avows.

What does he tell you every day? He says, I am not here to be complimented. I am here to procure the recognition of a great national principle. And this is the shield which he bears between himself and the American people, from day to day. No man, I undertake to say, can approach him except through this shield. You must indorse his doctrines, or he seeks no intercourse with you. I am for saying, in the language of that amendment, that we neither indorse nor refuse to enforce his doctrines at this time, reserving any such question until a proper case shall arise."

Mr. FOWLER. I do not rise even for the purpose of making a five minutes speech, but to ask the friends of the resolution to abstain from speaking. I am in favor of the resolution, but not any *amendment. The gentleman from Indiana, [Mr. GORMAN,] who last spoke, requested the friends of the resolution not to offer amendments. I request them not to make speeches of five minutes in answer to amendments. That is all I have to|| say. Let us have the question.

Mr. SWEETSER demanded tellers upon the question; which were ordered; and Mr. Venable and Mr. FoWLER appointed.

The question being taken upon the amendment, there were in the affirmative 53, and in the negauve 56-no quorum voting.

Mr. CLEVELAND asked to have a recount. The CHAIRMAN stated that by unanimous consent there might be a recount.

Mr. STEPHENS objected.

{Cries of "Call the roll!" "Call the roll!"] The roll was then called, and the names of the absentees noted; the committee rose, and the Speaker having resumed the chair, the chairman of the committee reported the facts to the House, with the names of the absentees.

A quorum being present, the committee resumed

its session.

Mr. CLINGMAN. I move that the committee rise. Let us adjourn. I never saw a minority fail to beat in this House-we have tried it often. It is not worth while to keep up the struggle.

to.

The question was then taken; and it was agreed

The committee rose, and the Speaker having resumed the chair, the chairman of the committee reported that the Committee of the Whole had had the state of the Union generally under consideration, but came to no conclusion thereon.

Mr. CLINGMAN. I believe I will make a privileged motion, that when the House adjourns, it adjourn to meet on Monday next.

Cres of "No!" "No!" "No!”]

Mr. CLEVELAND demanded the yeas and nays; but they were not ordered.

The question was then taken on the adoption of the resolution, and on division there were-ayes 91, noes 58.

So the motion was agreed to.

Mr. ORR moved that the House adjourn. The SPEAKER. Will the gentleman withdraw that motion, to enable the Chair to dispose

of some Executive documents?

Mr. ORR withdrew his motion.

CASE OF J. S. THRASHER.

To the House of Representatives:

As a further answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 15th ultimo, calling for information respecting the imprisonment, trial, and sentence of John S. Thrasher in the Island of Cuba, I transmit another report from the Secretary of State.

MILLARD FILLMORE.

WASHINGTON, January 2, 1852,

Mr. BAYLY moved that the communication and accompanying documents be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and printed.

Mr. FLOYD moved to amend the motion, by adding thereto these words:

And that the Committee on Foreign Affairs be instructed to wait upon Louis Kossuth, and introduce him to this House.

On that motion, he asked the previous question. The SPEAKER ruled the amendment out of order.

The question was then taken on Mr. BAYLY's motion, and it was agreed to.

So the communication was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

MEXICAN INDEMNITY.

To the House of Representatives:

1 transmit, herewith, a copy of a letter of the 26th instant, addressed to the Secretary of State by the contractors for paying the next installment due to Mexico, pursuant to the

treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo, representing the necessity of an immediate appropriation by Congress of the money necessary for that purpose. MILLARD FILLMORE. WASHINGTON, December 29, 1851.

On motion of Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, the communication was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, and ordered to be printed.

CLAIM OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND. The SPEAKER also laid before the House a communication from the Treasury Department, transmitting, in compliance with the resolution of the House of the 17th instant, a statement of the accounts between the United States and the State of Maryland for advances made by said State during the war; also, for advances made to aid in the erection of the Capitol.

Mr. WALSH. I introduced the resolution calling for that information, and I am instructed by the agent of the State of Maryland, Colonel Howard, to ask that the subject-matter of that communication be referred to a select committee. I move that it be so referred. The communication relates to a claim of one of the States of this Union, and I hope there will be no objection to the reference to a select committee.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, moved to refer the communication to the Committee of Ways and Means, and that it be printed.

The question being first taken upon Mr. JONES'S motion, it was agreed to.

So the communication was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, and ordered to be printed.

DEFICIENCY ESTIMATES.

PETITIONS, &c.

The following petitions, memorials, &c., were presented under the rule, and referred to the appropriate committees: By Mr. WASHBURN: The petition of Josiah Smith and 204 others, of Bangor, Maine, for land reform.

Also, the petition of Joseph Webb, for increase of pension.

By Mr. SCUDDER: The petition of Thomas Hilliard and others, citizens of Massachusetts, for the erection of a breakwater at Dennis, in Barnstable Bay.

By Mr. MASON: The petition of J. Decret, for bounty land for E. Thoron's heirs.

By Mr. HARPER: The petition of Joshua Dickerson and 124 other citizens of Guernsey county, Ohio, praying that the employment of chaplains in the Navy, Army, and Congress, may hereafter be dispensed with.

Also, that the petition and papers of George W. Cassiday, on file in the office of the Clerk, be referred to the Committee on Pensions.

By Mr. MANN: The memorial of the Religious Society of Friends of New England, praying for a repeal of the fugitive slave law.

IN SENATE.

MONDAY, January 5, 1852.

Prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. C. M. BUTLER. Mr. MANGUM. At the request of divers persons, I desire the consideration of the Senate while I submit a motion which I hope will pass with unanimity. It is to suspend the rules of the Senate so far as to admit ladies behind the bar of the Senate Chamber.

Gentleman can at any time call and see the illustrious stranger whom we are to receive today; but if ladies are not now gratified, another occasion may not perhaps be presented to them. I hope there will be no objection to my motion.

The PRESIDENT. The motion cannot be received except by unanimous consent. There being no objection the motion was re

The SPEAKER also laid before the House a communication from the Navy Department, sub-ceived and agreed to. mitting estimates for the deficiencies in the appropriations under the control of that department, for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1852, amounting to $219,888 94.

On motion by Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, the communication was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

RELATIVE RANK OF SURGEONS.

The SPEAKER also laid before the House a communication from the Medical Institution of

Charleston, relative to relative rank for the surgeons in the Army and Navy.

Mr. FITCH moved that the memorial be referred to a select committee.

Mr. BISSELL. It seems to me that that memorial might with propriety go either to the Committee on Military Affairs or to the Committee on Naval Affairs. I move its reference to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. JOHNSON, of Arkansas. I would suggest to the gentleman that neither of those committees is composed of doctors, and this memorial should go to a committee of doctors.

Mr. FITCH. If gentlemen will examine that memorial they will see that there is no standing committee to which it can properly be referred; I hope, therefore, that it will go to a select com

mittee.

Mr. BOCOCK. Does not that communication refer to the subject of rank in the Navy? Mr. FITCH. In part, only.

Mr. BISSELL. It refers also to rank in the Army.

Mr. STANTON, of Tennessee. I would suggest that so much of the communication as refers to relative rank in the Navy be referred to the Naval Committee; and that so much as relates to the same subject in the Army, be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. BISSELL. I will modify my motion in that way.

The question was then taken on Mr. BISSELL'S motion, and it was agreed to.

Mr. ORR. It has been suggested to me that there is a portion of that communication that has not been referred by the action just taken by the House, and therefore I think that the motion of the gentleman from Indiana, [Mr. FITCH,] to refer the communication to a select committee was the proper one.

The SPEAKER. After reading the paper, the Chair is of the opinion that the whole of it has been referred to the appropriate committees.

On motion of Mr. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, the House then adjourned.

A great number of ladies were then admitted, filling all the space without the bar. The circular gallery was occupied exclusively by ladies from an early hour; and the usual occupants of the Reporters' Gallery were placed in a dilemma between duty and gallantry. Gallantry was triumphant; and any imperfections in the reports of the proceedings-any defects in the history of this day's transactions-will meet with charitable consideration wherever gallantry, their cause, has potency.

In the group of gentlemen present several foreign embassies had their representatives. Amongst them were three attaches of the British Legation. The Secretary of the Interior, the Hon. A. H. H. Stuart, the Attorney General, the Hon. John J. Crittenden, and probably other Cabinet officers, were in the crowd of ex-senators, members, and ex-members of the House of Representatives, and other distinguished gentlemen.

THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. FORNEY, their Clerk, was read as follows:

Mr. PRESIDENT: The House of Representatives, in com

pliance with the provisions of the act to establish the

Smithsonian Institution for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men, have appointed Mr. COLCOCK, Mr. FITCH, and Mr. MEACHAM, Regents on their part.

PETITIONS.

Mr. McRAE presented a petition of the late and present land officers at Jackson, Mississippi, praying compensation for locating military bounty land warrants; which was ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. MASON presented the petition of H. M. Bell and David Points, assistant marshals in taking the Seventh Census, of Augusta county, Virginia, praying additional compensation; which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. BRODHEAD presented a memorial of citizens of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, praying for an appropriation for the erection of piers and harbors of the Delaware river and bay; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Also, a petition of John H. Parker and sixty other citizens of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, praying the enactment of a law to prohibit the introduction into the ports of the United States of foreign convicts, felons, and paupers; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. MALLORY presented a petition of the underwriters of the city of Boston, Massachusetts, praying the reconstruction of the lighthouse on Sand Key, on the coast of Florida; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. DODGE, of Iowa, presented the petition of Benjamin Arnold, praying compensation for damages done to his property by the enemy during the last war with Great Britain; which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. COOPER presented a memorial of citizens of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, praying that the transportation of the mails on the Sabbath may be prohibited by law; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads

Postmaster General to contract for the placing of an ice-boat on the Potomac river.

Mr. MALLORY gave notice that he should ask leave to introduce a bill to be entitled "A bill for the relief of Kennedy and Darling."

BILLS INTRODUCED.

Mr. FELCH, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill granting to the State of Michigan the right of way and a donation of public lands for the purpose of con

tion for the erection of piers and harbors in the Delaware river and bay; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. UNDERWOOD presented a memorial of citizens of the United States, praying that the office

of Michigan; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

He also asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill to establish an additional land office in Mich

Mr. FELCH presented six petitions of citizens of Michigan, praying a grant of public land to the Zilwaukie Grand Traverse and Mackinaw Plank Road Company, to aid in the construction of their road; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. SEBASTIAN, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill for the redemption of certain Choctaw annuities; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.

Mr. NORRIS presented the petition of John Clark, praying that a contract may be entered into with him for rebuilding the light-house on Minot's Ledge, near Boston harbor; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. DODGE, of Wisconsin, presented a petition of citizens of Middletown, Wisconsin, praying a change in the laws providing for the sale of the public lands; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. ATCHISON presented the petition of Johnson Lykins, praying compensation for services as physician for the Osage river band of Pottawatomie Indians; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Mr. JONES, of Iowa, presented a memorial of the people of Iowa, assembled in convention at Iowa City, praying a grant of public land to aid in the construction of the Dubuque and Keokuck, and the Davenport and Council Bluffs railroads; which was ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. BUTLER presented a memorial of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, praying that a light-boat and fog bell may be placed on the shoals east of Cape Roman, on the coast of South Carolina; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

PAPERS WITHDRAWN AND REFERRED.

On motion by Mr. HAMLIN, it was Ordered, That the three petitions of inhabitants of Sedgwick, Maine, on the files of the Senate, in relation to a port of entry at that place, be referred to the Committee on Com

merce.

On motion by Mr. NORRIS, it was

Ordered, That the memorial of A. A. Frazier and Alvin Baker, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee of Claims.

On motion by Mr. BELL, it was Ordered, That the petition of Joseph Byrd, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. NOTICES OF BILLS.

Mr. WHITCOMB gave notice that he should ask leave to introduce a bill granting lands to aid in the construction of a railroad, with right of way, from La Fayette, Indiana, by way of Peoria, Illinois, and Burlington, Iowa, to the Missouri

river.

Mr. GWIN gave notice that he should ask leave to introduce a bill to suppress Indian hostilities in the State of California and Territory of Oregon, to establish an Assistant Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the Pacific coast, and for other purposes.

Mr. MORTON gave notice that he should ask leave to introduce a bill granting the right of way and a donation of land to aid in the construction of a plank road from the city of Pensacola, in Florida, to the town of Montgomery, in Alabama. Mr. RUSK gave notice that he should ask leave to introduce a joint resolution authorizing the

amendment.

Mr. UNDERWOOD. The Committee on Public Lands have, after considerable labor, prepared an amendment which they have instructed me to offer to the Senate bill, providing for the assignability of land warrants. I ask that it may be received informally, and ordered to be printed. It was received and ordered to be printed.

Mr. BRODHEAD, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of A. S. Williamson, submitted an adverse report; which was ordered to be printed.

He also, from the same committee, to whom was referred the petition of Allen G. Johnson, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill for his relief.

The bill was read and passed to a second reading, and the report was ordered to be printed.

PRIVATE BIlls.

The bill for the relief of Sidney A. Allcott, was read a second time and considered as in Committee of the Whole. The object of the bill is to allow him to enter land in Michigan, for which in 1836 he paid $200, but neglected to enter. The bill was reported to the Senate, and was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

The bill for the relief of the heirs of Judith Worthen, deceased, was read a second time, and the Senate proceeded to consider it as in Committee of the Whole.

It provides that the Secretary of War be authorized and required to pay out of any money in the Treasury, not otherwise appropriated, to the heirs of Judith Worthen, deceased, widow of Isaac Worthen, late a revolutionary pensioner, such sum as she, if now living, would be entitled to receive under the act of July 7th, 1838.

Mr. UNDERWOOD. I would ask if there is any report on this bill?

The PRESIDENT. A report was made at a former session, but not at this session. Mr. UNDERWOOD. I would like to hear it read.

The report of the Committee on Pensions was read.

Mr. BRADBURY. I trust that the objections in the mind of the Senator from Kentucky will be relieved by the reading of the report. It appears that the pensioner in this case was entitled to a five years' pension under the act of 1838; that the proofs were duly filed in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions; but owing to the press of business in that office there was some delay in the decision of the case. This delay cut off the claim. The pensioner was equitably entitled to a pension under the provisions of the act of 1838. I have had occasion to look into the case, and I think there is no valid objection to the bill. I hope the Senator from Kentucky will make no objection. Mr. UNDERWOOD. I have made no objection.

amendment, and ordered to be engrossed for third reading.

a

A bill authorizing Victor Morass to relinquish certain lands, and to enter the same quantity elsewhere, was read a second time and considered as in Committee of the Whole. No amendment being made thereto, it was reported to the Senate and ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

The Senate proceeded to consider as in Committee of the Whole the following bills:

A bill for the relief of Charles Melrose; and

A bill granting a pension to Sally F. Floyd, widow of George R. C. Floyd, late a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army of the United States; and no amendment being made thereto, they were reported to the Senate.

Ordered, That they be engrossed and read a third time. The Senate proceeded to consider, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill to revive a portion of an act for the relief of the widows of deceased soldiers.

It had been reported back from the Committee on Military Affairs with an amendment.

Mr. DAWSON. I ask that it be passed over for the present. It requires some investigation.

Mr. BORLAND. I hope it will not be passed over. It has been before the Senate the last few sessions, and has not been passed because it has never been properly reached. It is a bill of great merit, and I hope the Senate will now consider and act upon it.

Mr. DAWSON. The bill will give rise to discussion. I move to lay it on the table.

Mr. BORLAND. I must ask the yeas and nays upon that motion.

Mr. DAWSON. My object is not to oppose the bill, but to have an opportunity to look into the facts.

Mr. BORLAND. If the Senator will withdraw the motion I will explain the merit of the bill. Mr. DAWSON. I withdraw it.

Mr. BORLAND. It is a proposition to revive that portion of the act of 1816 which granted five years' half pay to the widows of soldiers who died in the service, or of wounds incurred in consequence of service, in the war of 1812. There are but few of those widows now remaining. There are no minor children entitled to benefit under the provisions of the act of 1816, and but very few widows. Those widows are old and many of them destitute. There now remain but a small remnant of the widows of those gallant men who fell in defence of their country in the war of 1812, or who died of disease contracted in that war. This is a bill, which it appears to me, appeals not only to the sympathies but to the sense of justice of every one. It is impossible to ascertain the precise number of those widows now remaining, because when the five years expired-that is in 1821-all these persons passed off the pension roll. The attempt, therefore, to obtain information from the Pension Office, as to their number, fails. The Pension Office cannot give the information, but any one who will look into the matter will perceive that there can be but very few of those widows remaining. So far as my knowledge extends, most of them are very poor. Some of them are infirm. I know in my own State some one or two only, and I learn from others that there are very few in any of the States. I hope, therefore, the Senator will not make a motion to lay the bill on the table, but will let it be passed.

Mr. DAWSON. I would ask whether the bill proposes that the pensions shall be from 1821 to the present time, or shall commence after the passage of this act?

Mr. BORLAND. If the Senator will let the bill be read, he will see what are its provisions.

Clark, Cleveland, Clingman, Conger, Cottman, Curtis, Geo. T. Davis, John G. Davis, Dawson, Dean, Dimmick, Disney, Doty, Dunham, Eastman, Faulkner, Ficklin, Florence, Fowler, Henry M. Fuller, Gaylord, Gentry, Giddings, Gilmore, Goodenow, Gorman, Green, Grow, Hart, Hendricks, Henn, Hibbard, Howard, John W. Howe, Hunter, Ingersoll, Ives, John Johnson, Daniel T. Jones, J. Glancy Jones, Preston King, Kuhns, Kurtz, Letcher, Mace, Mann, Edward C. Marshall, Mason, McNair, Meade, Miller, Miner, Molony, John Moore, Murray, Nabers, Newton, Olds, Peaslee, Penn, Penniman, Perkins, Porter, Price, Rantoul, Richardson, Robbins, Robie, Robinson, Scudder, David L. Seymour, Origen S Seymour, Skelton, Smart, Snow, Benjamin Stanton, Frederick P. Stanton, Richard H. Stanton, Abraham P. Stevens, St. Martin, Stratton, Stuart, Sutherland, Sweetser, Benjamin Thompson, George W. Thompson, Thurston, Townshend, Tuck, Walbridge, Walsh, Ward, Washburn, Wells, Addison White, and Yates-117.

NAYS-Messrs. Abercrombie, Aiken, William Appleton, Ashe, Averett, Thomas H. Bayly, Barrere, Bocock, John H. Boyd, Albert G. Brown, Caldwell, Lewis D. Campbell, Churchwell, Cobb, Cullom, Edmundson, Ewing, Hall, Hamilton, Hammond, Isham G. Harris, Sampson W. Harris, Haven, Hillyer, Holladay, Houston, Jackson, Andrew Johnson, James Johnson, George W. Jones, Landry, Humphrey Marshall, Martin, McMullin, Millson, Henry D. Moore, Morehead, Murphy, Orr, Outlaw, Powell, Savage, Smith, Stanly, Alexander H. Stephens, Taylor, Venable, Wallace, Watkins, Alexander White, and Williams-51.

Previous to the announcement of the above result,

Mr.THOMAS M. HOWE said: I have reached this Hall, after some three or four days of absence by reason of sickness. I am exceedingly anxious to record my vote upon this question in the affirmative, and l'ask leave to do so.

object.

Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia. The SPEAKER. Objection is made, and the gentleman cannot record his vote.

So the rules were suspended, and the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. CARTTER] had leave to introduce his resolution, above referred to.

Mr. CARTTER. Upon that resolution I move the previous question.

Cries of "Good!" "Good!"

The previous question then received a second, and the main question was ordered to be put. Mr. ROBBINS demanded the yeas and nays; which were ordered.

Cries of "Read the resolution!" "Read the resolution!"

The resolution was accordingly read, as above reported.

The question was then taken, and there were— yeas 123, nays 54; as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Charles Allen, Willis Allen, Allison, Andrews, John Appleton, Babcock, Bartlett, Beale, Bell, Bowne, Breckenridge, Brenton, Briggs, Buell, Burrows, Busby, Joseph Cable, Cartter, Caskie, Chapman, Chastain, Clark, Cleveland, Clingman, Conger, Cottman, Curtis, George T. Davis, John G. Davis, Dawson, Dean, Dimmick, Disney, Doty, Dunham, Eastman, Faulkner, Ficklin, Florence, Fowler, Henry M. Fuller, Thomas J. D. Fuller, Gaylord, Gentry, Giddings, Gilmore, Goodenow, Gorman, Green, Grow, Hart, Hascall, Hendricks, Henn, Hibbard, Howard, John W. Howe, Thomas M. Howe, Hunter, Ingersoll, Ives, John Johnson, Daniel T. Jones, J. Glancy Jones, Preston King, Kuhns, Kurtz, Letcher, Lockhart, Mace, Mann, Edward C. Marshall, Mason, McNair, Meade, Miller, Miner, Molony, John Moore, Murray, Nabers, Newton, Olds, Peaslee, Penn, Penniman, Perkins, Polk, Porter, Price, Rantoul, Richardson, Robbins, Robie, Robinson, Schermerhorn, Scudder, David L. Seymour, Origen S. Seymour, Skelton, Smart, Snow, Benjamin Stanton, Frederick P. Stanton, Richard H. Stanton, Abraham P. Stevens, St. Martin, Stratton, Stuart, Sutherland, Sweetser, Benjamin Thompson, George W. Thompson, Thurston, Townshend, Tuck, Walbridge, Walsh. Ward, Washburn, Wells, Addison White, and Yates-123.

NAYS-Messrs. Abercrombie, Aiken, William Appleton, Ashe, Averett, Thomas H. Bayly, Barrere, Bocock, Albert G. Brown, E. Carrington Cabell, Caldwell, Lewis D. Campbell, Churchwell, Cobb, Cullom, Edmundson, Ewing, Hall, Hamilton, Hammond, Harper, Isham G. Harris, Sampson W. Harris, Haven, Hebard, Hillyer, Holladay, Houston, Jackson, Andrew Johnson, James Johnson, Robert W. Johnson, George W. Jones, Landry, Humphrey Marshall, Martin, McMullen, Millson, Henry D. Moore, Morehead, Murphy, Orr, Outlaw, Powell, Savage, Scurry, Smith, Stanly, Alexander H. Stephens, Taylor, Venable, Wallace, Watkins, Alexander White, and Williams-54. So the resolution was adopted, and in pursuance

thereof

The SPEAKER appointed Messrs. CARTTER, CLINGMAN, GENTRY, STANTON of Kentucky, and PEASLEE, to constitute the committee.

Mr. CARTTER rose to a privileged question, and moved to reconsider the vote by which the resolution was passed, and to lay the motion of reconsideration upon the table; which latter motion was agreed to.

THE DOCTRINE OF NON-INTERVENTION. Mr. BROWN, of Mississippi, asked the unanimous consent of the House to introduce a reso

lution; which was read for information, as follows:

Resolved, That the House of Representatives declines at this time to express an opinion on the subject of the future intervention or non-intervention of the United States in the affairs of other nations, believing, as it now declares, that no case has yet arisen which requires such expression. Mr. JOHN W. HOWE objected.

Mr. BROWN, of Mississippi, moved the suspension of the rules; and upon that motion called for the yeas and nays, which were not ordered. Tellers were then demanded, but refused. The question being taken, the House refused to suspend the rules.

GRANTS OF LAND.

Mr. SIBLEY, by unánimous consent, introduced a bill, of which previous notice had been given, granting the right of way and making a donation of public lands to aid in the construction of a railroad from the falls of the St. Louis river to St. Paul, on the Mississippi river; which was read a first and second time by its title.

Mr. S. moved its reference to the Committee on Territories; which was agreed to.

Mr. HALL moved the reconsideration of the vote by which the bill was referred to the Committee on Territories, and that the bill be referred to the Committee on Public Lands. He had tried to get the ear of the Speaker before the question was taken upon the reference, but failed.

Mr. SIBLEY. Is that motion debatable?
The SPEAKER replied that it was.

Mr. SIBLEY. I do not wish to detain the House at this period with remarks of any length, on the motion just made by the chairman of the Committee on Public Lands to refer this bill to that committee. We have a standing committee of this House, whose business it is to attend particularly to the legislation for the Territories. Now, this bill is proposed to be taken from the committee to which I believe it properly belongs, and to be referred to the Committee on Public Lands, where, to a certainty, it will be served exactly as bills referred to that committee at the last session. ritorial bills always came in at the heel of the session, for the reason that the States have the preference. We have a standing committee with special reference to territorial legislation, and I hope this House will not, under any circumstancs, agree in the motion just submitted by the chairman of the Committee on Public Lands, and trust that they will adhere to their decision that this bill go to the Committee on Territories.

Ter

Mr. HALL. It is very true there is a committee of this House whose appropriate duty it is to take charge of the business of the Territories; but it is equally true that there is another committee of this House whose duty it is to administer the public domain. The Committee on Public Lands is the one. I believe that this bill proposes to make a grant of public lands for the purpose of aiding in the construction of railroads. Bills making grants for such works, and other internal improvements, have uniformly gone to that committee. We have before that committee now a great many bills upon this subject, coming from all parts of the country; and the committee are endeavoring to fix upon some principle which shall guide their actions upon all of them. I think it a matter of great importance, in order that justice may be done to every portion of the Union in reference to the subjects of these bills-the granting of public land to aid in the construction of works of internal improvement-that all of them should be referred to the same committee. If it be believed by this House that the Committee on Public Lands is not competent to discharge its duties, I trust the bills upon this subject will be taken from them and referred to the Committee on Territories. Now, as to the remark of the gentleman from Minnesota, [Mr. SIBLEY,] that this bill if referred to the Committee on Public Lands will never be heard of, I think it is entirely gratuitous. I believe that that committee are disposed-nay more, determined, in regard to this and all other subjects that may be referred to them, to report for or against. Now, the gentleman's bill, he may rest assured, will be reported upon time enough for the action of this Congress.

has uniformly shown, that whenever territorial questions were referred to committees, they had to yield to those from States. In all questions that come before them-the Committee on Public Lands, as well as the other committees-the States have the preference.

Mr. HALL. I cannot understand the force of the objection made by the gentleman from Minnesota, [Mr. SIBLEY.] He says that his experience is, that all committees have given the preference to subjects from States over those from the Territories. Well, I suppose if this matter goes to the Committee on Territories, it will be treated just as it would be by the Committee on Public Lands. I will assure the gentleman that he need not be afraid of the non-action of the Committes on Public Lands. I am certain that it will act at the earliest practical period in regard to this matter, and all similar bills that may be committed to its charge. My desire is, that all these bills may go to the same committee, as they involve the same principle. They may be considered together, and reported to the House, so that a like action may be had in regard to all of them. There is another thing the gentleman knows well: that it is the practice of the House of Representatives to set aside three days each session for the consideration of territorial business. He need not be uneasy that this or the other territorial bills will be neglected, as they will come up as territorial business, and then will be determined upon by the House.

Mr. RICHARDSON obtained the floor, but gave way to

Mr. SIBLEY. I wish to ask a question of the chairman of the Committee on Public Landswhether, last Congress, a bill providing for a donation of public lands to the Territory of Minnesota did not come into the House on the day set apart for territorial business, and under the rules of the House was not acted upon, because it was not considered strictly territorial business?

Mr. HALL. I do not remember the case. The decision of the House then was right. This is not strictly of a territorial character, and ought not to go to the Committee on Territories; and if it is not territorial in its character, the motion of the gentleman is improper.

Mr. RICHARDSON. I understand the question before the House is the reference of a bill granting a donation of land to the Territory of Minnesota to aid in the construction of a railroadI believe, according to the uniform practice of the House, this subject properly belongs to the Committee on Public Lands, and not to the Committee on Territories. I expect, and I think the country expects, of that committee that they will originate some general system upon this subject by which they will provide for the construction of roads through the lands of the Government by donations, not only in the States, but in the Territories. Í am very free to say, as one member of the Committee on Territories, that it is a subject that I do not want the charge of. We have enough to do if we discharge the other duties before us, without coming into conflict, as we necessarily should, with the system laid down by the Committee on Public Lands, were this bill referred to us.

Mr. HEBÁRD obtained the floor, but gave way to

Mr. SIBLEY. I want to ask a question of the gentleman from Illinois-whether he does not recollect that a bill granting a donation of public lands to Florida, passed during the first session of the last Congress, was reported from the Committee on Territories? The Committee on Public Lands had nothing to do with it.

right, and I speak only for one member of that committee.

Mr. SIBLEY. I will withdraw my opposition to the reference of the bill to the Committee on Public Lands.

The SPEAKER. The Chair understood that the resolution was before the House by unanimous

consent.

Mr. HEBARD. I did not rise to discuss the question, not having any interest in it; but merely to save further time in discussion. I will not move the previous question as the bill is now to be dis-only for reading it for information. posed of.

Mr. JONES. I understood the consent was

The question being taken upon the motion to reconsider, it was agreed to.

On motion by Mr. HALL, the bill was then referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

EMIGRANTS FOR THE WEST INDIA COLONIES.

Mr. BAYLY, of Virginia, asked the unanimous consent of the House to introduce a resolution calling on the President for information.

Objection was made.

Mr. BAYLY moved the suspension of the rules for the purpose of introducing his resolution; which was agreed to.

The resolution was read by the Clerk, as fol

lows:

Whereas there was issued on the 16th October, 1850, by the Secretary of State of Colonial Affairs of the British Government, the following circular, víz:

"CIRCULAR.

"DOWNING STREET, October 16th, 1850. "Sir: I have to acquaint you that it has been suggested to me that a desirable class of emigrants for the West India Colonies might be induced to come to them from among the black and colored population of the United States, whose arrival and location, if they choose to come, would, I have no doubt, be advantageous both to themselves and the Colonies. I am not aware of anything which can be done by the Colonial Government to encourage such immigration, beyond showing a readiness to pass acts giving the privilege of naturalization to any such persons as might come and settle there, and providing that a bounty should be payable ea such immigrants under such arrangements as may be thought desirable. I would also suggest, as deserving of consideration, whether laws might not be passed rendering binding on certain_conditions engagements to pay sums of money which may have been agreed on by immigrants, although such engagements may have been contracted in America, and while the parties were in a state of slavery. "I have, &c., GREY."

And whereas the subject referred to in said circular is a matter of the deepest interest to the people of one portion of this Confederacy; now, therefore,

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to communicate to this House, if not incompatible with the public interest, any information he may possess respecting said circular; and particularly what action the Legislative Assemblies of the British West India Islands have taken in pursuance of the suggestions contained therein.

Mr. BAYLY demanded the previous question; which was seconded, and under the operation thereof the resolution was adopted.

WIDOW OF GEN. WORTH.

Mr. BRIGGS asked the unanimous consent of the House to take up Senate bill No. 32, for the relief of Margaret L. Worth, for the purpose of referring it to a standing committee.

Objection was made by several.

Mr. BRIGGS moved to suspend the rules for the purpose of allowing him to introduce his motion; and upon which he demanded tellers; which were ordered, and Messrs. JOHNSON, of Tennessee, and KING, of New York, were appointed.

The question being taken, the tellers reportedayes 101, noes 19.

So the motion to suspend was agreed to.

Mr. BRIGGS then submitted his motion; and the bill was read a first and second time by its title.

Mr. B. moved that it be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. DUNHAM moved that it be referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions.

The question was put on the motion to refer to the Committee on Military Affairs; and it was disagreed to.

The latter motion was then agreed to.

Mr. ROBBINS asked the unanimous consent of the House to introduce a resolution, which was read for information, as follows, viz:

Resolved, That the Committee of Elections be requested to ascertain and report the amount due to Alderman Gallaway, for services rendered as commisioner to take testimmy in the contested-election case from the fourth district of Pennsylvania, in accordance with a resolution of this House, passed January 29, 1850.

Mr. R. moved that the resolution be referred to the Committee of Elections.

Mr. MOORE, of Pennsylvania. I move that the Committee of Elections also be requested to ||

The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Pennsylvania moved that it be referred without the Chair inquiring whether there was any objection or not. If there is no objection, he will entertain it now.

Mr. JONES. I object.

Mr. ROBBINS. Then I move a suspension of the rules for the purpose of enabling me to introduce the resolution just read.

to.

The question was then taken, and it was agreed

So the rules were suspended.

Mr. ROBBINS then demanded the previous question; which was seconded, and the main ques

tion ordered.

The question was then taken, and the resolution was adopted.

A message was here received from the President of the United States.

On motion by Mr. STUART, leave was granted to withdraw the petition and papers of Samuel Spalding for the purpose of transferring them to the Senate.

On motion by Mr. KING, of New York, it was Ordered, That the petition and papers relative to the claim of Lyon and Howard be taken from the Clerk's files and referred to the Committee of Claims.

IMPROVEMENT OF RIVER SAVANNAH.

Mr. JACKSON asked the unanimous consent of the House to introduce a bill, of which previous notice had been given, for the removal of obstructions in the river Savannah, in the State of Georgia.

Mr. CLARK objected.

Mr. JACKSON moved to suspend the rules for the purpose.

The question was then taken, and the rules were not suspended.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. I rise to inquire of the Chair whether it is resolution or petition day?

The SPEAKER. The Chair rules it is petition day. Mr. JONES. I call, then, for the order of the day.

The SPEAKER. The order of the day will be to call upon the States for petitions, beginning with Maine.

Mr. McNAIR. I ask the unanimous consent of the House to introduce a resolution, and I feel certain that no gentleman in this House will object to it when they know something about it. I will say a word

The SPEAKER. Debate is out of order. Mr. McNAIR. I want simply to give an idea

The SPEAKER. It is impossible for the Chair to allow discussion under the rules.

The resolution was then read, as follows: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the firmness and solidity of the foundation of the extension of the Capitol, now laid, and whether the strength of the stone be sufficient to uphold the superstructure about to be erected thereon.

Mr. McNAIR moved to suspend the rules.

A division being asked, the question was taken, and there were-ayes 78, noes 45.

Mr. McNAIR demanded tellers; which were ordered; and Messrs. McNAIR and BEALE were appointed.

The question was then taken, and there wereayes 77, noes 34.

The SPEAKER. There appears to be no quorum voting.

Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia, moved that the House adjourn. On which motion,

Mr. JOHN W. HOWE demanded the yeas and nays; which were ordered; when

Mr. STEPHENS withdrew his motion. Mr. GIDDINGS. I ask the unanimous consent of the House to offer a resolution; and hope there will be no objection.

The SPEAKER. The motion cannot be entertained at present. The proposition is now to suspend the rules for the purpose of enabling the gen

Mr. MOORE, of Pennsylvania. I would suggest to my colleague that if he would substitute the Committee on Public Buildings, the resolution would pass without any objection.

Mr. McNAIR. I prefer a select committee. Mr. FICKLIN said tellers were ordered, and there was no quorum. I ask for a recount, that we may see if there is not a quorum present.

A recount was then had, (Messrs. PENN and MCNAIR acting as tellers,) and there were-ayes 84, noes 42.

So the rules were suspended.

Mr. McNAIR moved the previous question upon the adoption of the resolution.

Mr. COBB demanded tellers; and they were ordered.

Mr. FOWLER. Will it be in order to move the reference of the resolution to the Committee on Public Buildings?

The SPEAKER. The reference will not be in order during the pendency of the previous question.

Mr. FOWLER. I think that is the appropriate committee.

The question was then taken on the call for the previous question, (Messrs. FoWLER and MCNAIR acting as tellers,) and resulted-ayes 78, noes 23.

The SPEAKER There is no quorum voting. Mr. STEPHENS, of Georgia. move that the House adjourn.

Mr. JOHN W. HOWE demanded the yeas and nays; which were not ordered.

The question was then taken, and the House adjourned.

PETITIONS, &c.

The following petitions, memorials, &c., were presented under the rule, and referred to the appropriate committees: By Mr. MILLSON: The petition of John C. Cohoon, administrator of F. W. C. Murren, asking payment of pension due deceased.

Also, the petition of Wm. B. Thomas, asking compensa. tion on account of the services of his father, Jas. Thomas, a pilot, in saving from capture the frigate Constitution during the war of 1812.

By Mr. GOODENOW: The petition of Clemmans Eaton, for arrears of pension.

By Mr. ALLEN, of Illinois: The petition or John T. Cook, and other citizens of Illinois, praying the right of way and a donation of the public lands for the construction of a railroad from Shawneetown, Illinois, to a point opposite to St. Louis, Missouri.

By Mr. SCUDDER: The petition of John P. Morton, late collector of customs for the district of Edgartown, Massachusetts, for allowance of commissions on duties received.

sey, and four hundred and thirty other citizens of Lorain By Mr. TOWNSHEND: The petition of Henry E. Muscounty, in reference to the harbor at the mouth of Black river, on Lake Erie.

By Mr. CABLE, of Ohio: The petition of Joshua Shaw, and twenty-two other citizens of Carroll county, Ohio, for a law to correct errors, under the old surveys of lands, in dividing sections into quarters, and to guard against similar results in future.

Also, the memorial of Nathan Winteringer, accompanied by four hundred and ninety-six petitioners, asking remuneration for a boat and load of produce seized and applied to the use of the army under General Jackson at the battle of New Orleans.

Also, the memorial of Capt. Daniel Harburgh, accompanied with papers.

By Mr. MILLER: The petition of sundry citizens of Missouri, praying the establishment of a mail route from Bloomington to Edina, Missouri.

Also, the petition of sundry citizens of Missouri, praying the establishment of a mail route from Shelbyville to Kirksville, Missouri.

Also, the petition of John Davenport, of Boone county, Missouri, praying Congress for arrearages of pension from September, 1824, to December, 1844.

By Mr. INGERSOLL: The memorial of Mary Woodward, of Connecticut, widow of Lieutenant Woodward, who lost his life while on hazardous duty in the United States revenue service, asking for a pension and other relief.

Also, the petition of Julia F. Gibbs, of Connecticut, praying for a pension on account of the revolutionary services of her husband, Samuel Gibbs.

By Mr. MANN: The petition of Hannah Harris, of Newton, Massachusetts, praying for a pension.

By Mr. SIBLEY: The memorial of Henri P. Ritter and one hundred and thirty other citizens of the District of Columbia, praying for the establishment of a Lunatic Asylum in said District.

By Mr. HAVEN: The petition of Dolly Tracy, of Ashford, Cattaraugus county, New York, the widow of Solomon Tracy, a revolutionary soldier, for a pension.

By Mr. KUHNS: The petition of Robert Graham and twenty-two other citizens of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, praying for such alteration in the present laws so as to prevent the transportation and delivery of mail on the Lord's day.

By Mr. STANTON, of Ohio: The petition of Elliott McColloch, of Logan county, Ohio, praying the passage of