The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-27
i III X II Y-FIRST CON RESS.
SECOND SESSION.
IN SENATE

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SATURDAY, June IS, 1851
fetiiions were presented by Messrs. RUsK.
Gw'N, DICKINSON, CLEMENs, WMrnnoP, aud
BENTON
Sundry reports from standing committees were
made on private cases or local subjects.
THE MISSISSIPPI.
On motion of MIR. DOWNS, the Secretary Of
war was requested to furnish the Senate with
Mr.. Elletts report in reference to the deepening
the mouths Of the Mississippi.
A large number Of private bills were reported
from the House.
GRANTS OF PUBLIC LANDS
On motion of Mr.. YULEE, a bill was taken
up TO equaze the grants Of public lands to the
several States in which the public domain is
situated.
Mr.. YULEE explained the object ofthis bin to
be to grant such additional lands to the other new
states as shall raise the whole proportion they
snail receive 10 an aggregate equal the proper
ion received by the State of Indiana. In order
to make the matter more specific, he offered the
following amendment:
That is to say, to the State of Ohio one hun
dred and nineteen thousand nine hundred and if-
tyeight acres; to the State Of Illinois two million
one hundred and seventy-sx thousand nine hun
dred and twelve acres; to the State of Missouri
tao million six hundred ard seventy-two thou
sand two hundred and ten acres; to the State Of
Alabama one million seven hundred and ifty-f ou,
thousand eight hundred and forty eight acres; 10
the State of Mississippi one million two hundred
and thrty-three thousand four hundred and
eighty-two acres; to the State Of Louisiana one
million two hundred and forty thousand i've hum
dred and nlnety-seven acres; to the State Of
Michigan two million two hundred and seventeen
thousand eight hundred and seventeen acres; to
the State Of Arkansas two million twentv-nine
thousand nine hundred and ninety-six acres; to
me State Of Florida two million two hundred and
h'rty-fve thousand -four hundred and forty mine
acres to the State of Iowa one million six hun
dred and forty-two thousand four hundred and
seven acres; to the State of Wisconsin one mil
hon seven hundred and ffty-one thousand two
hundred and seventy-one acres"
After some remarks between Messrs BENroN,
HALE, and YULEE, the bill, for the present, was
laid on the table.
LIABILITIES OF SHIP OWNERS.
On motion Of Mr.. HAMLIN the bill was taken
up to limit the liabilities of ship owners, but aft err
some conversational discussion on the important
changes proposed by the bill in the existing laws,
between Meesres. HAMLrs, BADGER, HALE, and
BUTLER, the bill was laid upon the table.
BILLS PASSED.
A bill granting land to the States of Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Illinois, to aid in the cons,ruc-
ton of certain railroads therein mentioned, and
several private bills.
The amendment OF the House to the bill for the
relief of Charlotte Lynch was concurred in by the
Senate.
PATENT LAWS.
On motion OF Mr.. TURNEY, the bill for
amending the Patent laws was taken up and made
the special order for Tuesday next.
OREGON WAX BILL
On motion Of Mr.. DOUGLAS, the Senate pro-
ceeded to consider bill providing the payment of
1000 for the Cayuse Indian war expenses to
the people of the territory of Oregon.
Mr.. DOUGLAS explained the history of this
war and the justice of the bill; and ii was ordered
to third reading.
The bill providing for three collection districts
IN Oregon to wit, Umpqua, Puget's Sound, and
the Columbia river. Alter explanation by Mr..
HAmLrH, the bill was ordered to third reading.
SIOUX INDIAN LANDS.
On motion Of MIR. ATCHISON, the Senate
took up the bill providing for the purchase Of GER
tain lands Of the halfbreed Sioux Indians. These
lands lie west Of the Mississippi river, on Lake
pePin, In Minnesota territory, and comprise,
tract 80 miles by Is. The price proposed to be
paid is 60 cents per mere, requiring an appropria-
ton of 500 900.
The bill was advocated by Mescrs. ATcH,sos,
DopcE of Wis. ,CAss, JONES, and DopGE of Iowa,
and opposed by Messrs. HuSTEa and JEFFERSON
DAVIS, when, on motion of Mr. HUNTER, the bill
was laid upon the tnble--yeas 81; nays II.
wIpows' PENSIONS.
On motion Of Mr. HALE, the House bill was
to the five years pensions Of widows Of army Of
fcers, &c. The bill repeats the construction Of
the law at the department, limiting these pensions
to peculiar cases; thus extending the benefits oflhe
law &c all the widows Of officers dying in the SER
vice, or from any disabilities in the service.
Mr.. DAWSON opposed the bill
Mr.. HALE advocated il.
Mr.. BENTON remarked that there could be no
end to this extension Of pensions, nor could we
provide for all cases il extended them to the
day ofjudgement; for those that might come up the
day after would be too late
Mr.. UNDERWOOD seconded the opposition
TO the bill. in q regular speech, setting forth the
history Of the Legislation on pensions, us very
well calculated to show that Congress was be-
coming charity institution for the support Of a
constantly increasing swarm Of drones and loaf.
ers Of ell kinds
The bill Mt length was laid upon the table
And the Senate went into Executive session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
SATURDAY, Jan. 25, 1851
Mr.: BAYLY moved TO go into Committee of