The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-01-18
SArIlnnAN- Inn IL

SATURDAY, Jan. II,
llOusE.-Mr Phelps introduced n Till grant.
ing ain lands ia Missouri for rail road pnr-
poses, which was referred TO the Committee
ON Public Lands.
The House then went into Committee Of
the Whole,and resumed the consideration OF
the Cheap POSTAGE Bill
Mr. Morse, of La, advocated three cents
ON lrltcrs prepaid, and five cents. on letters
not prepaid, lie opposed uniform rate of
five cents which he thought would dimin-
i-h the revenues of the Post Office Depart
mcnt
- Mr. Aatti~un rHid that while gentlemen
were discussing the abstract question, the
7 people of all sections of the country were de-
handing n redu ction of postage. II gentle
men supposed that the many memorials on
the subject cmanated from any particular
place. they were mistaken. They came from
all sections and classes in New York. lie
gave notice of amendments which he intend
ed to offer, and opposed the abolition of the
ranking privilege. He would go for the alb
clifton of the franking privilege. He would
90 for the lowest rate of postage he could
get
Mr. Durham was in favor of n uniform
rate of five cents, and il the experiment sue
ssr-ruuiri -ryITTr- yiBwn tower.
MONDAY, Jan. II.
NIcssrs Turpey and John Davis presented
petitions OF inventors relative Ia amendment
of Patent laws.
Mr. Seward presented the petition of 800
ctizcps in favor of free grants of public land
10 actual scttlcrs.
Mr. Cooper presented three petitions from
Delaware and Chester counties Pa, asking
the Immediate repeal of the fugitive slave
law. He said it was the invariablc rule with
him, whenever any petition was respectful in
terms, aud was in the Legitimate power of
Congress- to present it, He was informed
the petitioners were highly respectable, but
he believed that in this petition they ask that
which the people of PENNSYLVANIA generally
did not desire. lie believed the great body
OF the people of Pennsylvania are satisfied
with the settlement of the subject of slavery
made at the last session and do not desire that
it should be disturbed they desire that the
acts of the last session may be carried out in ,
good faith. The petition was referred to the /
Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Cooper presented n number of petitions
against extending the area of slavery. lie
also gave notice of bill to change the mode ,
of collecting duties on imports from foreign |
countries.
The bill granting to Wisconsin donation /
Of public lands To supply deficiency in for /
mcr grants, Tor purposes OF Internal improve
mcnt, ordered on Friday to be cngrosscd was I
taken up and passed. ----
i0lnf resolution from the House, authorizing (
the assignment of military land warrants
MIR Walker opposed the motion. The (
bill 20 ccde public lands to the several States
was fixed for today, and he hoped it would be .
taken UP
MIR Smith was in favor Of the Joint rosolu-
ton, but opposed to taking-t up today. The I
bill relating to public lands was a special or
dcr,and the Senators from Michigan and Wis
consin were prepared 20 speak, and would be
done their remarks today. The bill pro,id-
ing for French spolation claims was also fix
ed for today but he wuutd not insist upon 1
the latter bill today, because the probability {
was that the land bill would be dis posed of ,
He would insist every day, and would mott
permit any other bill to interfere with the
consideration of the spoiation bill. He would {
call it rsp tomorrow aud every day thereafter
until disposed Of The claimants had been
long waiting, and Congress should do some {
thing for them. /
The question was taken on Mr. Underwood v
motion. Lost-ayes "a, nays 25. n
The Till TO cede the public lands of the T. III
nited States to the States respectively in u
which they are situated, under certain condi d
tons, was taken up. 81
Mr. Fitch, in statistical speech, showed h
the condition of the public lands as a source h
Of revenue, and spoke In opposition 10 the g
bell Without concluding,thc Senate aoiourna55 y
cd. W
HousE-Last Monday- MIR -Cahh, of Ala /
hama, moved to reconsider the vote by which
tho House refused to suspend the rules, 90 "a
enable Mr. Julian to introduce a memorial n
i1mi the Anti Slavery Friends of Indiana, az
,skinga repeal of the Fugitive Slave law =
! his morning. the speaker decided that Mr.
ohbs motion could not be made. nh
Mr. Baylcy asked unanimous consent to in 4;
reduce resolution making the Military A. \,
dcmy, Revolutionary Pension, Navy Pen "
ION, and Indian department appropriation til
l.isthc oiyicr the Iav tom0rrowf to bc con RI