Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-01-25
CONGRESS.
In the Senate on the 4lh inst.

In the Senate on the 4lh inst.
Amessage was received from the Pres
ident of the United States, communica-
ting the correspondence with the lady of
Sir John Franklin, relative TO the expe-
dition under his command to the arctic
regions, for the discovery of ''north-
west passage" which was read, ordered
to be referred to the Committee on Ma
val Affairs, and printed.
Mr.. Benton submitted the following
resolution; which lies over: ....
Resoiued, That the Secretary Of the
Interior be direct ted to inform the Senate
of the number Of acres of public land
granted to different States for objects Of
internal improvement, and the amount Of
public lands originally contained in such
States, respectfully, and the number of
acres necessary to make the grants to
each State equal to the maximum guam
tity now grantsd to the greatest quantity.
Mr.. Dickinson, in pursuance OF notice,
asked and obtained leave to introduce a
bill to establish branch of the mint of
the United States in the city of New
York; which was read first and second
time by its title.
Mr.. Benton. The ordinary motion is
to refer. but apprehend that there is no
necessity for reference in this case
This bill has been before the Senate for
eight years, frequently reported, and ac-
ted upon in some way by the Senate
The gentleman who offers the bill has
just informed me that it is precisely the
one reported by The financial committee
last year. If that be the case, should
think it hardly worth while to take up
the time of the committee by referring
ii; and | would suggest that it take its
place on the calendar.
Mr.. Badger. There is nothing that |
am aware of to exempt this bill from
reference. The only vote, believe, the
Senate has ever taken has been to reject
the bill. hope that it will be referred;
and ] move that it be referred to the
Committee on Finance.
The motion to refer was then agreed
Mr.. Benton gave notice that when the
bill come before the Senate for consider
alton, he would propose an amendment
establishing branch of the mint of the
United States at San Francisco, and ask
ed that the amendment might be printed
for the use of the Senate; which motion
was agreed TO.
Mr.. Butler gave notice that when the
bill came up, he would move to amend
it by adding provision establishing Il
branch mint at Charleston, South Caro-
lima. That amendment was reported
with the bill at-the last session.
Mr.. Mason, in pursuance of notice,
asked and obtained leave to introduce a
bill to provide for the more effectual ex-
ecution Of the I'd clause of the I'd Sec
ton of the 4th article of the constitution
of the United States; which was read
twice, and referred TO the Committee on
the Judiciary.
Mr.. NJ, in introducing the bill, said,
this is the same bill which was reported
by tie Committee on the Judiciary at
both sessions OF the last Congress.
Mr.. Dawson called for the reading OF
the bill and it was read accordingly.
Mr.. Mason. 1t will DE proper, pc rhaps,
to ask shat the bill be printed for the use
of the Senate. would at the same
time, sir, ask respectfully from the chair
man of that committee, he would have
this bill reported to the Senate as it may
be practical BILE. 1t was, as | have said,
reported at each session of the last Con-
gress, but it was not acted upon for want
of time. The provisions of that bill
are of infinite moment to the southern
States, and to none more so than to the
Commonwealth of Virginia. | take it
for granted, sir, that it will meet with no
re sistance whatever. The language and
intention of the clause of the constlIu-
ton of the United States, in This respect,
are TOO clear to admit of any doubt; and
this bill is merely intended to add to the
efficiency of the existing laws on the
subject, although it may be that some of
its provisions may admit of amendment.
The question being then taken upon
the motion to print, j, was agreed to.
On the 7lh,
Mr.. Dodge. of Iowa presented the Pc
tition of the late and present registers
and receivers of the land offices al Du-
buque and Fairfield. in Iowa, asking To
be allowed commissions on entries of
military bounty land warrants; which
was referred to The Committee OF Public
Lands. .s .u,.., s,
Mr.. Dodge also presented "A petition of
citizens of Madison and Polk counties,
in that Stale, asking the establishment of
mail route from Winterset, in Iowa. to
Athens, Missouri; which was referred to
the Committee on the Post Office and
and Post Road.
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