The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-09
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE.
MONDAY. Marcel,

New Mexico. praying for themselves and the SOL
diers under their command, the same additional
pay which was granted to those who served in
California and Oregon.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.
The President pro tenn. also laid before the
Senate report Of the Secretary Of State, accom-
panied by lists Of the clerks and other persons EN-
paoyed in that Department during the year 1851 /,
and the amount paid each.
Also, report of the Secretary Of State, show
ing the disbursements for the service OF the State
Department, including foreign MISSIONS for the
year ending June 30, 1851.
Also, report from the Secretary ofthe Interior,
showing the balances of appropriations for the
service Of that Department the LIST Of July,
1850; the appropriations for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1851; the repayments and transfers with
the amounts applicable to the service during the
same period, and the amounts drawn from the
Treasury, with such appropriations have been
carried to the surplus fund on the LIST July, 1851
all of which communications wers appropriately
referred and ordered to be printed.
THE COLLINS STEAMERS.
Mr.. HUNTER presented memorial Of mer-
chants and others Of Richmond Va, praying that
further aid may be granted to "Collins' line of
Steamers"
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Mr.. CASS presented memorial numerousy
signed Of citizens of Pittsburg, nsylvania,
The doctrine Of non-intervention, and prevent its
infracton.
Mr.. C. in presenting the resolution briefly ex-
planned his understanding Of the term non-ner-
vention.
COINAGE AMENDMENTS.
Mr.. HUNTER, from the Committee on FL
nance, to whom was referred the report of the
Secretary Of the Treasury, on the state of the
Treasury, reported bill amendatory Of existing
laws relative to the half dollar, quarter dollar,
dime, and half dime; which was read and passed
to the second reading.
On motion OF Mr.. MILLER, 1000 extra CO.
pies of the report were ordered to be printed.
PUBLICATION OF THE CENSUS RETURNS.
Mr.. BAYARD offered resolution referring
the plan for the publication OF the returns of the
census, as exemplifed in relation to the State of
Maryland, which has been submitted to the Sen
ate, to select committee Of five for revision, to
report what alteration should be made therein be-
fore printing the same
Mr. 3. asked for the consideration of the reso
luton
Mr. BAIGER objecting, it was laid over.
REDUCTION OF FOREIGN POSTAGE.
Mr.. SUMNER introduced resolution direct
ing the Committee on Naval Affairs while consid-
ering the nature and extent of aid proper to be
granted to the ocean steamers, also to inquire
whether the present charges on letters carried by
these steamers are not unnecessarily large and
burdensome to foreign correspondence, and wheth-
err something may not be done, and if so what,
to secure the great boon Of cheap ocean postage.
Mr.. S., in presenting the resolution, said that
the Committee on Naval Affairs was charged
with the responsibility Of shaping some measure
by which the relations between the government
and ocean steamers would be defined. And since
one special nducer ent to these relations, involv-
ing as it did the bounty now enjoyed and also
further solicited, carrying letters he trusted
hiatt he teo he will To darta Lo
an inquiry into the practicability Of some reduc-
ton of the rates of postage upon foreign cores
pondence. He knew that the Postmaster General
was authorized by law to diminish from time to
time the rates of postage upon all mailable matter
Of this kind but that could not render it improper
for the committee to give to it some special con-
sderation, with view to some practicable action,
or at least some recommendation thereon. The
question one Of peculiar interest, and he did
not know Of any other which promised to be
so generally useful as this measure of cheap ocean
postage.
The argument was as brief as it was unansw err
able. Letters could be carried three thousand
miles in the United States for three cents. Most
of the reasons which could be urged in favor Of
cheap postage on land were equally applicable to
cheap postage on the ocean; and in poict Of fact
the conveyance of letters by sailing steam pack
cts might he done at less cost than by railway.
Besides, cheap ocean postage would tend to su-
percede the fraudulent transportation Of letters.
Ii would draw into the mail bags much matter
which is now transported clandestinely in boxes,
and paid for only as so much freight. 1t would
be of incalculable advantage to the commerce of
the United States. Again, by promoting the in
tercourse of families which are now separated by
the ocean, it would add to the source Of human
happiness. The present high rates of ocean post
are were severe tax upon all-burdensome espe-
cially upon the poor-and amounting in many ca
ses to an absolute prohibition of all foreign cor
respondence. This should not be. 1t particularly
became our country to destroy every barrier to
free communication between the old world and
the new. And lastly, cheap ocean postage would
be new bond of peace, and tend to promote prn-
ciples of harmony and good will among the ma
tons Much as he reoiced in their magnificent
lines Of ocean steamers, he could not consider
these, with all their unquestionabe advantages,
equivalent to cheap ocean postage; and he hoped
the two great interests wonld happily prosper to-
gether. He hoped the resolution would be adopt
ed
Mr. RUSK said he had no particular objection
TO the resolution; but he would remind the gentle
man that the rates Of postage on foreign cores
pondence were regulated by treaties; and with re-
card to enormous rates, they were reduced more
than one-half blythe last Congress, and all that it
was practicable to reduce them He suggested
that the subject should be referred to some other
committee
Mr. SUMNER said the resolution was directed
to the Naval Committee as the most proper COM
mitiee to make the inquiry, because that commit
tee was specially charged with the review of the
subject of ocean steamers.
Mr.. GWlN thought the resolution ought to go
to the Committee on the Post Office and Post
Roads
Mr. BADGER said he was not aware that the
Committee on Naval Affairs had any subject be-
fore them, which necessarily involved the ques-
ton Of oceanic postage.
Mr.. DAVIS concurrtd that the Committee on
the Post Office and Post Roads was the appropri-
ate commit e, but as it was subject which would
require treaty stipulatons, he doubted whether
anything could be done by that committee.
Mr.. SUMNER said he aware of all that,
and had it all in view in framing this resolution
Mr.. SEWARD moved to strike out the Naval
Committee and insert the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, which he conside ed the most suitable
committee to make such an inquiry.
Mr.. MASON hoped the subject would not be
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations,
and at his suggestion Mr.. SEWARD withdrew the
motion, and