The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-11
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

The SPEAKER appointed the following gen
tiemen to constitute the committee under the
luton of Mr.. RoBISsos, TO inquire into the opera
tions of the Bounty Land Law, and TO recommend
such amendments to ii may be necessary, viz:
Messrs. RoBIssos, BRIoos, MILLEH, WILLIAMS,
and mason.
DELEGATE FROM NEW MEXICO.
Mr. BOWLIN presented the credentials Of VIM.
:. Meascrvy, delegate from the Territory Of New
Mexico. in doing this, he asked the indulgence OF
the House Tor lew minutes, while be stated the
points Of the case when he proposed To refer II to
the Committee on Territories. The papers which
he proposed TO refer were, the certificate OF the
Governor elect of the State of New Mexico; also,
the certificate of the military governor of the Terri
tory OF New Mexico, with his proclamation autho-
Fizing the election Of delegate. IL was not pre-
tended that this election perfectly regular il
preceded the act of Congress organizing the terrific
rial government there; and this House would not be
prepared 70 vote on il until it was legally informed
Of the acceptance by Texas Of the boundary line
tablished by the act Of organization. Ii IL under
stood, bOwver, that she has accepted, But in the
meantime, until the notification Of the act j. re
ceiyed, the credentials may be examined by the
committee. When that IL done, all embarTaEs-
ment on the subec will be removed; and the ques-
ton will be purely addressing itself TO the
sound discretion Of the House. whether they will
waive a mere informally, and allow The accred ted
delegate of the people ofthe territory Of New DeKi-
10 take his seat and represent their interests
Having vote, the delegate is but agent at
best OF the people OF the territory, to present their
condition, and furnish information by which Con
gress can legslate properly for the territory. Mr..
Messeryy ia the delegate and agent sent by the
vote Of the people OF than five thousand Of
the light thousand and three hundred votes cast; a
numerical strength Of vote equal nearly 10 the vote
OF come Of the State. OF this Union, and one that
shows the importance and necessity OF representa-
tive on this floor. Having presented this point in
the 10 the consideration Of the House, be had
nothing to add but 10 present the credentials,
and ask that they be referred 10 the Committee on
Territories
The motion was agreed 10.
ISrRopucTioS or BILLS.
Mr.. STRONG, by unanimous consent, intro
duced bill 10 prescribe the mode Of obtaining cyi
dence in cases Of contested elections; which was
referred TO the Committee Of Elections.
Mr.. TAYLOR, by unanimous consent, intro
duced a bill to grant certain public lands in the
State Of Ohio 20 that State to aid in the construc
ton Of certain railroads therein named; which was
referred TO the Committee on Public Lands.
Mr.. WENTWORTH, by unanimous consent,
introduced a bill 10 amend the act passed Scptcm
Der 4, iS4l, granting presumption rights 70 actual
settlers and extending the time Of payment there
Tor; which was referred 10 the Committee on Public
Lands.
Mr. HALL introduced a bill granting to the State
Of Missouri the right Of way ana portion Of the
public lands 90 aid ia the Construction Of railroad
IRON Hannibal to ST. Joseph's; which vas referred
20 the Committee on Public Lands.
LtEUTESAST sESrRAL.
Mr. HOLMES asked leave 60 offer a resolution
that 1t be referred 70 the Committee Military
Afsirs, TO report bill comforting the rank Of lieu
tenant general on Major General Winfield Scott,
for gallant service in the late war Nth Mexico.
Objection made, and the resolution was not
received.
Mr.. CHANDLER, by unanimous consent, intro.
duced I'LL Tor the encouragement of dramatic
literature by securing the authors the sole ri 0ht
Of representation; which wac referred to the Com
mittee the Judiciary.
Mr.. PEAsLEE, by unanimous consent, intro.
duced bill Tor the relief Of Isaac Hill and Sons;
cary.
Mr.. HARRIS, Of Illinois. introduced a bill pro
viding for reciprocity of trade between the Unite
Ststes and Canada, and for the free navigation, by
American vessels, Of the cnnsls and waters OF Ca
NADIA, connecting the upper lakes with the Atlantis
Mr. sIBLEY introduced bill for the punishment
% crimes and offences committed in the lndiaI
country, within the limits Of Minnesota Territory
and for promoting the civilization Of the Indian
race therein; which was referred 20 the Committee
on Indian Affairs.
Mr. HAMPTON introduced a tan granting
portion Of the public ands 20 tho State 81 Pennsy
yania for the purpOsc Of aiding in the construction
OF the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Pittsburg an,
Conceivable Railroad, and tho Ohio and Pennsyl
vauia Railroad.
Mr. CALDWELL, Of Kentucky, asked, but di,
not receive, the unanimous consent Of the HOuse Z
introduce, in pursuance Of previous notice, join
resolution explanatory Of the act granting bountl
lands ~ certain officers and soldiers who were en-
gagged ia the military service of the United Statcs
approved September -, 1850.
Mr.. HARRIS, Of Illinois, by unanimous consent
offered the following resolution, which was agree
60 VIZ:
Resolpea, That the Secretary Of War be request
ID to communicate 10 this House copy Of the re
por, the route Of march u Major General Pstter