Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-13

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Senate, Thursday april 49, 1854.
The Chair presented memorial in favor Of
securing religious freedom to Americans in
foreign countries.
Mr.. Stuart reported back House bill to o.
tablish an additional land district in the lower
peninsula Of Michigan; and the same was con-
sidered and passed.
On motion by Mr.. Cass,
Resolved, That the Committee on Public
Lands be instructed to inquire into the expe-
diency Of making grant Of land to aid in the
construction of railroad from Iron Bay in
the State Of Michigan, to Little Bay dc No
guette.
Mr.. Fessenden, from the Committee on Pat
ents, reported a bill for the relief of Obed Hus-
sey.
And then, at quarter after 2, the Senate
proceeded to the consideration Of Executive
business.
House Of Representatives, April 49, 1854.
Mr.. Stanton, from the Committee on Print
ing, reported resolution ordering the printing
of 10000 additional copies of Lieutenants
Herndon and Gibbons Reports ON the Ex-
ploration Of the River Amazon, including
maps &c.
was adopted.
Mr.. Jones, Of Tennessee, moved to lay the
resolution on the table; which was rejected.
The resolution was then adopted; and u
motion to reconsider the vote was, on motion OF
Mr. Washburne, of Illinois, laid on the table.
Mr.. Grey moved a resolution, calling upon
the Postmaster General to communicate TO the
House any rules Of that Department prohibit
ing members of Congress from procuring in
formation from the records Of that Depart
ment
Mr.. Grey explained the necessity for this
measure no believed to exist
Mr.. Harris of Alabama, said the contract for
carrying the mails between Mobile and Mont
gomery had given rise to this movement. He
WAS prepared to defend the justice of that con-
tract, and unwilling that it should be preju-
diced by shadow of suspicion. He wished
the gentleman from Kentucky to have full ac-
cess to all possible sources of information.
Objection being made to the reception Of
the resolution by Mr.. Phelps,
Mr.. Grey said he hoped the House would
excuse him from serving on tho Post Office
Committee.
The vote was taken on excusing Mr. Grey,
and decided, by tellers, in the afirmative--yeas
SO. nays 81.
Mr.. Olds, from the Committee on the Post
Office and Post Roads, reported a bill for the
increase in the rates Of postage, rs follows:
Single letter, half ounce, 1900 miles or less,
5 cents; over 5000 10 cents
BY sea, whole or in part, 5000 or more, ex-
ira, 10 cents.
Same, less than 5000, cents.
Double, TREBLE quadruple, &c., in proportion.
Mr. Odds explained his bill, and dwelt chiefly
upon the conflict OF interest between the cities
and densely peopled regions in this country.
Mr.. Odds reviewed the financial aspect Of
the subject, and argued the necessity Of the
measure as a means of sustaining the Depart
ment Experience, he said, had demonstrated
that five and ten cents is the revenue standard.
Mr.. Sage moved to postpone the further con-
sideration of this bill to this day four weeks.
Mr.. Letcher hoped it would be referred to
the Committee Of the Whole In getting rid
of the Public Land Committee, the House had
drawn upon itself the opportunities OF the Post
Office Committee. 1t had "swspped the devil
for witch ~
Mr. Sage's motion was adopted
Mr. Stanton, Of Tennessee, from the Com
mittec on the Judiciary, reported bill for the
modification of the judicial system of the Uni
ted States; which was on his motion, referred
back to the same committee, and ordered to be
printed.
On motion OF Mr.. Cobb, the House went into
Committee Of the Whole on the state of the
Union.
The consideration OF the Homestead and
Graduation bill was then resumed and many
amendments and alterations were submitted
and debated