On motion by Mr. Jones, of Iowa,

Ordered, That the petition of Charles H. Buxenstein, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Pensions.

On motion by Mr. Fish,

Ordered, That the heirs of David Noble have leave to withdraw their

petition and papers.

Mr. Berrien was, on his motion, excused from serving on the Select Committee to whom was referred the letter of the honorable D. L. Yulee, stating the reasons which will induce him to contest the seat of the honorable Stephen R. Mallory, senator from the State of Florida.

Mr. Sebastian presented the memorial of C. Alexander, praying to be allowed an opportunity to make proposals for executing the printing and binding of the census returns; which was referred to the Committee on Printing.

Mr. Jones, of Iowa, from the Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of Adam Hays, submitted an adverse report; which was ordered to be printed.

Mr. Jones, of Iowa, from the Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 55) for the relief of Philip Miller, reported it without amendment.

Mr. Shields, from the Committee on the District of Columbia, to whom was referred the bill (S. 135) to amend an act entitled "An act to incorporate the Washington Gas Light Company," approved July 8, 1848, reported it without amendment.

Mr. Davis, from the Committee on Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (S. 96) to provide for the removal of obstructions in the river Savannah, in the State of Georgia, and for the improvement of the same, reported it without amendment.

Mr. Shields, from the Committee on the District of Columbia, to whom the memorial of the rector and vestry of St. John's Church was referred, reported a bill (S. 179) for the relief of St. John's 'Church, in the city of Washington; which was read, and passed to the second reading.

Mr. Downs, from the Committee on Private Land Claims, to whom was referred the petition of Joseph H. D. Bowmar, reported a bill (S. 180) for his relief; which was read, and passed to the second reading.

Mr. Douglas, from the Committee on Foreign Relations, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 63) for the relief of American citizens lately imprisoned and pardoned by the Queen of Spain, reported it without amend

ment.

The Senate proceeded to consider the bill last mentioned (H. R. 63) as in Committee of the Whole; and no amendment being made, it was reported to the Senate.

Ordered, That it pass to a third reading.

The said bill was read the third time.

Resolved, That it pass.

Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives thereof.

The Senate proceeded to consider, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill (H. R. 46) to provide for carrying into execution, in further part, the twelfth article of the treaty with Mexico concluded at Guadalupe Hidalgo; and no amendment being made, it was reported to the Senate.

Ordered, That it pass to third a reading.

The said bill was read a third time.

Resolved, That it pass.

Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives thereof.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the resolution submitted the 4th of December in relation to the series of measures for the adjustment of the questions growing out of the institution of domestic slavery; and, After debate,

The President pro tempore laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of War, communicating, in obedience to law, an abstract of the returns of the militia of all the States and Territories, with their arms, accoutrements, and ammunition; which was read.

On motion by Mr. Badger,

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Militia, and printed. The President pro tempore laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of the Interior, communicating, in compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 26th January last, a copy of the instructions given by that department to the commissioners under the act of March 3, 1851, for ascertaining and settling the private land claims in California, and also of the instructions to the surveyor general of California in connexion with the subject; which was read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Public Lands, and printed.

The President pro tempore laid before the Senate a letter from the Secretary of the Territory of Oregon, communicating a copy of the journals of the Council and House of Representatives of the Legislative Assembly of that Territory; which was read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Territories, and printed.

Mr. Morton presented a memorial of assistant marshals for taking the seventh census in Florida, praying additional compensation; which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Badger presented a memorial of William P. Graves, assistant marshal for taking the seventh census in Caswell county, North Carolina, praying additional compensation; which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Mangum presented the memorial of Dickerson Mallard, the memorial of A. Carmichael, the memorial of Thomas F. Baxter, the memorial of Shepperd K. Nash, the memorial of Robert Abernathy, and the memorial of J. H. Mitchell, assistant marshals for taking the seventh census in North Carolina, praying additional compensation; which were referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Mangum presented the petition of Patrick Donehue, in behalf of citizens of New York, praying the interposition of the United States in

favor of the oppressed of other nations; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mr. Dodge, of Iowa, presented the proceedings of a meeting of citizens of West Point, Iowa, in relation to the donation of land asked for the benefit of the Dubuque and Keokuk railroad.

Ordered, That they lie on the table.

Mr. Brodhead presented a petition of merchants and others of Philadelphia, praying an enlargement of the Louisville and Portland canal; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. Smith presented the memorial of the administrator of Oran Sherwood, praying the appointment of a tribunal to review the decisions of the late board of commissioners for the settlement of claims of American citizens against Mexico; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mr. Smith presented a petition of citizens of Ontonagon, Michigan, praying the construction of piers at the mouth of the Ontonagon river, Lake Superior; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. Smith presented two petitions of citizens of Michigan, praying the construction of a ship canal around the falls of the St. Mary's river. Ordered, That they lie on the table.

Mr. Hunter presented the petition of J. A. Seawell, a passed midshipman in the navy, praying the allowance of additional pay under a clause in the naval appropriation bill of 1848; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. Hunter presented the petition of William Speiden, a purser in the navy, praying to be allowed a commission on the military contributions received by him while acting purser to the United States frigate Congress, on the Pacific coast, during the late war with Mexico; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. Fish presented a memorial of insurers, ship-owners, merchants, and others, of New York, praying that the salary of the United States district judge at Key West, Florida, may be increased; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. Fish presented a memorial of merchants and others of New York, praying that the act of March 3, 1847, for reducing the costs and expenses of proceedings in admiralty against ships and vessels, may not be repealed; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. Fish presented the petition of Robert T. Norris, a pilot, praying to be allowed a pension in consideration of injuries received while mooring the light-ship off Sandy Hook, in 1839; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. Cooper presented a memorial of the Board of Trade of Philadelphia, praying that the bill to provide for the establishment of a branch mint at New York may not become a law; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. Cooper presented three petitions of merchants and others, citizens of Philadelphia, praying the enlargement of the Louisville and Portland canal; which were referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

Mr. Cooper presented a petition of inhabitants of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, praying that the transportation of the mails on Sunday may be prohibited by law; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office. and Post Roads.

Mr. Cooper presented a memorial of citizens of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, praying the construction of a ship canal around the falls of the St. Mary's river.

Ordered, That it lie on the table.

Mr. Cooper presented a petition of manufacturers of cigars at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, praying an increase of the duty on imported cigars; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. Felch presented the proceedings of citizens of Detroit, Michigan, in favor of the construction of a ship canal around the falls of the St. Mary's river.

Ordered, That they lie on the table.

Mr. Chase presented two memorials of citizens of Ohio, praying that the transportation of the mails on Sunday may be prohibited by law; which were referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. Chase presented three petitions of citizens of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, praying the construction of a ship canal around the falls of the St. Mary's river.

Ordered, That they lie on the table.

Mr. Cass presented three petitions of citizens of Pennsylvania, praying the construction of a ship canal around the falls of the St. Mary's river. Ordered, That they lie on the table.

Mr. Cass presented the petition of Frances Elliott, praying remuneration for expenses incurred by her late husband, Commodore Elliott, in entertaining certain persons while he was in command of the United States squadron in the Mediterranean, in the years 1835 to 1839; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. Sumner presented a memorial of insurers, ship-owners, merchants, and others, of Boston, praying that the salary of the United States district. judge at Key West may be increased; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. Sumner presented a memorial of merchants, underwriters, and others, of Boston, praying that a light-ship, with a fog-bell on board, may be moored between the shoals off Cape Roman, on the coast of South Carolina; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. Mallory presented the memorial of Kennedy and Darling, praying indemnity for the loss of their property by Indian depredations in Florida; which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Spruance presented the memorial of John D. Bird and others, holders of claims against the late republic of Texas provided for by the act of September 9, 1850, praying that they may be paid upon their compliance with the requirements prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. Butler presented a memorial of the Chamber of Commerce of Charleston, South Carolina, praying an appropriation for the improvement of the entrance to the harbor at that place; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. Jones, of Iowa, presented the memorial of Harriet de la Palm Baker, daughter and heir of Frederick H. Weissenfels, an officer in the army of the Revolution, praying a pension; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. Dodge, of Iowa, presented a circular letter signed by Charles Mason, Henry W. Starr, and others, in favor of the construction of a rail

road from Lafayette, through Peoria and Burlington, to the Missouri river; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

On motion by Mr. Downs,

Ordered, That the petition of C. E. Greneaux, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

On motion by Mr. Hunter,

Ordered, That the memorial of the executor of Carter Page, deceased, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

On motion by Mr. Hale,

Ordered, That the petition of J. D. Roberts, administrator of Olive Folsom, deceased, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Pensions.

On motion by Mr. Cooper,

Ordered, That the memorial of H. N. Denison, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

On motion by Mr. Shields,

Ordered, That the memorial of Phineas M. Nightingale, legal representative of General Nathaniel Greene, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

On motion by Mr. Shields,

Ordered, That the petition of James Chapman, administrator of Thomas Chapman, deceased, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. Brodhead submitted the following resolution for consideration:

Resolved, That the Committee on Foreign Relations be requested to inquire into the expediency of making provision by law for the usual outfit and salary of a chargé d'affaires to Switzerland.

Mr. Hale submitted the following resolution for consideration:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law that all commissions in the army of the United States hereafter, shall be for a limited time, which shall be expressed in the commissions.

Mr. Borland, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the memorial of Lewis Morris, submitted an adverse report; which was read.

Mr. Borland, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the petition of William C. Easton, submitted a report, accompanied by a bill (S. 181) for his relief.

The bill was read, and passed to the second reading.

Ordered, That the report be printed.

Mr. Jones, of Iowa, from the Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the bill (S. 39) to authorize the payment of invalid pensions in certain cases, reported the same with an amendment.

Mr. Jones, of Iowa, also submitted a report on the subject; which was ordered to be printed.

Mr. Atchison, from the Committee on Indian Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (S. 139) to provide for the appointment of a superintendent of Indian affairs in California, reported it with an amendment.

The Senate proceeded to consider the bill last mentioned (S. 139) as in Committee of the Whole; and the reported amendment having been agreed