The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-28
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
THURSDAY, December 81, ls49.
SENATE.


FROM THE PRESIDENT
Was received by Col Bliss, his private secretary,
which was read Ii called the attention OF Con
gross TO the Propnety Of making some provision in
relation TO the expenses of collecting the revenue
The act of the Sd March, ls49, provides, that,
after the first of January, 1850, the annual ex-
penses of collecting the revenue shall not exceed
the sum of s 100000 This sum is not deemed
sufficient for the purpose and, unless provision is
made, the force now employed in the collection Of
the revenue will have to be reduced
Mr. PHELPS moved, and it was ordered, that
the message be referred to the Committee on RI
nance.
Mr. F0OTE / gave notice, few days since,
that would ask leave to-day to introduce bill for
the establishment of It territorial government IN
California Deseret and New Mexico, and for
other purposes. This bill was drawn up in spirit
of compromise, and with due regard to the con
sttutonal rights of the various sections of the Con
iederacy; and ] should now press the application
for leave to introduce it, but for certain indications
of public sentiment in several quarters of the Union,
which shall not now particuarze, and certain
proceedings of Congress, which have occurred
since we first assembled at the present session AS
it is, after some consultation with various worthy
gentlemen, have come to the conclusion to post
pone the introduction of the bill mentioned for the
present; and in lieu thereof, to introduce the
luton which | hold in my hand the object of
which is, at some early period, to bring about
calm, free, and perfectly traternal interchange OF
views and sentiments upon the grave and momcn-
tous subject embraced in it. Believing that such
likely result in the most beneficial consequences
to the whole country; and sincerely hoping, also,
that such debate upon this resolution may occur
will tend to strengthen free institutions, and
secure the permanent repose and happiness OF the
republic proceed TO offer it for the consideration
of the Senate. | do not desire immediate action
upon it, but will call it up at some suitable mo-
ment.
The resolution was read as follows, and lies
over
ResoiUed That it is the duty of Congress, at this
session, to establish suitable territorial govern
ments for California, for Deseret, and for New
Mexico
Mr. SEWARD presented petition signed by
Luther Bradish and Others praying that certain sta
tistics may be taken at the same time of taking the
census, which was laid on the table.
The petition Elizabeth Mating and others spray
ing indemnity for losses sustained by the French
spoliatons, and the petition of Francis Roach on
table.
The petition of Salmon S. Grever praying an
amendment of the pension laws.
The petitions of Caleb Woodruff mayor of New
York, and others, James Bum and others, bankers
in the city Of New York; John Townsend and 9TH
ers, bankers and merchants of Albany; Horace
White and others, of Syracuse John Young, assist
ant treasurer at New York; and of the Chamber of
Commerce of New York, praying the establishment
Of branch mint of the United States at New York;
all of which referred to the Committee on
Commerce.
The petitions of the mayors of the cities of New
York and Brooklyn, and of Edward Curtis and
Cornelius Lawrence, late collectors at New York;
and of Boarman, Johnson, and others, merchants
and Of the Chamber of Commerce of the city
of New York; all praying the removal Of obstacles
in the harbor of New York, at place called Hurl-
gate.
He also asked leave to introduce a bill embodying
the prayer of the petitioners, which was objected
to; and
MIR. SEWARD gave notice that on tomorrow he
would offer such bill
Mr.. CLEMENS offered the following resolution,
which lies over:
Resolued, That the President of the United States
be requested to inform the Senate as carly prac-
ticable whether any person has been by him APP
pointed civil or military governor of California
since the 4th day of March last; and if who has
so been appointed, and what compensation has been
allowed HIM.
Also, that he be requested to inform the Senate
whether any agent has been appointed by the Exc
cuive or any of the departments of the Govern
ment, and sent to California with instructions or
authority to organize State government for that
territory, To aid and advise the people within its
limits such organization.
And further, that he be requested TO inform the
Senate how the delegates recently assembled in
California calling themselves a convention were
elected; by whom the qualifications of the voters
were fixed and determined; what these qualifica-
tions were; and by what law the time, places, and
manner of holding said election regulated.
And further, that he be requested TO communi-
cate to the Senate all orders, written verbal)
instructions, correspondence with any person as
civil or military governor Of California, as agent
on the part of the United States Government in
California.
And further, that he be requested to inform the
Senate whether any steps have been taken by the
Executive or any department of the Government TO
assemble convention in new Mexico, Tor the pur-
pose OF adopting a constitution and making appn-
cation for admission into the Union and if So that
he be requested to communicate to the Senate all
orders instructions and papers relating thereto
And further, that he be requested 10 inform the
Senate upon what ground he bases the opinion ex-
pressed in his annual message of December 4, lsi9
that the people of New Mexico will, Sat no very
distant period present themselves for admission into
the Union"
Mr.. HOUSTON offered the following resolution,
which lies
Resolred, That the President of the United States
be requested to communicate TO the Senate all the
official correspondence, since the 4th OF March last
between the Government of the United States and
the military authorities stationed at Santa FG; Also
all the correspondence between the State Of Texas
and those of the United States Government, relat-
ing 90 The boundary or occupation OF the territory
of Texas by the troops Of the United States; ALSO
the reasons why the Judicial authority Of the State
of Texas has not been recognised by the military
authorities at Santa re.
Mr.. CLAY presented a petition from lady, and
in doing so, he suggested that friend of his
could do any thing more pleasing to him than to
discover some mode whereby, when addressed 10y
lady unknown 10 him, he could tell whether she
were married or single. The petition wss signed
Abigail Shaler, and he knew that she was the
sister Of Shaer, at one time orr consul at Bar
barry, and afterwards at Cuba. Hprnycd an allow
ance of an item in her brothers account, which had
been stricken out by the Department. On his mo-
ton, the petition referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs.
Mr. CLAY held in his hand another petition from
"A lady. il rather resolution, of the nature of
petition. II was, that the Committee on Pensions
be instructed 10 inquire into the expcdicncy Of
granting pension 20 Patscy Elmore, for the ser.
vices of her husband, Thomas Elmore, who served
in the Virginia line OF the revolutionary army.
The petition came TO him from Alabama, and he
called upon the Senators from Alabama to rush to
the rescue Of Patsey Elmore! The resolution was
agreed TO.
He also presented the petition of Mrs. Henry,
praying pension; which was referred TO the Com
mittcc Pensions.
Mr.. JONES presented petition from sundry
citizens ofIowa, asking appropriation of land in
aid OF the construction of "A railroad from Dubuque
To Keokuk, in that State; and gave notice that he
would shortly introduce bill TO that purport
DIR. BERRlEN presented memorial from the
chamber of commerce of the city Of Savannah,
praying Congress 10 take action upon the removal
Of certain distractions in the river that city