The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-01
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
MONDAY, December 81, ls49.
FIRST SESSION.
SENATE.

one time member of Congress, Secretary of War,
and subsequently Governor of Massachusetts, pray
ing Congress 10 extend 10 her the benefits Of the act
granting pensions to the widows of officers Of the
revolution.
Also, the petition of some hundreds of ship own
ers and merchants OF Boston, praying the abolition
of the spirit ration in the naval service
In presenting the above, Mr.. WEBSTER said,
that in his opinion the time had come-fully come
when Congress should abolish its use in the navy.
Also, a petition from the same, praying the abo-
tion of fiogging in the navy. On motion, these
last two petitions were referred TO the Committee
ON Naval Affairs.
And the petition of the citizens of the. town Of
Falmouth, Mass praying an appropriation for the
improvement of the harbor known as Holiness Hole.
Referred to the Committee on Commerce.
MIR. DOWNS presented preamble and resou
tons adopted by majority of the bar of Louisiana,
praying an alteration of the act of last session. es
tabshing the time for holding the term OF the dis
trct court of that State and it was referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
The petition Of Eli X. Ross and others, praying
an investigation into certain land claims. Referred
to the Committee on Private Land Claims.
MIR. BENTON presented the petition of John Lee
roy, claiming pension for injuries sustained from
the enemy, while running an express for the United
States during the Mexican war.
Mr.. SEWARD presented the memorial from
number ofcommercial houses in Baltimore, praying
the abolition. of the spirit ration and the punish
ment Of flogging in the navy.
In presenting these memorials, Mr.. S. said he
tor from Massachusetts in relation to this subject
He moved, and il was ordered, that the memorials
be referred To the Committee on Naval Affairs.
MIR. UNDERWOOD presented the memorial of
w illian Smith and Isaac Sheen claiming to be the
legitimate presidents Of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter day Saints and twelve Others members Of
that church, calling the attention of Congress to the
alleged iniqutous and unchristian acts now perpe-
trating by portion of the members Of that church
settled in the valley of the great Salt Lake and
charging that, among other crimes the doctrine OF
polygamy adopted by them, and was now prac-
| tised, producing incest, &c, &C., in the land.
The petition also alleges that, before the sect
expelled and driven from Nauvoo, in Illinois, fif-
teen hundred of them took oath 10 avenge on the
| people and Government OF this country the MUIR
| der of Joseph Smith The memorial prays Con-
gress TO interfere and prevent by salutary egisa
| ton, the alleged evils. In connexion with the sub
ject matter embraced in the memorial, MIR. U. read
paragraph cut from a newspaper, in which II was
| alleged that the Mormons Saints at the Salt
| Lake had levied, and continue TO levy, tariff Of
fifty per cent. all goods coming into the country
| He moved the reference of the memorial To the
Committee on Territories.
| Mr.. DOUGLAS thought it due to the country to
state, that he too, had seen the paragraph in the
| papers, read by the Senator from Kentucky, and
had called upon the delegate sent here by the pro-
visional government of Dcseret, Mr.. BABBIT, and
questioned him in relation TO the subject Mr.
| BABBIT had assured him, that the people in that
valley, in order to protect themselves, had estab-
lished government at the city Of Salt Lake. and TO
meet the expenses Of the government, had enacted
that all goods coming into the country, and sold
iciltin the city, should pay a certain duty. This
tariff did not extend to goods passing through the
| country, TO those sold without the limits of the
| city. This the only means the country had to
| raise revenue sufficient TO meet the expenses Of
| their government; and il exacted from every
one, Mormon as well as those not Mormon.
FRENCH sPoLIATIoSs.
Petitions praying indemnity for spoliations by
| the French were presented by Messrs. GREENE,
DAVIS of Massachusetts,, KING, HAMLIN, WEBSTER,
STEWART, BADGER, DAVIS of Mississippi, and
BRADBURY; all of which, there being no appropri-
ate committee yet appointed, were laid on the table
| for the present.
WITHDRAWAL OF PAPERS.
Papers now on the files Of the Senate were with
drawn and again referred TO appropriate commit
| tees, on the motions of Messrs STURGEON, YuLEE
BADGER, Dawson, DAVIS of Mississippi, SHIELDS,
l UNDERWOOD, HUNTER, and STEWART.
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
was received, announcing that that body had passed
an act granting the ranking privilege to Sarah
Polk, widow of the late James X. Polk.
THE TERRITORIES.
Mr. HALE said that some days ago the Senator
from Mississippi had given notice of his intention
20 introduce bill in relation TO government fol
the several Territories. He thought il advisabl,
that the bill should be laid on the table and printed
for the use Of the Senate, in order that after the
holidays Senators might have had an opportunity
20 examine IL.
Mr.. FOoTE, said one reason why he did not pre-
sent the bill was, that il was incomplete regards
details He had no objection, however, 70 its being
printed now and was willing 10 lay il the table
for that purpose.
Il The printing Of the paper then ordered
i And, on motion, IL was ordered 10 be printed foi
the use Of the Senate.
THE CENSUS.
Mr. DAVIS, Of Massachusetts said that at IN,
last session, Board had been created in relation e
the business Of taking the census; that Board hac
reported, and the subject was now before the Sen
ate 1t was n report Of considerable Importance
and required immediate action. He moved, there
fore, that n select committee Of five members be APP
pointed by the Chair, and that, when such commit
| tee was appointed, the report be referred 10 IL.
And the motion adopted.
MIR. WEBSTER said that a few days ago n com
municaton from the Second Comptroller and Sec.
ond Auditor of the Treasury had been laid upon
the table at his suggestion; he moved they
be taken up and referred 10 the Committee on ri.
nance, and be printed.
And il was 80 ordered.
Mr.. UPHAM presented the petition Of sundry
newspaper publishers in the State of Vermont
praying the enactment Of 80 much of the Post OF.
nee law Of ls45 as allowed the free transit Of news
papers within certain limit Referred ~ the
Committee or Post Offices and Post Roads.
On motion, il was ordered. that when the Senate
adjourn, it adjourn till Thursday next.
Mr.. TURNEY submitted resolution 10 the CT
feet that the President of the Uniicd States be- re
quesed 30 furnish the Senate with copies Of all the
papers. letters circumstances, and recommends.
tons file in any Of the Departments relative
20 the removal retention in office of Jcsse Is
Clements, late marshal Of the middle district Of
Tennessee, and especially that he furnish copies Of
certain documents enumerated.
On motion of Mr.. DODGE, Of Iowa,
Resolued, That the Committee on Post Offices and
Post Roads be instructed 10 inquire into the expo
dicncy OF establishing mail route from Bloom.
field, via OttumIna and Lancaster, b. Washington
in Iowa.
Mr.. DOWNS submitted the following resolution
which lies over:
Resolved, That the President Of the United States
be requested 10 communicate 90 the Senate copies
Of all correspondence that has taken place with the
Minister of Spain in Washington, the authorities
of Cuba, the American consul at Havana, OF
others, concerning the abduction OF Rey alias Gar.
oia, from New Orleans, by the Spanish consul al
that port, or by his procurement cOnnivance
together with the correspondence with the District
Attorney Of the United States for the eastern dis
trict of Louisiana, other officers Of the govern.
ment in that STATE, aud the instructions given
touching this affair. Also copies Of all the pro.
ceedngs and testimony and arguments Of counsel
il reported TO the government, had and taken re-
lating TO IL before Judge Bright and Commissioned
Chew, and all the proceedings had and reports