kindly sympathies of our nature, and I hope it will receive the favorable and liberal action of the Senate. I move that it be referred to the Committee on Commerce. It was so referred. Mr. CLARKE. I am requested to present the petition of the assistant marshals of the State of Rhode Island, asking additional compensation. They state that the compensation awarded them by the act of Congress, is wholly insufficient. I have a letter from the marshal himself, stating that the compensation is much less, according to the labor done, than the compensation for taking the census of 1840. And with that, he has given a statement of the census returns, giving the statistics required by law, which shows that an immense amount of information has been secured by these returns, and that the assistant marshals had a vast amount of labor to perform in order to obtain it. The memorial was referred to the Committee of Claims. Mr. DOUGLAS presented the memorial of Samuel H. Kettlewell, lately attached to the com→ mission for running and marking the boundary line between the United States and Mexico, praying pay and traveling expenses; which was referred to the Committee of Claims. Mr. BORLAND presented the petition of William Field, clerk of the United States district court for Arkansas, praying payment for services in making statements of the proceedings under the bankrupt law, made in pursuance of a resolution of the House of Representatives; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. earth; in peace to treat all as friends-in war enemies; and to have entangling alliances with none, and to practice literally the doctrine of non-intervention. Resolved, That the Governor be requested to forward these resolutions to our Senators and Representatives in Congress, with a request to lay the same before their respective bodies. JOHN D. RATHER, Speaker of the House of Representatives. CHARLES MCLEMORE, President of the Senate. APPROVED, January 9, 1852. H. W. COLLIER. PAPERS WITHDRAWN AND REFERRED. On motion by Mr. DOUGLAS, it was Ordered, That the petition of Cyrus H. McCormick, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office. On motion by Mr. DODGE, of Wisconsin, it was Ordered, That the petition of Robert Grignon, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. On motion by Mr. COOPER, it was Ordered, That the petition of John S. Van Dyke, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. On motion by Mr. SHIELDS, it was Ordered, That the memorial of citizens of Georgetown, on the files of the Senate, relative to certain improvements in that place, be referred to the Committee for the District of Columbia. On motion by Mr. SEWARD, it was Ordered, That Aaron H. Palmer have leave to withdraw his memorial and papers. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES. Mr. CLEMENS, from the Committee on Private Land Claims, to whom was referred the meMr. FELCH submitted a joint resolution of the morial of John Rice Jones, reported a bill for the Legislature of Michigan, recommending the pay-relief of the legal representatives of John Rice ment of a balance due, under the treaty between Jones, deceased. Having been read, the United States and the Ottawa and Chippewa nations of Indians, concluded at Washington on the 28th March, 1836; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs, and ordered to, be printed. Mr. FISH presented the memorial of Edward K. Collins and his associates, praying additional facilities in transporting the mail between New York and Liverpool; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, and ordered to be printed. Mr. FOOT presented the petition of Thomas Cowperthwaite & Co., proposing to furnish the Government with copies of the reports of the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States for distribution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. DODGE, of Iowa, presented the petition of Stephen P. Yeomans and others, praying that certain arrears of pension due Zachariah S. Conger may be paid to his widow; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions. Mr. STOCKTON presented the petition of Thomas Copeland, praying compensation for improvements in machinery at the Gosport navyyard; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr. PEARCE presented the petition of Charles Fletcher, praying that a charter may be granted to him and his associates, for the construction of a railroad from the District of Columbia to the Point of Rocks, in Maryland; which was referred to the Committee for the District of Columbia. ALABAMA ON INTERVENTION. Mr. CLEMENS presented two enrolled joint resolutions, expressive of the sense of the General Assembly of Alabama in relation to the policy to be pursued by our Government in its intercourse with foreign nations; which were read as follows, and ordered to be printed: Enrolled Joint Resolutions, expressive of the sense of the General Assembly of Alabama in relation to the policy to be pursued by our Government in its intercourse with foreign nations: Whereas from many indications of popular feeling in some of the States of this Government, and from the speeches and acts of many public men, high in the confidence of their own constituents, and in that of the people of the United States, we are led to the belief that a spirit of interference in the political affairs of the European con tinent prevails to so great an extent as to induce the fear, that for the want of calm reflection we may be involved in all the troubles and difficulties of the political affairs of nations and people far removed from us: Be it therefore resolved by the Senate and House of Rep repentatives of the State of Alabama in General Assembly convened, That we hold it to be the duty of the Govern ment and the people of the United States to cultivate relations of amity and good will with all the nations of the On the motion of Mr. CLEMENS, the bill was read a second time, and considered as in Committee of the Whole. No amendment being offered, it was reported to the Senate, and ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. It was subsequently read a third time and passed. Mr. FELCH, from the Committee on Public Lands, to whom was referred the memorial to provide for the final settlement of the accounts of Jonathan Kearsley, late receiver of public moneys at Detroit, and of John Biddle, late register of the land office at that place, reported a bill for that purpose, accompanied by a report, which was ordered to be printed. Mr. FISH, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred the petition of Surgeon D. S. Edwards, reported a bill to provide for placing certain medical officers of the Navy, who rendered service on land in Mexico, on the same footing with medical officers of the Army for similar services; which was read and passed to the second reading. He also submitted a report on the subject; which was ordered to be printed. He also, from the same committee, to whom was referred the bill for the relief of John R. Bryan, administrator of Isaac Garretson, late a purser in the United. States Navy, reported it without amendment, and submitted an adverse report on the subject, which was ordered to be printed. Mr. SHIELDS, from the Committee for the District of Columbia, reported a bill to incorporate the Pioneer Manufacturing Company of Georgetown, in the District of Columbia; which was read, and passed to the second reading. Mr. JONES, of Iowa, from the Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of Harriet R. F. Capron, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill for the relief of the children of Captain Erastus A. Capron; which was read, and passed to the second reading. Ordered, That the report be printed. Mr. GWIN, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred the petition of James W. Low, reported a bill for the compensation of James W. Low and others, for the capture of the British private armed schooner "Ann," during the late war with Great Britain; which was read, and passed to the second reading. NOTICE OF bill. Mr. SEBASTIAN gave notice of his intention BILLS INTRODUCED. Mr. BORLAND, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill granting to the State of Arkansas the right of way and a portion of the public land, to aid in the construction of the Arkansas Central Railroad from point on the western bank of the Mississipp i river, opposite the town of Memphis, Tennessee, via Little Rock, to a point on Red river, on the border of Texas; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Mr. BORLAND, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill to grant the Hot Springs, in Arkansas, to that State, and to secure the interests of bona fide settlers within the limits of the Hot Spring reservation; which was read twice and referred. Mr. JAMES, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a joint resolution to authorize an investigation into the causes of the explosion of steam boilers, and the best means of preventing the same; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee.on Naval Affairs. INDIAN CLAIMS. Mr. FELCH submitted the following resolution; which was considered by unanimous consent, and agreed to: Resolved, That the Committee on Indian Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law for the payment to the Ottawa and Chippewa nations of Indians, of the overplus money which shall be found due under the treaty made with them at Washington, the 28th of March, 1836, and by virtue of the provisions of the fifth article thereof, as amended and ratified by the Senate. BILL PASSED. The bill to admit a certain vessel to registry was read the third time, and passed with an amended title. BINDING OF CONGRESSIONAL DOCUMENTS. Mr. BORLAND. I am directed by the Committee on Printing, who a few days since reported a House resolution on the subject of binding the public documents, and which was laid upon the table, to ask that it be now taken up for consideration. It is a joint resolution of the House, and was referred to the Committee on Printing, and reported from that committee, and on motion, I believe, it was laid upon the table. The PRESIDENT. The joint resolution to which the Senator from Arkansas refers is on the general orders. The proposition must be to postpone the general orders, and to take up that resolution. Mr. BORLAND. My supposition was that it was laid upon the table. The PRESIDENT. No, sir; it is on the general orders. Mr. BORLAND. Then I move to postpone all the prior orders and to take up that resolution. Mr. MALLORY. I do not know how much time will be occupied in the consideration of this resolution; but with the permission of the Senator from Arkansas, I would observe that the hour of one has arrived, and that I should like to finish the remarks which I commenced yesterday, and I will not detain the Senate long. Mr. BORLAND. I do not suppose that this resolution will occupy any time, for I am not aware that there is any disposition to discuss it. I am opposed to its passage myself, but I believe it will be favorably considered by a majority of the Senate. After some further conversation the motion was withdrawn. FLOGGING IN THE NAVY. Mr. MALLORY rose and concluded his remarks commenced on yesterday. He read from the report of the Secretary of the Navy and letters of naval officers, showing the consequences that had resulted from abolishing corporal punishment, and expressed a belief that nineteen-twentieths of the whole Navy would be in favor of the restoration of the lash, and maintained that no officer of the Navy would be in favor of flogging if he thought its honor and interest could be maintained without it. [His speech will be found in the Appendix.] Mr. HALE. I had intended to say a few words on this subject, though I see the Senator from to ask leave to introduce a bill to release from res-New Jersey has arisen. If he wants the floor I ervation, and restore to the mass of public lands, certain lands in the State of Arkansas. will yield it to him, as he can treat the subject much better than I can. Mr. STOCKTON. I would desire that the honorable Senator from New Hampshire should go on. I should prefer to close this discussion. Mr. HALE. I was going to say, that, knowing something of the history of the legislation of Congress upon this subject for some eight or ten years past, and something of the modes by which the act abolishing flogging has been secured, I had intended to address the Senate. I am not prepared at this moment to go on in full, but I would, by way of introduction to the subject, remark, that I am not at all anxious in regard to anything that we may do, so far as the sailor is concerned. I feel the fullest confidence that that battle has been fought, finally fought, and the victory has been won. I look upon it as morally impossible for the country to retrace that step. I know, sir, that when the prophet of Israel was sent to the King to announce to him that he should recover, the King asked of the prophet some sign, and it was, whether the shadow should go forward upon the dial ten degrees, or backwards ten degrees; and the King says it is a small thing for the shadow to go forward ten degrees; nay, says he but let it go back; that will be a miracle of which all the world will take notice. That is the attempt now. It is to put off the advancing shadow that the sun of humanity has cast upon the darkness of this dial-plate back ten degrees, and more than that. Now, sir, able and eloquent as the honorable Senator from Florida is, and speaking as he says for the whole Navy, if I understood him, I tell him that this cannot be done. My only anxiety now is, for the character of the Senate; I am not at all anxious about the sailor. If I may be indulged in a figure of speech, I look upon all the efforts of the cat-o'-minetails to restore itself, only as the floundering of a whale after he has been thorough ly harpooned. They are the mere struggles and throes of death. I do not suppose, I never have supposed, that such a monstrous evil as that, and one that was as old as that was-one that, as the honorable Senator from Florida says, dates away back as far as we have any acquaintance with profane history, would submit at once. I did suppose that efforts would be made, feebly to be sure, -though I did not expect so serious an effort as this to revive, and revivify, and reestablish the barbarous custom which received its death-blɔw by the late act of Congress. There never was any great power that had a pitched battle with another power and got vanquished and overthrown, but that after the great battle little parties were organized which kept up a guerrilla warfare. The same is to be expected in every moral and every political conflict. It has been so, and probably will continue so. But the honorable Senator has gone into some details. He has alluded to some reports in answer to inquiries which have been made by the Secretary of the Navy, which require examination -which require some facts to be brought up to meet them. I wish to tell the honorable Senator at the outset, however, that the censure which he throws on the origin of this measure does not fall just exactly where he thought it would fall. I am not mistaken in my recollection that one of the efficient friends of this legislation, a man who gave it very potent aid and helped to imbody it into the legislation of the country, in the general appropriation bills year after year, in the House of Representatives, was a late member of that House-General McKay, of North Carolina. We have the honor of claiming him as one of those individuals who came from a section of the country where I do not suppose the honorable Senator thought he was dealing his censures when he. spoke of this matter. If I may be permitted to refer to another individual, who is not now living, but who is not obnoxious to the censures which the honorable Senator attempted to cast on the friends of this measure, I will mention an honored colleague,of yours, Mr. President, now no more-the honorable Dixon H. Lewis, who did me the honor on one occasion, while he dealt out in a kindly spirit his censure at what he termed my vagaries and fanaticism, of saying, "but upon this matter you are right, and have my sympathies, and I will go with you." Before I leave the subject, and then I shall move to postpone it to a day certain, I wish to tell the honorable Senator that there is one point which he brought up to illustrate his view, which I think he might as well have left out, because it this proviso that was attached to the appropriation some agency in bringing it about, and I had some I think the honorable Senator is exceedingly mistaken when he says that the sentiments of the officers of the Navy are so unanimous in favor of the restoration of this inhuman practice. I think be is exceedingly mistaken in it. I know he is mistaken when he undertakes to tell me that the sailors themselves want it restored. I know better than that. If I did not know it in any other way, I know that the sailor is a man, and that I am a man; and knowing these things, it would be enough to demonstrate to me that the sailors do not want it. But I have better proof than that: When The motion was agreed to. EXECUTIVE SESSION. On motion by Mr. ATCHISON, the Senate proceeded to the consideration of executive business; and after some time spent therein, the doors were reopened, and the Senate adjourned to Monday next. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Journal of yesterday was read and approved. ASSIGNABILITY OF BOUNTY LAND WAR RANTS. The SPEAKER stated that the first business in order was a motion to refer the report of the select committee on the bounty land bill, to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union; and upon that motion, the gentleman from New Hampshire [Mr. Tuck] was entitled to the floor. Mr. SIBLEY asked the unanimous consent of the House to introduce a bill, of which previous notice had been given, with a view to reference. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS ON LEAVE. Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia. I would suggest to the House, that by unanimous consent the States be called, so as to enable gentlemen to introduce bills which will not give rise to discussion. There are a great many gentlemen who wish to introduce bills, and I do not think the call of the States would occupy half an hour. The SPEAKER. Is it the unanimous consent of the House that the States be called for the introduction of bills of which previous notice has been given, and upon which no discussion shall arise? Mr. STANTON, of Tennessee. Will that order include resolutions? The SPEAKER. The proposition as submitted Mr. HOUSTON. I have no objection to the proposition of the gentleman from Georgia, but I desire to know from the Chair whether that order will supersede the morning hour? The SPEAKER. It will not. Mr. HOUSTON. As soon as I can do so, I desire to move to go into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, and take up the Mexican indemnity bill. The SPEAKER. The morning hour will not be superseded, unless so ordered by the House. Mr. HOUSTON. I should like the morning hour to be dispensed with, as I want to go into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the suggestion of the gentleman from Georgia? Mr. TUCK. If it is the intention of the chairman of the Ways and Means-if the House unaoimously consent to this arrangement-to propose to take up other business to the exclusion of the morning hour, I shall object. The SPEAKER. The Chair has already announced that this proposition will not supersede the morning hour. Mr. TUČK. Very well; then I make no objection. No objection being made, the Speaker proceeded to call the States. Mr. COBB. I wish the gentleman from Georgia would extend his motion, so as to include resolutions upon which no debate might arise. Mr. STEPHENS. I cannot do it. On motion by Mr. CHASTAIN, it was Ordered, That the memorial and papers of Moses Perkins, asking compensation for damages sustained in the removal of the Cherokee Nation, be withdrawn from the files of the House and referred to the Committee of Claims. Mr. PEASLEE introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, for the settlement and payment of the claims of the State of New Hampshire for the services of her militia and for disbursements for military purposes during the last war with Great Britain; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. FOWLER introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, for regulating the mileage of members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Mileage. On motion by Mr. KUHNS, leave was granted for the withdrawal of the papers of Elizabeth Kreider Brunot, from the files of the House for the purpose of reference to one of the Executive Departments. Mr. FAULKNER introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, to establish a board for the settlement of claims against the United States; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. On motion by Mr. STANLY, Ordered, That the papers of Elizabeth H. Willis be withdrawn from the files of the House and referred to the Committee of Claims. Mr. JACKSON. As I am not in the habit of occupying much time here, I hope the House will indulge me on this occasion, by permitting a bill to be now referred which I introduced upon Wednesday week last, and the reference of which could not be ordered in consequence of the pressure of the time for the introduction of the Hungarian exile. The bill to which I refer is a bill for the improvement of the Savannah river, in the State of Georgia, and for the removal of obstructions therein; and my motion was that it be referred to the Committee on Commerce. No objection being made, the bill was taken up and ordered to be so referred. On motion by Mr. MURPHY, Ordered, That the papers relating to the claim of Andrew Smith be withdrawn from the files of the House and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary; and that the papers relating to the claim of M. P. Robinson be withdrawn from the files of the House and referred to the Committee of Claims. Mr. WHITE, of Alabama, introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, to establish a certain post route in the counties of Chambers, Talapoosa, and Talladega, in the State of Alabama; and a bill to establish a post route in the counties of Benton and Cherokee, in the State of Alabama; which were severally read a first and second time by their titles, and referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Mr. COBB asked the unanimous consent of the first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Mr. WATKINS introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, for the relief of certain Tepnessee volunteers; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. WATKINS introduced a bill, granting lands to the State of Tennessee, to aid said State House to introduce a resolution of inquiry, to be in the construction of certain railroads therein; referred to one of the committees of the House. Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia, objected. Mr. COBB asked that the resolution might be read. Mr. STEPHENS objected. Mr. FREEMAN introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, to reduce the price of the public lands lying south of the old Choctaw line, in the State of Mississippi; and a bill granting lands to the State of Mississippi for the purpose of improving the navigation of the Pearl, Big Black, and Yazoo rivers, in said State; which were severally read a first and second time by 'their titles, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Mr. BROWN, of Mississippi, introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, to authorize the Commissioner of Public Lands to order a resurvey of public lands in certain cases; which was read a first and second time by its title. Mr. B. said that as the bill contained but a solitary and simple provision, he asked that it be put upon its passage now. Mr. FOWLER objected. On motion by Mr. BROWN, the bill was then referred to the Committee on Public Lands. [A message was here received from the Senate, by their Secretary, ASBURY DICKINS, Esq., informing the House of the passage by that body of certain bills.] Mr. PENN asked the unanimous consent of the House to take up a Senate bill upon the Speaker's table to change the register of a vessel. Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia, objected. Mr. MOORE, of Louisiana, introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, making an appropriation for the removal of the raft in Red river; which was read a first and second time by its title. Mr. M. moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. SEYMOUR, of New York, moved that it be referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. SCURRY. I hope the House will not refer that bill to the Committee on Commerce. The SPEAKER. If debate arises, the bill must lie over. The question was then taken on Mr. MOORE'S motion, and it was agreed to. So the bill was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. TAYLOR introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, to incorporate the Eagle Steamboat Company; which was read a first and second time by its title and referred to the Committee for the District of Columbia. On motion by Mr. BELL, leave was granted to withdraw from the files of the House the petition and papers of William Flinn, for the purpose of reference to one of the Executive Departments. Mr. CARTTER asked the unanimous consent of the House to offer a resolution. Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia, objected. Mr. CARTTER asked that his resolution might be read for information. Mr. STEPHENS objected. On motion by Mr. NEWTON, Ordered, That leave be granted for the withdrawal from the files of the House of the petition and papers in the case of the heirs of Thomas Johnson and James Hacklay. On motion my Mr. HIBBARD, Ordered, That the petition and papers of John Hazen be withdrawn from the files of the House and referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. Mr. SMITH introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, supplementary to an act entitled "An act to enable the, State of Alabama, the State of Arkansas, and other States, to reclaim their swamp lands;" which was read a which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands. On motion by Mr. WILLIAMS,. leave was granted to withdraw from the files the petition and papers of Elijah Story, for the purpose of reference to one of the Executive Departments. Mr. MACE introduced a joint resolution, of which previous notice had been given, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, so as to provide for the election of Senators by the qualified voters of each State; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. MACE introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, for an act granting the right of way and making a grant of lands to aid in the construction of a railroad from the Wabash to the Missouri river; and a bill granting to the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, the right of way for and a portion of the public lands, to aid in the construction of a railroad from Toledo, in the State of Ohio, via Delhi and Lafayette, in the State of Indiana, to Springfield, in Illinois; which bills were severally read a first and second time by their titles, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Mr. HENDRICKS introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, authorizing certain soldiers in the war with Great Britain to surrender the bounty lands drawn by them, and to locate others in lieu thereof; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Mr. BISSELL asked leave to present the petition of certain citizens of New Mexico, asking for a repeal of the revenue laws of that Territory. The SPEAKER. The Chair feels it his duty to state, that by the order of the House nothing is in order except the introduction of bills and joint resolutions. land Mr. CAMPBELL, of Illinois, introduced a joint resolution, of which previous notice had been given, authorizing the location of military bounty warrants on public lands. now subject and hereafter to be subject to entry at private sale, under existing laws; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Mr. YATES introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, making an appropriation for the improvement of the navigation of the Illinois river; which was read twice by its title. Mr. Y. moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals. Mr. SEYMOUR, of New York, moved to refer it the Committee on Commerce. The question being first put upon referring it to the Committee on Roads and Canals, upon a division, 65 rose in the affirmative. Mr. SEYMOUR demanded tellers; which were ordered, and Messrs. SEYMOUR and ROBINSON were appointed. The question was then taken, and the tellers reported-ayes 78, noes 41. Mr. WALSH asked for the yeas and nays; which were ordered; and the question being put, there were yeas 113, nays 70; as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Abercrombie, Willis Allen, Ashe, Barrere, Bell, Bibighaus, Bissell, Bragg, Breckenridge, Brenton, Brooks, Albert G. Brown, George H. Brown, Busby, E. Carrington Cabell, Lewis D. Campbell, Thompson Campbell, Cartter, Caskie, Chandler, Chastain, Cleveland, Cobb, Conger, Cullom, Curtis, Daniel, John G. Davis, Dawson, Disney, Dockery, Dunham, Eastman, Edgerton, Ewing, Faulkner, Ficklin, Freeman, Gaylord, Gentry, Gilmore, Goodenow, Green, Hall, Hammond, Harper, Sampson W. Harris, Hart, Hascall, Hendricks, Henn, Hibbard, Hillyer, Horsford, Houston, John W. Howe, Hunter, Jackson, Andrew Johnson, James Johnson, John Johnson, George W. Jones, J. Glancy Jones, Kuhns, Landry, Lockhart, Mace, Edward C. Marshall, Mason, Meade, Miller, Millson, Miner, Molony, Henry D. Moore, John Moore, Morrison, Murphy, Orr, Samuel W. Parker, Phelps, Porter, Price, Rantoul, Robinson, Sackett, Savage, Schoolcraft, Skelton, Smith, Benjamin Stanton, Richard H. Stanton, Abraham P. Stevens, Alexander H. Stephens, Stone, St. Martin, Stratton, Stuart, Taylor, Benjamin Thompson, George W. Thompson, Tuck, Wallace, Ward, Watkins, Welch, Addison White, Alexander White, Wilcox, Williams, Woodward, and Yates-113. NAYS-Messrs. Aiken, Charles Allen, Allison, Andrews, John Appleton, William Appleton, Averett, Babcock, Bardett, Bocock, Briggs, Buell, Burrows, Joseph Cable, Caldwell, Chapman, Churchwell, Clark, Clingman, Dean, Daty, Duncan, Durkee, Edmundson, Fitch, Florence, Fowler, Thomas J. D. Fuller, Giddings, Grow, Hamilton, Isham G. Harris, Haws, Haven, Hebard, Holladay, Howard, Thomas Y. How, Ingersoll, Ives, Jenkins, Daniel T. Jones, Preston King, Kurtz, Mann, McMullin, McNair, Murray, Nabers, Newton, Outlaw, Andrew Parker, Peaslee, Penniman, Perkins, Powell, Robbins, Robie, Russell, Schermerhorn, Scudder, Scurry, David L. Seymour, Origen 8. Seymour, Stanly, Sweetser, Thurston, Townshend, Walbridge, Walsh, and Wells-70. So the bill was referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals. Mr. STUART. I move to reconsider that vote; and inasmuch as I propose to debate it, I suppose it goes over. Mr. CARTTER. I move to lay that motion upon the table. Mr. STUART. You cannot do it. I propose to debate it. The SPEAKER. The motion gives rise to debate, and consequently the bill goes over. Mr. PORTER introduced the following bills, of which previous notice had been given; which were read a first and second time by their title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands, viz: A bill granting to the State of Missouri the right of way and a portion of the public land for the purpose of aiding in the construction of a rail⚫ road from St. Charles, on the Missouri river, to the northern limits of said State. Also, a bill to relinquish to the State of Missouri, on certain conditions, the two per centum of the net proceeds of the sales of public lands in said State since the first day of January, 1821, and reserved by the act of Congress of the sixth day of March, 1820. On motion by Mr. PORTER, it was Ordered, That leave be granted to withdaw from the files of the House the discharge and note, together with the petition, of Stephen Spalding, heretofore referred to the Committee on Pensions, for the purpose of being returned to the petitioner. On motion by Mr. CONGER, it was Ordered, That the petition of C. A. Trowbridge_and 200 others, for the construction of a canal around the Falls of St. the Mary's, and for improvement at Ontonagon river and Eagle Harbor, be withdrawn from the files of the House, and referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals. Mr. CONGER introduced a joint resolution declaratory of the law of nations, in reference to the doctrine of non-intervention, and the right of every nation to establish for itself such form of government as the people thereof may think most suitable to their own condition, and best adapted to promote and secure their own prosperity and happiness; also declaratory of the view entertained by the Government and people of the United States of the conduct of Russia, by the armed intervention of that Power in the late contest between Austria and Hungary; which was read a first and second time by its title. Mr. BAYLY, of Virginia. I move that it be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. I ask if there has been any notice given of its introduction? The SPEAKER. Notice has not been given. Mr. JONES. Then I object to its introduction. The SPEAKER. It is objected to, and must go over. Mr. CONGER.Then I propose to give notice of my intention hereafter to introduce the resolution just read. The SPEAKER. The notice will be entered. Mr. CABELL, of Florida, introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, to revive and continue in force, for a limited time, the provisions of the act relative to suspended entries of public lands; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Mr. HENN. I ask the unanimous consent of the House to introduce a resolution of inquiry of the Secretary of War; and as a lady is interested in the matter, I hope the gallantry of this House will allow it to come in. It is as follows: Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested to furnish this House information as to what, if any, depredations have been committed by the Indians on the property of white settlers in the western portions of the State of Iowa, during the last two years, and particularly the facts connected with the recent capture, by the Omahaw or Pawnee Indians, of Mr. Carpenter and his wife, on Boyer river, in said State. Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia. I object. The SPEAKER. Objection is made, and the resolution cannot be introduced. Mr. CLARK introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, for the survey and construction of a military road in the State of Iowa; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. C. Will it be in order to ask that a bill and memorial, introduced by me yesterday, be printed? The SPEAKER. Not without the unanimous consent of the House. Mr. CLARK. I move, then, that the bill and memorial which I had the honor to introduce yesterday, for the benefit of the Territory of Minnesota and State of Iowa, and which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands, be printed. Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia. I object. Mr. CLARK. I believe joint resolutions are in order? The SPEAKER. Yes; but only those of which previous notice has been given. Mr. EASTMAN introduced the following bills, of which previous notice had been given, which were severally read a first and second time by their titles, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands, viz: A bill granting the right of way and making a grant of land in aid of the construction of a railroad in the State of Wisconsin, from the northern line of the State of Illinois to Lake Superior; A bill granting certain lands in the State of Wisconsin in aid of the construction of a plank road from the Wisconsin river to the mouth of the Willow river, on Lake St. Croix; and A bill to grant a quantity of land in the State of Wisconsin, to aid in the improvement of Black river. On motion by Mr. EASTMAN, it was Ordered, That leave be granted to withdraw the papers accompanying the petition of William Butler from the files of the House, for the purpose of having them referred in the Senate to the appropriate committee. Mr. DOTY introduced the following bills, of which previous notice had been given; which were severally read a first and second time by their titles, and referred as indicated below, viz: A bill to authorize the State of Wisconsin to locate certain lands granted for the improvement of the Neenah and Wisconsin rivers; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands; A bill to provide for the protection of commerce on Lake Michigan; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce; and A bill to grant a certain quantity of land to aid in the construction of a railroad from Manitowac to the Mississippi river; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands. [A message was here received from the Senate, by ASBURY DICKINS, Esq., their Secretary, returning a bill entitled "An act to admit a certain vessel to registry," with an amendment, and asking the concurrence of the House therein.] Mr. PRICE introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, giving further remedies to patentees; which he moved to refer to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. CARTTER moved that it be referred to the Committee on Patents. The question was first taken on the motion to refer to the Committee on the Judiciary, and it was not agreed to. The question was then taken on the motion to refer to the Committee on Patents, and it was agreed to. Mr. PRICE. I ask leave to introduce a reso time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Mr. LANE introduced a joint resolution, of lief of Elizabeth F. Thurston, of the Territory which previous notice had been given, for the reof Oregon; which was read a first and second the Post Office and Post Roads. time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Mr. WEIGHTMAN introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, authorizing the Governor of New Mexico to call an extra session of the Legislative Assembly of said Territory, should the same be deemed necessary and expedient; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Ter ritories. RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. Mr. HOUSTON. The call of the States is now completed, and I move the House resolve itself into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. The SPEAKER. The first business in order is upon the proposition to refer to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union the report of the select committee on the joint resolution explanatory of the act granting bounty lands to certain officers and soldiers, &c., and upon which question the gentleman from New Hampshire [Mr. Tuck] has the floor. Mr. HOUSTON. That is very true, but I am entitled to the floor now, as the business of the morning hour has not been taken up, and the hour has expired. The SPEAKER. The Chair apprehends that the gentleman from Alabama [Mr. HOUSTON] cannot take the floor from the gentleman from New Hampshire. Mr. HOUSTON. If that be true, it sets aside the rule which says that it is always in order to suspend the rules to go into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. I am entitled to the floor now because The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Alabama [Mr. HOUSTON] rose before, to submit a privileged motion. The Chair thinks, under the circumstances, that he is entitled to the floor. Mr. TUCK.. I submit that he cannot have the floor for that purpose. I refer not only the Speaker, but the gentleman himself, to the circumstances under which this matter has intervened, and under these circumstances he has not, and ought not to have the floor. I obtained the floor as soon as we had got through the call for bills, and he has no right to take it from me. Mr. HOUSTON. More than the morning hour has now expired. The SPEAKER. The Chair decides that the morning hour has just commenced. Mr. HOUSTOŇ. But I stated to the House, when the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. STEPHENS] made the proposition to the House to call the States for bills, that I desired, as soon as the morning hour should elapsed, to go into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. That is my object. The morning hour has been occupied with other business, and that is the reason why I make the motion. Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia. These subjects, in my opinion, stand exactly as they stood this morning after the Journal was read; for everything done since has been by unanimous consent. The SPEAKER. Precisely the same. Mr. HOUSTON. I do not controvert that at all. I have no doubt about that, but— The SPEAKER. The question is whether the gentleman from Alabama [Mr. HOUSTON] can deprive the gentleman from New Hampshire [Mr. Tuck]-who is certainly in order, and entitled to the floor-of the floor. The Chair decides that he cannot. Mr. HOUSTON. I shall not appeal from the decision of the chair; but that decision unquestionably prevents the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means from availing himself of that rule. man appeals from the decision of the Chair, I maintain he is out of order. Mr. HOUSTON. That is a communication to the House, for which I am very much obliged to the gentleman. Mr. BAYLY. welcome. The gentleman is perfectly The SPEAKER. The Chair decides that the question is not debatable. Mr. HOUSTON. I was going to propound this question to the Chair: Suppose that in the morning, before the business of the morning is taken up, or before the Speaker has stated that the .business of the morning was the calling of the committee for reports, I, or any gentleman, should obtain the floor and move that the rules be suspended, with a view of the House going into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union The SPEAKER. The Chair would decide as he has in this particular case. Mr. HOUSTON. Then I could not do it during the whole day. BOUNTY LAND BILL. The SPEAKER. The question pending is the motion to refer to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union the report of the select committee on the joint resolution explanatory of the act of 1850, granting bounty lands to certain officers and soldiers who were engaged in the military service of the United States. Mr. TUCK. I feel I ought to make an apology to the House, for attempting to occupy the time which I deem it my duty, upon the present occasion, to do, and that apology is this: The chairman of the select committee, who reported this bill, has made a motion to refer it to the Commit- | tee of the Whole on the state of the Union, with the avowed purpose of presently withdrawing that motion, and to ask the House to put the bill upon its passage. Inasmuch as the previous question will in such case be called early, and that free discussion be presented, which ought to be given to this bill somewhere, I have concluded to present my views at the present time upon this very important question. In asking the House to put this bill upon its passage, the chairman of the select committee [Mr. DUNHAM] is bound to do two things: First, to show to the members of this House that the bill deserves their approbation; and in the second place, to demonstrate that it is more deserving than any of the other laws before this body; for otherwise, it is not expedient to allow this bill to take precedence of all others-to be exempt from those checks and the common routine of enactment to which all other laws are subject. For the extraordinary course proposed, there can be no apology, unless, as I have said before, the gentleman can show that this is the most important subject that can be presented to us, and one which demands our immediate attention, to the exclusion of everything else. I shall not expend much time in examining what I consider comparatively unimportant parts of this bill; but I will, nevertheless, as I progress in my remarks, notice the several sections briefly. mit that it is derogatory to the dignity of the pop- We now come to the second section, which I be- The first section provides for the assignability of land warrants. Well, this is a proposition against which few, if any, have objections. I call the attention of gentlemen to the fact, that the proposition to make bounty land warrants assignable has already received our consideration and our sanction. We have already, dispensing, by common consent, with the rules of the House and the ordinary routine of business, passed a law for that purpose, which was sent to the Senate, and is now under consideration in that body, and I have been assured, within a few hours, that there is no question but the Senate will give it their approbation. Why, then, I ask, is it that another provision to accomplish the same object is incorporated in this bill? I know of no reason for it, unless it is to make a proposition which receives the universal approbation of this House, the medium by which to impose upon the country and upon us a measure which, if considered in its own merits alone, would receive our condemnation. I know of no other reason. There seems to be some want of concert among those who have planned this magnificent scheme, by which the proposition for the assignment of land warrants was permit-give us any idea. Does he rely so much upon the ted to get the start, pass the House, and go to the Senate, without having attached to it the obnoxious propositions tacked to it in this bill. I sub 999 come next to the third and fourth sections, which embrace the great scheme of this bill-a scheme to squander away a large, indefinite, and unknown quantity of the public domain. It comes here under the most innocent title imaginable-a title that gives you no clue whatever to the chåracter of the proposition, or the extent of land that is to be appropriated under its cover. The title of it is: "An act explanatory of an act approved 28th September, 1850, entitled An act granting bounty lands to certain officers and soldiers who were engaged in the military service of the United States.' Instead of merely explaining, it contains new propositions unconnected with and as entirely independent of that act as it is possible for one act to be independent of another. It creates a new class of bounty land warrants, the extent of which_no gentleman-not even the chairman of the select committee, who ought to understand it, and who several times has been called upon to state it—can rashness of this House as to expect we shall pass a bill in relation to which we have no knowledge? I trust our action will disappoint him. If the bill shall reach an engrossment, the first act of the chairman of the select committee will be to move that the title be amended, as it is now entirely inadequate to give any idea of the character of the bill. I shall, before proceeding further in the consideration of the subject, say a few things in regard to the public domain. I believe we are introducing a new method of disposing of the public lands, and are changing the general policy of the Government in respect to the same. I believe this change will be hazardous to the best interests of the country, and that we ought to resist the change that is taking place. The Government disposed of the public domain at first in large tracts to individuals and companies, but it was early discovered that this policy was not only in jurious to the Government, but that it retarded the settlement of new States, and was also disastrous to those who became owners of these large tracts. Some thirty-five years ago, the Govern. ment changed its policy and adopted the present excellent system, by which every individual, who is desirous of laboring, and who is fit to be the ówner of an acre of land, can, by his own industry, become a freeholder. We have prospered under this system beyond parallel. Of late, we have been departing from this system; and so eager have many become to squander the public domain, that a great part of our labor here is to attend to the various claims which come up in a thousand ways for grants of land. When I examine the records of Congress, and peruse the counsels and opinions of wise statesmen who have gone before us, and who have given their views upon this subject, I am confirmed in my disposition to oppose the struggle now going on among corporations, private companies, and individuals, to get possession, under one pretence and another, of the public domain. We have prospered as a nation, beyond all parallel, under the policy heretofore existing; and for one, I say that policy shall not be abandoned without my oppos ing vote. I wish to call the attention of the House to the fact, that the proceeds of the sales of the public lands have been pledged, as security for borrowed money, by the action of Congress, and that this land cannot be given away, as proposed in this bill, without a violation of the public faith. I send to the Chair, and wish that it may be read, the 19th section of a law passed in 1847, entitled "An act to authorize the issue of Treasury notes, loans, and for other purposes.' "This law was passed in reference to a proposed loan of $23,000,000, with which to carry on the Mexican The section reads as follows: war. "And be it further enacted, That for the payment of the stock, which may be created under the provisions of this act, the sales of the public lands are hereby pledged, and it is hereby made the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to use and apply all moneys which may be received into the Treasury from the sales of the public lands, after the 1st day of January, 1848; first, to pay the interest on all stocks issued by virtue of this act; and secondly, to use the balance of said receipts, after paying the interest aforesaid in the purchase of said stocks at their market value, provided no more than par shall be paid for said stocks." Now, by that act it was obviously intended that the receipts from the sales are all sequestered, set apart and pledged for the payment of this debt and interest. Secondly, after the interest is paid, the remainder is to be kept as a fund to pay that debt now outstanding as it becomes due, or as it can be purchased at par before it becomes due. And thirdly, after paying interest annually in the purchase of stocks, the remainder will be an accumulated fund, to redeem the debt when it becomes due. Now that is a pledge of the faith of this country, which we are bound to regard, no mat ter what may be the ability of this Government, as we think now, to meet the payment of this loan when it shall become due. We have pledged these public lands-we have pledged the faith of the country to those who have invested in these stocks, that we will maintain and preserve the moneys to be received from the sales of the public lands, to meet that payment. I have had the curiosity to look over the yeas and nays recorded upon the passage of that bill, in order to see who of those now in this House aided by their votes in pledging the faith of the country. Before I read the names, I will say, that I do not assume that all those whose names I shall read are now ready to violate that pledge. I would rather assume the contrary-that they intend to keep it. |