Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-01-24
THIRTY-TIRsT CoNGREss--2D SESSION.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY %, iSal.
SENATE

Mr. Seward presented petitions praying the repeal
of the Fugitive Slave Law which laid on the table
Mr. Iulcc reported bill giving naval surgeons, when
performing duty shore the sano rutions allow
ed military officers Of the army, und II was ordered be
enprossed.
Mr. Fooc reported bill re-orsanze the State Depar,.
ment.
Mr. Cllys resolution directing inquiry by the commit
commerce into the expectancy Of making eec
provision for suppression Of the African slave trade
and especially into the proprey of refusing letters
American vessels trading between Rio anciro and the West
ern Coast Of Africa, was taken up.
Mr. Hale read publication In the morning papers which
pledged the sgner Of IT, being members Of Congress- TO
support for the Office Of President Vice President,
Senator member CT Congress- member OF State Legs-
aturc who in favor disturbing the compromise acts
of the last session He said this resolution commenced the
agitation Of slavery and ne feared the sgnsrs Of that
would themselves DO subject To its ostracism.
Mr.. Clay replied defending his resolution and ayowed
himself sgnc Of The paper alluded 10, and his determine
ton 10 carry out the pledge.
Mr. Foo.e followed defending the paper and avowing him
SELF one OF the sgners.
The debate further continued and the resolution
adopei-yeas 49, nays O. The nine were essrs Ben
ton Borland Butter, Davis of Miss Hale Rhett Soue,
| Turncy, Yulee.
The French spoation bill then taken up The ec.
venth section uppropatng $4,000 dcay the expenses
Of the board OF commissioners stricken out, to
prevent the necessity OF its Being referred 10 the committee
Of the whole in the House
Mr. Rusk moved IL amend il by providing that OF the
five millions should be paid any assignee usurer and
after long debate this was reJected-yeas % nays 80
The Senate then adjourned
short discussion took place Il motion refer bill
reported by committee authorizing an individual In Ohio 10
locate land which had been assigned In
good faith but which we're imperative, owing 10 the ab
of witnesses 10 the Instruments which the lave pre-
scrbes
third reading.
Another Land BILL granting preempton persons settled
lands In Louisiana the grants Tor which are at present
con tested before the Supreme Court of The United States
The object of this bill is give the right Of preempon 10
the occupants of the land in question: in case an adverse
decision in the Supreme Court and other
in that case from settling and purchasing the same.
The bill was then read third time and passed.
joint resolution was read which had been reported by
the Judiciary Committee in favor of printing and binding
10 the opinions the Attorney General of the United States
subsequent e tho expense Of which is estimated at
IS 600
amendment the object Of which, he stated TO have the
opinions of the Attorney Generals since 1910 furnished the
House. precisely they were for the preceding period upon
motion made by himself during former session. and which
we're supplied through the abors Of copying clerk TO be
deposited in the archives Of the House, whereas the object
Of the resolution which had been reported by the judiciary
committee u.s. that Congress should subscribe 10 certain
amount be paid from the public treasury for the pubca
ton of book Of the magnitude ofwhich no estimate could
1T present BE- formed and towards which the IS 6UO
was proposed 10 be- applied.
At the conclusion OF Mr. McLanes remarks Mr.. Blyly,
of Virginia. moved that the House resolve itself into com.
mtec OF The whole the State Of tho Unon which was
agreed to; and Mr. Meade Of Virgins, took the chair OF the
committee
The deficiency ILL then taken up, and Mr. Robinson
of Indiana into general review Of the Pension d.
parnent; the general Impression being, from what
10 be collected from explanations from other members
sel as what stated by that gentleman that the depart
men is very inefficient state; and it was asserted that
the duties formerly better performed BY the Secretary
Of War.
Mr. Hampton of Pennsylvania, followed in long speech,
Astounding statistical information connected with the iron
interests his State whore he stated about 500 900 persons
arc dependent upon The iron works for support OF cousc
his object was recommend increase of the present tn
riff which he said hc wished modified improve all
other interests.
4 good Impotence manifested during the reading
of this speech particularly after three O'Clock had arrived,
the usual hour of adjournment and when he had finished