American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-21
A1uGrirGn 1Rtprbitror1,
rReported for the American Republican,
FIR ST SESSION of the 29th CONGRESS.
WAsHlNGroN, May 90, lS46.
SENATE.

the expediency of limiting military appoint
ments to sixty years
MIR. Evans, from the committee on Finance,
reported the bill from the House concerning
the West Point Academy, with an amendment.
Mr.. Woodbridge presented resolutions Of thel
Legislature of Michigan, protesting against the
further continuance of the practice which has
heretofore prevailed of leasing the copper lands
on Lake Superior.
Mr.. Webster asked if the committee on Pub
lie Lands had made any progress in the consi-
deration Of this subject? He thought the sub
iect of the proper disposition Of these mineral
lands ought to be settled finally by this Con-
gress.
Mr.. Breese replied that the committee had
reported three months since, a bill for the sale
ofthe lead lands; and the copper lands had no
further engaged their attention than in a report,
made two months since, for transferring the
custody and control of these lands from the
War Department to that of the Treasury.
Mr. Webster hoped the committee would
report for the sale of the copper lands too-all
these lands ought to be sold; the relation of
landlord and tenant between the Government
and citizens of the U. States was a very unde-
sirable one
MIR. Cass was glad the attention of the Sen
ate had been drawn to this subject by the SEN
ator from Mass. Vast interests were growing
up in these mineral regions. The Govern
ment had decided that the law under which
leases on copper lands had been granted, ap-
piled only to lead lands, and that these leases
were illegal. Something ought to be done in
the premises at once, and before more interests
became involved.
Mr.. Sewer said all difficulty would be OBJ
waited by repeating the restrictions upon the
sale of salt springs and lead lands-there was
in truth no law against the sale of the copper
lands.
Mr.. BreeSe said the whole practice of leas-
ing arose under the law of 1927. Companies
had now sprung up for working these copper
mines, and the shares in some OF them were
worth from 800 to $500; now that great private
interests had accumulated there, we ught
to move very carefully in our legislation.
Mr. Webster said, whatever was the law,
the practice had been to reserve all mineral
lands from sale, as the senator from Arkansas
we'll knows. If, as the senator from Michigan
says, it has been found that there is no author
ity under statute by Congress to grant these
leaves, then the contracts already made ought
TO be confirmed, and no time lost in bringing
the other land into market.
After some further conversation, the resolu-
lions were ordered to be printed.
Mr. Davis, from the committee on COM
merce, reported the bill to regulate the value
Of foreign coin at the custom house, with an
amendment The amendment was agreed to,
and the bill was passed
Mr.. Ashley, from the committee on the ju-
dietary, reported bill for the relief of insolv-
ent debtors to the U. S. by continuing force
the law heretofore passed.
One or two private bills were passed.
The special order being the French Spolia-
ton bill, was then taken up, and .
Mr.. Morehead continued his argument, and
closed it with an eloquent appeal in behalf OF
these long-sufer ing claimants.
Mr.. Colquitt followed on the other side, and
at late hour the Senate held short execu-
tive session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Sundry reports of committees not ofpublic
Importance having been presented,
The special order-Territorial business
was postponed AID made the special order for
the first, second and third legislative days of
the month Of June.
Mr.. Andrew Stewart, of Pa, moved sus-
pension of the rules to enable him to introduce
a resolution instructing the Committee on Mil
itary Affairs, to report bill increasing the pay
of volunteers to Sl0per month, and granting
to every private who should serve to the end
the yeas and nays on the question of suspend
ing the rules, which resulted yeas TO, noes 10,
SO the rules were not suspended, two thirds
not voting in the affirmative.
MIR. #. Butler King, of Ga, had leave to
make report from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, accompanied by bill providing for
the construction Of ilOelue ludr steamers of not
less than 1900 tons burthen and 1000 horse
power, to be capable of performing fifteen
miles an hour under common pressure OF steam
in ordinary weather, and also for the construc-
ton of one iron sailing ytiigate Of 60 guns.
The bill was read twice, referred to the Com
mittee of the Whole on the state of the Union,
and together with the report and appendix or
dered to be printed, and the accompanying
drawings to be autographed.
This bill provides that the above named YES
sells shall be built by contract, and appropriates
100000 to pay for them.
1t also provides that Captain Ericsson shall
have contract for one ofthe Steamers to have
a propeller, and Messrs. r. s. G.. l.. Schiller
for another to have paddle wheels, provided
that they make offers as favorable as may be-
made by other persons, the contracts of course
to stipulate that they shall perform Is miles
per hour.
The bill also provides that the boilers and
machinery OF the steam vessels snail DC SO Ia
before the water line as that they shall be Sc
cure from an enemy's shot.
On motion of Mr.. Mckay the House resolv-
ed itself into committee of the Whole on the
State of the Union. Mr.. Bowln, of Mo-, in
the chair.
The Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation bill
was taken up and the reading through having
been dispensed with, it was read by clauses.
When the clause was come to, which makes an
appropriation for the continuation of Prof Es-
py's services in the meteorological department,
Mr.. Hungerford, of N. Y, objected to it as
mt of order there being no law providing for |