The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-10
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
WEDNESDAY, January 9. 1850.
FIRST SESSION.
SENATE.

FRENCH SPOLIATlONs.
Memorials praying indemnity for losses sus-
tanned by French spoiatons prior TO 1900 pre-
scented by Messrs. GREENE, HUNTER, BUTLER, and
SMITH
Petitions and memorials of private import were
presented by Messrs. BENTON, JONES, HAMLIN,
and DODGE of Iowa.
Memorials now on file were allowed to be with
drawn on motion Of Messrs. CLEMENS, KING, MA
SON, DAWSON, WHITcoMB, and BELL.
Mr.. DICKINSON presented a memorial from
Messrs. Wendell and Van Benthuysen, printers To
the 30th Congress, asking extra compensation;
and also, petition nurnerously signed asking Con-
gress to make no further appropriation for mis-
sion to Austria.
the table asking indemnity for French spoliations,
be referred to a select committee.
Mr.. 5. said, that while in the other House he
had taken some interest in the subject. In making
this motion, he had no desire TO obtrude himself
upon the Senate; he willing, if it was desired
to serve on the committee, but would prefer if some
other Senator of more experience would be placed
at the head Of the committee
MIR. HUNTER thought the memorials should be
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations;
and he made a motion that they should be so re-
ferred.
Mr.. SMITH read from the Journal of the last ses-
SON. to show that these memorials were presented
to a select committee.
Mr.. KING advocated the reference to a select
committee. And
Mr.. CALHOUN opposed such reference
The question being taken on the reference to the
Committee on Foreign Relations, il was lost--yeas
IS, nays 25 And the vote being taken on the re-
terence to select committee, it was carred-yeas
20, nays not counted.
The VICE PRESIDENT stated that under the
rule the committee would have be chosen by bal
lot, unless otherwise ordered,
Mr.. GREENE moved that the committee be APP
pointed by the Chair.
Mr. DAVIS, of Mississippi, insisted on the observ-
The VICE PRESIDENT desired Senators to pre-
pare their ballots
MIR. BRADBURY moved, and it was ordered,
that the election Of the committee be postponed till
Tomorrow at one O'Clock.
BILLS ON LEAVE.
MIR. BUTLER, pursuant to notice, introduced a
bill to regulate the fees and costs to be allowed mar
shals, attorneys and clerks of the district and cir
cult courts Of the United States.
Mr.. SEWARD introduced a bill to prevent the
sale or farming out of public offices.
Mr.. DOWNS introduced bill to reduce and
graduate the price of public lands, and for other
purposes.
Mr.. KING presented resolution of inquiry rela-
tive to the erection of certain Notifications near or
in Mobile bay, which, after some debate, in which
Messrs. KING, DAVIS of Mississippi, and FoorE
took part, was laid over.
Mr.. SEWARD submitted the following resolu-
ton, which lies under the rule
Resolved, That the conduct of Austria and Russia,
in the war in which those powers have subverted
the nationality and the liberties of Hungary has been
marked by an injustice, oppression, and barbarity
which justly deserves the condemnation of man
kind, while they commend the Hungarian people
to the sympathics of other nations and especially
of republican States; and that the Committee on
Public Lands be directed to inquire and report on
the propriety OF setting apart portion of the pub
lie domain to be granted, free Of all charge to the
exles OF Hungary already arrived, and hereafter to
arrive, in the United States as we'll as to the exiles
fleeing from oppression in other European coun-
tries
MIR. FOOTE moved that the resolution heretofore
submitted by him, providing for the election of a
chaplain, be now taken up; and the resolution was
taken and adopted.
The Senate then proceeded to ballot for a chap
lain, with the following result: