Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1850-12-12
Congress.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.


printing, reported resolution that the
Presidents Message and accompanying
documents be printed in two volumes.
The report of the Secretary OF War
will make seven hundred and fifty pa
ges, and the Message and other Reports
six hundred pages. Adopted.
A motion by Mr.. Jefferson Davis, re-
lating to Military Affairs, was referred
to the Committee on Military Affairs
Also to the same Committee all papers
not acted upon at the last session.
On motion of Mr.. Hamlin, that part of
the Presidents Message relating to Riv-
ers and Harbors, was referred to the
Committee OH Commerce.
Mr.. Hunter moved that all those parts
of the Message, relating to Financial
Affairs, be referred to the Committee on
Finance.
Mr.. Felch then moved that the same
course be adopted as to the Public
Lands. Agreed to.
The bill for the relief Of Mr.. John A.
McCaw, of New York, was taken up,
debated and laid over.
Mr.. Badger moved an adjournment
until Monday, which was agreed to.
/ HoUse.-On motion of Mr.. Jones, it
was resolved that the Speaker be au-
thorzed to appoint the Standing Com
| mittees.
Il Mr.. Robinson offered resolution that
a select Committee he appointed to take
into consideration the Bounty Land act,
passed last September, giving lands to
those not heretofore provided for, and
report on The bill or otherwise, what fur
ther Legislation is necessary to secure
! he prompt execution of the act within
reasonable length oftime whether the
existing regulations of the Commissioner
+ OF Pensions are conformable to law
what time it will occupy to execute the
came, and whether an additional cleri-
/ tai force is necessary. He said that a
bout twenty thousand applications were
now on file, and not over twelve or thir-
| teen hundred have been registered.
After being registered, they have TO be
sent 10 the Third Auditors, that he may
examine the rolls TO see whether the de-
clarations correspond with them. AT
this rate, it would take four or five
/ years, and not one-tcnth Of the applica-
tons have been yet filed. The Secreta-
II ry thinks the number will reach a quar-
ter Of million. He further pressed
the Importance of investigation and in
creased business facilities, to carry out
the law promptly. If this was not done,
the act had better be repealed.
| Mr.. White proposed to amend by
substituting the Committee Oh Military
Affairs. ltwas necessary to send the
subject TO a select Committee, to change
/ one or two words Of the law.
Il Mr.. Houston said he should oppose
the present adoption of the resolution,
and desired that ii should lie over. He
might however acquiesce in it,
\ Mr.. Caldwell, of Ky, gave notice of
his intention TO introduce a joint resolu-
ton, that nothing in the Bounty Land
Act shall be constituted to prevent the
| sale or transfer Of the certificate Of the
Land Warrant, prior to the issue of the
Il Patent
Il Mr.. Schcnck offered a resolution that
the Committee Of Ways and Means be
instructed TO enquire and ascertain the
requisite expenses for fitting the ship
/ sylvania, to be sent to England
with works Of art and productions of the
United States, to be exhibited at the
London Fair, to which objections were
made. The House then adjourned.
The Military Board of officers, Gen.
Jessup, President has decided upon re-
commencing that another grade be
added to the officers of the Army, of the
rank of Lieut. General.
! WAsHINGToN Dec. 9.
SENATE.---The chair presented the
annual reports OF the commissioners Of
the pension and land Offices, which
were ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Butler gave notice that he would
introduce bill to pay South Carolina
all the monies advanced by her to the
| General Government during the Flori-
| da war.
1 Mr. Benton introduced bill in favor
Of paying the state of Missouri certain
! monies expended by her in internal i'm
provements.
n Several petitions were presented, Of
no general interest.
The bill for distributing the decisions
of the Supreme Court among states
and territories, was then taken up, and
after being debated was laid upon the
table.
II House. The House met at l2 o.
clock. Prayer by the chaplain.
II Tb, Spaakpr anpounced tho stand