Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-01-24
.FRIpAy. Jan. F17thy

SENATE.--The Chair presented the credentials OIL
the Hon Richd Brodhead, Senator elect from Penn.
sylvania for six years from March 4th, 1851.
Mr.. Gwin introduced a bill creating Board Of
Commissioners toexamine and pay the claims against
the United States growing out of the conquest of Cal
ifornia.
Mr. Winthrop introduced bill providing for the
appointment of appraisers at large, and for other
purposes.
MIR. Hunter submitted resolution calling upon
the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Sen
ate the amount standing to the credit of the United
States at the end of the last fiscal year. at each Of
the several repositories of the United States and the
amount of warrants issued prior to July l, 1885, on
which the drafts of the Treasurer were unpaid &c.
Mr.. Benton's resolution calling for copies of cor
respondence relating to the Contoy prisoners, and
the invasion of Cuba, taken up and adopted.
Mr.. Smith resumed and concluded his remarks in
support of the bill providing for the ascertainment
and payment of the claims of American citizens for
spolations by the French prior to 1901 after which
the Senate adjourned till Monday
House OF REPREsENTATIFEs.--TheH House went
into committee of the whole the postage BILL and
after amendment and discussion the committee rose
and reported the bill to the House.
The Clerk then read the bill as amended, which
had passed the committee of which the following is
the substance
Section the first provides that after the Goth June 1851
the postage letter through the mail and weigh
ing than half ounce shall be three cents
for every additional half fraction Of halt
ounce that post Office mail route shall be discontinued
and that the compensation of shall be dm-
ished in consequence of the passing of the act.
Section the second fixes the postage newspapers
zines, and other periodicals and printed books
for every newspaper &c. Weighing two ounces an add
tona cent for every additional ounce and that books weigh
ing not thirty be deemed mailable matter 1t
further provides that newspapers circulated within the State
Territory where printed shall pay half such postage and
when mailed within the county, within thirty miles of
place where printed shall circulate free of postage when
sent to subscribers direct further when the
magazines and other periodicals shall have been prepaid
such postage shall be reduced onehalf
Section the third prescrbes that coin Of three cents
value shall be prepared with metallic inscription.
ourths of silver and oneourh Of "copper" weigh twelve
and three-ei hhs of grain which shall be legal tender
in all sums under thirty cents.
Section fourth requires the Postmaster General furnish
the several postmastes with three stamps supplied
to persons wishing to purchase and declares
forging such stamps or having in his possession for
purpose of passing them genuine shall pay fine of $780,
or be imprisoned five years in lieu thereof
Section the fifth authorizes the appropriation of million
and half of dollars any temporary reduction
that arise owing to the passing of the
Section the sixth provides for the publication of lists Of I'M
claimed letters i'll paper having the greatest circulation
and that should the publisher of such paper to
the list he shall be deprived of the free exchange papers,
and other benefits which the act may confer.
Section the seventh authorizes the Postmaster General to
establish post routes and offices of deposit and delivery and
the appointment of carriers in cities and large towns who
shall deliver letters at charge not exceeding two cents
EACH provided the compensation allowed shall exceed
the receipts.
A motion was here made to lay the bill on the ia
ble for the purpose of preventing further discussion
which was carried, 139 to 81.
The first section of the bill, as amended, was then
read by the clerk, and was carried by majority of
121 to 49,
The other clauses of the bill were passed without
any serious objection with the exception of the last
which authorizes the establishment of post routes in
towns and cities, upon which the ayes and nays
taken and it was carried by majority Of LOG to 49,
The previous question was carried, and the ayes
and nays demanded on the passage of the BILL which
was passed by a vote of $50 to Is.
The House then adjourned till tomorrow