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On motion of Mr. Ruggles it was resolved, that the committee on public lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of extending the jurisdiction of the territory of Michigan to the eastern boundary of the Illinois territory. The remainder of the sitting was occupied in maturing the details of the bill for adjusting the claims to land, and for establishing land offices in the districts east of the island of New-Orleans.

Friday, March 20th. Mr. Crittenden, from the committee on the judiciary, reported a bill prescribing the manner of deciding controversies between different states.

Mr. Williams, of Ten. from the committee on military affairs, reported a bill to reduce the staff of the ariny, with additional sections, regulating the distribution of rations to the army.

The President laid before the senate the general account of the treasurer of the United States, for 1817, and the accounts of the war and navy departments, from Oct. 1816 to Oct. 1817, together with the reports thereon.

On motion of Mr. Talbot, resolved, that the committee on roads, &c. be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law for the subscription, on the part of the United States, for certain shares in the Kentucky and Ohio Canal Company, &c.

Mr. Campbell, from the committee on finance, reported the bill to authorise the state of Tennessee to issue grants, and perfect titles to certain entries and locations of lands, &c. After some further business, adjourned till Monday.

Monday, March 23d. A report was made, declaring it inexpedient to extend the provisions of law prescribing the mode in which public records, &c. in each state, shall be authenticated, to give them effect in another state, &c.

The President communicated the memorial of the legislature of the Alabama territory, pray ing for power to incorporate companies to build roads, &c. which was read and referred.

The bill regulating the pay of brevet officers, and a resolution to subscribe for 1300 copies of the 11th vol. of Waite's state papers, were passed. Some other business was transacted, and the senate adjourned.

Tuesday, March 24th. Mr. Dickinson reported a resolution, directing medals to be struck, and, together with the thanks of congress, to be presented to Maj. Gen. Harrison and Gov. Shelby.

Mr. Barbour, from the committee of foreign relations, to whom had been referred the representations in behalf of Mr. Meade, made a report of considerable length, taking a full view of the subjects, recognizing the wrongs of Mr. Meade, and declaring, substantially, that if the demand of the executive for his release be not complied with, the offence ought to be visited with severe retribution.

The bill adjusting the claims to lands, and establishing land offices, east of the island of NewOrleans was rejected, 12 to 9

Wednesday, March 25th. Mr. Troup moved a resolution to inquire into the expediency of appropriating the dividends from the shares held by government the bank of the United States, to the manufacture of arms, &c. for the militia. The bill concerning the bounty to fishing vessels passed.

The amendment to the bill for reducing the staff, changing the commissariat, was read a third time and passed, 25 to 5. The bill was then ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

The bill authorising Tennessee to issue grants, &c. after being modified, was ordered to be engrossed for the third reading.

After a message from the President, touching the Seminole war, the senate adjourned. Thursday, March 26th. Mr. Troup's resolution of yesterday was agreed to..

The joint resolution offered by Mr. Barbour, proposing an amendment of the constitution so as to give congress the power of appropriating money to construct roads, &c. was rejected.

The bill to issue grants, &c. and the bill to reduce the staff, &c. was passed and sent to the house.

The senate resumed the consideration of the bill to increase the salaries of the heads of departments, which was so modified as to fix the salaries of the secretaries of state and the treasury at $6500-secretaries of war and navy, $6000, post-master general, $4000-and the attorney general $3500,-all to commence on the first day of 1818. The bill was ordered to

a third reading.

Mr. Troup's resolution appropriating the bank dividends was agreed to, and after some other business, the senate adjourned.

Friday, March 27th. The following engrossed bills were severally read a third time, passed, and sent to the other house for concurrence, to wit: a bill to increase the salaries of certain officers of the government; and a bill providing for the election of a Delegate from the Michgan territory. The Senate adjourned to Monday.

Monday, March 30th. The bill for amending the acts for enforcing the neutral relations of the United States was referred to the committee on foreign relations.

A message was received from the President transmitting a list of the pensioners, &c. according to a request of the Senate.

The resolution from the House of Representa tives, fixing the day of adjournment of Congress, to the 13th April, was taken up, and amended so as to fix on 20th, and passed.

The bill from the House of Representatives, authorising the election of a delegate from the Michigan Territory, &c. was rejected.

After some other business the Senate adjourned, the Vice President previously informing the Senate that his private affairs would prevent his further attendance in the Senate.

Tuesday, March 31st. The Senate elected Mr. Gaillard president of the Senate, pro tempore.

Thursday, April 2d. The principal business of the day was upon local matters.

The bill for increasing the salaries of the judges of the United States' courts, was definitely posponed.

Friday, April 3d. The Senate resumed the navigation bill, which was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

Mr. Tate, from the naval committee, reported

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a bill to repeal part of the act to provide for the survey of the coasts of the United States. The bill concerning the Alabama Territory was ordered to a third reading.

Several other bills were disposed of, when Mr. King called on the secretary of the treasury, by a resolution, for a report concerning the funded debt of the United States.

Saturday, April 4th. Mr. Storer, from the committee to which was referred the inquiries in regard to appropriating the bank dividends, reported unfavourably.

The resolution submitted yesterday by Mr. King was amended and agreed to. The navigation bill passed, 31 to 2. The neutrality bill was recommitted. The amendment proposed by the House of Representatives to the bill appropriating three-fifths of the net proceeds of sales of public lands in Indiana to the construction of roads and canals in that state, was taken up, and rejected, 22 to 8, and returned to the house. Adjourned to

Monday.

Monday, April 6th. After the transaction of some other business, the Senate resumed the consideration of the bill to increase the compensation of the judges of the United States.

On motion of Mr. Fromentin, the salary of the Chief Justice of the U. States, was fixed at 5000 dollars, by yeas and nays-yeas 25, nays 4.

The blanks were then filled so as to make the salaries of the other judges of the supreme court 4500 dollars.

The compensations of the judges of the districts of Massachusetts, of the two districts of New-York, the two districts of Pennsylvania, the district of Maryland, of Virginia, of North Carolina, of South Carolina, of Georgia, of Kentucky, and of Tennessee, was fixed at 2000 a year; and that of the judges of the districts of Maine, of New Hampshire, of Rhode Island, of Connecticut, of Vermont, of New Jersey, of Delaware, of Ohio, of Indiana, of Mississippi, and the territorial judges, at 1500 dollars each, all to commence in July next; in which shape the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

Mr. Campbell reported a bill further to suspend the forfeiture of lands for failure to complete the payment therefor. And the Senate adjourned.

Tuesday, April 7th. The engrossed bill to increase the salaries of the United States' Judges passed, 19 to 14.

The bill concerning the boundary between Mississippi and the Alabama Territory was rejected.

Wednesday, April 8th. The principal business of this day's sitting was the debates upon the bill to prohibit the importation of slaves into the United States, which was postponed to tomorrow; and the adoption of the amendments of the house to the bill regulating the staff of the army.

Thursday, April 9th. The Senate spent some time upon the bill to prohibit the introduction of slaves into the United States, &c. and ordered it to a third reading as amended. Sundry bills were received from the other house, read and referred.

Friday, April 10th. The bill to prohibit the importation of slaves was passed.

Saturday, April 11th. The amendments to the neutrality bill were adopted; and the question on the bill to authorise an assistant Presi

dent and Cashier to the Bank of the United States, was not taken before the Senate adjourn ed.

Monday April 13th. The committee on naval affairs were discharged from a further consideration of the bill, to authorise the establishment of naval depots and dock-yards.

The bill for erecting Illinois into a state was ordered to be read a third time.

Tuesday, April 14th. The bill for admitting Illinois into the Union passed, and was sent to the House of Representatives.

The bill for an additional President and Cashier to the Bank of the United States, passed, and was sent to the House.

Wednesday, April 15th. Mr. Horsey submitted a resolution for inquiring into the actual condition and proceedings of the Bank of the United States.

Thursday, April 16th. Mr. Goldsborough's resolution was agreed to, viz.-That the President of the United States be requested to direct the proper officer to lay before the Senate, at an early period of the next session, a list of such officers of the customs, with the salaries, &c. as were unnecessary or inexpedient, that they might be suppressed.

The bill to provide for the erection of additional buildings for the executive departments passed.

Mr. Lacock moved to strike out of the bill, making appropriations for public buildings, the clause making an appropriation for commencing the centre building of the capitol, but it was negatived, 24 to 6. Mr. Macon then moved to strike out the appropriation of $20,000 in addition to what had already been expended, for furnishing the President's House, which was also negatived, 22 to 11; and the bill as amended was then ordered to a third reading.

Friday, April 17th. The Senate concurred in the amendments, by the House, of the bill to prohibit the importation of slaves into the United States.

The bill from the House increasing the duties on iron in bars and bolts, and in pigs; on castings, nails, and alum, was amended, by inserting 75 cents of the 1 cwt. instead of $1, and ordered to a third reading.

Saturday, April 18th. Among various bills from the lower House, read and passed in the Senate, were, the bill to continue in force an act relating to settlers on the lands of the United States, the bill making the port of Bath a port of entry for East India vessels, and making Belfast a port of entry, the bill to incorporate the Columbian Institute, &c. and the bill to increase the pay of the militia when in actual service.

The amendment of the lower House, to the bill for increasing the salaries of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, among other officers, was rejected, The amendments of the house to the same bill, reducing the salaries proposed for the heads of departments from $6500 to $5500, were agreed to with an amendment fixing the pay at $6000.

Monday, April 20th. On this last day of the session of Congress, a number of bills were lost by the operation of the rule which forbids a bill receiving two readings on the same day, unless by unanimous consent; among which were, a bill for the relief of Gen. John Stark; a bill for the relief of John Anderson; a bill to authorize the payment of certain treasury notes; a bill for the relief of Frederick Brown; a bill to suspend

the sale of certain lands in the state of Louisiana and Mississippi territory, &c. were postponed.

The bill for increasing the salaries of the heads of departments, was lost, by the non-coneurrence of the two houses in amendments thereto.

House of Representatives. Thursday, March 19th. The bill from the Senate extending the time for obtaining military land warrants, passed without amendment. Mr. Taylor submitted a joint resolution, authorising the free transmission by mail, by members of Congress, of the documents communicated by the President on our relations with Spain, which was sent up for concurrence.

The bill in addition to the act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States, &c. was brought up in committee of the whole, and after considerable debate was ordered to lie on the table that the amendments might be printed.

Friday, March 20th. Mr. Sergeant, from the committee of ways and means, reported in favour of a drawback on refined sugar exported, and on spirits distilled from foreign materials.

The resolution of the legislature of Maryland on the establishment of a naval depot in that state was referred to a select committee.

The committee on public lands was directed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law for endorsing, on each patent for bounty land, the surveyor's description of the soil, timber, &c. of the lot conveyed by such patent.

On motion of Mr. Anderson, it was resolved that the committee on so much of the message as relates to roads, &c. be instructed to inquire into the propriety of authorising the secretary of the treasury to subscribe, on behalf of the U. S. for 500 shares in the stock of the Kentucky and Ohio Canal Company.

A message was received from the President on our relations with the Netherlands.

After a long discussion on Mr. Herrick's right to a seat, which was determined in his favour, 77 to 70, the House adjourned.

Saturday, March 21st. The bill from the Senate to remit certain alien duties was committed, without amendment to the committee of the whole. The annual report of the treasury accounts was laid before the House.

Monday, March 23d. Mr. Taylor's resolution for printing and distributing, at the close of each session, an index of the acts and joint resolutions of such session, was read a third time.

The neutrality bill, after some amendments, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, by yeas and nays, 95 to 51.

Tuesday, March 24th. The resolution for preparing an index of the laws, &c. was read a third time and passed.

The bill for altering the national flag was ordered to a third reading.

In committee of the whole, on the bill for making appropriations for 1818, Mr. Clay moved to insert in the bill a provision for a minister from the U. S. to the Independent Provinces of the River La Plata, in South America, with $18,000 outfit and one year's salary. Mr. Clay followed his motion with a speech, on the subject of a formal recognition of the independence of the provinces mentioned, which lasted till the House adjourned.

Wednesday, March 25th. The neutrality bill passed and was sent to the Senate, as was the bill for altering the national flag.

Mr. Clay resumed his speech, in committee of the whole, on the recognition of the Independence of the Spanish patriots, and after three hours, was followed and opposed by Mr. Forsyth, for two hours, when the committee rose, reported progress, and had leave to sit again.

The President sent messages on the Seminole war, on the subject of the Spanish provinces,and on the subject of the expenditure under the treaty of Ghent; and the House adjourned.

Thursday, March 26th. A message was received from the President concerning AmeliaIsland, after which the House went into committee of the whole, Mr. Clay's motion to send a minister to Buenos Ayres being under consideration. After an animated debate, the committee rose, with leave to sit again.

Friday, March 27th. Mr. Rich, from the committee of claims, made a report in relation to claims for remuneration of loss, during the war, on the Niagara frontier, which was twice read and committed.

The bill concerning bounty to fishing vessels in certain cases, was read the third time and passed.

A committee of the whole then sat on the South American question, and at a late hour reported progress, and the House adjourned.

Saturday, March 28th. In committee of the whole, on Mr. Clay's motion for a minister to Buenos Ayres, the vote was 115 to 45 against it -so it was lost.

The committee then proceeded to consider the other parts of the appropriation bill; and after some discussion on the subject of the expenditures under the treaty of Ghent, the salaries of the agents were reduced from $4444 to $3000; after which the committee reported the bill with amendments, rose, and the House adjourned.

Monday, March 30th. Mr. Lowndes from the committee of ways and means, reported the bill, from the Senate, to increase the salaries of certain officers of government, with some amendments, all which were committed to a comunittee of the whole.

Mr. Holmes, from the committee to inquire into the conduct of clerks of departments, &c. reported the following resolutions, viz.

1. Resolved-That it is expedient to prohibit the clerks in the several departments, from acting as agents for claimants against the U. S.

2. Resolved-That it is expedient to prohibit the clerks in the several departments from engaging in the business of trade.

3. Resolved-That the several acts relating to the treasury department, should be amended, and certain penalties increased.

4. Resolved-That a committee be appointed to report a bill or bills to carry into effect the above resolutions.

The resolutions were agreed to and committed.

Mr. Tucker, from the committee to which was referred that part of the President's message relating to roads, &c. reported two resolutions-the first requiring the secretary of war to report to the House, at the next session of Congress, a plan for the application of such means as are within the power of Congress, to the purpose of opening roads, &c. with a special refer ence to the military convenience of the nation, together with a statement of the actual works of a similar nature-and the second requiring a similar report from the secretary of the treasury, with a special reference to the convenience of

internal commerce, together with a statement of such works of a similar character as are already completed or begun, and also a statement of the public improvements carried on by states, or by chartered companies, &c.

The Speaker laid before the House the papers concerning our relations with Spain, which were referred to the committee on foreign relations.

The amendments to the appropriation bill were then considered severally, and passed without debate, except that appropriating $130,000 to pay the damages recovered by Gould Hoyt against Gelston and Schenck, for the seizure of the ship American Eagle, which also passed by a majority of one-the vote being 60 to 59. The amendments having been gone through with, Mr. Forsyth moved to annul the specific appropriation of $30,000 to pay the mission to South America, and add the sum to the contingent fund: the motion was agreed to without opposition. The bill was ordered to a third reading.

The amendment of the Senate, to the joint resolution for adjournment sent up by the house, altering the day from the 13th April to the 20th, was agreed to without opposition.

Tuesday, March 31st. Mr. Seybert, from the committee of commerce and manufactures, made unfavourable reports on the several petitions of the manufacturers of looking-glasses in frames, and carvers and gilders on wood; on the petitions of the merchants, traders, and tailors of Boston and Philadelphia, and on the petition of Wheeler and Cock, which reports were read and severally concurred in.

Mr. Johnson of Kentucky, from the committee on military affairs, reported the bill from the Senate to reduce the staff of the army, without amendment, and the bill was laid on the table. The bill fixing the time (the 2d of November) for the next meeting of Congress, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

The engrossed bill making appropriations for the support of government for the year 1818, was read the third time, passed, and sent to the Senate.

The bill making appropriations, the first of $52,984, to pay claims now due at the Treasury, and the second of 260,000, to meet the demands that will be made under existing contracts, towards completing the Cumberland road, after debate, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading-ayes 67, noes 62.

Wednesday, April 1st. The engrossed bill for an earlier meeting of Congress than is appointed by the constitution, passed, 87 to 42. The engrossed bill making further appropriations for carrying on the national road, from Cumberland, on the Potomac, to the Ohio, passed, 74 to 56, and both bills were sent up to the Senate for

concurrence.

Thursday, April 2d. A petition, presented from Vincente Paros, of Peru, for compensation for property taken possession of by the troops of the United States, at Amelia Island, was referred to the committee of claims.

Mr. Claiborne reported two resolutions requesting the President to cause medals, with suitable devices, to be struck and presented to Maj. Gen. Wm. Carroll, and Brig. Gen. John Coffee, for their gallantry and good conduct on several occasions, and at New-Orleans. Also a similar medal to be given to Gen. Joseph Desha for his good conduct at the river Thames, in

Upper Canada. The resolutions, after much de bate, were ordered to lie on the table.

Friday, April 3d. Mr. Scott, from a select committee, reported a bill to authorise the people of Missouri territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the Union, on an equal footing with the original states; which was twice read and committed.

Saturday, April 4th. Mr. Sergeant reported on Meade's case, and concluded with a resolution that the House support the executive in all pro per measures to procure the release of Mr. Meade.

Mr. Taylor moved a resolution for inquiry into particular expenditures in the navy, which was adopted.

Mr. Slocumb moved a resolution requiring the secretary of war to report a plan, at the next session of Congress, providing the abolition of the Indian trading establishments of the U. S. and for opening the Indian trade to individuals.

Mr. Livermore submitted a resolution to amend the constitution, which was rejected. The resolution was as follows-"No person shall be held to service or labour as a slave, nor shall slavery be tolerated, in any state hereafter to be admitted into the Union, or made one of the United States of America."

The resolutions on internal improvement, reported on the 30th ult. were then put to vote and agreed to, 76 to 57.

Monday, April 6th. After the transaction of much business, of no political interest, the report from the naval committee, who were instructed to inquire into the propriety of changing the discipline of the navy, was taken up and agreed to.

The bill providing for the admission of the territory of Illinois into the union, as an equal and sovereign state, and the bill respecting the organization of the army, were read a third time, passed, and sent to the Senate for concur

rence.

On motion of Mr. Forsyth, it was resolved that drawback be limited to merchandise reexported in American vessels.

Tuesday, April 7th. The house proceeded to the consideration of the bill to reduce the staff of the army, and to substitute a commissariat instead of the present mode of subsisting the army by contract. The bill, with some amendments, was ordered to a third reading.

The bill making appropriations for the public buildings, &c. and the bill for erecting additional buildings for the executive departments, passed and were sent to the Senate for concur

rence.

Wednesday, April 8th. The bill from the Senate to increase the salary of certain judges of the United States was reported to the house and indefinitely postponed.

The bill to regulate the staff of the army, was read a third time, and passed, as amended by this house, and returned to the Senate for concurrence in the amendments.

Mr. Tallmadge submitted a resolution directing the secretary of the navy to lay before the House a report of the actual condition of the navy pension fund, with full details; which was agreed to.

Thursday, April 9th. The bill for increasing the pay of the militia while in actual service, was ordered to a third reading.

The bill on the subject of the Niagara claims was denied a third reading.

Friday, April 10th. The House refused to give the governors of states and territories, the privilege of franking official communications.

In addition to a number of bills for individual claims, were passed, a bill to incorporate the Columbian Institute; and a bill to increase the pay of the militia whilst in actual service.

Saturday, April 11th. The navigation bill from the Senate, after a third reading, passed, and was returned to the Sepate.

Monday, April 13th. The House ordered to a third reading the bill from the Senate "regulating the pay and emoluments of brevet rank;" and postponed indefinitely, the bill repealing so much of an act as allows pay and emoluments to brevet rank.

Tuesday, April 14th. The bill to regulate the collection of duties on imports and tonnage; and the bill to increase the duties on iron in bars and bolts, &c. were ordered to a third reading.

Wednesday, April 15th. The consideration of the proposal of Manuel Torres, on the subject of finance, was deferred to the next session of Congress.

The amendments to the bill, from the Senate concerning foreign relations were laid on the table for further consideration.

The bill to authorise the appointment of a vice-president and deputy cashier to the bank of the U.S. was read a second time and referred to the committee on the judiciary.

The bill on the slave trade was ordered to a third reading.

The bill to regulate the collection of duties on imports and tonnage; to provide for the deposit of imported wines or distilled spirits in the pubfic warehouses; to increase the duties on iron in bars, &c. and to disallow the drawback on gun-powder, were severally read a third time, passed, and sent up for concurrence.

The bill from the Senate, to suspend the sale or forfeiture of lands for failure to complete the payments thereon, was read a third time and passed.

The House concurred with the Senate in fixing the time for the next meeting of Congress on the third Monday in November next.

A message was received from the President transmitting the information, in possession of the executive, concerning the confinement of certain American citizens by the Viceroy of Mexico.

The House resolved itself into committee of the whole on the bill to continue in force from and after the 30th June, 1819, to the 30th of June, 1826, the 4th paragraph of the 1st section of the act to regulate the duties on imports and tonnage. The bill was ordered to a third reading, 106 to 34.

Thursday, April 16th. The bill to authorise the recovery of public moneys, was ordered to a third reading.

The Louisiana and Missouri land claims, were referred to the secretary of the treasury, with a request to report a plan for their settlement at the next session of Congress.

Mr. Lewis's resolution for amending the Constitution of the U. S. was twice read and ordered to be printed.

VOL. III.-No. 1.

10

On motion of Mr. Robertson, of Louisiana, it was

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to obtain from the Spanish authorities, all the records and official documents appertaining to the government of Louisiana, particularly such as concern grants and titles to fand, which may have been taken out of that country at the period of its cession to the United States.

And a committee was appointed to wait on the President of the United States with the resolution. The bill from the Senate to authorise the ap pointment of a vice-president, &c. to the bank of the U. S. was rejected, 85 to 50.

The bill from the Senate, in addition to the act to prohibit the introduction of slaves into the United States, was read a third time and passed.

The engrossed bill, to continue in force from June, 1819, to June, 1826, the clause of the act of 1816, laying duties on imported cottons, woolens, &c. was read the third time, passed, and sent to the Senate for concurrence.

Friday, April 17th. Mr. Pleasants submitted a resolution instructing the secretary of the navy to lay before the house, at an early period of the next session, a full statement on the subject of seamen provided for in various Marine Hospitals, at the expense of the U. S. together with an estimate of the cost of erecting a Naval Hospital at Washington, &c.

Mr. Trimble submitted two resolutions, one instructing the secretary of war to report at an early period of the next session, on the subject of reducing the peace establishment; and the other, instructing the same secretary to report a system for the establishment of a commissariat, which resolutions were, with some amendment, adopted.

Various other business was transacted, and the House adjourned.

Saturday, April 18th. The bill from the Senate, concerning discriminating duties, was read a third time, and passed.

The bill for the relief of Gen. Stark, an aged revolutionary officer, was filled for $60 per month, passed, and was sent to the Senate.

After a variety of other business, the House adjourned to 10 o'clock on Monday.

Monday, April 20th. The amendments of the Senate to amendments of the House, to the bill to increase the salaries of certain officers, were not concurred in; and the House determined to insist on its amendment to increase the salaries of the Supreme Court Judges.

The bill from the Senate to divide the state of Pennsylvania into two judicial districts, after considerable opposition, was read a third time and passed.

A message was received from the Senate announcing its relinquishment of some of its amendments to the salary bill, but its adherence to others, but the House would not concur.

A variety of other business was transacted, and then a committee was appointed to wait on the President, jointly with one from the Senate, to inform him that the two Houses having acted on the business before them were ready to adjourn; and the said committees having respectively reported that the President had no further communications to make, the House adjourned, sine dię.

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