Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-12-29
rHIRrlErH coNGREss--ad Session.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER p, I9is.



Mr. Atchison, President pro tenn. in The Chair
Memorials and petitions were presented BY
Messrs. Allen Benton, and Johnston, OF Md
One Of those presented by MIR. Allen prayed that
he law might be re-enacled which provided hat
all newspapers nigh, be transported free in the
mails v thin thirty miles Of the place vi pubica
lion; and Mr.. A. called the particular attention
ol The Pcs.-Ofice Committee 10 tie subject as one
OF much Importance, which should receive their
early attention.
MIR. Benton, aereeably 10 previous notice in
,roduced bin 10 establish an additional land Of
fee in Missouri! which was read twice aud re-
ieired.
Mr. Benton also oblainei the unanimous cot
sent OF the Senate To Introduce a bill 10 continue
Tor thirty years from the first OF January, lS49,
the present charter, which will then expire, OF the
Washington, Alexandria and Georgetown Steam
packet Company. The bill was read twice, and
MIR Benton asked that il mi ht now be put upon
lis passage, as The period when the present charter
would expire vas tast approaching.
Mr. Jefferson Davis said that circumstances
had changed 'ince III original charter was grant
ed. Granting charer now was vc!y different
hing. Aleyandr was now part oil Virginia
and 10 extend The present charter would be giving
Ia the company authority 10 run steamboat into
that sovereign STATE. He lhough il would now
be an invasion OF State rights 10 renew This Char
Ter without the consent Of Virginia.
The bill was passed over informally Tor The
present
Mr.. Dodge, OF Iowa, agreesbly previous no
tic, Introduced bits 10 run AMI make the Mouth
ern boundary OF Iowa; and Tor he relief Of Eli
sha Hampton and others Of Iowa. Read twice
and referred.
Mr.. Dodge also cav notice OF his intention 10
introduce bill 10 establish certain land-otfces in
Iowa
Mr.. Camcrcn'S resolution, submitted some
DAYS since, calling on the Secretary of War o'
information in reference 10 The affairs OF the Che
rukers west OF the Mississippi as connected with
the treaty OF August, 1886 and the subsequent
| proceedings hereunder came up in order bu al
the suggestion Of Mr.. King, was laid over in con
sequence of The abscnce ot Mr.. Cameron.
On motion of Mr.. Benton, the joint resolution
directing the proper accounting oficersto audit
and settle the accounts Of Major Il. W Baker,
Of the Ordnance Corps, according TO the deci-
sion OF the Secretary OF War in 1923, was TAX
en- up, read the third time, and passed
MIR. Jefferson Davis submitted resolution,
which was adopted, directing The Secretary Of
the Treasury 10 cause TO be prepared and COM
mnncated 10 the Senate a statement OF the ex-
pense and results of the Coast Survey, from the
lime Of is commencement in 1907 10 the period
Of its suspension; and also Of the expense and
| results from 1914 10 the 'ent time, under
In, present superintendent.
Mr. Bradbury moved that the Senate proceed
to the consideration of bills on the private cal
endar; but, on motion of MIR. Johnson, of La, a
bill was taken up 10 au,horisc the Secretary Of
the Treasury, with the appreciation of the Al.
,orney General, TO purchase for the U. States
the interest of Bailie Peyton in the tract Of land
1 tho l;,rht MD OF ha
West Pass, at the mouth of the Mississippi RI
yer.
| A debate ensued, i, which Messrs. Johnson Of
! Louisiana, DIX, Bell, Davis of Mass Bright,
\ Miles, Clayton, Downs and Bradbury, participa.
\ lei; and The bill was then informally passed over.
/ A message was received from the President,
I communicating in compliance with a resolution
i If the l9h instant, statement Of the annual ex-
pendnures Tor he Coas, Survey.
Alter some oincr unimporant business, the Sc.
nate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
A message from the President was received
/ by J. Knox Walker, private secretary.
! The motion made by Mr. stuart Of Michi-
gnn, a few days since, 10 reconsider the vote by
/ which sr. Colts resolution was adopted, in
structing the committee on the District Of Co
lumbia 10 report bill abolishing the slave trade
therein was stated By the Speaker to be first in
order-the immediate question pending being
the motion of Mir. Wentworth to lay Mr.
Stuarts motion on the table. This was decided
in the negatlve-5S 10 l09-and the whole sub
ect was then postponed for two weeks.
Mr.. Sawyer rose TO a question Of privilege
and referred. at some length, to publication
| in the New York Tribune, in which he, among
other memters, had been accused, he said, oil
proceeded to vindicate himself, and to show tina
he had received no more than it had been Gus
toulary to allow, and that the distance had beer
calculated By the committee on mileage, in thu
same way as had been that of other member
from Ohio, and upon the same kind of informa
tion.
Mr.. Henly and Mr.. Green, both Of who o