The republic., 1851-02-17
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY Is, 1851.
SENATE.


The CHAIR laid before the Senate message
from the President of the United States in answer
to resolution of the Senate, calling Tor informa-
tion relative to contract alleged 10 have been
made by Mr.. ]. ID. Marks with the Mexican govern
ment, and transmitting report from the Secrc-
tary of State and some accompanying documents.
The Secretary of State says there is no correspond
in relation to said contract in the Department
but encloses a copy Of q note from the Mexican
minister, stating that, under a contract with the
government of Mexico, Mr.. Forstall has ad
vanced six hundred and fifty thousand dollars to
Mexico on account of the instamcnt due 3lst May
next. under the treaty Of Guadalupe Hdalgo.
Also, a message from the President, trAnsmit-
ting. in compliance with resolution OF the Senate
the required correspondence in relation to the Br-
tiah ship Albion, seized in Oregon for an alleged
violation Of the revenue laws
Also, report by the Secretary Of State relative
TO the resolution Of the Senate calling for nforma
ton az to the expediency Of adopting graduated
scale Of diplomatic salaries. The Secretary states
thai the information will be communicated at the
next sesson.
Also, reports by the Secretary of the Navy and
the Secretary Of the Treasury, in relation to a
proposed transfer of the administration of the coast
survey from the Treasury to the Navy Depart
nent.
All of which were ordered 10 be printed.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
Mr.. CHASE presented seven petitions Of citi-
zens OF Ohio, praying the immediate repeal OF the
Fugitive Slave law; which were laid on the table,
oRHGos AND MNsxsorA.
tories, reported back House bill to authorize the
Legislative assemblies of Oregon and Minnesota to
take charge Of the school lands in these Territories
and on motion the bill was considered and passed.
Mr.. d., from the same committee, reported
back bill from the House, allowing the said
legislatures, during their sessions, to appoint an
additional clerk; and the bill was considered and
pessed.
JOSEPH
MIR. JONES, from the Committee on Pensions,
repor,ed DaGk House bill granting pension TO
Joseph b. ward with an amendment granting a
the amendment was agreed to-; and the bill was
ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
REVOLUTIONS.
MIR. DAVIS, of Mississippi. submitted the follow
ing resolution, which lies over:
Resoiped, That the Secretary Of the Senate be in
structed to require the proprietors Of the daily pa
pers employed TO print the current debates Of the
Senate to publish the same a: furnished by the re-
porters, without alteration being made by any
other person in their manuscript; and that much
of the resolutions of the lIth August ls45, and o
the oath February, lS49. as authorizes the pubca
ton of ofspeeches revised written out by Senators
shall be. and is hereby rescinded.
MIR GwIN submitted the following resolution
which was agreed TO:
Resolved That the Committee on Commerce b
instructed to inquire into the expediency of direct
ing the secretary OF the Senate to purchase, for h
of the Senate setts Of the recent surveys of h
waters OF the bay Of San Francisco and river Sa
crnmcnto, by Commander Z. Ringgold, u. N.
MIR. BORLAND submitted the following rssou
iion, which was considered by unanimous consen mt
and agreed to.
ResoIred, that the Secretary Of War be directed
TO inform the Senate what the rules which
govern details in the corps Of Typographical En-
gineers and also to communicate a statement o
the duties which each officer of said corps ha
bsen employed since 1893.
Mr.. CHASE submitted the following resolution
which was agreed to:
Resofred, that the Secretary Of the Treasury b
requested to ascertain and report to tho senat
what amount Of the stock Of the Louisville ant
Portland Canal Company subscribed for b.
the United States what additional stock has bscI