The southern press., 1852-03-09
EXECUTIVE coMMUsicATIoNs.

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EXECUTIVE cOMMUNicATIoNs.
The PRESIDENT pro tenn. also laid before the
Senate a report of the Secretary Of State, accom-
panied by lists Of the clerks and other persons EN-
ployed 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 80, 1851. 46
Also, report from the Secretary ofthe Interior,
showing the balances Of appropriations for the
service of that Department on the LIST Of July,
1850; the appropriations for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1856 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 as have been
carried to the surplus fund on the LIST July, 1851
all of which communications vera appropriately
referred and ordered TO be printed.
THE COLLINS STEAMERS.
Mr.. HUNTER presented a memorial of mer-
chants and others of Richmond, Va, praying that
further aid may be granted to "Colns' line of
Steamers"
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Mr.. CASS presented memorial numerousy
signed of citizens Of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
praying Congress to declare their recognition Of
the doctrine of non-intervention, and prevent its
infracton.
Mr.. G. in presenting the resolution, briefly ex-
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 read and passed
to the second reading.
On motion of MIR. MILLER, 1000 extra CO.
pies of the report were ordered to be printed.
PUBLICATION OF THE CENSUS RETURNS.
MIR. BAYARD offered a resolution referring
the plan for the publication Of the returns of the
census, as exempllfedin relation to the State of
Maryland, which has been submitted to the SEN
ate, to a select committee of five for revision, to
report what alteration should be made therein, be-
fore printing the same.
Mr. B. asked for the consideration of the reso-
luton.
Mr. BArGER 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-
er something may not be done, and if so what,
10 secure the great boon of cheap ocean postage.
Mr.. s., in presenting the resolution, said that
the Committees 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 induceG ent TO these relations, nvolv-
ing as it did the bounty now enjoyed and also
further solicited, was carrying letters, he trusted
that the committee would be willing TO undertake
an inquiry into the prachcabty OF some reduc-
ton Of the rates of postage upon foreign cores
pondence. He knew that the Postmaster General
was authorized by law 10 diminish from time 70
time the rates of postage upon all maiable matter
OF this kind but that could not render il improper
for the committee TO give TO II some special con-
alteration, 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 one which promised to be
so generally useful as this measure Of cheap ocean
postage.
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 point OF fact
the conveyance of letters by sailing or steam pacl:-
cts might he done at less cost than by railway.
Besides, cheap ocean postage would tend TO SUI
percede the fraudulent transportation Of letters
Ii would draw into the mail bags much matter
which is now transported candestinely in boxes,
and paid for only as so much freight. II would
be Of incalculable advantage to the commerce Of
tercourse Of families which are now separated by
the ocean, II would add 10 the source OF human
happiness. The present high rates OF ocean post
age were severe tax upon Instantaneous espe-
cially upon the poor-and amounting in many ca
SEES 10 an absolute prohibition Of ali foreign cor
respondence. This should not be. II 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 prin-
r. 4 n
tons. Much as he rejoiced IN their magnificent
lines OF ocean steamers, he could not consider
these with all their unquestionable advantages an
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
10 the resolution; but he would remind the gentle.
man that the rates Of postage on foreign CORES
pondeuce were regulated by treaties; and with re-
gard TO enormous rates, they were reduced more
than ne-haf by the last Congress, and all that il
was practicable TO reduce them. He suggested |
that the subject should be referred TO some other
committee.
Mr.. SUMNER said the resolution was directed
10 the Naval Committee as the most proper com /
mttee to make the inquiry, because that commit |
tee was specially charged with the review of the |
subject Of ocean steamers.
MIR. GWIN thought the resout'o on ought TO 90
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 concurred that the Committee on
the Post Office and Post Roads was the appropri-
at committee, but il was a subject which would
require treaty stipulations, he doubted whether
anything could be done by that committee.
Mr.. SUMNER said he was aware Of all that,
and had il 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 consde.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 OF his suggestion Mr.. SEWARD withdrew the /
motion, and
On motion Of Mr.. BADGER, Mr.. SumnER acqui-
escing, the resolution was laid on the table until
10 morrow, in order to have an opportunity 10 de-