Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-20
Conversational News.

minutes past IL. The reading was COM
mencsd Immediately, and was concluded at
2 o'clock and 35 minutes.
Mr. Atherton moved that 5000 copies of
the message, and 1000 copies of the mes
sage and accompanying documents, be
printed, in addition to the usual number
Q,245) for the use Of the Senate.
MIR Breese suggested modification of the
motion, which was acceded to by Mr. Ather-
ton, and 10, coo copies of the message and
documents, in addition to the usual number,
were ordered to be printed.
Howse Mr. McClelland gave notice of
a motion for leave to introduce bills-"mak-
ing appropriations for the prosecution, re-
pair and completion Of certain harber i'm
provements on the western lakes"-"mak-
ing appropriations for the Improvement of
certain harbors on Lake Michigan, and of
the St. Clair Flats" making an appro-
priation of land for the construction of a
canal around the falls of St. Marie, in the
State of Michigan.
Mr.. Sawyer gave notice of a motion for
leave to introduce bill "to legalize the To-
cation of certain land warrants at the Land
Office at Defiance, Ohio, and for other pur-
poses"
Mr.. Goggin gave notice of motion for
leavesto introduce a bill ito reduce the
rates of postage on letters and newspapers,
to establish uniform postage charges, and to
correct abuses of the franking privilege"
Mr.. Greely gave notice Of motion for
leave to introduce bill, "to discourage
speculation in public lands, and to secure
homes thereon to actual settlers and culti-
yators."
The Presidents annual message was then
Cat eight minutes past l2) presented to the
House by Mr.. J. Knox Walker, the Presi-
dents private secretary, and the reading
thereof was ordered. The reading was COM
menced Immediately, and concluded at sew
enteen minutes past 2 o'clock.
Motions were made by Messrs. Stevens,
of Georgia, and subsequently, by Mr..
Haskell, of Tenn. to dispense with the read
ing, but no votes were taken thereon. Mr.
Vinton suggesting that such course had
never been adopted on any former occasion,
and might be considered an act of disre-
spect towards the Chief Magistrate Of the
nation.
MIR Brodhead moved the printing Of l5,-
900 of the Message and Documents, for the
use of the House, which was adopted after
some discussion.
MIR. R. Smith gave notice of his intention
to introduce bill granting to the State Of
Illinois the right Of way, and donation of
public lands, for making railroad, con-
Meeting the Upper and Lower Mississippi
Al Ii L 7
90, and also the Northern Cross railroad
with a branch to Alton and for other pur-
poses.
Also bill granting the right of way to
the State of Indiana and Illinois; and a
donation of each alternate section of land
for six miles on each side of said road to aid
in the construction Of a railroad from New
Albany in the State of Indiana to Alton,
Illinois. Adjourned.
Washington, Dec. 6.
Senate.-Vice President Dallas called
the Senate to order and after prayer by the
Chaplain, Rev. Mr.. Slicer, Mr.. Phelps of
VT presented the credentials of Mr.. Upham
from that State, which were read and Mr..
Upham after taking the oath of office took
his seat.
Mr.. Cameron moved that the Senate go
into an election of Chaplain objections be-
ing made that quorum was not present,
the roll was called and quorum having
responded, the motion was put and mega
tived and the Senate adjourned.
House.-The Journal having been read,
Mr. Rockwell, of Ct. moved that the House
proceed to the election of Chaplain The
Revds. Morse, Gurley, Dewey and Church
man were severally nominated. MIR. Cur
ley will probably receive a majority, and be
reelected, and Rev. Mr.. Dewey in the Sen
ate.
Mr.. Wentworth of I'll. submitted resolu-
tions asking for information concerning the
arrest and Imprisonment Of certain Ameri-
can citizens by order of the British govern
ment, charged with political offences. And
if so, whether he had taken any measures
for their release from confinement.
Mr.. Hudson of Mass. objecting to the res
oiutions, they were on motion laid over.
Various papers were received from the
Irish portion Of our fellow citizens charging
the President with corruption, and derelic-
ton of duty in the matter above referred to-
They were referred.
Several communications from the different
Departments were received and referred.
Adjourned.
Washington, Dec 7.
The death of the Hon. Dixon H. Lewis,
Senator from Alabama, was announced IN
both branches to-day, and after the usual
resolutions of respect and coincidence, both
Houses adjourned until Monday morning
the llth.
The Rev. Mr.. Gurley was elected Chap
lain of the House, for whom there were l56
votes, and l6 for the Rev. O, Dewey.
Washington, Dec. II.
Senate.-Mr Fitzpatrick, new Senator
from Alabama, in place of Dixon II. Lewis,
deceased, appeared and took his seat.
Mr. Borland's credentials, as Senator from
Arkansas, were presented.
Resolutions were adopted, calling for in
formation respecting the transfer OF gov
ernment stocks.
The annual Report of the Secretary of
tho Treo surv was received