The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-25
TN CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES.
Th,rsy-srrst consrss.-First session.
WEDNESDAY. APRIL 81. 1850.


MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS.
MIR. WALES presented petition Of citizens OF New
castle county Delaware demonstrating against the ad-
Mission OF any new State into the Union whose consltu
ton oleates slavery which was ordered TO ie on the
table,
OF Pennsyvana, numerously signed asking a revision
o the tar oi lsae. and the Imposition Of specific duties
with discrimination OF iron, coal and other articles OF
American manufacture which were referred to the Com
Mr. C. also presented three petitions from citizens of
Psburg, in the State, asking that appropriations
may be made for the erection OF custom house al that
place which were referred to the Committee on Finance
Mr. c, also presented memorial from merchants and
other citizens OF the State OF Pennsylvania asking the
construction OF harbor At Reedy island, in the Della
ware river; which was referred to the COMMITTEES on
Mr. G. also presented q memorial from ctzens Of
Lawrence county. in the State Of Pennsyyana strongly
urging Congress to grant bounty lands to the officers and
soldiers Of the last war with Great Britain which was
referred to the Committee on Military Affairs
Mr. G. also presented petition from citizens OF Adams
county, Pennsylvania, asking reduction OF the rates of
postage; which referred to the Committee on the
Post Office and Post Roads
Mr.. G. also presented memorial OF citizens of Penn
syyana asking the construction OF ship canal around
the falls Of St. Mary and the Improvement q The nayI
cation o the Ontonagan river which was referred 70 the
Mr. q. also presented petition from George Horn,
asking that patent may be issued TO him Tor tract o
land which he has occupied and improved near ihe CITY
Of Sacramento n California; which was referred 10 the
Mr. C. also presented petition from citizens Of Craw-
ford county, Pennsylvania asking that State may here
expressly prohibit slavery within rs iimts which
was ordered to lie on the table.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
Mr. JONES' from the Committee on Pensions, to whom
was referred the resolution OF the Senate OF the 27ih OF
February last directing inquiry into the expediency Of
granting to the widow or heirs OF David Linn. soldier
IN the war Of lSI2 five years hapay, asked to be dis
charged from the further consideration Of the same which
Mr FELCH, from the Committee on Public Lands, to
whom referred the bill TO create the efhce OF sur
yeyor general OF the public lands in Oregon, and to pro-
10 settlers thereon reported back the with sundy
amendments which were ordered to be printed.
Mr.. NORRIS, from The Committee Of Claims, to whom
was referred the documents relating TO the claim oil Dan
el D. T. Benedict for certain pay and allowances made
an adverse report the which was ordered 10 be
printed.
FEES OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS.
Mr.. BUTLER asked the Senate 10 indulge him for a
moment in taking up the bill TO regulate the fees and
costs to be allowed to clerks, marshals. circuit and
district attorneys OF the United States, and for other
purposes his object being simply TO propose certain
The motion having been agreed to. Mr. B. submitted
substitute for the original bill which was ordered to be
printed
COINAGE OF THE UNITED STATES.
MIR. WEBSTER desired TO call up the resolution, SUBJ
mtied by him yesterday elatngto coinage al the mint
The monon having been agreed to, the resolution was
read as follows: M th
Reolpd That the COMMITTEES on Finance be instructed
inquire what measures IL may be most expedient to
States. Ht
The resolution having been taken up for consideration
Mr.. w. said: Mr. President, there are some i'm
poant facts connected with the subject TO which that
resolution relates which propose TO submit to the
sderation Of the Senate. 1t is known SIR, that by
isiDg laws respecting the mint OF the United States,
million dollars In coin may be placed, and is usually
placed in the mnt under the direction OF the Secretary
OF the Treasury to be exchanged for bullion, in order TO
carry the process OF coinage without delay without
loss OF time, and interest There has been found lat
iey small degree Of Inconvenience arising from the
slow operations Of the mint, from other causes, de-
considering the quantity OF bullion and gold.dust 10 be
coined Some lime ago bill came 10 this house from
The Other authorizing an augmentation OF the sum TO be
TO two millions The bill was here referred TO the Gem
mttee Finance and has not yet been reported by that
committee. have understood, sir, that there was
some objection, think not very considerable and easily
removed Nothing. thus far has been done in the Sem
ate upon that bill So much. sir for what has been pro-
posed in Congress-
The whole subject is good deal broader II sknown
that great quantities OF gold now received, from
week to week, and from month 10 month, from Califor-
MA This gold, this bullion, s likely to be sent TO Eng
9 es
in the shape OF coin, II IL known air in the commercial
world that several circumstances have occurred, where,
upon the shipment o. GsIosna n hsod to England the
amount on the Bank OF England within tweniy-four
hours after the arrival OF the bullion AT Liyepoo and
large amounts as | learn from those well acquainted
with the subject, beginning 10 be ordered d.
recy IRON Chagres TO England for the purpose OF being
converted into coin speedily
Many Of traders to California have given direc
Tons to that ehectio send the gold which from
Chagres to their consignment direct to England The
expense OF sending gold 10 England estimated 10 be about
one per cent and this less than the amount OF loss,
oy loss OF interest during the period in which much Of
the bullion remains unconed in the mint OF the United
STATES, II carried there The mint does not seem be
competent in the present supply ogod, TO convert into
com with any considerable degree OF promptness do
not complain Of the operation Of the mint. OF those
who manage il but there seems to be an incompetent
provision Ind, SIR, BY looking at the returns for the
year ending the last OF February the first OF March,
mat there has been accumulation the mint of the
United States OF between six and millions OF dollars
The last Two months March and April will carry that
upto seven millions; and have letter before me from
lec who thinks there be hardly less than eight mill
lions Of bullion now in the mint In addition TO this,
s u to be considered that there is between eight and
nine, probably close upon nine millions Of coined mo-
ney IN the treasury and the treasures Of the Uni
ied states Here then, are seventeen millions OF bullion
and coin withdrawn from the commercial houses OF the
country altogether; and great abstraction OF the
further 10 produce, considerable inconvenience sup
pose ST. That instead OF the two millions, which the bill
now before the Committee Finance proposes to leave
IN tne mint TO be exchanged for bullion, the might
very saiey and properly In the present condition OF the
sessufy, be extended to four Millions because that
would leave hve millions subject 10 the drafts OF the
treasurer suppose cir. that in the present stste OF
,he draft Of the treasurer, would be enough to answer
the current eme er9ences tf