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OF friends late this afternoon. s. H.


TwENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS-.


SECOND SESSION.


In Senate.


WASHINGTON, Monday, Feb IL, lS46.
Prayer in behalf of the Senate, the Government
and the nation, by Rev, Mr.. Daley. Reading of
the journal dispensed with.


The CHAIR laid before the Senate communica-
ton from the War Department on the subject Of
the public mineral lands IN the West. Laid on the
table.


By Mr. PIX from citizens of the State of New
York, for reduction OF postages also, petition
also, one from J A spencer and o.her members
OF the bar for distribution OF decisions OF Supreme
Court. BY Mr.. Evans, from Maine, a protest
against the Texas annexation. BY Mr. Hunting
every project whatever for the admission of Texas
into the Usion BY Mr. Johnson, from eighty four
natives OF Pennsylvania for a twenty-one years
naturalization law, tor the benefit of foreigners
BY Mr. Dickinson from New York State, several
memorials relating 10 the improvement OF the Hud.
son rver the reduction of hostages, and the annex
alton Of Canada. BY Mr.. DIX, prayer from New
York State, coupled with protest against annex
alton, for the abolition OF slavery in the District OF
Colufnbia, which was refused reception, as far
relates to the latter clause. And OF all the other
petiIons herein enumerated, an appropriate dlspo-
sltion was made.


Sundry reports were made from committees on
private or local cases.


ON THE RIGHT OF INSTRUCTION.


Mr.. TAPPAN presented resolutions from demo.
cratic meeting OF citizens of Perry county, Ohio,
against the resolutions of the Legislature Of that
State nstructing their Senators u Congress against
the the annexation of Texas. The meeting recon-
mended to said Senators not to be governed by a
Wing Legislature in this great measure, nor to suf-
ter themselves to be humbugged by any such in
srucnons from such q source. Papers laid on the
table.


Mr.. ASHLEY substituted new bill for that which
he recently submitted, providing for the annexa-
uon OF Texas Ordered TO be printed.


MISCELLANEOUS


Mr.. WHITE reported bill for the relief OF the
Stockbridge Indians, and for other purposes


Mr.. BAYARD asked that the Naval Committee be
discharged from the further consideration OF the
subject of the expediency Of abolishing the spirit
rations in the Navy. Agreed to.


Mr.. FAIRFIELD moved an enquiry of the Presl-
dent respecting the seizure Of the American ship
Argus, ot Portland, and other vessels, by British
Ships near the African coast, in contravention of
the Treaty OF 10th October, 1873 Adopted.
The bill authorizing the South Carolina Railroad
Company to import, free of duty, from England,
the necessary pipes, &c, or an experiment OF one
mile OF the motive power of atmospheric pressure
on their railroad, was taken up on It's third read
ing.


Mr.. STURGEON, representing the iron interests of
Pennsylvania, desired an explanation of the reasons
why the iron required in this case should be per-
mlted Importation duty free.


MIR. EVANS replied that the atmospheric pressure
had been tested most satisfactorily upon railroads
for short distances-athough for long lines Its eff
cheney had not been SO well settled. The machl-
merry for ths species of railroad could only be pro-
cured from England, and with the sanction OF the
inventor. With the view, therefore, of the advan-
tages that might In proper time arse to the iron
trane OF Pennsylvania by the introduction OF this
new motive power into the United States, the Com
mlttee on Finance had reported In favor Of the
bill


Mr.. STURGEON appeared we'll pleased with the
explanation. and the bill was ordered TO third
reading, and subsequently passed.


Ex-PRESIDENT OF TEXAS.


On motion OF Mr.. LEWIS, it was ordered that
Ex-President Lamar. OF the Republic of Texas,
be permitted to enter and occupy seat the
foor OF the Senate; an especial testimonial Of re-
spect.


Divers House bills were read and REFEREED
Among them the bill for the payment of Navy Pen
support Of The West Point Military Academy.


Mr.. CHoATE submitted that he had been in
structed, by the Committee on Foreign X relations,
TO report IN favor OF an extra edition OF copies OF
the ofhcial papers, &c., connected with the Chi
nesc treaty Referred to Committee on Printing


FRENCH sPoLIATIoNs


The bill setting apart five millions of dollars for
the payment OF indemnities arising out OF French
spoliations on American commerce, prior to 1901,
coming up, according to postponement of its final
PASSAGE in behalf OF the Senator from South Caro-
Mr. McDUrrIE arose. and said that he much re-
gretted this bill had come up so unexpectedly to
him, and passed through It's several stages SO rapid
iy TO the haal action upon Its passage, and without
discussion, too, except very able argument in
favor ot the claims by the eloquent Senator from
Massachusetts,. Mr.. MD. made no complaint
but regretted that he had not succeeded ia entering
nus opposition to this measure at earlier stage OF
Its investigation.


These claims arose from depredatons committed
by France Just halt century ago-and, far az
this Goyerament Is concerned, their existence
commenced Just foriy-hve years ago. The first
demand tor indemnity. under these claims, was
presented 10 Congress IN l602-the next application
was IN 1907, by some ten fifteen individuals
also the next application was in l8lS to the House
oil hepresentatIves-the next appeal tc the House
wash 1922 by few windlvIduas,-upon al of which
the committees on the subject reported adverse
10 the claimants, and upon the applications of 1924
slmilar adverse report was made by the commit.
tee OF the House upon the subject Such had been
the uniform decisions upon these CLAIMS except in
one inst ,nce upon the claims OF certain applicants
IRON S.Carolna In 1927, Gas understood) when the
chairman OF the committee also from South Caro-.
lima, reported that the government was liable ia
ue payment. With this recapltulation OF the &C.
ton OF congress upon these claims Mr.. McDuffie
proceeded TO the international history connect q
with the spoations OF France upon which said
demands are founded.


The treaty Of 1873 with France, under which
the government OF the United States pledged itseI
TO remuneration to the French government fo,
Its services to our country during the Revelation
ot l7I6, Was declared a nullity. after the French
Directory h I'd violated the laws of nations, by 4
decree In 1898, by which American vessels, with
British goods on board, were conhscated toge,ss,
with their cargoes. Under this piratical decree.
and the plratlcal proceedings OF the French unde,
1t, the Uhied States declared themselves exone.
rated from 81 the responsibilities arising from the
treaty OF 1878 ~
that the Subsequent legislative and international ne
gOustons affecting these claims did moi esfshl;sh