Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-01-19
TIIIRTIErH CoNGREss--2d Session
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY II, le49.
SENATE

duciDg substitute Ior Inc ulsl seetou, % % W
make the postage of all letters 0! nall an ounce
three cents, il prepaid, and hVe cents u MOI
more than halt an ounce, and no, over one ounce
sir cents il prepaid, and ten cents if nol-more
tha one and moi over two ounces, tweve cents,
il prepaid, and 20 cents il not-oyertwo ounces,
duplicate progression. His object was, ne STA
led, TO give the advantages OF the lowest Iates 10
the rholc community, but those sending and re.
ceiving important business communications, q
eieaier weight he thought could afford 10 pay
something mere in proportion.
The amendment, after some debate, was agreed
Mr.. Underwood proposed 10 amend, by inclu-
ding the Judges of The Supreme Court among
those 1.-THE heads OF departments who may receive
and send letters, on official business Tree Of posi-.
age.
Mr.. Jefferson Davis moved further 10 amend
the amendment OF Mr.. Underwood, so as to give
The Judges right 10 receive but not 10 send letters
on official business free Of postage. He was op-
posed altogether TO The exercise OF the ranking
privilege.
Mr.. Underwood was happy 10 hear the remarks
OF the Senator from Mississippi. He intended 10
propose an amendment, in another part o: The bill
10 meet The views expressed by that Senator :
HIS object now vas simply 10 place the Judges
OF the Supreme Court on The same footing as me
hcais oil Executive Departments.
Slr Jefferson Davis still seemed 10 lhinH IN
reference 10 This amendment that il would be lar
more easy TO confer privilege Than 10 LAKE II
away. >
Some further remarks we're made by Nr IN
derwood, and also by Mr.. Allen when
Mr.. Footc opposed the extension OF this pr,
vileee 10 the Judges of the Supreme Court, aud
said that in this age OF letters" letter writing
had been rendered more odious by a disregard
Of his station by Judicial functionar5 -who
forgetting the dignity Of the judicial crmine,
had dared mingle as letter. writer IN the strife
of politics-to issue paper missiles, 10 inc
shape Of letter., intended TO subserSe political
urposes-perhaps for his own political advance-
mer.t has dared even TO dictate TO the Congress
Of the Union legislation which would oissrace
the naton-this same letter writing Judge, IN
letter entirely unnecessary, and marked WIN
fiendish maignity, daring 10 forget that Inc er.
mine was above his shoulders, had announced
his opinion (lhat his mind was made up on
mi.led 10 the high tribunal of which he was a
member Was such judicial func onary 10
receive his letters free and enjoy his franklin
privileged Until that functionary had gone
down on his knees in some church, and before
God, man and woman, declared his repentance
of this great abuse Of his official station, he
would never vote for any proposition TO extend
to him the privileges proposed.
Mr.. Underwood regretted The introduction OF
such topic into the discussion, ard remarked
that il was rot proposed 10 give the right 10 frank
private correspondence.
Mr.. Fcole referred 10 The Tact that no, single
word OF vinGica,ion had been heard on this floor
Of The distinguished judicial lunciionary 10 whom
he had referred. lie trusted that iunctionafy
would understand them, and that they would BE-
undersooj by The country that he wished 10 eS-
clude that gentleman from all benefits u his de-
scripliun.
The ayes and noes, ailer some further remarks
by MessIs. Niles and Dickinson were ordered on
Mr. Underwuod's amendment, when he with
drew il, with view 10 offer another, as direct
test as t. how far Senators were disposed 10 go
IN this queslion-whelher they we c prepared 10
place Inc Judges OF he Supreme Couu On the
anne footing as The Vice Presidents and Heads
oil Departments, Sc. lie proposed, according
II, 10 strike out OF the bill oramendments where
ever they occur the words "senl to-" thus esric-
ing the privilege Of heads OF departments, &c, 10
.el,trs received" On ofhcia business. The bur
men would thus be thrown on the shoulders Of
hose upon whom j, should fall-Sena,ors, Re-
representatives. and all.
Mr.. Foote made some enquiries as 10 por-
ton OF MIR. Unterwood's remarks, Ito which thai
Senator repled,) ami then proceeded 10 remark,
hat On his as On all other questions, he had Eel
bound 10 Tread the pathway Of duty-'hal while lie
should ever acl with a STRICT regard 10 the views
and irle,esls Of the country, he should do so wrh
a perfect conempi OF all Islander, whether from
officials, from editors, or the wiseacre who
makes il his business 10 overlook and m;srerre-
sen, their proceedings, that he nigh! earn the
price Of his desra alton. He should not te yae
from the line OF his whole duty (eyen il he were
viliicd from Dan 10 Beeishebal he would never
be discunceried thereby, or influenced 10 wrong
doing.
Mr.. Davis OF Massachusetts, thought the frank
ing privilege brought no equivalent TO members
Of Congress for The labor which they were there.
by called upon to perform; and. Tor one, be
SHOULD b. clad TO get rid oil i! 10 any equitable
way He proposed thai. letters should be prepaid
in all instances, thus letting The burden ct pos
taee tall upon The letter writer. BY so doing
there would be necessity for books or credits
at the Post Office Department, The government
would realize the revenue ANTICIPATED, and there
would be no dead letters.
Mr.. Westcou wa. graiitied at The suggestion
of The Senator from Massachusetts, and thought
the plan would be beneficial 10 The public in
every respect.
Alter some further conversation, The amend
menl was Withdrawn, to be introduced al another
limc-and the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. Collins, On leave, presented The resolutions
OF the New YORK Legislature, against the intro.
duc,iun of slavery into California and New Mex.
leo, and in favor OF prohibition .! the slave
trade in The District OF Columbia. Read aud
ordered TO be printed.
A Join, resolution TO extend the revenue laws
over California, making one collection district
x,h The custom-housc al San Francisco, and
providing Tor three ports of delivery, was intro
duced, but objection being made, it was not re-
ceived.
Mr.. Truman Smith, from the foreign affairs,
reported back, with an amendment, Senate OIL
10 carry into effect stipulations 10 the treaty win
Mexico, 10 regard 10 the boundary li1e Inc
bill and amendments were ortere! 10 be printed.
Also, The Mexican indemnify OIL, win
amendment. Ordered to be printed.
B.;b bills were referred 10 The committee OF The
whole on the State Of the Union.
Mr. ]. r. Iuecrso from The same committee,
presented ,ubsiu'e Tor he last named Oil, pro.
ridino .Iso for ali cases adjudicaled by Inc Anne
ricsn commissioner, and Inen mol acted upon, so
&c IN eiyc an opportunity Tor the consideration
of The rights OF their claimants. Ordered 10 De
printed.
Several other unimporan, reports were made
from The Standing committees, when
On motion, the House went into committee Of
the Whole on the slate Of The Union, and resum-
ed The consideration Of the civil and diplomatic
appropriation bill.
Several OF the amendments proposed were vo-
ted upon, and adopted or rejected. That propos-
ed BY Mr. Embree, in regard TO The mileage o
members, was superseded by substitute offered