New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-04
xxxr.t CONGREss.....s Second Session


SENATE. :. WASHINGTON, Friday, Jan. s.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate the report Oh
the War Department, inclosing an account OF
expenses for arms and repairingot arms. Oroer-
ed to be printed. tE
A resolution was presented directing the publ
cation of all laws and parts OF laws ana lnss'I "
tions of the Secretaries Of the Treasury and IN
terror Departments and the Commissioner oil the
Land Office and all opinions OF General-Attornles
relating TO the Public Lands q,
MIR. WALKER opposed the printing, and alluded
to the charge Of $4,000 for printing document
Of l63 pages. The Senate should be careful In
ordering printing.
Mr. BADGER said that the public printer was
fairly and Justly entitled to the full amount Of the
sum charged. Mr. BORLASD held very different
view Of the subject
The resolution was postponed till to morrow.
The bill for the relief of Ira Day OF Vermont,
mail contractor, yesterday ordered to be en-
crossed coming up the question OF passage
Mr. DAWSON opposed the bill, and long debate
ensued after which the bill passed
The bill to ascertain and settle private land
claims in California was taken up. The question
pending was on Mr.. BBNToE's proposed subst-
tute.
Mr.. BENTON then addressed the Senate in ex
PLANTATION and support of his bill, which provides
for the appointment of Recorders of Land Titles
in California, who shall visit sll parts OF that
State, collect all public archives relating to land
grants and also collect all evidences oil private
land titles and who shall record the same In all
towns, cities, villages and pueblas and missions,
and all individuals claiming land by any grant
whatever shall present evidence OF their title to
the Recorder, upon notice given to that effect by
the Recorder When these are recorded, an a0.
stract Of ull the titles DO sons 60 the Osnoral
Land Office the Recorder and District Attorney
TO examine all titles, and in each case which they
deem invalid the claimant TO be Summoned by
sciye fdcids to show why bis title should not
be cancelled all decisions on claims to be gov
erned by the terms of the Treaty with Mexico, the
terms Of the law OF nations. the usages and Gus
toms of the Governments who made the grants,
the Proclamations OF the various American OH
GERS the decisions of the Supreme Court and the
law of prescription in favor OF pOssessory rights,
and in the same manner as if the question was
between individuals. The bill also confines the
grants TO towns and cities made by the Mexican
Captain Generals confirms General Kearney s
grants but reserves for further action by Congress
all grants made by other American officers; the
decision of the scTe faci0S to be conclusive in ia
vor oftbe claimantin every Ease except the claims
of John Charles Fremont, in whose cases appeal
on either side is allowed the salary Of Recorder
and Clerk left blank District Attorney for ser
vices under this act TO receive 81 600 additional
to his present compensation.
Mr. BENTON amplified his remarks OF yesterday,
and read large extract from Jones's Report on
California Land Titles, to sustain his several po-
| sitions.
Mr. RFNToN continued hia remarks the gan
eraI character of the and Patents in California
| till O minutes past o'clock, when the Senate
adjourned to Monday.