The New York herald., 1845-01-30
Dspot at Memphis, until ,he adjournment Of the

next session of the State Legislature Some dis
cusson followed az TO the possibility OF a title,
Mr. BREEsg contendlng that good ule 10 the site
at Memphis could not be had, from all that he had
learned upon the subject; while MI FOSTER as
snred the Senate. that good title would be Sc
cured; and 10 luil the apprehenslons and the pa
triotIc soicltude OF the honorable. Senator from
Illinois. he would tell him that the title would be
settled before the close OF the present session of
Congress. Mr. +. knew that the honorable Sena-
tor had preferred Cairo for a site but Cairo was
like Babylon of old-it was, but is no longer-it is
among the mighty cities OF the past, Mr.. Pres-
dent-it is among the the things that were.
At the suggestion OF Mr.. TAPPAN, ths resolution
OF Mr. FOSTER was referred to the Committee on
Naval affairs
District and Circuit Courts OF the Northern Dis
trict OF New York Read, and referred to the
Judiciary Committee.
Mr. ASHLEY moved instructions 10 the Military
Committee, 10 the expediency OF testing the ut-
llty OF certain alleged improvements in the con-
struction and firing Of artillery, by Robt McCarty,
OF New York. Resolution agreed TO.
Mr. WOODBRIDGE moved that the Library Com
mi,tee inquire as to the proprety of allowing to
Literary Association in Michigan, copy of the
series Of American state Papers, &C., which was
agreed TO.
Mr. HENDERSON reported bill. authorizing re-
location Of certain land warrants.
Mr. BAGBY delivered to the Senate the creden-
tials OF the election OF Hon. Dixon H. Lewis, OF
Alabama, TO fill vacancy from resignation Of Hon.
w. r. Klng,) which were read, and the Senator
elect was qualified, and took his seat
L VII Lewis, dS tiidu, lids tic GREATEST Weight
of any Senator in Congress, grazing hard upon 400
pounds avoirdupois.l
Mr.. BSRRIEN, from the Judiciary Committee, to
whom had been committed various petitions from
the western and north westera States for extension
OF the criminal jurisdiction OF the United States
Courts-reported, ii E..., .t.t
A bill further TO provide for the punishment OF
offences against the United States
Mr.. BRErss presented the credentials of Hon.
James Sempe, of H., elected to the United States
Senate to fl the vacancy arising from the death of
Han Sam mn nall lad
up, and sworn to support the constitution, accord
ingIy.
The resolution from the House for The purchase,
tor the use OF Congress, OF $3 COO worth OF Green
how's book upon Oregon, was referred.
THE CHoCTAw CONTRACTS.
Mr.. JARNAGIN called up resolution OF his from
the tabe-for information connected with the
mova, by contract, of the Choctaw Indians from
Mississippi to the west Of the Mississippi river. Mr.
Jarnagin submitted mere comprehensive scope Of
inquiry in this respect, substitute tor the original
resolution. The substitute calls upon the Secretary
of War to inform the Senate what contracts have
been entered into, and with whom, for the remov
al of said Choctaws whether the Department ad-
vertsed pursuant to law or otherwise, for the re-
moval of said Choctaws, and their subsistence for
twelve months afterwards-whetherb before the last
contract was let, he, the Secretary OF War did not
examine the proposals offered and whether he ac-
eepted the lowest bidders in every instance
what money has been advanced on such contracts,
and what security has been given for the faithful
acquttance of the duties of the contractors-w
scrip has been issued to said Choctaws in payment
for their surrend red territory-whO has charge OF
said scrip, and are his bonds good and sufficient
what are the Secretary instructions said agent
and whether any system OF barter and exchange
has been opened between said Choctaws and other
persons under authority of said agent; with copies
of all papers communicating any information re-
quired under this resolution
IMr. JARNAeIN, at the last session, seemed to
be suspicious that there were certain log-rolllng
collisions grand scale, in these Choctaw Gen.
tracts; but up to this time has failed TO elicit suf-
cient information to the appeasement OF his curos-
ity We do hope that there IS nothing rotten
among these Choctaw contracts-that there were
no winkings on the part OF the Secretary to specu-
lalive combinations for carrying these poor mise
rable Choctaws across the Mississippi The in
quiry, however, licenses the gllmmering of such a
suspicion. The Secretary will make II all clear,
or ought so to do. by. all means, if called upon
The substitute embracing Mr.. Us comprehensive
inquiries rests upon the table
REDUCTION PosTAGEs, dc.
On motion OF Mr.. MsaRIcK, the Senate resumed
in Committee of the Whole, the bill from the
Committee on Post offices and Post Roads for the
reduction OF the rates OF postage, TO limit the use
and correct the abuse OF the franking privilege,
and for the prevention OF frauds upon the revenues
OF the department.
tions OF the bill, relating to reduction OF postages
on letters. on newspapers, and on pamphlets and
ase concerning the necessities for the change and
restrictions proposed, in the franking privilege.
The abstract which we gave yesterday was bas-
ed upon the bill as adopted, with the amendments
of the committee as printed, and as agreed to in
detail to-day, excepting postage upon single let-
tiers, which, as amended, s:-Upon letters of one
piece of paper, not exceeding one-half ounce in
weight, for distances not over 100 miles, cents
that distance 10 cents; and for letters of one
more pieces OF paper, not exceeding quarter of
an ounce in weight, the same charges
Mr. MERRTcK explained the object of this amend
to the great body OF the people, who generally
write their letters upon sheet of foolscap, which
exceeded quarter of an ounce in weight
Another amendment was agreed to, providing
hat fho ont nf a lafto nj
TO postage.
Mr. MILLER moved to amend the postages upon
single letters, as fOllows:-
For distances of 80 miles or less. 3 cents
Over 80 and not exceeding 100 miles. IS
Over 100 and not exceeding 800 miles. 10
Mr.. MILLER explained the amendment as more
practicable than the rates of the bill. II had been
adopted ut the last session; and because OF the re,
ducIion upon letters for distances OF less than SO
miles, ne thought it more advisable than the scale
of the Committee.
Mr. MsRRicK opposed the amendment. The
costs of the Post Offices, in the manpulationsupor
the letters which passed through them, would mol
warrant the reduction proposed. And il would
dlsarrange the plan OF adopting the postages to the
Mr.. Bagby. Mr. Buchanan, Mr.. Niles, and Mr.
Huntington, spoke successfully upon the amend
ment, and generally in its favor-the latter recon-
mendIng 1t as advisable In order to cut of the com
petition OF private expresses.
Mr.. WOODBURY. also advocated the amendment
of Mr. Miller.
amendment upon the bill, or some other amend
ment that might be preferable, moved to strike Out
the five and ten cent clauses, as reported by the
Committee.
Mr.. MKRRIck appealed against the amendment.
point Of order creating some little difficulty
on motion of Mr.. Berrlen, the subject was laid
aside till tomorrow.
CHINESE coRREspoNDENcK
Mr.. BERRIRN moved that all the documents con.
nected with the Chinese Treaty, from which the
INJUNCTION of secrecy has been removed be print
ed for the use OF the Senate, which was agreed TO
And the Senate adjourned.
House OF Representatives.
WARRINGTON, Tuesday, Jan. 2e.
The message from the President, received yesterday
Informing the House ths he had approved Of the bill
far