The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-03
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr.. NELSON moved that the rules be suspend
ed and that the House resolve itself into Commit
tee of the Whole on the Private Calendar; and the
question being taken, it decided in the mega
tive
PRIvATEER GENERAL ARMSTRONG.
Mr.. HOLMES asked the unanimous consent of
the House to introduce the following resolution,
viz
R,solved, That the President of the United States
be requested to furnish the House with all the pa
pers and correspondence relating to the capture of
the United States prvateer General Armstrong, in
the port Of Fayal, in the year 1914, by British
fleet, (f not inconsistent with the public nterest)
JETHRo WOODS PATENT cAsT-RoS PLOUGH.
Mr. WALDEN from the Committee on Patents,
reported bill to extend for seven years. to the ad
illustrators OF Jethro Wood, deceased, the patent
for his improvement in the construction of the
iron plough and he asked that it be put on its pas
sage.
Mr.. NELSON said he presumed that every gen
tleman familiar with this bill. He thought
that the House should dispose Of the subject once
for if permitted to go into the orders OF the day, it
would produce, if not excitement, dissatisfaction
throughout the country. The bill, in effect, pro-
poses TO lay tax of twenty-five cents on each
! plough made OF cast-iron for the benefit of two
! young ladies and widow. He did not feel dis
posed to go into the merits of the bill 1t would,
J however, be known to every gentleman on this
/ floor, that whatever may have been the merits OF
Jethro Wood in respect to the cast-iron plough,
/ (and those who had carefully examined the sub
lect at least doubted whether Mr.. Wood
titled to much credit as an inrentor,) he had
joyed the full benefit of his patent for twenty eight
years. at least. By a reference 10 the report of
Mr.. Farally, the Chairman of the Committee on
Patents of the House OF Representatives during
the last Congress, it would appear that the cast
iron plough had been used and patented in
England long before Jethro Wood obtained his
patent that twenty-five patents for improve
ments in cast-iron ploughs had been obtained
IN this country before the one granted 10 Mr..
Wood, and two hundred patents since that time.
And now, without regard to the rights or interests
of others this bill proposes to give 10 the applicants
twenty five cents for any cast-iron plough manu-
featured in the United States; thus, in effect, levy
ing tax upon every person who purchases cast
iron plough, for the benefit of these ladies, the
amount of which, in the aggregate, it would be
difficult for him to calculate, but which would be
enormous.
MIR. HOLMES asked whether agricultural socie-
/ ties in New York had not recommended this
/ plough.
Mr. NELSON replied that he was not aware that
any society or body of men had recommended the
passage OF any bill of the character of that be-
fore the House; and he moved TO lay it upon the ia
BILE. lie withdrew the motion at the request of
! Mr.. CASEY, who said he in favor OF sub
ects Of this character being referred TO where they
can be examined; and he not disposed to CON
sumo the time which ought to be devoted to great
public interests in the consideration of this subject
lie would prefer that the bill now before the House
be referred 10 the Committee Of the Whole on the
state of the Union, but, as he promised, he moved
that il be laid the table.
The question was taken and decided in the mega
! uyc-ycas SO, nays ll5.
ISDIAS APPROPRIATION BILL.
On motion Of Mr. BAYLY. the House resolved
itself into Committee of the Whole the state of
the Union; and the California bill having been laid
aside-ayes -, noes I9-the committee took up the
bill making appropriations for the current and
. contingent expenses Of the Indian department, and
for fulfilling treaty stpuatons with various Indian
/ tribes for the year ending June 30 1851.
Mr.. SIBLEG, the delegate from Minnesota, after
speaking Of the privileges of delegates, proceeded
to address the committee the subject Of the In
diane, aud the policy which should be pursued with
regard 20 them. IL was very important, he insisted
/ that there should always be good commissioners to
negotiate treaties; and the sayagcs should not be
LETT to find out how they have been betrayed and
J cheated Not one treaty in ten has been carried
out IN good faith. The evil Of this is not confined
70 the tribes who have been wronged, but is com
municated 10 others, who are kept in check by the
superior power OF the Government The Seminole
war II would be rccollectcd, cost thirty or forty
millions Of dollars. principle should be adopted
/ more in accordance with principles Of justice and
morality. The efforts OF the Christian missionaries
who 20 among the Indians 10 civilizc them ire in
effect obstructed by the conduct Of the Government
The Indians doubt the sincerity Of Its agents. IL IL
a fallacy that the diminution OF the Indians il
ing altogether to strong drink. This Il true 10
small extent; but the main is, that the In
dian, having disposed Of his land, is cast out as a
yagabond. Some stimulus TO industry must be
y
the faith Of the Government. The first step TO be,
taken for the improvement Of the Indians Is TO OK
I tend over them the laws Of the United States. At
an carly period Of the session he proposed TO give
/ them thosc Of Minnesota and Oregon, in which he
had the concurrence Of the delegate from the last
named Territory. lie could say, with all sincerity,
that unless ths bill be passed, all other plans must
\ fail 10 was the substratum on which all measures
! for the amelioration and improvement Of the In.
diana must rcs II any thing Is TO be done for them,
\ IL must be done now.
/ Mr.. MASON said that az to making the white,
red, and black man perfectly equal, he totally de-
/ SPARED. Naturc's God made the black man, and
when It il undertaken TO make him equal with the
white, by law, an impossibility IL attempted. Our
friends in the free States have manifested great
desire elevate the position ofthe African raccthc
black man-as bis friend from Minnesota had 10
elevate the condition Of the red man. Legislation,
in this respect, would have much effect the
passage Of law 70 make every variety Of birds the
/ same color
Mr. SIBLEY inquired whether some Of the first
/ families Of Virginia had not boosted that they had
Indian blood in their veins, John Randolph did as
being descendant Of POcahontas.
/ Mr. MASON admitted all that, and that there
I were most able, eloquent, and patriotic men who
descended, in part, from the Indian race; but would
I the gentleman say that this is common, or only an
/ exception % the rule, And then there was
. sprinkle Of the white man in tho exception. Flo.
qucnt, able men may be found among the Indians,
but The mass is not Of that character. The gentle.
man spoke OF manual labor schools. for the purpose
Of educating them Now, II is known that they arc
not formed for labor. They have no natural dis
position 70 labor and ne did not know whether the
/ white man has. tLaughtcr.l
/ Mr.. SIBLEY remarked that the gentleman was
much mistaken when he said that the Indians do
not labor. They, as general thing, labor as much
as the white man. The lie Of the hunter requires
more endurance than the ordinary labor Of the
I white man.
! Mr. MASON. That ia a life, above all others,
suited TO the Indians, and il is labor and endurance
Of certain character. Generally, they are avcrse
TO labor, and every effort TO make them labor,
+ mass, is b. destroy them. lie then proceeded to
Contrast the happy condition of the negroes of our
I own country with those Of Africa. As TO putting
them equality with the white man, the attempt
/ might ~ wtIl be made 20 ny without wings In
the conclusion Of his remarks, he spoke OF the sub
Jocts which nov agiatc the country, and Of the ne
cessity % settling them a fair and just basis TO
all parts Of the Confederacy
/ Mr. GiDDINGS said that the time when Con-
gress ordinarily adjouns bad arrived, and he asked
/ gentlemen whether Il was not due 70 themselves