Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-11
HOIrSC on REPRESENTATIVES,

f1olSE UT hcF hTsscTAN II Eao.
On motion OF Mr. LEONARD, The Commit
lee ofihe Whole on the state OF The Union were
discharged from the further consideration of The
bill from the Senate, authorizing The Secretary Of
the Treasury 10 compromise with the surelies OF
Samuel Swartwou, late collector Of the customs
for The port OF New York.
Mr. PARMENTER asked the general consent
ofthe House 10 take up The Joint resolution OF
the Senate, suspending the operation of a section
Of The act Of September II, 1871, which provides
that no public money shall be expended for the
purchase OF sites for armories, arsenalS, navy
yards cuslom-houses, ETC., in any Stale, unless
the consent OF the Legislature oil the same shall
first be obtained. This resolution suspended the
operation OF law SO far as related 10 the site for
naval depot in Memphis, Tennessee. The
Legislature met benniay, and, were they 10
wait until lis next session, long time must ne
cessariIy elapsc From the knowledge OF the
Committee on Naval Affairs, the members fthe
Legislature Individually, and The people, were
decidedly in favor Of naval depot al Memphis;
and now il was merely intended 10 appropriate
The money in advance, and then obtain the con-
sent Of the Legislature, Of which there could he
no doubt; and this would facilitate the object in
view
The resolution was read third time, and
passed.
Mr. BLACK, of Pennsylvania, presented the
petition Of Samuel Fisher, praying thata special
law may be passed enabling him procure pa
tent for The invention for retarding wagons and car
rages; which was referred TO the Committee on
Patents
The House proceeded 10 dispose of the private
bills reported Yesterday from the Committee oil the
Whole; among The large number passed were
The bill further 10 extend the time 10 1852 for
locating Virginia military land warrants, and for
the return OF surveys thereon 10 the General Land
Office;
The resolution authorizing the Secretary Of
War to pay any balance that may be due the
Shawnee Indians who served in the Florida war;
The bill for the relief Of The Bank Of the Me-
,ropolis;
The bill for the relief of The President Direc-
tors and Company Of the Dismal Swamp Ca
nal; and
The bill to pay Capt John B. Crozier's compa-
ny OF mounted volunteers, Tennessee militia.
The ACT authorizing the Secretary Of the Trea-
sury TO compromise with the sureies of Samuel
SwaItwout, was taken up. A debate cnsusd az
10 the policy OF such proceeding, at the lermi-
nation of which,
Mr.. CALDWELL moved TO lay the bill on
the table; and the motion prcvailed-yeas &c, nays
So
A motion was made Ia recor slider The vote; but
the question was postponed until Monday next.
The remainder Of the day was consumed in the
consideration OF private business.
WASHINGTON, Feb. s.
CarGREss-The Senate to-day, passed The bill
reducing the rates OF postage, and modifying the
Thanking privilege. The bill (Which will be found
in The Congressional columns) makes important
changes in the present Post-olice system. Should
the low rate Of postage--that is, uniform charge
of five cents for letters OF half an ounce and len
cents for an ounce weight, and SO on in the same
ratio 10 any part Of the United States, material
Is reduce The revenues Of that department, and
throw il upon the common treasury, there could
be no heller time 10 make the experiment The
people demand cheap postage: by this bill they
will have il; and should the consequence be me-
cessity for applying portion OF the surplus in the
treasury TO make up the deficit in the revenues of
that department In testing the experiment. no evil
will I've incurred thereby, but on The contrary,
much good The people will have returned TO them,
through this system Of cheap postage, portion
of The moneys drawn from their pockets through
the Tariff, and the evils consequent upon bloat-
ed Treasury will, in some measure be lessened-
This is the argument Of some Of the friends Of the
bill. They do not however exPectthat deficit in
the revenues Of the department can, in conse-
the reason that the cheap rates Of postage will
cause progressive increase, from year TO year,
in the number Of letters forwarded through the
mail. Should the friends Of the measure no, see
realization of all their just expectations, il is
very easy for succeeding Congress 10 repeal
the law and restore the old system. The bill
passed the Senate, on yeas and nays, by vote OF
3Sto II. The Senate then spent a short time in
Executive session, during which time ii is under.
stood Mr.. While, late President of the Tyler
Baltimore Convention, was rejected as Consul 10
Liverpool, and Judge Nelson, of New York, was
confirmed as one OF the Judges Of the Supreme
Court OF the United States, in place of the late
Judge Thompson. When the doors were open
ed the Senate adjourned till Monday.
The House was occupied all day IN the consi.
Iteration OF private bills, a number OF which, thai
were yesterday acted on in Committee of the
Whole were severally ordered 10 be engrossed
and read third time and passed. Gloje.