The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-12-27


know when the various projects suomitled or inc ah
pexation of Texas to the United States were TO DC
br~ught up for consideration IL was important that
an Islandng should prevail among the friends oil
Texas as To what time should be set apart ioI me cs
eussion of the question-that something might be
done either for or against IL. He would therefore
ask The Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Al
fairs -
Mr. HARDIN rose TO a point OF orders and de-
sred to know what the gentleman intended.
Mr.. HAMMETr would tell him. lie wished To
ask the Chairman Of the Committee on Foreign Al
fairs (Nr C. J. lngersolD at what time he proposed
10 cali up he subject With respect TO the gentle
man, as well as the House, it was important that he
should lead the way this great question.
Mr. G. J. INGERSOLL was not certain whether
or moi, the House had designated Monday last
There seemed To be an lndisposition now To do any
thing; but he would propose to call up the subject on
Monday next, though he was prepared at present To
discuss IT, A VOICE: Say Monday.'I IL was u
matter of indifference him; he was ready now, and
would be on Monday; and he would menlon that day,
a, the benches were now thin.
Mr. BIDLACK presented the petition of citizens
of Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, asking for u re-
duction of rates of postage, and the restriction OF
The ranking privilege which referred to theCom
mit,ee on The Post Office and Post Roads.
suNDRIEs
MIR. PARMENTER inquired what was the order
of business
The SPEAKER informed him, the consideration
oftbe petoDs and memorials which were ordered 10
lie over under the rule "a disposition having been ex-
pressed 10 debate them
Mr. PARMENTER said that there was a bill on
the calendar limiting the number Of commissioned
and warrant officers, and regulating the employment,
of crews on board Of vessels Of and for other pu
poses This was a subject about which there was
little difference of opinion and now was favorable
time to act upon it, He would there fore move a sus.
pension of the rules for the purpose OF considering II
In Committee of the Whole
Mr. C. J. INGERSOLL remarked that it was far
from his intention to interrupt the course indicated by
the gentleman from Massachusetts,; but there was
another subject which he desired to have precedence,
and which could be disposed of in five minutes
kThe SPEAKER reminded him that shoud the
House resolve itself into committee, It would be COM
peent for the majority to take up any subject they
might prefer
Mr. c. ]. INGERSOLL said that he was about
to move that the House resolve Itself into Commit
tee of the Whole the state OF the I'm on, for the
purt ose of taking up the bill to carry into effect the
convention between the United States and the Repub-
he of Peru; in effect to distribute S3OOOO0 nav ly-
ing in the Treasury.
The SPEAKER Informed the gentleman that it was
in order ~ 90 into committee on any par
ticular bill.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The House then resolved itself into a Committee of
the Whole on the state Of the Union Mr.. johnson,
of Tennessee in the Chain and resumed the consid-
Grafton # the bill TO graduate the price OF the public
lands to s~ttlers and ouIlivators of the soil.
MIR. ROBERT SMITH, Of lnos, being entitled
10 the floor spoke in favor of the bill, giving 10
the citizen the enjoyment of the rights for which our
Revolutionary sres fought and bled at every pore
and, in reply TO the gentleman from Maryland, MIR.
Causing he said that ur orela'hers fought, no. for
the public lands, but fr liberty and Independence
The lands now proposed to be graduated, were ac-
CURED since the of the Revolution; and those
who fought in the Indian wars endured on the from
tier, more lerils hardshps, and dangers Than the
soldiers OF 10 Therefore, the argument advanced,
that the lands surrendered by the original
States and held trust by the Government, did not
answer the purpose Tor which IT was advanced
There were improvements science and In letters,
and he saw reason why there should not be IN
egsalion--why enlightened people, through their
representatives, should not frame their laws and
extend generous policy, as to promote the happi-
ness of all, and, where it was expedent, without de-
rinent 10 the masses, elevate the agrculturis IRON
the condition Of tenant TO owner OF the soil, for
could be free while ground down by OPP
preston.
Mr.. PETIT advocated the bill and he also re-
Piled TO remarks heretofore directed aganstthe mea
sure proposed. In response to an observation that
there were too many agrcultursts already, he said
pness and equality in the land 1t with him be-
yond que stion that they who had plenty we're likely
be the more contented. They might take four
millions of agriculluralists and four millions Of any
other class, and IT would be demonstrated that the
hap pness of the former would exceed the latter ny
twenty five per cent.
Mr. Nee LERNAND followed on the side ;
and in the OF his remarks alluded to the fact
that at one time presumption was disallowed, but
now ii obtains the credit system was prevalent, hut
cash payments are rsquiredi one hundred and
sixty acres were formerly designated for purchase,
but the number is at present reduced to forty the
price per was 81 %, but now IT is 81 25 thus
showing the land system has been changed from time
TO time according to the demands and the interests Of
the country and that 4 Is not perfect and involabe,
gentlemen had commended. The objection
that the bill II passed, would diminish the revenue,
was not well founded the Committee Finance IN
the Senate, at the head Of which was Col Benton,
reported that the effect of similar measure would
produce an effect favorable to the finances of the
county and the then Secretary Of the Treasury con-
Cured IN this view Of the subject. And this opinion
was not thus limed-it was entertained by many
distinguished statesmen Of the North and South rbe
Committee we're startled by loud cry, as from a
in distress IN the gallery. Attention, of course,
was Immediately directed to that part Of the House
and Mr. PAYNE broke the general silence by saying
that he did not desire TO have the gallery cleared but
that order would be restored. The CHAIR directed
the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove the offender, which
he did lrompIy and eNprdiousy.l Mr. McCLrR-
sAsp resumed and in conclusion contended that
there should be distinction between the actual set
tier and the Spectator. The one might be compar
ed to the bee who made the honey and the other to
the droDe who grew tat on the labor Of the other.
The committee rose, and the Chairman reported
that the committee had had the bill under considers
ton and had come TO conclusion thereon.
COAST SURVEY.
A commu ncatlon from the Secretary Of the Tres
sury, in relation to the coast survey, was motion
of Mr.. J. r. iNGERSOLL, taken up, and Eve hun
dr,d extra copies ordered To- be printed.
sundry bills from the Senate were severay read
twice, aud referred 10 appropriate committees
A motion vas made that, when the House adjourn,
adjourn to meet Monday next
The yeas and nays ordered, and, being taken,
,licA