Skip Skip PETITIONS AND MBMORIALS. Mr. RAMSEY presented the petition of Captain Robert Ritchie, of the U.S. Navy, praying to be relieved from the action of the retiring and advisory boards of the Nav; which was referred to the ComNavAffrs. Mr. WILSON presented the petition of R. L. MeElree, of Mississip i, praying for compensation for the allege destruction of his property by U.S. troops; which was referred to the ComClaims. Mr. MORGAN presented the memorial of Hayward A. Harvey, praying for a further extension of the patents granted to the late Thomas W. Harvey for the manufacture of wood screws; which was referred to the ComPatents. Mr. MORGAN. I present the memorial of Geor e W. Colby and others, lately officers of the nion Army, now engaged in planting cot ton in Alabama, renionstrating against an increase of the tax on cotton. These petitioners state that prior to embarking in this business they made their estimates of probable success upon the basis of taxation then in force. They saw in those estimates a prospect of gain, perhaps sufficient in itself, certainly so in view of patriotic results. should they succeed. They have had many and peculiar difficulties to encounter in the outset of their experiment, arising from the uncertain growth of seed long laid by, but which had necessarily to be used in planting, from several years’ neglect of the lands to be cultivated. Ate. To such an extent are their investments depressed by these causes that they look mainly to the result of future 'ears for legitimate gain from their endeavors. They now see, with alarm, this result threat ened by an overwhelming increase of taxation, an addition of 150%. to the basis on which their labors were begun. They therefore pray that the proposed tax of 5 cents perpound on cotton may not be levied. I move that this memorial be referred to the ComFinance. The motion was agreed to. Mr. MORltH. I present a memorial of the Commission s of Emigration of the State of NewYork, reine nstrating against the passage of the bill to amend an act entitled “An act to encourage iinmi ration ” dte. As that I move that the memorial lie on the table. The motion was agreed to. REPORTS Or COMMITTEES.