i Thirty three bills were read a third time and passed, all of a local or private nature. The secretary said the vote of the gentleman from Ohio was now on the table, and could not be distinThe senate proceeded to consider the Joint reso-guished from others. lution for suspending the 18th joint rule, which pro- Mr. Branch moved that the ballots be destroyed; vides that no bill or resolution that shall have pass-which was carried; and the ballotting proceeded. ed the house of representatives and the senate, shall be presented to the president of the United States, for his approbation, on the last day of the session. After a short discussion between Messrs. Hayne, Holmes, Eaton, Smith, Macon, Chandler, Harrison, Tazewell, and Johnston, of Lou. the resolution was disagreed to-ayes 14, noes 18. Mr. Macon having, on the 17th ballot, a majority of the whole number of votes, was declared duly elected president pro tempore, of the senate, and was conducted to the chair by Mr. Smith, when he delivered a short address, expressive of his thanks for the honor conferred on him, and the assurance that every exertion in his power would be used to despatch all the business as speedily as possible. The senate proceeded to consider the amendment of the other house to the bill from the senate, "regu- committee of conference on the disagreeing vote of The senate proceeded to consider the report of the lating process in the states admitted into the union, the two houses, on the amendment proposed by the since 1798." ment: A short discussion ensued between Messrs. Harri-senate to the bill "making appropriations to carry son, Kane, Rowan, and White, in which the amend-into effect the Creek treaty." The committee of conment was opposed, as leaving Missouri, Mississippi, ference recommend the adoption of the following Indiana, Illinois, Álabama, and Tennessee, without provision to, the bill, in lieu of the senate's amendany system of execution laws, in the federal courts. Mr. Kane moved to amend the amendment of the house, by adopting the provisions of the original bill, in the states which had not been provided for by the amendment. The amendment prevailed. And then, on motion of Mr. Johnston, of Lou. the bill was laid on the table. Mr. Woodbury then (about 4 o'clock) moved that the senate take a recess until 6 o'clock, which, having been agreed to The vice president rose and stated that it was his intention now, having reached the last business day of the session, by withdrawing from the chair, to give to the senate the usual opportunity of appointing a president pro tempore. Before retiring, however, he would take the occasion to return his thanks for the support and courtesy which the chair had uniformly received, and to congratulate the senate on the great degree of talent and patriotism that had been evinced in the body during this long and labori ous session. "Both which sums shall be paid to the chiefs of the Creek nation, to be divided among the chiefs and warriors of the said nation, the same to be done under the direction of the secretary of war in the full council of the nation, to be summoned for that purpose." Mr. Benton, moved that the senate agree to the report; which was carried. The senate then took up the bill "making appropri-' ations for the public buildings of Washington." [The amendments proposed by the senate were, to increase the salary of the commissioner of the public buildings to $2,000 a year, and to repeal any law authorizing him to employ a clerk; and appropriating $2,000 for carrying on a sculptural ornament for the senate.] The 1st amendment was agreed to--ayes 17, noes 11. The 2d amendment was supported by Messrs. Eaton; and Johnston, of Lou. and opposed by Messrs. Smith, Chandler, and King, and was finally rejected. The bill was then ordered to a third reading, and was subsequently read a third time and passed. The senate then adjourned to 6 o'clock P. M. Mr. Hendricks moved to take up for consideration the bill for the preservation and repair of the CumEvening session. The senate, at six o'clock, assem-berland road, and called for the ayes and noes on the bled, and soon after, on motion of Mr. Noble, pro- question. ceeded to elect a president pro. tem, The number of ballotings extended to seventeen and were as follows: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 13 14 15 17 16 16 16 16 16 19 19 19 19 20 20 21 12 12 10 11 13 13 15 15 18 19 19 18 19 19 18 18 17 5 8873 3 3 3 1 The motion was opposed by Messrs. Berrien, Woodbury, and Benton. It was supported by Messrs. Hendricks and Harrison, who stated that, under the present circumstances, the friends of the bill would be content with that part of it which relates to the appropriation; (discarding the provision for toll gates.) Mr. Hendricks withdrew his motion to take up the bill. Macon, At the 13th ballot, the numbers were, Smith 19, On proceeding to count the ballots 14th time, The secretary said, he had given notice that, if all ed. Mr. Harrison walked up to the secretary's table and deposited his vote with the other ballots. Mr. Tazewell objected. The rule of the senate was, that members should deposite their ballots in the ballot box. Mr. Berrien moved that the vote of the gentleman from Ohio should be received. Mr. Tazewell objected, till the proposition should first be put, that the senate would rescind the aforesaid rule, the public buildings in Washington, for the purpose of making an amendment to it, by adding a clause making an appropriation for the repair of the Cumberland road. Mr. Benton said there were other bills which would come up in due course, to which the proposed amendment could be attached. The motion to re-consider was decided in the negative-ayes 16, noes 17. On motion of Mr. Harrison, the senate then took up the bill to authorize the surveying and making a road in the territory of Arkansas. Mr. Chambers moved to add to this bill, a section appropriating 45,000 dollars for the repair of the Cumberland road. Mr. Eaton moved to lay the bill on the table, as being calculated to involve important principles, and which would give rise to much discussion. Mr. Chambers withdrew his motion, and the bill was then laid on the table. On motion of Mr. King, the senate insisted on their | amendment to the bill for the relief of the Florida Indians, but the senate subsequently receded from it. After some remarks from Mr. TazewellMr. Chambers then moved to recommit the bill concerning the public buildings, to the committee on the District of Columbia, with instructions to report an amendment of 30,000 dollars for the repair of the On motion of Mr. Edhcards, the roll was calledwhen the following members were present: Messrs. Barton, Branch, Chandler, Chase, Clayton, Dickerson, Eaton, Edwards, Findlay, Harrison, Hayne, Hendricks, Holmes, Johnston, of Lou. Kane, Lloyd, Macon, Marks, Noble, Robbins, Ruggles, Seymour, Tazewell, Woodbury-24. At half past 3 o'clock, Mr. Eaton moved a call of the house, which was carried; when a quorum appeared. A message was received from the house of repreCumberland road. Mr. Hayne moved to lay the bill on the table; stat-sentatives, announcing the disagreement of that house ing that the public buildings must suffer the fate of to the amendment of the senate to the public buildthe Cumberland road appropriation, if gentlemen ings bill (respecting the Cumberland road.) would insist on tacking the one to the other; and the nays, motion was decided in the negative, by yeas and as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Berrien, Chandler, Harper, Hayne, Macon, Taze well, White-7 NAYS-Mssrs. Barton, Bouligny, Branch, Chambers, Chase, Dickerson, Eston, Edwards, Findlay, Harrison, Hendricks, Holmes Johnston, of Lou. Kane King, Lloyd, Marks, Noble, Robbins, Ruggles, Seymour, Smith, Thomas, Williams, Woodbury-25. The question was then taken on the recommitment, and decided in the affirmative, by yeas and nays, as follows. YEAS-Messrs. Barton, Bouligny, Chambers, Eaton, Findlay, Harrison, Hendricks, Holmes, Johnston, of Lou. Kane, Lloyd, Marks, Noble, Ruggles, Seymour, Smith, Thomas-17. NAYS-Messrs. Berrien, Branch, Chandler, Chase, Dickerson, Edwards, Harper, Hayne, King, Macon, Robbins, Tazewell, White, Woodbury-14. The committee, in a short time, reported the bill, with the aforesaid amendment. Mr. Tazewell inquired whether the bill, having been already once read this day, could be again read? The chair decided that the recommitment took the third reading off, and that every thing that regarded the passage of the bill went for nothing when it was recommitted. On motion of Mr. Chambers, the senate then receded from this amendment. The senate concurred in the joint resolution suspending the 18th joint rule, so far as the same relates to bills and resolutions, which shall have this day passed the two houses of congress. And then, at 4 o'clock on Sunday morning, the senate adjourned. May 22. Mr. Benton moved that the senate proceed to the consideration of the resolutions he had offered some time since, to transfer the unfinished business to the next session of congress. The motion was decided in the affirmative, by yeas and pays-17 to 13. Mr. Branch then moved to lay the resolution on the table; which was negatived-yeas 13, nays 14. The question was then taken on agreeing to the resolution, and decided in the negative, by yeas and nays, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Benton, Berrien, Chambers, Findlay, Harrison, Hendricks, Johnson, of La. Kane, Noble, Robbins, Rowan, Smith Woodbury-13. NAYS-Messrs. Barton, Branch, Chandler, Chase, Dickerson, Eaton, Edwards, Harper, Holmes, King, Macon, Ruggles, Sanford, Seymour, Tazewell, Thomas, Van Buren, Williams-18. The senate, on motion of Mr. King, proceeded to the consideration of executive business. After a short period, the doors being opened, The senate concurred in the joint resolution sus The question was then put on considering the report of the committee, (proposing the Cumberland road appropriation), and was decided in the affirmative-ayes 17. The question then was on agreeing to the amend-pending the 18th joint rule, this day, as far as it re garded the bill for compensating the registers and rement of the bill, reported by the committee. After some discussion between Messrs. Tazewell,ceivers of land offices, for extra services performed Smit, Holmes, Chandler, Chambers, Noble, Berrien, and under the provisions of the act of 18th March, 1821; and the bill to compensate the receivers of public Harrison, Mr. Woodbury offered an amendment to the amend-money, for transporting and depositing the same. ment, "providing that a sum equaì in amount to the said appropriation, remains unexpended of the two per cent fund;" which was decided in the negative, by yeas and nays, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Berrien, Branch. Chandler, Dickerson, Edwards, Harper, Hayne, King, Maeon, Rowan, Tazewell, White, Woodbury-13 NAYS-Messr Bouligny, Chambers, Chase, Eaton, Findlay, Harrison, Hendricks, do Imes, Johnston, Lou. Kane, Lloyd, Marks, Noble, Ruggles, Seymour, Smith, Thomas.-17. The senate concurred in the first of the amendments made by the house to the last of the abovementioned bills, and disagreed to the second amendment. They also concurred in the amendment made to the first of the abovementioned bills. On the motion of Mr. Smith it was ordered, that the secretary inform the house of representatives that the senate, having finished the legislative business before them, are about to adjourn. The senate concurred in the joint resolution to wait on the president of the United States with the infor The question was then taken on agreeing to the amendment reported by the committee, and was decided in the affirmative by yeas and nays, 17 to 14. And the bill was then ordered to a third reading,mation, that the two houses, having concluded their and subsequently passed, as amended, and sent to the house of representatives for concurrence in the amendment. Four or five more bills were passed. But, before certain documents belonging to another were read, it appeared that a quorum was not present. At 2 o'clock, Mr. Branch moved to adjourn, which was negatived-ayes 6, noes 13. Mr. Tazewell renewed the motion to adjourn, and called for the yeas and nays. It was decided in the negative as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Branch, Chandler, Lloyd, Macon, Tazewell, White, Woodbury-7. NAYS-Messrs. Barton, Chambers, Chase, Dickerson, Eaton, Fdwards, Findlay, Harrison, Hendricks, Holmes, Johnston, of Lou. Kane, Marks, Noble, Ruggles, Seymour-16. At half past two o'clock, Mr. Branch again moved to adjourn; which was negatived-ayes 4, noes 9. At 3 o'clock, Mr. Eaton moved to adjourn-negatired, ayes 6, noes 14. legislative business, were about to adjourn; and Messrs. Smith and Lloyd were appointed the committee on the part of the senate. Soon after, Mr. Smith reported, from the joint committee, that they had waited on the president of the United States, who informed them that he had no further communi services: The committee rose and reported the bill. Mr. Forsyth now opposed the amendment of Mr. Beecher, (to strike out 25,000 dollars, and insert 5000 dollars),—and, after some conversation, it was negatived. The other amendments were then agreed to by the house. ing. 1818 and 1820, granting pensions for revolutionary | found with the carvings over the doors of the rotundo. Certain proposed amendments being rejectedYEAS. Messrs. Alexander, of Virginia, Alexan- Mr. Mitchell of Md. moved an amendment, as an adder, of Tennessee, Alston, Armstrong, Barbour, Bas-ditional section, by which it was required, that all the sett, Beecher, Blair, Brown, Bryan, Buckner, Camp-furniture for the president's house "should, as far as bell, Carson, Carter,Cary, Cassedy, Claiborne, Clark, practicable, be of American er domestic manufacCock, Crump, Davenport, Dorsey, Drayton, Dwight, ture." It was carried. Edwards, of N. C. Findlay, Ohio, Forsyth, Fosdick, Garrison, Govan, Harris, Hayden, Healy, Hines, Ingham, Isacks, Jennings, Ind. Johnson, N. Y. Francis Johnson, Kremer, Lawrence, Lecompte, Letcher, Mangum, Marable, McCoy, McDuffie, Mercer, Miner, Mitchell, Ten. Moore, Ken. Moore, Alabama, Newton, Owen, Phelps, Plumer, Saunders, Sawyer, Scott, Sloane, Stevenson, Va. Swan, Taliaferro, Taylor, Va. Mr. Beecher's motion was renewed by Mr. Carson Test, Thompson, Geo. Tomlinson, Trezvant, Trim-negatived; and the bill was ordered to a third readble, Tucker, S. C. Vance, White, Wickliffe, Williams, Wilson, Ohio, Worthington, Wurts, Young-78. Mr. Floyd, of Virginia, moved a reconsideration of NAYS-Messrs. Adams, N. Y. Addams, Penn. Al- the vote by which the house indefinitely postponed len, Mass. Anderson, Angel, Ashley, Bailey, Badger, the judiciary bill-but it was negatived, ayes 52, Baldwin, Bartlett, Barber, Con. Baylies, Boon, Bur- noes 81. leigh, Burges, Conner, Davis, Deitz, Edwards, Penn. After some other unsuccessful attempts, to get up Everett, Findlay, Penn. Garnsey, Gurley, Harvey, other bills-the house adjourned, Hasbrouck, Hemphill, Herrick, Hobart, Hoffman, Thursday, May 18. Two or three reports being Humphrey, Ingersoll, James Johnson, Kellogg, Kid-receivedder, Lathrop, Lincoln, Little, Livingston, Mallary, Mr. Markley, from the committee on naval affairs, Markell, Markley, Martin, Marvin, N. Y. Mattocks, reported the following joint resolution: McLean, of Ohio, Meech, Miller, N. Y. Miller, Penn. tion to be made to the proper authorities of the state of Pennsyl James S. Mitchell, John Mitchell, Mitchell, Md.vania, for a cession to the United States of jurisdiction over such O'Brien, Orr, Pearce, Peter, Polk, Reed, Sands, Sill, Sprague, Stevenson, Pa. Strong, Tucker, N. J. Van Horne, Varnum, Vinton, Wales, Ward, Webster, Weems, Whipple, Whittemore, Whittlesey, James Wilson, Wolf, Wood, N. Y.-27. Resolved, &c. That the secretary of the navy cause an applica lands as are owned by them, at the navy yard, near Philadelphia; and that the secretary postpone, until after the first day of January tions of this year, for local improvements for the naval and marine next, the expenditure, at that place, of so much of the appropria service, as may not be required for the immediate preservation and protection of the property of the United States, After a short debate, in which Messrs. Ingham, Bartlett, Cambreleng, Wurts, Cooke, Barney, Markley, Stevenson and Cook took part-the resolution was laid on the table. So the resolution was ordered to lie upon the table. On motion of Mr. Everett, of Massachusetts, the house went into committee of the whole, Mr. Lathrop, of Massachusetts in the chair, on the bill making ap- Mr. McDuffie, from the select committee of twentypropriation for completing and furnishing the pub-four, appointed on the amendments of the constitu lic buildings. Mr. Everett, chairman of the committee who reported the bill, explained its several items, beginning with that which appropriates "for finishing the large room in the president's house, and for the purchase of furniture for said house, the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars." tion, made the following report: "The committee to whom was referred the several resolutions of the house of representatives, declaring the expediency of so an nding the constitution as to prevent the election of president and vice president from devolving upon congress, leports that they have had the said resolutions under consideration, but have not been aule to agree upon any specific plan for carrying into effic the leading resolution, under which they have been appointed; and they, therefore, ask to be discharged from the further consideraon of the subject." On motion of Mr. Webster it was Ordered, hat 400 copies of the journals of this house, of each of the sessions, contained in the report of the clerk, of the 10th This sum had been inserted, in consequence of an estimate made by two upholsterers. No communication had been had with the present occupant of that building, nor did the committee express any opinion of January, be printed under the direction of the clerk of this as to the expediency or inexpediency of this expen-house. diture. Also, on motion of Mr. Webster it was Mr. Wright, of Ohio, laid on the table the following motion, viz: Mr. Beecher, of Ohio, moved to strike out this item. Ordered, That 600 copies of a system of penal law, proposed by Mr. Forsyth opposed the motion to strike out, con-perintendence), and a copy transmitted to each member of this Mr Livingston, a member of this house, be printed, (under his su sidering it a matter of propriety, decency, and deco-house. rum, that, as this house had been erected for the chief magistrate, and he was compelled by law to reside in it, that it should be furnished in a style appropriate "To add to the 53rd rule of this house provision for the appointto the building. The policy of such a law, Mr. F. ment of a standing committee, to consist of seven persous, to be denominated, a committee on retrenchment, whose duty it shall be greatly doubted; believing that it would have been to take into consideration the state of the public offices, and the more proper that the president should have been suf-mode and manner of transacting business therein, and to report, fered to live in such style as he might himself choose, from time to time, what measures shall be necessary to add to the convenient and expeditious performance of public business, baving as a gentleman; but, since the nation had chosen to due regard to economy of time and expenditure." erect a palace, it was now fit that they should furnish A resolution for the removal of the remains of it. All he wanted was to know whether so large a com. Perry from the island of Trinidad to Newport, sum as twenty-five thousand dollars would be requi-R. I. was agreed to particulars hereafter. site? Mr. Everett explained, and repeated, in substance, the statement he had before made. The bill to authorize the importation of gin and brandy in casks of a capacity not less than 15 galls. was ordered to a third reading, but restrained to such importation of brandy only. Mr. Webster, thought the subject might easily be disposed of, and wished the gentleman from Ohio so [A great deal of private or local business was alto modify his motion as to include only a sum suffi- tended to, this day-the narrative of which is unnecient to renew such parts of the furniture of the pre-cessary, because that we shall publish a list of the sident's house as were unfit for use, Mr. Beecker's motion was modified, and 5000 instead of 25,000 agreed to for the purchase of furniture. The bill was further considered. Much fault was acts, as usual.] Mr. Dwight moved that the house go into committee of the whole on the state of the uuion. The motion prevailed, and the house went into committee accordingly, Mr. Bartlett, of N. H. in the chair, on the bill, in addition to "An act entitled an act to regulate and fix the compensation of the clerks in the different offices," passed April 18, 1818. for the purpose of repairing the public road, from Cumberland to Wheeling, under the direction of the president of the United States. “And be it further enacted, That, for the accomplish Some slight amendments were proposed by Mr.ment of this object, the superintendent appointed Dwight, and adopted. And, after some conversation between Messrs. Dwight, Cook, Ingham, Brent, Cocke, Polk, Alston, and Campbell, and the adoption of various minor amendments, Mr. Cook moved that $1000 be added to the salary of the postmaster general. In support of this amendment, Mr. Cook went into a detailed statement of the labors performed in the postmaster's department, and the reforms produced by exertions of the present incumbent. Mr. Cocke moved to amend the bill, by increasing the salary to $6000; and supported the argument, that the duties of this department were at least equal in labor with those of the other departments of the government, and the compensation for its labors ought to be of equivalent amount. by virtue of an act, approved 28th February, 1823, for repairing the Cumberland road, shall proceed in the same manner, and be entitled to the same compensation, as the said act prescribes." On this amendment he demanded the yeas and nays, but they were refused by the house. Mr. Camberleng advocated the amendment; he did not object to vote an appropriation for repairing the road, and had voted for former appropriations, but insisted that the consent of the states through which the road passes, should first be had before toll gates are erected, and referred to Mr. Monroe's rejection of a similar bill, as concurring with those which he entertained. Mr. McDuffie expressed views directly the reverse of those of Mr. Camberleng, and said he never would vote another cent for the road unless gates were. erected. The motion was advocated by Messrs. Brent and McDuffie, and opposed by Mr. Cook (who stated that the incumbent would, he believed, be satisfied with Mr. Burges objected to the bill, because the juris5,000.) The increase to $6000 was then farther sup-diction of the road was not in the United States, and ported by Mr. Cocke, and adopted. it had no right to take cognizance of offences against the road, gates, &c. Some farther amendments were proposed, but they did not succeed; and the committee then rose and reported the bill to the house. After a short reply by Mr. Stewart, Some other proceedings being had, a call for the previous question was made by Mr. McLean, of Ohio, and sustained-57 to 55. The amendments were then severally adopted by the house, until that for increasing the salary of the postmaster general came up. This was opposed by And the question being, "shall the main question Mr. Forsyth. He urged, in substance, that the ge- now be put?" Mr. Bassett demanded the yeas and neral post office was not a department of the govern-nays, which were ordered, and were-yeas 76, ment, but a branch only of the department of state. nays 70. The fidelity with which the present incumbent dis- The main question was then put, shall the bill be charged his duties was no reason for raising the sa- engrossed and ordered to a third reading? and decid lary of the office itself, and it was proper that a dif-ed by yeas and nays, as follows: ference should exist between the compensations of heads of departments, and of the postmaster gene ral. YEAS-Messrs. Addams, of Pa. Allen, of Tenn. Alston, Ander son, Armstrong, Barney, Baylies, Beecher, Blair, Boone, Brent, Buckner, Campbell, Carter. Clarke, Cocke, Cook, Crowninshield, Davis, Dorsey, Drayton, Dwight, Edwards, of Penn. Everett, Findlay, of Pa. Findlay, of Ohio, Garnsey, Garrison, Gurley, Harris, Hasbrouck, Hempbill, Henry, Hobart, Humphrey, Ingers Lecompte, Letcher, Little, Livingston, Mallary, Marable, Markley, Mercer, Merwin, of Con. Metcalfe, Jas. S. Mitchell, Mitchell, of Md. Martindale, Martin, Marvin. of N. Y. Mattocks, McLean, of Ohio, Moore, of Ky. Newton, Orr, Pearce, Peter, Plumer, Powell, Reed, Sands, Scott, Sloane, Sprague, Stevenson, of Pa. Stewart, Strong, van Horne, Vance, Varnum, Vinton, Wales, Webster, Weems, Swan, Test, Thompson, of Penn. Thompson, of Ohio, Trimble, Whittemore, Whittlesey, Wickliffe, James Wilson, Wolf, Wright, Mr. Taylor, of Virginia, moved to strike out two, and insert one-so as to make the salary $5,000 in-soll, Isacks, Johnson, of N. Y. Francis Johnson, Kremer, Lawrence, stead of $6.000-and demanded the yeas and nays, but the house refused to order them. The question was then taken on the motion of Mr. Taylor to fix the salary at $5.000, and carried-ayes 69, noes 45. Mr Polk opposed the bill at large, on the ground that the house had no information which justified its provisions. Mr. Dwight replied, and the bill was then ordered to its third reading this day. Young-92. of Mass. Angel, Archer, Ashley, Bailey, Badger, Baldwin, Bartlett, NAYS-Messrs. Alexander, of Va. Alexander, of Tenn. Allen, Barbour, Va Bassett, Bradley, Brown, Bryan, Burgess, Cambre. eng, Cary, Claiborne, Conner, Davenport, Deitz, Eastman, Edwards, of N. C. Floyd, Forsyth, Fosdick, Govan, Harvey, Haynes Healy, Hoffman, Houston, Ingham, Kellogg, Kidder, Lathrop, Lacolo, Long, Mangum, McCoy, MeNeill, Mitchell, of Tenn. The amendments reported by the committce of the whole to the bill "providing for the preservation and repair of the Cumberland road," were taken up in order, and some progress having been made in them-O'Brien, Owen Poik, Ross, Saunders, Stevenson, of Va. Taliafer Mr. Hoffman, of N. York, representing the bill as going to an act of robbery and usurpation, moved to lay the bill and amendments on the table. On this motion, Mr. Edwards, of N. Carolina, demanded the yeas and nays, which were ordered; and the motion was negatived-yeas 48, nays 97. ro, Tatnail, Tavlor, of Virginia, Thompson of Geo. Trezvant, Tucker, of S. C. Verplanck, Williams, Wilson, of S. C. Wood, of New York, Worthington, Wurts-62. So the bill was ordered to a third reading this day. Several bills were passed, or ordered to a third reading. The house took a recess till 6 o'clock. Evening session. Much business was transacted. The other amendments were then agreed to, and The engrossed bill "to provide for reports of the dethe question being on ordering the bill to a third read-cisions of the supreme court," being at its third reading, Mr. Williams, of N. C. called for the yeas and Jays. ing, its passage was opposed by Mr. Mitchell, of Tenn. and advocated by Mr. Drayton, of S. C. and Mr. Web When Mr. Bradley. of Vermont, moved to lay it on the table. The motion was negatived. An inquiry of Mr. Camberleng, whether any pro-ster. vision was made to obtain the consent of the states through which the road passes, before toll gates were erected, was answered by Mr. Stewart and Mr. MalJary. The question then being on the passage of the bill, Mr. Worthington now renewed the motion he had it was farther opposed by Mr. Bradley, and advocated made in committee of the whole, to strike out all af-by Messrs. Wright, of Ohio, Webster, and Drayton. ter the enacting words, and insert "that the sum of The merits of the work-its value to the profes$50,000 of moneys in the treasury, not otherwise ap- sion-the labors of the reporter, his profits, and the propriated, be and the same is hereby appropriated, i comparative expediency of employing a reporter by the government, and leaving the reporting to private enterprize, were all discussed; when the question being taken, the bill was passed-ayes 66, noes 50. A motion was now made by Mr. Cocke, but afterwards withdrawn, for the purpose of ascertaining whether there were any bills to come from the senate necessary to be acted on at present.* The motion was renewed by Mr. Taylor, of Va. and negatived. Mr. Barbour, of Va. moved to discharge the committee of the whole from the bill "fixing the salary of the commissioner of the public buildings." The motion prevailed-ayes 55, noes 53. And the question being on ordering the bill to be engrossed, the ayes were 57, noes 45. There being no quorum, a motion was made by Mr. Dwight to adjourn. The motion was agreed to-ayes 56, noes 50. Friday, May 19. Mr. Whittlesey, of Ohio, said, that a gentleman from Tennessee, (Mr. Mitchell), had, last evening, desired every member of the house to take notice that he should, this morning, move a call of the house. Not seeing that gentleman himself now in his place, he should make the motion for him." The question being put on having a call of the house, it was decided in the negative. Mr. Condict, from the select committee made a valuable report on the expedieney of laying an excise on domestic spirits, &c, which shall have a place hereafter. Mr. McDuffie, from the select committee, raised to inquire into the practicability of improving the ball of representatives, reported the following resolutions: Resolved, That the clerk of this house be authorized to employ Willian Strickland, of Philadelphia, to act in conjunction with the arcbiteet now employed in completing the capitol-in devising a plan for the improving this hall, so as to render it better suited to the purposes of a deliberative assembly. That the secretary of state, the secretary of war, and the attorney general, be requested to act as a board of inspection, on the aforesaid contemplated in provement, during the recess of congress, and that, if the said ar chitects can devise any plan for accomplishing the object, that shall receive the sanction of the board, aforesaid, they be author ized to execute the same, under the directions of the said board. Resolved, That the expenses be defrayed out of the contingent fund. rifle, though the object aimed at was itself invisible; and he expressed, for one, a cordial hope that the resolution would be adopted. his resolution, which the latter declined. He, how- had lately made on the subject of the mode of con- The resolution then, on the motion of Mr. Wood, was laid on the table. The following resolution, offered yesterday by Mr. this house, at the next session of congress, a schedule of the Cocke, of Tennessee, was taken up: "Resolved, That the secretary of the navy be directed to inform this house whether Robert M. Desha, late paymaster of the marine corps, is indebted to the government of the United States; if so, by him, conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties as to what amount; whether any bond, with security, was executed paymaster; who were the securities for such performance, if such not sent; whether any suit has been commenced to recover any boud was given-to send a copy, or state the reasons why it was sum that may be due-if not, why? And also, all other informa tion in relation to the matter that is in his possession." The resolution was modified by Mr. Cocke, by ad ding to it the following; "And whether the said Robert M. Desha was, while holding the office of paymaster, as aforesaid, called upon officially for a settle ment of his accounts-whether the call was obeyed-and, if not, the reasons which operated with the department to continue to make advances to him of the public money. Alio, whether the department was apprised of the intended departure of san! paymaster from the seat of government for the territory of A1kansas, and if permission was given him therefor, and the rea The resolutions were agreed to-ayes 62, noes 50, sons that operated with the department, or with the commanding The following resolution, offered yesterday, by Mr.permission, at also all correspondence between the said Desha and officer of said corps, to permit said departure, and a copy of such Sloane, was taken up: the navy department." The resolution, as modified, was then agreed to. Mr. Little, of Maryland, offered the following: to cause to be laid before this house any intoruation in his pos Resolved, That the president of the United States be requested, session touching the impressment of seamen from ou board Ame rican vessels on the high seas, or elsewhere, by the commanders of British, or other foreign vessels or ships of war, since the 18th of February, 1815. "Resolved, That the president of the United States be requested to communicate to this house any information that may be in possession of the executive government respecting any treaty, or sup plement to a treaty, or any special agreement, entered into by any agent or commissioner of the United States, with any tribe or tribes of Indians, by which any grant of land was inade, or proposed to be made, to any such agent or commissioner, employed to negotiate a treaty, for his own private use and emolument; the nature and extent of such grant; also the purport of the instructions to such agent or commissioner, and bis communications to the executive on the subject of such grant; and whether such agent or commis sioner agreed to accept such grant, so proposed or made, and whe-lowing: ther any such grant has, at any time, been submitted by such agent or commissioner, for the ratification of the government; and, if so, whether the same has been ratified.” Mr. Campbell of Ohio, expressed a wish that his colleague would state some of the reasons which had induced him to offer the resolution, and which ought to prevail on the house to adopt it. As a general reference had been made, but no individual specified, he thought it was due to those employed as commissioners, that the mover should be more explicit. The resolution lies one day. Mr. Cocke, of Tennessee, laid on the table the fol ed to cause to be laid before this house, at the next session of conResolved, That the president of the United States, be requestmachinery to manufacture the patent rifle; the actual cost of each gress, a statement shewing the amount and where expended, for manufactured since 1st. Jan. 1822; what contracts have been made in relation to the procurement of machinery; and what contracts are the advantages of this description of arms; has its durability to complete the rifle; by whom made; and under what law; what or utility been sufficiently tested; exhibiting in detail the expen diture on account of the patent rifle; what the whole number pro cured have cost; the number now in store; the number distributed, and to what states. Mr. Sloane, of Ohio, did not wish to be drawn into The resolution lies one day. [Agreed to next day.] discussion on this subject. He had offered the reso- Mr. Wright, of Ohio, moved the consideration of lution in consequence of information he had receiv- the proposition, made by him yesterday, to amend ed; of the truth of that information he expressed no the rules of the house by adding to the list of standopinion, but desired that the subject might be inquiring committees of the house, a committee of retrenci ed into. He declined designating any individual by name. Mr. Hamilton, of South Carolina, said he supposed it was not difficult to perceive the direction of the *Because this was the last day of the session upon which bills originating in either house can pass that body. ment. The motion was negatived. Mr. Stewart, of Pa. laid on the table the following. Resolved, That the secretary of war be instructed to report to this house at an early period of the next session, a general system of such roads and canals as may be most necessary and proper for carrying into execution the power vested by the constitution in congress, to provide for the common defence," with such information on the subject as his department may afford. Resolved, That the postmaster general be instructed to report, in like manner, a system of such roads as he may deem of prima |