By Mr. Burt: The petition of officers of the United States army, praying that the provisions of the bill (No. 45) "allowing extra pay to the troops in California and Oregon" be extended to the officers and soldiers serving in New Mexico;

Also, the petition of W. R. Shoemaker, military storekeeper stationed in New Mexico, praying for increase of pay, so as to be upon an equality with that of the same office in the United States; also, for compensation for extra services as quartermaster and commissary.

Ordered, That said petitions be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

By Mr. Chandler: The petition of merchants of the city of Philadelphia, praying for the repairs of the piers at Chester, Marcus Hook, and New Castle, on the Delaware river.

By Mr. Duer. The petition of certain commercial men engaged in the trade and navigation of the northern lakes, praying for the erection of a light-house near Bailey's harbor, on the western shore of Lake Michi

gan.

Ordered, That said petitions be referred to the Committee on Com

merce.

By Mr. Burrows: The petition of citizens of Orleans county, in the State of New York, praying for additional security to those holding rights under the patent laws of the United States; which was referred to the Committee on Patents.

By Mr. Andrew Johnson: The petition of citizens of Washington county, in the State of Tennessee, praying Congress to grant a part of the public lands to aid in the construction of the East Tennessee and Virginia railroad; which was referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

On motion of Mr. Potter, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union; and, after some time spent therein, the Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Burt reported that the committee, having, according to order, had the state of the Union. generally under consideration, and particularly the bill of the House (No. 351) "to reduce and modify the rates of postage in the United States," (it being the special order for this day,) had come to no resolu tion thereon.

Mr. Stanly gave notice, under the rule, of his intention to move for leave to introduce a bill of the following title, viz:

A bill to pay to the States the fourth instalment of the public money directed to be deposited with said States by the act approved June 23, 1836, &c.

And then,

On motion of Mr. Richardson, at 2 o'clock and 58 minutes p. m., the House adjourned until to-morrow, at 12 o'clock m.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 1851.

The following petitions and memorial were laid on the Clerk's table under the 24th rule of the House, to wit:

By Mr. Parker: The petition of Martha R. Broadus, of the State of Virginia, widow of an officer in the war of the Revolution, praying for a

pension on account of the services of her said husband in the war aforesaid; which was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions. By Mr. Pitman: Two petitions of citizens of Wyoming county, in the State of New York, praying for the repeal of the "fugitive slave law;" which were referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Mr. Breck: The petition of Edmund J. Field, of the State of Kentucky, praying for compensation for a horse stolen from him while in the inilitary service of the United States during the war with Mexico; which was referred to the Committee of Clains.

By Mr. McQueen: The memorial of William Harlee, president of the Wilmington and Manchester Railroad Company, praying for a law extending to said company four years' time for the payment of the duty on their railroad iron; which was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

By Mr. Marshall: The petition of George P. Smith, late assistant quartermaster to the United States army, praying for relief, in the settlement of his accounts with the department, on account of stores and money taken and destroyed by the enemy during the war with Mexico.

By Mr. Freedley: The petition of citizens of the United States engaged in the commerce and navigation of the Delaware river, praying that the piers at Chester, Marcus Hook, and New Castle may be repaired and preserved for public use.

By Mr. Fuller: The petition of citizens of Eastport, in the State of Maine, praying for the construction of a break water at Richmond's island, in said State.

By Mr. Howard: The petition of Mr. James Gooch, praying for the establishment of a collection district in the valley of El Paso, Texas. Ordered, That said petitions be referred to the Committee on Com

merce.

By Mr. White: The petition of citizens of the State of New York, praying Congress to pass a law giving further security to patentees; which was referred to the Committee on Patents.

By Mr. Buel: The petition of citizens of Wayne county, in the State of Michigan, of like import with the foregoing; which was referred to the Committee on Patents.

On motion of Mr. Alexander Evans, by unanimous consent, Ordered, That leave be granted for the withdrawal from the files of the House of the petition and papers of Sarah A. Wirt, widow of John W. Wirt, for the purpose of reference to the Pension Office. The said papers were thereupon delivered to Mr. Evans.

On motion of Mr. James L. Johnson, by unanimous consent, Ordered, That leave be granted for the withdrawal from the files of the House of the petition and papers of Philip Lightfoot, of Kentucky, for the purpose of reference to the Pension Office.

The said papers were thereupon delivered to Mr. Johnson.

On motion of Mr. Morton, by unanimous consent,

Ordered, That leave be granted for the withdrawal from the files of the House of the petition and papers of Messrs. Koons and Dean. The said papers were thereupon delivered to Mr. Morton.

On motion of Mr. Williamson R. W. Cobb, by unanimous consent, Ordered, That leave be granted for the withdrawal from the files of the House of the petition of citizens of Jefferson county, Alabama, in

relation to a post route in said State, for the purpose of reference to the Post Office Department.

The said papers were thereupon delivered to Mr. Cobb.

On motion of Mr. Casey, by unanimous consent,

Ordered, That leave be granted for the withdrawal from the files of the House of the petition and papers of Captain Alexander McEwen, for the purpose of reference to the Pension Office.

On motion of Mr. Potter, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union; and, after some time spent therein, the Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Burt reported that the committee, having, according to order, had the state of the Union generally under consideration, and particularly the special order for this day, viz: (H. R. 351) "A bill to reduce and modify the rates of postage in the United States," had come to no resolution thereon.

A message from the Senate, by Mr. Dickins, their Secretary:

Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed bills of the following titles, viz: S. 106. An act to amend the act entitled "An act to amend the act entitled An act supplemental to the act for the admission of Iowa and Florida into the Union;'

S. 138. An act to reduce and define the boundaries of the military reserve at the St. Peter's river, in the Territory of Minnesota, and to secure the rights of the actual settlers thereon;

S. 365. An act for the relief of Sarah D. Mackay;

in which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this House.

And then,

On motion of Mr. Haralson, at 3 o'clock and 48 minutes p. m., the House adjourned until to-morrow, at 12 o'clock m.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1851.

The following petitions and other papers were laid on the Clerk's table under the 24th rule of the House, to wit:

By Mr. Underhill: The petition of citizens of the State of New York, praying for the reduction of the rates of postage to a uniform rate of two cents per half ounce; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

By Mr. Watkins: Additional papers and evidence in the case of James Tillet; which were referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions;

Also, the petition of citizens of the State of Tennessee, praying for an appropriation of public lands to aid in the construction of the Virginia and Tennessee railroad and the Georgia and Tennessee railroad.

By Mr. Albert G. Brown: The petition of citizens of the State of Mississippi, praying for the establishment of a new land office at Monticello, in said State.

By Mr. David F. Miller: The petition of citizens of the State of Iowa, praying for the establishment of a land office at Red Rock, in said State. Ordered, That said petitions be referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

By Mr. Giddings: The petition of female citizens of Kirkland, in Lake county, in the State of Ohio, praying for the repeal of the "fugitive-slave law;"

Also, the petition of citizens of Morrow and Monroe counties, in the State of Ohio, of like import with the foregoing;

Also, the petition of citizens of Trumbull county, in the State of Ohio, of like import with the foregoing;

Also, the petition of the youths of Portage county, in the State of Ohio, of like import with the foregoing;

Also, the petition of citizens of McKean county, in the State of Pennsylvania, of like import with the foregoing.

Ordered, That said petitions be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

By Mr. Disney: Four petitions of citizens of Cincinnati, in the State of Ohio, praying Congress to purchase the Louisville and Portland canal, and make it free; which were referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

By Mr. Duncan: The petition of citizens of Salem and Beverly, in the State of Massachusetts, praying Congress to make an appropriation for making repairs and alterations on the custom-house at Salem, in said State; which was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

By Mr. Hampton: The petition of citizens of Pittsburgh, in the State of Pennsylvania, remonstrating against the passage of the law now pending before Congress in regard to vessels propelled by steam; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

By Mr. Richard H. Stanton: The petition of Joseph Francis, praying Congress to purchase his metallic life-boat for the use of the government; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

By Mr. Waldo: The petition of Enoch Burt, of the State of Connecticut, praying for the extension of his patent for the improvement in the "power check loom."

By Mr. Schoolcraft: The petition of citizens of Albany, in the State of New York, praying for a law to prevent the introduction into the United States of goods manufactured by machines of American invention in the British Provinces.

Ordered, That said petitions be referred to the Committee on Patents. Mr. Daniel moved that the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the private calendar.

Pending which,

Mr. Potter moved that the House resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the special order.

And the question being put upon the latter motion, it was decided in the affirmative.

The House accordingly resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union; and, after some time spent therein, the Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Burt reported that the committee, having, according to order, had the state of the Union generally under consideration, and particularly the special order for this day, viz: (H. R. 351("A bill to reduce and modify the rates of postage in the United States," had directed him to report the same with sundry amendments. The House proceeded to the consideration of the said bill-the pending question being on agreeing to the amendments reported thereto.

Mr. Potter moved the previous question; which was seconded, and the main question ordered to be put.

Mr. Hall moved that the said bill and pending amendments be laid of the table.

And the question being put,

It was decided in the negative,

The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present, Those who voted in the affirmative are