The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-12

ewspapers may BE- exempt from postage within limited
fened to the Committee on the Post Office and Posi-
Roads.
Mr. D. also presented memorial from citizens. Of
Coopersville in the State OF New York, asking that
copies OF the constitution OF the United States and
Washington's Farewell Address may be provided for
each school district in the United States
The memorial was referred TO the Committee on the
Mr. JONES presented petition Of the Christian party
of the Menomonie Indians, asking TO be allowed addi-
onal compensation for the lands ceded BY them to the
United States and that the lands east Of Green Bay may
be assigned them lieu Of those provided by the treaty
for their permanent homes; which was referred 10 the
Mr. DAVIS of Massachusetts,, presented the memorial
Of Simeon Greenleaf asking extension of hrs copy
right which referred to the Committee on the ~
Mr. DOWNS presented the petition Of Jacob Hickman,
asking the confirmation Of title to certain lands lying in
the BastroP grant IN Louisiana which was referred %
the COMMITTEES on Private Land Claims.
Mr. BORLAND presented a memorial q of!lcers q
ing an additional allowance oi bounty lands winch was
Mr. b. also presented memorial from clerks employ
ed in the pay department Of the army asking an increase
of compensatory which was referred TO the Committee
Mr.. LEMENS presented petition OF Willis Stephens.
asking the confirmation Of his claim to an Indian reserva
lon which was referred to the Committee on Private
MI. HAMLIN presented the petition OF William Fer
guson pensoner Of the United Staes asking 70 be al
lowed back pension; which was referred TO the CON-
Nr III also presented petition from the heirs OF iona.
than Patch revolutionary soldier asking to be allowed
pension 70 which their father was entitled which was
| Mr.. ATCHISON presented two petitions from cltl,
zens OF the counties of ST. FRANCOIS, Madison. and
Wayne in the State Of Mssour asking the establishment
that State; which was referred TO the COMMITTEES on the
Post Office and Post Roads.
Mr. STURGEON presented petition Of citizens udn,s 2,
of the rates OF POSTAGE which referred TO the Con-
a miliee lee on e the Post Once and Post Roads
Mr.. CLAY presented petition IRON " Howard VII.
son and Others asking reduction OF the rates OF postage
which was reerred TO the Committee on the fost omce
and Post Roads.
Mr. C. also presented memorial from James Higgins.
VIM Adams and others. asking that California may be
admitted into the Union as State; which was ordered
10 lie on the table
asking the payment OF debtdue him BY the late republic
of Texas for which the public faith and revenues Of this
republic were pledged; which, together with his papers
the files, referred to the Committee on the judi
MI. c. also presented document from B. r. Rogers
and other czens Of Boston, Massachusetts, proposing
northern and southern portions Of the Union, growing
Of the institution OF slavery which was ordered 70 e on
the table.
ing that burial ground may be purchased in the vicinity
OF the city Of Mexco which was used for the inter
Of American citizens during The occupation Of that
the Committee on Military Affairs.
VALLEY on THE RIo cRAsDE.
Mr. CLAY | have in my hand petition sent me BY
a number OF people from the lower part OF the valley oil
the Rio Grande They are complaining OF the effect oi
They conceive that Texas has no legitimate right to that
portion OF the country which lies towards the mouth OF
ihe Rio Grande; and they ask that Congress will take
them under the protection of the United States, and erec
territorial government for their benefit,
believe that some other petitions for similar purposs
have already been presented and referred 70 the Commit
tee on Tesres and would ssk that this should taks
the same direction Ii is, believe printed petition
and one which suppose has been extensively circulated
among the inhabitants Of the Lower Rio Grande. move
that the reading OF the petition be dispensed WITH ant
that be referred to the appropriate commiticeihe Com
Mr.. RuSK. Mr. President, similar petition was pre-
sented the other day. have no obection TO the motor
made BY the honorable senator from Kentucky; but
wish 20 say now what is the fact with regard 10 al
these petitions. and 10 the views and objections Q
the people OF the Lower Rio Grande A considerab,
number OF the population Of that section Of the country
consists OF Mexcans, and large proportion OF them Mex
leans who originally and always adverse to Texas
and who have removed TO this side OF the Rio Grand
since the termination of the war and few discon
tented individuss-what their object is do not know
though il has been suggested that They under poltica
Div by The desire 10 fgure In the political affairs OF th
country-have taken charge OF this Mexican population
and are engaged in directing their action for their owl
purposes The petition which was presented the othc
day was signed almost entirely BY Mexcans During ID
session Of the Legislature of Texas, those individual
msrepresented or msconceved the action OF the ega
,ure in relation to the titles 10 property affecting the title
lands in that sectoH and BY that means miscd other In
dvduas who had gone there; and shortly after thes
propositions were made 10 dispute the claims Of Texas
BY individuals who never were, or were never until
recently, inhabitants of hatsecton OF country As 500
as this matter was known among the people OF the III
Grande, the loyal citizens OF Texas, the bone and sincs
Of the country met together and repudafed their action
mpue blame 10 any one. and make no ohjectio
to the presentation OF these petitions, and 10 their takiR
the direction indicated by the senator from Kentucky
have felt il due 10 my State and 10 the country that
should make this explanation. 5H s
| Mr. CLAY. know very little upon this subject. In
deed until received the letter accompanying this peo
from person with whom am unacquainied, but VIII
seems TO be American, had no idea that there wa
any dissatisfaction in that region OF country The pet
lion itself s in both the English and Spanish languages
and seemsto bcsigned sgned-by Amer
Z leans and Spanards, or persons Of Spanish origin
least should Judge by the names themselves How
ever without offering any opinion in relation 10 the sub
iect will limit myself 10 The presentation Of the petition
and to moving that i be referred 70 the Commfiee o
The memorial was then referred to the Committee o
:. Territories
Mr. RUSK moved that the petition Be printed, toxsshs
with the names which motion was referred to the Con
miitee on Printing.
rLooerxe AND THE sPnT RATION. M e
Ms. HALE presented nineteen petitions from cltizsr
asking that the spirit ration In the
lmay be abolished also nineteen petitions from citizer