Monday, May 4.
Relief for Venezuela.
On motion of Mr. Newton, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the bill for the relief of the inhabitants of Venezuela.
[The bill authorizes the President to cause to be exported such quantity of provision as he may think proper, for the relief of the inhabitants of Venezuela, suffering by the effects of an earthquake.]
Mr. Newton proposed to fill the blank for the appropriation with the sum of $30,000.
Mr. Pitkin inquired for the official information, which might have been laid before the committee, on the subject of the distress existing at Caraccas.
Mr. Newton, in reply, said, that there were many private letters in confirmation of the facts, and also a letter from our Consul, &c. Some of which were read.
Mr. Calhoun moved to fill the blank with fifty thousand dollars, which he thought would be little enough to effect the object in view.
The question on the latter motion was decided in the affirmative, 45 to 29.
The committee rose, and reported the bill; which was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading this day, which was subsequently done, and the bill passed.