The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-07
TiIlRTY-SIXTlI C0NGRESS---SECOND SESSION
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec 6.-After PRAYER and the read
ing of the journal, Mr.. LATHAM presented a me-
mortal from the Chamber of Commerce of San Fran
cisco, praying for the establishment of daily over
land mail, to carry the States mail herewith
Laid over for the present.--Mr. HALE moved
that when the Senate adjourn to-day it will be until
Monday. Carried.-Mr. POWELL, according to
a notice given yesterday, introduced resolution
that much of the Presidents Message as relates
to the present agitaed and distracted condition of
the country, and the grievances of the slavehod-
ing and non slayeholding States, be referred to a
Special Committee of thirteen members and that
the said committee be instructed to inquire whether
any additional legislation than already is within
the sphere of the Federal authority and duty be
cessary for the protection and security of the
property of the United States and if so, report by
b and that the said committee be also instructed
to consider and report whether they deem it expe-
dent to propose amendment or amendments to
the Constitution OF the United States, to insure
promp and full protection to the rights and proper
ty of the citizens of every State, and the equal
rights of the citizens aforesaid under the Federal
Constitution. The resolution was laid over for the
present.--Mr. BlGLER moved to adjourn, and
at l2.l the Senate adourned.--Mr. LATHAM'S
memorial provides for carrying the entire letter
mail by Pony Express, and the residue of the mail
to be divided between Mr.. Butterfeld's and the
daily route to run through San Jose and Placer
vile. The statistics exhibited show the feasibility
of the plan.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
bered that on Tuesday he sought to introduce a
resolution concerning the perpetuity of the Amer
lean Union. Since then he had been called upon
by various members and requested again to present
it. He, therefore, gave notice that he would do so
on Monday next.-Mr. VALLANDiGHAM, from
the Special Committee, appointed at former ses-
sion the Senate bill abolshng the franking priv
ilege, made repor: thereon and proposed certain
amendments.--Mr. COBB, from the Committee
on the Public Lands, reported bill to construe the
meaning OF the words minimum price of the public
lands.-Mr BRANC CHI said that he had hoped that
such bills would be withheld for the present in or
der that Congress might consider measures of much
more public importance.-Mr COBB replied that
he would for that purpose withdraw what he had
offered and every thing he bad left in the shape of
bills. But until some conciliatory measure was of
tered he would in other respects perform his duty
Mr. BRANCH-I made no reflection upon the
gentleman.--Mr. COBB-I did not so understand
you.-Mr. COBB wished to know from Mr.
Branch what the meaning of minimum p
Mr.. JOHN C0CHRANE rose to a question of or
der. Minimum is Latin word, and the business of
Congress is required to be conducted in the Eng
lish language. Laughter. AFTER furthe
proceedings, the bill was passed. 1t provides
that the word minimum shall be construed
according to the land graduation act, to ap.
ply to alternate and reserved sections of lands
granted for railroads and other internal improve
ments; and to mean dollars, and quarter acres, as
now officially construed.-The SPEAKER then
announced the special committee under Mr.. Bot
eler's resolution, to consider the questions con-
nected with the perilous condition of the coun-
try, which will be found in another column
The SPEAKER desired to say that it was parlia-
mentary usage to name on the Committee the mover
of resolution under which it was ordered to be
formed, but he had omitted the name of Mr.. Bote-
ler at that gentleman's own request. He had
deavOred to appoint the committee to the best of
his Judgment and at the earliest PERIOD in view of
the important business with which it was entrusted.
MIR. HAWKINS. of Florida, said: Last Tuesday
begged to be excused from voting. and for similar
reasons now ask to be excused from serving
on this committee have consulted with the older
members as to whether it was voluntary not for
member appointed on committee to serve, and