large in the petition; which was read, and ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate.

The PRESIDENT communicated the report of the Secretary for the Department of State on the petition of Thomas Brown, referred to his consideration the 2d instant; which was read.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill extending the time of certain patents granted to Robert Fulton; and, on motion, by Mr. CRAWFORD, it was agreed that the further consideration thereof be postponed until to-mor

row.

TUESDAY, December 24.

DECEMBER, 1811.

to raise certain companies of rangers for the protection of the frontier of the United States, correctly engrossed; and the bill was read the third time, and the blanks were filled. On motion by Mr. WORTHINGTON, it was agreed, by unanimous consent, to amend the bill, by inserting, in section one, line eight, of the printed bill, after the word "necessary," the following words:" not exceeding six;" and,

Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be "An act authorizing the President of the United States to raise certain companies of rangers for the protection of the frontier of the United States."

John Burnham," reported it without amendment.

The Senate resumed the third reading of the bill for the establishment of a quartermaster's department; and the blanks were filled; and, on motion by Mr. BRENT, it was agreed that the further consideration of the bill be postponed until Thursday next.

Mr. GILMAN, from the committee to whom was Mr. GERMAN presented the memorial of Gouv-referred the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of erneur Morris, and others, commissioners, appointed by an act of the Legislature of the State of New York, for the consideration of all matters relating to the opening a canal navigation between the great Lakes and Hudson's river, praying the co-operation and aid of Congress in the contemplated work, for reasons stated at large in the memorial; which was read, and referred to the committee to whom was referred, on the 6th inst., the memorial of the President and Managers of the Union Canal Company of Pennsylvania, with the addition of two members, to consider and report theroon by bill or otherwise; and Messrs. CRAWFORD and GERMAN were added to the com

mittee.

The following Message was received from the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
To the Senate and House of

Representatives of the United States:

I communicate to Congress copies of an act of the Legislature of New York, relating to a canal from the great Lakes to Hudson's river. In making the communication, I consult the respect due to that State, in whose behalf the commissioners appointed by the act have placed it in my hands for the purpose.

Mr. CAMPBELL, of Tennessee, presented the resolutions of the Legislature of the State of Tennessee, disapproving of, and dissenting from, the amendment to the Constitution of the United States, proposed by the Legislature of the State of Massachusetts, June 19, 1809, respecting embargoes and commercial restrictions: also, from the amendment to the Constitution of the United

States, proposed by the Legislature of the State of Virginia, on the 13th January, 1808, respecting the removal from office of the Senators in Con

gress of the United States, by a vote of the respective State Legislatures: also, from the amendment to the Constitution of the United States, as proposed by the Legislature of the State of Pennsyl vania, April 3d, 1809, "that an impartial tribunal may be established, to determine disputes between the General and State governments;" and approvConstitution of the United States, proposed by ing of, and agreeing to, the amendment to the Congress, respecting titles of nobility. And the resolutions were read.

FRIDAY, December 27.

The PRESIDENT communicated the memorial of certain citizens and inhabitants of the Territory of Michigan, stating their very exposed situation in the vicinity of the Indians, and requesting the interposition of Government for their protection; and the memorial was read.

The utility of canal navigation is universally admitted. It is not less certain, that scarcely any country offers more extensive opportunities for that branch of improvements than the United States; and none, perhaps, inducements equally persuasive to make the most of them. The particular undertaking contemplated by the State of New York, which marks an honorable spirit of enterprise and comprises objects of national as well as more limited importance, will recall the attention of Congress to the signal advantages to be derived to the United States from a general system of internal communication and conveyance; and suggest to their consideration whatever steps may be proper, on their part, towards its introduction and accomplishment. As some of those advantages have an intimate con- The PRESIDENT also communicated the memonexion with arrangements and exertions for the gen-rial of the Legislature of the Indiana Territory, eral security, it is at a period calling for these that the praying grants of land, respectively, to the legal merits of such a system will be seen in the strongest representatives of such officers and soldiers as fell lights. in the late action under Governor Harrison's command, some of whom had heretofore made locations of land, partial payments, and improvements thereon; also, to each of the surviving officers and soldiers of said corps such donation in land as Congress may deem expedient; and the memorial was read.

JAMES MADISON,

WASHINGTON, December 23, 1811.

The Message and documents therein referred to were read; and referred to the committee last mentioned, to consider and report thereon.

Mr. GILMAN, from the committee, reported the bill authorizing the President of the United States

Mr. GERMAN presented the memorial of Isaiah

Townsend, and others, stating that, in the year
1811, the memorialists, at great expense, built two
boats, under conviction that they had a right
thereto by the existing laws of the United States,
for the purpose of plying between New York and
Albany, and which they have done successfully;
and praying a bill on the subject of steamboats,
now before the Senate, may not pass, for reasons
stated at large in the memorial; which was
read, and ordered to be printed for the use of the
Senate.

The following Message was received from the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
To the Senate and House of

Representatives of the United States:

SENATE.

are desirous of establishing a daily packet, to be propelled by steam, to ply betweeen Philadelphia, Brandywine, and Christiana creek: that they have it in their power to obtain an engineer, who is an alien, to conduct and superintend the work, upon being admitted to receive a share of the net profits; that a boat of the size and form contemplated would be subject to the same rules and regulations as if employed in the foreign or coasting trade, which exclude an alien, who is the constructor or projector, from a share of the boat or profits, and that they will be deprived of the aid of this artist without the interposition of Congress; and praying relief; and the petition was read, and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise; and Messrs. BAYARD, CONDIT, and HOWELL, were

I lay before Congress copies of resolutions entered into by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, which have been transmitted to me, with that view, by the Gov-appointed the committee. ernor of that State, in pursuance of one of the said resolutions.

JAMES MADISON.

WASHINGTON, December 27, 1811.

The Message and resolutions therein referred to were read, and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. LEIB presented the memorial of Oliver Evans, stating that the memorialist verily be lieves himself to be the original proposer of steamboats and steam-wagons in the United States, (Doctor Franklin only excepted ;) and that he conceives his patent, dated February 14, 1804, secured to him the right to use his engine for boats, mills, and land carriages, and praying to be left in full possession of those rights, for reasons stated at large in the memorial; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

On motion, by Mr. LLOYD, it was agreed that the further consideration of the bill for the estab lishment of a quartermaster's department be postponed until Tuesday next.

MONDAY, December 30.

Mr. HOWELL presented the petition of Nathaniel Smith, naval officer for the district of Providence, praying additional compensation for his services, for reasons stated at large therein; and the petition was read, and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise; and Messrs. HOWELL, GREGG, and BRADLEY, 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 continue in force, for a further time, the first section of the act, entitled 'An act further to protect the commerce and seamen of the United States against the Barbary Powers;" also a bill, entitled "An act directing the terms on which the lands sold at public sale, and that revert for failure in payment, shall again be sold;" in which bills they desire the concurrence of the Senate.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill extending the time of certain patents granted to Robert Fulton; and the bill was amended, and the President reported it to the House accordingly.

On the question, Shall this bill be engrossed and read a third time as amended? it was determined in the affirmative.

Mr. CAMPBELL, of Ohio, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act to authorize the laying out and opening a public road from the line established by the treaty of Greenville to the North Bend, in the State of Ohio," reported it without amendment.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of John Burnham;" and, on the question, Shall this bill be read a third time? it was determined in the negative.

Mr. BRADLEY Submitted the following motion for consideration:

Resolved, That the members of this House will wear crape on the left arm for one month, in testimony of the national respect and sorrow for the unfortunate

persons who perished in the city of Richmond, in Virginia, on the night of the 26th of the present month.

The PRESIDENT communicated the resolution

of the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the Mississippi Territory, approving the wards the belligerent Powers of Europe, and course pursued by the General Government topledging themselves to "support the Administration thereof in its efforts to obtain justice from offending nations." The resolution was read, and is as follows:

Resolved by the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the Mississippi Territory, in Gendifficulties under which the United States have for eral Assembly convened, That the embarrassments and many years labored have been caused by the injustice of foreign nations and of domestic faction. That the late and present Administrations of the General Government have, in our opinion, pursued a wise, impartial, and just course towards the belligerent Powers of Europe, and such as ought to conciliate and unite the Mr. BAYARD presented the petition of the Presi-affections of every American citizen. That the cordent and Trustees of the Philadelphia and Wil-respondence just published between the American Secmington Steamboat Company, stating that they retary of State and Mr. Foster, the British Envoy, af

The bills last mentioned were read, and passed to the second reading.

Proceedings.

fords additional and conclusive evidence of the determination of Great Britain to continue to violate her most sacred pledges, to trifle with the American nation, and to persevere in a course of unjust and hostile measures towards the commerce, the Government, and the honor of the United States. That the late Message of the gress breathes the true spirit and feelings of the Ameri-gress at the opening of the present session, and can people. That we will support the Administration of the General Government, in its efforts to obtain justice from offending nations, with our lives and fortunes, and for which we pledge our sacred honors.

Treasury, War, and Navy Departments." And the report was read.

SENATE.

is denominated the second grade of Territorial government, for reasons stated at large in the petition; which was read.

The bill, entitled "An act for the revision of former confirmations, and for confirming certain Mr. WORTHINGTON Communicated a resolution claims to lands in the district of Kaskaskia," was of the Legislature of the State of Ohio, requestread the second time, and referred to the coming their Senators and Representatives in Conmittee appointed on the 14th November, to in-gress to use their exertions in favor of a law quire if any, and, if any, what, further provisions providing for running and designating the northor alterations are necessary for the disposition of ern and western boundary lines of that State; the public lands of the United States, to consider also, their resolution approving the vigilance and and report thereon. promptitude of their Representatives in Congress in their seasonable application to the United States for a supply of arms for the use of the militia of that State; and, if the object is not yet obtained, requesting them to continue their exertions to procure the same; and the resolutions were read.

The bill, entitled "An act providing for the more convenient taking of affidavits and bail in civil causes depending in the courts of the United States," was read the second time.

On motion, by Mr. GREGG, it was agreed that the further consideration of the bill appropriating a sum of money for procuring munitions of war be postponed until Monday next.

The bill, entitled "An act to authorize the laying out and opening a public road from the line established by the Treaty of Greenville to the North Bend, in the State of Ohio," was read the third time, and passed.

FRIDAY, January 3.

The PRESIDENT Communicated the report of the Secretary for the Department of War, made in obedience to the first section of the act, entitled "An act further to amend the several acts for the establishment of the Treasury, War, and Navy Departments," passed the third day of March, 1809; and the report was read.

Mr. LLOYD presented the petition of Henry Hubbard, of the city of New York, merchant, stating that he has a very large sum of money due to him from a planter in the British colony of Demarara, arising from debts contracted prior to the year 1807. That in the year 1810, for the purpose of securing the amount of his claims, he went to Demarara; and, in order to attain that object, agreed to receive payment by shipments to this country of the produce of that colony. That, by the present laws of the United States, prohibiting importations from British colonies, he is prevented from receiving payment as specified above, and praying relief; and the petition was read, and referred to the committee to whom was referred, on the 12th of November, the petition of J. and E. Phillips and others, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise.

The bill, entitled "An act providing for the more convenient taking of affidavits and bail in Mr. BIBB presented the petition of Thomas civil causes depending in the courts of the United Streshly and William Streshly, formerly collectStates," was referred to a select committee, to ors of the excise in the State of Kentucky, prayconsider and report thereon; and Messrs. BRAD-ing Commissioners may be appointed to settle LEY, GOODRICH, and HUNTER, were appointed the committee.

MONDAY, January 6.

The PRESIDENT communicated the report of the Secretary for the Department of War on the expenditure of the moneys appropriated for the contingent expenses of the Military Establishment for the year 1811, exhibited in pursuance of the fifth section of the act of the 3d of March, 1809, entitled "An act to amend the several acts for the establishment and regulation of the Treasury, War, and Navy Departments;" and the report was read.

their accounts with the United States, on equitable principles, or that they may be allowed certain credits exhibited by them, for reasons stated at large in the petition; which was read and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise; and Messrs. BIBB, BAYARD, and HORSEY, were appointed the committee.

TUESDAY, January 7.

Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, from the committee to whom was referred so much of the Message of the President of the United States as relates to the evasions and infractions of the commercial laws The PRESIDENT also communicated the report thereof, reported, in part, a bill in addition to the of the Secretary for the Department of the Trea- act, entitled "An act supplementary to the act, sury, made in conformity with the sixth section entitled 'An act concerning the commercial interof the act passed on the 1st of May, 1810, enti-course between the United States and Great tled "An act fixing the compensation of public Ministers and Consuls residing on the coast of Barbary, and for other purposes;" and the report was read.

Britain and France, and their dependencies, and for other purposes;" and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading.

Mr. VARNUM presented the petition of John Mr. SMITH, of New York, presented the peti- Cutts and others, inhabitants of the towns of Kittion of William Sullivan and others, inhabitants tery, Elliot, and Berwick, in the State of Massaof the Territory of Louisiana, praying the pas-chusetts, praying the bill to annex the towns of sage of a law which will admit them into what Kittery, Elliot, and Berwick, to the district of

SENATE.

Proceedings.

Portsmouth, pending before the Senate, may not pass, for reasons stated at large in the petition; which was read, and referred to the committee appointed the 9th of December last, to consider the bill mentioned in the petition, and report thereon.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed the bill, entitled "An act to raise an additional military force," with amendments, in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate,

The amendments of the House of Representa-
tives to the bill, entitled "An act to raise an ad-
ditional military force," were read, and ordered
to be printed for the use of the Senate and be
made the order of the day for to-morrow.
The Senate resumed the bill, entitled "An act
for the relief of John Burnham;" and resolved
that the bill pass.

The following Message was received from the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
To the Senate and House of

Representatives of the United States:

I lay before Congress, for their information, a report
JAMES MADISON.

of the Director of the Mint.

JANUARY 7, 1812.

JANUARY, 1812.

bill, entitled "An act to raise an additional military force:" and, on the question to agree to the amendment to the first section, in the following words:

"Provided, however, That commissioned officers for six only of the said regiments shall be appointed, until three-fourths of the privates requisite to complete such six regiments have been enlisted, when the commissioned officers for the remaining seven regiments shall be appointed:"

It was determined in the negative-yeas 3, nays 24, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Bradley, Lambert, and Smith, of New York.

NAYS-Messrs. Anderson, Bayard, Bibb, Campbell of Tennessee, Cutts, Dana, Franklin, Gaillard, German, Giles, Gilman, Goodrich, Horsey, Howell, Hunter, Leib, Lloyd, Pope, Robinson, Smith of Maryland, Tait, Taylor, Varnum, and Worthington.

On the question to agree to the amendment, by adding the twenty-fifth section, in the following words:

"SEC. 25. And be it further enacted, That the officers who may be appointed in virtue of this act shall respectively continue in commission during such term only as the President shall judge requisite for the public service; and that it shall be lawful for the President to discharge the whole or any part of the troops which may be raised under the authority of this act, whenever he shall judge the measure consistent with the public welfare :"

It was determined in the negative-yeas 1, nays 25, as follows:

And the Message and report were read. Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, from the committee to whom was referred so much of the Message of the President of the United States as relates to the evasions and infractions of the commercial laws thereof, reported, in part, a bill supplemenNAYS-Messrs. Anderson, Bayard, Bibb, Bradley, tary to the act, entitled "An act to regulate the collection of duties on imports and tonnage ;" and Cutts, Dana, Franklin, Gaillard, German, Giles, Gilthe bill was read, and passed to a second reading.man, Goodrich, Horsey, Howell, Hunter, Leib, Lloyd,

WEDNESDAY, January 8.

The bill in addition to the act, entitled "An act supplementary to the act, entitled An act concerning the commercial intercourse between the United States and Great Britain and France, and their dependencies, and for other purposes," was read the second time.

The bill supplementary to the entitled "An act, act to regulate the collection of duties on imports and tonnage," was read the second time.

Mr. WORTHINGTON, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act directing the terms on which lands sold at public sale, and that revert for failure in payment, shall again be sold." reported it without amendment.

YEA-Mr. Lambert.

Pope, Robinson, Smith of Maryland, Smith of New
York, Tait, Taylor, Varnum, and Worthington.

Whereupon, Resolved, That the Senate agree to all the amendments to the said bill except to the proviso in the first section, and to the three additional sections; to which they disagree.

The PRESIDENT communicated the report of the Secretary for the Départment of the Navy, in compliance with the fifth section of the "Act to regulate and fix the compensation of clerks, passed the 21st of April, 1806;" also, his report, comprehending contracts made by the Navy Department during the year 1811; prepared in obedience to the act, entitled "An act further to amend the several acts for the establishment and regulation of the Treasury, War, and Navy Departments." And the reports were read.

THURSDAY, January 9.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act authorizing the purchase of ordnance and ordnance stores, camp equipage, The bill, entitled "An act authorizing the purand other quartermaster's stores and small arms;" chase of ordnance and ordnance stores, camp also, a bill, entitled "An act to empower the Sec-equipage, and other quartermaster's stores and retary of the Treasury to decide on the case of small arms," was read the second time, and rethe ship Eliza Ann, belonging to Ezekiel Hub-ferred to the committee to whom was referred, bel;" in which bills they desire the concurrence the 8th of November, so much of the Message of of the Senate. The bills last mentioned were the President of the United States as concerns the relations between the United States and read, and passed to the second reading. France and Great Britain, to consider and report thereon.

The Senate proceeded to consider the amendments of the House of Representatives to the