The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-11
I III IL Il Y-F II 4 & q N q II b.
SECOND SESSION.


| aN ~ MONDAY, Feb. IL, 1851.
| Among the memorials presented this morning
| Mr.. MASON pr scented one, signed by a ma
iority Of the members of the Virginia legislature
| and the Virginia State convention, in favor o
the Ebony line Of steamships to the coast 0
Africa, TO aid in the cause OF the American Colo
nization society.
Mr.. MASON said that he regarded this me
mortal, M embracing the individual opinions o
the members, and not in the light of instruc
tons by the legislature in its official capacity. :
He did not concur ia the recommendations o
this memorial. 1t was a question Of doubt a
least, as to the propriety Of this government
spending money, directly or indirectly, in Tia
deportation Of free people of color to Africa.
The memorial was referred to the COMMITTEE
on Commerce, and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. HALE presented several petitions, signet
by some thousands Of citizens of Massachusetts
including Mr. Charles Francis Adams, son O
the late Ex-President John Quincy Adsms
and grandson of the late Ex-President, John
Adams, and also by a number of clergyman
praying the repeal OF the Fugitive slave law
Laid upon the table.
On motion Of Mr. GWIN, the Committee on
Finance were instructed to inquire into the ex.
pediency OF so amending the tariff laws, as Ia
ssssH'0 HVu' iiOHi any paw vi Iio 4 dthC SOh"t
into any part Of the United States free Of duty
(Of course, the inquiry relates exclusively to the
foreign flour required for the subsistence of the
thrifty State of California. HH
number Of other resolutions were submit
ted, which lie over.
FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
1Mr. BRIGHT introduced bill amendatory of
the Fugitive slave law. The bill provides that
prosecutions commenced under the act of 1893,
before the passage of the late law, may be con-
tinued the same as if the act of 1850 had not
been passed The bill was referred to the Com
mittee on the Judiciary.
The bill to enforce discipline, and to promote
good conduct in the naval service of the United
States, was read third time and passed.
Also, the joint resolution changing the mode
Of appointing the clerks of the treasurers' OF
the Mint of the United States.
The resolution providing for the distribution
Of the annals of Congress, was taken upon its
third reading.
Mr.. AUGUSTUS DODGE moved to recon-
nit the resolutions with instructions to enquire
into the expedcncy Of quashing the contract
under which these documents are printed. lie
estimated they would cost some Ss250,OO0 to
print them.
After debate by Messrs. DoDGE, PEARcE, JET
fERsos DAVIS, and others, the motion to recon-
NIT was rejected, and the resolution was passed
Deficiencies
Onmotion Of Mr. HUNTER, the Senate took
up the House bill, making certain appropriations
to the extent of a million and more, to meet de-
fciences in the regular bills of appropriations,
made Mt the last session for the expenses of the
current year. bf
Several amendments reported from the Fl
nance Committee were agreed to.
Mr.. HUNTER next moved an item of 1874
GOA 33, in liquidation Of the claims of the East
ern Cherokec Indians.
Mr.. WALKER moved further to amend so
rs that the money shall be paid to the tribe per
capita, instead Of being turned over to their
agents. oa s..tr
A long debate ensned by Messrs BELL,
WALKER, BUTLER, BoRLAND, CLAY, TuRHEy,
and Others participating, after which, Mr.. WALK
ER's motion was rejected, and the amendment
was agreed to.
An amendment for $4,000 incidental ex-
penses in the management of the ten millions
OF Texas indemnities, was agreed to-
And after the consideration d some other
amendments,
The Senate adjourned.