APRIL, 1812. Proceedings. SENATE. MONDAY, April 13. On the question, Shall this bill be engrossed and read a third time as amended? it was determined in the affirmative. amendments reported thereto by the select comThe bill from the House of Representatives,mittee; and having agreed to the amendments, entitled "An act providing for the government of the President reported the bill to the House acthe Territory of Louisiana," was read, and passed. cordingly. The amendments to the bill, entitled "An act to authorize the Secretary of War to exchange lands with the Ursuline Nuns of the city of New Orleans," having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, the bill was read a third time as amended; and, on motion, by Mr. GREGG, was further amended by unanimous consent. Resolved, That this bill pass with amendments. Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, presented the memorial of William Patterson and Sons, and a number of others, merchants, of the city of Baltimore, praying a suspension of the non-importation act, ora partial modification thereof, for reasons therein stated at large; and the memorial was read. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a joint resolution appointing a committee on their part, to join such committee as the Senate may appoint, to consider and report what business demands the immediate attention of Congress, and whether a recess be compatible with the public interest, and the term of such recess; in which resolution they request the concurrence of the Senate. The joint resolution last mentioned was read, and passed to the second reading. Mr. ANDERSON, from the committee to whom was referred, on the 10th instant, the memorial of the delegates from the Convention of the Territory of Orleans, reported a bill granting to the Governor of the State of Louisiana, for the time being, and his successors in office, a lot of ground. and the buildings thereon, in the city of New Orleans, and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading. The bill authorizing the appointment of an additional judge of the district court of the district of New York was read the second time. The bill authorizing the President of the United States to lease, for a term of years, any part of the reservations of public ground in the City of Washington, was read the second time, and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. REED, BRENT, and GILMAN, were appointed the committee. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase or lease the old city hall in the city of New York; in which bill they request the concurrence of the Senate. The bill last mentioned was read, and passed to the second reading. On motion, by Mr. BRADLEY, the bill, entitled "An act concerning the Levy Court in the county of Washington, in the District of Columbia," was made the order of the day for to-morrow. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill to incorporate a bank in the town of Alexandria, by the name and style of the Mechanics' Bank of Alexandria, together with the The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill, entitled "An act giving further time to the purchasers of public land northwest of the river Ohio to complete their payments," together with the amendments reported thereto by the select committee; and having agreed to the amendments, the President reported the bill to the House accordingly. On the question, Shall this bill be read a third time as amended? it was determined in the affirmative. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill, entitled "An act making provision for certain persons claiming lands under the British provinces of Canada and Nova Scotia," several acts for the relief of the refugees from the together with the amendments reported thereto by the select committee; and having agreed to the amendments, the President reported the bill to the House accordingly. On the question, Shall this bill be read a third time as amended? it was determined in the affir mative. TUESDAY, April 14. Mr. ANDERSON, from the committee to whom was referred the bill for the relief of Thomas and William Streshly, reported it without amendment. The Senate resumed the consideration of the joint resolution brought up yesterday in relation to a recess; and the further consideration thereof was postponed until Monday next. The bill, entitled "An act providing for the government of the Territory of Louisiana," was read the second time, and referred to a select committee, to consist of five members, to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. WORTHINGTON, BIBB, CAMPBELL, of Tennessee, ANDERSON, and GOODRICH, were appointed the committee. The bill granting to the Governor of the State of Louisiana, for the time being, and his successors in office, a lot of ground, and the buildings thereon, in the city of New Orleans, was read the second time. The amendments to the bill, entitled "An act making provision for certain persons claiming lands under the several acts for the relief of the refugees from the British provinces of Canada and Nova Scotia," having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, the bill was read a third time as amended. Resolved, That this bill pass with amendments. The bill, entitled "An act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase or lease the old city hall in the city of New York," was read the second time, and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. SENATE. Proceedings. SMITH, of New York, BRADLEY, and GREGG, were appointed the committee. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill, entitled "An act concerning the Levy Court of the county of Washington, in the District of Columbia," together with the amendments reported by the select committee; and, having agreed thereto, the President reported the bill to the House accordingly. On the question, Shall this bill be read a third time as amended? it was determined in the affirmative. The amendments to the bill, entitled "An act giving further time to the purchasers of public Land northwest of the river Ohio to complete their payments," having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, the bill was read a third time as amended. Resolved, That this bill pass with amend ments. APRIL, 1812. Power engaged in war against such as may be at peace with the United States, nor violate the laws or treaties of the United States, or the rules of public law by the United States acknowledged, but will observe the instructions which may be given by the President of the United States for preventing any such violation, and that satisfaction shall be made for all damages and injuries, if any should be committed in contravention thereof: provided, that vessels bound for places beyond the southern Cape of Africa or America shall not be prevented from going armed, as has been usual in such cases. WEDNESDAY, April 15. The bill to incorporate a bank in the town of Alexandria, by the name and style of the Mechanics' Bank of Alexandria, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, was read the third time, and passed. The amendments to the bill, entitled “An act On motion, by Mr. GERMAN, the bill author- to authorize the granting of patents of land acizing the appointment of an additional judge of cording to the surveys that have been made, and the district court of the district of New York to grant donation rights to certain claimants of was referred to a select committee, to consider land in the district of Detroit, and for other purand report thereon; and Messrs. GERMAN, GOOD-poses," having been reported by the committee RICH, and SMITH, of New York, were appointed correctly engrossed, the bill was read the third time as amended, and passed. the committee. The amendments to the bill, entitled "An act On motion, by Mr. WORTHINGTON, the Mes-. sage of the President of the United States of the concerning the Levy Court of the county of 3d of February, transmitting a report of the Sec- Washington, in the District of Columbia," havretary of the Treasury, containing a statement of ing been reported by the committee correctly enthe proceedings under the act to regulate the lay-grossed, the bill was read the third time as amended, and passed with amendments. ing out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio, was referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise; and Messrs. WORTHINGTON, GREGG, and ANDERSON, were appointed the committee. Mr. BIBB, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of William Hubbell," reported it without amend ment. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill, entitled "An act to authorize the granting of patents of land according to the surveys that have been made, and to grant donation rights to certain claimants of land in the district of Detroit, and for other purposes;" and, on motion, the bill was amended, and the President reported it to the House accordingly. On the question, Shall this bill be read a third time as amended? it was determined in the affirmative. Mr. DANA submitted the following motion for consideration: Resolved, That it is proper by law to establish regulations applicable to cases of merchant vessels permitted to be armed for defence in voyages which may be allowed to foreign ports or places; and therein to provide for furnishing letters of permission, or other in any such documentary evidence, as may be proper case to manifest the defensive character of the armament; and, also, to require securities for the vessels and their commanders, respectively, that they shall not proceed to any port known to be actually blockaded, nor carry contraband articles to the dominions of any Mr. LEIB presented the memorial of Alexander Henry, and a number of others, merchants, of the city of Philadelphia, praying a suspension of the non-importation act, or a modification thereof, for reasons stated at large in the mémorial; which was read, and referred to a select committee, to consist of five members, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise; and Messrs. LEIB, BIBB, CAMPBELL, of Tennessee, LLOYD, and TAYLOR, were appointed the committee. On motion, by Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, the memorial of William Patterson, and others, on the same subject, presented the 13th instant, was referred to the committee last mentioned. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill for the relief of Thomas and William Streshly; and, on the question, Shall this bill be engrossed and read a third time? it was determined in the affirmative. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of William Hubbell ;" and it was ordered to the third reading. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill granting to the Governor of the State of Louisiana, for the time being, and his successors in office, a lot of ground, and the buildings thereon, in the city of New Orleans; and, on the question, Shall this bill be engrossed and read a third time? it was determined in the affirmative. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House agree to the amendments of the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act for the organization of a corps of artificers," with amendments, in which they request the concurrence of the Senate. They have passed a bill, entitled "An act for ascertaining the titles and claims to lands in that part of Louisiana which lies east of the river Mississippi and island of New Orleans;" in which bill they request the concurrence of the Senate. The Senate proceeded to consider the amendments of the House of Representatives to their amendments to the bill, entitled "An act for the organization of a corps of artificers ;" and concurred therein. The bill last brought up for concurrence was read, and passed to the second reading. The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion made yesterday by Mr. DANA, and it was agreed to; and, on his motion, referred to a select committee, to consist of five members, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise; and Messrs. DANA, SMITH, of Maryland, TAYLOR, HUNTER, and LLOYD, were appointed the committee. The PRESIDENT Communicated the report of the Secretary for the Department of Treasury, made in conformity with the resolution of the Senate of the 10th instant, relating to the appropriations made by the several acts passed during the present session; and the report was read, and ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate. THURSDAY, April 16. Mr. ANDERSON, from the committee to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill for the relief of Reuben Saunders and his securities; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading. The bill, entitled "An act for ascertaining the titles and claims to lands in that part of Louisiana which lies east of the river Mississippi and island of New Orleans," was read the second time, and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. GREGG, TAIT, and WORTHINGTON, were appointed the committee. The bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act for the relief of William Hubbell," was read a third time, and passed. The bill for the relief of Thomas and William Streshly, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, was read a third time, and passed. SENATE. The bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Aaron Greely," was read the second time, by unanimous consent; and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. GREGG, WORTHINGTON, and VARNUM, were appointed the committee. The bill granting to the Governor of the State of Louisiana, for the time being, and his successors in office, a lot of ground, and the buildings thereon, in the city of New Orleans, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, was read a third time, and passed. FRIDAY, April 17. On motion, by Mr. DANA, the injunction of secrecy was removed respecting the proceedings on the "Act to prohibit the exportation of specie, goods, wares, and merchandise, for a limited time." [The proceedings are as follow:] THURSDAY, April 9, 1812. The following confidential message was retheir committee, Mr. SMILIE and Mr. PLEASceived from the House of Representatives, by ANTS; Mr. SMILIE chairman: Mr. President: The House of Representatives, have passed a bill, entitled "An act to prohibit the exportation of specie, goods, wares, and merchandise, for a limited time;" in which bill they ask the concurrence of the Senate. The bill was read, and, on motion, by Mr. CAMPBELL, of Tennessee, that the bill be now read the second time by unanimous consent, it was objected to as against the rule. Ordered, That the bill pass to a second reading. mittee, reported the bill last mentioned with an Mr. CAMPBELL, of Tennessee, from the comamendment. Whereupon, the bill was resumed, together with the amendment reported thereto by and considered as in Committee of the Whole, the select committee; and having agreed to the amendment, the President reported the bill to the House accordingly, A message from the House of Representatives On motion, by Mr. GOODRICH, that the further informed the Senate that the House have passed consideration of the bill be postponed until tothe bill, entitled "An act further to amend the morrow, and that it be printed under an injunccharter of the City of Washington;" a bill, enti-tion of secrecy, for the use of the Senate, it was tled "An act to continue in force, for a limited determined in the negative. time, an act, entitled 'An act continuing, for a limited time, the salaries of the officers of Government therein mentioned;" also, a bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Aaron Greely ;" in which bills they request the concurrence of the Senate. The three bills last brought up for concurrence were read, and passed. reading as amended? it was determined in the On the question, Shall the bill pass to the third affirmative-yeas 16, nays 12, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Brent, Campbell of Tennessee, Condit, Crawford, Gaillard, Gregg, Howell, Leib, Pope, Smith of New York, Tait, Taylor, Turner, and Varnum. SENATE. Mississippi Territory. APRIL, 1812. NAYS-Messrs. Bradley, Dana, German, Giles, Gil-ered to the committee to be laid before the Presiman, Goodrich, Horsey, Hunter, Lambert, Lloyd, dent of the United States. Reed, and Smith of Maryland. MONDAY, April 13. On motion, by Mr. CAMPBELL, of Tennessee, the galleries were cleared, and the doors of the Senate Chamber closed. The amendment to the confidential bill, entitled "An act to prohibit the exportation of specie, goods, wares, and merchandise, for a limited time," having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, the bill was read the third time. On motion, by Mr. BRADLEY, to recommit the bill, for the purpose of amending the second section, it was determined in the negative-yeas 11, nays 17, as follows: Mr. VARNUM. from the committee, reported that they had laid the enrolled bill, last mentioned, before the President of the United States. [End of confidential proceedings.] Mr. GREGG, from the committee to whom was yesterday referred the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Aaron Greely," reported it without amendment. Ordered, That it pass to a third reading. Mr. GERMAN, from the committee to whom was referred on the 14th instant, the bill authorizing the appointment of an additional judge of the district court of the district of New York, reported it amended. Mr. GREGG, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled “An act to continue in YEAS-Messrs. Bradley, Dana, Giles, Gilman, Good-force 'An act to provide for persons who were rich, Horsey, Hunter, Lambert, Lloyd, Reed, and Smith of Maryland. NAYS-Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Brent, Campbell of Tennessee, Condit, Crawford, Cutts, Gaillard, Gregg, Howell Leib, Robinson, Smith of New York, Tait, Taylor, Turner, and Varnum. On the question, Shall this bill pass as amended? it was determined in the affirmative yeas 17, nays 11, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Brent, Campbell of Tennessee, Condit, Crawford, Cutts, Gaillard, Gregg, Howell, Leib, Robinson, Smith of New York, Tait, Taylor, Turner, and Varnum. NAYS-Messrs. Bradley, Dana, Giles, Gilman, Goodrich, Horsey, Hunter, Lambert, Lloyd, Reed, and Smith of Maryland. So it was resolved that this bill pass with an amendment. disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary war, and for other purposes," reported it amended.. He also reported, from the committee to whom the subject was referred, the bill, entitled "An act for ascertaining the titles and claims to lands in that part of Louisiana, which lies east of the river Mississippi and island of New Orleans," without amendment. The bill, entitled 'An act further to amend the charter of the City of Washington." was read the second time, and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon, and Messrs. BRENT, DANA, and HUNTER, were appointed the committee. The bill for the relief of Reuben Saunders and his securities, was read the second time. Mr. SMITH, of New York, from the committee Ordered, That Messrs. VARNUM, and ANDER- to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act SON be a committee to carry the said bill to the to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to House of Representatives, and request their cop-purchase or lease the old city hall, in the city of currence in the amendment. New York," reported it amended. A message from the House of Representatives, by Messrs. CALHOUN and PIPER; Mr. CALHOUN chairman: Mr. President: The House of Representatives concur in the amendment to the bill, entitled "An act to prohibit the exportation of specie, goods, wares, and merchandise, for a limited time." TUESDAY, April 14. Mr. VARNUM, from the committee, reported that they had examined and found duly enrolled the bill, entitled "An act to prohibit the exportation of specie, goods, wares, and merchandise, for a limited time." A message from the House of Representatives, by their committee for enrolled bills; Mr. CRAWFORD chairman: Mr. President: The Speaker of the House of Representatives having signed an enrolled bill, the committee are directed to bring it to the Sen ate for the signature of thetr President. The PRESIDENT signed the enrolled bill last reported to have been examined, and it was deliv Mr. WORTHINGTON, from the committee to whom the Message of the President of the United States, of the 3d March, respecting the proceedings. under the act to regulate the laying out and making a road from Cumberland, in Maryland, to the State of Ohio, was referred, reported a bill in addition to the act to regulate the laying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading. The bill, entitled "An act to continue in force for a limited time, an act, entitled 'An act continuing, for a limited time, the salaries of the officers of Government, therein mentioned," was read the second time. MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY. Mr. TAYLOR, from the committee to was referred, on the 17th of March, the bill, entitled "An act to enable the people of the Mississippi 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;" and on the 6th instant, the bill to carry into effect the provisions of the eighth section of the act regulating the grants of land, and providing for the disposal of the lands of the United States south of the State of Tennessee, reported that the said bills be severally postponed to the first Monday in December next. The report is as follows: That in considering the subject referred to them, they could not avoid being struck with the immense size of the Territory proposed to be erected into a State, a size disproportionate to the size of any of the largest States which now compose our confederation. It embraces, in its present form, and without any extension, to the Gulf of Mexico, (as is proposed in the bill referred to us,) nearly six and a half degrees of geographical longitude, and four entire degrees of latitude, and affords an area of twice the surface of the State of Pennsylvania. SENATE. GENTLEMEN: Upon me devolves the painful duty of anouncing to the Senate the death of our venerable fellow-citizen, GEORGE CLINTON, Vice President of the United States. "By this afflictive dispensation of Divine Providence the Senate is deprived of a President rendered dear to which he has so long presided over their deliberations; each of its members by the dignity and impartiality with and the nation bereaved of one of the brightest luminaries of its glorious Revolution." The Senate being informed of the decease of their distinguished fellow-citizen, GEORGE CLINTON, Vice President of the United States, do Resolve, That a committee be appointed, jointly, with such as may be appointed on the part of the House of Representatives, to consider and report measures proper to manifest the public respect for the memory of the deceased, and expressive of the deep regret of the Congress of the United States on the loss of a citizen so highly re Ordered, That Messrs. SMITH of New York, lution to the House of Representatives. Your committee are strongly impressed with the propriety and expediency of dividing the said Territory, so as to form of the same two States, whenever the population, within the limits of each section, shall ren-spected and revered. der it just and proper; and they respectfully submit to the Senate the following divisional line, between the western and eastern sections of the said Territory, viz: up the Mobile river, to the point nearest its source, which falls on the eleventh degree of west longitude from the City of Washington; thence a course due north until the line intersects the waters of Bear creek; Tennessee river; thence down the said river to the northern boundary line of the said Territory. By a view of the map of this country it will appear that the above divisional line will divide the Territory into nearly two equal parts, and it has, for the most part, a delineation by nature. thence down the said creek to its confluence with the By the 5th section of the 1st article of the treaty of cession from the State of Georgia the United States are bound to erect the said Territory into one State. It has, however, been suggested that the State of Georgia would not, upon a proper representation, withhold her consent to the proposed division. To the end, therefore, that an opportunity may be afforded to the State of Georgia to express this consent, by a legislative act of the said State, as they shall think proper, your committee recommend that the said bill shall be postponed to the first Monday in December next. informed the Senate that the House concur in the A message from the House of Representatives resolution of the Senate for the appointment of a joint committee "to consider and report measures proper to manifest the public respect for the memory of the Vice President of the United States," deceased, and have appointed a committee on their part. TUESDAY, April 21. On motion of Mr. SMITH, of New York, Resolved unanimously, That, from an unfeigned respect to the late GEORGE CLINTON, Vice President of the United States, and President of the Senate, the Chair of the President of the Senate be shrouded with black during the present session; and, as a further testimony of respect for the memory of the deceased, the members of the Senate will go into mourning and wear a black crape round the left arm for thirty days. WEDNESDAY, April 22. The bill in addition to the "Act to regulate the laying out and opening a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio," was read the second time. Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, presented the memorial of Peter Hoffman, junior, and others, merchants, of the city of Baltimore, stating that their ship William, on the last day of March last, received a clearance for a voyage to Cadiz, and on the day following sailed from the port of Baltimore, previous to the Message of the President of the United States recommending an embargo; that the vessel proceeded on her voyage, and, while on the high seas, was met by a revenue cutter, and brought back to the port of Baltimore; and praying permission for the said vessel to depart and pursue her contemplated voyage; and |
