The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-27
THiRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
THURSDAY, September 90, 1850.
SENATE.

THURSDAY, September &c, 1850
SENATE.
Mr.. YULEE, from the Committee on Naval AT.
tGirs made adverse reports ON several memorials;
and on his motion, the committee was discharged
from the further consideration of variety of sub
jects referred TO them.
WIDOW OF GENERAL ARMsrEAp.
Mr.. DAWSON, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported bill for the relief of the legal
representatives, of the late General Walter X.
ArInistead, OF the United States army; and the bill
considered by unanimous consent, and read a
third time and passed
SWAMP LANDS.
MIR. SEBASTIAN moved, and the bill which here
toforc passed the Senate to grant TO Arkansas and
IN their ltults, and which was returned from the
House with an amendment, was taken up, The
amendment was then concurred in.
PRIVATE LAND CLAIMS
Mr.. DOWNS moved, and the Senate proceeded
TO the consideration of the bill for the settlement Of
classes of private land claims within the limits of
the Baron de Bastrop grant and for allowing pre-
emptions TO certain actual settlers in the event Of
the final adjudication of the title of the said De
Bastrup in favor of the United States And the
BILL after explanation, was ordered 10 third read
ing.
BOUNTY LAND TO SOLDIERS AND OTHERS ENGAGED
IN THE MILITARY SERVICE THE UNITED STATES.
Mr.. SHIELDS moved, and the Senate proceeded
TO the consideration of the bill granting bounty land
10 the officers and soldiers who have been engaged
in the military service of the United States
Mr.. DAWSON moved, and the bill was amended
by inserting after the word surviving the words
sand the widow and children of the deceased" so
as TO extend the bounty to the representatives of
the deceased officer, soldier, seaman, or marine,
as well as to those who are surviving.
And after long debate, the amendment was
Mr. PEARCE submitted an amendment, extend
ing the bounty to all persons engaged in the mill
tary service of the United States, who are not
provided for by the BILL and who have been exposed
to the hre OF the enemy. And alter debate, this
amendment was agreed to.
Several other amendments were proposed, some
OF which were adopted, and others rejected
The bill was then reported to the Senate, and the
amendments were concurred in.
MIR. MASON submitted amendment, provid-
ing for the payment of the scrip issued to the
unental line in Virginia during the revolutionary
After considerable debate this amendment was
rejected-yeas 10, nays IS.
The amendments were then ordered TO be en-
crossed for third reading OF the bill.
THE NAVAL APPROPRIATIONS.
Mr.. DICKINSON reported the bill from the
House making appropriations for the naval service
Of the United States for the year ending June 30,
1851.
THE uGHT-HoUsE BILL.
MIR. HANILIN moved, and the Senate took up
the bill making appropriations for light house, and
Tor other purposes, and after making few amend
ments thereto, the bill was ordered TO be en-
crossed.
Relief roR TIRE ISDraEST INSANE.
Mr.. BELL moved that the senste proceed to the
confederation Of the ball reported from the select
committee on the memorial VI Miss Dix, making
grants OF public lands 10 the several States Of the
Union, for the relief and support Of the INDECENT
insane.
Dir. DAVIS, Of Mississippi, opposed the motion.
Mr.. BADG Err supported 1t.
And the question being taken, the motion. was
agreed tO--yCaE "a, l9-as follows
YEAS.--Mcssrs. Badger, Bell, Berrien, Clarke,
Cooper, Davis Of Massachusetts, Dawson, Dayton,
Dickinson, Dodge Of Wisconsin, Ewing, Footc,
Greene, Houston, Mangum, Morton, Pearce, Pratt,
Seward, Smith, Spruance, Underwood, Wales, and
Winthrop-2I
NAYS-Nieszrs. Atchisou. Barnweu. Benton.
Bright, Butler, Cass. Cbase, Davis Of Mississippi,
DJtEs q! Iowa, Fremont, King, Mason Rusk, Sc.
lsst.az, s,u-e, Turncy, Walker, Whitcomb, and
Auice-lg.
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Mississippi, opposed the bill. He
denied that the Constitution gave 70 Congress any
power TO dispose Of the public lands in this manner.
lie considered that Congress had as much right 20
establish United States orphan asylums, and Uni
ted States public schools, 10 give away the pub.
JIG property for the purpose He disposed 10
DO much for the general object Of the bill, but did
not believe Congress bad the power % make the
grants for the purposes contemplated by this bill.
Mr. DAVIS, Of bIassachusetts, said that he could
not Distinguish between the power which author
lied Congress to grant land 70 the States 70 con-
truct canals, railroads. and 20 support universities
and colleges, and Tor school purposes, and the
power 10 psss this act. Congress had however, al.
ready exercised the power A grant Of a similar
purpose was made to Kentucky years since.
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Mississippi, replied
Mr.. CHASE said he was in favor OF the object Of
the bill, but was opposed 70 tho mode which the bill,
proposed 20 carry il out.
Several propositions TO amend were made, all Of
which were rejected
Mr.. ATCHISoN opposed the bill, and then moved
that the bill be laid on the table, rcjeccd-sycs23
noes 3.
The bin wac then reported to the Senate
Mr. fULEE moved that the bill be laid on the
table 70 give time 10 examine il.
And TIE question being taken, the motion was
Mr wHlTCoMB opposed the bill, and said he
considered It but little more than proposition to
distribute the proceeds Of the public lands among
MI. BESToN moved to strike out the third sec.
ton Of the bill, and was proceeding 10 address the
Senate IN general opposition 10 1t, when he yielded
MIR. PEARCE, who moved, and tho bill was
postponed till the second Monday 8" December
THE ISDnS APPROXIMATIONS BILL.
Mr. PEARCE moved, and the Senate resumed
the consideration Of the bill making appropriations
for the current and contingent expenses Of the In.
dian Department for the year ending June 30, 1851
Mr.. WALES submitted an amendment ~ refund
the Seneca Indians certain moneys, which they ozt
through the misconduct Of their agent, and after
debate it was rejected.
Mr. ATCHlSON moved 20 amend the bill by
making an appropriation 20 romunerate Col. Jar
nagin u Georgia, for certain losses Sustained by
Indian dcprcdatOns
Aud, after long debate. the question taken,
hhd no quorum voted. There wanting but few
minute 70 tic hour Of four O'clock
Mr.. FOOIE addressed the Senate till that time
arrived ana then thc Senate took recess till six
O'Clock.
EvLEINC SESSION
At SIX o'clock tho Senate reasscnbled and after
The confederation Of executive busness, adjourned