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honor and character of other Senators was not so high as to injure the reputation of any man, much less that of a Senator. I have fulfilled my task. It has been most reluctantly performed; but I could not avoid performing it. I have only acted on the defensive; and while I deprecate the necessity || which has compelled me to this course of action, I, at the same time, must render my profound acknowledgments to the Senate for the courtesy which has afforded me the opportunity of doing what I have done, in the vindication of truth and justice.

Mr. CLEMENS. Mr. President, yesterday about two o'clock, when at my room, I received the following formidable missive:

SENATE CHAMBER, February 26th, 1852. DEAR SIR: I have been directed by the Hon. Barnwell Rhett to inform you that to morrow he will address the Senate upon the subject of personalities between you and himself, and that he has given notice this morning to the Senate, to that effect.

I have the honor to be, most respectfully, your obedient servant, R. BEALE, Sergeant-at-Arms. Hon. J. CLEMENS, United States Senator.

If that notice had been given to me alone, I might have supposed that the Senator from South Carolina intended to give me an opportunity of preparing to die with decency. But, not satisfied with directing this note to me, I see from the morning papers that he gave, in addition, a formal notice to the Senate, to the galleries, to the reporters, and the letter-writers, in order that they might all appear on the present occasion, to witness his triumph and my discomfiture. It may happen,

that the vain self-conceit which has induced him to overlook the means of assault, has equally induced him to undervalue those of the defence. The Senator from South Carolina has manifested an ignorance of the history of this compromise; an ignorance of my position in relation to it; he has drawn deductions from it so false, and so unjustifiable, that I can attribute it to nothing but that blind and rabid spirit of disunion which prevents him from seeing things, that, to other men, are as apparent as the noon-day sun. He says that I called him a knave and a traitor. No man who heard that speech of mine, ever entertained such an opinion, but himself. The allusion to knavery was an illustration, not a charge. But, if I had done so, the subsequent course of that Senator justifies me in adding the epithet of coward, to that of knave and traitor.

The PRESIDENT. The Senator must not use expressions of that kind.

Mr. CLEMENS. I am not out of order, Mr. President, and I intend, if I can, to keep within the rules of order; but there are some things which I must say, and which I will say. If, when he believed that the charge of knavery was pending against him, he brooded over it, and took more than two months to prepare himself for a deliberate speech to answer it on the floor of the Senate, he does not deserve the character of a man. No man, with the feeling of a man in his bosom, who believed such a charge was pending against him would have sought redress here. He would have looked for it elsewhere. He submitted to it then, and now comes here not to ask redress in the only way he should have sought it, but, as he says, to discredit the witness; and how does he propose to do it? He begins with the evidence of two of his co-conspirators. Now, in my State, they are not allowed by law to give evidence for one another. But that is not all. He has evaded the point. He has sought to create a false impression upon the Senate and the country. He has endeavored to make this Senate believe that I intended to charge them with open applause of his conduct. I meant no such thing; and every man knew that I did not mean it. But will he deny that they went to him and shook hands with him, congratulating him upon the speech that he had made?

it?

Mr. RHETT. I deny it.

Mr. CLEMENS. Mr. CHASE, did you not do

Mr. CHASE. I do not remember whether I shook hands with the Senator or not. I know I expressed then, as I express now, my concurrence in the State rights doctrines of the speech, but not in its disunion sentiments; just as when the Senator from Alabama, the other day, delivered an eloquent speech upon another subject, I expressed to him my gratification and, so far as I concurred in it, my approval of it. And now I ask the Sen

ator from Alabama upon what authority he says I am a co-conspirator with any one upon this floor?

Mr. CLEMENS. There is another matter to which I wish to advert, and I will give way in ten minutes.

Mr. JONES. I withdraw the motion.

Mr. CLEMENS. I will attend to one at a time. Now, what witness is discredited? The Mr. CLEMENS. There is a matter which Senator from South Carolina alleges that there was has been brought into this controversy which I no such congratulation. Before the words are cold choose to notice now. I do not wish that any upon his lips, the Senator from Ohio contradicts false impressions shall go abroad to the country. him. Where, then, is the witness who is dis- The Senator from South Carolina has ventured to credited? Here are witnesses who saw it. The do here to-day what no man in Alabama was ever Senator from Ohio does not pretend to say that he found bold enough to do in my presence. The did not do it. He does not pretend to say any- retailer of a slander is as bad as the originator. thing of the sort. He says merely he does not Indeed, he is, if possible, worse than he who oriremember shaking hands. But, sir, it is no extra-ginated it. He has charged me with owing my ordinary thing-it is nothing extraordinary for the Senator to be upon friendly and intimate terms with those whom he professes extreme anxiety to destroy. I am not saying anything disrespectful of these gentlemen. The point which I mean to make is this; that the Senator from South Carolina at home denounces them as traitors-that everywhere throughout the land he has assumed the ground that they were worse than Arnolds-and yet in the face of all this, we find his personal relations with them so warm that they can afford to go and congratulate him upon his efforts in favor of disunion. I do not mean to say there is anything discreditable to them in that association; but what mean to say is, that it is extraordinary-that it is something which is strange to the country, that this uncommon intimacy should exist between them. But that is not all. The Senator has given us another illustration of his facility for forming such associations. In that very speech which he made here in the course of his reply to Mr. Foote, he let out the fact that he had private consultations with Thomas H. Benton behind one of the columns of this Capitol in relation to Mr. Foote's conduct towards Mr. Calhoun. Who, in South Carolina, would have believed that BARNwelll Rhett would have gone to Thomas H. Benton to consult about the interests of John C. Calhoun?

There was another witness whom the Senator did not call to the stand-possibly, because he is not here-possibly, because his testimony would not have suited him quite so well-and that is the honorable Senator from New Hampshire, [Mr. HALE,] who was actually so delighted that he left his seat and came over to this side of the House to listen to the whole of that harangue. Yet the Senator from South Carolina now attempts to create the impression upon the country that I have made a false charge against him; of being on terms of intimacy with these gentlemen. There is one thing which we all know: if there is no concord of sentiment between him and them, there is a concord of sentiment between him and those whom they represent. We all know that the Abolitionists have declared that the Constitution of the United States is "a covenant with death and an agreement with hell;" and we all heard the Senator utter sentiments equally as atrocious.

He says that I calumniated him. Calumniate him! It is beyond the power of man to do it. How, though, did I calumniate him? What word did I utter, which he has not avowed on the floor of the Senate? Did he not get up, and proclaim himself a traitor? And does he call it calumny, when I charge him with being precisely what he has avowed that he is? Is that the standard by which he measures calumny? Sir, I could say nothing worse of him than he has said of himself; I never intended to say anything half as bad. It is true, he is a man for whom I never had any fancy. It is true, I never sought his acquaintance. It is true, that when he came here, I refused to extend to him that courtesy which is usually extended to new Senators, and refused to be introduced to him. That is the reason he does not know me. But I never intended to make his character nor his conduct the theme of discussion in the Senate. The subject is too small. I have heard or rather I have read, a description by one of the English poets, of a certain period of darkness when vipers crawled among the multitude, "hissing, but stingless;" and I knew well that it applied to him. We can hear his hiss, but there is no sting about him.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. If the Senator from Alabama will permit me, I will suggest that it is impossible for him to-day to answer the speech of the Senator from South Carolina; and, with his permission, I will move that the Senate do now adjourn till to-morrow, twelve o'clock.

election to a corrupt bargain with the Whig members of the Alabama Legislature, and he has read a letter from Jefferson Buford and Paul McCall on the subject. I choose to notice them now. If he had only waited two days longer, I think the probability is he would never have ventured to make the charge; because the refutation of it has gone home so strong, that no man would have dared to repeat it. The fact is this, that so far from making any pledge, that slip of paper to which Mr. Buford alludes contained no expression of opinion at all. Sir, you were in Montgomery at the time. Although of course you cannot be presumed to know what was done by the Whig party, yet your conduct from that day to this has manifested that you did not believe one word of the calumny. It was a simple note of authority to Mr. Davis to state what my opinions were. He was a warm, personal friend, perfectly familiar with those opinions; and I told him, who had heard them repeatedly, to state what they were. There is now a member in the other House who was a leading member of that Legislature-one of the individuals whom it is alleged knows most about it-who has, again and again, authorized me to pronounce it a calumny. Mr. Davis has again and again authorized me to do the same. A number of other gentlemen have written letters denouncing it, or authorizing me to do so. But the Senator brings up that dead carcase on the floor of the Senate, and makes it a charge against me to account, as he supposes, for what? An abandonment of Democratic principles? Who charges we with having done so? Who alleges that I have ever given a vote that was not according to the strict Democratic faith? Who charges me with not being in full association with every Democratic member of this body?

I promised long ago, and it is a duty which I mean now to discharge, that if ever I could meet a man in Alabama who would allege that thing to be true, I should brand him as he deserved; and I want the Senator to mark now what I have to say on the subject, and apply it. The charge, emanate from whatever quarter it may, circulated by whom it may, is a foul lie, unmitigated and unredeemed by the slightest semblance of truth. I am now willing to adjourn until to-morrow.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. Then I move that the Senate adjourn.

The motion was agreed to, and the Senate adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FRIDAY, February 27, 1852. The House met at twelve o'clock, m. Prayer by the Rev. C. M. BUTLER.

The journal of yesterday was read and approved.

BOUNTY LANDS.

The SPEAKER stated as the first business in order, the special order of the House, being a bill entitled "An act explanatory of the act approved September 28, 1850, entitled, 'An act granting 'bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who 'have been engaged in the military service of the 'United States,"" as amended by the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, and that the pending question was upon the passage of the bill.

Mr. BOWIE. I move that the special order be postponed, with a view of going into Committee of the Whole on the Private Calendar

The SPEAKER. Does the gentleman move to postpone it to a day certain?

Mr. BOWIE. Until Monday next. Mr. MARSHALL, of Kentucky. I would suggest to the gentleman that the bill which is the special order, is now upon its passage, and that one vote will dispose of it.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. Can the special order be postponed without unanimous consent? The SPEAKER. The Chair thinks 80.

Mr. JONES. It took two-thirds to make the special order, and it seems to me that a majority cannot defeat that special order by postponing it. There is another special order coming up on Tuesday, and if a majority are disposed to get clear of that special order, they can, by postponing it from day to day, defeat the rule which required two thirds to make it a special order.

The SPEAKER. The Chair is of the opinion that it has been the practice of this body to postpone a special order from day to day, by the vote of a majority of the House, and that that is one form in which the House may dispose of a special order. The rule is, that "when a question is under debate, no motion shall be received but to adjourn, to lie on the table, for the previous question, to postpone to a day certain, to commit or amend," &c.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. It certainly defeats the object in making a special order.

The SPEAKER. The Chair is of opinion that the bill may be recommitted or postponed to a day

certain.

Mr. JONES. I call the attention of the Chair to his decision made on yesterday about this very bill, as reported in the Globe of to-day:

"The SPEAKER. That would be the regular order of business for the morning hour, but for the fact that the special order reported from the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union upon yesterday, becomes the regular business, from day to day, until disposed of. Being a special order, it overrides all other business."

The SPEAKER. It overrides all other business, and is to be disposed of under the rules of the House.

Mr. JONES. I think it takes two-thirds to postpone it, as it is a special order.

The SPEAKER. The Chair thinks the practice of the House has been different, and that a ma

jority may postpone, from day to day, as a major ity may commit. That is the recollection of the Chair respecting the practice of the House.

Mr. OLDS. I raise another point of order, and it is this: that Friday being set apart as private bill day, by a special rule of the House, that special rule overrides the special order of the House, and that it is in order to move to take up the Private Calendar.

The SPEAKER. The special order certainly sets aside all the standing rules-that in relation to private bill day as well as the others. There can be no question, in the mind of the Chair, upon that point; and the Chair therefore overrules the point of order raised by the gentleman from Ohio.

Mr. OLDS. If then a special order sets aside all the standing rules of the House, how can it be made without one day's notice?

The SPEAKER. The House suspended, by a vote of two thirds, all the rules of the House, and made this a special order, to be disposed of under the rules of the House, and it must affect private bills as well as other business.

Mr. OLDS. In order to test this question, I move to go into a Committee of the Whole on the Private Calendar.

The SPEAKER. The Chair decides that motion to be out of order.

to postpone indefinitely; which several motions shall have precedence in the order in which they are arranged.”

The motion of the gentleman from Maryland to postpone to a day certain must, therefore, take precedence of the motion submitted by the gentleman from Missouri, [Mr. HALL.]

Mr. MARSHALL, of Kentucky. As a point of order, I suggest whether the subject-matter must not be under discussion, before the House, before a motion to postpone at all-either to a day certain or indefinitely-can be entertained. If the subjectmatter be before the House, I shall move the previous question on the passage of the bill. The SPEAKER. The Chair announced that the special order was the first business in order, and it is now before the House and under discussion. It is under discussion, according to the meaning of the rule.

Mr. MARSHALL. Then I move the previous question on the passage of the bill, which, as I understand it, takes precedence of the motion to postpone.

The SPEAKER. If the Chair be correct in its decision that the bill may be postponed to a day certain, the effect of the previous question will be to bring the House to a vote upon the postpone

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Mr. MARSHALL. The rule gives a motion for the previous question precedence over a motion to postpone to a day certain; and under the decision of the Chair, therefore, the motion for the previous question must take precedence of the motion to postpone.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. It not only takes precedence, but, if I understand the rule, it cuts off the motion to postpone. Until the last Conrefer; but by a special rule it was provided that the gress the previous question cut off a motion to previous question should not cut off a pending motion to refer, but that the House should first vote upon the motion to refer and then upon the amendments, and everything else is cut off except

the motion to refer and the amendments. Mr. CLINGMAN.

That is clearly right.

There can be no doubt about it.
Tennessee turn to the rule upon which he relies?
The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman from

t

Mr. JONES. Rule 46 is the one that prescribes the order of motions. The 50th rule provides that "The previous question shall be in this form:

Shall the main question be now put?' It shall only be admitted when demanded by a majority of the members present, and its effects shall be to put an end to all debate, and bring the House to a direct vote upon a motion to commit, if such motion shall have been made; and if this motion does not prevail, then upon amendments reported by a committee, if any, then upon pending amendments, and then upon the main question."

Now, the previous question cuts off, as I think, everything except what is specified in that rule. The SPEAKER. The direction of this whole matter must depend upon the correctness of the decision of the Chair, that this bill may be post

Mr. OLDS. From that decision I take an apponed. If the Chair is right in supposing that it

peal.

Mr. HALL moved to lay the appeal on the table.

The question was taken, and there were, upon a division-ayes 81, noes 52.

So the appeal was laid upon the table. The question recurred upon the motion to postpone the special order until Monday next.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. I must appeal from the decision of the Chair that it is in order for a majority to postpone from day to day, and thus defeat a special order made by two thirds of the House.

Mr. HALL. Is it in order to move to postpone the bill indefinitely?

The SPEAKER. It is.

Mr. HALL. Then I make that motion.

The SPEAKER. There is a prior motion, however, and the Chair will call the attention of the gentleman from Missouri to the rule upon the subject. It is as follows:

"When a question is under debate, no motion shall be made but to adjourn, to lie on the table, for the previous question, to postpone to a day certain, to commit or amend,

may be postponed to a day certain, the Chair thinks it follows, very clearly, that the previous question will bring the House to a vote upon the postponement, just as it would bring the House to a vote upon a motion to commit.

Mr. JONES. I call the attention of the Chair to the fact that the 50th rule provides that a motion to commit shall not be cut off by the previous question. A motion to commit was cut off by the previous question until the adoption of this rule on the 5th of August, 1848.

The SPEAKER. Does the gentleman from Tennessee remember what has been the practice proposition to postpone to a day certain? of the House with reference to debate upon a

Mr. KING, of New York. It is not in order. The SPEAKER. Debate is not in order upon a proposition to postpone to a day certain, and hence it is not enumerated among the votes that the House must be brought to under the operation of the previous question. The Chair is very certain that he has decided this question in accordance with the practice of the House.

Mr. CLINGMAN. I would suggest to the

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Chair that this whole discussion is out of order. The previous question has not been sustained, and until it is sustained the House cannot decide upon the effect of that motion. I submit that this whole discussion is premature, and out of order.

The SPEAKER. The Chair would remark, that the point of order raised by the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. JONES] does not involve the one raised by the gentleman from Kentucky, [Mr. MARSHALL,] or the operation of the previous question.

The Chair decides that this special order may be postponed to a day certain. The gentleman from Tennessee differs with the Chair, and appeals from this decision, and the question before the House is on that appeal.

Mr. CLINGMAN. I understand the gentleman from Tennessee to rely upon the ground that the previous question would cut off the motion to postpone, but until it is put and sustained, the ef fect of it cannot be inquired into by the Chair or the House.

The SPEAKER. The gentleman from North Carolina is right in that.

Mr. HOUSTON. I understand the point decided by the Chair is, that this special order may be postponed to a day certain, by a majority vote of the House. That is the point, and not the ef fect, of the previous question, as supposed by the gentleman from North Carolina. If that be cor rect, then a majority of the House can undo what

two thirds have done.

Mr. JONES. At the time I took the appeal from the decision of the Chair, the gentleman from Kentucky had not moved the previous question. I will now withdraw my appeal, and if the previous question is sustained, and the Chair then decides that the motion to postpone takes precedence of the main question, I shall renew the appeal.

Mr. MARSHALL, of Kentucky, then moved the previous question.

The previous question received a second, on a division-ayes 84, noes 60-and the main question was ordered to be now put.

Several MEMBERS. What is the effect of the

previous question?

The SPEAKER. The Chair decides that the

effect of the previous question is to bring the House first to a vote upon the motion to postpone till Monday next.

Mr. JONES. From that decision I appeal, and I ask for the reading of the 46th and 50th rules, together with the note to the 50th rule.

The Clerk read the rules, as follow:

46. "When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received but to adjourn, to lie on the table, for the previous question, to postpone to a day certain, to commit or amend, to postpone indefinitely; which several motions shall have precedence in the order in which they are ar ranged."

50. The previous question shall be in this form: Shall the main question be now put? It shall only be admitted when demanded by a majority of the members present; and its effect shall be to put an end to all debate, and bring the House to a direct vote upon a motion to commit, if such motion shall have been made; and if this motion does not prevail, then upon amendments reported by a committee, if any, then upon pending amendments, and then upon the main question.""

Note to the 50th rule:

"The previous question was recognized in the rules es tablished April 7, 1789, and could be demanded by five members, (the parliamentary law places it in the power of

On the

two members-one to move, the other to second.) 23d December, 1811, it was placed on a footing with the yeas and nays-that is, at the command of one fifth of the members present. It remained so until the 24th February, 1812, when the rule was changed to its present form of a majority. According to former practice, the previous ques tion brought the House to a direct vote on the main ques

tion-that is, to agree to the main proposition, to the exclu sion of all amendments and incidental motions; but on the 14th January, 1810, it was changed to its present form-first to embrace pending amendinents, and then the main propo

sition."

Mr. STANTON, of Ohio, moved to lay the appeal upon the table.

Mr. CAMPBELL, of Illinois, demanded the yeas and nays upon that motion; but they were refused.

Mr. STUART demanded tellers; which were ordered, and Messrs. STEVENS, of Pennsylvania, and STANTON, of Tennessee, appointed.

And the question being put, it was decided in the affirmative-ayes 83, noes 65.

So the appeal was laid upon the table, and the decision of the Chair was sustained.

BOUNTY LAND BILL.

The question then recurred on the motion to postpone the special order till Monday next.

Mr. CLINGMAN, on that motion, demanded the yeas and nays; which were ordered.

Mr. GENTRY. If the motion to postpone prevail, will this business come up again on Monday morning?

The SPEAKER. It will come up as a special order.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. Do I understand the Chair, that the business will come up on Monday next as a special order?

The SPEAKER. The Chair has so decided.

Mr. JONES. Will it not be in order, on Monday next, to move to suspend the rules, in order to introduce resolutions?

The SPEAKER. The Chair will decide that question when it comes up.

The question was then taken on the motion to postpone, and resulted-yeas 77, nays 99-as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. John Appleton, Ashe, Averett, David J. Bailey, Bartlett, Bowie, John H. Boyd, Brooks, Lewis D. Campbell, Caskie, Chandler, Chastain, Clark, Cottman, Curtis, Daniel, Dean, Disney, Dockery, Doty, Duncan, Durkce, Eastman, Edgerton, Thomas J. D. Fuller, Hamilton, Harper, Sampson W. Harris, Hart, Haws, Haven, Hebard, Hibbard, Horsford, Howard, John W. Howe, Thomas Y. How, Ingersoll, Jackson, John Johnson, Daniel T. Jones, J. Glancy Jones, Preston King, Kuhns, Meacham, Meade, Murray, Nabers, Olds, Orr, Outlaw, Peaslee, Penniman, Rantoul, Robie, Sackett, Schoolcraft, Schoonmaker, David L. Seymour, Origen S. Seymour, Skelton, Smart, Snow, Stanly, Benjamin Stanton, Abraham P. Stevens, Thaddeus Stevens, Stratton, Sutherland, Benjamin Thompson, George W. Thompson, Toombs, Townshend, Wallace, Washburn, Welch, and Wildrick

77.

NAYS-Messrs. Willis Allen, Allison, William Appleton, Babcock, Thomas H. Bayly, Bell, Bennett, Bissell, Breckenridge, Brenton, Briggs, Burrows, Busby, E. Carrington Cabell, Joseph Cable, Caldwell, Thompson Campbell, Cartter, Chapman, Churchwell, Cleveland, Clingman, Cobb, Conger, George T. Davis, Jolin G. Davis, Dunham, Edmundson, Evans, Ewing, Faulkner, Ficklin, Fitch, Florence, Fowler, Henry M. Fuller, Gamble, Gaylord, Gentry, Giddings, Goodenow, Gorman, Grey, Grow, Hall, Hascall, Hendricks, Houston, Hunter, Andrew Johnson, Jaines Johnson, George W. Jones, George G. King, Kurtz, Landry, Letelier, Lockhart, Mace, Edward C. Marshall, Humphrey Marshall, Mason, McDonald, MeLanahan, McMullin, McNair, McQueen, Molony, Henry D. Moore, John Moore, Morrison, Murphy, Newton, Andrew Parker, Samuel W. Parker, Perkins, Phelps, Powell, Price, Richardson, Robbins, Savage, Schermerhorn, Smith, Frederick P. Stanton, Richard H. Stanton, St. Martin, Strother, Stuart, Taylor, Thurston, Walbridge, Walsh, Ward, Watkins, Wells, Addison White, Alexander White, Williams, and Yates-99.

So the motion to postpone was not agreed to. The question then recurred upon the passage of

the bill.

Mr. CLINGMAN demanded the yeas and nays; which were ordered.

Mr. CHASTAIN. I desire to ask, if it will be in order to move to reconsider the vote by which the main question was ordered to be put? The SPEAKER. It will be in order. Mr. CHASTAIN. I make that motion, and I ask the indulgence of the House to submit a single remark, in order to explain why I make it. Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. That question is not debatable.

The SPEAKER. The gentleman cannot submit his remarks, except by the unanimous consent of the House.

Mr. MARSHALL, of Kentucky. I object; and move to lay the motion to reconsider upon the table.

Mr. CHASTAIN. If I am cut off from giving my reasons, I will not submit the motion.

Mr. SMART. Will it be in order to move to have the eighth section of the bill read?

The SPEAKER. It will be in order. Mr. SMART. I hope that it will be read. I understand that it neutralizes entirely the effect of the fourth section, and cuts off the militia and volunteers ordered out by the Governors.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. Read the whole bill.

Mr. CABELL, of Florida. I ask if this is not the same bill which has been printed in the Congressional Globe? Gentlemen can refer to it there. The SPEAKER. It is.

Mr. CABELL. Then I object to its being read. Mr. JONES. I think we have a right to demand that the bill be read.

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Mr. FOWLER. I move that the bill do now lie upon the table, and upon that motion I ask the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered. The question was then taken, and the result was-yeas 100, nays 84-as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Aiken, Andrews, John Appleton, William Appleton, Ashe, Averett, Bartlett, Beale, Bowne, John H. Boyd, Briggs, Brooks, Buell, Burrows, Lewis D. Campbell, Cartter, Caskie, Chandler, Chapman, Clark, Conger, Curtis, Daniel, George T. Davis, Dean, Doty, Duncan, Durkee, Eastman, Evans, Fitch, Fowler, Thomas J. D. Fuller, Giddings, Goodenow, Grow, Hall, Harper, Hart, Haws, Hascall, Haven, Hebard, Henn, Hibbard, Horsford, John W. Howe, Hunter, Ingersoll, Ives, Jackson, Daniel T. Jones, George W. Jones, J. Glancy Jones, George G. King, Preston King, Kuhns, McCorkle, McDonald, McQueen. Meade, Henry D. Moore, Murray, Newton, Orr, Outlaw, Peaslee, Penuiman, Perkins, Phelps, Price, Rantoul, Robie, Sackett, Schermerhorn, Schoolcraft, Schoonmaker, Scurry, David L. Seymour, Origen S. Seymour, Skelton, Smart, Smith, Snow, Benjamin Stanton, Abraham P. Stevens, Thaddeus Stevens, Stratton, Stuart, Sutherland, Benjamin Thompson, George W. Thompson, Thurston, Toombs, Townshend, Walbridge, Wallace, Washburn, Wells, and Wildrick-100.

NAYS-Messrs. Abercrombie, Willis Allen, Allison, Babcock, Thomas H. Bayly, Barrere, Bell, Bennett, Bissell, Bowie, Breckenridge, Brenton, Albert G. Brown, Busby, E. Carrington Cabell, Joseph Cable, Caldwell, Thompson Campbell, Chastain, Churchwell, Cleveland, Clingman, Cobb, Cottman, John G. Davis, Disney, Dockery, Dunham, Edgerton, Edmundson, Ewing, Ficklin, Florence, Henry M. Fuller, Gamble, Gaylord, Gentry, Gilmore, Gorman, Grey, Hamilton, Hendricks, Houston, Thomas Y. How, Andrew Johnson, James Johnson, John Johnson, Kurtz, Landry, Lockhart, Mace, Humphrey Marshall, Mason, McLanahan, M&Mullin, McNair, Molony, John Moore, Morrison, Murphy, Nabers, Olds, Andrew Parker, Samuel W. Parker, Penn, Polk, Powell, Richardson, Robbins, Savage, Stanly, Frederick P. Stanton, Richard H. Stanton, St. Martin, Strother, Taylor, Walsh, Ward, Watkins, Welch, Addison White, Alexander White, Williams, and Yates-84.

So the bill was ordered to lie upon the table.

Mr. FOWLER. I move to reconsider the vote just taken, and to lay the motion to reconsider upon the table.

Mr. WALSH. Upon that motion, I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were refused.

The question was then taken, and the motion to reconsider was ordered to lie upon the table.

Mr. BOWIE. I now move that the rules be suspended, and that the House resolve itself into Committee of the Whole House on the Private Calendar.

Mr. BAYLY, of Virginia. I ask the gentleman to withdraw his motion for a single moment. Mr. BOWIE. I I will withdraw for the gentleman from Virginia.

THE COMMISSION UNDER THE CONVENTION

WITH BRAZIL.

Mr. BAYLY. Mr. Speaker, there is a bill upon the Speaker's table which it is indispensable that we should pass immediately, or it will be too late to have any effect. I ask that the House will indulge me for a single moment. I think I can show that it is a bill against which there can be no possible objection.

A MEMBER. What is your bill?

Mr. BAYLY. That is precisely what I want to state. [Laughter.] Under our convention with Brazil, the period of the existence of the Board week. In consequence of the conflicting testimofor adjudicating American claims will expire this ny, over the wide extent of Brazil, there are some of the claimants who have not been able to perfect their testimony. The whole fund is not distributed, and the commissioner's salary is provided for four months longer than the period at which his duties by law terminate. The President recommends, and the commissioner himself says it is but justice, that this period should be extended, and that is all we ask.

Mr. TOOMBS. I ask permission to say, that there is already an appropriation made to pay the salary of the American commissioner to the end of the fiscal year.

Mr. BAYLY. Yes, his salary is already provided for; and the only question is, whether his time shall be given for the investigation of these cases. If it is not, these American claimants will The SPEAKER. The Chair thinks the gen-be the losers, and the Court of Brazil are the tleman from Tennessee is correct. gainers.

Mr. SCURRY. Will not the consent of Brazil have to be obtained?

Mr. BAYLY. It will not.

Mr. GENTRY. If I understand the gentleman's explanation, if we do not pass the bill, we shall have to pay the salary of the commissioner for four months for doing nothing. But if we do pass it, we shall have to pay nothing in addition, and the commissioner will be at work during the four months in the performance of his commission. Mr. BAYLY. That is its effect.

The joint resolution extending the time for the continuance of the commission under the convention with Brazil, was taken up, and read a first and second time by its title. I do not understand the

Mr. FLORENCE. object of extending the time.

Mr. BAYLY. It is because the time is limited, and after it has expired, the commissioner cannot adjudicate another claim. There are claimants who, from the extent of country over which they have been obliged to collect their testimony, have not been able to complete it in time.

Mr. FLORENCE. How many gentlemen have presented claims which have not been adjudicated? Mr. BAYLY. There are a few more. I do not know the precise number.

Mr. FLORENCE. Is not the number thirteen? Mr. BAYLY. I think it is. Mr. FLORENCE. How many have been presented in all? I do not know the precise.

Mr. BAYLY. number.

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Mr. BOWIE. Then I will move that those bills be disposed of before we go into Committee of the Whole.

The SPEAKER. It requires no motion; they come up in order, the gentleman having withdrawn his previous motion.

The first bill in order was Senate bill 42, being a bill entitled, "An act for the relief of Richard Chaney and others," upon which a motion was pending to refer to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

The question was taken, and the bill was so referred.

The next bill in order was House bill 97, being a bill for the relief of James McCormick, assignee of Robert A. Parker, upon which a motion wrs pending to recommit to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

The question was taken, and the bill was recommitted.

The next bill in order was the bill for the relief of Cornelius Hughes, of Tennessee-the question being," Shall it be engrossed and read a third time?"

The bill was read through, and ordered to be engrossed and read a third time; and having been engrossed, was read a third time and passed. There are

Mr. JOHNSON, of Tennessee. some three or four bills which have been reported from the Committee of the Whole on the Private Calendar. They have been fully discussed, and I hope they may all be taken up and passed together.

The SPEAKER. It can only be done by unanimous consent.

Mr. CARTTER. I object.

The following House bills coming up in order, were then severally ordered to be engrossed and read a third time; and having been engrossed, were read the third time and passed, viz:

99. A bill for the relief of Francis Tribou. 100. A bill for the relief of James Wright, jr. 101. A bill for the relief of John Kerbaugh. 102. A bill for the relief of Ichabod Weymouth. 103. A bill for the relief of John McIntosh,

135. A bill for the relief of Charles S. Mathews, Charles Wood, and James Hall.

PUBLIC LANDS FOR COMMON SCHOOLS. Mr. CHURCHWELL, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, entitled, "A bill granting public lands to the several States of the Union, for the purpose of establishing a permanent and efficient system of common schools;" which was read a first and second time by its title.

Mr. C. I move that the bill be referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, and be printed.

Mr. COBB. I move that the bill be referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. GENTRY. I hope the gentleman from Alabama [Mr. COBB] will see the propriety of withdrawing his motion to refer it to the Committee on Public Lands. The bill relates to the public domain generally-to all the States of the Union; and the Committee of the Whole, having charge of the interests of the Union generally, it seems to me that such committee is obviously the proper one to which it should be referred.

Mr. COBB. I think not. The Committee on Public Lands have that subject now before them. The question being first taken on the motion of Mr. CHURCHWELL, it was agreed to.

So the bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. COBB, at a subsequent stage of the proceedings, entered a motion to reconsider the vote by which the bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.

SUNBURY AND ERIE RAILROAD.

Mr. CHANDLER, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, entitled, "A bill granting public lands to the State of Pennsylvania, to aid in the construction of the Sunbury and Erie Railroad in Pennsylvania;" which was read a first and second time by its title.

Mr. C. I move that it be referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, and be printed.

Mr. GAYLORD. I move that the bill do lie upon the table.

The question was first taken upon the motion of Mr. GAYLORD, and it was not agreed to. The question then recurring upon the motion of Mr. CHANDLER

Mr. HART moved to amend that motion, by substituting the Committee on Public Lands, for the Committee on the Whole.

The SPEAKER. The question upon referring to the Committee of the Whole upon the state of the Union must first be put, under the operation of the positive rules of the House.

The question was then taken on the motion, and it was agreed to.

Mr. STANTON, of Ohio. I ask the unani

mous consent of the House to introduce a bill, of which previous notice has been given.

Mr. DANIEL. I object; and insist upon the motion that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House upon the Private Calendar.

Mr. WALSH. I hope the gentleman from North Carolina will withdraw his motion for a moment, and allow me to present a memorial from the workmen who have been engaged upon the Capitol.

Mr. DANIEL. It can be presented under the

rules.

Mr. WALSH. They want their statement to be heard.

Mr. GENTRY. Hear the workmen.

Mr. WALSH. If gentlemen will hear the statement, they will grant relief, I have no doubt; and I hope it may be received and read.

The SPEAKER. The gentleman from North Carolina insists upon his motion to go into Committee of the Whole upon the Private Calendar. The question was then taken on the motion of Mr. DANIEL, and it was agreed to.

The House accordingly resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House upon the Private Calendar, (Mr. CHANDLER in the chair.)

GENERAL JAMES C. WATSON.

The CHAIRMAN. The first bill in order for consideration is House bill No. 136, being a bill

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for the relief of the legal representatives of General James C. Watson, late of the State of Georgia.

Mr. DANIEL. There is a standing objection to that bill, and it must go over, as a matter of course, under the 30th rule of the House, which provides that on the first and fourth Friday of each month the calendar of private bills shall be called over, and the bills to the passage of which no objection shall then be made, shall be first considered and disposed of.

The CHAIRMAN. It will go over under the rules.

The following bills on the Calendar, coming up in their order for consideration, were objected to, as indicated below, and lie over under the rule:

House bill No. 137, being "A bill for the relief of Osborn Cross, of the United States Army," which provides that he shall be credited, in his account with the Government, the amount of certain Treasury notes, which were stolen from him in the city of New Orleans in the year 1842. [Objected to by Mr. MACE.]

Senate bill No. 67, being "An act granting relief to John A. McGaw, of New York;" by which the Secretary of the Treasury is directed to pay him the sum of $1,400, being the amount due him for demurrage of the ship Charlotte, while in the service of the United States. [Objected to by Mr. MARSHALL, of Kentucky.]

House bill No. 147, being "A bill for the relief of the Monroe Railroad Company and their securities;" which provides that the petitioners be relieved from three duty bonds, amounting to $7,205 14, given as securities for the laying down certain railroad iron, imported at Savannah, in the year 1841. [Objected to by Mr. SACKETT.]

House bill No. 149, being “A bill for the relief of the heirs of Lieutenant Bartlett Hinds;" by which it is provided that they shall receive five years' full pay of a lieutenant, as commutation under the resolution of the Continental Congress. [Objected to by Mr. AVERETT.]

The following bills, coming up in their order, were considered; and no objection being made, they were laid aside to be reported to the House, with a recommendation that they do pass:

House bill No. 139, to authorize the issuing of a register to the brig "America."

House bill No. 140, a bill for the relief of William S. Payne; by which the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to refund to him the sum of $50, being the amount of fine imposed upon and paid by him for neglecting to renew the license of a vessel.

House bill No. 142, to authorize the issuing of a register to the ship "Kossuth."

Senate bill No. 88, entitled, "An act for the relief of Rufus Dwinel; by which the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to pay him the sum of $13,037 72, with interest from the 4th of March, 1837, for damages sustained by him on account of a change in the terms of a contract for carrying the United States mails.

House bill No. 148, for the relief of Andrew

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Mr. JOHN W. HOWE called for the yeas and nays upon that motion; but they were not or dered.

The question was then taken, and there were, upon a division-ayes 93, noes 48.

So the motion was agreed to.

Mr. KING, of New York. I ask the unanimous consent of the House to offer a resolution asking for information.

The resolution was read for information, as follows:

Resolved, That the President be requested to communicate to this House what inquiry and report has heretofore been officially made upon the propriety of establishing some safe depots for the preservation of the gunpowder of the United States, and whether the establishment of depots for this purpose is required for the public service.

Mr. TOOMBS objected, and the resolution was not introduced.

Mr. WILDRICK, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported as correctly enrolled, "a resolution to extend the time of the commission under the Convention with Brazil;" which then received the signature of the Speaker.

Mr. MOORE, of Louisiana, by unanimous consent, presented three several resolutions of the Legislature of Louisiana; which were referred and ordered to be printed, viz:

Resolutions asking that a naval depôt and navyyard be established at New Orleans, for the con struction and repairing of United States vessels;

Resolutions asking that a post office be estab lished on Grand River, on the mail route between Donaldsonville and Opelousas; and

Resolutions asking a donation of the military reserve at Fort Jesup, for a seminary of learning.

Mr. SACKETT. I move that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House upon the Private Calendar.

Mr. ORR. I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. JOHN W. HOWE. Will the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. ORR] allow me first to introduce a set of resolutions from the Legislature of Pennsylvania?

Mr. ORR. I must insist upon my motion. Mr. HEBARD called for tellers on the motion to adjourn; which were ordered, and Messrs. CHANDLER and STANTON, of Tennessee, appoint

ed.

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Smith; by which the Secretary of the Treasury is faction of two Treasury notes, specially indorsed authorized to pay him the sum of $100, in satisto his order, but which were lost in their transmission through the mail, and subsequently paid questing the Representives from that State to vote for the to other persons, on a forged indorsement of his

name.

The next bill that came up in order for consideration, was House bill No. 150, for the relief of Robert Nelson, providing that he may, by way of exchange, convey certain lands in Missouri to the United States, and be permitted to enter other lands in lieu thereof.

The bill having been read through,

Mr. SCURRY moved that the committee rise. Mr. FOWLER demanded tellers; which were ordered, and Messrs. INGERSOLL and STANTON, of Tennessee, appointed.

The question was then taken; and the tellers reported-ayes 52, noes 29. No quorum voting.

[Cries of "Call the roll!" "Call the roll!"] Mr. FOWLER. Less than a quorum can order the committee to rise.

The CHAIRMAN. It does not require a majority to rise.

The committee accordingly rose; and the Speaker having resumed the chair, the Chairman of the committee reported that the Committee of the Whole House had had under consideration various bills on the Private Calendar, and had instructed

construction of a ship canal around the Falls of the Sault Ste. Marie.

Also, a memorial from citizens of Pennsylvania, remon strating against the renewal of the patent granted to Aust and Zebulon Parker for alleged improvements in submerged

reaction water-wheels.

By Mr. MILLER: The memorial of Gustavus A. Par sons, of Missouri, praying compensation for services rendered in raising and organizing volunteers for the Mexican

war.

Also, the petition of sundry citizens of Missouri, praying for a mail route from Tully to Monticello, Missouri.

By Mr. PARKER, of Pennsylvania: The memorial of George W. Patton and 21 others, citizens of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, praying the establishment of an Agricultural Bureau by Congress.

Also, the memorial of James M. Kinkead and 28 others, citizens of Blair county, Pennsylvania, praying the estadlishment of an Agricultural Bureau by Congress.

By Mr. PEASLEE: The petition of Mary Chandler and others, widows of husbands who served in the revolutionary war, praying the extension of the pension laws.

By Mr. CABLE, of Ohio: A memorial from citizens of Carroll county, Ohio, stating that the mechanical and agricultural interests of the country feel the burdens of the alarming increase of the expenses of the General Adminis tration, and that estimates should be called for cutting down the expenses to $25,000,000 annually.

By Mr. BRENTON: The petitions of Samuel Mahon, M. H. Marshall, John Marshall, James H. Swaar, and William Russey, assistant marshals in the State of Indiana,

asking additional compensation for taking the Seventh Cen

sus.

By Mr. BURROWS: The memorial of Edward Wilber and 260 others, citizens of Orleans county, New York, remonstrating against the extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine.

By Mr. BELL: The petition of E. S. Nichols and J. B. Crumbaugh, deputy marshals of Greene county, Ohio, praying additional compensation for taking the census in said county.

Also, the petition of William Curry and Jonathan Davison, deputy marshals of Preble county, Ohio, praying additional compensation for taking the census of said county.

Also, the petition of 44 citizens of the town of Dallas and vicinity, in the county of Darke, Ohio, praying for the establishment of a post route from Greenville, in Darke county, via Dallas and St. Henry, to Celina, in the county of Mercer.

By Mr. SCHERMERHORN: The remonstrance of 130 citizens of the county of Monroe, New York, against the further extension of the Woodworth patent.

By Mr. CHANDLER: The memorial of Rusby, AshburLer & Son, G. J. Mason, and numerous other citizens of Philadelphia, asking for a renewal of the patent for Woodworth's planing machine.

Also, the memorial of L. D. Conard and numerous other citizens of Philadelphia, protesting against the renewal of the patent for Woodworth's planing machine.

Also, the resolutions of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, relative to a ship-canal around the Falls of the Sault Ste. Marie.

By Mr. HENN: The petition of Joseph Brobst and 66 others, asking for a grant of land to aid in the construction of a railroad from Burlington to the Missouri river.

Also, the memorial of Hosea B. Horn and John J. Selman, asking a grant of land on Bear river, in Utah Territory, for the purpose of forming a settlement and protecting emigrants to California and Oregon.

By Mr. COTTMAN: The petition of Cathell Humphreys, William Freeny, George Todd, and others, praying Congress to provide for the removal of a wreck from the channel leading into Hooper's Straits, in Chesapeake Bay.

Also, the petition of John Dix, Travers Daniel, James Phabus, Levin Ballard, and 110 others, praying Congress to pass an act to establish a port of entry for licensing vessels, at Deal's Island, in Somerset county, Maryland.

By Mr. FITCH: The petition of Bennet E. Davis, assistant marshal of Kosciusko county, Indiana, asking additional compensation for services in taking the census.

By Mr. ROBBINS: Resolutions of the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania, instructing their Senators and requesting their Representatives to vote for an appropriation for the construction of a ship-canal around the Falls of the Sault Ste. Marie.

By Mr. FLORENCE: A memorial of Montgomery & Neall, Thomas Robb, Edward Heysham, Thomas Manderfield, Edward W. Cavenaugh, and others, residents of the city and county of Philadelphia, remonstrating against the extension of the Woodworth patent for planing boards, &c. Also, a memorial of Alexander Fillott, John R. Finley, Maurice Riatt, and others, citizens of the county of Philadelphia, praying Congress to pass a law extending the Woodworth patent for planing boards, &c.

Also, a memorial of Rowley W. Pegley, Thomas Moore, Andrew Boswell, Allan McCollin, and others, citizens of the county of Philadelphia, remonstrating against the extension of the Woodworth patent for planing boards, &c.

By Mr. MOORE, of Pennsylvania: Resolutions of the Legislature of Pennsylvania in favor of a ship-canal around the Falls of the Sault Ste. Marie.

IN SENATE.

SATURDAY, February 28, 1852. -Prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. C. M. BUTLER.

PETITIONS, ETC.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate resolutions passed at a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Milton, in the county of Wayne, and State of Indiana, recommending the passage of a law by Congress providing for a division of the Indian territory lying southwestwardly of the Missouri river, and for defining the boundaries of the Territory of Nebraska; also, making provisions for the removal of certain tribes of Indians from said Territory of Nebraska, and for the settlement of the public lands lying therein to which the Indian title has been extinguished; which were referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Also, resolutions of a public meeting convened in the town of Aurora, county of Dearborn, and State of Indiana, on the 16th day of January, 1852, recommending a reform in the disposition of the public lands of the United States; which were referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. SEWARD presented a resolution of the Legislature of New York, in favor of the publication by Congress of a compendium of the first and every subsequent census or enumeration of the people of the United States, with such statistical, agricultural, and other information as can be obtained, arranged under the heads exhibited in the returns of the last census; which was ordered to be printed.

Also, a petition of four hundred and seventysix citizens of the county of Niagara, in the State of New York, remonstrating against the further

extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Also, additional documents in support of the claim of Brinton Paine to a pension; which were referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. FISH presented the petition of citizens of Westchester county, New York, praying an extension of W. W. Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Mr. BRODHEAD presented two petitions of citizens of Pennsylvania, remonstrating against an extension of the patent granted to W. W. Woodworth for a planing machine; which were referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Also, five petitions of citizens of Pennsylvania, remonstrating against the renewal of the patent granted to Austin and Zebulon Parker, for improvements in the water-wheel; which were referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Also, a memorial of the citizens of Alleghany county, in the State of Pennsylvania, praying for the construction of a ship-canal around the Falls of the St. Mary's river; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. JAMES presented a petition of citizens of Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, remonstrating against an extension of the patent granted to W. W. Woodworth for a planing machine; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Also, the memorial of the heirs and legal representatives of William Jones, of Massachusetts, praying compensation for his services during the revolutionary war; which was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

Mr. DODGE, of Wisconsin, presented a memorial of inhabitants of Wisconsin, praying that the transportation of the United States mails on the Sabbath day, may be prohibited by law; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. MALLORY presented the petition of Richard W. Meade, late a lieutenant in the Navy, praying to be allowed certain expenses to which he was subjected during the time he was compelled to remain on shore at San Francisco, in consequence of the refusal of the officer commanding the squadron in the Pacific to permit him to take the command of a vessel on that station, to which he had been ordered by the Department at Washington; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. DODGE, of Iowa, presented a memorial of citizens of Iowa, praying a donation of land to the State for the construction of a railroad from Burlington to the Missouri river; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Also, the memorial of Isaac Galland, praying the appointment of commissioners to examine and settle claims to lands in the Sax and Fox Half-breed Reservation in Iowa; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. DOUGLAS presented petitions of citizens of the city and county of New York, remonstrating against an extension of the patent granted to W. W. Woodworth, for a planing machine; which were referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Also, a memorial of citizens of Illinois, remonstrating against a renewal of the patent granted to Austin and Zebulon Parker for improvements in the water-wheel; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Mr. SMITH presented the memorial of Horace Gaylord, assistant marshal for the district of Connecticut, praying an increase of compensation for taking the late census; which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Also, the memorial of George Andrews, praying that the public lands may be reserved for actual settlers, and for bounties in case the country should hereafter be involved in war; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, presented the memorial of the Legislature of Tennessee, praying an appropriation for the completion of the works in the United States navy-yard at Memphis; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. WALKER presented two memorials from citizens of Cincinnati, Ohio, asking that Congress

will adopt the resolutions submitted by the 'honorable I. P. Walker, in relation to the foreign policy of the United States; which were ordered to be laid on the table.

Mr. CASS presented the petition of Thomas Jefferson Sutherland, a citizen of the United States, praying for an act of Congress providing for the grant of the right of preemption of lands in the Territory of Nebraska, for the site of the Nebraska Polytechnic Institute, a military agricultural school proposed to be established in the said Territory, and for the loan of certain arms and military equipments of the United States; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Also, a petition of citizens of the United States, praying the construction of a ship-canal around the Falls of the St. Mary's river; which was ordered to be laid on the table.

Mr. ATCHISON presented a memorial of the Legislature of Minnesota Territory, praying the ratification of certain treaties with the Sioux and Chippewa Indians in that Territory; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs, and ordered to be printed.

PAPERS WITHDRAWN AND REFERRed. On motion by Mr. BRODHEAD, it was Ordered, That the petition of Daniel Nippes, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

On motion by Mr. BRADBURY, it was

Ordered, That the petition of William Davis, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

On motion by Mr. BRADBURY, it was

Ordered, That the petition of the heirs of William Frost and the petition of the heirs-at-law of Nathaniel Leavitt, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES.

Mr. MALLORY, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, which was instructed, by a resolution of the Senate, to inquire into the expediency of establishing a naval depôt at Key West, subfor the establishment of a naval depôt at Key mitted a report, accompanied by a bill to provide reading. The report was ordered to be printed. West; which was read and passed to the second

Mr. WALKER, from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, to which was referred the petition of the legal representatives of Joseph Ford, asked to be discharged from the further consideration thereof, and that it be referred to the Committee on Pensions; which was agreed to.

DISTRICT JUDGE OF ALABAMA. Mr. CLEMENS submitted the following resolution for consideration; which was agreed to:

Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of increasing the salary of the judge of the United States court for the district

of Alabama.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.

A message from the President of the United States was received by Mr. M. P. FILLMORE, his Secretary, communicating that the President of the United States had approved and signed, the 27th instant, an act to admit the hermaphrodite brig "Sylphide" to registry; also, the joint resolution extending the time of the commission under the convention with Brazil.

BILLS REFERRED.

The following bills from the House of Representatives were severally read a first and second times by their titles, and referred to the Committee on Pensions:

An act for the relief of Cornelius Hughes, of Tennessee;

An act for the relief of Francis Tribou;
An act for the relief of James Wright, jr.;
An act for the relief of John McIntosh;
An act for the relief of Ichabod Weymouth; and
An act for the relief of John Kerbaugh.

The following bill from the House of Representatives was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee of Claims: Charles Wood, and James Hall. An act for the relief of Charles S. Mathews,

COMPROMISE RESOLUTION. The resolution submitted the 4th of December, in relation to the adjustment of questions growing out of the institution of domestic slavery was again taken up.

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