The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-04
THIRTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
THURSDAY. January 3. 1850.
SENATE.
FIRST SESSION.


THURSDAY, January 3, 1850.
SENATE
The Hon. PRESLEY SPRuANcE, Senator from Del
aware, appeared in his seat to-day, for the first
time this session.
A message from the President of the United
States was received, by the hands OF COL Bliss his
The The VICE VIC PkEsIDENT named the following
Senators to compose the Select Committee on the
Census:
Messrs. DAVIS of Massachusetts,, BurLEa, Us-
DERwooD, STURGEON, and SHIELDS.
FRENCH sPoLIAroNs
Memorials asking compensation for losses sus-
tanned by French spoliations prior to 1900, were
presented by Messrs. MASON, HUNTER, BRADBURY,
BADGER, BALDWIN, HAMLIN, CooPER, KING, STEW
ART, PHELPS, and BERRIEN.
SPIRIT RATIoNs AND FLoGGINe IN THE NAVY.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Massach usetts, presented numer-
sets, praying Congress to abolish the spirit ration,
and the punishment of hogging in the navy.
Mr.. COOPER presented numerous memorials OF
like character, and they all referred to the
Committec'on Naval Affairs.
MIR. CORWIN presented a series of resolutions
passed by the Legislature of the Territory of Min
nesota, praying Congress to make appropriations
Of money to improve the navigation of the Misss-
sippi river near the falls Of st. Anthony; asking
an appropriation of land for school purposes.
Mr.. CORWIN presented certain resolutions passed
by the Legislature Of the State Of Ohio praying Con-
gress that the price Of the public lands may be
duced; thata portion OF the new territories may be
set apart for the use of colored people; and that
newspapers may be allowed TO circulate within
fifty miles from the place Of publication, free Of
postage. All ofwhich were appropriately referred.
MIR. DODGE, of Iowa, presented several memo
rails from the Legislature of the Territory OF Min
nesota; and
The VICE PRESIDENT also laid before the SEN
ate memorials Of a like character.
The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a
communication from the committee appointed by
the St. Louis convention TO prepare its proceed
ings.
Mr.. BENTON moved, and it was SO ordered, that
the communication for the present lie the table.
Mr.. TURNEY presented a petition numerously
signed by citizens of Tennessee; asking that the
practice adopted in Congress of appointing chap
lains be discontinued, it was unauthorized by
the Constitution apd had tendency to unite church
and state; which was read.
Mr.. TURNEY moved its reference to the Com.
mittee on the Judiciary
Mr.. DAYTON moved that it lie on the table
which motion, after few words of debate, was
agreed to.
Mr.. BRADBURY presented memorial asking
that Congress no longer authorize the employment
of chaplains, either by Congress, in the army
navy; laid on the table.
Mr.. DICKINSON presented the following resolu-
ton, which lies over
Resolped, That the Postmaster General be re-
quested to inform the Senate whether, by himself
or his assistants, he has at any time removed, or
attempted to remove, before the expiration of the
term for which he was commissioned, by the APP
pontment of successor, OF in any other manner,
and how, any deputy postmaster or postmasters
who held appointments under the President of the
United States made by and with the consent of the
Senate, under and in pursuance of the laws of Con-
gress, entitled An act to change the organization
Of the Post Office Department and to provide more
eectually for the settlement of the accounts there
of" approved I'd July, 1885, and if any such re-
moval or removals have been made or attempted,
that he specify the number, the names of the off,
GERS, and the Offices they held respectively; and
Also that he inform the Senate whether, in his
name that of either of his assistants and which
of them, he has appointed or claimed the authority
to appoint attempted to appoint persons to fill
the vacancies thus created, and issued to them let
tiers of appointment, commissions, either, and
which of them, and whether more than one of each,
either, issued to the same appointee, and to
whom, or to what office Offices and the reasons
therefor, and that copy of such letters Of appoint
ment and commission be furnished if in his power,
and if not, the substance thereof including Names
dates, and signatures; and further whether he has
attempted, and by what means, to enforce any
such removal, and if such power of removal and
appointment, either, have been exercised or
attempted that he further inform the Senate under
and by virtue Of what authority of law the same
has been done or the right claimed.
On motion of Mr.. BELL,
ResolUed, That the Secretary OF War be di-
TcCttu 10 communicate 70 Tic otuhtc Tue ebtl-
mates of Colonel Long, of the corps of Topograph-
ical engineers and the amount of money necessary
to repair the breach in the dam at the head Of Cum
berland Island, in the Ohio river
On motion of Mr.. SEWARD,
Resolved, That the Committee on Printing be
authorized to suspend the publication Of any part
of the report of DIR. Jackson made 10 the Secretary
of the Interior, which relates to machine at Brs-
toll, and the premature publication Of which would,
in their Judgment be injurious to the interests OF
an American inventor, seeking patent for such
machine in any foreign country.
On motion of Mr.. SOULE,
Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce be
instructed TO inquire into the practicability and
expense of deepening the "North East Pass" OF
the Mississippi river.
NOTICES OF BILLS.
Mr.. SEBASTIAN gave notice that he would, to-
morrow, or some day thereafter, ask leave TO in
troducc bills, with the following titles to wit:
For the relief of Joseph p. Williams;
For the relic. of Miles Knowlton concerning do
nation claims to land in the State of Arkansas.
Mr.. FETCH gave notice that he would ask
leave, at carly day, TO introduce bill to reduce
the minimum price of mineral lands in the Lake
Superior district, Michigan, and in the Chippewa
district, in Wisconsin.
Mr.. YULEE gave notice that, at an early day,
he would ask leave to introduce bill, providing
retired list for the navy.
Mr.. BORLAND gave notice that he would ask
leave, tomorrow, TO introduce bill TO revive por
ton OF an act lot tue renel OF WIDOWS OF OeCcased
soldiers.
Mr.. BADGER gave notice of his intention TO
ask leave TO introduce a bill to direct the payment
TO the State Of North Carolina of the sum OF
1882 %, with interest thereon, for moneys x-
pended and transportation furnished the North
Carolina volunteers during the recent with
Mexico.
INTRODUCED ON LEAVE.
Mr.. YULEE, in pursuance of notice, asked and
obtained leave 10 introduce
bill to amend the several acts establishing dis
trict courts Of the United States in the State OF
Florida, and To provide for wrts of error and ap-
peal from said courts. Referred TO the Committee
on the Judiciary.
MIR. JONES, in pursuance Of notice, asked and
obtained leave TO Introduce
bill 10 grant certain quantity of land TO the
State Of Iowa, for the purpose Of aiding said State
10 construct railroad from Dubuque TO Keokuk.
Referred to the Committee ON Public Lands.
Mr.. ATCHISON, in pursuance of notice, asked
and obtained leave TO introduce
A bill entitled IAN act granting the right OF
way TO the State Of Missouri, and n portion Of the
public land, for making railroad from Hannibal
TO Saint Joseph. Referred 10 the Committee on