Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-01-21
Wednesday, January 10, ls40.
IN SENATE

souri asking right of way through the public lands
for railroad from the Iron mountains, in Missouri 70
the Mississippi river; also the right TO enter ooouoO
acres of the public land the minimum price, to aid
the company to construct said road when 1t shall be
located which referred to the COMMITTEE on ROADS
and Canals.
Mr. CLAY, of Alabama, presented JOINT memo
rial and resolutions from the Legislature OF that State
requesting the establishment OF new land DISTRICT to
embrace the territory lately acquired from the
tribe of Indians within the State of Alabama; and also
TO reduce the minimum price of the public lands
which was referred to the Committee on the Public
Lands
Mr. LINN presented the memorial of number ofthe
members of the bar, in the State of Missouri praying
an extension of the jurisdiction of the district court of
the United States holden at the city OF ST Louis; and
an increase of the salary Of the district judge of the
United States for the district of Missouri; which was
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. l.. also presented memorial Of number of cit
of Missouri, praying donation of land to settlers
in the Oregon Territory; which was referred to the
Select Committee on the Oregon Territory
MIR. NICHOLAS offered the following resolution;
which, by unanimous consent, was considered and
agreed to:
Rcsored, That the Secretary of War be directed to
communicate TO the Senate copy Of the survey re-
Gently made of the mouths of the Mississippi and ad-
jacent coast
Mir. WILLIAMS rose and said
Mr. PRESIDENT: A portion of the State which
have the honor in part to represent part of these
United States has been invaded and at this moment is
occnpied by British troops.
By the late message of the Governor to the Legs.
lature of the State of Mane in session, we learn
not only the fact Of invasion, but also that the Co.
vernon of that State has communicated it to the PresI
dent and officially called for that action on the part OF
the General Government which the case requires, and
the Constitution and laws of the land enJom What
that action will be is unknown to me, but trust that
it will be such as the honor Of the nation demands.
desire to know and that the Senate and the coun-
try may know, all that relates to these portentous
movements and in order that we may have the intor.
nation in an official form, offer the following reso-
buttons, and hope that they may be considered and
adopted at this time
Resolrcd, That the President be requested to COM
muncate to the Senate all the correspondence which
has been had between this and the British Govern
nen upon the subject Of the Northeastern boundary,
and of the jurisdiction of the disputed territory which
has not been communicated heretofore; much Of
il as, in his opinion, may be communicated without
prejudice to the pending negotiation.
Resolred That the President be further requested to
communicate to the Senate all the correspondence
which has been had since the last session Of Congress-
with the Government of the State of Maine and with
the Minister Of Her Britannia Majesty at Washington,
relative the invasion of the State of Maine and to
the exercise of urSdc!ion within the disputed terri
tory by either party
Mr. BUCHANAN said he had no objection whatever
10 the passage of the resolutions but related to
matter of great Importance he hoped the Senator from
Mime would permit it to lay over until tomorrow
Mr.. WILLIAMS accedng, the resolution was laid
over until tomorrow.
On motion of Mr. DAVIS the bill to refund the mo.
ney paid and cancel the bonds given to duties
upon vessels and their cargoes employed in the whale
fishery taken up, and after some remarks by Mr.
D. it was ordered TO be engrossed for third reading
THE SPECIAL ORDER.
The bill to provide for the collection, safe keeping,
transfer and disbursement of the public money
The question was the amendment submitted yes
terdav bv Mr. BUCHANAN, that the salaries of the
Treasurer of the Mint in Philadelphia, and the Trea-
surer Of the Branch Mint at New Orleans, who by the
provisions of this h made receivers, in addition
To their former duties should be made equal IN amount
with the other receivers, 50 500 per annum.
Mr. GRUMPY then offered a substitute for the
above proposition to increase the salary of the Tea
surer of the Mint at Philadelphia $500 in addition to
his present salary and the Treasurer of the Branch
Mint ut New Orleans -- dollars in addition to his
present salary, compensation tor the addonal au.
ties enioined by this bill.
Mr.. BUCHANAN accepted the modification
Mr. SEWER moved that the blank in the amend
ment be filled with $4,000; which was not agreed to
ayes IL, noes "a.
Mr.. ALLEN then moved to FIJI the blank with ST.
600, (making his compensation $4,000 which was
agreed to-ayes %, noes IL.
The amendment amended was then agreed to-
Mr.. SEWER then moved reconsideration OF the
vote giving the receiver at New York compensation OF
$4,000.
The question was taken on reconsideration, and de-
c;ded in the negatve-ayes 90 noes 81.
Tn motion OF r. ALLEN, the SENATE tneH Iilior-
may passed the bill, and proceeded to the considera-
ZION of Executive business, after which it adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. CAMPBELL of S. c., chairman Of the Com
mittee of Elections by unanimous consent moved re-
solution that the said committee be empowered to EN-
ploy clerk
Mr.. sTANLY inquired if it had been usual TO grant
to this committee clerk.
Mr. CAMPBELL did not wish to detain the House
by any remarks; hut il obvious that the abors OF
that committee had been much increased, and-lcres
of "agreed, agreed
CHAIR. By general consent, the resolution IS re-
ceved
Mr. LEADBETTER wished to know before voting
for the resolution, what would be the compensation
II appeared by some Of the printed documents, that
the clerk to the Committee of Ways and Means
had heretofore received more compensation per diem
than the members themselves which he thought exor
bitant and improper.
Mr. CAMPBELL understood that it had been usual
for clerks to committees TO receive four dollars per day
and he would amend the resolution that the compen
sntion should not exceed that sum per day.
MIR. L. WILLIAMS moved amendment: "and
that the clerk receive pay during the time he be
ployed which was understood to be accepted by the
mover.
Mr.. REYNOLDS called for the yeas and nays as
he believed there necessity for these clerks to
committees
MIR CAMPBELL would not detain the House by o
statement at that tme but if the committee no,
allowed to employ clerk, its lsbors would be very
great indeed
Mr.. SMITH of Maine thought that it was extremely
desirable that the House should be put in possession OF
information relating different cases before that COM
mittee, at as early day practicable. We know,
that cases referred to that committee embraced numer
GUS dispositions, which would make its labors arduous IN
an extreme degree, to put in such form as would DC
proper to report for the information of the House, and
il seemed to him that the public required and that the
people of New Jersey required early report pos
sble the disputed seats of the Representatives from
wanted that report delayed until the end of the session
they should vote for this resolution. He sincerely
hoped it would pass.
MIR. DoIG, to put stop to unnecessary debate
moved the previous question: which was seconded
and the main question ordered, which was on the
adoption Of the resolution.
Mr.. REYNOLDS renewed his motion for the yeas
and nays; which were not ordered
TIE question was then taken on the resolution, and
it was adopted
Mr.. HOFFMAN called for the order of the day