Mr. Whittlesey hoped that, immed.at ly after the disposal of the army buil, the house would take up and consid all private (senate) bills now on the speaker's table.

Mr. Se geant asked leave to offer the following resomtion, which was adopted unanimously:

Resolved, That the secretary of the Treasury be requested to collect, and report to congress on the first day of the next session, all the information that can be obtained as to the use of steam engines in the United States, and the accidents and the loss of life or property which have attended their use, and especially that he ascertain and report:

1. The whole number of steam engines in the United States, where and by whom constructed, where they are used, how long they have been used, their capacity or power respectively, and the purposes or uses to which applied, and whether high or low pressure.

2. The explosions or other disasters which have happened to such engines, when and where, with as many of the circumstances attending the same as can be collected.

3. The causes, as far as can be ascertained, of such explosions or other disasters.

4. The loss of life or property, or injury to persons or property, which has ensued in each case, distinguishing the mode of injury, by burning, scalding, wounding, drowning, or otherwise.

5. The disasters to steamboats, when, where, and how they have occurred, by explosion, collision, fire, or otherwis; the size, capacity, or burden of the boats, their ages, and where and by whom built.

6. How such steamboats were manned, and whether intoxicating liquor was served out to, or permitted to be used by, the hands or persons employed on board the saine.

of.

8. In the case of boats to which no disasters have happened, the burden and size of the saine, when, where, and by whom built, and the names of their owners and masters or commanders and engineers.

EVENING SESSION. The house resumed the consideration of the army bili; and the question being on. agreeing on the amendments proposed by the military com mittee to the 15th section,

of congress. M. B. wished to learn on what
grounds the committ e now forbore to act; more
specially as the language of the president led the
Mexican authorities to look with an anxiety to
nothing but a movement by congress. After the
adjournment, the arbitration might be suuered by Mr. Adums proposed a verbal modification of it,
Mxico to fail through without any just com to make it more intelligible, which was agreed to.
plaint, on our part, of evasion or trifling, inasmuch [The section provides for the transter to the oid-
as the president had expressly and anxiously re-nance corps of second lieutenants from the artil
served the right to go on as if no overture had been lery.]
made.

Mr. Howard asked whether the gentleman from
Pennsylvania put this question as a matter of right
or courtesy? Mr. Bide. The latter, of course.
Mr. Howard said it would give him great pleasure
to reply. All the information he had on this sub-
ject was, that when the proposal was accepted, the
Mexican minister had it not in his power to execute
it. He had not been here during the whole winter,
and probably has it not yet in his power to execute
it. Whether this delay is a proof of serious inten-
tion of going forward in good faith, or only in
baffling the action of this house, Mr. H. could not
say. His own opinion of the matter was, that the
Mexican government never would do justice to this
country, and that its recent and present movements
were only expedients to gain time. Whether this
were true or not a few days would show.
The house then took up and considered the army
bill as reported from the committee of the whole,
with various amendments.

The amendments offered in committee were
taken up, and considered, the debate thereon taking
the same general range as in committee of the
whole, and as heretofore reported.

The amendment first in order was the proposition reported by the committee, to insert, at the end of the first section, the following:

Mr. Evans opposed the policy of the amendment with much earnestness, insisting that the artillery could not bar this reduction of its officers without material injury, and suggesting the propriety of augmenting the ordnance in some other mode. He was supported in this view by Mr. Adams and Mr. Biddle, and opposed by Mr. McKay, Mr. Grennell, and Mr. Calhoun, of Massachusetts.

The an.endment, as modified, was agreed to. The amendment in the proviso to the 14th sec tion was agreed to, so as to make it read:

Provided, That the officers of the ordnance departiment claiming the compensation of such duties and responsibilities-fviz. with respect to clothing, arms, and accoutreinents of the company, under the authority of the second section of the act passed second March, eighteen hundred and twenty-seven, giving further compensation to the captains and subalterns of the army of the United States in certain cases]-shall have been actually in the command of enlisted men of the ordnance, equal to a company of artillery, and thereby in. curred the aforesaid responsibilities.

In the 15th section the amendments were agreed to so as to make it read:

Sec. 15. And be it further enacted, That every commissioned officer of the line or staff, exclusive of general officers, shall be entitled to receive one That there shall be added to each of the four additional ration per diem for every five years that 7. The names of the owners and masters or regiments of artillery, one company, to be organ- he may have served or shall serve in the army of commanders of the boats to which such disasters ized in the same manner as authorized by existing the United States; and the paymaster general, surhave happened, and of the officers and crews there-laws, with the exceptions hereafter mentioned: that geon general, and commissary general of picha. there be added to every company of artillery six-ses, shall each be allowed six rations per diet, and teen privates, and to every company of infantry one the additional ration allowed in this section: Prosergeant and thirty-eight privates, and that the num-vided, That, in certain cases where officers are en ber of second lieutenants of a company of artillery titled to and receive double rations, the additional be reduced to one, and that this reduction be so one allowed in this section shall not be included in made, in connexion with the appointment of offi- the number to be doubled. cers to the four additional companies authorized as aforesaid, and the transier to the ordnance depart Mr. Toland moved to suspend the rules to enable ment hereafter directed, that all the present second him to move to take up and consider the joint reso- lieutenants shall be retained in service; and there lution, offered by him yesterday, and laid over, un-shali be raised and organized, under the direction der the rule, till this day. Ayes 93, noes 26; no of the president of the United States, one regiment quorum. The Speaker. Evidently a large quorum of infantry, to be composed of the same number present, and yet no quorum votes. and rank of officers, non commissioned officers. musicians, and privates, co.. posing the regiments of infantry now in the service of the United States, who shall receive the same pay and allowances, and be subject to the same rules and regulations which now apply to other regiments of infantry, as provided for in this act."

9. Any such other information as may seem to him material.

Mr. Toland. Let the resolution be read again; if understood, it cannot fail to be adopted.

The resolution was again read; and the house again divid d, on the question of suspending the rules. Ayes 129, noes gave it up. The resolution was then adopted as follows:

"That, alter six days from the commencement of a second or subsequent session (except the final session) of any congress, all bills and joint resolu tions which shall have passed in one house, and which remain undetermined in the other, shall be resumed and acted on as if an adjournment had not taken place."

[Mr. Cashing afterwards moved to reconsider this vote; whica motion was entered.]

A message from the senate was taken up. propos. ing a conference with the house upon the subject of certain proposed amendments of the latter, in which the snate non concurred, in bill making ap propriations for certain roads in Wisconsin; and three members ordered to be appointed managers of such conference on the part of the house.

Mr.

In the 16th section, which provides that the pay of each musician and private soldier shall be eight dollars per month, Mr. McKay moved to strike out "eight” and insert "seven.' This motion was strenuously opposed by Mr. Cushman, of New Hampshire, and negatived. Mr. Petrikin and Mr. Mercer endeavored to have the pay of soldiers ellgaged in making roads and laboring on public works increased by an allowance of 25 cents per day, afterwards modified to 15; but the amendment was sternly opposed by Mr. Evans, who was indignant at a proposal to pay men lightly laboring, far from all danger, more than those who were marching, fighting, and dying, in the morasses of Mr. Harrison moved to amend this amendment Florida. The amendment was rejected. Mr. Reed by striking out infantry," and inserting "riflemen," tried to get the pay of the marines raised to eit so as to make the proposed new regiment a rifle dollars per month, but without success. regiment. The motion was lost. Mr. Briggs inov-Childs, with a view to prevent desertions, introdu ed to amend this amendment by striking out that ced a proviso for retaining $2 a mouth of soldiers' part of it which authorizes the raising of a new pay to the end of the period of enlistment. This jegiment; and, on this motion, the yeas and nays was agreed to. Mr. Everett moved to reconsider were ordered. After some debate. Mr. Briggs' the rejection of that clause of the first section ainendiment was adopted by the fo lowing vote: which provides for the raising of a new regiment Yeas 96, nays 86. The question then recurred on of infantry, so as to sanction the addition of such the above amendment as thus amended; which was regiment. In order to get at this, he first movid adopted. to reconsider the whole section. And, after oppo The next amendment in order was the proposisition from Mr. Pope and Mr. Underwood, the 14tion of the committee of the whole to strike out tion prevailed: Yeas 13, hays 81. He then moved the following proviso from the second section of the to reconsider the rej ction of the infantry reginet assigning as a reason no change of his own opin on, but the request of many gentlemen friendly to the bill. Mr. Williams, of N. C., demanded the yeas and nays; which were ordered. Mr. Füllmore opposed the motion, preferring the clause as it care from the senate. This would cost less, and give greater efficiency.

bill:

Mr. Bilde wished to ask a question of the chair- Provided, That no officer of the said corps shall man of the committee on foreign relations, as to the be employed in any service for any state or coin present posture of our rela ions with Mexico. An pany for which he shall receive any compensation individual, Mr. John B Idwin, having one of the except his pay from the United States." Jargest and most flagrant clains upon that govern This amendment was concurred in. ment, was a native of his district, and, after a re- The next amendment proposed by the committee sidence of twenty years in Mexico, had been strip-reduces the assistant adjutants gen rai to be appoint. pd of every thing, and had returned home in aed, from four to two. state of destitution. The enormity of his case was The next amendment proposed by the committee established by authentic documents, as well as by to the bill was to add to the original bill :e words the letters of Mr. Ellis. It would be recolleted italicised in the following section:

Concurred in.

that the president, in accepting the overture as to "Sec. 13. And be it further enacted. That the
an arbitra kent, had stated that the action of con-president of the United States be, and he is hereby,
gress was not to be thereby suspended. Yet, prac- authorised to add to the ordnance department.
tically, such seemed to be its effect. Mr. B. found whenever he may deem it experient to increase the
no fault with this; but it was obvious that whilst same, by and with the advice of the senate, two
matters rem ined in such a position, any quickening majors, and by the transfer to, and appointment in,
impulse to the negotiation must come from this of ten first lieutenants, and ten second lieutenants
house. He had understood that the time had more of artillery; and that the pay and emoluments of
than pa-sed within which a final and definite reply the officers of the said department shall be the same
on gat to have been received from Mexico. Under as those allowed to the officers of the regiments of
such circumstances, the claimants could not but dragoons."
feel the deepest uneasiness at the approaching rise

At 2 o'clock the house took its usual recess.

Mr. Ewing hoped the motion to reconsider would fail. He feared, however, there existed an err neous belief of the necessity for this additical regiment to those already provided for in the bill. This apprehension arises on account of the unex pected quarter from which this motion came, and a fact which transpired during debate on yesterday. The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Gre nell) had expressed some latent doubts of a willauthenticated fact adverted to by the gentleman from Tennessee, (Mr. Bell.) His tried of The nessee had stated, and correctly, the opinions of some of the most experienced and meritorions fili officers now in service, from whom he (Mr. E.) had fetters precisely similar in sentiment; at he would read them if freedom of opinion were tol ra ted by the men now in power. As it is, he would

As to

only state the fact corroborative of the allegation speech of unusual animation, in which he scouted traordinary lectures ever delivered in the Louse. made by his friend from Tenn ssee. And if the the perpetual cry of alarm at the horrors of a stand-It did not touch the question actually, which was information had come from the white ouse, iting army. Whether we should have a standing only between two modes of increasing the art y would not be more worthy of credence, that a very army was not now the question: that had been set- whether by dditional officers, or by augmenting smail, if any, addition is required to the standing tied long ago by Washington, by Adams, by Jetter- the rank and file. Mr. Eronson defended the "aisarny now authorized by law True, the British son, by Madison, by Monroe, by Jackson. If the ing of a new regiment as cessary for the drilling have increased their force in Canada. No new ag- argument was good for any thing, and militia were of recruits, &c. Mr. Reed explained, and stated Lis gression upon us is contemplated by that event; the to be our sole reliance, the proper course would be willingness to vote for all the necessary defences on increase will have enough to do with the Cana- to move at once to disband the army. The question the frontier. He again professed his readiness to dians, who seen resolved to be free. True we are was not whether we were to have a standing army; relinquish for this purpose the troops now in garriincreasing the number of Indians on our western but whether the army should be augmented. On son on the seaboard, and let a few artificers be refrontier, but they are helpless, and more inimical to this point we had the recommendations of the ex- tained in the torts to preserve the buildings and areach other than to us. A small force in that quar-ecutive, and the opinions officially given of our best mament. There were three or four companies at ter only is required, and the original bill provided and most experienced officers. The senate had in Newport, who seemed to be only wanted to fire for enough. True, the difficulties in Florida are repeated bilis signified their conviction of its pro salutes. He had rather they were sent to fight the not entirely at an end, but the men now there and priety. In opposition to all this, two members of Indians. He was in favor of fortifications, as inin that neighborhood, directed by the skill and the house said they had private letters of an oppo dispensable in time of war to defend our cities chivalry of the general who now has the command, site tenor. Mr. Cushing would rely on the public against the attacks of a marine force, but opposed will, as soon as the season of action arrives, end all communications of men of high and tried honor and to keeping large garrisons in them. He was against trouble in that quarter. Such being the existing conduct, in preference to private anonymous au- extending a standing army beyond what was indisstate of our concerns, I cannot conceive why this thority. Of all the panic speeches, he had never pensably necessary. great increase is urged with such pertinacity. We heard those surpassed which had been called forth Mr. Briggs replied with much warmth to the reall know the militia, in case of war or imminent by the proposal to raise this one poor regiment of marks of Mr. Cushing and Mr. Evans; denied that danger, must be the chief reliance. The great body infantry. The house had been threatened with the he had said that the liberties of the country were in of the the people will defend their rights and liber- danger of a standing army. Why, if the addition danger from an army of 12,000 men; and the thunty; and in time of prace, surely the bill as reported should be made, the proportion of this terrible army ders of eloquence which had been launched at him had no need of this amendment to give a sufficient to the people of this country would be about one to were wide of the mark. He believed there was increase to the standing troops. two hundred and filty able-bodied freemen with nothing very impious in what he had said. arms in their hands. Were Americans so timid? the long and loud cry from all parts of the land for Did this trighten them? Parallels had been sought an increase of the army, he had not seen the evifrom history to show that 12,000 men were to put dence of it any where. He knew, indeed, that on down our liberties. Why, the old women of these that floor a very loud cry was set up by the gentie. states would almost be sufficient to resist such a men from the southwest and northern frontier; but force with their distaffs and canes. The true dan the military committee, after having had the subger to liberty was, that our army was too small. ject for months before them, were of opinion that The danger was not that this little force would ren- an increase of three thousand men would be suffider our country military, but that the military spirit cint. Now, however, a new regiment was called of the army would be overborne and destroyed by for on the ground that new difficulties and dangers a deep infusion of the civil influence. The men ad sprung up on our northern and western. lines of who pleaded with congress for this augmentation frontier. This reason did not seem to him suffi were themselves most devoted to the liberties of cient. The difficulties in Florida were now chiefly the country, as they had proved on many a well-over, and troops might be drawn from that quarter. fought fi ld. They had resisted tyranny at the can- His colleague (Mr. Cushing) had severely lectured non's mouth. It was not these men-it was not the him and other gentlemen, for not speaking to the officers of the army who were dangerous to free- question. Yet the gentleman had no sooner delidom. No, it was our civil officers, who became the vered this rebuke than he himself went off at a tantools of party. gent. The gentleman had talked about declamaMr. C. said the danger to liberty was just the re- tion. Did he call his own speech logic? If so, the verse of that which had been so loudly urged. He gentleman's notions of logic differed from his relied, as the whole country relied, on the militia; gentleman talked about panic and complaired that but who were the militia? They were freemen, so much was said about the dangers of a standing with arms in their hands; and whether enlisted to ariny. Mr. B. had called on the friends of the bill serve five years or draughted to serve for one, was to show why the standing army should be increased, quite immaterial The word "militia" had been and, in reply, his colleague demanded of him why used as a name of terror to affright the house. The it should not be increased. Was this the logic of real confidence of the American people was in free. gentlemen? The two gentlemen from Maine and men armed-in a body, with the spirit of what in Massachusetts had manifested great zeal for the insome countries was called a national guard; but, crease of the army, and of the expenses of the go. under the present organization of our militia, such vernment. a body did not exist as such. He wished it did. Mr. Cushing here rose and said, I deny the impn. The militia were not a substitute for an army; each tation. Mr. Briggs went on to say that he did not had its own proper duty, and both were necessary. see what excited alarm. The militia were not He again insisted that the true source of danger lay spoken of and treated as formerly. The gentleman in the influence of popular leaders over the militia from Maine thought their place was at home, and and volunteers, and not over a standing army. How that they were not the troops that were wanted to did general Jackson attain such an unexampled protect the west or do garrison duty. This sort of predominance of influence and despotic power in language toward the militia would suit the month this free republic? By his popularity with the mili- of a despot who wished to subjugate the liberties of tia and volunteers whom he led in battle. This was the country. Such a one might, with great con the rise of his power. He never could have attain-sistency, say to the people, stay on your farms, the ed it by means of the regular army. defence of the country is not for you; trust all that matter to me, give me regulars, and I will take care of you.

He (Mr. E.) represented a people always prepared and willing to defend their country, and they would rejoice to see the proper patriotic feeling manifested here to organize and equip the militia. Expenditures for that purpose would be borne with cheerfully. But we neglect our militia, or amuse them with mere reports of committee, and leave them to instruct themselves. This is not as it should be. He (Mr. E.) had one other considera tion to present. A colleague (Mr. Boon) had confid ntly charged the great and wasteful expenditures of this administration to the opposition. The country knows this charge is unmerited, and he would have the vote upon this question, to add a regiment to those asked by the chairman of the military committee, to demonstrate who ant of what party they are by whom unnecessary expense of money and of morals is sanctioned. The ayes and Roes will show this.

The motion to reconsider prevailed: Yeas 100, nays 91. And the question being on the vote of a former sitting, by which the clause, on motion of Mr. Briggs, was stricken out, on this motion a very spirited debate arose.

Mr. Briggs defended his former motion to strike out the provision for the new regiment with much earnestness, complaining that Mr. Evans and Mr. Bronson were unwilling to rely on the militia for the defence of the northern frontier, and wanted to have the standing army increased in a time of profound peace. He hoped the country would note the fact that the old and approved doctrine of reliance on the militia for the defence of the country was laughed to scorn. He dwelt much on this idea, which seemed to fill him with profound indignation. He protested against doubling our standing army in time of peace.

Mr. Yell alluded to the mass of Indians the government had congregated on our western frontier. Mr. Loans commented with severity on some of the remarks of Mr. Biggs. The gentleman had thrown himself in the breach after the war had become desperate. In the morning his mere motion, without any speech to back it, was sufficient, and prevailed; but now the majority had changed, he inust make a speech. The addition of one regi. ment was certainly enormous, and enough to alarin all the triends of the liber y of the country. These were vast strides towards despotisin. Such an aug. mentation of our standing army of 7,000 men was indeed formidable. The nation would do well to mark it. Yet petitions for this very thing had come up from all quarters of the land; from the west and southwest, and the whole Atlantic border, as well

as from the north and northeast.

Mr. Reed want d to know from what part of the Atlantic border?

Mr. C. reprobated as a consequence to this perpetual recurrence to the militia to do garrison duty, what had almost urged Massachusetts herself to nullify: the militia of a state night be, and often were, called out and command d by a colonel of the line. The militia of the states were the reliance of the states. He appealed to the state rights gen. tlemen on that floor, whether they advocated such a state of things?

The

Mr. Cushing said that he was actuated by zeal to do h's duty to his country, and nothing else, and he spurned any other imputation. The question being now taken, it was decided in the negative; Ayes 95, noes 104.

So the house refused to strike out the provision for an additional regiment of infantry.

He again adverted to the panic at a standing army. Mr. Evans now moved to strike out that part of and contended that the very form the argument had the bill which proposed to reduce the number of assumed, in likening our condition to that of Eu- lieutenants of artillery, and transfer them to the Mr. ropean countries, with despotic governments, to ordnance, but the motion was negatived. Rome with her Prætorian cohorts. &c. proved that Thompson moved to strike out $8, and to insert 28 Mr. Evans said from Massachusetts, as well as there was a lack of solid objection to the bill. That as the increase of the rank and file to each company. other parts of it, as the remonstrances in the war a body of Indians, in the circumstances of those Lost. Mr. Underwood now declared that he was ed department against the transter of troops would who had been removed by force, many of them in bis hands of the bill. He perceived the object was show. Mr. E. repelled with much warmth the im- chains, from their former homes, and placed in a not to increase the force of the army. but to provide putation that he was unwilling to rely on the militia body on our western frontier, should have pacific patronage for favori es. Mr. Glascock denied, with for defence: he was willing, entirely willing; but it feelings toward us and our s.ttlements, was against warmth, any such imputation: this was the first was not the business of militia to do permanent human nature, and would be nothing less than a time in the debate in which the bill had been repregarrison duty; and forts with garrisons were neces-miracle in morals. It was surely the duty of those sented as a party or political measure; the votes sary as rallying points for the milita, to strengthen who were themselves in safety, to listen to the re- would show that it was no such thing, since it was it, &c. He ridiculed the idea of 12 millions of monstrances and petitions of those whose wives both advocated and opposed by gentlemen of all freemen dreading a little army of 12,000 men. And and children were exposed to such a danger. He parties. Mr. Underwood argued to show that the as to Mr. Red, he had no doubt that gentleman was ready to go to the people and account to their bill involved a great increase in the expenses of the would make a speech for Fort Independence, in for his vote to augment the resent military estabBoston Harbor. [Mr. Reed. Certainly.] Yet lishment of the United States government. where was the use of a fort without any garrison? Mr. Mercer made some remarks in reply to this Mr. Cushing next took the floor, and went into a speech, which he considered as one of the most ex

ariny. Mr. McKay replied, and insisted that the reverse was true: that the expenses were reduced, and that the bill was a measure of economy. Mr. Garland, of Louisiana, moved an amendment, that

all officers for the new regiment should be taken from those now attached to the army. Negatived: Ayes 60, noes 89.

A motion was now made to adjourn; but it was rejected.

any bank which has, since the said 4th day of July, 1836, issued bills or notes of a less denomination than five dollars or which shall issue any such bills or notes prior to the 1st day of October, 1838; but that, froin and after the said last mentioned day, the bills or notes of no bank shall be received in pay. ment of any debt due to the United States, which bank shall after that date issue, re issue, or pay out any bill or note of a denomination less than five dollars.

Afier the transaction of other business, Mr. The remaining amendments proposed by the Kilgore made an ineffectual effort to have an hour committee were now read in order, and the ques- assigned for the consideration of his resolution, tion put on the whole, with the exception of four, repealing the section of the law of 1816, in referviz: those in the 19th, 25th, 31st, and 35th sec- ence to banks issuing small notes, which he nodetions. The amendments in section 19 were then fied so as to limit its operation to the 1st of March read, and, after a short conversation, agreed to. next. For suspending the rules 103, nays 86. Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the first The amendments to the 25th section having been The engrossed bill to increase the present inilitary twelve sections of the act entitled "An act to regu read, Mr. Carler strongly objected to the pay pro-establishment of the United States and for other pur-late the deposites of the public money," approved posed to be allowed to the surgeons. Mr. Thomp- poses, was read a third time, when Mr. Carter of 23d June, 1836, be, and the same are hereby, reson and Mr. McKay replied and explained. Mr. Tenn., moved that it be recommitted with instruc- pealed except so far as is above provided, and to Carter moved an amendment to reduce the pay. tions to strike out all the clauses of the bill propo- enable the treasury department to collect any debis Mr. Millory opposed the amendment, and it was sing an increase in the number of officers, or in- which may be due or owing from the late deposite rejected. The 25th section was then agreed to. crease of pay, and also the section for raising an banks. The amendments in the 31st section having been additional regiment of infantry. This motion gave read, Mr. Mason, of Ohio, moved to strike out the rise to a debate which occupied the attention of the allowance to the soldiers of bounty. Mr. Childs house until the hour of recess. proposed to substitute for the bounty lands an allowance of $100 in money. Negatived. Mr. Fill-in more proposed to insert after the word "land" the words fit for cultivation." Negatived. Mr. Kem ble moved a reconsideration of the clause above

On motion of Mr. E. Whittlesey, the section was further amended by inserting a provision that the bounty lands shall be patented to the soldier or his heirs, and shall not be assignable until patented. The section was then agreed to.

The 35th section having been read, Mr. Briggs moved an amendment, providing that the regiment raised under the first section shall serve for two years only. Negatized. The section was then agreed to.

[The subject was not resumed in the afternoon consequence of the intervention of the special orders.]

EVENING SESSION.

Mr. Cambreleng arose and delivered a speech in favor of the bill. A debate now arose, during which Mr. Legare moved that the bill be referred to the committee of ways and means and printed for inforination. Mr. Cushman moved the previous ques. tion. Mr. Curtis moved a cal of the house; which motion was agreed to. After some progress bad The house went into committee of the whole, been made in the call, Mr. Harlen moved to sus (Mr. Owens in the chair) and took up several bills pend further proceedings, which was ultimately remitting duties on iron imported for the construc- agreed to. The question was then taken on second. tion of steamboats; all of which, with the exceped as follows: Ayes 97, noes 105. So the call was ing the call for the previous question, which resulttion of No. 854, were reported without amendment. The bill No. 187, to authorize the importation of iron steamboats, free of duty, was laid on the table.

The hour assigned for this subject having expired, and the special order having been called, Mr. Adams moved to suspend the rules for another hour. The motion was lost. The house then, according to appointment, went into committee of the whole on the bill to amend an act entitled "An act to anthorize Mr. Thompson moved an amendment in the 15th the state of Tennessee to issue grants and perfect section, which provides that every commissioned titles to certain lands therein described, and to set officer of the line or stall, exclusive of general of-tle the claims to vacant lands within the same,' ficers, shall be entitled to receive one additional passed 18th of April, 1806. A desultory debate enration for every five years that he may have served, sued, when Mr. McKennan moved that the cominit. &c. so as to make it include officers of the marine tee ise and report the bill; which motion prevailed. corps. Mr. Craig now moved the previous ques- Finally, after a variety of proceedings, the question tion, but withdrew it at the earnest solicitation of his colleague, Mr. Rives, who wanted to introduce a provision allowing a commission to paymasters

for extra duty.

Mr. Boon hereupon renewed the call for the previous question. Mr. Rencher a oved an adjourn ment. Lost. The call for the previous question was seconded: Ayes 92, noes 61. The previous question was put and carried, and the bill was then or lered to its engrossment by yeas and nays as fol

lows:

arose on the engrossment and third reading of the
bill, when it was rejected by a vote of 51 yeas to
he would, on Monday, move a reconsideration of
91 nays. Mr. Martin, of Alabama, gave notice that
the vote. And then, on motion of Mr. Griffin, the
house adjourned.

not seconded, and the house refused thereby, to
order the bill to its engrossment at this time.
Mr. Duncan then addressed the house until the

hour of recess, in favor of the bill.

EVENING SESSION.

Mr Duncan resumed and concluded his remarks, in the progress of which he was frequently called to order.

Mr. Legare then withdrew his motion to refer and

print, and moved to strike out the second section. This motion was, after discussion, adopted. Ayes 119. noes 101. The debate was now resumed, during which several amendments were offered, some of which were adopted-but without coming to a decision upon the bill, the house adjourned.

The remainder of the

Wednesday, July 4. After some business of minor
importance had been transacted, the house resumed
posite bill of 1836, which was ordered to a thing
the senate bill to repeal the 5th section of the de-
reading, as amended on motion of Mr. Legare: Ayes
179, noes 33. It was afterwards passed, by ayes
Monday, July 2. After a number of petitions and noes: Ayes 173, noes 31. And, with the se
and reports had been received and disposed of, sev-cond section stricken out, the bill was returned to
eral resolutions were submitted; all of which shall the senate for concurrence.
be noticed in our next. The army bill was next session was occupied in considering the harber bill
taken up, the pending motions being, 1st, to recon- and with other business, which will be noticed in
the bill with instructions. After a brief discussion,
sider the vote on engrossinent, and 2d, to recommit our next.
the previous question was called and seconded,
when the yeas and nays were ordered and the house
refused to reconsider. Yeas 94. nays 95. Finally
the question was taken on the final passage of the
bill, when there appeared ayes 112, nays 80. So
the bill was passed and returned to the senate for
concurrence in the amendments.

appropriately referred.
Several bills from the senate were read twice and

YEAS-Messrs J. W. Allen, Anderson, Andrews, Atherton, Banks, Beatty, Beirne, Bicknell, Biddle, Birdsall, Boon, Brodhead, Bronson, J. Cal hon, Cambreleng, Casey, Chaney, Chapman, Clark, Cleveland, Coles, Craig, Cushing, Cush man, Dawson, Davee, DeGraff, Dromgoole, Duncan, Elinore, Evans, Farrington, Fairfield, R. Fletcher, Foster, Fry, Gallup, James Garland, Glas cock, Grant, Gray, Greunell, Haley, Hall, Hammond, Hamer, Harrison, Haynes, Holt, Hopkins, Howard, Hubley, Wm. H. Hunter, Ingham, T. B. On motion of Mr. Sergeant, the house went into Jackson, Henry Johnson, N. Jones, Kemble, committee of the whole on the state of the union, Klingonsmith, Legare, Lincoln, Logan, Lyon, (Mr. Mason of Va., in the chair) and took up the Mallory, J. M. Mason, Martin, McKay, Robert harbor bill which occupied its attention until the McClellan, A. McClellan, McClure, Miller, Mor-hour of recess. gan. S. W. Morris, Naylor, Noble, Noyes, Palmer, Parker, Parinenter, Parris, Paynter, Phelps, Phillips, J. H. Prentiss, S. S. Prentiss, Richardson, Rives, Robinson, Sheplor. Snyder, Southgate, Spencer, Taylor, Thomas, Titus, Toland, Towns, Turney, Vail, Wagener, Webster, Weeks, A. S. White, T. T. Whittlesey, J. W. Williams, J. L. Williams, Yell—107.

EVENING SESSION.

ceeded with the harbor bill, which was discussed and
After recess, the committee of the whole pro-
amended; finally the committee rose, reported the
bill and amendments; and at half past ten o'clock
the house adjourned.

EVENING SESSION. The harbour bill was considered, and passed. The bill to guard against explosions on board of steamboats was also passed. The post office bill, with a number of other bills, was passed Adjourned.

Thursday, July 5. Mr. Adams resumed his speech on the subject of Texas, and addressed the house until the expiration of the morning hour. Mr. Elmore moved to suspend the rules to enable Mr. A. to complete his speech. Negatived.

the

The house took up the Indian annuity bill, which was discussed, amended.and laid aside to ber pred The house next took up the fortification bill, which was amended. The house then took up nilitary academy bill, which was also amended and laid aside. The bill authorizing the purchase The bill was then laid aside. ved to strike out the enacting clause. Negatived. of certain books was taken up. Mr. Cushman 100

sessions, &c. of the district court of the northern On notion of Mr. Fillmore the bill to arrange the aside. Mr. Mercer moved to take up the harbour district of New York, was taken up, read, and laid bill, but before any question was taken the bour of

recess arrived.

Tuesday, July 3. Mr. Adams yielded the floor to
enable Mr. Slade to oder a resolution inquiring
NAYS-Messrs. Adams, Alexander, Heman, into the expediency of erecting a national foundry
Allen, Ayerigg, Bell, Bond, Briggs, Bynum, W. B. at the city of Vergennes, Vt. Mr. A. then resumed
Calhoun, W. B. Campbell, Carter, Chambers, the floor, and consumed the morning hour in an ar-
Cheatham, Childs, Connor, Corwin, Darlington,gument against the admission of Texas into the have a place in our next.
Davies, Dunn, Everit, Ewing, Fillmore, Goode, J.union.

A BILL to inodify the last clause of the 5th section
of the deposite act of the 23d of June, 1836, and
for other pusposes.

Graham, William Grahan, Griffin, Harlen, Has- The following bill from the senate to repeal the
tings. Hawes, Henry, Hotfinan, R. M. T. Hunter, deposite act of 1937 was read:
J. W. Jones, Leadbetter, Lewis, Marvin, S. Mason.
Maxwell, McKennan, Mercer, Milligan, Mitchell,
Montgomery, C. Morris, Murray, Ogle, Peck,
Petrikin, Pope, Potts, Raridan, Randolph. Reed.
Rencher, Ridgway, Robertson, Rumsey, Russell,
Sheffer, A. H.Shepperd, C. Shepard, Sibley, Slade,
Stanley, Stone, Stratton, Taliaferro, Thompson,
Tillin hast, Underwood, J. White, E. Whittlesey
L. Willians, S. Williams, C. H. Williams, Word,

Be it enacted, &c. That the last clause of the 5th section of the act entitled "An act to regulate the 1836, declaring that the notes or bills of no bank deposites of the public money," approved 23d June, shall be received in payment of any debt due to the United States, which shall, after the 4th day of July, 1836, issue any note or bill of a less denomination than five dollars, shall be, and the same is hereby, modified, so that the interdiction as to reception of the bills and notes shal! continue against

EVENING SESSION.

The proceedings of the evening session, shall

CHRONICLE.

night with one of the most severe storms which we
Awful storm. Our town was visited on Saturday
have ever witnessed. It commenced about 8
o'clock and continued until 11, during which time
the lightning was incessant, and so near that scarce
ly a moment would elapse between the flash and
torrents, and the wind blew a gale during the time.
the noise of the thunder. The rain came down in
We have heard of no injury which has been suse
tained in the town, with the exception of one hot se
which was slightly injured by the lightning. The
country, we fear, has not been so fortunate, as the
wheat must have been seriously injured by the wind
and the hard driving rain.
[Petersburg Intel.

FIFTH SERIES. No. 20.-VOL. IV.]

WASHINGTON CITY, JULY 14, 1838.

[VOL. LIV. WHOLE NO. 1,398.

THE PAST-THE PRESENT-FOR THE FUTURE.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED, EVERY SATURDAY, BY WILLIAM OGDEN NILES, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. and unequivocal tone, in favor of an early resumption | A fine stea nboat is now plying regularly between of specie payments, that has been issued since the Havre and St. Petersbugh, touching at Copenha suspension. Governor Ritner has, in this matter, gen. She commenced her trips on the 1st June. taken the lead, and the people of Pennsylvania will The passage is made in 5 or 6 days, so that a trahonor him for it. His proclamation could not veller may leave Paris on Monday, and on the next have appeared at a more opportune moment. Monday be in the capital of Russia. The Pennsylvanian, commenting on the proclamation, says: "The proclamation is, in fact, a glorious victory to the democracy of Pennsylvania. The forces of irredeemable federalism and anti-ma

Both houses of congress adjourned on Monday last, leaving, as usual, a large portion of business unfinished. We have endeavored to crowd into the present sheet all that was done in the last week of the session, but have been reluctantly compelled to postpone a portion until our next. We have, however, published a list of the acts passed, to which our readers are referred.

Most sincerely do we rejoice that the session has closed, and our readers will rejoice with us--for we will now be enabled, instead of the dry details of sonry are compelled to abandon the ground they is supposed will be assigned to Holiand. The tri

legislation, to furnish them with useful and agreeable articles, and impart the usual variety to our pages.

BANKS, CURRENCY, &c. The subjoined summary statement of the condition of the Baltimore banks is taken from the authorized monthly statement (for July) prepared in conformity to a law of the last legislature.

Agregate circulation of the 12 banks in Baltimore,

Specie,

Loans and discounts,

Deposites, including $971,360 94 by the treasurer of Maryland,

Due to other banks,

Due from other banks,

$2,139.747, 88
1,140,885 50
12,725,460 21
4,314,433 35

The Paris papers mention considerable movements of troops to the northern frontier, where much dissatisfaction appears to exist in portions of the duchy of Luxemburg-those portions which it colored flag has been raised in several villages, and the Prussian troops are said to have interposed. The government steamer Pheaton arrived at The Philadelphia U. S. Gazette of yesterday has Havre on the 1st of June, there to await the orders the following paragraph: of marshal Soult. It was to convey the marshal and his suite to London to attend the coronatiou.

have occupied for more than a year.
banner is struck!"

Their rag

Banks. We understand that the banks of the
city have agreed to settle all balances between
themselves on the first of August; and after that
time, no interest will be paid or received by any
of them, for balances due by one to the other.
The Pennsylvania United States Bank no longer
issues the bills of the old United States Bank, but
her own.
[Philad. Herald.

CANADA FRONTIER. From the Globe of Friday night. The humane and judicious arrangement made by the government with the chiefs and headmen of the Cherokee nation, and the prudent, prompt, and energetic measures of general Scott having secured the peaceful execution of the treaty, From the N. Y. Express, July 13. Since the ad- and the quiet removal of the Indians to their new journment of congress, and the consequent certainty homes in the west, two regiments of artillery have 3,383,962 43 that that body can do no more mischief, the spirit and been ordered north, to be stationed on the Canada 3,355,234 59 commercial feeling of business men begin to re-frontier; which, together with the new regiment From the New York Courier, July 11. cover: and were it not for the oppressive hot weather now organizing under colonel Worth, who has alThe depression which has existed in the stock and the general langour attendant on a heat of 90 ready passed on to Sackett's Harbor, will, it is market for the last few days, continues to increase, degrees and upwards, we have no doubt there would hoped, prove sufficient effectually to aid the welland transactions yesterday were generally effected be quite a revival. As it is, the three banking in- disposed inhabitants of the border to maintain the at prices showing a further decline. The cause of stitutions that we have alluded to below are rapidly peace of the country. the present depression in stocks may be attributed advancing. To these three may be added the branch to the fact that a very large amount of stocks on of the United States bank, making a fourth, and which advances have been made by the United which will probably be in operation quite as soon States Bank, may be expected to be thrown into as the others. The following are the particulars of the market, in the event of a general resumption the various institutions: of specie payments taking place at Philadelphia, First. There is the great establishment which it and the curtailment of money accommodations which is intended to increase soine 30 or 40 millions. It would no doubt follow such resumption. No ma- has two millions already subscribed, and will comterial change in the price of United States Bank mence operations with this sum, and then enlarge. stock has taken place. The second is the Mechanics' association. This company will probably be organized first. The directors, twenty-one in number, are already chosen, stock subscribed, and every thing is in a fair way of commencing.

Resolved, That the banks of Boston, Providence, Baltimore and Richmond, and such others as the time adinit of, be invited to meet the banks of Philadelphia in convention in this city, on Monday, the 23d instant, to consult upon the measures to be adopted for an early and simultaneous resumption of specie payments

Resolved, That the committee be instructed to communicate this resolution to the banks in question, and to make the necessary arrangements for the meeting of the convention.

It was also resolved, That it he recommended to the several banks of the city and districts, to appoint one or more delegates to represent them in this convention.

The association then adjourned sine die.

On our last page we have published the proclamation of governor Ritner of Pennsylvania, requiring the banks in that state to resume specie payments in full on the 13th of August next. It has diffused much joy through that community, as will be seen by the following paragraphs:

From the U. S. Gazette, July 13.

The third is an association of dry goods merchants and grocers, together with large capitalists. The trustees are already chosen.

The fourth is the United States branch, which will, we learn, be under the principal control of Morris Robinson, a gentleman who probably combines a greater degree of confidence and banking experience, than that of any other individual.

This is packet day. The rate of exchange is fixed at 103 1-2 on London. This is a shade lower than by the last packet. No alteration on France. The ainount of business done was quite limited.

The Quebec Gazette of the 6th inst. contains a proclamation issued by lord Durham on the 3d, revoking the proclamation issued by lord Gosford, in which rewards were offered for the apprehension of Messrs. Papineau, Brown and others, their ap prehension being no longer requisite for the ends of Justice.

His lordship has also organized a court of appeals, the members of which are Mr. Sewell, chief justice, of Quebec, Mr. chief justice Reid, of Montreal, Messrs justices Panet, Rolland and Vallieres de St. Real, and Mr. Arthur Buller, barrister at law; these

gentlemen having been added to the executive coun⚫

cil for the purpose.

Lord Durham was to hold a levee at Montreal on Monday. The court of king's bench at Quebec has awarded $100 damages to Dr. O'Callaghan, for a public horse whipping inflicted by the hands of a Mr. Doyle.

GENERAL WOOL, accompanied by major Graham, of the United States artny, J. E. Johnson, engineer, and general James Irish, of Gorham, arrived in this city on Friday; and we understand they are to leave to-morrow morning for Moose Head lake, where it is expected one or more sites for military posts will be selected. Thence they scot, where other sites will be selected for the same will go down the St. Croix, and perhaps the Penob9,806,000 purpose, if judged necessary. The posts, we further learn, are to be immediately established. 32,454,000 [Bangor Whig.

Statement of the Bank of England up to May 29.
Liabilities.
Assets.
Circulation £19,018,000 Securities £22,648,000
10,786,000 Bullion
Deposite

29,804,000

LATE FROM EUROPE. The packet ship Sully,
at New York, brings Paris dates to the 1st, and
Havre to the 2d, June, both inclusive.

New York is spoken of in the Havre papers.
A line of steam packets between Havre and
Ex-governor Tacon had arrived at Boadeaux
from Havana.

It is in contemplation to construct a rail road
from Paris to the Belgian frontier.

Haytien commissioners were received with attenGovernor's proclamation. In another part of this tion at Paris. A dinner was given them on the paper, will be found a proclamation from governor 29th of May, by M. Dutrone, one of the founders of Ritner, on the subject of the banks of this common- the french abolition society, at which were present wealth's resuming specie payments on the thirteenth Messrs. Passy, Odilion Barrot, Las Casas, Remnof August next. The document is an able and sat, and other distinguished politicians. Among the patriotic production; one that will be received with decorations of the room were the national flag of joy by our citizens generally. Hayti, and the portraits of Boyer and Petion. The commisioners returned thanks for the honors paid them, in language says the constitutional, equally dignified and patriotic.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer, July 13. We never gave place to a public document with more pleasure than the following. It will, we venture to predict, be received with a burst of enthusiastic approbation, not only throughout Pennsylvania, but from one section of the country to the other. It is the first executive message of a decided VOL. LIY.-SIG. 20.

The emperor of Russia had arrived at Berlin, and
bestowed promotion on Colonel the prince of
Orange, raising him to the rank of general in the
Russian service.

MAINE. The following is the reply of Mr. Fairfield to the letter of the committee appointed by the democratic state convention to inform him of his nomination for the office of governor:

Washington, June 27, 1838. Gentlemen: By your letter received this day, I am informed that, at a convention of democratic republicans assembled at Augusta, on the 20th instant, I was unanimously nominated as a candidate for the office of goveror of Maine. For this mark of the favorable regard of those with whom it has been my honor as well as pleasure to be politically associated, I feel grateful; and whatever may have been my views and wishes upon this subject, heretofore so often expressed to my friends, I do not, under all the cicumstances of this nomination, feel at liberty to decline it.

Accept, gentlemen, for yourselves personally, and for those whose organ upon this occasion you are, the profound respect and esteem of Your obedient servant, JOHN FAIRFIELD. Messrs. Albert Smith. Levi J. Ham, Amos Nourse, M. L. Hill, Ed. S. Jarvis, Committee.