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On motion by Mr. Douglas,

The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present, Those who voted in the affirmative are,

Messrs. Allen, Atherton, Baldwin, Bradbury, Breese, Bright, Cameron, Clarke, Clayton, Corwin, Davis, of Massachusetts, Dickinson, Dix, Dodge, Douglas, Felch, Fitzgerald, Hale, Hamlin, Miller, Niles, Sturgeon, Upham, Walker.

Those who voted in the negative are,

Messrs. Atchison, Badger, Bell, Benton, Berrien, Borland, Butler, Calhoun, Davis, of Mississippi, Downs, Fitzpatrick, Foote, Houston, Hunter, Johnson, of Maryland, Johnson, of Louisiana, Johnson, of Georgia, King, Metcalfe, Pearce, Rusk, Turney, Underwood, Westcott, Yulee.

On motion by Mr. Berrien,

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The bill (H. R. 211) providing for the punishment of false swearing in certain cases, was read the first and second times by unani

mous consent.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Downs, agreeably to notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill (S. 357) authorizing new selections of land in lieu of worthless school sections, or sections of inferior quality, and for other purposes; which was read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. King, agreeably to notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill (S. 358) for the remission of duties on an equatorial telescope, contracted for in London by order of the trustees of the University of Alabama; which was read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on Finance.

The bill (S. 352) to make compensation for the transportation of troops and supplies, for a limited time, over the isthmus of Panama, was read the second time, and considered as in Committee of the Whole; and,

After debate, and the consideration of executive business,
The Senate adjourned.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1848.

The Vice President laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of State, communicating, agreeably to law, an abstract of returns of American seamen registered in the several ports of the United States during the year ending September 30, 1848; which was read.

Mr. Rusk presented the memorial of John A. Ragan, proposing to drain the inundated public lands lying in the valley of the Mississippi river, on condition that the United States will grant him every alternate section; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. Rusk presented the petition of Thomas Linard, praying compensation for forage furnished for the use of 'certain mounted vol

unteers in the Mexican war; which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Atchison presented the petition of Talcot Reed, a revolutionary soldier, praying to be allowed a pension; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. Johnson, of Maryland, presented the petition of Mary Wilkinson, widow of John Wilkinson, deceased, who served on board a privateer in the last war with Great Britain, praying to be allowed a pension; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions. • Mr. Cameron presented the petition of William H. Burns, a master's mate in the navy, praying compensation for extra services; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. Westcott presented the petition of Asa F. Tift, praying permission to change the name of a British ship purchased and rebuilt within the United States; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. Borland presented the petition of Hiram Smith, register of the land office at Champagnole, Arkansas, praying to be allowed, in the settlement of his accounts, certain incidental expenses of his office; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. Benton presented the petition of James M. Lillard and the other heirs and representatives of Joseph Spencer, deceased, an officer in the revolutionary army, praying to be allowed bounty land and commutation pay; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. Breese presented the memorial of the Mount Carmel and Alton Railroad Company, praying a grant of public land, to aid in the construction of their railroad; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. Benton submitted papers relating to the proposed railroad across the isthmus of Panama.

Ordered, That they be translated under the direction of the Secretary, and printed.

On motion by Mr. Yulee,

Ordered, That so much of the President's message as relates to naval affairs, be referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. Foote submitted the following resolution for consideration: Resolved, That the resolution of the Senate, authorizing the Vice President to appoint the superintendent of the ante-room, be, and the same is hereby, rescinded; and that the superintendent now in charge be continued at his present compensation, under the authority of the Sergeant-at-arms.

Mr. Baldwin submitted the following resolution, which was considered by unanimous consent, and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to ascertain, so far as the same may be practicable, and report to the Senate, the particulars of the contract existing between the government of New Grenada and Messrs. Aspinwall, Stephens, and Chauncey, in regard to the construction of the proposed railroad across the isthmus of Panama, and the terms on which the use of

such railroad for the transit of passengers and merchandise is secured to the government and people of New Grenada and of the United States.

On motion by Mr. King,

Ordered, That the Committee on Finance be discharged from the further consideration of the bill (S. 358) for the remission of duties on an equatorial telescope contracted for in London by order of the trustees of the University of Alabama.

On motion by Mr. Rusk,

Ordered, That the petition of John Irons, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. Breese, from the Committee on Public Lands, to whom was referred the bill (S. 355) making a grant of the right of way, and a donation of public lands to the State of Illinois in aid of certain railroads connecting the upper and lower Mississippi with the chain of lakes at Chicago, reported it without amendment.

Mr. Breese also submitted a report on the subject, which, with the accompanying map, was ordered to be printed.

Mr. Breese, agreeably to notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a joint resolution (S. R. 42) explaining the act to provide payment for horses and other property lost while engaged in the military service, approved January 18, 1837; which was read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. Badger, agreeably to notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill (S. 359) for the relief of William Plummer, executor of Starkey Armistead, deceased; which was read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and, with the accompanying documents, referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution submitted by Mr. Niles the 12th instant, in relation to the reporting and publishing the debates of the Senate; and the resolution was agreed to.

The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution submitted by Mr. Baldwin the 18th February, relative to the amount collected by the army of the United States in Mexico; and,

On motion by Mr. Baldwin,

Ordered, That they lie on the table.

The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution submitted by Mr. Johnson, of Maryland, the 28th of April, relative to certain appointments by the President of the United States; and,

On motion by Mr. Johnson, of Maryland,

Ordered, That it lie on the table.

The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution submitted by Mr. Benton the 14th of August, respecting the amount expended for the coast survey; which was amended, on the motion of Mr. Benton, and agreed to, as follows:

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to communicate to the Senate the annual amount appropriated on account of the coast survey, from the commencement of said survey.

The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution submitted by Mr. Benton the 14th of August, respecting the amount expended on the exploring expedition conducted by Captain Wilkes: which was amended and agreed to, as follows:

Resolved, That the President be requested to communicate to the Senate the total amount expended on the exploring expedition. conducted by Captain Wilkes, dividing the said expenses into proper classes under different heads, so as to show the different heads of expenditure, including extra pay to officers and men, expenses of preparing, printing, engraving, and publishing the results of said expedition, and the expense, if any, which it has brought upon the Smithsonian fund.

Mr. Benton, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the memorial of R. L. Baker, reported a joint resolution (S. R. 43) for the relief of Major R. L. Baker, of the ordnance corps; which was fead, and passed to the second reading.

Mr. Atchison, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported a bill (S. 360) to authorize the Secretary of War to make reparation for the killing of a Caddo boy by volunteer troops, in Texas; which was read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and considered 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 by unanimous consent. Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be as aforesaid.

Ordered, That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of Representatives therein.

A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Campbell, their Clerk:

Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed the bill from the Senate (S. 147) for the relief of the heirs of F. Perry, Josiah Bleakley, Nicholas Jarrott, and Robert Morrison. After the consideration of executive business,

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The Senate adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1848.

The Vice President laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of the Senate, accompanied by a statement, prepared agreeably to law, showing the manner in which the contingent fund of the Senate has been expended during the year ending the 2d December, 1848; which was read, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Bright presented the petition of Samuel D. Davis, a revolutionary soldier, praying to be allowed an increase of pension; which was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

Mr. Atherton presented the petition of John A. Webber, United States military storekeeper at Watertown, Massachusetts, praying to be allowed compensation for certain services; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. Dix presented the petition of J. W. Nye, praying compensation for the surrender of a public reservation in the city of Washington, of which he had possession under a lease from the United States; which was referred to the Committee on Public Buildings.

Mr. Johnson, of Maryland, presented the memorial of Benedict J. Heard, praying compensation for the destruction of his property by the enemy in the year 1814; which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Foote presented the petition of William Hunley, register, and George S. Golladay, receiver of public lands in Mississippi, praying that commissions may be allowed on entries of military land warrants; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. Niles submitted the following resolution for consideration:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury inform the Senate what construction has been given to the revenue act of 1846 in respect to duties accruing and collected on importations on which a bounty is paid on their exportation by any foreign country, and particularly whether the amount of such bounty has been deducted from the invoice or valuation of such imports at the place from whence exported.

The Vice President laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, communicating, in compliance with a resolution of the Senate, information concerning wrecks of vessels belonging to the United States during the year ending the 30th June, 1848; which was read, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Westcott being, on his motion, excused from serving on the Committee of Claims,

On motion by Mr. Westcott,

Ordered, That a member be appointed by the Vice President to supply the vacancy; and

Mr. Fitzpatrick was appointed.

Mr. Dix, from the Committee on Commerce, to whom was refer-. red the petition of Asa F. Tift, reported a bill (S. 361) to authorize the issuing of a register or enrolment to the ship Anna Tift; which was read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and considered 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 by unahimous consent.
Resolved, That this bill pass; and

Ordered, That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of Representatives therein.

Agreeably to notice, Mr. Downs asked and obtained leave to bring in a resolution (S. R. 44) directing the transportation in steam vessels of the mail from New Orleans to Vera Cruz; which was read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and refered to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Agreeably to notice, Mr. Cameron asked and obtained leave to bring in a resolution (S. R. 45) for the relief of the heirs of George

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