The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-17
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MoNpAY. DEC. l6. 1850

introduction OF resolution making the bill estab
fishing branch minis at New York and San Tran
cisco, the special order of the day for the SECOND
tuesday OF January, and to be continued unit
disposed Of.
Mr.. STRONG rose to privileged question
He was Instructed by the Committee on Elections
10 make report upon the case Of the contested
election in New Hampshire. He stated that he
should call it up for the action OF the House or
Tuesday next, and asked that the report might bt
printed. The report is understood to Le udvers,
TO the contestant. Agreed to.
! The question recurring upon the resolution o
MIR. BRIGGs,
Mr.. WENTWORTH, asked if it was in orde
to amend the resolution.
/ The SPEAKER replied it would be in order, i
the subject of the amendment was like that of the
| resolution.
The resolution was subsequently made the spe-
claI order for the second Tuesday in January.
The SPEAKER laid before the House the fol-
lowing Message from the President.
WASHINGTON, Dec Is, 1850
To The Senate and House Of Representatives
| have the pleasure of announcing to Con-
gress, the agreement on the part of Texas to
the propositions offered to that State, by the act
OF Congress approved the ninth day of ScpteEl,
Der last, entitled, "An act proposing to the State
OF Texas the establishment of her northern and
western boundaries, the REIMBURSEMENT by the
said State of all territory claimed by her exterior
to said boundaries, and of all her claims upon
the United States, and to establish Il territorial
government for New Mexico"
by the terms of that act, it was required that
the agreement of Texas to the propositions con-
| tanned III 1t, should be given on or before the
hrst day OF December, 1850 An authenticated
transcript of q law passed by the legislature of
Texas, on the 25th day of November last, agree
ing to and accepting the propositions contained
III the e CT of Congress, has been received This
law, after reciting the provisions of the act of
Congress, proceeds to enact and declare MS fol-
lows, viz:
Therefore, First. Be il enacted by The Legis
lalure nf the STATE of 1ieraS, That the State of
Texas hereby agrees to and accepts said propo-
sitions; and it is hereby declared that said State
shall be bound by the terms thereof according
to their true import and meaning.
Second. That the Governor Of this State be.
and he is hereby, requested to cause copy of
this act, authenticated under the seal of the State
to be furnished to the President of the United
States, by MAIL as early as practicable; and also,
Il copy thereof, certified in like manner, to be
transmitted to each Of the Senators and Repre-.
sentatives of Texas in Congress, and that this act
take effect from and after its passage
&C. G. KEENAN,,
"Sppakcr Of the House Of Representatives.
JOHN A. GREEN,
President Of the Seaatc.
"Approyed, November rs, 1850.
"p II. BELL"
From the common sources of public iniorma-
ton, it would appear, that very remarkable de-
gree of unanimity prevailed, not only in the
Legislature, but among the people Of Texas, in
respect to the agreement of the State to that
which had been proposed by Congress.
cannot refrain from congratulating Congress
| and the country, on the success of this great
and leading measure Of cancellation and peace.
The difficulties felt, and the dangers appre-
bend d, from the vast acquisitions of territory
under the late treaty with Mexico, seem now
| happily overcome by the wisdom Of Congress-
Within that territory, there already exists one
State respectable for the amount of her popu-
latiOn, distinguished for singular activity and
enterprise, and remarkable in many respects,
from her condition and history. This new State
has come into the Union with manifestations
not to be mistaken, Of her attachment to that
constitution, and that government, which now
embrace her and her interests within their pro-
| tecting and bcneticent control.
Over the residue of the acquired territories
regular territorial governments are now estab'
| lished in the manner which has been usual in
the history of this Government. Various other
acts Of Congress may undoubtedly be requisite
for the benefit, as well as for the proper gov
ernmcnt, of these so distant parts Of the country
But the same Legislative WISDOM which has t-i.
um; he'd over the principal difficulties, and nc
complished the main end, may safely be relied
on Tor whatever measures may yet be found ne
cessary to perfect this work; so that the Access
81, = OF these vast regions to the United States
t. y rather strengthen than weaken, the Consli-
tuition which is over us all, and Of the Union,
which affords such ample daily proofs Of its in
es:i,naLle value.
WILLARD FILLMORE
Mr.. ASliMUN moved the reference Of the
message to the Committee Of the Whole. Carried.
Mr.. q. w. JONES subsequently moved a re-
consideration Of the foregoing vote. Carried
MIR. q. w. JONES then moved to lay the mes
sage on the table, stating that lie no necessity
for discussion upon the subject, the message be.
ing but notification Of the acceptance by Texas
Of the act relating to New Mexico. The motion
prevailed.
The SPEAKER laid before the House the re-
port Of the Treasurer Of the United States relative
TO the receipts and expenditures of the Post OHce
Department.
Mr.. DAYLY moved its reference to the Com
mittee of Ways and Means. Carried
Mr.. G. w. JONES asked if the annual commu-
nica ion Of the Secretary of the Treasury had
been received, was answered IN the negative.
MIR. MEADE offered the following resolution:
Resoircd, That select committee Of nine be APP
pointed to inquire into the expectancy Of dividing
the public lands among the States Of the Union,
for internal Improvements and educational pur
poses, in the manner and upon the conditions fol-
lowing:
|. The whole public domain to be surveyed rs
soon as practicable, and laid off into parcels Of -
or more townships EACH lying contiguous to or Us
near each other may be.
= The sad parcels to be assigned by lot, from
time to ii re, the surveys may progress, 20 the
several States in proportion to their population;
but each State IN which there are public lands, 10
be at liberty to take its share Of the land stu
ated within its own limits, which share, if less
than the land so situated, to he assigned by lot
3. All gold, silver and quicksilver mines to be
reserved to the United States.
4. Each State to dispose Of its lands in the man.
ner it may prescribe, but after the expiration OF
years from the allotment, any citizen of the
Untet States to be permitted to settle hercon, by
paying TO the proprietor State, sum not exceed
ing one dollar and twenty five cents per acre.
). The States within which the lands may lie,
to impose no tax thereon, while they remain the
property of any other State.
6. Twenty per cent. Of all nett sales made by