1851, yields revenue enough, and, in my opinion, more than enough. The country, under it, is taxed as much as it ought to be, and more too. The indictment I bring against the existing tariff is, that it discriminates against American interests, American industry, American labor, American merchants-seldom or never in their behalf. One count in that indictment is, that it exacts unnecessary duties upon raw materials coming into competition with nothing American, and often an equal or higher rate of duty on the raw material than upon the manufactured article of which it is composed. Another count in that indictment is the fact, that these invariable, universal, horizontal ad valorems tempt to excessive importations beyond our means to pay, or to great fluctuations. When foreign products are low, duties here are low; when higher duties would be better for the country, and when foreign products are high, duties here are high, so that when we least want foreign goods, from their excessive abundance, we have the most of them; and, when we most want them, we have to pay the most for them. The whole system thus becomes vicious from beginning to end-vicious not only to industry and labor at home, but vicious to commerce, vicious to the currency, vicious to exchanges, both foreign and domestic, and constantly involving individuals in alternate speculations and bankruptcies. Under it, we Americans are taxing ourselves to carry on our own Government as the capitalists, and the wages of labor in great manufacturing marts, such as Manchester, Birmingham, and Lyons may dictate. The tariff, as a whole, I repeat, is, in the main, high enough, and the tariff of 1846, as it was passed, under the then existing high ad valorems, was, in most articles, (if duties could have been enforced upon honest ad valorems,) well enough; but the vicious principle upon which it is based will never be acquiesced in by an intelligent, industrious people.

REVENUE FROM TEXAS AND THE PACIFIC.

These are some of the reasons why so many of the people of this country demand a revision of the existing tariff, a reduction or abolition of duties upon some articles, and a modification of others. But before I can thoroughly answer the question, why the existing tariff has yielded so much revenue, I must again ask attention to the growth, prosperity, and increase of the country since 1846. Texas, at that time, was not in a condition of sufficient security to yield us any reveIndeed, the now chief importing point in it, Point Isabel, was then practically, if not theoretically, under the Mexican Government. The duties collected at Point Isabel,

nue.

From July 1st, 1849, to June 30th, 1850, were... $5,509 73
From July 1st, 1850, to June 30th, 1851, were... 4.321 78
From July 1st, 1851, to June 30th, 1852, were...100,561 80
Total
$147,393 31

This is one port in Texas alone, beyond United States jurisdiction in 1846,-but Texas importations are made chiefly in New York or New Orleans; and no table, therefore, can be prepared to show how much of our revenue Texas pays.

The whole Pacific coast has been added to us since 1846, with the people of New Mexico, and others. San Francisco has now become the fourth or fifth importing city in the Union; being equal to, if even behind, New Orleans. I have a table before me which shows the receipts from customs, on account of duties on merchandise, tonnage, light-money, and marine hospital money in California and Oregon, to be in all, from November 12, 1849, to December, 1851, $4,238,434. The details may be interesting:

San Francisco-12th November to 31st December, 1849...

$216,452 82

San Francisco-12th November to 31st December, 1850..

San Francisco-12th November to 31st December, 1851..

1,750,646 86

Sonoma-10th January to 30th June, 1851.. San Joaquin-25th July, 1851, to 31st January, 1852.... Sacramento-7th May to 31st Dec., 1851.... San Diego-13th January to 30th September, 1851.

2,146,791 58 $4,113,891 26 12,917 15 231 19

1,772 48 9,491 28

6,829 46 93,301 76 $4,238,434 58

These are some of the causes which have swollen the importations, and consequently the receipts from customs (June 30th, 1851,) up to $49,017,567. If they have gone beyond the expectations of the Whigs in 1846, it was because the tariff of 1846 had an unlawful substitute found for it in the Treasury circulars of Mr. Walker, and because of the great and unexpected increase of the country geographically. Under all circumstances, as we grow numerically or geographically, we must buy more from abroad, and consume more at home, always provided we can have the means for purchase.

Mr. STANTON, of Kentucky. With the permission of the gentleman from Alabama, [Mr. HOUSTON,] the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, who does not, I presume, desire to make his closing speech to-day, I will now move that the committee rise.

Mr. HOUSTON. I desire to say, that I understood this morning, when the agreement was made, that there should be a speech from the gentleman from Arkansas, and also one from the gentleman from New York; that it was likewise agreed that a member of the Committee of Ways and Means should be allowed a portion of the time to reply to the gentleman from Arkansas, in reference to the Indian estimates, which I shall not have time to investigate in my closing speech. If I was mistaken in that, I shall be glad to be corrected.

The CHAIRMAN. The Chair understood the House to decide that the debate should be closed in two hours.

Mr. HOUSTON.

From conversation with the Speaker, I find that I was mistaken.

The CHAIRMAN. The two hours have now elapsed, and the gentleman from Alabama is entitled to the floor to close the debate.

Mr. STANTON, of Kentucky. I understand that the chairman of the Ways and Means desires to postpone his speech until Monday.

Mr. STANLY. Do I understand that the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means is unwilling to go on with his speech now?

Mr. HOUSTON. I have been appealed to to postpone my speech by a great many gentlemen, who say they are exhausted, and desire to adjourn till Monday.

Mr. STANLY. We are exhausted every day, but we cannot help ourselves.

Mr. POLK moved that the committee do now rise.

Mr. STANLY demanded tellers; which were ordered, and Messrs. CHANDLER and MASON appointed.

And the question being put, it was decided in the affirmative-ayes 81, noes 66.

The committee accordingly rose, and the Speaker having resumed the chair, the chairman reported that the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union had had the Union generally under consideration, and particularly House bill No. 207,

and had come to no conclusion thereon.

Mr. STANLY. What is the report from the committee?

The SPEAKER. That the committee have come to no conclusion on House bill No. 207.

Mr. STANLY. By the Democratic vote of the House, ought to be added to the report, only four Whigs voting with the eighty-one ayes in favor of the rising of the committee.

Mr. POLK. Yes; by the Democratic vote. We will take the responsibility.

On motion by Mr. POLK, the House then adjourned till Monday.

NOTICE OF A BILL.

Mr. PORTER gave notice of a bill to provide for the holding of an additional term of the circuit court of the United States for the district of Missouri.

PETITIONS, &c.

The following petitions, memorials, &c., were presented under the rule, and referred to the appropriate committees: By Mr. STEVENS, of New York: The petition of the heirs of Joseph Young, deceased, praying compensation for the destruction of property during the revolutionary

war.

By Mr. BENNETT: The remonstrance of 130 citizens of New York against the renewal of Parker's patent as to reacting water-wheels.

By Mr. HAMILTON: The petition of Leonard Picking, William White, and other citizens of Frederick county, Maryland, asking the establishment of a mail route from Frederick city, by way of Mechanicstown and Mount St. Mary's, to Einnittsburg, Maryland.

By Mr. GOODENOW: The remonstrance of Leander Daggett and others, against the renewal of a patent to Aus tin and Zebulon Parker for alleged improvements in reaction water-wheels.

By Mr. MOORE, of Louisiana: The petition of Joha Boyd, praying to be granted the right of preemption to a tract of land in the "Bastrop Grant," Louisiana.

Also, a resolution of the General Assembly of the State of Louisiana, relative to the establishment of a post mad from the mouth of Red river to Burr's Ferry on the Sabine river.

By Mr. FAULKNER: The memorial of Robert M. Wade and others, citizens of Clarke county, Virginia, remonstra ting against the extension of the Woodworth patent.

Also, the petition of numerous citizens of Springfield, Massachusetts, praying for the abolition of the military and the restoration of the civil superintendency at the national

armories.

By Mr. SCUDDER: The petition of Lewis Crosby, of Massachusetts, owner of the British schooner Caroline, asking that she may be admitted to registry under the laws of the United States.

By Mr. CURTIS: The petition of sundry citizens of Clarion county, Pennsylvania, praying for an increased duty on iron.

By Mr. EDGERTON: The memorial of the county offcers and other citizens of Williams county, Ohio, praying for the passage of a law authorizing the resurvey of the townships of St. Joseph, Centre, and Pulaski, in said county. Also, from citizens of Putnam and Van Wert counties, for a mail route from Findley, via Vaughnsville, Delphos, Van Wert, to Fort Wayne, Indiana.

By Mr. PRICE: The memorial of Pike Duryce, John M. Lawrence, Stephen Codit & Co., W. Johnson & Co., Harves & Bolles, and others, merchants, masters of vessels, and pilots interested in the navigation of the Passaic river, and the harbor of Newark, praying the establishment of additional beacons and lights, and of a new fog-bell at the Passaic light house.

By Mr. BISSELL: The memorial of the President of the Terre Haute Railroad Company, praying for a grant of land in aid of the construction of said road. Also, the memorial of Ephraim war of 1812, for a pension.

-, a soldier in the By Mr. SCHOOLCRAFT: The petition of E. Carning and other citizens of Albany, New York, asking for a further appropriation to the Collins line of steamers.

By Mr. TAYLOR: The petition of J. W. Laird and Thomas R. Matthews, of Jackson county, Ohio, praying Congress to grant them additional compensation, as assant marshals for taking the Seventh Census.

By Mr. MILLSON: The petition of Nathaniel Riddick, administrator of Richard Taylor, a captain in the war of the Revolution, praying for commutation pay.

By Mr. WELCH: The petition of R. S. Vanhorn and Elijah Hutton, of Meigs county, Ohio, asking additional compensation, as assistant marshals in taking the Seventh Census.

IN SENATE. MONDAY, March 22, 1852. Prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. C. M. BUTLER.

MAIL CONTRACTS.

The PRESIDENT pro tem. laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of the Navy, com. municating, in compliance with a resolution of the Senate, information in relation to contracts for the transportation of the mails by steam-ships between New York and California; which was ordered to be laid on the table and printed.

PETITIONS, ETC.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate a petition of inhabitants of Washington county, 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. SEWARD presented the petition of the heirs of Andrew Fink, an officer in the revolutionary war, praying commutation pay; which was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

Also, a petition of citizens of Albany, New York, praying that the bill giving further remedies to patentees may become a law; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Also, three petitions of citizens of New York, praying an extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which were referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Also, a petition of citizens of the United States, praying that the public lands may be transferred to the States on condition of their being granted to actual settlers free of cost; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Also, a communication from Lewis H. Sandford, requesting that copies of the Journals and documents of Congress, and of the Laws, may be furnished to the Library of the Faculty of Advocates, and the Library of the University of Edinburgh; which was referred to the Committee on the Library.

Mr. GEYER presented a petition of citizens of St. Louis county, Missouri, remonstrating against

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

Mr. MILLER presented a petition of the owners and masters of vessels, residing in the counties of Atlantic and Cape May, New Jersey, praying that buoys may be placed in the new inlet of Great Egg Harbor, and in Hereford Inlet; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. FISH presented four petitions of citizens of New York, praying an extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which were referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Also, a petition of citizens of West Troy, New York, praying that the bill giving further remedies to patentees may become a law; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Also, the petition of James T. Eells, praying a pension for the services of his father in the revolutionary war; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Also, a petition of merchants, ship-owners, and others, of New York, praying that steam vessels employed in carrying the United States mails may be prohibited by law from carrying freight and passengers for hire; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Also, a communication from Henry M. Weaver and E. S. Hendrickson, in relation to an increase of the duty on cigars; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

Also, the memorial of John A. McGregor, one of the heirs of William McGregor, praying payment of a balance due on account of the services of his late father in the revolutionary war; which was referred to the Committee on Private Claims.

Also, a memorial of the citizens of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, praying the construction of a shipcanal around the Falls of St. Mary's river; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Also, a memorial of citizens of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, praying an appropriation for the erection of beacon-lights at the entrance of Lake Superior, through the straits of St. Marie; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Also, the memorial of Charles Boughter and others, citizens of the late Republic of Texas, praying the enactment of a law to enable them to obtain payment of their claims at the Treasury; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

district judge for Florida; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Also, the petition of John Boyd, praying the right to purchase land settled and improved by him, within the Bastrop Grant; which was referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

Also, resolutions of the Legislature of Louisiana, in favor of constructing harbors of refuge, and placing buoys at proper points on the great Northeastern mail route along the coasts of the State of Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana; which were referred to the Committee on Com

merce.

Mr. CASS presented a memorial of members of the bar, at Detroit, Michigan, praying an increase of the salary of the United States district judge for Michigan, and the proceedings of the meeting at which it was adopted; which were referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Also, three memorials of citizens of Pennsylvania, praying the declaration by Congress of the doctrine of non-intervention, and the adoption of measures to prevent its infraction, which were ordered to be laid on the table.

Also, a memorial of citizens of Reading, Pennsylvania, praying a modification of the bounty land law; which was ordered to be laid on the table.

Also, the memorial of Louisa E. Merrill, praying a renewal of her pensions; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Also, a memorial of citizens of Germantown, Pennsylvania, praying a modification of the bounty land law; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Also, a resolution of the Legislature of Penn

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES. Mr. BORLAND, from the Committee on Printing, to which was referred the motion to print two thousand additional copies of the map of the Terate the 18th March, reported in favor of printing the same; and the motion was agreed to.

Mr. CHASE presented a petition of merchants and other citizens, of Cincinnati, Ohio, praying that further aid may be extended to Collins's line of steam-ships; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. SUMNER presented a petition of citizens of Boston, Massachusetts, praying an extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

yard and dry-dock on the lake frontier; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. DAVIS presented a petition of citizens of Worcester, Massachusetts, remonstrating against the further extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent office.

Mr. HALE presented a memorial of inhabitants of Armstrong, Pennsylvania, praying that the transportation of the mails on Sunday may be prohibited by law; which was ordered to be laid on the table.

Mr. JONES, of Iowa, presented two memorials of citizens of Lee county, Iowa, praying the ap

Also, a petition of citizens of Leicester, Massachusetts, praying a reduction of the rates of ocean postage; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. FELCH presented the petition of merchants and other citizens, of Detroit, Michigan, praying that further aid may be extended to Collins's line of steam-ships; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. BORLAND presented five memorials of citizens of Arkansas, praying a grant of land to the Arkansas Central Railroad Company, for the construction of a railroad from Memphis, by way of Little Rock, to the boundary of Texas; which were ordered to be laid on the table.

Mr. COOPER presented eleven petitions of citizens of Pennsylvania, remonstrating against the extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which were referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Also, four petitions of citizens of Pennsylvania, praying a modification of the tariff; which were referred to the Committee on Finance.

Also, the memorial of Theodore Whitney, praying permission to change the location of a land warrant; which was referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

Also, the petition of citizens of Pennsylvania, remonstrating against the renewal of Austin and Zebulon Parker's patent, for improvement in water-wheels; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Also, four memorials of citizens of Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, praying an extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing machine; which were referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

all claims to land in the Sac and Fox Half-Breed reservation; which were referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. MALLORY presented the memorial of Anne Dudley, keeper of the light-house at St. Marks, Florida, praying remuneration for losses caused by a gale; which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. WELLER submitted a document showing the amounts disbursed by the city of Sacramento, California, for the support of the indigent sick of that State, prior to her admission into the Union; which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. WALKER presented a petition of citizens of Pike county, Illinois, praying that a quarter section of land may be granted to all citizens of the United States becoming actual settlers; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. NORRIS presented a memorial of citizens of Washington, District of Columbia, praying an amendinent of the charter of that city; which was referred to the Committee for the District of Columbia.

Mr. BELL presented a memorial of the Legislature of Tennessee, praying the establishment of a daily line of mail steamers between St. Louis and New Orleans, and the intermediate ports; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. WADE presented resolutions of the Chamber of Commerce, of Cincinnati, Ohio, in favor of the division of the State into two judicial districts; which were ordered to be laid on the table.

Mr. JAMES presented a petition of citizens of Boston, Massachusetts, praying a modification of the tariff; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. DOWNS presented a memorial of insurers, ship-owners, and others, of New Orleans, praying an increase of the salary of the United States

Mr. DOWNS, from the Committee on Private Land Claims, to which was referred a resolution of the Legislature of Louisiana, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill granting to the State of Louisiana the military reserve at Fort Jesup, for a seminary of education; which was read and passed to the second reading. The report was ordered to be printed.

Mr. FOOT, from the Committee on Pensions, to which was referred the memorial of Chester Griswold, submitted an adverse report thereon.

He also, from the same committee, to which was referred the petition of William Dusenbury, praying an increase of pension, submitted an adverse report thereon.

Mr. CLEMENS, from the Committee on Private Land Claims, to which was referred the petition of Lucretia Barton, reported a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to issue duplicate land warrants in certain cases; which was read and passed to the second reading.

Mr. GWIN, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to which was referred sundry petitions and memorials, asking the aid of Congress in establishing certain mail lines of steamers therein indicated, asked to be discharged from the further consideration thereof, deeming it inexpedient for them to take any proceedings in regard to the aforesaid memorials; which was agreed to.

He also, from the same committee, to which was referred the petition of Joseph Rodney Croskey, American Consul at Cowes and Southampton, praying remuneration for the expenses incurred in entertaining the officers of the United States ship St. Lawrence and in the reception of Kossuth, asked to be discharged from the further consideration thereof; which was agreed to.

He also, from the same committee, to which was referred the memorial of Mary F. B. Levely, widow of Henry Levely, captain of the privateer Nonsuch, asked to be discharged from the further consideration there, and that it be referred to the Committee on Pensions; which was agreed to.

Mr. GEYER, from the Committee on Pensions, to which was referred the petition of Catharine Elwes, praying a pension, asked to be discharged from the further consideration thereof; which was agreed to.

He also, from the same committee, which was instructed to inquire into the expediency of granting a pension to the widow of the late Brevet Brigadier General Belknap, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill for her relief; which was

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

Mr. HAMLIN, from the Committee on Commerce, to which was referred the memorials of the inhabitants of Sedgwick, Maine, praying the establishment of a port of entry at that place, asked to be discharged from the further consideration thereof, the law already furnishing adequate remedy for what is asked in the memorials.

NOTICE OF A BILL.

Mr. BROOKE gave notice of his intention to ask leave to introduce & bill, making to the States of Louisiana and Mississippi a grant of lands, to aid in the construction of certain railroads therein. BILL INTRODUCED.

Mr. WALKER, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill granting the right of way, and making a donation of land to the State of Wisconsin in aid of the construction of a railroad from Manitoowoc to the Mississippi river; which was read a first and second time by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

BILLS PASSED.

The following engrossed bills were read a third time and passed:

Bill for the relief of G. Thomas Howard;

Bill for the relief of St. John's church, in the city of Washington;

Bill for the relief of William C. Easton; and
Bill for the relief of Bryan Callaghan.

SURVEY OF THE CHINA SEAS, ETC. The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution submitted by Mr. SEWARD, the 8th instant, in relation to navigation in the Northern, China, and Japan seas. The resolution was agreed to.

BATTLE OF CERRO GORDA.

The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution submitted by Mr. JONES, of Tennessee, in relation to a supplemental report of the battle of Cerro Gordo, made by General G. J. Pillow to General W. Scott, recently filed in the War Department by General Scott, and which has never been published.

The resolution was agreed to.

LIGHT-HOUSE OFF NANTUCKET. Mr. DAVIS submitted the following resolution; which was agreed to:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Department of War submit to the Senate as soon as practicable the report, estimate, and plan, in reference to the beacon or light-house structure for the New South Shoal, off Nantucket.

GUTHRIE'S SAFETY-VALVE.

Mr. DAVIS submitted the following resolution for consideration:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be requested to make the necessary preparations therefor, and to test by such experiments as he may deem necessary, the value and practical usefulness of the safety-valve, the hydrostatic gauge, and the indicator, invented by Alfred Guthrie.

ST. REGIS INDIANS.

Mr. SEWARD submitted the following resolution; which was agreed to:

ADMISSION OF LADIES.

The PRESIDENT. The hour of one o'clock having arrived within a minute or two, the Chair will take up the special order.

Mr. BADGER. For the first time, I rise on this floor as the advocate of the fair sex, and I desire to throw myself upon the indulgence of the Senate, to ask their unanimous consent this morning to the suspension of the rule which excludes ladies from this Chamber. The galleries are full; but we know there are hundreds of fair faces and lovely forms who will be excluded, who are extremely desirous to be admitted to hear the remarks of the honorable Senator from Louisiana, [Mr. SOULE.] I hope there will be no objection this once, to admit them on the floor, and I pledge myself never to renew the motion again, unless another like occasion shall arise. [Laughter.] Mr. CLEMENS. I could have wished that some older member of the Senate should object, but if no other Senator does so I must object myself. Objection being made, the rule was not suspended.

NON-INTERVENTION.

The Senate resumed the consideration of Mr. CLARKE's resolution on the subject of non-intervention.

Mr. SOULE addressed the Senate at length, and advocated the amendment offered by Mr. CASS. Our report of his speech is withheld for revision, and will appear in the Appendix.

At the conclusion of his speech, the Senate adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, March 22, 1852.

The House met at twelve o'clock, m. Prayer by the Rev. C. M. BUTLER.

The Journal of Saturday was read and approved. Mr. KING, of New York. I believe there is a motion pending to suspend the rules, which was submitted by me on Monday last.

The SPEAKER. On Monday last, the gentleleman from New York [Mr. KING] moved to suspend the rules, for the purpose of introducing a bill, and during the pendency of that motion the House adjourned. It is therefore the first business in order, and is a privileged question.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. This is resolution day, I believe, and if the House will suspend the rule which authorizes motions of suspension on this day, and call the States for resolutions, every gentleman here will probably have an opportunity during the day of offering the bills and resolutions he has ready. If this motion to suspend the rules shall fail, and if I can get the floor, I will move to suspend the one hundred and thirty seventh rule, which authorizes motions to suspend the rules to be made on Monday; and the call of the States can then be commenced where we last left off.

Mr. KING, of New York. I suppose debate is not in order upon my motion, but l' desire to make a very brief explanation of the character of the bill which I am endeavoring to report. It is one which proposes to amend the law heretofore passed authorizing the district judges in the district courts to call in a district judge from another district, in case of the sickness or disability of any of the

MEXICAN BOUNDARY COMMISSION. Mr. WELLER submitted the following resolution; which was agreed to:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Interior be directed to report as soon as practicable to the Senate

1st. Copies of all instructions given to the commissioner appointed to run and mark the boundary line between the United States and Mexico, together with all correspondence in relation to said boundary not yet submitted to the Senate. 2d. The number and names of persons employed upon said work.

3d. The amount of money disbursed, and the manner in which expended by the present commissioner.

4th. The probable amount of money necessary to furnish said work.

Mr. WELLER also submitted the following

resolution for consideration:

Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to inform the Senate whether any charges have been filed in his Department against the commissioner appointed to run and mark the boundary line between the United States and the Republic of Mexico, by an officer of the Army; and if so, to transmit to the Senate copies of all papers connected therewith.

the calendar is crowded, and the business of the court requires an additional judge. The bill has passed the Senate unanimously, and the state of the business in the district courts of the city of New York, imperiously requires its early passage by this House.

Mr. WILLIAMS, (interrupting.) With the permission of the gentleman from New York, I desire to offer a resolution which will greatly expedite the business of the House, by enabling gentlemen to make reports from committees.

Mr. KING. I hope the gentleman from Tennessee will allow this matter to be disposed of first, and I shall not then object to his resolution. But this is a bill which I have been waiting two months for an opportunity to present.

The question was then taken, and, on a division, there were-ayes 69, noes 30; no quorum voting.

Mr. VENABLE demanded tellers; which were ordered, and Messrs. VENABLE and WHITE, of Kentucky, appointed.

There being no objection, the tellers resumed their places; and, on a recount, there were-ayes 90; noes not counted.

So (two thirds voting in the affirmative) the rules were suspended.

DISABILITY OF JUDGES. Mr. KING, of New York, from the Committee on the Judiciary, then reported back Senate bill " 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 district courts," "approved July 29, 1850. with an amendment.

The amendment was read, as follows: "But no such district judge shall have appeals from dis trict courts."

The question being put upon the amendment it was agreed to; and the bill was then read a third time and passed.

MESSRS. DUNHAM AND FITCH.

Mr. JOHNSON, of Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, it is my duty to state to the House that the unpleasant misunderstanding occurring here on the 17th instant, between our brother members, Messrs. DUNHAM and FITCH, was referred and submitted, at the instance of their respective friends, to the Hon. JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE, and myself; and further, that having declared what we believed to be the plain duty of each to the other, it is in our power to state, that all difference has been justly and honorably settled.

to

SUSPENSION OF THE 137TH RULE. Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. I now move to suspend the 137th rule, which authorizes motions to be made upon Mondays to suspend the rules, in order that the States may be called for resolutions under the 26th rule, commencing, under the practice of the House, where the last call terminated.

Mr. STANLY. If this motion prevails, will it not give us an opportunity to introduce bills also?

The SPEAKER. Certainly. The effect of the motion of the gentleman from Tennessee will for resolutions, giving rise to no debate, and for be to bring the House directly to the call of States

bills in the hands of individual members of which previous notice has been given.

Mr. HOUSTON. I wish to inquire of the Chair whether the homestead bill takes its place as the special order to-morrow or on Wednesday, as some gentlemen have suggested?

The SPEAKER. To-morrow; so the Clerk informs the Chair.

Mr. HOUSTON. Then, if this day is consumed in receiving resolutions, the deficiency bill will have no chance at all, unless the gentleman from Tennessee will take some steps to postpone the homestead bill for a day or two longer.

Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. There is no earthly chance of its being passed to-day, even if we go into the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.

Mr. HOUSTON. That is very true; but the day may be consumed in investigating it.

Mr. FOWLER. I wish to know whether, if we were to agree to the motion of the gentleman from Tennnessee, resolutions might not be introduced and passed by a bare majority?

The SPEAKER. If a resolution was introduced, and debate arose upon it, it would go over until next resolution day. If the previous question was called, and the House sustained it, it would of course bring the House to a vote upon the adoption of the resolution.

Mr. FOWLER. By a majority?
The SPEAKER. Yes.

Mr. FOWLER. Then I object to the motion of the gentleman from Tennessee, and call for the yeas and nays upon it.

HOMESTEAD BILL.

Mr. STANLY. I would ask the Chair whether the House can, by a two thirds vote, postpone

the homestead bill until some day beyond to

morrow.

The SPEAKER. It can.

Mr. STANLY. Then I appeal to the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. JONES] to give way and let that motion be made. It will give us two or three days more upon the deficiency bill.

Mr. JONES. I yield for that purpose, but it will require a suspension of the rules.

Mr. STANLY. Then I move that the special order fixed for to-morrow-being the homestead bill-be postponed.

The SPEAKER. Until when?

Mr. STANLY. Until any time the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. JOHNSON] wishes. Say "till Thursday next."

Mr. HAMILTON. No; say, "until the deficiency bill shall be disposed of."

Mr. STANLY. Very well, then, say until the deficiency bill is disposed of.

Mr. JOHNSON. I think we had better have this matter definitely arranged. And as a great deal is said about the pressure for the passage of the deficiency bill, and about the drafts of the Government being protested, and all that, I am willing that the homestead bill shall be postponed until to-morrow week. It seems to me that after the length of time which has already been devoted to the deficiency bill, a week more will be sufficient to dispose of it.

The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the postponement of the special order fixed for to-morrow, until to-morrow week?

Mr. SMART. I object.

Mr. STANLY. Then I move to suspend the rules to enable me to submit my motion."

The question being put, the rules were suspended, and the motion of Mr. STANLY was then put and agreed to.

So the homestead bill was postponed until tomorrow week.

The question then recurred upon the motion of Mr. JONES, to suspend the rules for the purpose of introducing a motion to suspend for to-day the one hundred and thirty-seventh rule of the House.

A MEMBER. What will be the effect of that motion?

The SPEAKER. It will be to bring the House to a call of the States-beginning with South Carolina-for resolutions, and for bills of which previous notice has been given, but neither of which to give rise to debate.

Mr. TOOMBS. I call for the yeas and nays upon that motion.

The yeas and nays were ordered, and being taken, the result was-yeas 99, nays 73-as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Aiken, Willis Allen, John Appleton, Averett, Thos. H. Bayly, Beale, Bibighaus, Bissell, Bocock, Bragg, A. G. Brown, Busby, Caskie, Churchwell, Clark, Clingman, Cobb, Cullom, Curtis, John G. Davis, Dawson, Dimmick, Dockery, Duncan, Dunham, Edmundson, Faulkner, Ficklin, Fitch, Freeman, Thomas J. D. Fuller, Gamble, Gaylord, Hall, Hamilton, Hammond, Isham G. Harris, Sampson W. Harris, Hendricks, Henn, Hillyer, Holladay, Houston, Howard, Thomas M. Howe, Ingersoll, Jackson, Andrew Johnson, James Johnson, John Johnson, Robert W. Johnson, George W. Jones, J. Glancy Jones, Kurtz, Letcher, Mace, Edward C. Marshall, McCorkle, McDonald, McLanahan, McMullin, McNair, McQueen, Meade, Millson, John Moore, Morehead, Morrison, Nabers, Olds, Andrew Parker, Phelps, Powell, Price, Richardson, Riddle, Robbins, Robinson, Origen S. Seymour, Skelton, Smith, Benjamin Stanton, Frederick P. Stanton, Richard H. Stanton, Abraham P. Stevens, Stone, St. Martin, Strother, Stuart, George W. Thompson. Venable, Wallace, Walch, Ward, Watkins, Wilcox, Wildrick, Williams, and Woodward-99.

NAYS-Messrs. Allison, William Appleton, Babcock, Barrere, Bartlett, Bennett, Bowie, Brenton, Brooks, George H. Brown, Buell, Burrows, E. Carrington Cabell, Joseph Cable, Thompson Campbell, Chandler, Chapman, Cleveland, Doty, Durkee, Eastman, Edgerton, Evans, Floyd, Fowler, Henry M. Fuller, Gentry, Goodenow, Grey, Grow, Harper, Haws, Haven, Hibbard, Horsford, Thomas Y. How, Ives, Jenkins, Daniel T. Jones, George G. King, Preston King, Kuhns, Mann, Martin, Meacham, Miner, Molony, Henry D. Moore, Murray, Newton, Orr, Samuel W. Parker, Peaslee, Penniman, Perkins, Porter, Ross, Sackett, Schermerhorn, Schoolcraft, Schoonmaker, Scudder, David L. Seymour, Smart, Snow, Stanly, Taylor, Thurston, Townshend, Tuck, Welch, Wells, Addison White, Alexander White, and Yates-73.

So the rules were not suspended. The SPEAKER, The first business in order is the call for resolutions from the State of Illinois. Mr. HOUSTON. I move that the rules be suspended, and the House resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. ORDER OF BUSINESS.

Mr. WILLIAMS. I ask the gentleman from

Resolved, That the standing and other committees of the House be hereby authorized to hand in their reports, to the Clerk of the House, to be by him entered on the Journal, and placed on the docket, or list of bills, in the order in which they may be presented to him, under the direction of the Speaker, to be acted upon by the House, reserving to the committees, in special cases, authority to make reports to the House. And the clerk shall have all such reports and accompanying papers printed, under direction of the committee which reports them, for the use of the House.

Mr. WILLIAMS. With the permission of the House, I will offer a remark or two upon the resolution.

Mr. HOUSTON. It is not in order for the gentleman to debate it; if he does it will have to go over.

Mr. WILLIAMS. Well, I will not debate it. I desire to get it before the House. During this, now nearly four months, session, seven weeks have transpired, in which there has been no general call of the standing committees for reports. Now, I desire to provide that committees may report at any time, by filing them with the Clerk, and under the direction of the Speaker, to be referred to a Committee of the Whole House, or the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union. This will give committees an opportunity to report. I hope I shall have the unanimous consent of the House to introduce the resolution.

Mr. STANLY. I object.

Mr. HOUSTON. I now insist upon my motion to go into the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.

The question was put, and the motion was agreed to-ayes 92, noes 36.

DEFICIENCY BILL,

The House accordingly resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, (Mr. STUART in the chair.)

The CHAIRMAN. The first business in order is House bill No. 207, being a bill to supply deficiencies in the appropriations for the service of the fiscal year, ending the 30th of June, 1852, upon which the gentleman from Alabama [Mr. HousTON] is entitled to the floor.

Mr. HOUSTON. Mr. Chairman, it will be impossible for me, within the hour allowed me, to take up every item that is in the bill now under consideration, and give it even a very brief explanation. I will not, therefore, occupy the time of the committee in enumerating all the separate items in the bill. But I shall rely upon being able to do so, with the assistance of the other members of the Committee of Ways and Means, when we go into the five minutes' debate upon the bill, if they shall be assailed.

The main items in this bill, which seem likely to obstruct its speedy passage, are the items to which I now desire to call the attention of the committee, and I have no doubt they will consume all the time I shall have.

It will be well for me, however, first to call the attention of the committee to an item of $279,517 which appears in the bill, and which, without an explanation, might seem to have been regarded by the Committee of Ways and Means as a deficiency, when, in truth, it is not a deficiency. That item amounts to $279,517, and has been reported in this bill by the Committee of Ways and Means for the purpose of having Congress pass a law authorizing the subsitence department to use that amount in advance of the passage of the regular army appropriation bill. The committee regarded this course as proper, and intended to enable the department to use that amount in the months of March and April, in the purchase of supplies for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1853, that the department might be enabled to have them in a state of forwardness to meet the demands at the beginning of that fiscal year. Again, that is the best season of the year for making purchases. This was recommended by the department, and the committee concurred in the recommendation. It is no increase of the appropriation, but a mere authority to use that sum in advance of the regular army appropriation. The committee deducted

that sum from the estimates for the subsistence department, in the regular army appropriation

bill. So it will be seen that this, in truth, is not a deficiency.

In the discussion upon this bill, I desire to state all the facts that bear upon the appropriations asked for the quartermaster's department (which are the main items in controversy) as fairly and distinctly to the House as I can.

In the beginning of this investigation it becomes proper for me to ask, how and why does this deficiency exist in that department of the Government? Now, I may be answered in one of two ways. In the first place, gentlemen may tell me that the deficiency exists because a sufficient amount of money was not given to that branch of the service. Admit, if you please, that the answer is a true one, the question then arises, "who is responsible to the country for the failure to appropriate the money necessary for the service of the country?" In answer to that argument, we have but to refer to the Journals of the last Congress, and there you will find that the proposition to reduce the estimates of the Administration now in power, came from one of its leading and distinguished friends upon this floor. The political party with which I am connected did not propose that reduction, but it was proposed by prominent members of that party who are the particular friends of the Administration; thereby saying to the Democrats of the House and the country," we can get along with less money than these estimates call for-we don't want that large amount-we can administer the Government with the one half of that sum.' Under these circumstances, the Democrats are not responsible for the present deficiencies. The responsibility is on the other side of the House. When the friends of the Administration get up and say, "we want these estimates reduced," is it the duty of the Democrats to say they shall not be reduced, and thereby force upon the party in power more money than they want? Or is it their duty to vote the reduction? If I had been here I should most certainly have voted in accordance with the request of the friends of this Administration in reducing the amount below the estimates. If I had done otherwise, they might have said I was trying to force them into large expenditures. It then becomes apparent that whatever responsibility rests upon Congress for this deficiency, rests not upon the Democrats, but upon the friends of the Administration, and they should be the last to complain that the supplies were insufficient.

But I pass from that, and inquire, in the next place, are there any abuses existing in the expenditure of the public money in the service of the quartermaster's bureau? In answering that question, I shall be compelled to say, that whatever member who has looked into the subject knows, as well as I do, that there have been and are now enormous abuses existing in that department.

The first abuse to which I desire to call the attention of this committee, is that growing out of the improper location of the various posts around our frontier; but, I am glad to say, that in many of these things the present Secretary of War shows a disposition and determination to amend, and to prevent these abuses in future. Some of the posts are located in towns and villages, and other improper places-inconvenient to water, fuel, grazing, and forage of all kinds—and, as a legiti mate consequence of such improper location, they have to haul wood, water, hay, grain, and all supplies, a great distance, and at enormous prices. One of the posts in New Mexico is established in Santa Fé, and is a most extravagant place-a place where all the supplies for the army, where all the forage, and everything that keeps up the army-men and horses-costs considerably more than it would have cost had the post been located nearer to the frontier, and in a place more convenient for supplies of every description.

I mention only this one post; I might mention many others, to which these remarks would apply with equal force. Colonel Swords, who belongs to the quartermaster's department, reports that some half dozen of these expensive and unsuitable posts have been abandoned, and new sites have been selected more convenient to the frontier, as well as to such supplies as the army needs and must have.

Another item of abuse, to which I call the attention of the committee, is in the manner of making contracts for the supplies for the army. Contracts are made by the subsistence department, in