TWENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS-.


SECOND SESSION.
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I'm Senate,


WASHINGTON, Thursday, Jan. 2S, 1874.


A communication from the Treasury Depart.
ment in relation to certain contract for the sup
ply of stone, &C., was laid before the Senate. Va
rious petitions on local subjects were presented.


CLAIMS ON MEXICO.


Mr. FOSTER, of Tenn, by unanimous consent,
introduced bill providing for the appointment OF
commissioners for the adjustment Of claims on
Mexico.


Also, a joint resolution In regard to claims Of
American citizens on the government of Mexico.
Read and referred 10 Committee on Foreign Rela-
tlons.


THE cHocTAws.
Mr.. JARNAGIN introduced a resolution OF inquiry
upon the Department of War, in respect of con-
tracts for the removal of the Choctaw Indians
from Tennessee, in which contract great deal OF
lrregu!ar!y and extravagance is supposed to have
transpired. Resolution lies over.
THE CUSTOMS.
Mr.. HUNTINGDON reported resolution Of inquiry
upon the Finance Committee, as 70 the propriety
have authority to collect duties from the customs
and that no persons, except under bonds with the
The Secretary OF the Treasury with good sureties,
shall be to the collection of the customs
Lies over. [Collector Van Ness will comprehend
the drift OF the resolutions
GOOD WORD FOR MR. WOODBURY..
Mr.. WOODBURY. offered resolution, which was
adopted, providing for furnishing the reporters OF
the proceedings of the Senate with six copies OF
the printed bills as they may come up for regular
consideration, and with six copies OF the regular
calendar of business before the Senate. This will
be great help to the reporters, who have hereto.
fore been subject to many Inconvenience, for
want OF copy OF the business before the Senate.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The bill for the establishment of the Smithsonian
Institution for the increase and diffusion of know
ledge among men, was passed. Concurrence of
the House required.


The bill providing for the ascertainment and
the government, arising out Of French spoliations
upon American commerce prior to 1900, coming up,


Mr. CHoATE said he had an amendment TO sub
init under Instructions from the committee on the
subject, which he moved be printed, and that the
bill meantime be passed over informally. Agreed
to.


The joint resolution for the erection or purchase
Of building for a u. s. Dis rict Court House in
Mobile, for the Southern District Of Alabama, was
taken up; and the absolute necessity of such q
building as proposed, was set forth to the Senate
by Mr.. BAoBY with much energy, satisfied. as he
appeared to be, Of the entire constitutionality Of
the proceeding But motion Of Mr. DAYTON laid
the case upon the table, Notwithstanding.
On motion Of Mr.. HENDERSON, the Senate resu-
med the consideration Of the bill to confirm to his
legal heirs and assigns the title OF the late Julien
Dubuque to certain tract OF land in the territory
of Iowa, 10000 acres of lead mines)
Mr.. HENDERSON further explained the validity of
this claim.


Mr.. CHoATz, "a man who has the faculty Of
spriDkling over the details Of dry legal argument
the perfume and the sppe blossoms OF the spring.
next took up the defence of the legality of this
CdlH uuOcI tnc OIlBlndl lnuldu grant 10 dubuque,
the Spanish confirmation, the subsequent admis.
sions of the Indian tribes, and lately the admission
by the Government of the United States, through
all Of which proceedings the title Of Dubuque was
sustained and affirmed. Upon all these points Mr..
Choate made the case appear very satisfactory for
the claimants.


Mr.. HUNTINGTON pleaded for the United States
The claim of Dubuque had been regarded nullity
for years. The government had taken the lands,
or great portion Of them, and had sold parcels oi
the same-the clearest evidence of the light in
which the claim had been viewed by the 60
vernment, &c.


Mr.. HKNDERsoN followed in defence of the va
!idity Of Dubuque's title to this body Of mineral
lands.


Mr.. BAaBY moved an amendment to secure the
pre-emption rights of settlers in this tract.
But while the question was pending, on motion,
the bill was laid aside, and resolution adopted,
that on the adjournment of the Senate, it shall
stand adjourned to Monday next.
And the Senate went into executive session;
and, after some time spent therein, opened their
doors, and adjourned over TO Monday next pur-
suant to resolution.