Skip Skip PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS. Mr. POMEROY presented the petition of S. J. Bowen, C. Storrs, Charles King, and other citizens of Washington, praying that the judges of the supreme court of the DistCol may be authorized to appoint an additional number of uotaries public; which was referred to the ComDistCol. Mr. WILSON presented the memorial of William H. McGill, of Beaufort. SCarolina, presidentot'Council No. 4, Union League of America, praying that the payment of the direct tax on the confiscated lands of persons who were engaged in the rebellion, may be suspended for the period of one year from the time that the several amounts may becomedue; which was referred to the ComFinance. He also presented the memorial of Norman Wiard, praying for relief for losses sustained by him under a contract with the Navy Dept for 15 inch guns, which wasannulled by the Dept, as he alleges, without sufficient cause; which was referred to the ComNavAffrs. He also presented the memorial of Norman wiard, praying for relief for losses sustained by him under a contract with the War Dept for semi steel 5pounder guns; which was referred to the ComMilAffrs . He also presented the memorial of Norman Wiard, praying for compensation for expenses incurred)by him in delivering steamers tor the War Dept; which was referred to the ComMilAffrs . He also presented the memorial of Norman Wiard, prayin for compensation for alterations made by iim in certain iron clad steam transports for the War Dept; which was referred to the ComMilAffrs . He also presented 3 petitions of colored citizens of Wilmington, NCarolina, praying for the establishment of a Bureau of idu cation; which were referred to the ComJudiciary. Mr. MORGAN presented the petition of R. A. Vervalen, of Haverstraw, NewYork, praying that the ComrPatents may be allowed to examine testimony in relation to the extension of his patent fora brick machine, which was issued June 29, 1852; which was referred to the ComPatents and the Patent Office. Mr. EDMUNDS presented the petition of Margaret M. Ransom, widow of the late colonel T. B. Ransom, who was killed at the bat tle of Cha uRepec, in Mexico, in 1847, and motheroft to late Major General T. E. G. Ran som. who died in active service during the campaign of Atlanta, praying for an increase of pension; which was referred to the ComPensions. Mr. CHANDLER. I present a memorial from the Governor of the State of Michigan, asking commutation for the Michigan 1st cav alry, or rather a letter from the Governor, asking me to brin to the notice of Congress the facts connected with the case and transmitting some papers in relation to it. The Michigan 1st cavalry reenlisted as a veteran regiment, after havin served 3 years. At the close of the rebellion instead of being discharged, as they expect. to be, they were marched to Utah. A short time since the regiment was assembled and notified that the men might receive their discharge in Utah or be retained a few months longer in service, when they would be marched on foot, across the plains, back to their homes. They were given the option to receive their discharge there in Utah or to remain in the service, and he then marched home when it should suit the convenience of the Government. The men being homesick, having been detained more than a year after they supposed their term of service had expired, and expecting commutation as in other cases should tiey accept the then muster out, acce ted the muster and were mustered out in tah, and came home enniless. It cost them some 200 dol ars to obtain their transportation from Utah home. They came home destitute and ragged, after 4 or 5 years spent in the military service of the U.S. They think and I think that they are justly entitled to a fair commutation for their transportation home. Iam re nested by the Governor to call the attention 0? Congress to this matter, and I move that the letter of the Governor and the accompanying papers be referred to the ComMilAffrs ; and I trust that the committee will report at an early day favorably on the case. The motion was agreed to. Mr. CHANDLER subsequently said: Since presenting the paers in the case of the 1st Michigan cavalry have received a letter from GenlSherman . which I ask may be read and referred to the ComMilAffrs. The Secretary read the letter, as follows: HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DiVisios or run Mississtrri. Sr. LOUIS. June L'. 1866. Sin: General 0. B. Willcox spoke to mein D ctroit a few (lays sinccof the liiirdshi) and seeminginjus ticc ex'perienced byccrtain Michigan volunteersilis chnrge in Utah. andhenowwritesthat he is satisfied the men have beenpaid all that the law allows and that a petition will be madeCongressfor proper relicf. which hewishesme tofavor. I will dosowith the utmostpleasiirc and box that you will by this letter hefore the Military Committee nsovidenccofmy fool in s in the matter. Officbieals lyp.ecific factsof the case do not come to me but. I think I know the facts. In Utah, having no cavalry, we retuiped some lioises and equipmentsto mount infantry in caseof need. Therefore the Michigan cavalr 'could not brim: in their horses.The Govenruent ocsnot givetoa discharged soldier actual transportation hack to his place of enlistmentmr mileage.but presumeshe will march back at the rate of 20 miles a day. Therefore the paymnster on making final payment computes the time it will take the soldier to march to the placo of enlistmentand payshim his pay. subsisteni'c and clothintzallowance. Now. to march in from Utah is a very diliorent thing from footing it through a settled country and insteadof simply atTordingrelief in the casein point I would like to seesomegeneral rule. suited to the changed state of facts.to be applied to all casesof the kind. I will not venture to sumlcstany. as my experience is that you gentlemen prIetfeisr tomakeyour own laws. often to the interest of our remoteTerritories that volunteersshould be discharged there.as many want to remain as settlers and to transpo'rt them back homefor discharge and pav would cost them individually much money and the loss of a whole IGXISOH With much respect, your obedientservant. W. T. SHERMAN, Major General. Hon. R. Cnmnum. U.S.Senate.Washington.D. C. The letter was referred to the ComMilAffrs . Mr. GUTHRIE. I present the memorial of the president and board of directors of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, a corpo ration chartered several years ago by the State of Texas for the purpose of building a railroad from the eastern line of that State to the pay cific coast, to run as nearly as practicable along the 32nd parallel of latitude. They represent that Texas, with a high appreciation ot the importance and national character of the work, endowed them with a munificent land grant, and guarantied a loan in money to the amount ot $6,000 permile for every mile to be built in that State, a distance of 800 miles. Citizens of more than 20 States are subscribers to its stock, thus attesting the national character and importance of the company. The executive and legislative depts of the Government have examined and admitted the merits of this route bot h Houses of Congress having formerly passed a bill largely cudowing them With grants ot'land and money, but owing to a disagreement between the 2 Houses on some immaterial point of detail, delayed the consummation o the measure into a law, and the rebellion intervening destroyed for the time the hopes of the enterprise. They now pray that Congress may revive and recnact the measures so carefully matured by the 36th Congress in aid of the Southern Pacific railroad, with only such modifications as the changed condition of the country may require. I move that t iis memorial be referred to the ComPacificRR. The motion was agreed to. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.