The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-21
DOUBLE SHEET.
NEWS BY APH.
CHIRTF-FIRsr CONGRESS-.
SECOND SESSION.

BY MoRsEs MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH
OFFICE coRrEa OF BEAvER HANOVER STREETS.
WASHINGTON, February 20, 1851.
PETITIONS, REVOLUTIONS, AND REPORTS.
Mr.. UsDERwooD presented petition from Aueghany
Dennsy for modification of the tariff and for
Che imposition Of tax of hundred dollars on each
migrant, as protection to American labor.
Mr. DICKINSON presented petition from the Author.
<ies of Brooklynin favor of line of to Africa
lie of opinion that the condition of the free blacks
could not be amsliorated while they remained in this
country and the petition to tho fsvors
5le consideration Of the Senate.
MT SEWARD presented q petition from Clintonville
Hamilton county, N. Y, and of seventy Ave men and
seventy i've women, of Jay, New York for the unoon
ditional repeal Of the fugitive slave law On motion
che petition was laid on the table,
Nr. CoorER presented petitions Of like character
which also tabled
great number of other petitions were also pre-.
Mr. OoorKR presented resol atons OF the Legislature
Of Pennsyvana, In favor OF line of steamers from
Norfolk to Antwerp, and from San Francisco to Shang
sundry reports upon private claims, &C., were pre-
cented; after which the bill granting
LAND MISSOURI FOR RAlLRoAD PURPOSES
Was taken up. II sppropriates alternate sections
oad from st. Louis to the limits OF the State
The bill was ordered to be engrossed.
As returned from the Heuse with amendments to
Che 6enato's amendments, was taken up, and the
amendments (Which relate to Cherokee ciAims),
CREDITS ON IMroRrArIoss OF IRON
MT TunrEy called up the bill allogin credit of
Jour years for duties on railroad iron imported By the
Tennesses and Georgia Railrosd Company; but after
long debate the bill again laid upoa the table
and the senate took up the bill reistingto
HOSTAGES AND THE
Mr. 6orLr moved to add to the eighth section of
lir. Rusks bill, (Which authorises the Postmaster
General to contract and make arrangements for
trsniperting mails through any foreign country by
such transient or other vessels as may be running
between the United States and foreign ports) that
any such contract shall be for four years, and by
tract to be modified or abrogsed at the discretion OF
.he Postmaster Genera and proposals. for such con-
tract to be advertised ninety days
After debate Mr.. Soulse motion adopted.
Mr. SKwARp moved to amend Mr.. Rusk's subs.i-
euts for the House bill by adding thereto section
post routes In cities for conveying letters to the post
oioes, by establishing convenient places OF dspo,
Mr. Rus. said the power already ez'stsd, and the
amendment was rejected.
Mr.. MILLER meved to amend by making the rate
of postage all letters over half an ounce three
cents, whether prepaid or not.
MT BELL made speech against any change in the
The amendment was rejected, only ten voting in
Mr. BnApBuRr moved an amendment abolishing the
ranking privilege after December next. IL this were
done, the mails would be relieved of cumbersome
Improbable matter, and book publications by Con-
gress would be checked.
Mr.: JrrrEKsOs DAVIS tltughs the amendment pro-
posed even handed justice.
Mr RcsK would support such a measure II pro perly
prepared. The amendment only affected members Of
Congress.
Mr JEFFERSON DAVIS thought il the members Of Con-
sress tosk the beam out OF their eyes, tho moat
In the eyes Of others would soon be asc covered
Mr. DAYror said that as the amendment did not
operate till December he could speak disnterest-
ed witness He thought the frankias privilege
bene6t to the people.
MIR. Dowss opposed the amendment.
Mr.. HAaLrS supported 1t
Mr.. BADGER moved to adjourn, bot the motion was
Cost
Mr. PtEEcr opposed the amen dment.
Mr. CAss raid the franking was y privilege Of the
people, and not Of the representatives,
Mr.. Hale supported the amendment. II petitions
charged letter postage perhaps that would quiet
che agitation Of slavery ana out the promise
lie in favor of abolition, even II nothing abo
Zished except the frankiDg privilege
The amendment was lost--feas 10; nays, 81.
The Senate then adjourned.