Indiana American, Volume 5, Number 7, Brookville, Franklin County, 10 February 1837 — Page 2

January llh. Senate. Mr. Davis offered the following resolution : Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce be directed to inquire into the expediency of making some provision for the nautical education of American seamen. Mr. Walker presented the following reso-

l.it;ni nrrfiflnir !t hv rpmarks in favour of 'u""l I" "v "o J .... the course it lays down; but not asking its immediate consideration. Revoked, That the State of Texas having established and maintained an independent government, capable of performing those duties, foreign and domestic, w hich appertain to independent governments; and it appearing that there is no lousier any reasonable prospect of the successful prosecution of the w ar with Mexico against said State, it is expedien and proper, that in contormity wun me laws of nations, and the practice of this government in like cases, that the independent political existence cf said state shall be acknowledged byiUie government of the United States. Hor-sE of Representatives. Mr. Lambreling, from the Committee on Ways and Means. reported a bill ( reduce the icvenne of the United States to the wants of the government. The bill was accompanied by a lengthy report, giving a complete expose of tiie fmannlition of the country, the causes prol.: i .r.-cfiit siirnlue. and the mode of remedy by reducing the taxation, &c. going into a great variety of details and detailing, with much minuteness, the returns from each article of impost. The bill was in the following w ords: "Be it enacted, vSrc. That from and after the 30th davofSeptcmbcr next, in all cases where duties are imposed on foreign'imports bv the Act of the 1 1th July 1S32, entitled An Act to alter and amend the several Acts impoin" duties on imports' r by any other Act shall exceed "20 per centum on the value thereof, one third part of such excess diill be deducted from and auer me uurivfirst, of March, 1S38, one-half "of the rosidue of such excess shall be deducted; any hin-r it. thp Act of (he 2d of March. Ib3b, to the contrary notwithstanding.' 'Sec. 2." And be it further enacted, That from and after the 30th of September next .tulips mi fait and coal shall be, and the same arc hereby repealed." The report occupied upwardsW one hour in the read in jr. Mr. Cambrcleng moved the reference of the bill and report to a Committee of the whole on the state of the Union, which opened a warm debate, during which the House adjourned. January 12 A. Sewte. The resolution oiTered by Mr. Walker, on the subject of Texas, w as taken up, and postponed till Wednesday next, and made the special order for that day. ) Mr: Benton wished to invest the Committee on Public Lands, to which the joint reso-j lution concerning the Treasury order had been referred, with the authority to inqnre into the e fleet and operation of the Treasuryorder of July 1 1th, upon the business of the country and flic banking institutions of the States; and into the attempts (if any) to w ithdraw specie from circulation, and embarrass the business and exchange of the country the Committee to summon witnesses before them, if anv such arc near at hand, and conduct their inquiries at a distance by interrogatories. The motion was laid on the table. Mr. Preston offered the following resolution, w hich lies over. Resolved That the Committee on Military Affairs 1 e instructed to inquire into the cxpedieucyof causing an examination to be made bv a board of officers of rank and experience, of the improvements in fire arms made bv Hall, Cochran, Colt, and Baron Hisket, and that the general results be presented in tabular statements, show ing the advantage of enrh in all important iniiitarv nointsof view. and especially Js to 1st. i he celerity of fire. 2. The extent of the leroil. 3. The efficiency of the tire. 1. The inconvenience from healed barrels in rapid firing. 5. The capacity of being used as a ritle. (5. The simplicity and cheapness of construc tion. 7. Durability. S. Saving of ammunition and appendages. 9. The nummer of charges which mav be carried bv an infantry soldier. ... 10. The advantages charge of cavalry. when used against a 11. The advantages when used by cavalry. The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the next special order, the expunging resolution of Mr. Benton. Mr. Benton spoke at length on the subject. Mr. Dana followed, and before he had concluded, he gave way to Mr. Grundy ,on w hose motion The Senate adjourned. House of Represent ativEs. The business first in order was the bill reported yesterday by Mr. Camhrcleng, from the Committtee on Wais and Means, to reduce the revenue of the United States to the w ants of the government; there being two motions pending, first for commitment; and secondly, for indefinite postponement. After some discussion, in w hich Mr. Erwin opposed the bill, and Mr. Cusbman advocated j it, and Mr. Galbraith requested us postpone-1, ment. Mr. Muhlenberg, on the ground that the discussion would consume the session, moved that the bill, report, and documents, be laid on the table, and that they be printed. The question on the motion to lay the bill and report on the tabic w as t iken, and deciriecided in the negative, as fellows: Yeas 91; Nays 119. So the House determined: hat the bill

should not be laid on the table, and adjourncd. January I3lh. Mr. Buchanan presented the protest of a number ofcilizens of Philadelphia and its vicinity, against a reduction of the duty on coal. Senate. Mr. Davis offered the following

resolution, which lies over one day, calling upon the President for any correspondence which may have passed between him and Santa Anna, or any other person, relative to the independance of Texas. After the offering of a resolution by Mr. Crittenden, and some remarks by that gentleman, calling for information relative to the Seminole w ar, under Governor Call, of Flor ida, the Senate proceeded to the further con sideration of the special order, the expunging' resolution of jlr. Ucnton. House of Representatives The House resumed the consideration of the Bill to re duce the revenue to (he w ants of the Government. It was decided to commit the Bill and Report to (he Committee of the w hole on the State of the Union, and ten thousand extra copies of both were ordered to be printed. January 147. Senate. After the presentation and rcference of several memorials, Mr. Tallmadge presented one from the Board of Trade of the City of New York, praying for Congress to pass an act for the incorporation of a National Bank, to be located in that city. Referred lo (he Commitllee on Finance. On motion of Mr. King, of Georgia, special order, which was Mr. Benton's punging resolu'ion, was postponed, for thc rvpurpose of taking up the bill lo limit the sales of pubiic 1,-xnds, except to actual settlers, and in limited quantities. After some remarks from Mr. Walker, the bill and amendments were postponed to Monday, and The Expunging resolution of Mr. Benton was'thon taken up. House of Representatives. The House passed to the resolution of Mr. Allan, of Kentucky, proposing to give to the old States, an inc equal quantity of public lands, granted, from time to time, to the new States. There w ere two motions pending: one hyj Mr. Yinton, to pay the new States for the expense and value of iheir improvements, on j and through the public lands; and another, by Mr. Claiborne, of Miss., providing that no grants should cover the settlements or improvement of any actual settler. Mr., Bell suggested either that the Resolution be postponed, or laid on the table. He made the former motion, saying he would vote for the latter ifit were made. Mr. Boyd moved to l.y the resolution and amendments on the table. Pending this motion, the House passed to the orders of the day, and acted on a number of private bills. January IGth. Senate Mr. Buchanan presented a pe tition from persons interested in the coal trade in Philadelphia, against the

repeal oi,poncd to

the duties on foreign coal. The resolution offered by Mr. D.wis, on Friday, repuesting information, such as may be in the possession of the 1 resident, con cerning the visit of Santa Anna, was taken up and adopted. The Senate then proceeded to consider the Special Order, being the expunging res olution. House of Representatives. The House resumed the consideration of the motion, that, the petition presented on Monday last, by I Mr. Adams, from s'indry inhabitants of the State of Massachusetts, praving for the aboli ,-. . . . - . , .. ... tion of slavery in the District of Columbia, be not received. To enable the Western rand South-Western States to present petitions. Mr. Howard moved that the Stales, for this day, he called in reverse order, beginning with Wisconsin. Adopted. Petitions'wcre then presented, from the Territories, and the western, southern, mid dle, and northern States. January 17 (It. Senate. Mr. Kent presented a remon strance of the Grand Jury of Washington county, I). C. against the efforts of distant and self-created societies (o obtain an abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. A motion being made to print the remonstrance, the yeas and nays being called for by Mr. Morris, and ordered. After some discussion the question was faken on the printing and decided in the affir mative yeas 31, noeso (Linn,Niles, Page. Ruggles and Strange.) Mr. Preston, from the committf e on the Library, reported a joint resolution, authorising the payment of 30,000 dollars for the work left by Mr. Madison read a first lime. On mot ion of Mr. Walker, the Senate took up the Special Order, being the bill to pro hibit t ie sales of the Public Lauds, except to actual settlers, SiC House of Representatives. Mr. Under wootl asked permission to offer a resolution. which being objected to, Mr. U. asked leave toresul the resolution, which was also objected lo. The Chair said, an objection being made. the gentleman could not proceed to read the resolutions; the objections being withdrawn the resolutions were read The last resolution directs the Committee on the Judiciary to bring in a bill providing proper punishment for anv attempt to destroy or deface anv record of the proceedings of either House of Congreess. Mr. Underwood moved to suspend the rules for the purpose of submitting the reso lutions, and thereupon the yeas and nays, were ordered, and being taken, the motion was rejected yeas77, nays IIS.

The question was then taken on the mo

tion to postpone all the orders of the day, in nrdpr to fake un the Michigan Bill, and it was determined in the negative. Yeas 104 navsTl not the requisite two-thirds. The House then resumed the consideraion of Mr. Wise's resolution for investigating the Executive Departments, winch was adopted as originally reported yeas 1G5 nays 9. House of Representatives. Mr. R. M Johnson complained of the serious expenses fo which members of Congress were subjected on special business, bv reason of postages on letters forwarded bv the express Mail, lie asked the consent of the House to offer a res olution instructing the committee on the Post Office and Post Heads to report to the House a joint resolution, making it the duty of the Postmaster General to require the postage of express mail letters fo be paid in advance The House would not receive the reso lution at this time. Mr. Jenifer, of Marv land, made an ineff ectual motion to suspend the rule, to enable him to offer a resolution, providing that the memorial of the Grand Jurorsof ashington county, in relation to the petitions for aboli tion of slavery in this District, be printed. Bv consent. Mr. Gideon Lee offered the following resolotion: Kesolveu, 1 hat the L crr.mittee on the judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expe diency of so far extending the jurisdiction of the courts of the United JMales, as to include therein all cases of robbery, larceny and theft ri rn-iir-rrl - (invpn nn shnrp nr ft 1 1i(t;i ! i v f:jl'1"!"-' 'j . ...... . . ..... j , ! ken) from vessels or w recks on the coast of . ' , , ... high water mark, or below that line. The resolution was adopted. Mr. Lawrence presented the memorial of Gcorjre Hall and four hundred merchants of the city of Boston, praying Congress to estab lish steam ami other vessels, for the protection ofsiups ol the U nuod states, coming on our coast in the winter. Mr. L. staled briefly, the causes which had elicited this memorial. It was w ell known that, duriug the past year, there had been a great and unprecedented loss of life and property from shipwrecks on our coast. These calamities were attributable, partly to the w ant of a proper system of pilotage; but mainly to (he fact that vessels, coming upon a bleak winters coast, after very long voyages and short of provision, w ere in want of aid and protection beyond that which their own crews were able to furnish. He moved that the memorial be referred j to the Committee on Commerce, and hoped that something would be done on the subject promptly. January ISlh. The bill restricting the sales of Public lands was again before the Senate. Mr. Clay moved to reconsider the vote in favor of graduating the price of lands, (which he had voted for under a misapprehension;) but before any decision w as had, the w hole subject was post 1 riday. from the Land committee virtually A bill repealing the Treasury Order passed through its first stages without opposition. A bill instructing the Treasury Department to anticipate the payment of the indemnity instalments becoming due under the French and Neapolitan treaties, was considered and rejected, Yeas 19, Nays 22. In the House, a resolution offered by Mr. Hawes, providing that all memorials relating to the abolition of slavery be laid on the table and no father action be had thereon, was adopledilebale having been cut off bv the -x j previous question;) Yeas 129, Nays 09, A bill to regulate the pay and mileage of Members of Congress (designed to prevent overcharges) was carried through all its incipient stages and engrossed: Yeas ISO nays 1G. The Michigan bill came up, and those opposed to the recent proceedings in Michigan wished it committed to a committee of the whole House on the State of the Union. This was warmly opposed by the friends of the bill, and defeated, Yeas SO, Nays 1 10 so the bill w ould come up in course for the direct action of the House on (he following day. Thutsiay Jan. 19 A IS37. Mr. Clayton, the Senator from Delaware, was quallified and took his scat. The President communicated two letters which had pas-ed between him and Santa Anna with regard toTexian affairs. His own, which is in answer to a direct overture from the Mexican chief, is characterized by a desire to do all in his power for (he restoration of peace between Mexico and Texas, but at the same lime evinces a salutary fear of entangling our country in any foreign aliances or negotiations, or even of acquiring for it the char acter of an intcrmeddler w ith the affairs of others. After a few observations from Messrs. Preston, Walker, and Calhoun, the papers were ordered to be printed. A great number of private and unimportant bills were then passed or ordered to a third readand the Senate adjourned. In the House, a spirited debate arosp on a resolution inquiring into the mileage charged at the. late and present session by Members of Congress. The specific proposition was a motion to strike out so much of the resolution as included Members of the Senate. No question was taken. Mr Bell again unsuccessfully attempted to introduced his bill to secure the fredom of elections. The House took up the Michigan Bill and Mr. Thomas of Md. spoke at great length in its support. Mr. Hardin of Kentucky followed in reply, contending against vilhdity of the last Michigan Convention. When he had concluded Mr. Yanderpool obtained the floor, and the House Adj. Jan. 20lh. This day the Senate passed the bill au-

authorizi ng the relinquishment of the "16th Section" of (he public Lands received for (he support of schools and (he entry of any other lands in lieu cf them: Yeas 21; Nays 13. Mr. Ewing now endeavored to get up the bill virtually repealing the speceic Order, but without success. The Senate look up the bill "prohibiting- the sales of Public

Lands, except to actual settlers ana nrimeu Quantities." Mr Clay moved the reconsidera tion of Mr. Morris's amendment graduating the price of lands to $1 after they have been five years in market, and 75 cents after ihev have" been (en years for sale. The mo tion to reconsider prevailed: 19 to 11. The ouestion was then taken on the graduating amendment, w hich was negatived, as follow Yeas Messrs. Benton, Bh'ck, Clayton, Ewing of III., Eulton, Grundy, Hendricks. King of Ala., Linn, Moore, Morris, Nicholas. Rives. .Robinson, Sevier, Tipton, Walker White. IS. Nays Messrs. Brown, Buchanan, Ca hotin. Clav. Crittenden. Dana. Ewing of - r - v ' ' Ohio, Hubbard, Kent, Niles, Paige, Prentiss. Preston. Robinson, Strange, Swift, J all-m.-idge, Wright, 19. Mr. Walker now moved the recommitment of the bill, and a discussion ensued among its friends, some considering it vertuaby des troyed by the failure of the amendment. Messrs Tipton, Moore and Sevier severally declared (hat if (hey could not secure some reduction of (he price of Public Lands, they should do their best fo defeat the bill. Fi nally, further action on the bill was postpon ed by unanimous consent. Adj. In the House, the Pest Office Committee made a Report on the causes of the destruc tion of the Post Ofhce by fire. It amounts to little or nothing. Mr Underwood's reso lution respecting the mileage of Members was debated bv the mover, Messrs. Claiborne of Miss, and Yell of Ark. the two latter in violent opposition. The former moved to suspend (he compensation of Members while in attendance upon the Supreme Court, :c., and Mr. lell moved to reduce the compensation to six dollars per day, and to remove the Seal of Government to some point on the Mississippi or Ohio River. The subject was not disposed of. Several private bills were passed. January 21.". The memorial of Mr Loyd relative to his arrest for hissing while the Clerk was cmployed in the Expunging was talked about. No action had. Mr. Benton's proposition for certain inquiries respecting the Deposite Banks was taken from the Committee on Public Lands & referred to the Committee of Finance. The Senate afterward took up he restricting the sales of Public Lands. A proposition to amend so as to make one years resilience sunn lent was negatived: leas 12: Nays 23. Two year s was then proposed and agreed fo: Yeas 27; Nays II. Several minor amendments were proposed, and the bill then postponed to Monday. A number of private bills w ere passed. In the House a considerable discussion arose on a lull granting the Atchalaiaya (Lou.) Railroad and Banking Company a right ofwnv through the Public Lands,which finally p ssed to its third reading. The de bate w as on a proposition to amend so as to secure the transportation of the mails on the Road at a moderate rate, which was cut ell. The Select Committee of Investigation into the conduct of the Executive Depart ment, obtained leave to sit during session of the House. The following Members compose that Lommitie: Messrs. nine or a., Pearcc of R. I., Muhlenberg of Pa., Lampbell of S. C. Haii'iegan of Ind., Parks of Mo., Lincoln of Mass., A. Mann of N. Y., and Chancy of Ohio: Three only (those in Italics) of the nine arc of the Opposition. . January 2oV. After the dispach of morning business. the Senate again took up the Public Land Bill, and some unimportant details were set tled. Mr. Tipton now moved a new graduition clause, providing that lands remaining unsold tor ten years should ue reduced to one dollar per acre, and in five years more to s;venty-five cents. Mr. Ewing of Ohio took the floor in opposition to (be general principle and leading provisions of (he bill, and spoke until the hour of adjournment. In the House a great number of petitions were presented. Mr. Adams revived the Abolition lopic, and endeavored to bring a petition presented by him before the House. The Speaker decided that it must lie on the table. Mr. Adams appealed, the decision of the Speaker was sustained; leas io; Nays 32. The usual uproar prevailed. Mr. Cushing brought before the House tho memorial of the merchants of Massachusetts respecting the vexatious and burdensome impositions upon vessels navigating (he Baltic, denominated (he Sound dues, by (he Danish authorities at Elsineur. The memorial was referred to theCommidee on Foreign Affairs. Mr. Bell again altemp(ed (o introduce his bill respecting the Freedom of Elections. The Annual Report from the U. S. Mint was received. Adjourned. January 24A. . Senate. Mr. Ewing concluded his speech' on the subject of Public Lands .generally. He was followed by Messrs. Clay, Dana and Tipton. Tee vote on Mr. - Tipton's graduating amendment was then taken, and it was lost: Yeas IS: Nays 19. Air. Benton then introduced a proposition for a reduction of price; but this was also lost: Yeas 18; Nays 20. Mr. Sevier proposed that settlers claiming pre-emption shall have settled at least six months before the knds are offered for sale; which was agreed to. Mr. Morris moved to sdike out the fourth section of the bill, w hich gives those who have settled on the lands before they are offered for sale the right of pre-emption at the minimum price of 1 25

jper acre. This motion was discussed by Messrs. Linn. Benton. Clav. Sevier n.,!

Walker all but Mr. Clav in oppo ition to it Mr. W aiker iler laring t hat if this amendment should prevail, the bill would be absolutely worthless. Mr. Morris rose to replybut gave way to a motion for adjournment. In the House, Mr. Shephard Irom the l!i,. trit t Committee, reported a bill t; incorporate the Bank of the District of Columbia, and to renew the ('barters of the nt!i Banks. Mr. Cambrcleng from the Committee of Wns and Means, reported against the petition of the Board of Trade of N. York for ii National Bank; and their memoral was ordered to lie on the table. After the morning business was disposed of, the Michigan bill came up. Mr. Yandcrpool of N. York spoe at great length in ti favor. Mr. Slorcrof Ohio followed in opposition. After some further discussion, Mr. Abijab Mann of New York obtained the floor and moved the Previous Question. At this stage, the House adjourned. January 25.'(. In Senate, bills fo amend (he act punishing crimes ngains( the Government and property of (he U . States, fo pay the volunteers from Tennessee and Kentucky who were called out last summer and discharged before marching, toregulate (he pay and equipments of the Marine Corps, and to settle the lon:j contested claim of Richard W. Meade, were severally considered. Mr. Nicholas proposed an investigation of frauds in land saies in Louisiana, which lies over fo enable Mr. Sevier to move for a more comprehensive inquiry. The Land Bill was then taken up; the question being on Mr. Morris's amendment. The debate wa continued by Messrs. Wallcker, Ewing of Ohio and Robinson, principally with regard to pre-emption, and alleged frauds in relation to them, to little purpose. The Senate finally went into Erccutivc business. In the House, Mr. Bell, for (he twelfth or fourteenth day su ccssively, asked leavo to introduce his bill to secure the Freedom cf Elections. He requested (hat it be read, which was objected fo, but finally allowed. The preamble embodies along list of grave charges of corrupt and vicious tampering with the people's suffrage by (he officers of (he Federal Government in the recent election of President. Mr. Bell avowed his ability and readiness to sustain these allegations by proof, if permitted by the House. When he had concluded his remarks, Mr. Vatnlerpocl moved (hat the House pass to I lie rrJcr of the day, w hich prevailed, and the Michigan Bill came up Mr. Mann's call for (he Previous Question being in order. Mr. Jcniferof Md. wished it withdrawn to enable him to speak. Mr. Mann remarked that he might speak on the third reading of the bill. Mr. Jenifer replied that he w ished to mnve the striking out of (he preamble which vrculd not then be in order. Mr. Mann refused to withdraw. The call for the Previous Question was sustained: Yeas 81; Na'S 07. The main question was then put and carried: Yeas 140; Nays 58. So the bill passed to its third reading. On motion, it was order ed to be read a third time forthwith, whereupon Mr. Jenifer addressed fhe House at length against the principles involved and sustained in the preamble. The discussion was continued to a very late hour, when it was cut off by the Previous Question. The bill was PArsEii, so it only wants (lie signature of the President to become a law. Most Righteous. A suit brought agair.st the Boston and Providence Roilroad Company seven persons v ho hael their limbs broken and were otherwise injured in a collision be tween two trains of cars on their Koad, was tried before the Supreme Court of Massachulits Inst w ee k, and resulted in a verdict for the planliffs of3 0C0fo one of them, $2,250 each to two, $f,5C0 to a fourth, and 175 to the two remaining in rill, -911,320. We are happj to be assured that, though corporations have no souls, they have yet rapacious pockets, and that (he fingers of (hose they abuse may occasionally be got into them. The injury sustained w as entirely attributable to the foolhardiiiess of the engineer. JYero Yorker. The second trial of Iii hard II. Vi 'hile, for setting fire (o the building of the U. 5. Treasury Depnrtnicnt at Washington in 1S31, e onirncnced on Thursday the Gth and e losed on Tuesdey the 10 inst. The jury re turned a verdict that "Ve are of eruiucn that the offence, as charged, was committed bv the prisioner; but find Not Guilty upon the plea of limitations, more than two years having elapsed pom the committing of the offence (o (he finding of the indictment." I his was claimed ! Mr. Brent for (he prison er as a verdict of acqiltal; but (he court de murred and beloved the prisoner lor further argument on the technical point. .V. Yoikcr. Hon. Dabney Curr, Judge of the Court of Appeals of Yirginia, died at his residence near Richmond on the St!) inst. in the G It Ii year of his age, highly beloved a id deeply lamented. A. Yorker. It is repor'oel that an attempt has been made a few evenings since, to burn the Land office at Washington City. A few more fires' and the expunging knights will have "black lines" around the cnpilol, vihich may take blood to w ipe them out. Richmond Palladium. Thomas Paint's Bones. The bones of Thomas Paine, says an English paper, which were brought over from America by the lalc William Cobbct, now lie at Normandy farm w here they have been seized by the landlord on distress for rent.