The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-10-03
the State Of Missouri redeemed from the pledge
TO cooperate in it, Yours, truly,
THOMAS ii. BENfoN
Mr.. John Spilh, 81. L0uiS, No.
CONGRESS-.
THlRTY.FIRST CONGRESS-PIRST SESSION.
SENATE.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER -, 1850.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER -, 1850.
memorial from printers in Washington re-
monstrating against the present contract system
was presented by Mr.. Clay, and referred TO the
Committee on Printing
The Mexican Indemnity bill from the House
was taken up MIR. Soule moved an amendment
providing for the payment of the instslments by
the Secretary of the Treasury. This was reject
ed, and the bill was then passed.
A hill making temporary provision for the
working of the gold mines Of California was con-
sidered On motion Of Mr. Ewing, it was so
amended as TO restrict permit TO work mine to
nine hundred square feet, and to allow of the
transfer Of permits in certain cases. MIR Seward
moved TO amend so as authorize permits to those
who shall have declared their intention to become
citizens of the United States. This was amended.
on motion of Mr. Dodge Of Iowa, so as to REQUIRE
testimonials of good character from such persons,
and then agreed to-yeas 81, nays lS-as fol-.
lows:
YEAs-Messrs. Bell Benton, Bright, Cooper.
Davis Of Mississippi, Dayton, Dickinson, Dodge
of Wisconsin, Dodge of Iowa, Downs, Ewing,
Fetch. Foote. Hale, Jones Norris. Seward
Shields, Smith, SOule, and W alker-2l
Clarke, Davis of Massachusetts, Dawson. Ere,
mont, Greene, Gwin, Hunter, King Morton.
Pearce, Sebastian, Spruance, Underwood, Wales.
and Winthrop-lS.
The Senate soon after adjourned till o'clock
when it met for the transaction of Executive
business.
"WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER IS, 1850.
The joint resolution from the House, to author.
ize the President of the United States to cause a
suit to be brought against George w crawford,
late Secretary of War, was taken up, and read
The resolution was debated some time-Mr
Crawford's friends endeavoring to vindicate his
character Ii was laid upon the tabe-yeas 81
nays 25-Clay and Pearce voting iu the ahrna.
tive with the Democrats.
The bill TO create certain collection districts in
California was reconsidered amended so as n
provide for six ports of entry in that State and
then passed.
The bill making temporary provision for work
| ing the gold mines, &c was taken up and passed
The Senate, after some time spent in the con-
siderstion of the Indian Appropriation hill, adj
iourned till evening, when it went ista ExsSstive
! session.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1850
The Senate had under consideration bill
grating bounty lands to officers and soldiers who
have been engaged in the service Of the United
States ID was amended so as to include the rep.
resentatives of all such officers and soldiers and
| to entitle them TO bounty lands if they had been
exposed to the fire Of the enemy The amend
ments were ordered to be engrossed for third
reading of the bill.
The Senate took up the bill reported from the
Select Committee on the memorial of Miss Dix
making grants of lands to the several States, for
the support and relief Of the INDECENT insane
Mr.. Davis of Mississippi opposed the bill as
unconstitutional
Mr.. Chase was in favor of the object of the bill
but would like to see it put in different form
A motion to lay on the table failed-yeas %
nays 80
more than proposition to distribute the proceeds
of the public lands
Mr. Benton moved to strike ont the Sd section
and was proceeding to address the Senate in gen
eral opposition to the hill, when Mr. Pearce NOV
ed to postpone it till the second Monday in De
! cember next.
This motion prevailed, and the Senate ther
took mp the Indian Appropriation bill Without
dsposing of the subject it adjourned,
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER q, 1850
The Indian Appropriation bill was again taker
up, and various amendments were ordered 10 b,
engrossed for a third reading of the bill
bill for the examination and settlement o
the private land claims in California was debated
and laid upon the table temporarily
The Fertilization bill from the House wa
passed.
The Navy Appropriation hin ~ar con-;a~ret
and the Senate then proceeded TO the trausactio
of Exec utive business.