Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-01-24
THIRTY-FIRsT coNGREss--aD SESSION.
MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1851.
SENATE

MONDAY, JANUARY 2U 1851.
SENATE.
Mr. Hamln presented petition, praying the repeal of tho
fugitive law, which was laid on the table.
Mr. Berien reported back the bill ascertain and settle
private land claims In California with substitute Tor the
same, and It fixed for Monday next.
Mr. Clay submitted resolution, which lays over, direct
ing enquiry by the committee on commerce into the expo
dency Of making eectual provisions by law 10 pre-
the employment of American vessels and seamen In the
African slave trade and especially to the expedlency Of
granting letters other evidence Of national character
American vessels clearing of Brazilian ports for the
western coast of Africa.
Mr. Seward inroduceda Joint resolution directing that in
tns purchases Of manufactured steel by the government
American manufactured steel shall have The preference.
Ewing submitted resolution directing the committee
9s @ - enquire whether the first section Of The act Of
oep 81 9so' providing for the construction OF dry dock
OH Tue coast cannot be amended large
= o, money in the construction of said work.
without deHacung from its utility This resolution
adopted, but subsequently, On motion of Mr. Gwin II was
reconsidered, and the resolution ies over.
The bill from tho House reduce ,he noo,, oa m a,,es
&C., referred to the committee post offices and post
roads.
The Senate then took up the bin providing fr ,hs nav
of the claims of American citizens for spoliuons by
the French prior TO 1900.
Mr.. Hunter addressed the Senate til, o'clock In oppos
| ton to the bill.
And then, motion of Mr. Seward, the Senate adjourn
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Dir. Hammond presented petition Of hundred and
farmers mechanics and wokingmen of both political
PARTIES citizens of Baltimore county, Nd representing the
greatly depressed condition of cotton manufacturing and
other interests of that county, which they believe arises
from the want of proper modification Of the tariff laws;
and praying that said laws be modified by Congress-
which was referred the committee ways and means
After the presenting of petitions the House was occupied
for time In disposng OF motions 10 suspend the rules
for the purpose receiving and acting upon resolutions
The bill then taken up having for its object to ensure
the prompt execution of tho act passed last session. granting
bounty lands to officers and soldiers who have been engaged
in the military service of the U. States.
Mr.. McCieand of Illinois, moved amendment which
excited considerable discussion for securing 10 registers and
receivers several land Offices for their services IN To-
eating military and bounty land tenants, from persons
applying locate the sane fee at the rate OF twenty-five
forty located provided that the salary
Of each Of such registers and receivers shall in case e1
coed $4,000 per annum.
The chief ground upon which the payment of the fee was
supported the additional duty which the bounty land
law impossible requiring six times tho labor or
dnarly required when other lands applied for During
the debate this bill the Secretary of the Interior was at
tackled and supported the routine of tho pension Office was
copou.ly anadyersd upon and the nefciency Of the de-
partment condemned.
The tosr of three o'clock having arrived, motion was
made to adjourn The yeas and nays then called for
but sufficient number of members did for taking
the question in this way division was then moved and
there being SO in the affirmative and 40 in tho negative the
House adjourned till Tomorrow.