The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-26
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
MoNpAY, February,25, 1850.
SENATE.

The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate
communication from the War Department in an
swer TO several resolutions of the Senate referring TO
the harbor at Racine, Wisconsin, &c.
Private petitions were presented by Messrs HUN |
TER NORRIS SHIELDS, COOPER, BRIeHT, CAss, |
DICKINSON, Benton, ATcHIsos, and STURGEON
CHEAP POSTAGE.
Memorials praying reduction of postage were
presented by Messrs. HALE, BERRIES, SHIELDS,
CAss, DICKINSON, and UPHAM
NEW JERSEY RIVERS AND HARBoRs.
Mr. DAYTON presented joint resolution of the
Legislature of New Jersey, asking an appropria-
ton by Congress for the improvement OF the navI-
CATION of Massaic river, and several bays in that
State.
THE TARIFF.
Mr. COOPER presented memorial numerously
signed, praying modification of the tariff
ENLARGEMENT O THE CAPITOL
Mr. PEARCE presented the memorial OF Robert
Mills architect, &c, asking an investigation OF GER
tain plans, models and estimates OF improvements
and additions TO the Capitol.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr.. ATCHlSON, from the Committee on Indian.
Affairs reported Joint resolution for the settlement
of the accounts of Col. Pierce NJ Butler late agent
for the Cherokee Indians.
Mr. ATCHISON also reported joint resolution
10 extend the provisions of joint resolution for the
benefit of Frances Slocumb and her children and
grandchildren, of the Miami tribe of Indians, aP-
proved Sd March, lS45 TO certain other individuals
of the same tribe; which was taken up, read the
third time, and passed
MIR DAWSON, from the Committee on Military
Affairs reported bill for the relief of Mrs Mar
garet Hcitzel, widow of A. X. Heitze late quarter
Mr. UNDERWOOD reported " bill to provide
for the unpaid claims of the officers and soldiers OF
the Virginia State and continental lines OF the
Revolutionary army"
Mr. FELCH, from the Committee on Public
Lands reported bill authorizing the sale of GER
tain reserved lands in the State Of Alabama.
Mr. F. also introduced a bill to provide seals of
office for the surveyors general oil the pubic ands
MIR. DICKINSON introduced bill TO amend the
several acts establishing mint, superseding cop
per coins
NOTICES OF BILLS.
Mr.. BRIGHT gave notice of his intention to in
troduce the following:
bill to reduce and regulate the prlce oil the pup
lie lands in the great Miami reservation, IN the
State OF Indiana.
A bill directing the sale of marsh lands in Jay
and Adams counties, in the State oflndiana.
Mr. SEBASTIAN gave notice OF the following
A bill for further regulating the navigation of the
western waters of the United States, and for pro-
yiding better security therefor.
Mr.. PEARCE submitted the following resolu'
ton, which adopted:
Resolred That the Secretary of War furnish tn
Senate az soon practicable with any recent re
port or other information in reference TO the geoo
Ky and topography Of California, now IN possession
II
The bill to relinqush the reversionary interest {
the United States in certain property IN the Stat
of Alabama, and 70 confirm the title OF Charlie
Gunter thereto, was taken up and passed.
PERSONAL ExPLANArroS.
Mr.. BENTON said, that, for the first time j
the thirty years he had been In the Senate, he de
sired 10 occupy a few moments in matter per
sonal in its character. lie was not IN his scat o
Thursday last, during the debate which then too
place. He saw, however, in report which ha
the appearance Of being a correct one, and on
that had been carefully revised, that the folowin
debate took place:
"Mr CLEMENS. The motion OF the Senator froi
missouri, (Mr. BEsToS,) and the hrst oil the seri'
of resolutions presented not long since by the sei
ator from Kentucky, (Mr. CLAy,) are IN suostan'
the same ! shall consider and treat them as idei
teal They seem TO be 50 regarded by the Senat
from kentucky himself though his speech at OF
time certainly left different impression on n
mind. ] suppose did not understand MN rlghti
Be that, however, It may, there is now enti
concord Of opinion and action between himself nj
the Senator from Missouri; concord which Is
no means the least significant OF the Portenis
which we surrounded. have read, indee
that time was coming when the hon and the Ian
should lie down together, but did not expect
witness any thing approaching that happy state
my day. All incredibly, however, u now al
end and am prepared 10 believe in any mirac
and treat with grave consideration any prophec
When Thomas n. Benton and Henry Clay, Z
great expunger' and the great embodiment,
holding
getting the anmosities Of thirty years, and iovin
" pulling side by side in the same team, there c
be nothing wild and ianciful 90 TO DEFY beiei'
"Mr. CLAY Sir, IL is not my purpose TO en-
INTO an elaborate reply 10 the argument OF the c
ouent gentleman from Alabama Senator WHO
am in hopes, will add honor 20 this body by
talent and ability which he has brought into
But, sir. il seemed 20 me that there were two
three observations made by that Senator which
mand from me some short notice And the hrs'
al IA IA n between a Senator v
IL not now in his seattle Senator from Missouri
and myself in which the gentleman remarked {
the hon and the lamb had got together. do
know 10 which Of these quadrupeds he assigi
ne: I should make very poor lamb am ART
and am very far from being ambitious OF cla
ing the proves Of the lion.
"Mr CLEnESs. ] meant, Of course, that
Senator from Kentucky was the lion. ] me
simply 90 express, by this figure, that they
had always heretofore been the antpodes OF 2
other, had now met together upon this quest
and therefore that The South tcds nendced tcih dang
MIR CLEMENS said that the Senator from
souri, was mistaken when he supposed the repo
the debate had been revised by him. II he
seen that report the words therefore the ~
was mensced with danger" would not have
peared. What he intended 10 say was, that the
cord Of the two Senators calculated 20 se'
che admission Of California, and this fact wa
dangerous import 90 the South.
Mr.. BENTON said be was glad 10 hear the
ator say what be had just stated. Anxious 70 g
athnv thip3 % avoid refutation Of the conclu
that danger is menaced 70 the SOuth-anxio
catch at any thing 30 avoid this denial, he acce
what the gentleman had said.
.,LIronxTA, pEsERET, AND sEw mExioo-souTI
coSyESTtoS.
NJ, yooTE moved, and the Senate proceed
,he consideration Of the following resolution he
forc submitted by him
R,,oIr,d. That il IL the duty Of Congress a
session % provide territorial governments Tor
fornia Deseret, and New Mexico
Nls.N h. ranfllfI