The Caledonian

XXXIIIrd CONGRESS---First Session. WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Dec. 6.

SENATE.--Mr Gwin introduced a bill granting land to California, for a Railroad from San Francisco, via the valley of the Sacramento, to the Boundary of Oregon. He said that at the close of last session, at the time he was urging the passage of the Pacific Railroad bill, he promised that at this session he would aim in the passage of the Homestead bill. In order to redeem that promise, he now gave notice that he would, at an early day, introduce the bill generally known as the Homestead bill.

HOUSE.--After notices of bills. Mr Dean asked leave to offer a joint resolution:--That the thanks of Congress be presented to Duncan N. Ingraham, commanding the sloop of war St. Louis, and to the officers and men under his command, for their gallant conduct on the 2d of July last, in asserting and protecting the rights of American citizenship, native and adopted, by the rescue of Martin Koszta, in the harbor of Smyrna, from forcible and illegal seizure and imprisonment on board the Austrian brig of war Hussar. That the President of the United States be and is requested to cause to be made a sword, with suitable devices, and present the same to Duncan N. Ingraham, as a testimonial of the high sense entertained by Congress of the valor, promptness, and judicious conduct manifested by him on the above mentioned occasion. Objections were made to the introduction of the resolutions. Laid over to be called up at an early day.

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 7.

SENATE.--The chair presented the annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury, and other reports, after which the Senate proceeded to the election of a Chaplain with the following result: 1st ballot--Tuslin 2, Slicer 18, Henry Ward Beecher 2, E. H. Chapin 3, Hodges 13, no choice. 2d ballot--No choice. 3d ballot--Mr Slicer, Methodist, 23; Mr Hodges, Episcopal, 19. Mr Slicer was declared elected. Mr Gwin introduced the Homestead bill and others, referring to California affairs. Messrs. Slidell and Benjamin give notice of bills granting lands to Louisiana to aid in constructing railroads. The resolution offered by Mr Fish, for a select committee to inquire and report upon the mortality on board emigrant ships, was adopted. Mr Clayton's resolution calling on the President to communicate his plan for the enlargement and modification of the judicial system was taken up and adopted.

HOUSE.--Mr Armstrong was elected Public Printer. The vote resulted as follows: Armstrong, 127; Gales, 61; Bever Tinker, 20; Bailey, 2; R. H. Pryor, 1; Towers, 1; Horace Greeley, 1; and Rives, 1. Mr Olds offered a resolution providing for a messenger for the Speaker at $4 a day. Mr Olds resolution was adopted. Various petitions were presented, and notices given. The House then proceeded to the election of a Chaplain. On the first vote there was no choice. Mr Mike Walsh voted for the Rev. Antoinette Brown, which created much laughter. On the second vote, Rev. William H. Milburn, a Methodist Minister residing at the South, was elected and the House adjourned.

THURSDAY, Dec. 8.

SENATE.--Mr Jones, of Iowa, with a view of giving time for the formation of Committees, moved that when the Senate adjourned, it will be till Monday. Agreed to. Mr Hunter called the attention of the Senate to the death of Vice President King, and pronounced an eloquent eulogy, and concluded by offering a series of resolutions of respect to the memory of the deceased. Messrs. Everett and Cass followed, when the resolutions were adopted and the Senate adjourned.

HOUSE.--Mr McMullen gave notice of his intention to introduce a resolution equalizing the pay of Congressmen. On motion of Mr Riddle, members were allowed five papers each during the session. Further proceedings were interrupted by the reception of the Senate resolutions respectful to the memory of the late Vice President, Hon. Wm. R. King. Mr Harris of Ala., delivered a glowing eulogy on the deceased, and was followed by six other members, when appropriate resolutions were adopted and the House adjourned till Monday.

MONDAY, Dec. 12.

SENATE.--The Chair laid before the Senate a communication showing the expenditures of the War Department. Mr Bright of Indiana, offered a resolution changing the rules for increasing the number of fourteen of the principal committees to six, instead of five. Adopted. Mr Weller gave notice of a bill authorizing the Postmaster General to contract for the transportation of the mails in steamers from San Francisco to Shanghai. Mr Williams from N. H. appeared and was sworn in. Mr Bright offered a list of Committees, which was adopted. Mr Seward gave notice of a bill for aiding the State of New York to construct a ship canal around the Falls of Niagara. Beverly Tucker was chosen printer to the Senate. The vote was as follows:--Tucker 26; Armstrong 17. The following are the Chairmen of the principal Senate Committees:--Foreign Relations, Mason, Va.; Finance, Hunter; Commerce, Hamlin; Manufactures, Wright; Public Lands, Dodge, Iowa; Military Affairs, Shields; Naval Affairs, Gwin; Indian Affairs, Sebastian; Claims, Brodhead; District of Columbia, Norris; Judiciary, Butler; P. O., Rusk; Roads and Canals, Bright; Territories, Douglas; Printing, Mallory; Library, Pearce. The Clerk presented a series of Resolutions adopted by a meeting of the merchants of New York, protesting against the course of the Administration in removing Collector Bronson. Laid on the table. Bills were then introduced for granting lands to Louisiana, Ohio, California and Iowa for Railroad purposes.

HOUSE.--The Standing Committees were announced, the Chairmen for which were as follows: Committee on Elections, Stanton of Ky; Ways and Means, Houston; Claims, Ellgerton; Revolutionary Claims, Peckham; Public Expenditures, Kurtz; Private Land Claims, Hilier; Manufactures, McNair; Agriculture, Dawson; Militia, Chastain; Public Buildings, Crane; Territories, Richardson; Revolutionary Pensions, Churchwell; Invalid Pensions, Straub; Patents, Thurston; Vacants, Curtis; Mileage, Harlan; Library, Bonham; Printing, Disney; Rooms, Cobb; Columbia, Hamilton; Judiciary, Stanton. Mr Gerrit Smith presented a petition from the New York Temperance Alliance, asking Congress to suppress the intoxicating drinks in the District of Columbia, and asked for a special committee. Mr Richardson saying that he intended to discuss the subject, it went over. Mr Cobb introduced the homestead bill which was referred to the Committee on Lands. Mr Wentworth of Illinois, offered a resolution affirming that Congress has the power to provide for the construction of a railroad over the territories of the Union, and ought immediately to exercise it. Laid on the table by a vote of 126 to 72. Mr Washburn, of Illinois, offered a resolution that Congress has power to construct a railroad through the territories of the United States, to transport munitions of war, &c. Mr Jones of Tennessee, moved to lay it on the table, pending which the House adjourned.

TUESDAY, Dec. 12.

SENATE.--Mr Gwin introduced a bill establishing a line of mail steamers from San Francisco to Shanghai. Mr Adams introduced a bill to reduce, and graduate the price of public lands. Referred. Mr Adams also introduced a bill to suppress the circulation of bank notes, of any denomination under five dollars, in the District of Columbia. Referred.

HOUSE.--Mr Bright reported a bill providing for the appointment of an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury by the President and the Senate. Passed. Mr Stanton of Ky., presented a memorial from General Lane, contesting the seat of the Delegate from New Mexico. Referred to Committee on Elections. The House then resumed the consideration of Mr. Washburn's resolution, affirming the power of Congress to construct Railroads through the Territories of the United States, which, after considerable discussion, was tabled, by a vote of 115 yeas, to 114 nays. Mr. Biss offered a joint resolution, rendering the thanks of Congress to General Wool, for his distinguished services in the Battle of Buena Vista, and authorizing the President to cause a sword to be presented to him. Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr Yates offered a resolution asserting that a Railroad through the Territories is imperatively demanded, and that the people are favorable to the construction of such a road, from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. After a discussion it was tabled--yeas 111, nays 68.