the measures which are called Whig measures in Ohio. I have always voted the Whig ticket throughout my whole life, without a scratch, except in the presidential election of 1848, when, for the first and, as I trust, the last time, I "dodged," and did not vote at all. But, Mr. Chairman, I rose a while ago to propound an interrogatory to the gentleman from Florida. Mr. POLK. Stop, I have not done with you yet. Mr. CAMPBELL. Nor have I done with you, sir. I desired, as the gentleman from Florida [Mr. CABELL] (who is now so strenuously in favor of committals and platforms) will well remember, in the National Convention at Philadelphia, to have the opinions of the candidates spread upon the record. That gentleman will also remember that, notwithstanding almost the entire portion of that Convention from the North desired it, he was one of the chief actors in yelling down those who advocated an unequivocal expression, and, I may say, to some extent in stifling an expression of the true sentiments of that body. think, therefore, that it comes with a very bad grace from him now to say that he requires the platform to be distinctly laid down. Mr. CABELL. I have but a single word to say, and that is, that I was not a member of the Philadelphia Convention. Mr. CAMPBELL. If you were not a regular delegate there you were brought in as an outsider, and I know used all your influence to prevent the passage of any resolutions. Mr. POLK. The gentleman from Ohio has answered my questions, if I understand him correctly, first, that he would vote to repeal or modify the fugitive slave law. Mr. CAMPBELL. Understand me, that I admit the full force of the constitutional provision, and would vote for a law on the subject of fugitives from labor; but I am against the unjust details of the present law, and when the time comes for voting I will so record my name. Mr. POLK. I wish you to be distinct, if you please. I do not wish to misapprehend you, and therefore I ask the question again, provided you will not make a long speech in reply. Mr. CAMPBELL. If the gentleman intends to dictate to me the terms or the manner in which I shall answer his question, I will not answer it at all. I understand as well as he does what is due in courtesy from one member to another, and I shall endeavor to maintain my dignity as well as my rights. Mr. POLK. Unless I have misapprehended the gentleman, he says that he belongs to the Whig party; that he has always been nominated by and voted with the Whig party, and that he stands in his own district in high estimation as a Whig. I now ask him, is it an element in the creed of Whiggery that that fugitive slave law shall be repealed, modified, or amended? Mr. CAMPBELL. I have not said whether I stood high or not in my own district. That is for others to speak of, not for me. I do not come here for the purpose of answering for all the Whigs in my State, nor will I answer for all the Whigs in my district, nor for all the Democrats of my district, for I will freely admit there is a diversity of opinion among them. A very few are for the law as it is; but most of them, of both parties, are for a modification or a repeal. I answer now for myself, and myself alone. My opinions, however, are well known and understood in my district and State. The gentleman from Tennessee, [Mr. POLK,] if I understood him, desired that I should not make a long speech. I do not intend to make one; but I wish it to be distinctly understood, that in no instance, since the opening of this Congress, have I proposed to renew the slavery agitation here, or to reopen the "bleeding wounds. And let it be remembered, that no Northern man has yet introduced the vexed question into our debates. All this agitation comes from the South. I have only risen for the purpose of answering, as I think I have answered, very directly, the questions propounded by the gentleman from Tennessee, [Mr. POLK.] Whilst I acknowledge the full force of our constitutional duty in regard to fugitives from labor, still I believe the details of that law are iniquitous, oppressive, and unjust. That is my opinion; and whenever I am called on to give my vote, I shall vote in accordance with that opinion: for I know of no principle of moral philosophy by which I could justify myself in voting against a law which is right, or for a law which is wrong. And I believe that a majority of the people of Ohio, of all parties, take a similar position. Mr. McMULLIN. I have no doubt, that if I have done nothing else, I am entitled to the grateful acknowledgments of the gentlemen who have availed themselves of my courtesy to make general speeches out of my time. Now, I must be permitted to express my surprise, as I also do my regret at the course of remarks submitted by the gentleman from Florida, [Mr. CABELL. That gentleman informed this House, that he had taken an oath of allegiance by subscribing his name to that memorable pledge gotten up by the members of the Thirty-first Congress. My friend on my right says a second declaration of independence. The gentleman from Florida seems to pride himself upon the fact, that he was one of the signers of the second declaration of independence. But that gentleman went further. He said that there was not a single Southern Democratic member of the House, who signed that paper, except the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Cobb, now the Chief Executive of that State. And why? I ask the gentleman from Florida, emphatically, why the Southern Democrats did thus refuse to take the pledge? I will answer for these Southern Democrats. I will answer for myself, as an humble member of the Democratic party. I desired no additional testimony to go to the people whom I had the honor to represent, either of my attachment to the Union or the Democratic party. The gentleman from Florida, though a son of Virginia, yet I fear, like some other sons of Virginia who have emigrated from her shores, has degenerated from the spirit of a true Virginian. I tell you, gentlemen, those associated with me upon this floor as Virginia Democrats, do not need the testimony of such pledges to our constituents, in order to assure them of our fidelity to the Union and the Constitution. Mr. CABELL. The gentleman from Virginia says that he and his associates from Virginia are too well known to need any pledge or any declaration of sentiment upon this subject. Now, it happens that in the last Congress the delegation from Virginia was nearly equally divided upon all these questions upon which this pledge was made. I most respectfully ask that gentleman what is the true Virginia doctrine? for I find one portion of that delegation advocating one side of these questions and the other portion advocating another. I ask that gentleman, what is the true Virginia doctrine? Mr. McMULLIN. I will answer with a great deal of pleasure, and I thank the gentleman for the interrogatory. The true Virginia doctrine is a strict construction of the Constitution of the country. [Laughter and applause.] I hope my friend from Florida will make such a declaration and stick to it. If he will, I will be with him. He says that upon the subject of the compromise the Virginia delegation were divided; and so they were; but they were not divided upon the great cardinal doctrines. If they were divided, how did that delegation act? They acted like statesmen and like men. They acted like friends of their country. And how was that? Why, we did not choose to make war on each other. But we acted upon the principle which I would recommend to the favorable notice of the party to which the gentleman from Florida belongs, as well as to some gentlemen who bear the cognomen of Democrats. It is a principle imbodied in the poetical adage of Dr. Franklin: "If we to the follies of our friends are blind, Our friends will then become our foes." I tell the gentleman from Florida that Virginia politicians have as their polar star a strict adherence to the Constitution of our country; and I tell that gentleman further, that the old Democratic party proper-the real Jeffersonian, Jacksonian Hunker Democratic party-have been, as they now are, the real Union party of the country the real friends of the Union. And because we have differences among ourselves; because some of my honorable colleagues and myself differ in reference to these compromise measures, is that any good substantial reason why we should come over and vote with the party to which the gentleman from Florida belongs? Mr. Chairman, I address myself to a body composed of men men of sense-men of discriminating minds; and I beg to call their attention for a moment to this inquiry: Of whom is the Whig party composed? Who are its members? Go back to 1840, and what were its principles then? I ask the gentleman from Florida to tell us what were the principles of the Whig party then? Why, they were "Tip and Ty, log cabins, coon skins, cider barrels," and all that sort of flummery. [Laughter.] Sir, it was a disgrace. Aye, sir, it was a reflection upon the character of the American people! Where was the gentleman from Florida in the campaign of 1844? Mr. CABELL. I was too young then to take part in it. Mr. McMULLIN. My friend was a young man, but I suspect he knew how to sing some of those songs. I knew him well when a boy, and he was from one of the first families of Virginia. [Great laughter.] He left his native State, a very promising young gentleman, but I dare say when he arrived in Florida he felt too young to enter actively into that campaign. But I dare say he learned some of those songs out of that memorable "yaller kiver" book. [Laughter.] I desire that the gentleman from Florida shall inform his constituents-for if I understood him his speech was not made for the purpose of enlightening the House of Representatives upon the bill now under consideration, but for Buncombe-for his especial constituents-what were the principles of the Whig party in 1844? If I had the time and disposition to call the attention of the House and the country to the principles of that party, I think I could show that their principles had become obsolete. But I come back to the question to which I desire to call the attention of the House and the country, viz: the division in the Virginia delegation. How, I ask, would my friend from the Norfolk district, [Mr. MILLSON,] or my friend from the Lynchburg district, [Mr. Bocock,] or any of my colleagues who differed with me upon these compromise measures, look, if they were to take counsel from the sage statesman from Florida, and vote with the Whig party for President?-for the kind of play now seems to be that of making Presidents instead of attending to the ordinary legislation of the country. I ask the gentleman from Florida, how he could expect either of my colleagues to vote with him and the Whig party-a party with which they have no sort of identity, or union of feeling, or interest whatever? They do not agree upon any one political question. But if my colleagues differ with the Whig party upon every one of the items composing their political creed, can they be expected to abandon the Democratic party, or to abandon the nominee of the Democratic party, because, forsooth they happened to differ from their Democratic brethren upon a party question? Now, I ask gentlemen of this House, as intelligent and discriminating men, whether the gentleman from Florida or the Whig party have the right to expect that the Democratic party, whether Union Democrats, or, as gentlemen sometimes call them, the fire-eating Democrats, can coöperate with the Whig party, with whom they differ from A to Z? No, sir. But the gentleman from Florida was pleased to say some other singular things. He charged, or rather attempted to make the impression upon the country, that the Democratic party, in the organization of the present Congress, had admitted into their legislative caucus the Free-Soil Democrats. Ah! I wonder if there were no Free-Soil Abolition Whigs in the Whig caucus? Why does not the gentleman tell his dearly-beloved constituents how many there were in his caucus? It will not do to tell tales out of school, and the gentleman is too well taught in his political school to tell tales. Mr. CABELL. I thought this matter was gone over fully the first day of the session. The proceedings of that caucus were published, and are well known to the Whigs of the country. I say now to the gentleman from Virginia, as I said then, and as was said by others, that there are Free-Soilers who have acted with the Whig party, and there are Free-Soilers who have acted with the Democratic party. It was announced to the House then, and I say now, that Free-Soilers were in our caucus; but when they found that the Whig caucus were about to do what the Democratic caucus had failed to do, they left us, and refused to have any further affiliation with the Whig party. They retired from the caucus, and the resolutions were passed. These resolutions were introduced by the gentleman from New York, [Mr. HAVEN,] and were adopted by a large majority of the Whigs--the Northern Whigs elected to this House, and all the Southern Whigs which were there, voted for them as a matter of course. Mr. McMULLIN. The gentleman from Florida [Mr. CABELL] tells the House that the Abolitionists withdrew from the caucus. If they withdrew, how many were left in the caucus? There was not a baker's dozen. But the gentleman from Florida has very adroitly, but, I think, not liberally, attempted to make the impression upon his constituents-for which purpose his speech was made that the Whig party is not identified with the Abolition party. I ask the gentleman if he has forgotten the various votes and declarations and answers made by Mr. Fillmore, the now President of the United States, upon this slavery question? Has he forgotten the votes of Mr. Fillmore by which he recognizes the Abolition doctrines to the fullest extent? And has he forgotten that the great Daniel Webster-I suppose he is a Whig-said upon the Wilmot proviso, that it was his original thunder? Has not Mr. Webster so declared? And yet, in the face of this declaration, the gentleman from Florida [Mr. CABELL] gets up and attempts to make this House and the country believe that the Democratic party are all real Abolitionists. I have so much respect for the gentleman from Florida, and for his integrity and high talents, that I regret that he has come down and acted the part of a common court-yard politician. [Laughter.] I regret, Mr. Chairman, that it has been the policy of the Whig party to attempt to gull and bamboozle and mislead the people in reference to this cry of" Union!" "Union!" and to make them believe they are the only Union party. It is a slander upon the dead and the living. The Democratic party have ever been regarded, since the foundation of the Government, as the true Union party. I could go back and call your attention, if I had time, to facts which would bear me out in the declaration. But it is unfortunate that, instead of the ordinary legislation of the country-and many of the citizens of our country are suffering, greatly suffering, for the want of legislation-that everything is made to bend to President making. The gentleman from Florida-whether the leader of his party or nothas led off to-day, and I could have advised him to have saved his thunder for a more proper occasion, and to have waited until the resumption of the consideration of the President's message, when it would be a fit occasion for all gentlemen who have been nursing their wrath to pour it out upon the heads of their political adversaries. That would be a more suitable occasion for such a purpose than this, when the poor soldiers, many of whom are suffering for the want of the passage of this bill, and to which I beg leave to call the attention of the committee for a few moments. with him-that this very modest lecture which I Mr. HARRIS, of Tennessee. I move that the committee rise, with a view to offer a resolution closing debate upon the question under consideration. I tell the gentleman from Florida, much as he supposes that I have attempted to enlighten this House and this country, that when that subject Mr. CABELL. I have merely to say I feel comes before this House, I will claim my privivery much indebted to the gentleman for the lec-lege to be heard. Whether or not I have tresture, coming from so reverend a source; and I am passed upon the time or patience of the House, is one of those who have been so long acquainted a question to be settled between my constituents with the gentleman from Virginia, who has re- and myself. I have an overfondness for talking, minded the House that he was an acquaintance of and when it becomes necessary for me to talk or mine when he was a member of the Virginia Le- say something, in my humble way, in reply to gislature, and when I was quite a small boy, in the attacks, such as have been made by the gentlecity of Richmond. I am an admirer of his, and man from Florida [Mr. CABELL] to-day, I shall have observed his course, and I have observed that do so regardless of consequences. scarcely a day passes that he does not undertake to enlighten this House upon some subject; and the members of the House will bear me out in saying there is hardly a day passes in which the honorable gentleman does not speak either for Buncombe, or Little Tennessee, or for the House and the country. But I think it is but once before, since the House met, that I have occupied two minutes of their time. I have now availed myself of this occasion, because I thought it was necessary that I should place myself right before my constituents in regard to important political movements-I say, I have just now availed myself of this occasion for that purpose, and for the first time followed the example of the very venerable Representative from the State of Virginia; and I ask the gentleman to do me the justice to say that I have not departed from his advice except upon this one occasion. And I will further state, that I am as anxious as he or any man can be, for the passage of this bill; and I have heretofore refrained from addressing the House, with a view of enabling them to expedite action upon it; but being aware that there were several gentlemen around me who were desirous of making political speeches, in no manner relating to the question before the House, I availed myself of the privilege usually allowed. Mr. COBB. Will the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. McMULLIN] allow me to make a motion? Mr. McMULLIN. I cannot yield for such a purpose. Mr. COBB. I want to profit by your admonition. I suggest that a motion be made that the committee rise, with a view to adopt a resolution to close debate, at some time, say to-morrow at two o'clock. [Cries of "No!" "No!" "No!"] Mr. COBB. And then you will get the floor and finish your speech. If we do not do so, we shall never get through with the discussion. Mr. McMULLIN. I assure the gentleman from Alabama, that it is my desire to have the vote taken upon the bill as soon as possible. I hope the gentleman from Florida [Mr. CABELL] will pardon me for saying that I have no doubt of the sincerity of all he has said, and I thank him for having told the House and the country, that have attempted, almost every day, to enlighten the House and the country. But that question I will not debate, but refer to the records of the House. If the gentleman from Florida will give some little evidence of repentance for his political sins, and also by coming over upon the Democratic side of the House, I would say, Go forward, brother; give in your adhesion to the Democratic faith; sin no more, and we will take you under our charge. Mr. BISSELL. Mr. Speaker Mr. McMULLIN. I have not yet yielded the floor. Mr. BISSELL. The gentleman has so many endings, that I hope he will excuse me for not knowing when he has ended. [Laughter.] Mr. McMULLIN. Certainly, certainly. I have received letter upon letter from my constituents appealing to me to get the House of Representatives and the Senate to pass this bill, if it is possible. Sir, that meritorious class of your citizens consider that they have been greatly aggrieved and injured by the invidious distinction drawn between the soldiers of the Mexican war and the soldiers of the preceding wars. It was an invidious distinction; and at this period of the session we ought to have taken up this bill and passed it; and if explanations were to enable us to pass it, those gentlemen who have made themselves familiar with the subject would have explained it- I desire that this bill shall pass, and that speedinstead of taking the extraordinary course which ily. The interest of a large proportion of my conhas been pursued. Let me ask the gentleman stituents is suffering for the want of its passage. from Florida a question. Suppose-and I presume I know the fact that there have been great sacrithere are members upon this floor as anxious to fices made for the want of the passage of a law please their constituents as the gentleman from like this. Persons have attempted to violate the Florida-suppose the two hundred and thirty-late law, or disregard it, by making sale of land three members of this House should imagine they must get up and make a political speech upon this little bill for the benefit of the poor soldier, what would become of it? You would not have time to pass the appropriation bill or the civil and diplomatic bill. And I hope-while I do not mean to set myself up as a sort of general lecturer, but the gentleman from Florida being somewhat peculiar, having hailed originally from Virginia, I thought I could take some liberties in dealing rather gently warrants and depending upon the veracity of those The question was then taken, and the motion was agreed to. The committee accordingly rose, and the Speaker having resumed the chair the chairman of the committee reported that the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union had had the Union generally under consideration, and particularly the special order of the House, being Senate bill 146, entitled "An act to make land warrants assignable, and for other purposes,” and that it had come to no conclusion thereon. Mr. HARRIS, of Tennessee. I offer the fol lowing resolution : Resolved, That all debate in the Committee of the Whole House upon the state of the Union, on the bill of the Senate, (No. 146,) entitled "An act making land warrants assignable, and for other purposes," shall cease at one o'clock on to-morrow, (if the committee shall not sooner come to a conclusion upon the same ;) and the committee shall then proceed to vote on such amendments as may be pending, or offered to the same, and shall then report it to the House, with such amendments as may have been agreed to by the committee. Mr. CAMPBELL, of Illinois. I move to strike out "to-morrow at one o'clock," and to insert "to-morrow week at one o'clock." I would inquire of the Chair whether that amendment is debatable? The SPEAKER. It is not. Mr. POLK. Is the resolution now susceptible of amendment? The SPEAKER. A proposition of amendment by the gentleman from Illinois is now pending. Mr. POLK. I hope the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. CAMPBELL] will withdraw his amendment and substitute to-morrow at three o'clock. I am opposed to the resolution as originally introduced. If the time is fixed for to-morrow at one o'clock, the morning hour will be consumed. I desire to explain the action of the Democratic caucus. The SPEAKER. The Chair must remind gentlemen that debate is not in order. Mr. POLK. I then call for the previous question. Mr. HOUSTON. I wish to have the order of the House by which this was made the special order, read, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the resolution in its present form is really in order. I understand the special order to have been to include not only the Senate bill, but also the House bill upon that subject. If the House has so ordered, is it competent for the House to divide that special order and make two of it? I inquire whether the resolution should not include the bill of the House as well as that of the Senate? I make this suggestion with a view of preventing any difficulty that may grow out of it. I hope the mover of the resolution will so modify it as to inIclude both bills. Mr. HARRIS. If it is in my power I will do 80. I desire to have the debate closed upon the whole subject. The SPEAKER. The gentleman has the right to modify his resolution. Mr. HARRIS. I will so modify it that debate shall cease upon both propositions—the bill of the Senate as well as that of the House. The SPEAKER. The modification will be made. Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. I will suggest to my colleague another modification, which will be, that debate shall close upon both of these bills two hours after their consideration shall again be resumed in the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. Mr. POLK. I rise to a point of order. I moved the previous question, and would like to know whether any motion is in order in the face of that call? The SPEAKER. The gentleman has a right to modify his resolution before action is had. Mr. POLK. If the demand for the previous question is made? The SPEAKER. Yes, sir. Mr. BISSELL. I wish merely to suggest that this is a Senate bill, which has not been considered in a committee, nor discussed in the House. I say we are closing debate upon it too soon. The bill requires a little explanation, and unless the mover of the resolution adopts the suggestion of the gentleman from Tennessee, to close the debate two hours after we go into committee, I shall feel constrained to move to lay the resolution upon the table. This bill requires explanation. I hope the gentleman will accept that modification. I Mr. HARRIS. I wish only to consult the sense of the House, as to the time when this debate shall cease in the Committee of the Whole. have no choice as to the particular hour; and as several gentlemen around me suggest the propriety of modifying the resolution so as to close debate two hours after the committee shall have resumed the consideratian of the subject, I will so modify it. Mr. CAMPBELL, of Illinois. There was a resolution offered here to which I offered an amendment, and to my amendment, I believe, there was another amendment made. There the matter, I think, should stop. I was told I had no right to discuss this subject, notwithstanding which, motions have been entertained, and subjects discussed, ever since I offered my amendment. The SPEAKER. The Chair had no design of doing the gentleman injustice. Mr. CAMPBELL. I am well aware of that. I am only speaking with regard to the action of gentlemen, and desire to suggest to the Chair the position which this resolution now occupies. I might be permitted to say that I am not tenacious about prolonging the debate for a whole week. I would be willing to fix any reasonable time for the consideration of this subject, and particularly for the consideration of the Senate bill, which has never been before the House nor any committee. It is an important subject, and I do think the opponents of the bill should not check this matter at once. I will fix any reasonable time gentlemen are willing to agree upon, that we may have some opportunity of discussing the merits of the bill as it is now before us. I move to strike out" in two hours after the committee shall resume their consideration," and to insert in lieu thereof "on Thursday next, at two o'clock." Mr. POLK. I insist upon my call for the previous question. Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, demanded tellers, upon the second; which were ordered; and Messrs. JONES, of Tennessee, and CHANDLER were appointed. The House was then divided, and the tellers reported-ayes 78, noes 45. So there was a second, and the main question was then ordered to be put. A VOICE. Read the resolution as modified. The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: Resolved, That all debate in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union on the bill of the Senate (No. 146), as also joint resolution No. 1, entitled "An act making land warrants assignable, and for other purposes;" and also joint resolution (No. 1) explanatory of the act approved September 28, 1850, granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States, shall cease in two hours after the committee shall resume their considera. tion, (if the committee shall not sooner come to a conclusion upon the same;) and the committee shall then proceed to vote on such amendments as may be pending, or of fered to the same, and shall then report it to the House, with such amendments as may have been agreed to by the committee. The SPEAKER. The main question is first upon the amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois, [Mr. CAMPBELL.]. Mr. CAMPBELL. I will withdraw my amend Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, moved to reconsider the vote by which the resolution was adopted, and to lay the motion to reconsider on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Mr. CARTTER moved that the House adjourn. Mr. STANTON, of Tennessee. I would suggest to the gentleman, whether it would not be better to clear the Speaker's table. Mr. CARTTER. It cannot be done-it is too late in the day. The question was then taken and agreed to, and The House adjourned till to-morrow at twelve o'clock. PETITIONS, &c. The following petitions, memorials, &c., were presented under the rule, and referred to the appropriate committees: By Mr. JONES, of Pennsylvania: The memorial of A. G. Nicolls and 400 others, for repair of piers and improve ment of harbors on the river Delaware. By Mr. ROBBINS: A petition signed by Harris and Leech and 24 other persons, merchants and citizens of Philadelphia, asking Congress to make an appropriation for the construction of an additional canal around the Falls of the Ohio, or Rapids at Louisville, Kentucky. By Mr. WELLS: The memorial of the Michigan Southern Railroad Company, for compensation for transporting the great western mail. By Mr. HARPER: The petition of George W. Jackson, of Virginia, one of the heirs of George Jackson, of Ohio, deceased, praying remuneration for the services of said George Jackson, for one year as Captain in the expedition of General George Rogers Clark to the Falls of the Ohio in 1781. By Mr. McMULLIN: The petition of John S. King and others, praying a pension for said King. By Mr. RIDDLE: A memorial of the Commissioners of the town of Newcastle, State of Delaware, praying for an appropriation to complete the United States harbor at said town, on the Delaware river. Also, a memorial of sundry citizens of the United States, holders of claims upon the late Republic of Texas, praying Congress to pass a law to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to pay their claims, upon compliance by them with all the requirements prescribed by that officer, in conformity with the act of the 9th of September, 1850. By Mr. MOORE, of Pennsylvania: The memorial of merchants and citizens of Philadelphia, asking an improvement in navigation around the Falls of the Ohio river. By Mr. LETCHER: The petition of J. B. Moomaw, A. D. Amiss, T. B. McRoberts, and Felix Hull, assistant marshals in the State of Virginia, asking additional compensation for taking the late census. By Mr. HIBBARD: The petition of Daniel Breed and others, praying for the establishment of a new post route, from the post office in North Charlestown, New Hampshire, to the post office in Unity, in said State. By Mr. EDGERTON: The petition of citizens of Putnam county, Ohio, for a mail route from Kalida, Ohio, to Adrian, Michigan. By Mr. J. W. HOWE: The petition of William S. Rankin, and 57 others, citizens of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, praying Congress to prohibit the transportation of the United States mail on the Sabbath. By Mr. CHANDLER: Three memorials, numerously signed by merchants of Philadelphia, asking Congress to adopt means for improving the navigation at the Falls of the river Ohio, at Louisville. By Mr. SCUDDER: The petition of Zenas D. Bassett and others, of Massachusetts, asking an appropriation for the preservation of the breakwater in Hyannis harbor. Also, the petition of Thomas Bradley and others, of Massachusetts, asking an appropriation, &c., for the location of buoys on the shoals in Holmes' Hole harbor. By Mr. GAYLORD: The petition of sundry citizens of New Lexington, Perry county, Ohio, asking the establishment of a mail route from Newark, Licking county, Ohio, through Jackson, Thornville, and Somerset, to New Lexington, Perry county, Ohio. IN SENATE. WEDNESDAY, February 4, 1852. Prayer by the Rev. L. F. MORGAN. NON-INTERVENTION. Mr. CLARKE. Mr. President, yesterday and the day before I was detained from the Senate by severe indisposition, from which I have not yet recovered. During my absence yesterday, I perceive from the papers, the Senator from Michigan [Mr. CASS] called the attention of the Senate to the resolutions which I some time since offered in relation to the doctrine of intervention, and gave an intimation that he wished to address the Senate upon it to-day. I desire now to say to the Senate, that the Senator from Michigan and myself, as he stated, had had a conversation on the subject, and fearing that I might not be able to enter upon the discussion of those resolutions-for I was discouraged by my indisposition-it was agreed between us that he might proceed with the discussion of his substitute, if I should not be able to proceed with the explanation of the original resolution, which I was entitled to do by the usual courtesy of the Senate. But this morning we have had another conversation, and the Sen ator from Michigan, with his proverbial kindness, has agreed that the consideration of the resolutions may be further postponed to Monday next, when I hope to be able to proceed with the discussion— I trust my health will permit me to do so-but if I should be so unfortunate as not then to be able to proceed myself, that the Senator from Michigan shall have the floor for that day. If, however, I shall be able to speak on Monday next, and that day should be occupied by me, it is understood that the Senator from Michigan will be ready to proceed on Tuesday. Of course we cannot control this matter, but we desire that such an arrangement may agree with the convenience of the Senate. With that view, I move that the resolutions may now be taken up, that their consideration may be postponed to Monday next. I make this request thus early, because I shall be obliged very soon to leave the Senate Chamber, not being able to remain throughout the day. The motion was agreed to. PETITIONS. Mr. JONES, of Iowa, presented the petition of Candace Pofter, widow of a soldier in the war of the Revolution, praying a pension; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions. Also, the proceedings of a meeting of the citizens of Dubuque, Iowa, who pray for a grant of land for the construction of a railroad from Dubuque to Minnesota Territory; which were referred to the Committee on Territories. Mr. MORTON presented the memorial of assistant marshals for taking the Seventh Census in Florida, praying additional compensation; which was referred to the Committee of Claims. Mr. STOCKTON presented two petitions of citizens of New Jersey, praying that the law abolishing flogging in the Navy may not be repealed; which were referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Also, the petition of P. Dickerson and others, recommending the proposition submitted by Ambrose W. Thompson for the transportation of the mails between New York and some port on the western coast of Ireland; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Also, the memorial of Charles Wilkes, a commander in the Navy, praying that an appropriation of five hundred thousand dollars be placed at the disposition of the President of the United States, to institute an effective search within the Arctic regions for Sir John Franklin, and to redeem the pledge made by the late President of the United States, through the Secretary of State, to Lady Franklin; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr. HALE. Mr. President, is it in order to move to instruct the Naval Committee in relation to that memorial? If it is in order, I move that the committee be instructed to inform the Senate how much the expeditions got up under this same Mr. Charles Wilkes, some years ago, have cost already. I think the Senate ought to have that information before the committee act upon this petition. The PRESIDENT. The Senator cannot make the motion in that way. Mr. PEARCE. That information has been given to the Senate long ago. Mr. HALE. Well, I will endeavor to get at it in some other way. The PRESIDENT. The Chair would inform the Senator that he must introduce a resolution in the usual form, in order to instruct a committee. Mr. HALE. I will obtain the information in some way. Mr. SHIELDS presented a memorial of certain non-commissioned officers of the regiment of mounted riflemen in the United States Army, praying to be discharged; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Also, a petition of the members of the company of sappers and miners and pontoniers, enlisted in the Army of the United States, praying to be discharged; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. MANGUM presented the memorial of W. P. J. Sanger, praying compensation for performing the duties of engineer at the Gosport NavyYard; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr. COOPER presented the petition of Cornelius McCaullay, praying compensation for certain variegated embossed morocco leather, furnished for covering the chairs in the Senate Chamber; which was referred to the Committee of Claims. Also, the memorial of Frederick Vincent, administrator of James Lecaze, deceased, late partner in the firm of Lecaze & Mallet, praying the payment of a balance due for advances made by that firm during the revolutionary war; which was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. Also, the petition of David A. Melhorn, praying to be indemnified for loss on contract entered into by him for building a culvert in the city of Washington; which was referred to the Committee of Claims. Also, the memorial of inhabitants of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, praying that the transportation of the mails on Sunday may be prohibited by law; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Mr. UNDERWOOD presented three petitions of merchants and others of Philadelphia, praying an enlargement of the Louisville and Portland Canal; which was referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals. Mr. PRATT presented the petition of William G. Ridgely, praying indemnity for tobacco destroyed by the British in the war of 1812; which was referred to the Committee of Claims. Mr. HAMLIN presented a memorial of citizens of Portland, Maine, praying that the spirit ration in the Navy may be abolished; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr. SUMNER presented a petition of citizens of Massachusetts in favor of an appropriation for a ship canal around the Falls of St. Mary's river; which was laid on the table. Also, the petition of fifteen heads of insurance offices in Boston, praying that the act of March 3, 1847, for the reduction of the costs and expenses of proceedings in admiralty against ships and vessels may not be repealed: which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. DOWNS presented the petition of George W. Hathaway, praying the appointment of a tribunal to review the decisions of the late Board of Commissioners for the settlement of claims of American citizens against Mexico; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Mr. CHASE. I hold in my hand two memorials of citizens of Cincinnati, praying for the division of the district of Ohio into two judicial districts. These memorials are signed by nearly every member of the bar and almost every leading man of business in the city of Cincinnati; and ask leave to commend them to the respectful attention of the Committee on the Judiciary, to which committee I move that they be referred. The motion was agreed to. Mr. CLEMENS presented resolutions of the Legislature of Alabama in favor of the establishment of a Bureau of Agriculture; which were read and ordered to be printed. Mr. DODGE, of Wisconsin, presented the petition of William Jacon, in behalf of himself and his late partner, Lewis H. Bates, praying to be indemnified for losses sustained in consequence of the illegal seizure of a quantity of iron imported by them; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. BADGER presented six memorials of assistant marshals for taking the Seventh Census in North Carolina, praying additional compensation; which were referred to the Committee of Claims. Mr. NORRIS presented the petition of Jacob Gideon, praying indemnification for damages sustained in consequence of a violation of his contract with the Navy Department for binding; which was referred to the Committee of Claims. PAPERS WITHDRAWN AND REFERRED. On motion by Mr. SHIELDS, it was Ordered, That the papers in the case of Phineas M. Nightingale, legal representative of General Nathaniel Greene, on the files of the Sena e, be referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. On motion by Mr. SHIELDS, it was Ordered, That the petition and papers of James Chapman, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. On motion by Mr. SHIELDS, it was Ordered, That the memorial of John A. Rogers, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee of Claims. On motion by Mr. RUSK, it was Ordered, That the petition of Wade Allen, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. On motion by Mr. PEARCE, it was Ordered, That the petition of Martin Fenwick, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims. On motion by Mr. ATCHISON, it was Ordered, That the petition of Madison Allen, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Public Lands. On motion by Mr. CASS, it was Ordered, That the petition of John Bronson, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee of Claims. On motion by Mr. NORRIS, it was Ordered, That Maria Ostrander and Sarah Overbagh, severally, have leave to withdraw their petitions and papers. On motion by Mr. SHIELDS, it was Ordered, That the memorial of A. R. Woolley, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES. Mr. WADE, from the Committee of Claims, to which was referred the documents in relation to the claim of William S. Waller, praying compensation for disposing and selling of certain Treasury notes, submitted an adverse report; which was ordered to be printed. Mr. HUNTER, from the Committee on Public Buildings, to which was referred the subject, reported a bill to provide for the fitting up of a temporary room for the Congressional Library; which was read, and passed to the second reading. He also submitted a report on the subject; which was ordered to be printed. On motion by Mr. DOWNS, it was Ordered, That the Committee on the Judiciary be dis charged from the further consideration of the memorial of William Newbold, and that it be referred to the Committee of Claims. Mr. HUNTER, from the Committee on Fi nance, to which was referred the petition of the Italian Mutual Benevolent Society, reported adversely thereon, and the committee was discharged from the further consideration of the petition. Mr. DOWNS subsequently moved a reconsid eration of the vote discharging the committee; which was agreed to, and the motion to discharge the committee was laid upon the table. Mr. HUNTER, from the Committee on Finance, moved that that committee be discharged from the further consideration of the bill for the payment of outstanding loan-office and final-settlement certificates issued for money loaned for services or for supplies during the revolutionary war, and that it be referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. Mr. WALKER. This subject was before the Committee on Revolutionary Claims at the last session of Congress. I was spoken to with regard to the reference at this session, and I mentioned to the Senator who proposed to refer it to that committee, that it had been reported upon. It is no longer a subject of investigation. It has once passed the ordeal of examination. These demands have been already adjudicated, and the only question now is, whether we shall pay these final-settlement certificates which have been issued under this adjudication. There is, therefore, noth Mr. PRATT. I am instructed by the Coming for the Committee on Revolutionary Claims mittee of Claims to ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the claim of E. Paven stadt and F. A. Schumacher, of the city of New York, and that the memorial be referred to the Committee on Commerce. I also make a report upon the subject, which I ask may be printed. The object of the committee is this: It seemed to the Committee of Claims, that this matter should have been referred, in the first place, to the Committee on Commerce. The claim is of this char to do in the matter. It is for the Committee on Finance to see whether they shall be paid, and not for the Committee on Revolutionary Claims to reexamine and redetermine on the justice of the claims. Mr. HUNTER. This is a claim arising out of matters connected with the revolutionary war, and things of this sort have always been referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. If the Senator thinks this a plain case, he may read The motion was agreed to. acter: These persons, merchants of the city ofly report a bill. that in four months they would supply the cus- Mr. HAMLIN, chairman of the Committee on Commerce, rose subsequently and said: There is some difference in the manner of proceeding in the House and in the Senate on such memorials. At the time the Senator from Maryland made his report I was under the impression that these matters were considered by the Committee on Commerce in the Senate; they are referred to that committee in the House of Representatives. I learn, however, on conferring with the chairman of the Committee on Finance, that they have uniformly gone to the Committee on Finance in the Senate. I therefore move that the Committee on Commerce be discharged from the consideration of that memorial, and that it be referred to the Committee on Finance. The motion was agreed to. On motion by Mr. HAMLIN, it was Ordered, That the Committee on Commerce be discharged from the further consideration of three memorials of the citizens of Pittsburg, on the subject of a ship canal around the Falls of the St. Mary's river." Mr. HUNTER, from the Committee on Finance, to which was referred the bill for the benefit of the Carmelite Nunnery, of Baltimore, reported it without amendment, with a recommendation that it do not pass. Mr. BUTLER, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to which was referred the bill to increase the salary of the district judge of the United States for the southern district of Florida, reported it without amendment. He also, from the same committee, to which was referred the bill increasing the salary of the district judge of the United States for the district of New Hampshire, reported it with an amend ment. Mr. CLEMENS, from the Committee on Prireversionary interest of the United States to a cervate Land Claims, reported a bill to relinquish the tain reservation therein mentioned, and to confirm the title of Charles G. Gunter thereto; which was read a first and second time by its title, and considered as in Committee of the Whole; and no amendment being made, it was reported to the Senate and ordered to be engrossed and read a third for his relief. The bill was read and passed to the second reading, and the report was ordered to be printed. He also, from the same committee, to which was referred the petition of Alexander Y. P. Garnett, submitted a report, accompanied by a joint resolution for his relief. The resolution was read and passed to the second reading, and the report was ordered to be printed. He also, from the same committee, to which was referred the memorial of S. H. Duff, submitted an adverse report, which was ordered to be printed. Mr. NORRIS, from the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office, to which was referred the petition of Peter U. Morgan, administrator of John Arnold, deceased, and George G. Bishop, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill for the relief of George G. Bishop and the legal representatives of John Arnold, deceased. The bill was read and passed to a second reading, and the report was ordered to be printed. INDIGENT INSANE PERSONS. Mr. SHIELDS asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill making a grant of lands to the several States of the Union for the relief and support of indigent insane persons; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to a select committee, consisting of five members, to be appointed by the President pro tem. The following Senators were subsequently appointed: Mr. SHIELDS, Mr. PEARCE, Mr. HAMLIN, Mr. DAVIS, and Mr. BELL. BILL INTRoduced. Mr. SOULE, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill to establish a navy-yard and depôt near the city of New Orleans; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. FORTIFICATIONS OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY. Mr. GWIN. I have a resolution which I wish to offer. I see by the report of the Board of Engineers for the Pacific coast, that there is a statement to this effect: "This Board, constituted under orders of 17th June, 1851, for the purpose of studying the system of defence for the Pacific coast, is sedulously engaged on projects for the entrance to San Francisco bay; and I hope soon to present plans in support of an appropriation for the commencement of a work there early next year."-Report of 14th November, 1851, to the Secretary of War. I want to obtain information in regard to that appropriation; I therefore offer the following resolution of inquiry: Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested, if not incompatible with the public interest, to communicate to the Senate what amount of money, if any, has been recommended by the Board of Engineer officers charged with planning the fortifications of San Francisco Bay, to be appropriated at the present session of Congress, for the immediate commencement of those fortifications. The resolution was agreed to. CENSUS RETURNS. Mr. BADGER. I ask the permission of the Senate to take up for a moment the joint resolution to provide for the printing of the returns of the Seventh Census, simply for the purpose of laying upon the table an amendment which I propose to offer to the amendment offered by the Senator from Connecticut, [Mr. SMITH.] I am in favor of compromises and adjustments, and I think the amendment which I propose to offer will be a reasonable medium between the proposition offered by my friend from Connecticut and the joint resolution on the table, and such a one as I think there can be no reasonable objection to. It will remove all difficulty as to the work not being faithfully executed, and will, at the same time, relieve us from such a business as putting out such a work to the lowest bidder. By the unanimous consent of the Senate, I hope the amendment to the amendment will be printed. The motion to take up the joint resolution was agreed to. Mr. BADGER then offered the following amend ment: Strike out from the amendment to the amendment all after the words "it shall be the duty of," and insert the following: the Joint Committee on Printing to contract with Messrs. Donelson & Armstrong for printing and binding the Census, on such terms as the committee may think reasonable and proper; the work to be executed under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, and to be paid for from time to time during the progress of the work by the head of the Census Bureau, under the direction of the Secretary, with power in the Secretary to abate from the amount stipulated, if the work when executed shall prove deficient or below the standard which may be agreed upon." Mr. GWIN. I do not wish to interrupt the Senator from Michigan in his speech, but I give notice that I shall call up the joint resolution in the morning; and I hope the Senate will then be prepared to act upon it. On motion by Mr. BADGER, it was Ordered, That the further consideration of the resolution be postponed until to-morrow, and that the proposed amendmeat be printed. An act amendatory of the act entitled "An act to provide for holding the courts of the United States in case of the sickness or other disability of the judges of the district courts, 29, 1850. approved July LIEUTENANT GENERAL BY BREVET. Mr.GWIN submitted informally several amendments, which he will hereafter offer, to the joint resolution authorizing the President of the United States to confer the title of Lieutenant General by brevet for eminent services; and they were ordered to be printed. Mr. CASS, for the same purpose, submitted the following; which was ordered to be printed: Provided, however, That when the said grade of Lieutenant General by brevet shall have once been filled and have become vacant, this act shall thereafter expire and be of no effect. RAILROADS IN IOWA. The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill granting the right of way and making a grant of land to the State of Iowa, in aid of the construction of certain railroads in said State. Mr. FELCH resumed and finished the speech which he commenced yesterday in favor of the bill, and against the amendment of Mr. UNDERWOOD, the report of which will be found in the Appendix. Mr. BELL. I agree with the honorable Senator from Michigan, particularly since I have heard his concluding remarks, as well as some remarks in the preceding stage of his argument, that this is becoming a serious and important question, and deserves not only a grave consideration, but perhaps a fuller discussion than we have yet had upon it. If I understand the honorable Senator, he is strongly impressed with the belief that the fate of our land system generally-of our mode of appropriating the public lands-may be broken down or destroyed, if there is any interference with the practice of making these appropriations for internal improvements in the new States. If that be so, the question is highly deserving of further consideration; and I should like to hear a fuller development of the views of the honorable Senator upon that point. There was conveyed, in the manner and gravity with which he announced this sentiment, not only a warning, but something of a threat also. I am not insensible that it may be wise in the Senator to give his timely warning, and to give it in whatever shape he may think proper; for I have had my ears open, and I have seen, too, the progress of sentiments which may lead to that result; and it will be the part of wisdom of the Congress of the United States, if they think the policy to which he alludes is not wise and proper, to pursue a conciliatory, liberal, and just policy. But nevertheless, I think that some considerations of justice, of equality, and of right, in regard to all other sections of the Union, may be well coupled with it. There were some other remarks made by the honorable Senator, which I ought not to say astonished me; they struck me with surprise, but perhaps it was owing to my own inadvertence, want of attention to, and ignorance of, facts which I ought to have known. In some of the new States if I understand the honorable Senator, some four fifths, and in some nine-tenths, of the public domain yet remain unsold. And yet I have seen from session to session, and from Congress to Congress, for the last fifteen years, an extraordinary desire to extend, and yet to extend still further, to open the claims of the United States free from the possession and right of occupancy by the Indian tribes, of territory still further and further into the wilderness. My attention has not been drawn in detail to this subject, although you may remember that the discussion which we have had this session may be said to be an annual discussion in its general features and aspects, and is assuming a still greater and greater importance at every Congress. You may remember that the type of this discussion may be traced back in Congressional history for the last twenty years. It has only received some additional and further developments, as the public domain has increased, as new States have been admitted, as the western borders have extended, and as new questions have arisen regarding the rights of the new States. As these have become larger, new ideas have been presented. On that account there is some novelty in this discussion. I do not mean to enter into this argument in detail, but there are some views upon the subject which I wish to submit briefly to the Senate. I have not studied the question, but I have listened with great attention to the remarks of the honorable Senator from Michigan, [Mr. FELCH,] who has treated the subject fully, ably, and, in many respects, very fairly and candidly. There are some other points of policy with regard to the mode in which opposition to this course of the appropriation of the public lands has been kept up and maintained by our State-rights friends. hope they will not consider me as speaking in any disparagement, if I allude to a course of policy which has tended as much as any other to defeat a just, equitable, and liberal policy in regard to the appropriation of the public lands heretofore. It is suggested to me that I had better give way to a motion to postpone the further consideration of this subject until to-morrow, so that we may proceed to the consideration of Executive business. I am willing to do so. But I give notice that I do not wish to make a set speech, for I have taken no notes; though there are some points which I think of great importance which I wish to bring before the Senate. Mr. BADGER. I move, then, to postpone the further consideration of the bill until to-morrow, for the purpose of going into Executive session. The motion was agreed to. EXECUTIVE SESSION. The Senate then proceeded to the consideration of Executive business, and after a short time spent therein, the doors were reopened, and The Senate adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY, February 4, 1852. The House met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by the Rev. Mr. MORGAN. The Journal of yesterday was read and approved. The SPEAKER. There are a large number of communications from the Departments upon the Speaker's table, which will be presented to the House this morning, if there is no objection. On motion by Mr. KURTZ, by unanimous consent, it was Ordered, That leave be granted to withdraw from the files of the House all the papers in the case of Peter Straber, for the purpose of reference in the Senate. EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS. The SPEAKER, by unanimous consent, laid before the House the following message, heretofore received from the President of the United States, viz: To the House of Representatives: In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 7th of August, 1850, and the 17th of December, 1851, requesting information touching the claims of citizens of the United States on the Government of Portu gal, I transmit a report from the Secretary of State, and the documents which accompany the same. MILLARD FILLMORE. WASHINGTON, 28th January, 1852. On motion by Mr. BOCOCK, it was Ordered, That the said message and accompanying documents be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and printed. The SPEAKER also, by unanimous consent, laid before the House sundry Executive communications, viz: I. A letter from the Treasurer of the United States, transmitting copies of his accounts, receipts, and disbursements for the service of the Post Office Department for the year ending 30th June, 1851; which, on motion by Mr. SEYMOUR, of New York, was, with the accompanying documents, referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, and ordered to be printed. II. A letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting the annual statement of the clerks and other persons employed in his Department during the year 1851; which, on motion by Mr. |
