On motion, Ordered, That the teller on the part of the Senate be appointed by the Vice President; and Mr. Clayton was appointed. Mr. Clayton being excused, Mr. Davis, of Mississippi, was appointed in his stead. Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives thereof. Mr. Atherton, from the Committee on Finance, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 692) making appropriations for the civil and diplomatic expenses of government for the year ending the 30th of June, 1850, and for other purposes, reported it with amendments; which were ordered to be printed. On motion by Mr. Borland, Ordered, That the Committee on Public Lands be discharged from the further consideration of the bill (S. 290) to revive and extend the provisions of an act entitled "An act to settle the title to certain tracts of land in the State of Arkansas," and that it be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Campbell, their Clerk: Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed the bill (S. 43) for the relief of Jeannette C. Huntington, widow and sole executrix of William D. Cheever, deceased. They have passed the following bills from the Senate, with amendments, in which they request the concurrence of the Senate: S. 155. An act granting a pension to Bethiah Healy, widow of George Healy, deceased. S. 251. An act for the relief of the personal representative of William A. Slacum, deceased. They have passed bills with the following titles, in which they request the concurrence of the Senate: H. R. 200. An act for the relief of the widow and heirs-at-law of Silas Duncan, late commandant of the United States navy. H. R. 214. An act for the relief of Noah A. Phelps. H. R. 235. An act for the relief of Matthews, Wood and Hall. H. R. 589. An act for the relief of Thomas T. Gammage. H. R. 607. An act for the relief of Jacob Boston. H. R. 609. An act for the relief of Eve Boggs. H. R. 610. An act for the relief of Hannah Kinney, widow of Amos Kinney, late of the State of New York. H. R. 611. An act for the relief of Joseph Dana. H. R. 613. An act for the relief of Martha Dameron, widow of Christopher Tompkins. H. R. 614. An act for the relief of Susanna Prentiss. H. R. 615. An act for the relief of Thomas R. Sanders.. H. R. 621. An act for the relief of Captain Alexander McEwen. H. R. 622. H. R. 645. H. R. 646. An act for the relief of Elizabeth S, Cobbs. An act for the relief of William Lynch. H. R. 677. An act for the relief of Sidney Flower, of Louisiana, and for other purposes. H. R. 678. An act for the relief of Amelia Cuvillion, of Louisiana. H. R. 679. An act for the relief of John McIntosh. H. R. 680. An act for the relief of Levi M. Roberts. H. R. 704. An act for the relief of Samuel Perry. H. R. 709. Holden. An act granting the right of pre-emption to Joshua H. R. 712. An act for the relief of James Frame. H. R. 725. An act for the relief of B. O. Payne, of Albany, New York. Mr. Davis, of Mississippi, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 197) for the relief of the legal representatives of Antonio Pacheco, reported it without amendment, and submitted a report on the subject; which was ordered to be printed. Mr. Dix, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the memorial of the heirs of Trueman Cross, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill (S. 418) for their relief. The bill was read, and passed to the second reading. Mr. Niles, from the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, to whom was referred the bill (S. 399) to define the period of disability imposed upon certain bidders for mail contracts, reported it without amendment. The Senate proceeded to consider the said bill (S. 399) by unanimous consent as in Committee of the Whole; and no amendment being made, it was reported to the Senate. Ordered, That it be engrossed and read a third time. The said bill was read a third time. Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be as a foresaid. Ordered, That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of Representatives in this bill. Mr. Rusk reported from the committee that they had presented to the President of the United States, the 2d instant, the following acts: S. 359. An act for the relief of William Plummer, executor of Starkey Armistead, deceased. S. 406. An act for the relief of Timothy Cavan. A message from the President of the United States, by Mr. Walker, his secretary: Mr. President: The President of the United States approved and signed, the 2d instant, the following acts: S 359. An act for the relief of William Plummer, executor of Starkey Armistead, deceased. S. 406. An act for the relief of Timothy Cavan. Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives thereof. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill (S. 289) to reduce the rates of postage, and for other purposes; And, after debate, On motion by Mr. Hale, The Senate adjourned. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1849. The Vice President laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of the Navy, made agreeably to law, showing the punishments in the naval service during the years 1846, 1817; which was read, referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, and ordered to be printed. The Vice President laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of War, made agreeably to law, exhibiting returns of the militia of the United States, with their arms, accoutrements, and ammunition; which was read, and ordered to be printed. Mr. Rusk reported from the committee that they had examined and found duly enrolled the following acts: H. R. 92. An act for the relief of William Fuller and Orlando Saltmarsh. H. R. 261. An act for the relief of William Fuller and Charles Savage. S. 43. An act for the relief of Jeanette C. Huntington, widow and sole executrix of William D. Cheever, deceased. Mr. Dix presented a petition of citizens of New Hartford, New York, praying that the rates of postage may be reduced and the franking privilege abolished. Ordered, That it lie on the table. Mr. Turney submitted documents relating to the claim of William P. A. Hail to compensation for medical services to a regiment of Tennessee volunteers during the late Mexican war; which were referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. Felch presented a petition of citizens of Ann Arbor, Michigan, praying that the rates of postage may be reduced and the franking privilege abolished; and a memorial of citizens of Sterling, Michigan, praying a reduction of the postage on letters and newspapers. Ordered, That they lie on the table. Mr. Felch presented a petition of head chiefs of the Chippewa tribe of Indians, praying that certain lands may be receded to them for purposes of cultivation; that they may be permitted to become citizens of the United States; and that the expenses of their jour ney to the city of Washington may be paid by the United States; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. Mr. Walker presented a petition of citizens of Lapoint county, Michigan, praying the establishment of a mail route from the county seat of said county to the falls of the St Croix; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads Mr. Hunter presented the petition of Charles Taylor, a soldier in the last war with Great Britain, praying to be allowed a pension; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions. Mr. Hunter presented the petition of Alexander Y. P. Garnett, an assistant surgeon in the navy, praying compensation for the performance of services appertaining to an officer of higher grade; which was referred to the Committee of Claims. Mr. Corwin presented a petition of citizens of Salem township, Ohio, praying the establishment of a mail route from Liberty Hall post office to Morrow, in that State; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Mr. Corwin presented three petitions of citizens of Ohio, praying that the rates of postage may be reduced and the franking privilege abolished. Ordered, That they lie on the table. W Mr. Hale presented a petition of citizens of Niagara county, New York, praying that members of Congress may be paid only for their actual attendance. Ordered, That it lie on the table. Mr. Bright presented a resolution passed by the Legislature of the State of Indiana, in favor of the transmission, free of postage, of all documents printed by authority of the States, and newspapers ordered by the State Legislatures for the use of their members. Ordered, That it lie on the table. Mr. Bell presented a memorial of William A. Bradley and others, praying the aid of the government in the construction of a road and the establishment of communications by mail between the city of St. Louis and the Pacific ocean; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Mr. Butler presented resolutions passed by the Legislature of the State of South Carolina, declaring the readiness of that State to co-operate with her sister States in resisting the application of the principles of the Wilmot proviso to the territory recently acquired by the United States from the republic of Mexico; which were read. Ordered, That they be printed. Mr. Davis, of Mississippi, presented the petition of Alexander Montgomery, captain and assistant quartermaster in the army, praying to be allowed a commission on disbursements made during the operations of the army in Mexico; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. Yulee presented the petition of Allen G. Johnson, a volunteer officer in the Seminole war, praying the payment of a balance due on the settlement of his accounts; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. Rusk presented the memorial of Christian Sharps, praying that an improvement invented by him in the construction of the rifle, may be adopted in the military service, and that he may be authorized to furnish the same for the use of the United States; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. Dodge, of Iowa, presented a memorial of the General Assembly of that State, praying that an appropriation of land may be made for improving the Skunk river, in that State; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Mr. Dodge, of Iowa, presented a resolution passed by the Legislåture of that State, in favor of an appropriation for improving the Des Moines and Rock river rapids, in the Mississippi river; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. Dodge, of Iowa, presented a resolution passed by the Legislature of that State, in favor of the establishment of a mail route from Bloomington, Iowa, to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Mr. Dodge, of Iowa, presented a resolution passed by the Legislature of that State, in favor of the establishment of a mail route from Tipton, in Cedar county, to the county seat of Benton county, in the State of Iowa; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Mr. Dodge, of Iowa, presented a resolution passed by the Legislature of that State, in favor of the establishment of a mail route from Ottumwa, in Wappelo county, to Chariton point, in Lucas county, in said State; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Mr. Dodge, of Iowa, presented a resolution passed by the Legislature of that State, in favor of the establishment of a mail route from New London to Iowa city, in said State; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Mr. Foote presented the petition of P. A. Hargous, setting forth the advantages of a communication with the Pacific by means of a railroad across the isthmus of Tehuantepec, for the construction of which he has the authority of the Mexican government, and praying that Congress will not finally act on the subject until an opportunity shall have been afforded for establishing the facts stated in his petition. Ordered, That it be printed. On motion by Mr. Davis, of Mississippi, Ordered, That the petition of Robert M. Martin, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Pensions. Mr. Sebastian presented the credentials of the honorable Solon Borland, chosen à Senator by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, in pursuance of the constitution of the United States; which were read. Mr. Atherton, from the Committee on Finance, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 697) entitled "An act making appropriations for the payment of revolutionary and other pensions of the United States, for the year ending the 30th of June, 1850;" reported it without amendment. |