The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-13

y. :
ter Arno; Of legal representatives Of Bernard
Todd.
By. Mr.. EDGERToN, nom same committee,
a bill for the relief Of John H. Pratt Referred as
above.
By Mr.. SEYMOUR. from same committee,
bill for relief of G. S. Galveston. Referred as
above
By MIR. SACKETT, from same committee,
bills for the relief of Theodore Ofntt children of
Col. w. X. Mckee, Of Kentucky, ard of Charles
Millington. Similarly referred.
BY Mr.. SEYMOUR, from Committee on Com
merce, bill admitting the brig Sylphide to regis
ter, which, by suspension Of rules, was read three
times and passed to be engrossed; also, u bill APP
IS, 900 for the lighthouse on Sandy
Kew, Florida, which was similarly disposed of.
BY Mr.. ROBBINS, from same committee,
bill for the relief ofthe trustees the Philadelphia
Gas Works. Read twice and referred as above.
PUBLIC LANDS FOR RAILROADS.
Mr.. HALL, from the Committee on Public
Lands, reported bill granting the right Of way
and public lands TO the State of Missouri, for the
construction Of two railroads. The bill was read
Mr.. HALL desired that it might now be put
on its passage. He proposed an amendment pro-
vdng that the lands should not be sold to any cor
poration. but to actual settlers only.
Mr.. JONES, Of Tennessee, moved that it be
referred to the Committee Of the w hole, and
printed. He desired gentlemen to inform him on
what principle Of the Democratic creed they could
justify the taking up and appropriating all the
public lands for such purposes On what prin-
ciple do its advocates support it? He would also
ask them, how they could justify the taking of
these lands for the benefit Of chartered companies?
He wished the gentleman Mr.. HALL who had
reported the bill, would state how many acres of
land it proposed to appropriate
Mr. HALL. There are two roads included, to
one of which it gives 100000 acres, and about
,000, 900 to the other.
Mr.. JONES. Here we have and half
millions. Now l would ash, how many similar
bills there are before the committed
MIR. HALL. Ten or twelve, believe.
Mr.. JONES said that the trial was TO be made
on this bill, and if it passed, the others, ten or
twelve in number, were to be pushed, the whole
disposing Of some six millions of the public
lands. Was ever SO important bill brought
in here before and acted on without being referred
to the Committee of the Whole and printed'
Mr.. HALL. bill giving twice as much land
to the State of Illinois, sent here from the Senate,
was acted on without being printed
Mr. JONES. If this bill will not stand the test
of investigation, it should not pass. lfit is right,
its friends should have no fear Of an investigation.
Mr.. HALL thought that if it went to the Com
mittee of the Whole, it would be long time before
it would be reached.
Mr.. JONES hoped it would be printed, as 1t
was impossible for members to understand It's pro-
visions from simply hearing it read by the Clerk.
MIR. PHELPS, OF Missouri, took the floor, and
advocated the passage Of tie bill on the ground
that the construction of these railroads would en-
able the government to dispose OF public lands
now comparatively worthless. Government
would be the gamer by giving away one-half of
these lands, in order to sell the other half: The
bill also provided for carrying the mails and
transporting troops. He moved an amendment
extending its benefits to common schools.
Pending the question OF reference and printing,
the House resumed the consideration of business
on the Speakers table.
COMMUNE ATOMS, &C.
The SPEAKER laid before the House the fol-
lowing Executive communications
A message from the President Of the United
States, transmitting the annual report of the d.
rectors of the Mint at Philadelphia, showing the
operations of the Mint and its branches for the
year 1851. Laid on the table and ordered to be
printed.
Also, a report from the Secretary of the Inte-
rior, communicating report from Thomas U.
Walter, architect for the extension of the capitol
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means,
and ordered to be printed.
copy of the instructions despatched from the
Department of State to the Minister of the United
States at London, respecting the attack on the
United States steamer Prometheus," IN the
harbor of San Juan de Nicaragua, by the British
brig of war Express;" and also, copy of the
despatch of Mr.. Lawrence to that Department,
and of his correspondence with Her Britannia
Majesty principal Secretary of State for foreign
affairs on the same subject. Referred to the Com
mttee on Foreign Affairs, and ordered to be
printed.
A communication from the Secretary Of the In
terror, transmitting estimates for running ana
marking the northern boundary of the State OF
Iowa.
A communication from the Secretary of War,
transmitting 237 copies Of the Army Register for
1852.
A communication from the Postmaster General,
transmitting copy of the contract for the trans
portation Of the mails from Charleston, 5. G., to
Savannah, Ga, and Key West, Fa.
communication from the Treasury Depart
ment, relative to the number and expense of GUS
tom-houses now in process of erection, or con-
tracted for.
A communication from the Postmaster enera,
relative to claims against that department, which
have been suspended or disallowed.
KossUTH.
The SPEAKER laid before the House a copy of
the proceedings of a meeting in the city Of New
York, relative to Kossuth which was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs
SENATE BILLS.
The following bills, sent down from the Senate,
were severay read twice and referred for the
relief Of M X. Warrington and another; to re-
lease certain salt spring lands to the State Of Iowa;
for the relief of William A. Richmond; of John
Irwin of Francis P. Gardner; bill relating to YES
sells propelled by steam; to admit brig Ovid to re-
gister; relative to times Of holding courts in la
bama.
LIEUT.. COL. MITCHELL.
The Senate bill for the relief Of Lieut.. Col.
Mitchell, Of Missouri, was read twice.
Mr.. EVANS. of Maryland, hoped that, as this
was clear and just claim, the bill might now be
put upon its passage.
THE bill is to relieve judgment found against
Lieut., Col. MITCHELL while in the service OF the
government, in favor ofP Harmony. 1t was stated
that the plaintiff originally claimed about $4,000,
but Congress not passing bill for the appropria-
tion he succeeded in recovering $4,000.
debate ensued upon the merits of the bill, and
On motion, it was finally referred to the Com
mittee Of the Whole on the state of The Union.
REPAIR CT THE LIBRARY.
The Senate bill appopriating $500 for repair
ing the Library was taken up and read twice and
referred.
WORK ON THE WINGS OF THE CAPITOL.
The House took up the bill appropratng SI0,-
e., tba, ~ III