PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.

Ninth Week of the Session.
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Ninth Week Of the Session.
| The Presumption, or "Great Agrarian Bill,
as styled by a distinguished Senator, has passed
the Senate. This Bill gives to foreigners the
right, ere they shall be naturalized, Of the cream
of the West.


ate-altered in its form and substance from the
Bill presented under the same name at the Extra
Session.


Mr.. SEWER has offered resolution to inquire
into the condition of the Orphans Court of this
District.


In the House, the Mississippi Contested Elec-
ton still drags its heightened form along. I'M
mense excitement pervaded the Members on
Thursday evening, when Mr.. BELLS amendment
came up, to deprive Messrs. CLAIBORNE and
GHoLsoN of their seats. The Boys were in
g hot haste" to hunt up the absent Members; and
when the vote was taken, ll2 answered against
the proposition-ll9i 10 in favor Of it. So the seats
of Messrs. CLAIBORNE and GmoLsoN are to them
forbidden fruit.


Mr.. PRENTIss, one of the contesting Mem
bers, made brilliant speech on Thursday, to the
most crowded audience we ever witnessed in the
Hall.


THE NATIVE CAUSE.


In the Senate Saturday, the Presumption Bill be-
fore the Senate Thursday and Friday up with
out any preliminary business of importance, and cont
nued before the Senate until the hour of adjournment


Mr. MERRrcK, of Maryland introduced an amendment
the object OF which to confne the benefits of the
Presumption act to the native population Of the United
States and not to any foreigner until he shall have been
naturalized and proved his citizenship. Mr. MERRrcK
defended his amendment in few appropriate and very
able remarks, which Mr.. CLAY warmly commended, and
thanked Mr.. MERRIcK for their Introduction.


Mr. CLAY defended the amendment also in very elo-
quent speech, and said he wished counrymen might
have the benefit OF all bountes. Charity began at home
and ne saw no reason for extending the charities
to the multitudes swarmng shores from the other
side OF the Atlantic, as we did to citizens.


Mr. YOUNG, OF Illinois, opposed the amendment warmly.
and defended the character of the foreign population who
go West.


Mr.. BUCHANAN. Of Pennsylvania, also opposed the
amendment, and went into defence of the foreign popu
aton in the United States He said he the of
foreigner and therefore he might more interest in the
question but ne felt disposed to oppose the amendment
his recorded against it, He referred to the foreign
who took part in Revolutionary struggle and said
that although we might have won our independence
without theIn still the day of that independence would
have been far distant.


Mr.. CLAY replied to Mr.. BUCHANAN. and asked Mr.
il he would confound the Lafayettes and the Dekabs





Would the Senator extend the privileges granted by
empon 10 Hessians. He would not; and does he know
the merits Of the men, the foreigners who make these
settlements their homes Can he saw from any evidence
that they worthy men? In conclusion said Mr.
CLAY, will more willingly give his vote in the
negative on this amendment, than will in the afrma.
| tive. ,$


Mr.. BUCHANAN rejoined and said he would grant the
right Of emption to Hessans if they would for
sake the Of their ways. and enlist their services in
behalf Of the United States He would not help them
/ lenemleS. but friends and good citizens. tss
! Mr. MERRIcK replied to Mr.. BUCHANAN, and said that
Mr. B. had remarked that. at this time. there
Mr. BENTON had thanked him for introducing the
luton. He heartily welcome to all the benefit he
could derive from it's introduction. In bringing forward
the amendment ne had discharged duty which he owed
to the State which sent him here, and to his country
Believing that he was right nothing could deter him from
pressing his amendment.


Like the Senator from Pennsylvania, said Mr. MER-
RICK, too, am the son of foreigner and chershng,
with all proper respect those who not born among
u.s. and who are not of still prefer the land where
was born. and benefting that land to bestowing it on
others. Mr.. M. said in concusion that he should take
pleasure in voting in favor Of his amendmen and nothing
would deter.


ment to the BILL but said he should vote against the
bill ITSELF ne would not consume the time Of the Senate
i The vote was then tsken on Mr.. MERRIcKs amend
! ment, which was lost: Is to %.
i Mr.. CLAY, of Kentucky, followed with amendment,
upon which he said he should call the yeas and NAYS
The amendment, he said, conformed to the spirit of the





the public lands. He expected every Administration
Senator to 60 with him, because his amendment en-
braced recommendation of the President 1t hard
to have the President deserted by his endsvery hard
10 have his friends among the opposition But said Mr.
c., (n perfect good temper) for three minutes--no
more-I will be Administration man, and call all
the friends of the Executive to 60 with me. Surely
! they will not leave the Executive alone.


Mr. CLAY then read his amendment, and demanded the
yeas and nays upon its passage.
| Mr.. BUCHANAN said he began to be suspicious when
| he heard the Senator defend the Executive.
Mr.. CLAY told him, in good humor that he ought to
have been suspicious long ago.


Mr. BUCHANAN thought it very queer that the Presi-
dent should find friend in the Senator from Kentucky
He afraid there something wrong in such an
association.


Mr. CLAY begged him not to be alarmed. He
friend but for three minutes; and felt assured that Mr.
Buchanan who now abandoned his President would as
return to the support of his friend he would to
oppose the President
Mr.. CLAWS amendment then rejected II to 27.
1t intended to check all settlements upon unsurvey
ed public lands Mr.. c. called such nerlopers and
intruders.
From the Ne,o York Star.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND
SERVICES OF COM. CHARLES STEWART, OF
THE q. s. NAVY.


bIof H..