The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-30
r HIRTY-FI RST CON RESs
SECOND SESSION
IN S T. N A T F.,

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 30, 1851.
Petitions we're presented by Messrs CLAY
HALE, STURGEON, benton, MASON, DAYTON
WINTHROP, and WALKER.
AMIN BEY e. co.
Mr. FOOTE, from the Committee on Foreign
Relations, introduced bill for the relief of w
ID Porter, Lieut.. Commanding, u. S. NJ, in con-
sideraton Of his expenses ia bringing from the
Mediterranean Amin Bey and his suite to the
United States.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Mr.. FELCII, from the Committee on Public
Lands, reported back the bill providing for pre-
emption rights and grants of land to actual set
tiers in California with an amendment.
VIRGINIA wooLLEN FACTORY.
The bill for the relief Of the Virginia Woollen
Factory, (Richmond Va,) was taken up for con.
sideration, and after debate by Messrs JErrRR
SON DAVIS, PEARcE, CLEMENS, HALE, BADGER
and MASON,
On motion of Mr.. CLEMENS, the bill was
postponed till tomorrow.
CALIFORNIA LAND TITLES.
The Senate ext resumed the consideration Of
the bill providing board of three Commission
ers for the ascertanment and settlement oil
land titles and land claims in the State Of Cali
fornia,
The amendment pending was that of Mr.
WALKER, providing that patent issued foi
lands in California shall only be held as the re
linquishment of title on the part Of the United
States.
Debated by Messrs BADGER, BgRRrEN, GwIs
WALKER, FoorE, Downs, CAss, and BALDWIN
At the Instance of Mr. BALDWIN, the
amendment was further modified, 30 that patent
should revert to the person having the best title
to the land
Mr.. BENTON then took occasion to speak Of
the general imperfections of the 18th section, as
reported by the Judiciary Committee.
The question on the amendment was taken,
and it was lost--2l to "a.
Mr.. BENTON next moved to amend the tn
section, so that among the standard and supreme
authorities of law which shall favor the board in
their decisions, they shall also be governed by
the law Of prescription, or possessory right, ~
applicable to individuals. The honorable sena-
tor adverted again TO the general imperfcctions
Of the bill, which he deduced was founded upon
the fundamental blunder that every land title in
California must be bad until it is proved TO he
good. From this fundamental outrage TO the
end Of the chapter, the bill was catalogue OF
outragcs upon the old settlers Of California.
The amendment was further debated BY
Messrs. GwIH, BRADBURY, and BErroN, when
Mr. SOULE proposed to amend the bill by q
provision that title to lands in California, pos
sesscd in good faith, and designated by metes
and bounds, and held for n term Of twenty years
| shall be held prin,a fac;e, good title against
the Government of the United States.
Mr.. BENTON, in lieu of his own amendment
accepted that Of Mr.. SoULE.
The discussion was than renewed upon the
genera! and comprehensive question Of the char
Acter of the old Spanish and Mexican lane
grants and pre- emptions in California, and upor
the question Of good faith on tho part Of thi,
Government towards She citizens in California
derived from Mexico with the territory; in which
discussion Messrs. BUTLER, SouLE, FoorE, ant
others participated. when.
On motion of Mr. FOOTE, the Senate ad
.ourned. Is i.#