The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-03-30
EHIRTlETH COSGREss

FIRST SESSION.
WAsHIsoros, March %, ls4s.
Senate.
The Senate convened at tho usual hour, when tn
Vice President took tbs chair and called to ordsri;
Numerous memorials and petitions were then present.
Mr. Hale of New Hampshire presented sundry petit
tions, which were duly received and referred.
IMPROVEMENTS.
A petition was presented by Mr.. JOHN BELL, Of Ten
neesse from citizens Of that State praying for the
immediate repairing Of the road at the mouth OF the
Cumberland river and to address the senate
9Th in support Of tbs petition, which was
csved and referred the Committee Roads and Ca
nails.
In favor of the object, which referred to the
M JrrrrssoS DAVIS Of Mississippi. reported . bill
son and Savannah rivers and for changing the location
Of certain light houses ana buoys those rivers which
read third time and passed.
CONGRATULATIONS FRANCE
Mr. ALLEN of Ohio asked and obtained leave to intro
Fsnc: ON the Of n. rs~Suon through
which they had passed, and the establishment Of re-
public &c which were ooncurred in and ordered TO be
printed.
Mr. ASHLEY: Of Arkansas, agreeable to previous NO.
read the nrst and second time by unanimous con-
sent and referred to tho committee military Affairs
II related to the deAring the law respecting bounty
OF Pensions.
CALIFORNIA CLAIMS.
fairs to take up the bill rel ting to the adjust
y, ent Of California claims, which agreed to-
terssng speech Of considerable length in support of
the bill He in tho OF his remarks gave an In.
tsrestng description Of the various proscts proposed
for the ettemsnt Of California under the protection Of
Great Britain, which was never lost sight OF By that
country until Its military occupation by tho United
States When he had concluded,
Mr. ArcHsor, Of Missouri, advocated its passage In
few brief remarks in which he suoeSct history
Of Col Fremonts expedition, which no said had shed
rnlaoh 1f0hka tha Of hA
ing description of ts SOIL climate and productions to-
gether with notices Of It's people, their customs habits
aside
Mr.. HANNreAr Chairman Of the Committee on For
cutve session. which was agreed to- and the doors wsr.
closed After tins spent thersia the doors
opened and h n, s:1. os sss"Tn.S
The House convened At tho usual hour, when Mr.
Speaker Winthrop resumed his seat and called it to or
Prayer was then offered up by the Chaplain.
After the journals read and approved, and
routine business gone through with,
THE CONTESTED SEAT.
Mr. LuciKN CgAsf, OF Tennessee rose to privileg-
cd question and offered resolution In favor Of Monroe
the same State and district the in reference to the
contested seat which adopted
REPORTS COMMITTEES
The SPEAKER announced tho rst thing In order to be
reports from committees. Several bills then
ported which twice road and reported to the Com
REruNpire MONEYS ADVANCED TO VOLUNTEERS.
After the morning business had been gone through
with, motion the House resolved itself into Com
mttee Of the Whole the State Of the Union and pre-
ceedsd 10 the consideration OF the bill In favor Of refund
ing moneys advanced to vounteerwhioh gave rise to
considerable debate pro and comm which Mr. Haralson,
and Mr. Kirg, OF Georgis, Mr. A. q Brown, Of Mesis-
sippi Mr. Miller and MIR. Duncan, Of Ohio, Mr. Mckay,
Of North Carolins Mr. Burt of South Carolina, and
others, participated.
Mr.. LAHM Of Ohio, made long speech in favor Of the
Winet pIoviso. Mr. was elected an indcp endent
democrat He opposed TO all acquisition Of terri
tory without slavery should be excluded Ee went to
various argume tn strengthen the position he had
assumed many of which had been previously advanced
In some shape other.
This discussion consumed the greater part OF the day
whep without coming to n decision, the Committee
rose, reported progress, and the House adjourned