The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-27
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.
The standing committees called Tor reports,
and the more important OF those made were as ioi
lows:
Mr.. BURT, from the COMMITTEES ON Military Al
fairs reported bill increase the rank and file OF
the army Of the United States, and to
hstments; and
Joint resolution, in relation To the settlement
of the three months extra pay to soldiers IN the war
with Mexico, by the accounting officers OF the trea
Which bill and resolution were referred to the
Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union.
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, from the Commit
tee on Naval Affairs, Ito whom had been referred
the petition Of five hundred and fifty seven sealnen
of Philadelphia asking that seamen who served in
the Mexican war in the gulf and Pacific be re-
warded for their services soldiers have BEEN
ported bill granting bounty lands and extra pay
TO all sailors actually engaged IN the Mexican war;
which was referred 10 the Committee Of the Whole
on the state of the Union.
Mr.. WHITE, from the same committee reported
Joint resolution requiring the Secretary VI the
Navy TO enter into contract for water-rotted
hcTp; and
A resolution requiring the Secretary of the Navy,
il procuring hemp necessary for naval purposes, to
purchase American water rottcd aone or other
hemp, may be best for the public interests, pro-
vded it be equal 10 the foreign hemp in quality and
price; and, hereafter, in advertising for cordage,
sail cloth, and duck, the preference shall be given 10
the American man ufacture, provided be equal to
the foreign article
A few words we're interchanged between several
members, when the resolution was ordered 10 be
printed.
The House. on motion of MIR. BAYLY, resolved
itself into a Committee of the Whole on the state OF
the Uuiun-Mr BOYD in the chair-and resumed
the consideration OF the Presidents annual mes
sage.
Mr.. MILLSoN, of Virginia, concluded the re-
marks which he commenced on Thursday. He said
that the movements in California, which led TO the
formation OF her constitution, were encouraged by
the President, who had assumed the functions of
Congress; and we did not know but that the Pres-
dent ght present 10 Congress the constitution Of
the State of Columbia framed by people of this Dis
trict, as he had that Of California, without word
of explanation as 20 the objects for which II was
communicated or why il was written or drawn up.
As TO slavery, it had been said that il not the
purpose Of the North TO abolish il where il exists in
the States but prevent its extension into the Ter
rtorics But slavery does exist in New Mexico and
California. He did not say that there were slaves
there, but that slavery exists recognised rela
tomas a domestic and political institution. II,
surprised TO hear, during the last session, tho
remark Of Senator Webster, that the Constitution
does not extend to the Territories but let PEG
pie go where they will, be they on land sea, tn,
sovereign will as expressed in that instrument con
irols them, and commands their obedience. Sla
very i prohibited by law or by treaty in Cafor
mia and New Mexico; and he denied that any Mex
lean Law controls unless il be adopted into our owl
code. The conpromise bill Of Mr.. Clayton was de-
feated last year principally by northern votes. u
gave the South no rights which they had not before
The sole object OF IL 10 leave things they
found. Why. was it defeated, unless it was thai
northern men we're not willing 70 leave decisions o
questions which would have arisen under il to thu
Supreme Court, The postion Of the South Is manly
and fair. They asked for no laws establish sls
very They are psssive-the North are active. III
would offer no plan Of compromise other than tn
Constitution. The rights secured to the South II
that instrument they claim and insist upon.
Mr.. ToOMBS obtained the floor. He gave wa,
Mr. HIBBARD, who said: Mr.. Chairman, I an
informed that the Senate have voted 10 adjourn a
two o'clock, for tho purpose Of afIording gentemc
an opportunity 10 attend the funeral obsequies
General John Mcneil, late Of New Hampshir,
which are TO be observed in this city to-day, at tina
hour, with military honors.
Propose, sir, TO that adopt the sam
course. IL seems TO the delegation from our Stat
and 90 other members of the House with whom "
have conferred, that il would be but fitting tribui
10 the memory Of an officer widely distinguished
20 eminently patriotic General Mcneil.
The hand OF death has just stricken him dowr
while temporarily in the city, in the funess Of b
me. ghall attempt none at this late hour; shoul
utter than the whole country know in say
Ing that nober hearted man never liyed-a brav,
man never trod the field Of battle.
For the purpose Of enabling the House a. nd jourr
] move that the committee do now rise.
The committee rose, and then. on motion Of VI
HBBARD,
The House adjourned
The following petitions were to-day presents
under the rule, viz:
b. Mr.. TAYLOR The petition Of Nathani
Nassic, John Madcira Allen Latham, WilaI
Marshall Anderson, and FIVE hundred and sevent
otbers. citizens Of ONO, praying Congress to cstal
lish new mail route from Chlicothe, ria Hall
villc Adepbi, South Perry and Giebersonville,
Logan, all ia the State Of Ohio; and that the Tna
should be earned tri-weekly in tvo-horse cOache
Referred u the Committee on the Poet Once ar
Post Rads.
BY Mr.. DUNCAN Tho memorial Of Oliver J
wbpple and fifty-siS other citizens 81 the Unit
ststes, praying that letters patent granted 90 w
liam W Woodwork may not b. extended, al
that the act of lsI5 extending said patent, may
repealed Referred TO the Committee on Patents
Also, tho petition ofSamuel T. Cooper, Of Andovs
MSss., for compensation for services rendered
his father in saving the United States frigste Al
ancc during the revolutionary war. Referred
che COMMITTEE on Revolutionary Claims
BY MIR. BOwLIN The petition Of Wynn
Grow and four hundred and iorty others. citixe
ofst Louis, praying Congress 20 reinquish Al
grant 20 the city Of 1T. Louis the islands and Ia
formed and forming in the Mississippi, and
claim TO Incorporated lands within her corr
rate liinits. Referred 10 the Committee
Public Lands.
ALSO. the petition Of W Dougherty and fort
nine others, citizens Of 81. Louis praying COngr
10 reduce the rates u postage on prepaid letters
the uniform sum OF two and a haii cents per oun
Referred ~ the Committee on the Post Office a
Post Kosds.
AIsu, the petition Of william McPheters
twenty i've citizens Of ST. Louis, praying the
duction Of postage on prepaid betters 70 two am
half cents per ounce Referred 20 the Committee
the Poet Office and Poet Roads
Mr.. CHANDLER presented thememorisl OF X
&c "a gah- wugb, or George CONWAY, asking
the establishment Of an Indian territory east Of
Missouri river. Referred 10 the Committee on
dian Affsirs.
Also, the petition Of NJ. Williamson and OF
citizens Of philadelphia, asking the reduction
postage on prepaid letters. Referred 70 the Go
n,ittee on the Post Office and Post Roads
By Mr. PEAsLEE Petition Of Elisha Nor
attorney for the heirs Of jeremiah Prescott ,
Thomas Canny, deceased, soldiers Of Japan
an, smiths company Of twelve months volunt,
10 the war Of lsl2, for the passage Of an act gr'