IX. From the Secretary of the Interior, in relation to furnishing and refitting an office for the register of deeds of the District of Columbia; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations. X. From the Secretary of the Interior, transmitting, in compliance with House resolution of the 18th ultimo, a statement showing the total amount due and necessary to pay certain United States marshals for services in connection with the 8th census, in 1860; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations. XI. From the Secretary of the Interior, transmitting, in compliance with House resolution of the 8th ultimo, a report by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, relative to the last commission appointed to treat with the Great and Little Osage Indians; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. XII. From the Secretary of War, transmitting a letter from a committee of colored citizens of the 5th congressional district of Virginia, praying for the continuance of the Freedmen's Bureau in that State; which was referred to the Committee on Freedmen's Affairs. XIII. From the Secretary of the Interior, transmitting a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, relative to a deficiency in the appropriation for pay of commissioners to treat with the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations. XIV. From the Secretary of the Interior, transmitting a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, with enclosures, relative to the removal from the Cherokee nation of certain Creek Indians; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. XV. From the Secretary of the Interior, transmitting a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, submitting an estimate of appropriations required for medallions for distribution to Indian tribes; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations. XVI. From the Secretary of the Interior, transmitting a letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, relative to the destitute condition of the Kansas tribe of Indians, and recommending an appropriation for their relief; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations. XVII. From the Secretary of the Interior, relative to certain selections of lands made by the mixed and half bloods of the Sacs and Foxes, under treaty stipulations; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. XVIII. From the Commissioner of Agriculture, transmitting, in compliance with the House resolution of the 18th ultimo, a report relative to the cost of erecting the new agricultural building; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations. XIX. From the Secretary of War, relative to additional appropriations for a bridge at Rock Island arsenal; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations. XX. From the Secretary of War, transmitting the petition of James Chew, for removal of political disabilities, recommended by the General of the army and the commander of the first military district; which was referred to the Committee on Reconstruction. The Speaker also, by unanimous consent, presented a letter from the secretary of the Territory of New Mexico, transmitting the laws of said Territory; which was referred to the Committee on the Territories. The Speaker, by unanimous consent, laid before the House the credentials of J. Willis Menard as member elect to this house from the second congressional district, in the State of Louisiana, in place of James Mann, deceased; which were referred to the Committee of Elections. By unanimous consent, leave of absence until the 19th day of January instant was granted to Mr. Pruyn. By unanimous consent, Mr. Baker was excused from further service on the Committee on Education and Labor. The Speaker, by unanimous consent, laid before the House the following message from the President of the United States; which was read, referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and ordered to be printed, viz: To the House of Representatives: In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 14th instant, requesting the correspondence which has taken place between the United States minister at Brazil and Rear-Admiral Davis, touching the disposition of the American squadron at Rio Janeiro and the Paraguay difficulties, I transmit a report of the Secretary of State upon that subject. WASHINGTON, December 16, 1868. ANDREW JOHNSON. Mr. Niblack, by unanimous consent, introduced the following resolu tion; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of making more liberal provisions by law for the removal of the charge of desertion not of a serious or aggravated character against soldiers in the late civil war, and particularly as to the propriety of relaxing the rule withholding bounty from otherwise meritorious soldiers who have received honorable discharges, but against whom charges of desertion rest. Resolved, also, That the Committee on Invalid Pensions be instructed to inquire into the expediency of relaxing the rule withholding pensions from soldiers or their widows or heirs on account of charges of desertion, when such soldiers have received honorable discharges or may have lost their lives while in the army and in the line of their duty. Resolved, also, That each of said committees be instructed to report by bill or otherwise. Mr. Price, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill (H. R. 1578) to secure the use of American iron in the construction of land-grant railroads; which was read a first and second time, referred to the Committee on the Pacific Railroad, and ordered to be printed. The House, as the regular order of business, resumed the consideration of the bill of the House (H. R. 1491) fixing the amount found to be due to the State of Iowa on account of certain claims against the United States, heretofore reported from the Committee on Military Affairs, the pending question being on the motion to recommit the said bill with instructions to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. James F. Wilson moved to amend the instructions heretofore submitted by Mr. Pruyn and accepted by Mr. Wood. Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne moved the previous question, which was seconded. The question then being, Shall the main question be now put? It was decided in the affirmative Yeas. Nays 100 24 97 The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present, Those who voted in the affirmative are Mr. William B. Allison George W. Anderson Mr. Delos R. Ashley Mr. John D. Baldwin Mr. John A. Bingham The question then recurring on the motion of Mr. James F. Wilson to amend the instructions, it was agreed to. The question then recurring on the motion to recommit with instructions, as amended, it was agreed to. Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne moved to reconsider the vote last taken, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Mr. B. F. Butler, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill (H. R. 1582) to secure and protect the freedom of transit within the United States; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. R. R. Butler, by unanimous consent, introduced bills; which were severally read a first and second time, and referred as follows, viz: H. R. 1579. A bill for the relief of Captain George E. Grisham, of Tennessee, to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. H. R. 1580. A bill for the relief of Sarah Barry of Tennessee, to the same committee; and H. R. 1581. A bill for the relief of Elizabeth Hockaday of Tennessee, to the same committee. Mr. Samuel Hooper, by unanimous consent, submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to inform this house of the condition of the National Mechanics and Farmers' Bank of Albany, New York, and whether any proceedings have been instituted against that association for evasion of the law and omission to comply with the national currency act. Mr. Newcomb, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill (H. R. 1583) to establish certain post routes in the State of Missouri; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. On motion of Mr. Churchill, by unanimous consent, the Committee on the Judiciary were discharged from the further consideration of bills of the House of the following titles, viz: (H. R. 1429) to amend an act entitled "An act to establish an uniform rule for naturalization," &c., passed April 14, 1802, and (H. R. 1274) concerning the naturalization of aliens; and the same were referred to the Committee on the Revision of the Laws of the United States, and the last named bill (H. R. 1274) was ordered to be printed. Mr. Churchill, by unanimous consent, submitted the following resolution; which was read, and, by unanimous consent, considered and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Interior be directed to transmit to this house a copy of the report of the special commissioners on any of the branches of the Union Pacific railroad which has been received since the date of his communication in answer to House resolution of the 15th ultimo. Mr. Julian, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill (H. R. 1585) for the relief of Jane Finley; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. Mr. Julian also, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill (H. R. 1585) to amend the naturalization laws of the United States; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Benjamin, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill (H. R. 1586) granting a pension to Mrs. Naomi Adams; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. Mr. Benjamin also, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill (H. R. 1587) establishing certain post routes in the State of Missouri; which was read a first and second time and referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Mr. Stephen F. Wilson, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported that the committee had examined and found truly enrolled a bill of the following title, viz: S. 700. An act for the relief of Joseph Moorehead; When The Speaker signed the same. Mr. Kelley, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, submitted a report in writing in relation to the navy yard at Philadelphia; which was ordered to be printed and recommitted to the said committee. Subsequently Mr. Randall moved that the vote whereby said report was recommitted be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Mr. Kelley, from the same committee, to whom was referred a bill of the House of the following title, viz: (H. R. 728) a bill relating to the Bureau of Steam Engineering in the Navy Department, reported the same back without amendment. The House having proceeded to its consideration, After debate, Mr. Kelley moved the previous question; which was seconded and the main question ordered to be put. The bill was then ordered to be engrossed and read a third time. And it was decided in the affirmative Yeas.. Nays.. 98 22 101 The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present, Those who voted in the affirmative are— |