New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-30
xxxI.t CONGRESS-. Second Session

SENATE. WAsHIssros, Wednesday, Jss- o.
MIR. HALE presented petitions from Pennsyiya.
the Fugitive Slave Law and all other Laws en-
couraging and supporting Slavery Laid on the
table.
Mr. CLAY presented petition from the Clerks
in the Louisville Post OF flee, and Mr.. WINTHROP
petition from the Clerks in the Boston Post
Office, asking an increase Of compensation.
Other petitions were presented
Mr.. RUsK reported back the bill reducing rates
of Postage and asked that it be taken up in order
to have it fixed for some day.
Mr. CLEMENS objected, and the bill goes on TO
the calendar.
The bill for the Relief of the Virginia Wooden
Company, restoring amount Of damages for failure
of contract, was taken up, debated and postponed.
rne bill TO ascertain the amount of private land
claims was taken up.
The question pending was on the am endment Of
Mr. WAIVER, to add TO the 18th section that, "a
every case where Patent shall be issued, the
Patent shall operate only as REIMBURSEMENT OF the
United States title.
Mr.. Baldwin moved to add to Mr. Walkers
amendment provision that this REIMBURSEMENT
of the title Of the United States shall enure ony
to the benefit of such person who has the best
title.
Mr.. WALKER accepted this as a modification
Of his amendment. After q long debate the
amendment was rejected-Yeas 81; Nays "a.
The 18th section Of the bill provides that In de-
Gliding on the validity OF claims, the Commission
ers and Courts shall be governed by the Treaty
OF Hidalgo, and Of that nation laws, usages and
customs OF Government from which the claim
derived, principally Of equity and decisions OIL
Supreme Courts, so far as applicable.
MIR. Benton moved 70 add 20 this as follows;
"end the laws of prescription in favor OF possesso-
ry rights az applied to individuals" Mr. Benton
said this was one Of the good things contained 10
all the other bills, and which the Committee had
nffC ro mt Ha cd al
stored. He explained that this principle il pat Ia
the bill would be of no benefit to Mr.. Fremonts
claim.
Mr.. Underwood opposed the amendment.
Mr.. BESTOS replied.
Mr.. SoULE offered and Mt. Benton accept
ed instead Of his amendment the following;
Provided, however, that possession in good faith
within determined boundaries, for twenty years.
shall be pTinla fdcie evidence Of complete title
even against the United States"
After further debate, without taking vote, the
Senate adjourned.
The Senate Committee reported amendments
to the Postage bill fixing the rates Of prepaid let
tiers at 3 cents the half ounce and cents for ball
ounce letters not prepaid Postmasters comPen.
sation not TO exceed the amount of salary received
for the year ending June 80, 1851. The provisions
exemptiDg newspapers from postage for 80 miles,
and reduction Of so per cent. Of postage on
magazines, If prepaid, were stricken out. They
also strike out the provision taking away tho rigEs
Of free exchange from those papers refosingp
publish uncalled for letters.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The SPEAKER announced the pending question
to be on the motion of Mr.. JULIAN made yesser-
day, to reconsider the vote by which the House
referred 70 the Committee OF the Whole on the
State of the Union the bill reported from tie
Committee on Agriculture, to give farms free q
charge 70 the landless, on certain conditions
Mr. JULIAN proceeded to address the House o.
the question. He advocated the policy OF gviDg
Lands to actual settlers, and stated the genera
benefit which would accrue from il. The sunled
BY general consent was passed over
The Committee on Indian Affairs reported se'
erai private bills.
The House went into Committee on the Dshci
ency Bill.
The CHAIRMAs, Mr. Meade, stated the pendiDf
question to be the amendment Of Mr. Strong "
fesed yesterday TO amend the Tariff Lawr1
pronounced it to be out OF order. The amend,
ment was in violation Of the Common Las"
Parliament.
Mr. AsHmUS-Is appeal debatsble.
CHAIRMAE-lt 10 not. "a
Mr.. AsHMUS-Then l trust the Chairman VIZ
not make an argument.
The CHAIRMAN said he did not feel under ssy
obligation for the privilege Of making astafeme"
Of the grounds Of bis decision. -
MIR. HoLnEs-Has an argument been maos "
any onei
Mr. AsHmUS-No; should like to have
chance -.
The CHAIRMAN announced the grounds Of ns
decision In brief-thst the smendmect was en-
trary to Parliamentary law, irrelevant to toe v"