IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.

FEBRUARY 26, 1864.-Ordered to be printed.

Mr. FOSTER submitted the following

REPORT.

The Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of citizens of Black Hawk county, Iowa, praying that Captain Frederick S. Washburn, of company G, ninth regiment Iowa volunteers, may be allowed the pay and rank of a colonel from the first day of May, 1863, to the 16th day of June, 1863, and his widow the pension of a colonel's widow from the time of his death, beg leave to report:

That it appears that Captain Washburn was in command of the said regiment from the first to the 22d of May, 1863, when he was mortally wounded in the charge on the enemy's works at Vicksburg. He was the senior captain of the regiment, and commanded in the absence of the field officers. Very many of the officers of our army discharge the duties of a rank higher than that of their commissions; but the committee are unwilling, in view of the vast burdens and expenses at present imposed upon the country, to recommend any increase of pay to those who temporarily discharge such duties. They therefore recommend that the prayer of the petition be not granted.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.

FEBRUARY 26, 1864.-Ordered to be printed.

Mr. DIXON made the following.

REPORT.

[To accompany bill S. No. 136.]

The Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, to whom was referred the petition of A. T. Spencer and G. S. Hubbard, of Chicago, Illinois, praying compensation for services performed in carrying the mails on their line of steamers between Chicago and the ports on Lake Superior, have had the same under consideration, and beg leave to report:

The memorialists represent that they transported, at the request of the postmasters and agents of the Post Office Department, the United States mails, in steamboats, between the city of Chicago, Illinois, and the several ports on Lake Superior, from the year 1854 to 1859, inclusive, during the season of navigation, for which they have not been compensated, and they now pray that Congress will allow them an equitable remuneration for the said service.

They further represent that this service was performed in contemplation of an allowance to be made to them equal to that awarded by the government for service of a similar character, and the distinct assurance of the agents of the Post Office Department was given them that they would be adequately compensated therefor.

The evidence before the committee of the efficient and faithful character of the service rendered by the memorialists is most clear and satisfactory, and that it was undertaken and performed at the request of the government officials having charge of the mails.

The committee are satisfied that the steamers belonging to the line owned by the memorialists afforded the most expeditious and reliable means for transporting the mails between the city of Chicago and the several ports on Lake Superior. The committee in their report submitted to the Senate on the 27th of February, 1860, were unanimous in the opinion that the memorialists should receive full and adequate compensation for the aforesaid services.

The proof of the performance of the service is fully substantiated by the testimony of Captains J. E. Turner, John Wilson, and B. G. Sloat, confirmed by the affidavits of the postmasters at Chicago, Milwaukie, Mackinac, Eagle River, Marquette, Ontonagon, and La Pointe.

From all the voluminous evidence, and the statements and explicit affidavits of reliable persons, the committee are confident that the petitioners are entitled to relief, and they report a bill for that purpose, and recommend its passage.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.

FEBRUARY 29, 1864.-Ordered to be printed.

Mr. FOSTER Submitted the following

REPORT.

The Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of Nancy M. Gunsally, formerly widow of Lyman M. Richmond, praying for a renewal of pension or half pay, beg leave to report :

That it appears that the petitioner, by special act of Congress, approved August 18, 1856, was allowed a pension at the rate of $96 per annum, for five years from the 1st of January, 1849. She has already received an amount of pay equal to ten years' half pay of a musician, and the committee are unable to see any special merit in her case, which should call for any legislation by Congress, and therefore recommend that the prayer of the petitioner be not granted.