The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-02
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
THURSDAY, MAY 81.


Resolred, That the Postmaster General furnish
to this House an estimate, showing as near as he
ascertain
|. What proportion Of the mails Of the United
States consists Of free parcels estimated by weight
2 What proportion consists OF tree parcels eSt
mated by amount Of postage on parcels that pay
postage, and accounting all printed documents al
pamphlet postage;
3. What would be the proportion Of the amount
Of postage TO be paid by Government in all free
parcels were charged 10 Government at the rate
that private parcels are charged;
4. To how low rate the tariff Of postage would
be reduced, and sustain the Department, in case all
parcels conveyed BY mail were chargeable with
POSTAGE
g. To how low rate the tariff Of postage can be
reduced, now or prospectiyey, riMiatwo years re-
tanning the present ranking privilege, and sustain
the Department with rate Of tariff deemed judi
cious and proper by him, in case such reduction
should be ordered
This resolution was read and agreed TO-
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, &C.
Mr. WHITTIESEY, of Ohio, from the Com
mittee OF Claims, reported, without amendment,
Senate bill TO authorize payment TO be made to the
Missouri volunteers whose horses were lost or cast
away the voyage to Tampa Bay.
Mr.. w. from the same committee also reported
against the case OF Polly Estes
Mr.. WORTHlNGTON, from the Committee on
Commerce, reported bill, entitled, An act 10 ex-
tend the limits Of the port Of New Orleans"
Mr. DEGRAFF, from the same committee, re-
ported against the petition Of Benjamin Ringgold,
and moved 10 be discharged from the consideration
Of The same and that il be referred 10 the Secretary
Of the Treasury.
Mr.. YELL, from the Committee on the Public
Lands, reported, without amendment, Senate bill No.
1885, to settle the title TO certain Of land in the
State Of Arkansas
Mr.. LINCOLN, from the same Committee re-
ported bill to authorize the trustees of the township
of Oxford in the county of Butler and State Of Ohio
to enter section OF land in lieu OF section sixteen in
said township for the use of schools.
On motion of Mr. L., the same committee were
discharged from the consideration Of the resolutions
of the Legislature of Michigan relative 10 dona-
ton Of land for purposes of internal improvement.
On motion of Mr.. JOHNSON,
ReSOiUed, That the Committee on the Post Office
and Post Roads be instructed TO inquire into the ex
pediency of establishing post route from Madison
ville in the parish Of ST. Tammany, 10 Warmers in
the parish OF W ash V@N State of Louisiana
Resoired, That the Committee Commerce be
instructed 10 inquire into the expediency of passing
a law prohibiting, under certain penalties, persons
in command Of vessels from dscharging ballast into
the channel or anchorage ground of any bay VI har-
Dor in the United States to obsruct the naviga
! ton thereof
| Mr. HASTINGS, from the Committee OF Claims.
reported bill for the relief of Isaac Lilly.
| On motion of Mr. CRAIG, the bill for the relief
of Theodore Middleton was recommit,ed to the
Committee on Revolutionary Claims.
Mr.. PARMENTER, from the Committee on Re
the legal representatives Of Thomas Rutledge, de-
ceased
Mr. TALIAFERRo, from the same committee,
reported, without amendment, Senate bill No. l64
for the relief Of the heirs and legatees of Everard
Meade, deceased Also, bill for the relief Of Re
becca Burch, widow Of Benjamin Burch, deceased,
and for the relief Of the heirs OF Lieut.. William
Lewis.
On motion Of Mr.. BELL,
Rcsotred, That the Committee the Judiciary
inquire into the expediency OF amending the several
acts prescribing the mode of taking dispositions, by
authorizing all persons authorized BY the laws OF the
States 10 take dispositions in causes pending in State
courts TO take dispositions in pending in the
courts OF the United States, and by enacting such
other provisions shall in their opinion promote the
convenience Of suitors without removing any of the
restrictions necessary 10 the safe administration Of
justice.
Mr.. RARIDEN from the Committee on Private
Land Claims, reported against the petition Of John
Mr.. GRENNELL offered the following:
Rcsolred, That all bills providing for pensions or
payments TO the widows OF officers and soldiers be
added TO the special order of assignment for Satur
day next; also, the report of the Committee on Re-
volutionary Pensions in the case of Elijah Freeman
On the motion to agree to this resolution, ii was
decided in the negative.
Mr.. BRONSON, from the Committee on the Ter
ritores reported bill making appropriation for
completing the public buildings in Wisconsin.
MIR. BRONSON also reported bill TO confirm the
act of the Legislative Council of Florida, incorpo
rating the Florida Peninsula Railroad and Steam
boat Company" and granting the right Of way TO
said company through public lands, and for other
purposes.
Commerce, reported for the action of the House the
following resolutions
Resoired That the Secretary Of War be instruct
ed 10 communicate TO the House of Representatives,
al the commencement of the next session OF Con-
gress, copy of each survey and chart accompany
ing the same that has been heretofore made OF the
La
copy of each similar survey that has been made OF
Lake Michigan.
This resolution was postponed until tomorrow.
Mr.. WHITTLESEY said he did not understand
why the committee wished to collect the surveys al
ready made on the lakes; they were mere local sur
vcys Of harbors No general survey of the coast
of any Of the lakes had yet been made, nor any
| photographic examination Of the soundings: this
| was the chief disderatum Islands had lately been
discovered in the upper part OF Lake Erie the ex.
act position of which had never been laid down, and
the uncertainty Of whose position rendered the navi-
CATION of that part of the lake dangerous. II was
| very important that general survey should be made
The naval officer who had charge Of the defence OF
| the lakes was DESTROYS that steamboat should
be purchased with view to facilitate that defence
Such boat would afford facility, also, for the
animation OF the soundihgs, &c.
/ Mr.. CUSHMAN admitted the importance OF such
general survey, but that il nexpedent that the
committee should report in favor Of il until first
had possession of all the surveys which had thus lar
! been made.
Mr.. FILLMORE could not see the necessity of this
Those surveys had in most instances, been already
published and were in the hands of the commercial
community, and well known. To wait to have them
collected would only be productive OF delay. The
Legislature OF New York had passed resolutions ap-
plying for a general survey: the resolutions had
been sent TO Congress- and referred to the Commit
/ tee ON Commerce and Mr. f. had waited with anS-
iety for report on the subject Ii was unnecessary
to show how important such measure would be TO
the internal commerce Of the country The trade Oh