Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1851-02-28
CONGRESSIONAL.
W.snrxnroS. a.. a0.

SessTx.--,The cheap postage bill was under con-
sideEation to-day. The section establishing uni
form rate Of three cents on letters was roed dorm.
The Thanking privilege was retained
HogsE.-- Bills for The support Of The IVES, Point
Academy, The Indian Department and for the pay
ment Of pensions were passed to-day.
FRiDAY. Feb. 81.
SKSarx.--A communication was received from
the Indian bureau in reply 10 resolution OF the
Seasie,
Explanations we're made BY Messrs. Ewing, Tur-
ney. Gwin and Douglass, in regard 10 certain
charges made in the House last session against Mr.
Ewing while Secretary Of the Interior.
The message Of the President of the United States
10 reply 10 Me Clay 5 resolution was received and
read
AIR Clay addressed The Senate in support Of the
/ Recommendations Of tie President. He denounced
the proceedings of the negroes, and Of their white
| aiders and abettors.
Nj. Hale pronounced the proclamation OF the
/ President an unwise and weak affair. s
/ The debate was continued on the subject. Messrs
| Cas-. Dickinson and Clay declaring that dhe law
/ could, would and had been executed everywhere
except in Boston. Messrs. Mason and Butler de-
nying that the law had or could be executed under
tbs present state offeeIing in the North.
Mr.. Davis, Of Massachusetts, defended the legis
lasare oil Massachusetts and the conduct Of the
Mayer and City Marshal Of Boston.
Mf. Badger replied to Mr.. Davis; after which
The Senate adjourned.
HousE.-- Mr. Johnson, Of Tenn, offered an a
mehdment 10 the Constitution of the United States,
providing for the election Of President and Senator'S
BY the people which was referred. s.
Fstteea private bills were passed
The House then went into Committee of the
Whele, and took up the bill for the support of the
Post Office Department
After debate, this bill was passed, and the House
adjourned. :
sArrRpaY, Feb -
SESArs.-Hon. Mr.. Rantoul Appeared, took the
oath and was assigned his seat.
The Revolutionary Pension bill, and the Militia
ryAeadcmy Appropriation bills, were passed. a
The Senate then took up the motion to refer the
Presidents message in relation TO the tston riot
Mr. Downs addressed the Senate at length in
support Of the recent Compromise measures, con-
tending that the Fugitive Slave Law had been,
could and would be executed
Mr. Clemens followed He commended that the
Law had been executed. If it dead letter he
would moi hesitate to declare the day for dissou-
lion Ct the Union had arrived MODS had occurred
evkrywhcre but the laws in the end were trium.
plant.
Mr. Chase followed in opposition 70 the necessity
fot the proclamation OF the President
Mcssrs. Turney and Borland both discussed the
Compromise acts of the last session and pronounced
thHm failure.
Mr. Douglass replied in torcble speech, con-
tending that every man, whether officer citizen,
who refused to execute the law, was false TO his
country aud 10 his God.
Mr. Dodge followed on the same side
Mr. Cas- expressed himself strongly of the opin-
ion that the Compromise would be kept
Mr. Beuien got the floor and then the Senate
adjourned ill Monday at i o'clock.
HodsE.@Mr. Bayly, from the Committee Of
/ Ways and Means, reported bill making appro-
prIaton fos the support of The Navy for the year
ending June 80, 1852 which was referred te the
Committee Of the Whole on the state Of the Union.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of
the Whole on the state ofthe Union, and proceeded
Rnsesd ssses so he reported bach The Indian
appropriation bill, and il was passed.
Several resolutions OF inquiry were submitted
and adopted one of Them calling for the proceedings
Of The cour, martial in the Of Commodore Jones
The Postage Bill from the House was then up.
After consideration, il was reported TO the Senate.
The amendment allowing weekly papers TO cir
culAte free of postage within the county where pub
lished was adopted yeas-23 nays 10. -
After other amendments were adopted and hume
rous others rejected, the substitute proposed by Mr..
Rubk was adopted in the place OF the house bill by
vbie of 81 yeas to is nays.
The Senate then took up the reference Of the
Presidents message.
Mr. Bcrren was in favor of allowing the Presi-
dent the power he asked.
Mr.. Rhett followed in opposition to the Copstita-
tiohality OF. any fugitive slave law BY Congress
Ii was the duty the States to that duty by
surendering fugitive slaves,
Mr. Clay replied-and was fo!lowedby Messrs
John Davis; Jefferson Davis and Downs.
The message was then referred, and the Senate
adjourned.
| House. The House was occupied in Committee
Of The Whole on the state Of the Union-Mr. Burt
in The chair--and proceeded to the consideration of
| the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill
TUESDAY, Feb 25, 1851.
| SENATG-The River and Harbor bill was repor-
ted back
| Several private bills were taken up and passed.
| Mr. Davis, OF Mississippi, called up the bill to
establish an asylum fer disabled soldiers Of The u
States, and it was ordered to be engrossed for a
| third reading.
| The Postage bill was postponed till tomorrow.
/ The Senate, after Executive session, adjourned.
/ HoCsE OF REPREsExTATivEs.-The House re-
solged itself into a committee Of the whole on the
state Of the Union, when the remaining items ofthe
civil and diplomatic bill were proceeded WITH and
several amendments were passed, which had been
| recommended by the committee Of ways aud means.
/ tH
FUGITIVE SLAVE CASE IN BOSTON.
! We learn from the Courier that on Thursday
/ evening Feb. 20, the Common Council of Boston
i passed the following resolution:
Rcsolred Thai we cordially respond to the re-
cent proclamation of the President Of the United
States and will use our earnest efforts to that
/ b;a are fully carried ont