph C. Smith, assignee of a certain land warrant, asking to be allowed to locate the quantity of land therein described. By Mr. FISH: From Ellen Martin, asking that the commutation pay to which Francis Martin was entitled for Revolutionary services moy be paid to his legal rep resentatives. By Mr. CLAYTON: From citizens of Delaware coun ty, Pennsylvania, asking a modification of the late bounty land law. By Mr. SUMNER: From citizens of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, asking that Congress will refuse to pass any law for the extension of slavery in the territory from which it was excluded by the act known as the " Mis souri compromise act." Laid on the table. Numerous documents were removed from the files, on motion by Senators, and again referred to appropriate committees. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES. Mr. BUTLER, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to which was referred the bill from the House of Repre sentatives to secure the right of citizenship to children of citizens of ihe United States born out of the limits there of, reported buck the same with an amendment. [The amendment consists simply of striking out the second section of the bill in these words: "That any woman married, or who shall be married to a citizen of the Uuited States, shall be deemed and taken to be a citizen."] Mr. HAMLIN, from the Committee on Commerce, to which was referred the bill to constitute Pilatka and Bayport, in the State of Florida, ports of delivery res pectively, reported back the same without amendment, and recommended its passage. Also, from the same committee, to which was referred the memorial of the President of the " Accessory Transit Company," a-king special enactment to hold title to any steamers or ships that Liny be necessary to enablo said company to transport passengers and freight between the ports of the Atlantic and Pacific ocean*, reported a bill to authorize the issue of registers to vessels owned by the Accessory Transit Company. Mr. NORIUS, from the Committee on the District of Columbia, ask?-d to be discharged from the further con sideration of the memorial of L. P. ilalliday & Co., atk irg to be allowed to build a hotel on some of the public lots ; which was agreed to. Mr. PRATT, from the Committee on the District of Columbia, asked to be discharged from the further con sideration of the memorial of John C. F. Salomau, asking an act of incorporation for a company to supply water to the cities of Washington and Georgetown ; which was agreed to. RESOLUTIONS. Mr. BRODI1EAD submitted the following: Rcolrtd, That tho Committee on Military Affairs bo in structed to inquire into the expediency of authorising the Se cretary of War to select a site lor a national foundry at some suitable place in the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. BRODHEAD, in the course of some remarks on submitting the above, expressed the opinion that the valley of the Lehigh, in Pennsylvania, presented greater advan tages than any other place ; but, as there was a difference of opinion on this point between his colleagues in the other branch and himself, aud as a difference of opinion was likely to prevent success, he was perfectly willing to leave the subject to the Secretary of War and a com petent board of officers. He thought the different points of the valleys of the Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Biid Ju niata, as well as other places west of tiie Alleghiiny moun tain.*, and elsewhere throughout the State, should be care fully and personally examined. 8uch a course no fair minded person could object to, and he hoped the resolu tion would be adopted and the committee would give the subject all due consideration. Mr. PRATT thought that the State of Maryland had pretensions quite as strong as those of Pennsylvania, and ho must move to strike out the latter clause of the reso lotion, containing the words " in the State of Pennsylva nia which motion prevailed, and the resolution as amended was agreed to. Mr. SLIDELL submitted the following resolution : Retolwd, That the Committee on the Judiciary be lnstreet ed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the roles of tbe Senate that the injunction of neerecjr shall be removed ?o far a* regard* the final aetion of the Senate on any aemiaer tion submitted to it for confirmation, and enjoining said injunc tion in relation to any debate, discussion, or remark whiah may have occurred in Executive session in relation la said nomination. This resolotion led to a brief discussion, in which MeMrt. BADGER, CLAYTON, BUTLER, WKLLER, SLIDELL, and others participated; when Mr. Daixier suggested that the resolution be so amended as to inquire " whether any additional rule or amendment of an existing tale ia relation to the proceedings of the Senate in Executive ses sion be necessary ; and, if in their opinion any such rale or amendment be neoessary, to report suoh rule or amend** meat to the Senate." Mr. SLIDELL having signified his willingness to ac cept the modification, the resolution was agreed to ?? modified. PRIVILEGED QUE8TION. The Senate proceeded to tbe consideration of the re port of the Committee on the Judiciary in relation to Mm right of the Hon. S. S. Piislps, of Vermont, to a seat ia the Senate. Mr. WILLIAMS submitted some observations on the report of the miuority, and on the reasons given therein for their dissent from the report of the committee. He sustained the report of the committee. Mr. BAYAItl) then rose and addressed the Setiato ia support of the ^iews of the minority of the Committee oa the Judiciary. Mr. PHELPS rose to reply, but yielded to a suggestion of Mr. BUTLER to adjourn, and the Senate adjournod. nOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The SPEAKER laid before the House the annual re port of the Commissioner of Pateuts; which was referred to the Committee on Patents ami ordered to be printed Ol motion of Mr. TAY LOU, of Obio, the Committee on Printing were instructed to inquire into the propriety of printing one hundred thousand extra copies of the report. OBSTRUCTIONS TO TRANSPORTATlON OF THE MAIIt. Mr. JONES, of New York, moved to reconsider tho vote by wliich the House referred te-the Committee of tho Whole on the state of the Union the bill to secure the safo transmission of the mails of the United States upoa railroads. Mr. OLDS said that when he reported this bill from tho Committee ou the Post Office and Post Roads yesterday, he stated that it was general in its terms, yet that per haps the Erie difficulties had given rise to its introduction at this time. He then felt too much indisposed to mako any remurks on the subject, and was scarcely able to do so now. It appeared to him that the state of affairs bow existing at Erie was such as to demand from CongroM some action in regard to the safe transportation of tho United States mail upon railroads- passing through that town. The bill was drawn with special care to guard against conflicts between the jurisdiction of the United States and the jurisdiction of the courts of Pennsylvania, and any order coming from any court of Pennsylvania for the obstruction of the passage ou that railroad could be executed, notwithstanding this measure. Since their action upon this bill yesterday a telegraphic despatch had been received showing that the mob had ag*in taken possession of the railroad at Erie^ aud demolished a por tion of it. Mr. 0. then read the despatch, and also an extract from a New York paper, acknowledging tho receipt of Western papers by way of Cauadu twenty-four hours after the mail usually came to band over the railroad through Erie. He had in his possession a Detroit paper, which discussed and showed that the Western people were con sidering the propriety of petitioning the Post Office De partment to transmit the Great Western mail through Canada, in order to avoid the delay that must necessarily ensue from the consequences of the Erie disturbances. lie then disclaimed any feeling in the matter, either agaiust the State of Pennsylvania or the people of Erie. What he was doing and saying was merely in the dis charge of his duty as a member of the Committee on tho Post Office and Post Roads. He urged that the Iiouso should aet, and act speedily. If the bill had been drawn loosely, if it was incorrect, the House should perfect it; the exigencies of the mail service required some speedy action in the premises. Mr. RITCHIE, of Pennsylvania, said that the bill un der discussion was a long one, and, from its reading, he thought it very doubtful whether it did not exceed the constitutional power of the House. It was well known to every member that there already were ample laws in ex istence for the punishment of any person attempting to obstruct the transportation of the mails of the United States, and the endeavor of the bill, so far as he eoald judge from its reading, was not to protect the mails, but, under cover of so doing, to put the railroad companies of the United States in thiB attitude: that when they fraudu lently invaded the territory of any State in defiance of its laws aud without a charter, and when such proceed ings wrre attempted to be put down by the people of that State, it should be construed as an obstruction to the mails of the United States, and be punished accordingly. This was a question arising under the oommon law, the right to abate a nuisance. When a man's property had been fraudulently invaded without a shadow of right, and wheu he attempted to defend bis own property, should he be interfered with by making it an obstruction to tho mails of the United States? This bill was an attempt to abolish the common-law right to abate a nuisance. With regard to this very road, about which the House had been alarmed this morning, that part of it which had been taken up in Erie was upon the western side, and be longed to that fraudulent Franklin Canal Company which the supreme court of Pennsylvania and the circuit court for the western district of that State had declared to be a fraud, and which the same circuit court had refused to grant an injunction to restrain the people from tear ing up. He hoped the motion to reconsider would be voted down. Mr. CAMPBELL, of Ohio, said that ho did not parti cipate in any of the feeling which grew out of local inte rests, because he was so fortunate as to represent a dis trict which was not very largely concerned in this Erie question ; he might say his district was not very deeply interested in the speedy transmission of the mails. But a few weeks since, when on a visit to his family, he h >d occasion to spend an evening in the city of Cin cinnati, the great commercial metropolis of the West. Ho there attended a meeting, which was composed of the great commercial interest of that city, and had an oppor tunity to confer with the merchants of Cincinnati, those interested to a very great extent in *he commerce of tho Valley of the Mississippi. The great complaint made by them was the serious inconveniences growing out of the obstructions of these mails, by which their remittances were made. That meeting, which was overwhelming in its numbers and in its character, deliberated upon this subject, and passed no agitating resolves. Immediately on hU return to his seat, upon the very first opportunity pre sented him, he iutroduoed a resolution calling on the Presi dent to give the House information as to the official accounts which had been received at the Post Office Department in reference to the obstructions to the mails of the United States, in order that when they should be called upon to act they could do so intelligently. Where did opposi tion to this resolution come from ? It came from the Stats of Pennsylvania, on the one haud, and from the State of South Carolina, on the other; for a gentleman from tho latter State, (Mr. Orr,) when the House was about to act upon the resolution a few days since, at the only time when it could be called up under the rules, moved to lay it on the table, doing so upon the doctrine of striet con struction. The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. RrrcHt*) had planted himself upon the position that although the Fede ral Government hod the right to establish po-<t routes, yet it had no right to pass a law to protect the transporta tion of the mails. Ho (Mr. C.) well recollected?and ho referred to the fact for the purpose of showing the reasons why he thought Pennsylvania was putting herself in a false and selfish position upon this question?that a few years ugo a strenuous effort was made by Pennsylvania to strike down and destroy that most beautiful structure across the Ohio river at the city of Wheeling. This question wns carried into the courts of law, and a decree was procured declaring the bridge a nuisance and ordering it to be re moved. Congress exercised the power of declaring tho bridge to be a post route ; and it was this power of Con gress, thus exercised, in relation to the transportation of the mails, that saved that structure from destruction. Aud now gentlemen put themselves upon the position that the Government, although it might have the power to establish post routes, had not the power, in the manner provided by the bill before the House, to protect its mails! According to this doctrine Congress had the right to build a custom-house in the city of New York or at any other place, yet they had not the power to punish a man who would apply to it the torch at midnight and destroy the cditice. after it had been erected at so much cost. He held that if the Federal Government had the power to build . custom-houses, it had the power to protect them; if it bad the power to establish post routes and transport tho mails, it had the power to protect the mails. Mr. STRAUB was understood to inquire whether tho Legislature of Ohio had not refused to act in the pro mises ; and, if so, would the gentleman be kind enough to tell the House the reason? Mr. CAMPBELL confessed that he was not very fully posted up as to the proceedings of the Legislature of his State, for the reason, which he gave very frankly, that ho hsfd not the very highest degree of respect for any thing that that body might do. He had seen some things very recently which ra;her confirmed him in the disposition to