Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-02-06
IN SENATE.
Tnesi1y. FtbruQru ?.


The VICE PRESIDENT submitted resolutions
adopted al a meeting Of the citizens of ST. Josephs,
Florida in favor of the admission Of Florida into the
Union; which referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary.
Mr. WALL presented memorial of shpmasters
and others engaged in in the city of New
York. against the repeal of the pilot law OF lo3I;-
which was laid on the table and ordered to be prIne
Mr. WILLIAMS presented document, contain in =
answers certain queries propounded to the Collec-
tor of Portland the subject of fishing bounties and
allowances; which referred TO the Committee on
Finance and ordered to be printed
Mr. PORTER presented resolution OF the LegIsla-
ture of Michigan, relative to the completion of lake
harbors: which was laid on the table.
Mr.. RUGGLES presented the petition OF inhabitants
of Freepot Maine, praying the prohibition OF the do
meslc slave rade the petition OF the same, that no ne
State be admitted into the Union whose constitution
toleraes slavery the petition of the same praying the
abolition Of slavery and the slave trade in the territory
of Florida, and the abolition of slavery III the District
Of Columbia.
On motion by Mr. FULTON, the motion to receive
the above was laid on the table.
Mr.. Il also presented petition OF inhabitants of the
same praying the recognition Of Hayt, and the estab.
lslmen, Of commercial relations herewith, which was
laid on the table.
Mr. TAPPAN presented the petition Of the members
of the bar of the State of Ohio praying alteration OF
the place of holding the term of the circuit and
district couts of the United States for the district OF
Ohio which was referred to the Committee on the Ju-
dietary.
On motion, by Mr.. RUGGLEs, George w. Jones
was permitted withdraw his petition and papers on
the files of the Senate.
COUNTING THE ELECTORAL VOTES.
Mr.. PRESTON, from the Joint Committee, appoint
ed on the subject of counting the electoral votes, re-
ported the following resolution, which was read;
Rcsoircd, That the two Houses will assemble IN the
Chamber of the House of Representatives Wcdnes-
day. the 10Th inst at twelve o'clock, and the Presi-
dent of the Senate shall he the presiding officer; that
one person be appointed Teller the part of the Sc
nate and two the part Of the House OF Representa-
tves 10 make list of the votes they shall be deca-
red that the result shall be delivered TO the President
of the Senate who shall tie state Of the vote
and the persons elected to the two Houses assembled
as aforesaid which shall be deemed declaration of the
persons elected President and Vice President of the u
States, and, together with list OF votes be entered on
the journals Of the two Houses.
Tie resolution agreed TO- and the Vice President
was directed to appoint the Teller the part OF the
Senate, and
Sir PRESTON was accordingly appointed.
PERMANENT PROSPECTIVE PRE.EMPTloN LAW.
Jle bi!l 10 establish permanent prospective pre-
cmpon sysem in favor of settlers on the public lands,
who shall inhabt and cultivate tie same and raise a
log cabin thereon, taken up, the question being as
follows
MIR. CRITTENDEN had submitted the following
motion:
Resolred That the bill be recommended 10 the Com
mittee on Public Lands, with instructions to report
amendments thereto, to the following effect:
L. To distribute the proceeds OF The sales Oh the ruo-
lie Lands among the several States OF the UNION, IN
just and equitable proportions
2. TO grant to actual bona fde settlers upon the
public lands the right of prescription TO any quantity
thereof not exceeding half section, or 32o acres,
including the place of settlement, at the minimum
price of 81 % per acre, with such provisions as shall
limit this right of settlement and presumption to acu
al bona de settlers whose estates at the time of set
Element, shall not exceed the value of 81 ,O0O and
Furthermore, with such provisions shall effectuay
exclude the weather. spectators from I'LL benefit under
this law and shall prevent them from interfering with,
or participating in, the privilege and the right of SET
element and presumption, which are hereby granted
md intended for the sole advantage of the needy and
honest settlers and cultivators of the soil
Mr. YOUNG had moved TO amend Mr.. Crtenden's
motion by substituting the following:
a pror;sion 10 dispose of the public lands ritin the
limits of the neo States, to The to'loeing effect:
That all the public lands within the States Of A1 ,
nois Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, with the exceptions
of the sites of Notifications navy and dock yards, arse
nails, magazines and all other public buildings, SHALL