Mr. Atchison, from the Committee on Indian Affairs, to whom the documents relating to the claim of Henry C. Miller, Philip W. Thompson, and Jesse B. Turley were referred, submitted a report, (No. 145) accompanied by a bill (S. 307) for their relief. The bill was read, and passed to the second reading. Ordered, That the report be printed. Mr. Felch, from the Committee on Public Lands, to whom was referred a memorial of the legislature of Wisconsin, reported a bill (S. 308) to authorize the sale of the military reserves at Forts Winnebago and Howard, in Wisconsin; which was read, and passed to the second reading. Mr. Norris, from the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office, to whom was referred the petition of Isaac Adams, submitted a report, (No. 146) accompanied by a bill (S. 309) for his relief. The bill was read, and passed to the second reading. Mr. Norris, from the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office, to whom were referred numerous memorials on the subject, reported a bill (S. 310) to amend "An act to promote the progress of the useful arts;" which was read, and passed to the second reading. A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Hayes, chief clerk: Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed the bill (S. 78) amendatory of the act entitled "An act to provide for holding the courts of the United States in case of the sickness or other disability of the judges of the district courts," approved July 29, 1850, with an amendment; in which they request the concurrence of the Senate. The engrossed bill (S. 175) to repeal the proviso in the act entitled "An act making appropriations for the civil and diplomatic expenses of the government, for the year ending June 30, 1852, and for other purposes," approved March 3, 1851, relating to the salaries of the officers of the Territories of the United States, was read a third time, and the title was amended. Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be "An act relating to the salaries of officers of the Territories of the United States, and to repeal the proviso in the act entitled 'An act making appropriations for the civil and diplomatic expenses of the government, for the year ending June 30, 1852, and for other purposes,' approved March 3, 1851.” Ordered, That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of Representatives therein. The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution submitted by Mr. Davis, the 22d instant, in relation to Guthrie's improvements in the steam-engine; and, The resolution was agreed to. The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution submitted by Mr. Seward the 14th of January last, in relation to the proceedings of a naval court of inquiry respecting the loss of the United States steamer Edith, in 1849; and, having been amended on the motion of Mr. Seward, the resolution was agreed to, as follows: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be requested to furnish the Senate, as early as practicable, with a copy of the proceedings of the naval court of inquiry in relation to the loss of the United States steamer Edith, in 1849, together with copies of the correspondence which formed the ground of the order given, to constitute said court, and of all the papers referred to in the record of proceedings; also, copies of all reports or charges made to the department against any member composing said court in reference to conduct while attached to the Pacific squadron; copies of all correspondcuce between the department and Commodore Thomas Ap Catesby Jones, relating to the said steamer Edith; copies of the correspondence with Richard W. Meade, late a lieutenant in the United States navy, during the year 1851; copy of the charges and specifications preferred by Lieutenant Tunis A. Craven against Commodore Jones, in 1849 and 1850, with the reasons of the department for not acting thereon; and copies of the correspondence between the department and the commanders of the Pacific. squadron, and all other officers of the navy, in relation to the erection of a steam circular saw-mill in California, and the expenditure thereon; also, Commodore Jones's response to Lieutenant Craven's charges in reply to a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, dated September 7, 1850; also, copies of two letters from Commodore Jones to the Secretary of the Navy, dated, respectively, December 7, 1850, and January 21, 1851, together with the charges and specifications against Lieutenant T. M. Craven, and the documents which accompanied said letters to the Secretary of the Navy, for the trial of which a court-martial was demanded by Commodore Jones and refused by the Secretary of the Navy; also, any correspondence between the Secretary of the Navy, the commandant of the Boston navyyard, the commander of the sloop-of-war Falmouth, and Lieutenant R. W. Meade, between the fifth day of March and the first day of July, 1849, in relation to the appointment and transportation of said R. W. Meade, and other officers and engineers, from Boston to the Pacific, for the United States propeller Edith. After the consideration of executive business, THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1852. The President pro tempore laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of the Navy, communicating additional information in relation to contracts for mail steamers; which was read. Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, and printed, Mr. Hamlin presented a petition of citizens of the counties of Penobscot and Waldo, Maine, praying the establishment of certain mail routes and the discontinuance of others; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Mr. Hamlin presented the petition of Allen Lewis, owner of the fishing schooner Forrester, which was lost at sea, praying to be allowed fishing bounty; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. Hamlin presented the petition of Ezekiel Holbrook and others, owners of the fishing schooner Grampus, which was lost at sea, praying to be allowed fishing bounty; which was referred to the Committee on Com merce. Mr. Hamlin presented the petition of John Cameron and others, owners of the fishing schooner Stephen C. Philips, which was lost at sea, praying to be allowed fishing bounty; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. Sumner presented a petition of citizens of Boston, and a petition of citizens of Worcester, Massachusetts, praying a reduction of the rates of ocean postage; which were referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Mr. Davis presented a petition of citizens of Dorchester and Quincy, Massachusetts, praying the renewal of Woodworth's patent for a planingmachine; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office. Mr. Fish presented three petitions of citizens of New York, praying that the foreign policy of the United States may be in accordance with the principles of Washington as embodied in his Farewell Address. Ordered, That they lie on the table. Mr. Fish presented a petition of citizens of Buffalo, New York, praying an extension of Woodworth's patent for a planing-machine; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office. Mr. Fish presented a petition of citizens of Pennsylvania, praying a modification of the bounty land law; which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Mr. Felch, from the Committee on Public Lands, to whom was referred the bill (S. 233) granting the right of way and making a grant of land to the State of Michigan, in trust for the Zilwaukie, Grand Traverse, and Mackinaw Plank-road Company, in aid of the construction of a plank-road from Zilwaukie, on Saginaw river, to Grand Traverse bay, thence to the Straits of Mackinaw, reported it with an amendment. Mr. Hamlin, from the Committee on Commerce, to whom was referred the petition of George Dennett, submitted a report, (No. 148) accompanied by a bill (S. 311) for the relief of George Dennett, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The bill was read, and passed to the second reading. Ordered, That the report be printed. Mr. Downs, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill (S. 312) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide suitable accommodations for the courts of the United States; which was read and passed to the second reading. Mr. Downs also submitted a report (No. 149) on the subject; which was ordered to be printed. Mr. Geyer, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported a bill (S. 313) in addition to "An act to establish the judicial courts of the United States;" which was read, and passed to the second reading. Mr. Sebastian, agreeably to notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill (S. 314) for the relief of James Jones; which was read the first and second times, by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims. Mr. Brooke, agreeably to notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill (S. 315) granting lands to the States of Louisiana and Mississippi, in aid of the construction of certain railroads therein; which was read the first and second times, by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands. Mr. Dodge, of Iowa, agreeably to notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill (S. 316) for the benefit of the town of Belleview, in Iowa; which was read the first and second times, by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands. The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution submitted by Mr. Sumner the 18th instant, in relation to postal operations of the United States, and between the United States and foreign countries; and The resolution was agreed to. The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution submitted by Mr. Weller, the 22d instant, in relation to charges against the commissioner appointed to run the boundary between the United States and Mexico; and The resolution was agreed to. The bill (S. 250) to divide the State of Ohio into two judicial districts, and to provide for holding the district and circuit courts of the United States therein, was read the second time, 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 Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration. of the bill (S. 15) to establish a navy-yard and depot on the bay of San Francisco, in California; and the reported amendment, having been amended, was agreed to; and a further amendment being proposed by Mr. Brodhead, On motion, The Senate adjourned. FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1852. On motion by Mr. Badger, Ordered, That the order of the Senate assigning Friday of each week for the consideration of private claims, be suspended until one o'clock this day. The President pro tempore laid before the Senate a report of the Postmaster General, communicating, in compliance with a resolution of the Senate, copies of all contracts originally made and at present existing for the transportation of the mails between New York and California by steamships, and other information in relation thereto. Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, and printed. Mr. Hale presented the petition of Mary Colcord, praying a pension in consideration of the services of her father, Bradstreet Wiggins, during the revolutionary war; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions. Mr. Mallory presented thirteen memorials of members of the legislature of Florida, in relation to his election as a senator from that State, contested by the Honorable D. L. Yulee. Ordered, That they be referred to the select committee appointed on the subject the 2d December last. Mr. Badger submitted the following resolution; which was read: Resolved, That the clerk to the President of the Senate be continued during the present Congress, and be paid the same per diem compensation as heretofore allowed him. The resolution was read the second time, 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 pass to a third reading. The resolution was read the third time, by unanimous consent. Mr. Mangum submitted the following resolution; which was considered, by unanimous consent, and agreed to: Resolved, That the Committee to Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses of the Senate be instructed to inquire into the number of messengers, pages, folders, and laborers necessary for the service of the Senate, and the compensation proper to be allowed to each; also the number of horses and wagons, and the hire that ought to be allowed therefor; and that said committee report by resolution or otherwise. Mr. Hale submitted the following resolution for consideration: Resolved, That the Committee on Public Buildings be instructed to inquire into the propriety of purchasing the great national painting of Washington crossing the Delaware," and causing the same to be placed in the mansion of the President of the United States. The following message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. M. P. Fillmore, his secretary: To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: At the close of the commission to adjudicate upon the claims of citizens of the United States under the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, I directed a list to be made of papers which had been presented to that commission, and pursuant to the act of Congress, approved 3d March, 1849, the papers themselves to be carefully arranged and deposited for safe-keeping in the Department of State. I deemed all this necessary as well for the interest of the claimants, as to secure the government against fraudulent claims which might be preferred hereafter. A few days since I was surprised to learn that some of these papers had been fraudulently abstracted by one of the claimants; and upon the case being made known to me by the Secretary of State, I referred it to the Attorney General, for the purpose of ascertaining what punishment could be inflicted upon the person who had been guilty of this offence. I now communicate to you his opinion, and that of the attorney of the United States for this District, by which you will perceive that it is doubtful whether there be any law for punishing the very grave offence of fraudulently abstracting or mutilating the papers and public documents in the several departments of this government. It appears to me that the protection of the public records and papers requires that such acts should be made penal, and a suitable punishment inflicted upon the offender, and I therefore bring the subject to your consideration, to enable you to act upon it should you concur with me in this opinion. WASHINGTON, March 26, 1852. The message was read. MILLARD FILLMORE. Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. |