The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-05
THIRTY-rIRsT CONG RE = 3.
IN Sc TIE,

TUESDAY, Feb. 4, 1851.
| A large number Of petitions were presented this
morning, and among others,
| MIR. HALE presented petition from Msssa-
chusetts, for the repeal of the Fugitive slave law
Also, petition from citizens Of Danvers, in the
State Of Massaci usetts, praying to be relieved
from any responsibility ~ respect TO carrying out
the Fugitive slave law.
Mr.. WINTHROP, from the citizens Of Massa-
chusetts. also presented a petition for the repeal
| Of the Fugitive slave law. Laid upon the table
Mr.. BORLAND presented memorial from
citizens Of Arkansas, praying that steps may be
taken for the acquisition by this Government oil
the island OF Cuba. Referred TO the Committee
Of Foreign Relations.
Also memorial from sixteen members OF the
Arkansas legislature, praying Congress to make
| donation Of land to COL Samuel Washington, a
relative Of General George Washington. The
memorial sets forth that Col. Washington il now
citizen Of Arkansas, is old, has large family,
and is very poor. He 10 the gentleman from
whom Congress received, few years ago, the
sword Of Washington. and the staff of Franklin.
Referred to the Committee on Public Lands.
THE REVENUE LAWS
| On motion of Mr.. HUNTER, the Senate took up
the following bill;
An act to amend the acts regulating the sp
praisement of imported merchandise, and for othe
purposes.
MIR. HUNTER explained the bill and the ur
gent necessity for such u law. Up to q very re
cent date the circular letter of Mr. Secretar,
Walker had been the guide Of the Treasury agent
in the collection OF the customs; which letter wal
IN conformity with the terms Of this bill. But
late decision Of the Supreme court had made tn
law to stand upon the valuation 0fimports accord
ing to their market price at the time and plac
when and where first purchased for expectation
Under this decision the most runous conse
m hal fha bpu iu,vc rfin
chants, while the treasury would severely fee
the effects in the decrease Of its revenues. Mr.
HUNTER went on to define the objects Of the seve-
raj provisions of the bill
Mr.. WINTHROP did not intend to oppose
this bill but he declared it to be inadequate to the
wants of the country. Something more for the
encouragement Of home industry is required. -
And the idea that the immense ruins Of imports
coming into the country was an evidence Of unu-
sual prosperity, would be found to be delusion.
We are already $50 0O0, 900 in debt for imported
goods. We might postpone payday by stocks
and notes and loans for awhile, but the day would
! come; and financial and commercial revoslon
would follow.
Mr.. PEARCE submitted remark or two,
when
The bill, on the appeal Of Mr.. Hunter, being
amended IN several unlmportant particulars, was
read a second and third time, and passed.
CALIFORNIA LAND TITLES.
The Senate next resumed the unfinished bust
ness of Friday last, being the bill providing a
board of three commissioners, for the ascertain
ment and settlement ofland titles and land claims
in the State Of California
Several amendments by Mr.. BENTON, Mr.. WALK
Err, and Mr.. BALDWIN, were considered and dis
posed Of, when the bill was reported to the SEN
ate, and concurred in, as heretofore amended, and
ordered to be engrossed lor a third reading,
And the Senate adjourned.