Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-31
rwENTY-EIGHTH coNGREss--ad SEES.

U his CSCBIeUC1, NI " REJOS;
Minister OF Foreign Relations, &c.
Remainder Of Correspondence on Second Page. |
TWEETY-EIGHTHC ONGRESS--2d SEES.
FridaN Dee. 27
The Senate did not sit today, having adjourn
cd over to Monday.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TEXAS.
Mr.. HAMMETT arose for the purpose Of
calling the attention OF the House TO the subject
This was TO be short session. and as they were
already far advanced in il, every member was
anxious to know when The various projects sub
mi,led for the annexation of Texas 10 the United
States were TO be brought up Tor consideration
II was important that an understanding should
prevail among The friends OF Texas as to what
time should be set apart for the discussion OF the
question-lhat something might be done either for
or against it, He would therefore, ask the Chair
man Of The Committee on Foreign Affairs
Mr.. HARDIN rose 10 point of order; and
desired to know what the gentleman intended.
Mr.. HAMMETT would tell him. He wish
ed 10 ask the Chairman of the Committee on Fo-
reign Affairs (Mr. C. J. InsersolD al what time
he proposed TO call up the subject With respect
10 The gentleman, as we'll as 10 the House, il was
Emporium, that he should lead the way on this
great question.
Mr.. c. J. INGERSOLL was not certain whe-
thcr or not The House had designated Monday
last There seemed to be an indisposition now
10 do any thing but he would propose 10 call up
the subject on Monday next, though he was pre-
pared at present TO discuss it. A voice "Say
Monday Ii was a matter OF Indifference 10
him: he was ready now, and would be on Mon
day; and he would mention that day, as the
benches were now thin
POSTAGE.
Mr.. BTDLACK presented the petition Of citi-
zcns OF Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, asking
for reduction OF the rates of postage and the re-
striction Of the ranking privilege, which was re-
ferred 10 The Committee on the Post Office and
Post Roads.
Mr. PARMENTER inquired what was the
order of business?
The SPEAKER informed him, the considera-
lion of the petitions and memorials which were
ordered TO lie over under The rule, "a disposition
having been expressed 10 debate hcn.)
Mr.. PARMENTER said that there was bill
on the calendar limiting the number of commits
stoned and warrant officers, and regulating the
employment OF crews on board of vessels OF war,
and for other purposes. This was a subject about
which there was little difference of opinion, and
now was favorable time 10 act upon it, He
would therefore move suspension of the rules
for the purpose OF considering it in Committee Of
the Whole
MIR. c. ]. INGERsOLL remarked that it was
far from his intention 10 interrupt the course indi
Gated BY the gentleman from Massachusetts; but
there was another subject which he desired 10 have
precedence, and which could be disposed olin five
minutes.
The Speaker reminded him, that should the
House resolve itself into committee, il would be
for = nj m "a n np
they might prefer.
Mr.. c. ]. INGERSOLL said that he was about
to move that the House resolve itself into Com
mltee Of The Whole on The state Of the Union, for
The purpose of taking up the bill to carry into ei
feet the convention between The United States and
the Republic of Peru; in effect 10 distribute $500,
600, now lying in the Treasury.
The Speaker informed the gentleman, that il
was not in order 10 move TO go into committee on
any particular bill.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The House then resolved itself into a Commit
tee of The Whole on the state Of the Union, (Mr.
johnson of Tennessee in the Chair,) and resumed
tho consideration OF the bill to graduate the price
OF the public lands TO settlers and cultivators OF the
soil.
Mr.. ROBERT SMITH, OF Illinois, being en-
titled TO the floor, spoke in favor OF the BILL as
giving to the citizen the enjoyment OF the rights
ior which our Revolutionary sires fought and bled
at every pore /; and in reply to the gentleman
from Maryland, (Air. Causin,) he said that our
forefathers fought not Tor The public lands, but
for liberty and independence. The lands now
proposed 10 be graduated, were acquired since
The war of the Revolution; and those who fought
in The Indian wars, endured on the frontier more
pers, hardships, and dangers than the soldiers OF
'7G. Therefore, the argument advanced, that the
lands were surrendered By the original States:
and held in trust BY the Government, did not an
swer the purpose for which il was advanced
There were Improvements in science and in lei.
ers, and he saw no reason why there should not
be in legislalion-why an enlightened people,
through their representatives, should not so
frame their laws and extend generous policy,
as 10 promote the happiness of all, and where il
was expedient, without delriment TO the masses,
elevate the aSrculturist from the condition OF a
tenant to an owner of the soil, for no man could
he free while ground down BY oppression.
Mr.. PETIT advocated the BILL and he also
replied to remarks heretofore directed against the
measure proposed. In response 10 an observa-
ton that there were TOO many agriculturists al
ready, he said he might as well be told that there
was Too much happiness and equality in the
land. Il was with him beyond question, that
they who had plenty were likely to be the more
contented. They might take four millions Of ag-
riculturaists and fonr millions OF any other class
and il would be demonstrated that the happiness
Of the former would exceed the latter by twenty
five per cent.
Mr.. McCLERNARD followed on the same
side; and, in the course Of his remarks alluded to
the fact, that at one time presumption was disal-
lowed, but now it obtains the credit system was
prevalent, but now cash payments are required;-
one hundred and sixty acres were formerly desig-
mated for purchase but the number is at present
reduced to forty; the price per acre - IS, but
now it is 81 IS; thus showing the land system has
been changed from time TO time, according to the
demands and the interests of the country, and
that it is not perfect and inviolabe, as some gen.