The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-10
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
TUESDAY, April 8, 1850.
s ENAT E

Il ~ n Z
Private petitions were presented by Messrs
BRADBURY, BELL, GREENE, and CHASE
Mr.. WEBSTER said that he was sorry that he
was obliged 10 ask the Senate to excuse him from
serving on the committee raised by the Senate 20
accompany the remains Of the late Senator from
South Carolina TO his mansion and his home He
DESTROYS of doing every thing in his power 10
express his respect for the dead his sympathy for
the living But he found il necessary, owing TO
private matters, that he should in few days visit
his own home. Under these circumstance he was
sorry to say he compelled to ask To be excused
from serving on the committee
And the motion being put to the Senate, Mr.
WEBSTER excused.
Mr.. MASON said that nc was very sorry that the
Senator from Massachusetts, had felt obliged 10 ask
10 be excused from the committee. But IL being
the case, he moved the Vice President be author.
lied 10 I'll the vacancy; and the motion was adopted
OF BILL.
Mr.. FETCH gave notice of a bill 10 amend the
act of September 4, ls4l, granting prc-emption
rights 10 settlers on the public lands.
MARYLAND STATE RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. PEARCE submitted several Joint resolutions
of the Legislature Of Maryland-one in relation to
the erection of monument TO Baron De Kalb, under
the resolution Of Congress Of l7s0; in relation
to the placing Of light boats on Seven Foot Knoll,
near the mouth Of the Annamessix river; and one
relating to the placing Of light boat on James
Island bar.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD, from the Committee ON
Claims, reported bill for the relief Of the securi-
ties Of Elijah J. Weed, late quartcrmaster Of Ma
rines, deceased.
THE DEFICIENCY BILL-THE CENSUS BILL
Mr.. DICKINSON moved to take up the Deficiency
bill.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Massachusetts,, opposed the mo-
ton, and urged that the Census bill should be taken
up.
Mr.. DOUGLAS said that If the motion failed he
would move to take up the California bill.
After debate by Messrs DICKINSON, KING,
BELL, BUTLER and DAVIS, the question wss Ia
ken on the motion 10 take up the Deficiency bill,
and was decided in the negstive-yeas Is, nays 49,
THE CENSUS.
Mr. DAVIS then moved, and the Senate proceed.
ed 10 the consideration of the bill providing for
taking the seventh census.
The bill was considered in detail and then the
schedules Of the various statistical tables attached
to the bill. A motion 10 strike out the column in
the tables for the names Of the slaves stricken
out after debate.
motion 20 strike ont the column for a statement
Of the degrees which the negroes arc removed from
the white made and gave rise 10 an ex.
tended debate, and decided in the affirmative; and
a motion to strike out the column headed the num-
Der Of female slaves and the number of children
they have had; and whether the children be dead
or living. decided in the affirmative.
The column TO contain the names Of the slaves
was also stricken out.
Mr. BELL moved 10 add 10 the tables column
for the value Of the machinery on plantations; and
the motion adopted.
After various verbal amendments, the question
pending on the adoption Of the bill introduced
by Mr.. DAwsoH, as a substitute for the bill re-
ported By the committee.
Mr. DICKINSON moved to amend the substitute
by striking out the words Secretary Of the Inte
rior," wherever they occur, and insert ''census
bOard'' and the motion was adopted.
Mr.. WHIrCOMB moved 10 amend the substitute
by adding provision that all printing 10 be done
under the bill and not yet executed shall be done
by contract, and under the direction Of the
board.
Pending which notion the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Mr.. THOMPSON, Of Mississippi, asked leave 10
present the memorial Of the Legislature Of Misss-