The North Carolina Standard

TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS:

FIRST SESSION.

SENATE.

On Monday the 6th inst. Mr. Sturgeon presented a memorial from citizens of Philadelphia, praying that effectual measures be taken to suppress the foreign slave trade under the American flag; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. Porter presented a memorial from citizens of the county of St. Joseph, Michigan, praying the passage of a general bankrupt law; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Prentiss presented two memorials from citizens of the State of Vermont, praying the passage of a general bankrupt law; which were also referred. Mr. Tallmadge presented the memorial of a number of citizens of Oswego county, New York, praying the passage of a bankrupt law; which was also referred. Mr. Clay of Alabama presented the memorial of a large number of highly respectable citizens of Alabama, praying the passage of a general bankrupt law; which was also referred. Mr. Buchanan presented the memorial of five hundred of the most respectable citizens of Pittsburg, praying the passage of a general bankrupt law; which was referred also. The bill for the discontinuance of the office of surveyor general in the several districts, so soon as the surveys therein can be completed, and for abolishing land offices under certain circumstances, and for other purposes, was read a third time, and passed. The bill to authorize the President of the United States to raise one thousand five hundred men, to serve against the Florida Indians, after some remarks from Messrs. Benton, Pierce, Linn, and Preston, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the bill granting to the State of Michigan a quantity of land to aid said State in the construction of a canal around the Falls of St. Marie. The bill makes a donation to the State for that purpose, of one hundred thousand acres of land, the proposed canal, when constructed, will connect the navigation of Lake Huron and the lower lakes with Lake Superior. It will not exceed a mile and a half to two miles in length. By surveys and estimates, the cost of the canal for navigation by sloops and schooners will not amount to more than about one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. Two hundred thousand, or two hundred and fifty thousand dollars will render it navigable to steamboats: ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. Mr. Tallmadge presented the petition of a number of citizens of Yates county, New York, praying that Florida may not be admitted into the Union as a State, whilst her Constitution tolerates slavery; the motion to receive which was on motion by Mr. King, laid on the table.

On Tuesday the 7th inst. The Vice President laid before the Senate a report from the Secretary of the Treasury, in compliance with the provisions of the act of June 25, 1834, regulating the value of certain foreign gold coins within the United States; which was referred to the Committee on Finance and ordered to be printed. Mr. White presented a memorial from citizens of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, praying the passage of a general bankrupt law: which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Calhoun presented a memorial of citizens of New York, praying the passage of a general bankrupt law; which was also referred.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

On Monday the 6th inst. on motion of Mr. Casey,

Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill providing for the apportionment of the representation under the census of 1840, so as that the Representatives to the Twenty-seventh Congress may be made agreeably to said apportionment and census.

Mr. Crabb moved a suspension of the rule for the purpose of taking up a resolution heretofore offered providing for an amendment of the Constitution, by which the Presidential term shall be limited to four years, Mr. C. having explained that his object was to have the resolution referred to the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, asked the yeas and nays on the motion to suspend the rule; which were ordered, and, being taken, were—yeas 77, nays 61, not two-thirds. So rules not suspended.

On Tuesday the 7th inst. The Speaker laid before the House the following message from the President of the United States:

Washington City, April 3, 1840.

Sir: In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 9th ultimo, I communicate herewith, accompanied by a report from the Secretary of War, "copies of the arrangement entered into between the Governor of Maine and Sir John Harvey, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, through the mediation of Major General Scott, in the month of March last, 1839, together with copies of the instructions given to General Scott, and of all correspondence with him relating to the subject of controversy between the State of Maine and the Province of New Brunswick."

Very respectfully

Your obedient servant,

M. VAN BUREN."

On motion of Mr. Clifford, it was referred to the Committee on Foreign affairs, and ordered to be printed. The Speaker also laid before the House a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, made in compliance with an act of Congress of 28th June, 1834, enclosing a copy of a statement from the Director of the Mint at Philadelphia showing the result of the assays made at that Mint of the coins referred to in said act: which was read, and, On motion of Mr. Fillmore, ordered to lie on the table, and be printed.

Mr. Sweney said he on yesterday voted against granting leave to the gentlemen from Kentucky [Mr. Davis] to introduce a bill vesting the appointment of District Attorneys and Marshals of the United States, in certain courts thereof, and providing that the emoluments of the said attorneys shall, in no case, exceed $3,000. He had since learned that the bill was one of some importance; and he thought that it should, at least, be received and referred to an appropriate committee for examination. Some of the marshals, he was told, received at least $20,000 annually, by way of fees. Such should not be the case. He did not wish the motion to be decided at that time. He then made the motion to reconsider, and moved that the question thereon be postponed till Monday week; which motion was agreed to.

Mr. Hand offered a resolution calling on the Secretary of War for his plan for the permanent defence of the Northern and Northeastern frontier. Mr. H. said his colleague [Mr. Fillmore,] yesterday offered a resolution of inquiry of the President, but that, as to the defences on our side, he believed it embraced only the present, "preparations" of our Government. He had also been informed that the Military Committee here sent an inquiry to the Secretary, but that was rather confined to estimates of expenses. Now, Mr. H. desired to see the general plan of the Secretary for our permanent defence. He believed that as to the Western frontier, one had been already submitted, and he was informed that one had been matured for the Northern and Northeastern. That he desired should be communicated to this House, and through it to the nation, that action could be had understandingly. And in any manner that might be thought judicious. Mr. H. then offered the following resolution, which was read:

Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested to communicate to this House what works he considers necessary to be constructed in order to place the Northern and Northeastern frontiers in a proper and permanent state of defence.

Which, after some debate, was submitted and read, but the question not taken.