SENATE.] Pensions. [MAY 11, 1832. Sir, some remarks have fallen from the Senator in re- 112,566. And is not the money to be paid to those who lation to the militia who are provided for in this bill, for rendered the service? Does the Senator ask why the six months' service in the war of the revolution, which a New England States should have furnished a greater por sense of duty compels me to notice. The Senator is not tion than his own State? He has himself given one very at all responsible to me for any remarks he may choose to satisfactory reason-that near one-half of the population make in relation to the militia of his own State; but, sir, of South Carolina were tories! Sir, we had very few the conduct of the militia of my State, during that event-tories in New England. And since we never have, by ful period, is deserving of the highest praise and commen- former acts, nor do we now propose to pension the tories, dation. Nor do I believe that any portion of the militia of he must not expect so great a portion of the pensions to go any of the Eastern States deserve the censure cast upon to the South. But, sir, the Senator will find, on examinthem by such insinuations. Who fought the battles of ing the documents on our table, that South Carolina, even Bunker Hill, Lexington, Bennington, and Saratoga, tlie now, has on the pension list a greater number of penPlains of Abraham, and under the walls of Quebec? Have sioners, in proportion to her number of regular troops, any of your laws of 1818 or 1828 embraced those brave than Connecticut. and devoted patriots and citizen soldiers? No! These The Senator has produced a statement here, to show men are excluded! Where can you find the militia, in that, in some of the New England States, more money is the Eastern or Middle States, fleeing to the camp as received in pensions than the amount of their civil lists. a place of safety?" Sir, this insinuation distressed me. What then! Suppose it to be so. If the money be due Towards our militia it was unjust, unkind. During the to citizens residing there, should it be withheld because year 1780, Connecticut had in the field more than one- they reside in New England? In the settlement of just seventh part of the whole regular army! But, sir, where claims, or appropriations of money, have we ever objectwas this force employed? Not a single "camp" in that ed that the money was going to the South? No, sir; I reState! And when our whole coast, for ninety miles in joice that no such sectional feelings exist in my part of extent, was in one almost continued blaze; when all our the country; and no such complaints have ever been heard, principal towns, from Rhode Island to New York, were on this floor, from New England Senators. involved in one general conflagration, not a continental The Senator has said that the citizens of South Caroofficer or soldier could be found in the State. They were lina served and suffered more than any other portion fighting the battles of our common country in New York of the Union." Why, then, does he oppose the passage and in other States south of us. Who were massacred at of this bill, which embraces volunteers and militia-the Groton fort, where near two hundred wives were made very class who performed such services, and endured such widows, and six hundred children made orphans, in a sufferings, in his own State? Is it because he is against single day? Militia and volunteers! Sir, the militia of the principle? This bill embraces no new principle. It Connecticut never "fled to the camp for a place of is a supplement to the act of 15th May, 1828, which he so safety." They flew to meet the foe at every point. Yes, ably advocated, and which may be emphatically called his sir, they flew. On the militia and volunteers devolved the own favorite bill. He has already established the princidefence of our whole line of seacoast: they were kept in ple, and we now propose to extend his own principles, perpetual alarms, from the incursions of the Vandal ene- for the benefit of his own State, and others, who did not furmy. Some volunteer companies were denominated nish troops for the regular army, but did furnish their full "minute men," from the celerity of their movements. quota of militia and volunteers, whose just claims are, for One company of a hundred men, from my native town, the first time, embraced in this bill. We propose to do forced a march of forty miles, to defend the public stores equal justice to all; but, strange and unaccountable as it at Danbury, and drove in the rear guard of the enemy. is, he opposes it with all his powerful eloquence and arThey exchanged three shots, killed and wounded fourteen gument, even when his own State, from his own stateof the enemy; nor did they retreat until the artillery open-ment, is most deeply interested in the bill. Sir, the Seed a fire upon them from the main body. On another oc- nator has denounced a system of pensions for military casion, the same company, in less than six hours from the services, in very strong terms, as the commencement of a first alarm, mustered, marched fourteen miles, and drove system which will embrace all classes of the community, in a marauding party of a hundred and fifty, with a loss to the British, as was said, of four killed, including an officer, and six wounded; on our side, four killed, and two 'severely wounded. These wounds I have seen: these men were crippled for life. Did they "flee to the camp as a place of safety?" Are such men unworthy of the consideration of Congress? Sir, they never received it, they never asked it. They have mostly paid the debt of Both the Senators from Maryland and South Carolina nature, and rest with the great congregation of the dead. have charged on me a departure from the ground taken But let not their memory be traduced-it is dear to us by the Senators from Connecticut in former times. They to me it is dear. I knew many of these men: they were are said to have protested and voted against the princimy neighbors they were my friends. Sir, one fact in ple of pensioning for military services. If the Senators relation to this company is worthy of notice. It will be un-will look at reports made by me during the present and derstood, three only of that company now survive, to my former sessions, which have been printed, and sustained knowledge: two reside in Ohio, and one in St. Lawrence by the unanimous vote of the Senate, they will find a County, New York. strong protest against pensioning for military services, The Senator complains that the money paid for ser- in more than one report. These reports go further, vices during the revolutionary war goes in very large pro-and state what, in my opinion, is strictly true: that Conportions to the Eastern States. Does he wish to know gress have never recognised the principle of pensioning the cause? Where were the troops raised? Does not the for military services, and I trust they never will. They Senator know that more than one-half of the whole num- have, indeed, granted invalid pensions to such as were ber of regular troops were raised in the New England disabled by known wounds received in the "service" States? Let him look at the report, taken from official and this is to be considered rather as part of the contract, documents, and he will find that New Hampshire, Massa- or inducement to enter the service. The act of 1818 chusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, furnished in the cannot be considered as recognising the principle of penregular army 118,250 men, and the other nine States but sions. Its provisions did not embrace all who served in for every species of public service, and will eventually break down this Government. But, sir, let me ask the Senator, who has ever advocated any such system on this floor, or elsewhere? Not one. A system of pensions has always been denounced. During this present session the Senate has denounced it. It has not an advocate in this Union; and why should the Senator be alarmed? MAY 11, 1832.] Pensions. [SENATE. the revolutionary wár, even on the continental establish- while those who, by honest industry and economy, and by ment; but only those "who were in such reduced cir- hard labor, have obtained a small pittance of property cumstances as to need the aid of their country for sup. which would rent for eighteen dollars per annum, have port." It was rather a gratuity, or charity, induced by been considered too rich to need any aid from the Gothe conviction that those men had never been fully paid vernment, and have been excluded from its benefits. The according to contract, and were then pining in poverty. palpable injustice to meritorious officers and soldiers unThe act of 15th May, 1828, to which this bill is a supple-doubtedly induced Congress to pass the act of 15th May, ment, does not recognise the pension principle at all. It 1828. This afforded only a partial relief; and it will be rests on the ground that the contracts of the Government recollected, its passage was opposed by many, because its with these men were never performed in good faith; that provisions did not embrace all who were equally meritothey never received a full compensation: and this bill rious--the State troops, volunteers, and militia, which proposes to add the remnant of the revolutionary army, this bill proposes to add to the list: and can it be said these including militia, State troops, and volunteers, upon the men have no claims? It will not, it cannot, be denied. same principle--that they were never paid according to Sir, in my opinion, we are bound by the most solemn oblicontract. It does not propose to make full payment, but gations to provide for this remnant of that army, whether to do something like equal justice to all who have equal they had, originally, any claim or not. Congress, by its claims for their services, sacrifices, and sufferings, in the legislation, has laid the foundation for a claim, which canglorious struggle for our independence. And will the not be resisted. The united voice of the people demands Senator say that these men have no claims? it; equal and exact justice demands it. The House of Representatives, at the last session, by an overwhelming vote, admitted it-and will the Senate refuse? The venerable Senator from Maryland has said that there was no fighting in New England after the year 1779. Has the Senator forgotten that all the principal towns in Of the second objection, viz. that "we have already Connecticut were plundered and burnt by the enemy af- been too liberal." Mr. President, can this be seriously ter that period? He has scouted the idea that any of the urged to invalidate the claim of the old soldier? If we "officers or soldiers ever complained of privations and have been "too liberal" to one portion of that army, shall sufferings." If he had read the petitions referred to the we be unjust to others? Such an argument will hardly Committee on Pensions, sure I am he would never have justify us to our own consciences, much less in the eyes of hazarded such an assertion. And what will be the surprise the world. But it is said "frauds will be practised." Sir, of his brother officers and soldiers to hear him assert, on although great complaints have been made of frauds unthis floor, that no New England troops were in the bat-der the act of 1818, can any frauds be found under the tles on Long Island and White Plains? Where were the nine thousand five hundred regular troops from New England at that time? They were not in their own States. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Connecticut troops (including militia) were on Long Island and York Island. act of May, 1828, to which this is a supplement? I have heard of none. Some Senators have fallen into error in opposing this bill, as a supplement to the act of 1818; and they will find their arguments wholly irrelevant. I hope Senators will at least give the bill a fair construction, and not charge upon it, as some of our Southern brethren have upon the tariff, all the evils which they fear, in addition to all the "ills of human life." But, sir, the great and The arguments used against this bill are--we are not bound to provide for these old soldiers-we have already been too liberal--frauds will be practised--it will draw money from the treasury-we shall be heavily taxed. I powerful argument against the passage of the bill is, "it will briefly notice these arguments, in their order. 1st, will beggar the treasury, or, at least, prevent the reducIt is said "we are not bound to provide for these old sol- tion of unnecessary and oppressive duties." And will you diers." My answer is, it is now too late for the application refuse to satisfy a just claim because it will cost money? of this objection. If this was an original question, the Sir, the report of the committee, which has been read, and case would be entirely different; and, from the experi- is in the hands of every Senator, shows the estimated ence of the operation of the act of 1818, I am inclined to amount of annual charge on the treasury. If the bill should doubt whether a similar bill would, at this time, pass pass, not to exceed four hundred and fifty thousand doleither House of Congress. But, sir, this is not now the lars; and is this price too high for our independence? and question. The act of 1818 has been in operation fourteen that sum will be rapidly reduced; and within five years years. More than twenty thousand have received its be- will be reduced to a sum merely nominal. The accuracy nefits. This bill has no connexion with, or reference to, of those estimates may be tested by any one who wishes it. The question now is, whether we ought not to extend to investigate them, and examine them fairly. The comthe provisions of the act of 15th May, 1828, to the small mittee believe they will be found to exceed the demand. remnant of that army; giving some portion of the liberality, But, sir, it is objected by some, that militia, State bounty, or charity (if you please) to those who are equally troops, and volunteers, ought not to be embraced in it. entitled to it, for their services and sufferings, which has Will it be contended that their services were not as ardubeen so long enjoyed by others. Most certainly. Both ous and as dangerous as those of the regular army? They equity and justice demand it: and what stronger obligation fought by their side in every battle; they shared with can be imposed on us? The act of 1818 was intended to them in every danger and every hardship. Yes, more; embrace those, and those only, who were in such reduced for if the regular army was poorly clad and miserably fed, circumstances as to need the aid of their country for sup- what was the condition of those who were suddenly called port. This act is still in full force, and embraces all who from their homes, without perhaps a change of clothing, shall become so reduced. The inequality and conse- and for whom no provision had been made on a sudden quent injustice of that act has ever been a ground of seri- emergency? History informs us that their sufferings were ous complaint. In its operation it has held out induce- even greater than those of the regular army. Whose line ments, and even a bounty, to indolence and improvidence. of march, or trail, might be traced by the blood upon the It has embraced a very large portion of those who served and suffered least in that army, while those who bore the heat and burden of the day, and who have, by prudence, industry, and economy, acquired even a small pittance of property, valued over three hundred dollars, have been excluded from its benefits. It has given, from the public treasury, ninety-six dollars per annum to many of the improvident, indolent, and the dissolute, for their support; frozen ground, oozing from their bare and frozen and lacerated feet? Who were driven to the dire necessity of satisfying the cravings of hunger with the “pates and offals of cattle, and even with the hoofs of horses?" State troops and militia, ordered into service to fill the ranks of the army, almost entirely disbanded in face of the enemy. Who were constantly harassed with continual marchings and fighting? Your flying camps, volunteers, and militia-these men SENATE.] Pensions. [MAY 11, 1832. were not lying in camps, or snug in winter quarters; they teen years ago, (in 1818,) when the Congress of the Unit were incessantly and constantly engaged in fatigue and in ed States, by its legislation, departed from these strict ⚫ battle. These are the men who breasted the first shock rules, and granted a pension to such soldiers of the reguof the war; they were not mercenary soldiers; they fought lar line as were in reduced circumstances. Here, then, in all your battles; they shared largely in every danger; was an explicit surrender of the miserable basis of penand shall they not also share in your bounty? sion. Here was provision made for the needy, from other In reply to the question, whether this bill includes the causes than military privations. The Government opened partisan corps not attached to the army, if there can be the hand of relief to all of a specific class who were rea doubt, let the bill be so amended as to embrace them, duced to the necessity of seeking its aid. By some, this for the Senator will see such was the intention of the com- liberal and seasonable concern for the destitute was remittee, from the closing remarks of their report, desig-garded as an act of mere justice; by others, of equity; nating the several corps embraced by the bill; which Mr. and by all, of gratitude. And, the great moving considerF. read, as follows: ation was, the nature of the service. These were not "This bill embraces no new principle, except one of fighting for pay. Sir, they staked all that was valuable on equal justice. If the fact be, as has been estimated, that the issue. It was a revolution, in every sense. We not two-thirds of the whole number of the pensioners were of only resisted Great Britain, but resolved to set up for ourthose who enlisted after the year 1780, and saw very little selves. It was a resort to first principles. We threw service, and endured little suffering--were comparatively ourselves back upon the elements of political association. well fed and comfortably clad, and have received more We were in colonial dependence: we had been the subthan $1,300 since the year 1818, is it unreasonable to al- jects of a foreign potentate-and we resolved to become low to the small remnant of those who fought the battles, the citizens of our own Government. We determined to endured the sufferings and privations of that army, during convince the world that we possessed the right, and meant the most eventful period of the war, the little pittance to exert the power, to think for and govern ourselves. proposed by this bill? Is it objected that this bill includes Such were the noble doctrines for which our armies were State troops, volunteers, and militia? They were called mustered. Yes, sir, they staked all, and they gained all. into service to fill the ranks of the regular army, by order There never had been such a service, or such an army, or of Congress. Will it be contended that, because they did such a cause, in this world before. The Congress of 1818 not voluntarily enlist, they are not equally entitled to the thought it made its own law-and that it would be as unliberality of the Government? Shall it be said that an just, as it was harsh and oftentimes offensive, to apply to American was impressed into the service, and compelled it the conditions of a pure pension. It is now too late to to fight the battles of his country, and not receive a just retrace our way. We have yielded to better influences. compensation? If there is any one class more meritorious, We surely should not complain of the call that is now and more deserving the favorable notice and bounty of the made, for we have ourselves furnished the plea for it. Government, than any other, is it not that class which is The only duty that remains for us is to ascertain its legiti embraced by this bill? Those who breasted the first shock mate operation. of the war-who rushed to meet the foe at Lexington and Moreover, sir, the act of 1828, that professed to indem at Bunker Hill; at Bennington and Saratoga; at White Plains nify the regular army of the revolution for the depreciat and Long Island; at Princeton and Trenton; at German-ed and almost worthless pay that was made to them, in town and Brandywine; at Yorktown; at King's Mountain, still larger measures approached the true spirit of these and at Eutaw springs; Guilford court-house and Camden? claims. Who shared largely in every battle? The brave men who But there were two defects in the system, even as thus constituted your flying camps, your minute men, your vo- liberalized. In the first place, it exacted the humiliating lunteers, your brave invincibles, under the devoted, the confession of absolute poverty. It required of the aged heroic, and chivalrous Sumpter and Marion: or shall those be excluded, who were draughted to fill up the ranks of the army, to prevent its total dismemberment in the face of the enemy, in the time of our greatest extremity? History has recorded the services and sufferings of these men, and let her not record the nation's ingratitude--nor injustice to this small remnant of the revolutionary army." veteran that he should publicly, and in presence of the sons by the side of whose fathers he had fought and suf fered, expose the wretchedness of his condition; that he should produce the proof of his pauperism, and swear to it himself. I have seen these worthies, in our public courts of justice, exhibit the inventory of their poverty, down to the items of cups and saucers, and I have felt Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN said he would detain the Se- humbled for my country. Sir, a noble spirit would somenate for a few moments in stating the reasons for his vote times exclaim, I will die in want first. If my country ex in favor of this bill. The honorable Senator from South acts such ignoble conditions, let her withhold the miseraCarolina [Mr. HAYNE] has correctly remarked, said Mr. ble pittance. And who, sir, of this Senate, does not honor F., that the original principles of the pension system re- the sentiment? It has been honored and vindicated by the spected those only who had become disabled in the mili- manly feeling of this great community. Public opinion tary and naval service of the country. It professed to help would not longer brook such terms of national honor and that portion of the soldiery alone, that, in our employ-gratitude; and, by the concurring indications of Legisla ment, had been deprived of the faculty of helping them-tures and people, we are invoked to relax these hard conselves. And, sir, if we were now, for the first time, about to ditions. And should a few partake of a favor that do not enlarge these principles, I should agree with the honora- need it, better so, than that even one deserving relic of ble gentleman in many of his patriotic sentiments. In the times so dearly cherished should go down to the dust discussion of this question, he has exhibited a masterly neglected and forgotten. view of the subject, and most ably and eloquently urged But, sir, there was another and equally substantial objec the pregnant evils, the corrupting influence, of a great tion to the present system. It discriminates most invidiouspension system. Sir, I submit, with all respect for that ly between the troops of the regular line and the militia. gentleman, that it is now too late for the introduction of The latter could not perceive the reasons for such differ. these doctrines; and that, in truth, they do not, and should ence, when they remembered that they had fought as not, apply to the claims of that meritorious class of our fel- bravely, and bled as freely, as any soldiers of the Ameri low-citizens who sustained the struggles of the American can army. The honorable Senator [Mr. HAYNE] has revolution. We have suffered the time to pass when the said that the camp was the place of safety. If that were extension of pension favors might have been resisted on so, it must have been the camp of the regular forces, and abstract principles. For, sir, it is now more than four- not the uncertain, ever-changing quarters of a partisan MAY 14, 15, 1832.] Post Office.-Pensions.--Postage on Newspapers.--Bank Reports. [SENATE. Mr. BROWN, of North Carolina, followed in opposition MONDAY, MAY 14. corps, whose tents were raised to-day, only to be struck Mr. CLAY then spoke for some time in advocacy of to-morrow, to repel the sudden incursions of a prowling the claims of the revolutionary soldiers, not on the bounty, and mercenary horde. Sir, the gentleman also urged but on the justice of the country; and denied that this act that the men at home and on their farms suffered most se- of justice to these brave veterans who still survived of the verely by dangers and depredations; and such, Mr. Presi- gallant band which secured our independence, should be dent, were precisely the exigencies of the militia-they identified with the tariff. were the yeomanry of the country, who were often summoned from their ploughs at a moment's warning, to fly to the bill. to the defence of their neighborhoods, and reclaim the plunder that, in an unexpected hour, the enemy had rifled from their dwellings and their farms. These were the men who felt the distresses of a cruel and relentless warfare--that brought terror, alarm, and confusion to the fireside-and who, amid all that long, harassing, and doubtful conflict, stood firm to the cause, and never flinched from their purposes. In personal privations, they suffered quite as severely, and, in the sacrifice of property, vastly more, than the regular soldiery. Wherefore, then, is it that we should coldly pass them by, and with such par: tial and exclusive consideration distinguish the one, and utterly reject the just claims of the other? POST OFFICE. The bill to establish certain post offices and post roads, and to discontinue others, was then read a third time. On the question of its passage, Mr. HILL read a series of observations, to show that he the Senate, or abused its courtesy, and that he never asknever libelled any one, that he never violated the rules of ed General Jackson for an office. Mr. HOLMES made a very sarcastic remark or two, in PENSIONS. Besides, sir, if the bill should be made to rest on ade-reply. quate compensation, how were the militia paid? In the same depreciated, worthless currency in which the Con- FOOT, the bill was passed. gress has accorded indemnity to the regular army. So that, whatever inducements may be urged, there is no sound or satisfactory reason for preferences, where the sacrifice, sufferings, and glory were common. The Senate then resumed the consideration of the pension bill. The question pending being on the motion of Mr. RoBINSON to recommit the bill. YEAS.-Messrs. Benton, Bibb, Brown, Buckner, Ellis, Ewing, Forsyth, Grundy, Hayne, Johnston, Kane, King, Mangum, Miller, Robinson, Ruggles, Tazewell, Tyler, White.--19. I regretted to hear any thing of sectional contrasts in this matter; that the North would receive at the rate of Mr. HOLMES made some remarks in favor of the prin10,000 pensioners, while the South and West could only ciple of the bill, and against the motion to recommit. present 4,000. Sir, these exciting suggestions I consider He took a historic view of the various battles of promiunhappy in their influence. We have far too many sec-nent importance which had been fought during the revotional prejudices already to deplore. Let us not increase lutionary war, and stated the proportion of Northern and them. Why should this bill be enlisted in the ungracious Southern troops which were engaged, in order to obviate service? It was not so regarded in 1818 or 1828. We the objection which had been raised on the score of the then treated it as a national object. The battles and perils partial operation of the bill, and the superiority in benefits of the revolution were not encountered for sections--life which one part of the Union would enjoy over the other. and honor were pledged and redeemed as fully and freely for The question was then taken on the motion to recomGeorgia as for New Jersey. Why, then, sir, should we mit, and decided as follows: attempt to trace the dollars of this proposed appropriation to the pockets of the receivers, and run up an account between this and the other side of any line? But, Mr. President, on principles of the strictest accountability, the provisions of the bill are just. If the North sent the NAYS.-Messrs. Bell, Clay, Dallas, Dickerson, Dudmost men, she should receive the greater recompense. To ley, Foot, Frelinghuysen, Hendricks, Hill, Holmes, give to the most fighting the most pay, seems very equal. The West have in terms been invoked to aid in preventing what is denounced as unequal, because, from social and political causes, the most numerous body of the revolutionary army happen to reside north of this District. I also invoke the West—not for sectional purposes -but I would call upon them to remember the aged fathers whom they have left behind-to soothe the last years of a feeble few, now in sight of their graves, by whose patriotic struggles you now enjoy your noble West, with all its enterprise, resources, and happiness. Sir, my honorable friend, in terms of eloquent eulogium, ascribed to the female heroism of the revolution a full share in the achievements of those memorable times. I thought, Mr. President, that had those more than Spartan mothers listened to the high tribute paid to their virtues, their hearts would have responded, such praise from such a source is more than ample recompense-now, be just to our husbands and sons, and we shall acquit our country of all her obligations. Knight, Marcy, Naudain, Prentiss, Robbins, Silsbee, Tip. So the Senate refused to recommit the bill. Which Mr. WHITE moved to amend by adding thereto the following words: "And any other person who was in the service, under the authority of the United States, against any tribe of Indians, prior to the 1st of January, 1795." And the pending question being on the amendment to the amendment, The Senate adjourned. TUESDAY, MAY 15. POSTAGE ON NEWSPAPERS. Mr. HOLMES, pursuant to notice given yesterday, and with the leave of the Senate, introduced a bill to repeal As the bill before us dispenses with the condition of poverty, and impartially imparts its benefits to all that de-cond time, and referred to the Committee on the Post Office. the postage on newspapers; which was read a first and seserve them, I hope it will receive the support of the Senate. Mr. HOLMES, after a few remarks, expressed his intention to offer some views on a subsequent part of the debate, and, in the mean time, to yield the floor to-day to any other gentleman. VOL. VIII.--59 BANK REPORTS. On motion of Mr. EWING, the resolution offered some days since by Mr. BENTON, directing the printing of copies of the report of the committee on the United SENATE.] Death of the Hon. J. Hunt.--Public Lands.--Pensions. [MAY 17, 18, 1832. States' Bank, and copies of the documents, was ston, King, Knight, Mangum, Marcy, Miller, Naudain, taken up for consideration. Prentiss, Robbins, Seymour, Silsbee, Smith, Sprague, Tazewell, Tomlinson, Tyler, Waggaman, Webster, Wilkins.-30. The resolution was then amended, on motion of Mr. DALLAS, so as to embrace the three reports made by the committee and members thereof; and thus amended, 5,000 copies of the reports and 1,000 copies of the documents were ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate. DEATH OF THE HON. J. HUNT. A message was received from the House of Represen tatives by M. St. Clair Clarke, the Clerk of the House, communicating the death of the honorable JONATHAN HUNT, a member of the House of Representatives from the State of Vermont, and informing the Senate that the funeral of the deceased would take place to-morrow at 4 o'clock P. M. The message having been read, Mr. PRENTISS, after a few eulogetic remarks on the private and public worth of the deceased, moved the following resolution: Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN then moved to amend the bill, to extend its provisions to the widows of those who were entitled to the benefits of the act of 1828, but who had died before the passage of that act. This amendment was also negatived by the following vote: huysen, Hill, Robinson, Silsbee, Waggaman, Webster, Ellis, Ewing, Foot, Grundy, Hayne, Hendricks, Holmes, Mr. MARCY moved to strike out "six," and insert Resolved, That the Senate will attend the funeral of the honorable JONATHAN HUNT, late a member of the House of Representatives from the State of Vermont, to-morrow YEAS.-Messrs. Buckner, Clay, Hendricks, Hill, Marat 4 o'clock in the evening; and, as a testimony of respect cy, Prentiss, Robinson, Silsbee, Tipton.-9. for the memory of the deceased, that they will go in NAYS. Messrs. Bell, Benton, Bibb, Brown, Dallas, mourning, and wear crape on the left arm for thirty days. Dickerson, Ellis, Ewing, Foot, Forsyth, Frelinghuysen, The resolution was unanimously agreed to. On motion of Mr. WEBSTER, it was then ordered Grundy, Hayne, Holmes, Johnston, King, Knight, Manthat when the Senate adjourns, it adjourn to meet ongles, Seymour, Smith, Sprague, Tazewell, Tomlinson, gum, Miller, Moore, Naudain, Poindexter, Robbins, RugThursday. The Senate then adjourned. THURSDAY, MAY 17. Troup, Tyler, Webster, White, Wilkins.--34. Mr. TIPTON moved an amendment, the effect of which was to restrict the payment of back pensions, by making the bill to take effect from the 4th September, 1831, in The sitting of to-day was spent on private bills and stead of the 1st of January, 1830. executive business. FRIDAY, MAY 18. PUBLIC LANDS. Mr. KING, from the Committee on Public Lands, to which was referred the bill reported by the Committee on Manufactures, to appropriate for a limited time the proceeds of the public lands, made a voluminous report; which was read. It condemns the bill reported by the Committee on Manufactures, and recommends a reduction of prices, and acceleration of sales. The conclusion of the report recommends that the bill reported by the Committee on Manufactures be amended so as to reduce the price of the public lands to a minimum of one dollar per acre, and of fifty cents per acre on such lands as have been in the market above five years, and to strike out the whole of the present bill, except the clause which allows 10 per cent. to the new States, and to increase that to 15 per cent. On motion of Mr. ROBINSON, 5,000 copies of the report were ordered to be printed. The message from the House of Representatives, stating that the House had disagreed to the amendment on the apportionment bill, was, on motion of Mr. WEBSTER, laid on the table, to be taken up at the next meeting of the Senate, PENSIONS. The Senate then resumed the consideration of the pension bill. Mr. ROBINSON modified his amendment by adopting the amendment of Mr. WHITE, with a single modification, and the question was then taken on the amendment, and decided in the negative, as follows; YEAS --Messrs. Benton, Bibb, Ewing, Forsyth, Grundy, Hendricks, Kane, Moore, Poindexter, Robinson, Ruggles, Tipton, Troup, White.--14. NAYS.--Messrs. Bell, Brown, Clay, Dallas, Dickerson, Ellis, Foot, Frelinghuysen, Hayne, Hill, Holmes, John The question to strike out and insert was divided, and the question was taken first on the motion to strike out the words "the 1st of January, 1830," and decided in the affirmative, by the following vote: YEAS. Messrs. Benton, Bibb, Brown, Buckner, Dallas, Ellis, Ewing, Forsyth, Grundy, Hayne, Hendricks, Johnston, King, Mangum, Miller, Moore, Poindexter, Robinson, Ruggles, Smith, Tazewell, Tipton, Troup, Tyler, White.-25. NAYS.-Messrs. Bell, Clay, Dickerson, Dudley, Foot, Frelinghuysen, Hill, Holmes, Knight, Marcy, Naudain, Prentiss, Robbins, Seymour, Silsbee, Sprague, Tomlinson, Waggaman, Webster, Wilkins.-20. Mr. BUCKNER then moved to fill the blank with the words "1st of January, 1826;" which was decided in the negative-yeas 1, nays 44--the mover only voting in the affirmative. Mr. HOLMES moved to fill the blank with the words 1st of January, 1831," but modified his motion at the March, 1831." suggestion of Mr. WEBSTER, so as to read "4th of The amendment was decided in the affirmative, by the following vote: YEAS.-Messrs. Bell, Dallas, Dickerson, Dudley, Ewing, Foot, Frelinghuysen, Hendricks, Hill, Holmes, Marcy, Naudain, Prentiss, Robbins, Ruggles, Seymour, Silsbee, Sprague, Tipton, Tomlinson, Waggaman, Webster, Wilkins.--23. NAYS.-Messrs. Benton, Bibb, Brown, Buckner, Clay, Ellis, Forsyth, Grundy, Hayne, Johnston, King, Mangum, Miller, Moore, Poindexter, Robinson, Smith, Tazewell, Troup, Tyler, White.-21. The bill was then reported to the Senate, and the amendments agreed to in Committee of the Whole were concurred in. Mr. HAYNE then offered an amendment to make the bill more explicitly apply to the officers and soldiers of the militia, volunteers, and State troops of the Southern States, who were not, in his opinion, included in the bill. The |