the last time they had the Hall all the curtains around the bars were torn down, and many of the windows were broken.

[Cries of "Order!" "Order!"]

The question was then taken, and there were-yeas 94, nays 69; as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Wm. Appleton, Barrere, Bell, Breckenridge, Briggs, Buell, Burrows, Busby, Thompson Campbell, Cirandler, Chapman, Clark, Cleveland, Conger, George T. Davis, Dawson, Dimmick, Disney, Dockery, Doty, Duncan, Ficklin, Fitch, Florence, Fowler, Gaylord, Gentry, Gilmore, Goodenow, Green, Grow, Harper, Hart, Baws, Hascall, Haven, Hebard, Hendrieks, Horsford, John W. Howe, Thomas M. Howe, Ingersoll, Ives, John Johnson, J. Glaney Jones, Preston King, Kuhns, Kurtz, Lockhart, Edward C. Marshall, Martin, Mason, McLanahan, McNair, Miller, Miner, Molony, Henry D. Moore, Morehead, Morrison, Murray, Newton, Olds, Outlaw, Andrew Parker, Samuel W. Parker, Peaslee, Penniman, Porter, Rantoul, Richardson, Robbins, Schermerhorn, Schooleraft, Schoonmaker, Scudder, Origen S. Seymour, Stanly, Benjamin Stanton, Frederick P. Stanton, Richard H. Stanton, Abraham P. Stevens, Sweetser, Taylor, Benjamin Thompson, George W. Thompson, Thurston, Walbridge, Walsh, Washburn, Welch, Wells, Williams, and Yates-94.

NAYS-Messrs. Abercrombie, Aiken, Willis Allen, Allison, Andrews, Averett, Babcock, Bartlett, Bocock, Bragg, Brenton, Albert G. Brown, E. Carrington Cabell, Caldwell, Cartter, Chastain, Churchwell, Clingman, Cobb, Colcock, Cullom, Curtis, John G. Davis, Dean, Dunham, Edgerton, Ewing, Freeman, Thomas J. D. Fuller, Grey, Hall, Hamilton, Isham G. Harris, Sampson W. Harris, Henn, Hibbard, Hillyer, Holladay, Howard, Thomas Y. How, Jackson, Jenkins, Andrew Johnson, James Johnson, George W. Jones, McCorkle, McMullin, Meade, Millson, Murphy, Nabers, Orr, Penn, Phelps, Powell, Ross, Savage, Smith,

Alexander H. Stephens, St. Martin, Stuart, Townshend, Venable, Wallace, Ward, Watkins, Alexander White, Wilcox, and Woodward-69.

So the rules were not suspended.

RIGHT OF STATES TO EXCLUDE NEGROes. Mr. CLINGMAN. I ask the unanimous consent to offer a resolution; and if there be objection, I will move a suspension of the rules.

The resolution was then read for information, as follows:

Whereas some of the States of the Union have in their constitutions provided for the absolute exclusion of free negroes from their several territories, while others have sought to attain the same object by legislation: And whereas complaints have at times been made of these things by other States and Nations: Therefore,

Resolved, That in the opinion of the House of Representatives, it is the unquestionable right of each one of the States of the Union to exclude, either wholly or partially, from her territory negroes, whether free or slaves, and that the exercise of this right affords no just ground of complaint to any other Nation or State.

Mr. JOHN W. HOWE objected.

Mr. CLINGMAN. Then I move a suspension of the rules, and upon that motion demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

The question was then taken, and there were yeas 69, nays 85, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Aiken, William Appleton, Thomas H. Bayly, Bibighaus, Bocock, Bragg, Breckenridge, Albert G. Brown, Busby, E. Carrington Cabell, Caldwell, Chastain, Clingman, Cobb, Colcock, Cullom, Curtis, Dimmick, Disney, Dockery, Ewing, Ficklin, Fitch, Florence, Gaylord, Gentry, Gilmore, Grey, Hall, Hamilton, Isham G. Harris, Sampson W. Harris, Hart, Henn, Hillyer, Holliday, Houston, Howard, Jackson, Andrew Johnson, George W. Jones, J. Glancy Jones, Kurtz, Letcher, Lockhart, Mason, McCorkle, McMullin, McNair, Meade, Miller, Morehead, Murphy, Nabers, Orr, Outlaw, Penn, Phelps, Polk, Porter, Powell, Robinson, Savage, Smith, Stanly, Frederick P. Stanton, Richard H. Stanton, Strother, Stuart, Venable, Wallace, Walsh, Ward, Watkins, Addison White, Alexander White, Wilcox, and Woodward-69.

NAYS-Messrs. Abercrombie, Willis Allen, Allison, John Appleton, Averett, Babcock, Barrere, Bartlett, Bell, Bissell, Brenton, Briggs, Buell, Thompson Campbell, ⚫ Cartter, Chandler, Chapman, Churchwell, Clark, Cleveland, Conger, George T. Davis, John G. Davis, Dawson, Dean, Doty, Duncan, Dunham, Edgerton, Fowler, Thomas J. D. Fuller, Goodenow, Grow, Harper, Haws, Hascall, Haven, Hebard, Hibbard, Horsford, John W. Howe, Thomas M. Howe, Thomas Y. How, Ingersoll, Ives, James Johnson, John Johnson, Daniel T. Jones, Preston King, Kuhns, Martin, McLanahan, Miner, Henry D. Moore, Morrison, Murray, Newton, Andrew Parker, Peaslee, Penniman, Rantoul, Robbins, Ross, Sackett, Schermerhorn, Schoolcraft, Schoonmaker, Scudder, David L. Seymour, Origen 8. Seymour, Benjamin Stanton, Abr'm P. Stevens, Alexander H. Stephens, Sutherland, Sweetser, Taylor, Benjamin Thompson, George W. Thompson, Thurston, Townshend, Tuck, Walbridge, Washburn, Welch, Wells, and Williams-85.

So the House refused to suspend the rules.
Before the vote was announced,

Mr. HAMILTON said that he was requested to state that Mr. SMART was absent from the House in consequence of indisposition.

Mr. CLEVELAND also, when his name was called, said that he was opposed to agitation, and, therefore, voted no.

(A message was here received from the President

of the United States, by the hand of MILLARD P. FILLMORE, his Private Secretary.]

CLAIMS ALLOWED BY THE DEPARTMENTS. Mr. FULLER, of Maine, asked the unanimous consent of the House to- introduce a resolution, which was read for information, as follows:

Resolved, That the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of War, and the Postmaster General be, and hereby are, instructed to cause to be reported to this House, as soon as may be practicable, full and compiete lists of all claims, if any, (including principal and interest, and designating each separately,) allowed and paid by the respective Departments, or any Bureaus thereof, since the 4th day of March, A. D. 1849, which had been previously presented, suspended, or disallowed, in whole or in part; and specifying the character of such claims; and also, that they cause to be reported the names of all persons who at any time acted as the agents or solicitors for said claims, and the persons who received any portion thereof, or were interested therein.

Mr. SMITH gave notice of his intention to introduce a bill to establish the following post roads in Alabama, to wit: From Tuskaloosa, via Hardy Clement's Cotton Factory, to Scottsville, in Bibb county.

From Fayette Court-House, via Newtonville, to Reform, in Pickens county.

From Fayette Court-House, via Big Pond and Mud Creek and Olinda, to Columbus, Mississippi.

Mr. DOTY gave notice of his intention to introduce a bill with the following title:

"A bill to establish a Bureau of Printing in the Department of the Interior; and providing for the execution of all printing required by Congress, and by the executive Departments."

PETITIONS, &c.

The following petitions, memorials, &c., were presented under the rule, and referred to the appropriate committees: By Mr. DAWSON: The petition of David Tate, a private in the war of 1812, praying for a pension on account of injuries received.

Also, the petition of Peter Lane, praying for a grant of land for services rendered during the war with Great Britain.

Also, the petition of the citizens of Greene county, praying for a post route from Waynesburg to Middlebourne, Virginia.

By Mr. SEYMOUR, of New York: Two memorials of the city of Troy, New York, praying the erection of buoys in the Hudson river, and the improvement of its navigation between Troy and Albany.

By Mr. BRIGGS: The resolution by the Common Council of the city of New York, tendering the General Government a site for a Mint in that city.

By Mr. MILLER: The memorial of sundry citizens of Missouri, praying the establishment of a mail route from Shelbyville to Kirksville, Missouri.

By Mr. SWEETSER: The petition of G. W. Helwick and 52 others, citizens of Franklin county, for an increase of mail facilities, &c.

By Mr. MARSHALL, of California: A petition from the officers engaged in the coast survey in California and Oregon, for additional compensation.

By Mr. BABCOCK: The petition of citizens of Madison County, New York, praying Congress to make an appropriation to pay the charges and expenses accruing upon the goods exhibited by American citizens at the World's Fair.

By Mr. PORTER: The petition of James H. Robinson, guardian of Nathaniel Patten, a minor, and only heir of Nathaniel Patten, late of Missouri, deceased.

By Mr. WHITE, of Alabama: Á petition for the removal of the land office at Lebanon, Alabama, to Goshen, Cherokec county.

By Mr. PEASLEE: The petition of John Brown, jun., for a pension.

By Mr. INGERSOLL: The petition of Rebecca Napes and others, of the State of Connecticut, heirs of Paul Napes, asking for relief.

By Mr. FULLER, of Maine: The memorial and petition of Iddo K. Tolman and 63 others, citizens of Maine, asking Congress to make an appropriation for a breakwater on the eastern side of the Island of Matinicus, for the safety and protection of navigation and commerce.

Also, the memorial of J. D. Parker and 108 others, citizens of the counties of Washington and Hamilton, Maine,

praying Congress that a light-house may be established on Eastern Island, at or near the entrance of Goulsborough harbor, in the town of Steuben, in said State.

Also, the memorial of Mark Trafton and others, praying Congress to pass a special law allowing manufactured lumber, exclusively of the growth and production of the soil of Maine, and which may be manufactured at the Aroostook falls on the Aroostook river, situated partly in the State of Maine and partly in the Province of New Brunswick, to be imported into the United States free of duty..

IN SENATE.
TUESDAY, January 20, 1852.

Prayer by the Rev. L. F. MORGAN.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION. The following message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. M. P. FILLMORE, his Private Secretary; which was read: To the Senate and House of Representatives:

I transmit to Congress a report from the Secretary of State, accompanied by a letter to him from the coutractors for paying the installment of Mexican indemnity due on the 31st of May next, and respectfully invite attention to the subject. MILLARD FILLMORE. WASHINGTON, January 19, 1852. Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Finance and printed.

PETITIONS.

Mr. BADGER presented a memorial of Washington A. Bartlett and other officers of the Navy, praying additional pay during their service in the Pacific; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. MILLER presented the petition of the heirs of William Tuttle, a revolutionary officer, praying to be allowed commutation pay; which was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

Mr. JONES, of Iowa, presented the petition of Margaret Farrer, praying that a sum of money due her under the treaty of 1836 with the Sac and Fox Indians, may be paid; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Mr. GWIN presented the memorial of Thomas O. Larkin, praying compensation for supplies furnished for the use of the California battalion during the late war with Mexico; which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. BRODHEAD presented the memorial of the Marine Insurance Company of Philadelphia, praying that the salary of the United States' district judge at Key West, in Florida, may be increased; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. NORRIS submitted additional documents in relation to the petition of Isaac Adams; which were referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Mr. SHIELDS presented a petition of citizens of Washington, D. C., praying the improvement of Delaware Avenue, north of the Capitol; which was referred to the Committee for the District of Columbia.

Mr. SEWARD presented a resolution of the Board of Aldermen and Board of Assistants of the city of New York, tendering to the United States a plot of ground in that city for the erection of a Mint; which was referred to the Committee on Finance, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. BRADBURY presented the memorial of the administrator of Charles Foster, praying the appointment of a tribunal for reviewing the decis

ions of the late Board of Commissioners for settling claims against Mexico.

Ordered, That it lie on the table..

Mr. DAVIS submitted additional documents in relation to the petition of John W. Whipple; which were referred to the Committee of Claims.

PAPERS WITHDRAWN AND REFERRED.

On motion by Mr. HUNTER, it was Ordered, That the memorial of the representatives of William Teas, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

On motion by Mr. HUNTER, it was

Ordered, That the petition of Elizabeth Jones, heir of John Carr, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Pensions.

On motion by Mr. MALLORY, it was Ordered, That the memorial of George McKay, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

On motion by Mr. MALLORY, it was Ordered, That the petition of Gilbert Knapp, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee of Claims. On motion by Mr. MALLORY, it was

Ordered, That the memorial of the heirs of Darius Garrason, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee of Clains.

On motion by Mr. RUSK, it was

Ordered, That the memorial of the widow of Marvin W. Fisher, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

On motion by Mr. SEWARD, it was

Ordered, That the petition of Anna Norton and Louis Foskit, heirs at law of Zephaniah Ross, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Pensions.

On motion by Mr. SEWARD, it was • Ordered, That leave be granted to withdraw from the files of the Senate the documents in relation to the claims of Charles Reeder, Walter R. Johnson, and the legal representatives of Thomas P. Jones.

On motion by Mr. DAVIS, it was

Ordered, That the petition of citizens of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, on the files of the Senate, in relation to the improvement of North river, be referred to the Committee on Commerce.

On motion by Mr. DAVIS, it was

Ordered, That the resolutions of the corporate authorities of Lynn, Massachusetts, with the documents on the files of the Senate relating to the establishment of a port of entry at that place, be referred to the Committee on Com

merce.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES. Mr. UPHAM, from the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, to whom was referred the petition of John T. Sullivan, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill for his relief, which was read and passed to a second reading.

Ordered, That the report be printed.

Mr. MALLORY, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred the memorial and papers of Joseph Gideon, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill for his relief.

The bill was read and passed to the second reading.

Ordered, That the report be printed.

Mr. M.,also, from the same committee, to whom was referred the memorial and papers of John O. Means, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill for his relief.

The bill was read and passed to the second reading.

Ordered, That the report be printed.

Mr. WADE, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of Robert Piatt, submitted an adverse report, which was ordered to be printed.

Mr. SHIELDS, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill to reimburse the Common Council of New York expenditures made for the first regiment of New York volunteers.

Mr. FELCH, from the Committee on Public Lands, to whom was referred the bill granting the right of way to the State of Missouri, and a portion of the public lands to aid in the construction of a railroad from Hannibal to St. Joseph, in said State, reported it with an amendment.

He also, from the same committee, to whom was referred the bill granting to the State of Michigan the right of way and a donation of the public lands for the purpose of constructing a canal or railroad across the peninsula of Michigan, reported it without amendment.

Mr. GWIN, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred the resolution to authorize an investigation into the causes of the explosion of steam-boilers, and the best means of preventing the same, reported it with an amend

ment.

He also, from the same committee, to whom was referred the proceedings of a court of inquiry in the case of William K. Latimer, a captain in the Navy, reported the following resolution:

Resolved, That the charges and specifications, and also the report and opinion of a court of inquiry in the case of William K. Latimer, and the letter of the Secretary of the Navy transmitting the same, and the general order in said case, dated July 1, 1851, be printed for the use of the Senate.

Mr. BORLAND, from the Committee on Public Lands, to whom was referred the bill granting to the State of Arkansas the right of way and a portion of the public lands to aid in the construction of a railroad from a point on the western bank of the Mississippi river, opposite the town of Memphis, Tennessee, by way of Little Rock, to a point on Red river, on the border of Texas, reported it with an amendment.

He also, from the same committee, to whom was referred the bill granting the right of way and

making a grant of land to the State of Arkansas in aid of the construction of certain railroads in said State, reported it without amendment.

He also, from the same committee, to whom was referred the bill granting to the State of Arkansas the right of way and making a donation of a portion of the public lands to aid in the construction of a railroad from Helena to Fort Smith, in Arkansas, reported it without amendment,

Mr. SHIELDS, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill entitled "A bill for the relief of David C. Cash and Giles U. Ellis," reported it without amendment, and that it ought not to pass.

Mr. DOWNS, from the Committee on Private Land Claims, to whom was referred the petition of John Ervin, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill, to confirm the claim of John Ervin to a certain tract of land in the De Bastrop claim. The bill was read and passed to a second reading.

Ordered, That the report be printed.

Mr. DAWSON, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the petition of George Poindexter, reported a bill for his relief; which was read and passed to the second reading. On motion by Mr. FELCH, it was

Ordered, That the Committee on Public Lands be dis charged from the further consideration of six petitions of citizens of Michigan, in relation to the Zilwaukie, Grand Traverse, and Mackinaw Plank Road Company; a memorial of the Legislature of Missouri, in relation to the Lexington and Daviess County Railroad; a memorial of the Legislature of Missouri, in relation to a plank road from Tully, in that State, to Bloomfield, Iowa; a memorial of the Legislature of Missouri, in relation to the Northern Missouri Railroad; a petition of citizens of Wisconsin, presented January 2; a memorial of a railroad convention of Iowa, presented December 22, 1851; a petition of citizens of Iowa, presented January 14; and a memorial of a convention of citizens of Iowa, presented January 10.

On motion by Mr. SHIELDS, it was Ordered, That the Committee on Military Affairs be discharged from the further consideration of the memorial of Thomas Kennedy, and the memorial of Gabriel Villeré.

BILLS INTRODUCED.

Mr. SHIELDS, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill to amend an act entitled "An act to incorporate the Washington Gaslight Company," approved July 8, 1848; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee for the District of Columbia.

Mr. BAYARD, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill concerning the sessions of the courts of the United States in the district of Delaware; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. UNDERWOOD, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill granting lands and the right of way to the States of Indiana and Illinois in aid of the construction of a railroad from a point on the Ohio river opposite Louisville, Kentucky, to a point on the Mississippi river opposite St. Louis, in Missouri; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. GWIN, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill to provide for the appointment of a superintendent of Indian affairs in California; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

He also, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill to release the bonds given for duties on goods, wares, and merchandise, destroyed by fire in the city of San Francisco, in California, and for other purposes; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Finance.

REPORT OF SENATE PROCEEDINGS.

Mr. NORRIS submitted the following resolution for consideration:

Also, what part of the same will be composed of statistical tables, and what part of other matter.

CLERKS TO COMMITTEES. On the motion of Mr. SEBASTIAN, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution submitted by him yesterday, in the following words:

"Resolved, That the Committee on Indian Affairs be authorized to employ a clerk during the present session of Congress."

Mr. DAWSON. I move to amend by adding, "and the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office."

Mr. HALE. I move to amend the amendment by adding, "and the Committee on Engrossed Bills."

Mr. CASS. I would like to know' whether these applications are made by order of the committees. I wish to know whether these committees deem the employment of these clerks necessary.

Mr. HALE. I will answer the honorable Senator so far as the Committee on Engrossed Bills is concerned. That committee has not considered this matter, because there has been no room assigned where they might meet for consultation. Mr. CASS. That is enough.

The amendment to the amendment was rejected. The question then recurred on the amendment. Mr. DAWSON. If there is any committee besides the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Pensions which needs a clerk, it is the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office. There are numerous applications for extensions of patents made to that committee, which require a great deal of investigation, and a great deal of running to the Patent Office. Every member belonging to that committee would be relieved of a great deal of trouble by the appointment of a clerk. I think it due to that committee that it may be thus relieved, and I have therefore offered this amend

ment.

Mr. CASS. Did I understand the honorable Senator to say that the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office have applied for this clerk?

Mr. DAWSON. We have not made an order to that effect, but there was an informal agreement by the majority of the committee, that a clerk was necessary for the transaction of their business, if a clerk was necessary for any other committee.

Mr. RUSK. If it be at the request of the committee, and they say that they desire the service of a clerk, and need his services, I shall be willing to vote them a clerk very cheerfully. But this proposition might embarrass the original resolution to give a clerk to the Committee on Indian Affairs. Mr. DAWSON. I can appeal to the chairman of the Committee on Patents to say whether this clerk is not necessary.

Mr. JAMES. I can only answer as a member of that committee, that the duties brought before the committee are very arduous, and that it is highly necessary we should have a clerk at an early day.

Mr. CASS. If we are to hold the committees responsible for the employment of these clerks, we should require some formal action from the committees; we should have their approbation of the measure and hold them responsible for it.

Mr. BADGER. I suppose the only thing necessary is to be satisfied that the committee deems a clerk necessary, and desires to have a clerk. Whether that desire is manifested by individual members or by any particular member under the instruction of the committee, it seems to me that it makes no kind of difference in the practical result. These gentlemen say their committee needs a clerk, and that they desire a clerk; therefore I am for giving them one.

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be and he is hereby authorized and instructed to audit, and from time to time to settle the account of John C. Rives for the reports of the Senate proceedings and debates published in the Daily Globe, at $7 50 per column.

CENSUS RETURNS.

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Interior be requested to furnish the Senate with an estimate of the number of pages which the census returns will contain if the same shall be completed on the plan now pursued by the Census Bureau.

ever, the Senate is aware of a great accumulation of business upon the hands of that committee. Constituted, as it is, with some of its members disqualified, from ill health and other reasons, for attending upon the committee, I will say that it is

totally impossible to discharge the duties incumbent upon the members of the committee as such, in addition to the ordinary legislative duties required of them in their capacity as members of this body.

There has been a vast accumulation of business upon the hands of this committee. I believe that something like fifty treaties negotiated by the Government are now before the committee for consideration. It must be borne in mind, also, that our relations and our policy in reference to the Indian tribes constitute probably the most variegated piece of patchwork, in defiance of our general regulations of the system, of all the legislation of this Government in reference to any subject whatever.

I have felt it necessary to make these explanations in view of what I saw was evidently a misapprehension on the part of some gentlemen here. The committee ask for this clerk, not as a personal exemption from duties, but as something which they deem absolutely indispensable to a proper discharge of those duties.

Mr. DAWSON. I do not feel at all inclined to embarrass the action of the Senate; and as the idea has been suggested to me, that the amendment which I have proposed might injure the direct application of the chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs, I will withdraw the amendment which I have offered.

Mr. BRIGHT. I have no idea that any objection I can make will influence the Senate to vote down this proposition; nevertheless this consideration shall not deter me from an effort to correct that which I regard as an abuse; for every proposition that adds a clerk to the committees of the Senate, I regard as an abuse, and it cannot have my vote. Heretofore the Committee on Finance have had a clerk, and I am willing to admit there was a propriety in this, during the actual sessions of Congress, for the labors of this committee are of a kind, that a competent man can make himself useful as clerk. But there are reasons, operating in favor of the employment of a clerk by this committee, that do not exist with any other of the body. I need not waste time on this point. Senators all know to what I refer.

A few days since we ordered clerks for the committees on Naval Affairs and Commerce, now we are asked to order clerks for the Indian and Committee on Patents, and if the order is made (as I presume it will be, judging from the past, and in view of the great facility with which we act affirmatively on all such matters,) we will be asked grant clerks to every standing committee of this body. Why the Committee on Naval Affairs should ask a clerk, is a matter of astonishment to me. What duty will the clerk of that committee perform. Will he make up a brief in each case presented for the decision of the committee, and decide the merits of the case? If so, we will have only the opinion of the clerk, and not the majority opinion of the committee, founded on an actual examination of the case. While, as a general rule, I might be willing to act upon the opinion of a Senator, expressed after a full examination of the report presented by him, I would not be thus willing to adopt and act upon the opinion of a clerk of whom I know nothing, and who has no legislative responsibility. I was for several years a member of the Naval Committee, and therefore I have singled out and remarked upon what I considered the claims of this committee, and have no hesitation in saying, that while I had the honor of a place on that committee, I should have opposed the employment of a clerk, on the ground he would have been a useless piece of furniture, so far as the proper legitimate business of the committee was concerned. It would be a source of convenience to every Senator to have the services of a competent gentleman, about his general business affairs, transacting business at Departments, and keeping up his correspondence; and I do not say there would be anything wrong in thus employing an employee of the committee; but if this abuse (for as such, I can only characterize it) is to exist, and grow into a practice, let it be general-give all the committees of the body clerks, and then we will all be upon an equal footing. If this resolution be adopted, as a matter of course we will expect to order a clerk for each standing committee. Mr. BADGER. I do not know how my honorable friend from Indiana undertakes so confidently to determine upon what is and what is not

required by all the committees of this body. I think it would be much better for us to rely upon the determinations of the committees themselves; to allow them to speak for their own committees, and to confine ourselves, as a former Senator from Missouri [Mr. BENTON] used to say, to our own bailiwicks.

The Senator from Indiana has referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, and supposes that that committee cannot have any need of a clerk. This is but an instance to show the hazard which any gentleman undertakes, in pronouncing an opinion upon the condition of other committees than his own. Sir, we have very great need of a clerk. In the condition of affairs before the Naval Committee at this time, we have need of an active and intelligent clerk. We have need of him to facilitate our transactions in the business which the Senate has committed to us. We have need of him, to enable us to carry on the necessary intercourse between us and the Department, and the various bureaus of the Department; for the purpose of collecting the information which is required to facilitate those inquiries which the Senate has demanded of us to make, and how we are to report our own judgment. We do not want a clerk to communicate his judgment to us. We want him there to get together such materials as we may require, in order to enable us to form our own judgments. The honorable Senator says that the Committee on Naval Affairs has nothing for a clerk to do; and he supposes this to be the case with regard to every committee of the Senate, except the Committee on Finance. He says that it is, nevertheless, very convenient to have a clerk, in order that|| he may attend to the private business of members of the committee. Do I understand the Senator to mean by that, that clerks are asked for by committees here when they have no use for them, with regard to the discharge of their Senatorial duties; but that they are actually practising an imposition upon this body, by asking for officers to be employed at the public expense, to attend to the private business of members? I am sure that the honorable Senator should not make such an imputation as this, unless he could produce some evidence to sustain it. It impeaches the honorthe personal honor, the official honor-it impeaches the respectability of honorable gentlemen as members of this body, if there be any individual upon any committee who is supposed to be influenced by any such low, groveling, personal purpose, in asking for a clerk.

regard to myself say that when I wished a clerk to be appointed by the naval committee I had no personal business of my own for him to do. My own business I do myself. Whether well or ill done, it is done by myself, and without the assistance of others. I feel very well satisfied that no gentleman associated with me upon the Committee on Naval Affairs wishes a clerk for any such indirect personal object. But how does it happen that the honorable Senator admits that the Committee on Finance have need of a clerk? Why has the Committee on Finance need of a clerk? Is it on account of the peculiar nature of the business which that committee has to do? Or is it on account of the amount of business which that committee is called upon to perform? I presume that other committees of this body need a clerk as well as the Committee on Finance. There is nothing in the name of that committee which makes a distinction and shows it should have such assistance, and that other committees should not have it. I have no doubt that the Committee on Finance eminently needs a clerk. The Senate has been in the habit of furnishing a clerk to that committee, and I have always been glad to see it done. But when honorable members upon this floor announce to me that, in their judgment, the convenient dispatch of the public business committed to them requires that they should be furnished with a clerk, I shall always feel it to be my duty to presume that they are actuated by public considerations, and are not asking to obtain any private advantage.

Now, with regard to this committee, after what has been said by the chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs, [Mr. SEBASTIAN,] it seems to me that it would be difficult for us to furnish a satisfactory reason why we should refuse to this committee what we have granted to other committees. We have granted a clerk to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, at

the head of which is my honorable friend from Texas, [Mr. RUSK.] Every one well knows why it is necessary that that committee should have a clerk. My friend from Texas said on a former occasion that that committee did need a clerk. I am satisfied that he said so because he believed it, and that nothing would have induced him to say it if he had not believed it. So it is with regard to the Committee on Military Affairs, of whose business I have had some experience; and I have known the business of that committee to suffer for want of such assistance.

With regard to the expenditure involved in this, permit me to say that it is a little of "penny wisdom and pound folly," while we are ready to pour out the public money at the bung, to be so carefully engaged in stopping a little spiggot-hole out of which but a small portion of the public treasure oozes; and especially when it is expended for the purpose of enabling committees more satisfactorily to themselves, and more beneficially to the country, to discharge the duties imposed upon them.

The honorable Senator from Indiana thinks that members of committees ought to take this labor upon themselves; and he says he is willing to do it. I believe he is. He is a young man; a man in vigorous health, and is fond of labor. He is pleased with a kind of investigation, which to me is absolutely repulsive. Let him go on then, and devote those powers which he possesses to the service of the Senate, in the honorable and efficient manner that he now does; but do not let him deny to those of us who have not the same capacity, and that kind of business facility which our age, or indisposition, or any other cause may render necessary, to enable us to come at a practical and beneficial result of our operations.

Mr. HUNTER. I move to postpone the further consideration of this subject until to-morrow, in order that we may get at the special order of the day, which is the bounty land bill.

Mr. BRIGHT. This is rather an unimportant matter; but since the remarks of the honorable Senator from North Carolina, I must be indulged with a short reply. I employed no such language in my previous remarks as that Senator attributes to me, nor did anything which I said justify the construction which that honorable Senator sought in his remarks to put upon mine. I said not a word which could, by implication even, be regarded as reflecting upon the honor or integrity of any Senator, and I venture the assertion that the honin this misconception of that which I did salont said in general terms that I believe clerks to committees of this body useless appendages, as far as the legitimate business of this body was concerned, and their employment an abuse of our privileges here; and this I again repeat, not by way of censure to others who may take a different view of this subject, but by way of expressing my decided condemnation of thus summarily fastening on to the Treasury a new batch of pensioners; for mark, sir, every one of the individuals provided to be employed under this and similar resolutions, will be continued over at the end of this to the opening of the next Congress, and so on from year to year, adding another and another to the long list of abuses that are daily creeping into every department of this Capitol. And again mark, at the end of this session, about the last day or night thereof, you will have a resolution offered by some kindlydisposed Senator, giving, in addition to the $1,500 per annum now paid clerks, a gratification of $250 more; and this will not only be done at the long, but unless a new practice obtains, these very clerks, that are now employed only for present use, will be continued over to the short session, and the same salary be given for three months work, and the $250 extra pay again added. I am speaking of the probable future, having my eye on the past; and I have on this point only said what I feel quite sure will be realized, unless a great change takes place in our mode of legislation.

Senator from North Carolina_stands

The honorable Senator from North Carolina feels at liberty to read me a lecture on account of my notice of the Naval Committee, I spoke in the most respectful terms of that important committee, and remarked that when I was a member of it, as I had been for two or three sessions past, the chairman and members of it had experienced no inconvenience for the want of a olerk, and that I was not aware of any greater necessity for a clerk

ing future. As the eulogist of General Jackson once said, I hope the Senator will listen to the footsteps of coming generations, and legislate for all time, so that when it does happen, as I have no doubt it some time will happen, when the majority will be in opposition to the Administration, we shall have some little patronage of our own about which we need not consult the President. This is what I consider taking a national view of the thing. I consider this as rising above such little picayune things as the writing of reports, and as going to establish the character and policy of the Government. In this view, it seems to me if the Senate had listened and attended to this, I am certain they would not have refused to give the Committee on Engrossed Bills a clerk. I have been frequently called out when my friend from North Carolina was making a speech, to examine an engrossed bill, and to certify to its correctness. This requires deliberation.

now than then. And now, notwithstanding the this oppressive labor by the establishing of a preopinions of the honorable Senator from North cedent which we are this day setting. I trust that Carolina, expressed in a very authoritative man- the honorable Senator from Indiana will take a ner, I beg leave again to say, that I do not be-national view of the thing, and look into the comlieve the Naval Committee can find employment for a clerk; and I will go further and add, that there is not a committee of this body, unless it be the Committee on Finance, that can profitably employ one, so far as the interests of the public are concerned. Whether while I was a member of the Committee on Naval Affairs I coptributed in the least degree to lighten the labors of the honorable Senator from North Carolina, who was never known to shrink from any responsibility or the performance of any duties, is a matter of very little consequence at this time. The question now is, whether the public interest will be promoted by this loose system of creating a new set of useless officers. I think not, and have plainly given some of my reasons, without intending to offend in the slightest degree any Senator. Knowing, however, what I do, as to the manner such propositions as this are generally disposed of here, I cannot say that I have the least idea it will be defeated, and consider all I have or might say in opposition to the resolution as labor lost. I am content to affix my mark of opposition upon it, and let it go.

Mr. BADGER. I wish to remind the honorable Senator from Indiana of two things with regard to the Naval Committee, which seem to have escaped his recollection. In the first place, while he was a member of that committee, he was a member of one or two other committees, furnishing so much occupation for his time that it was very seldom that we could get on that committee the assistance which his labors and his counsel would have afforded. Hence, with my friend from New Jersey, [Mr. MILLER,] at that time a member of the committee, and the then Senator from Florida, [Mr. YULEE,] who was at the head of the committee, we had thrown upon us an amount of labor and responsibility under which we were borne and pressed down, and in which the honorable Senator from Indiana shared very little, and of the oppressive character of which he knew nothing. That is the first fact.

Then I wonder that the honorable Senator has not thought of the other fact; and that is, we now have the State of California in the Union, and it would require a clerk to attend to the business of that State, while the members of the committee were able to attend to the rest of the United States.

Mr. HALE. I did not intend to mingle in this debate, but as the honorable Senator from North Carolina says he has been oppressed, and as I feel myself bound to advocate the cause of the oppressed, I want to say a word or two. It strikes me that we are making mistakes in the discussion of this matter. That is, we are going too much into detail. We are not taking a national view of the thing. I want to suggest a national view of this matter. We are not only doing what we are doing for to-day, but we are making precedents, and they will stick and be followed hereafter. I wish now to suggest a possible state of things which may exist hereafter. It may be that in the coming years that are before us, there will be an administration of the General Government in

I shall vote for the motion of the honorable Senator from Virginia, [Mr. HUNTER,] to postpone this resolution until to-morrow, for I think that a thing of this sort should not be done in a hurry. I hope that this resolution may be postponed to a day certain, so that we may give it that due deliberation which it deserves.

Mr. HUNTER. As the time has arrived for the consideration of the special order, I withdraw the motion I made a while ago, and move that the subject be laid upon the table.

Mr. BADGER and others. Let us vote on the resolution.

Mr. HUNTER. As it is suggested that the resolution may now be voted upon, I withdraw that motion.

The resolution was then adopted.

FOREIGN INTERVENTION.

Mr. CASS. I desire to lay upon the table, with the view of having it printed, a resolution which I intend to offer as a substitute for the resolution offered by the Senator from Rhode Island, Mr. CLARKE, yesterday. I was not present when the Senator offered his resolution, and I merely wish now that the paper I offer may be printed, and to give notice that when the resolution comes up, I will move this as a substitute.

The substitute proposed is as follows: Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That while the people of the United States sympathize with all nations who are striving to establish free governments, yet they recognize the great principle of the law of nations which assures to each of them the right to manage its own internal affairs in its own way, and to establish, alter, or abolish its government at pleasure, without the interference of any other Power; and they have not seen, nor could they again see, without deep concern, the violation of this principle of national independence.

The PRESIDENT. This can only be received informally.

Mr. CASS. I merely wish that this resolution may be printed, so that when the resolution of the honorable Senator from Rhode Island comes up I may be able to offer this as a substitute.

The resolution was ordered to be printed. Mr. SEWARD submitted the following informally, that it might be printed. It is an amendment which he will offer to the joint resolutions offered by Mr. CLARKE:

Strike out all after the second resolution, and insert the following as a substitute:

Resolved, That while the United States, in consideration of the exigencies of society, habitually recognize governments de facto in other States, yet that they are nevertheless by no means indifferent when such a government is established against the consent of any people by usurpation

or by armed intervention of foreign states or nations.

power, and a majority of the Senate in opposition. Well, then, we that are in opposition will have some friends; our friends will come here and want places. We cannot give them places unless we make some neat little places in the committees, where we shall not have a President to interfere to nominate. We want places where we can confirm without a nomination. I think, in view of what may possibly occur hereafter, an arrangement of this sort will be very convenient. Although I have but very few friends, they are enough to be troublesome, especially to a man who has no sort of influence with the Administration; and it is exceedingly convenient, when all these places are filled by our enemies, to say, at least, there is a little clerkship in our committee which the Senate, for their own purposes, hold in their own hands. In that way we would be doing a great public good-granting relief to those who are oppressed by that labor under which the honorable Senator from North Carolina has suffered until the marks of premature age are creeping upon him. I say, that while the Senate would be doing a great pub- oppression, and usurpation, whenever or wherever they lic good, they would be relieving themselves from

Resolved, That considering that the people of Hungary, in the exercise of the rights secured to them by the laws of nations in a solemn and legitimate manner, asserted their national independence and established a government by their own voluntary act, and successfully maintained it against all opposition by parties lawfully interested in the question, and that the Emperor of Russia, without just or lawful right, invaded Hungary, and by fraud and armed force subverted the national independence and political constitution thus established, and thereby reduced that country to the condition of a province, ruled by a foreign absolute power: The United States, in defence of their own interests and of the common interests of mankind, do solemnly protest against the conduct of Russia on that occasion, as a wanton and tyrannical infraction of the laws of nations. And the United States do further declare, that they will not hereafter be indifferent to similar acts of national injustice,

may occur.

ASSIGNABILITY OF LAND WARRANTS. The Senate then proceeded to the consideration of the special order, being a bill to authorize the transfer of land warrants issued under the act of September 28, 1850, granting bounty land to the officers and privates of the American army since 1790.

The PRESIDENT. The joint resolution was considered by the Senate as in Committee of the Whole, and was amended. It was then reported to the Senate, and the question now is on an amendment offered by the Senator from Wiscon sin, [Mr. WALKER.]

Mr. WALKER. After the yeas and nays were ordered on this proposition yesterday, there were some observations made by the Senator from Arkansas, [Mr. BORLAND,] and others by the Senator from Michigan, [Mr. FELCH,] to which I wish to offer a few words in reply. The objec tion of the Senator from Arkansas is to the proposition on account of its connection with the main subject under consideration; and he seemed to intinate that if my amendment were offered as an independent proposition, he would vote for it. His objection to it appeared to be its connection with this joint resolution.

Mr. BORLAND. Will the Senator from Wisconsin allow me to interrupt him for the purpose of making a single remark? and perhaps I can thereby save him the necessity of making the ob servation he was about to make in reply.

Mr. WALKER. I give way to the Senator from Arkansas.

Mr. BORLAND. I desire to correct, to some extent, a short remark which I made yesterday. Upon looking over the report of my remarks in the paper this morning, as well as adverting to my recollection of what I said at the time, I find that I took a position which I would not be able fully to stand upon. That, however, arises from the fact that I misconceived, to some extent, the proposition of the Senator from Wisconsin. The subject of preemption was under consideration when he made his proposition; and the impression made upon my mind was, that his proposition referred to preemption rights, and not to an absolute donation of land to actual settlers, without any compensation being given by them to the Government. I desire to say now, that I would not be willing to go for such a proposition. My understanding of it was, that it included only preemption rights, and to that extent I would be willing to go. make this observation with the view of correcting my remark yesterday, and by way of explaining what I intended.

Mr. WALKER. The correction of the Senator from Arkansas will not change the course of observation which I was going to make, for the objection which he yesterday made to my amendment was one which is almost universally made to any amendment proposed in the Senate that embraces in itself the principal subject. That objection is, that the amendment is not offered in the proper place. That as a separate proposition it might or might not be supported. Now I think the amendment which I proposed yesterday is perfectly relevant to the subject under consideration. The subject in reality in its substance and intention, embraces a method of getting rid of the public lands. It cannot be contended that it is anything more or anything less. It is true that on its face it professes to be a proposition legalizing the assignment of land warrants; but we all know perfectly well that the operation of these assignments will be to open a new method of acquiring public lands by individuals, and a new method by which the General Government shall dispose of them. Now what I propose is an addition to this method of disposing of the public lands, so that we may give a free grant of a hundred and sixty acres of land to every person who will demonstrate in good faith his intention of becoming a resident upon the land, by dwelling upon it and cultivating it for five years. This is the proposition.

The objection of the Senator from Michigan, who is chairman of the Committee on Public Lands, was of a similar character to the objec tion urged by the Senator from Arkansas, but with this additional objection, that the proposition was sprung upon the Senate suddenly, and that it did not give the Senate proper time to deliberate upon it and to frame the necessary machinery by which to carry out the object. Now I regret that

the Senator from Michigan has made this objection, for, during the last Congress, I had before the Senate a bill for the purpose of relieving the General Government of all the burdens of the land system; to vest these lands in the governments of the several States in which they may he, and then going on to provide the machinery by which these provisions in favor of actual settlers should be carried out; and after long and mature deliberation and much debate, a majority of the Senate voted against it. The same principle was offered as an amendment to other bills, and it was still voted down. At this session I have again renewed the bill. It has been before the Committee on Public Lands since the commencement of the session. I have not heard from it since.

and I believe that it would be the best policy for the Government to allow the new settler to have his home, that he may contribute more in what he pays for articles imported into the country and thus increase the revenue from that source. believe it to be the best policy, and I do not urge it for the purpose of clap-trap, or as an item of thunder for myself. I am honest and sincere, and I shall continue to urge it so long as I believe it will be the best policy both for the States and for the Government. Then I do hope I may not be looked upon with a prejudiced eye when I urge this doctrine of giving the public lands to actual settlers. I am not peculiar in this. Some of the greatest minds in the country have believed it. As far back as the time of General Jackson he recommended it in four successive messages; Mr. Webster has also introduced a proposition of this nature here; and the honorable Senator from Illinois, [Mr. DOUGLAS,] and also the honorable Senator from Texas, [Mr. HOUSTON,] have introduced similar propositions; and it seems to me it is about time that the country should begin to look at the matter in its true light, in place of setting itself, through its representatives, against those who may urge its claims upon the Senate.

I do not wish to be understood as censuring the committee if they have not reported. It is an important committee, and has great and important duties to discharge, and it discharges them faithfully. But still I am not censurable for any delay in regard to this matter, for I have been industrious in bringing this proposition in all its details before the Senate. While that bill, introduced at the last session of Congress, and again introduced at this session, and at both sessions referred to the Com- I do not wish to detain the Senate, but I look mittee on Public Lands, embraces my own pecu- upon it as bidding a final farewell to the present liar views-if gentlemen see proper to consider land system with the prospect of the most melanthem peculiar-yet I think I ought not to be choly results. Sir, here are most of the States amenable to the language used by the Senator manifesting a belief that we should no longer seek from Louisiana, [Mr. Downs,] that I objected to a revenue from that quarter, but that these lands every other proposition because it was not my should be ceded for purposes of internal improve thunder. Now, this proposition is in character ment. But what is the course pursued now? You with that which I have been urging upon the atten- are making large grants for purposes of internal tion of the Senate. I am not tenacious with re- improvements, and when you throw into circulagard to who may avail himself of the proprietor- tion this immense amount of paper currency in ship of the thunder, so that I can accomplish the the shape of land warrants which you propose to end I desire. I am not very particular whether do by this bill, what is likely to be the real value the proposition which I first suggested be carried of the lands you grant for the building of railout or not; I would prefer it, but I do not adhere roads? Why, sir, these grants will be in a very tenaciously to it in the proposition which I measure valueless; they will become as nothing. now offer. I would relieve myself, if I had the You will derive no benefit by those grants, even power, from the duty of urging these views upon when they are made for the purpose of aiding the the Senate; for I am aware that I urge them States in the construction of railroads. But it apon unwilling ears. But let any one live in a may be said that this is a matter of no consenew State, and have the experience and opportu- quence to the old States and those in which no mity to make the observations that I have, and he public lands lie. I deny it; I do not think so. I would not wonder that I wish to see this system regard it as a matter of the highest importance to of granting the public lands adopted by the Gov-all the States, whether old or new. I say that so ernment so far as it applies to actual settlers.

long as the old States command the passes to the Atlantic ocean they are most deeply interested in all that affects the facilities of transportation of the various products of the Western country and of the Mississippi valley; and they are acting on a very short-sighted policy when they withhold these grants, or do anything which could lead to the frustration of the beneficial results to be de

may be the determination of the Senate eventually, it is bad policy to pass this measure at the present time. I think that, if it is to be passed, we had better wait till the end of the sessionuntil we can see what the States are likely to make of their several improvements, or what price they are likely to obtain for the lands through which these improvements are to be located; and not be making grants of land and then taking them back again because they will afford no revenue to the projectors of these improvements, owing to the immense number of land warrants thus thrown into the market. I believe that it would be much better to postpone the bill for the present, even if it should ultimately be passed.

Why, sir, take the State in which I live, which is not yet four years old as a State, and which as a Territory does not exceed fifteen years, and yet for the earth upon which our log-cabins are built, where our hearth-stones are erected, and where our homes are placed, in that new country, laboring under all the embarrassments which we have had to contend against, we have paid into the Treas-rived from them. Sir, I believe that, whatever ury of the United States upwards of seven millions of dollars; and that, too, from a State in which we have no public works constituting a great source of revenue to us, where it has been a constant struggle to get our public roads where we best can, to establish schools, and build mills and bridges, and establish the other conveniences of society. While all this has been the case, and every improvement has been a drain upon the energies of the settlers, we have had a continual drain from us of everything-every substantial footing on which we could rest. This was not the case with the old States. They were the proprietors of their own lands; and if they charged anything for the lands upon which the settlers located, the money received went into the treasury of their own State, and was disbursed among their own people. But we have made improvements which render the lands of the State valuable, and yet when sold the money is not disbursed from our State treasury, but it goes into the Treasury of the United States; and when we ask for a little - to be returned to protect life or property, or even enough to facilitate the construction of railroads or to improve the Fox or Wisconsin rivers, there seems to be the most astonishing opposition on the part of Senators to any such grant. And yet no State has paid so large an amount in the same time into the Post Office Department, and no State in the Union has paid so large an amount into the Treasury from the sale of public lands, and no State has been so little embarrassing to the Treas ury of the United States.

I am honest in the belief that we have already aid for our homes as much as we should pay,

Mr. DOUGLAS. This is a very important amendment, and I ask that it may be read. The amendment was read, as published in the Congressional Globe, page 303.

Mr. WALKER. Before anything further is said, I wish to state, that the proviso which is attached to that amendment, is one which is brought in, in view of opinions of other Senators, and not of my own. If I had brought in a proposition, imbodying my own views only, the restriction in the proviso to the amendment would not have been inserted.

Mr. UNDERWOOD. I do not rise for the purpose of entering into any argument with my friend from Wisconsin upon the propriety of his amendment. If we were to discuss the propriety of granting lands to those who have declared their intentions of becoming citizens of the United States, and thereby invite the foreign population of all the world to our shores, I think there would

be matter enough in that subject to occupy perhaps a month; we might say a great deal for and against such a proposition. Now, it seems to me it is too large a subject to be introduced here as an amendment, to encumber this bill which I had the honor of introducing, and I hope the bill may not be encumbered by it. The bill which I had the honor of originating simply designs to perfect a system in reference to grants of land to those who fought the battles of our country, and my friend's amendment proposes to introduce an unbounded grant of lands to those who have performed no civil service, much less military service, for the country. His amendment looks to the improvemeut of the land by the clearing of the forests and cultivating the soil, as an inducement upon which the grant is to be made. The policy which we have settled by past legislation, and that policy which my bill proposes to perfect, is to show a favor, to show a kindness, to make a gratuity in behalf of those who have rendered the country some military service, and thereby to encourage the whole country, whenever there shall be a war prevailing, whenever there is any necessity for military service, to run to the standard of the country. My little bill is to perfect that system which has been already adopted, while the proposition of the Senator from Wisconsin, is to cover the whole country with unbounded grants, not for civil or military service rendered to the country, but merely to improve the land.

I have already stated that it is a large theme to be connected with this bill, and if we attempt to do it, we shall be here for weeks, discussing this question. I hope those who have this little bill at heart, and who think we have perfected it by the amendments adopted yesterday, will not allow any other amendment to be attached to it, but just vote for the bill, and pass it as it is. If we can do this, we shall get clear of this proposition which has been pending for weeks, and can then go to the consideration of something else; and in the course of the session, I suppose my friend will have it in his power to go lengthily into the propriety of giving the grants which he proposes. I will not discuss this subject further, because I know that my example may operate as an inducement to others to do the same, and thereby there will be a consumption of the time of the Senate. I have ventured to make these few remarks in the hope that we might be allowed to have a vote taken upon the bill as it was perfected yesterday, without further discussion.

Mr. DAVIS. Mr. President, I wish to say that I concur in the remarks just made by the Senator from Kentucky. The measure now before the Senate is one of justice to persons already provided for. I made a pretty early struggle when that bill was up, to get rid of the clause which prevented the grantees from enjoying that property which we were to give, end which violates a principle which is usually conceded to persons holding property, to wit: the right of disposing of it in their own way. I foresaw the great inconvenience which they would labor under; I foresaw that it would be impossible for them to go into the enjoyment of the benefit which Congress was disposed to grant to them, provided it was trammeled in the way which the bill indicated. I believe that Congress has come at last to see that it is but just that these warrants should be made assignable, because it is very evident that those who live at a distance from these lands do not intend to go and occupy them, and cannot avail themselves of the benefit of the grant, unless the warrants are made assignable. It seems to me right that they should be made so. And now, I entreat the honorable Senator from Wisconsin not to interfere with a measure which is large enough to stand upon its own merits, and is comprehensive enough to command the attention of this body, and require a great deal of discussion before it can be matured. I entreat him not to embarrass this bill by the measure which he proposes. I hope he will withdraw his proposition, and that we may be allowed to pass the bill, so that the old soldier may have the benefit of the act.

I will say further, that I am rather inclined to favor the settlers when a suitable measure can be adopted, whenever it can be prudently and wisely. done. I am not unwilling to extend benefits to that class of our fellow-citizens; but at the same time, I shall be obliged to vote against it if it is proposed as an amendment here.