Fulton, Grundy, Hubbard, King, Linn, Lumpkin, to men. He, however, objected to the residence of
Mouton, Nicholas, Norvell, Pierce, Preston, Roane, two judges within the same circuit; and, on this
Robinson, Sevier, Smith, of Connecticut, Southard, principle, in connexion with the unreasonable
Spence, Strange, Tallmadge, Tipton, Trotter, amount of duties which would be imposed on
Walker, White, Wright, Young-32.
judge Wayne, he opposed the substitute.
NAYS-Messrs. Linn, McKean, Morris, Niles, On motion of Mr. Buchanan, the bill was laid on
Prentiss, Robbins, Smith, of Indiana, Swift, Wil- the table.
liams-9.

A message was received from the president of
On motion of Mr. Wall, the committee on the the United States, on the subject of the northeas-
judiciary was discharged from the further conside-tern boundary. Laid on the table, and 1,000 extra
ration of the subject of increasing the compensa- copies ordered to be printed.
tion of the United States district attorney for In-
diana.

By Messrs. Wright and Morris: remonstrating against the admission of Texas. Laid on the table. By: Mr. Buchanan, from H. Binney and other citizens of Philadelphia, with statements of the large amount of property employed in the book-selling and Mr. Wall, from the same committee, reported book-publishing business, which would be at stake the bill referred to them supplementary to the act on the passage of the proposed international copy-regulating the processes in the courts of the United right law. Laid on the table, and ordered to be print- States providing compensation for jurors, witnesses, ed. Mr. B. intimating that he would call it up hereaf- &c. with a motion for its indefinite postponement. ter, if it should be necessary, to effect the object of Laid on the table. the petitioners in opposition to the proposed copyright law.

Mr. Benton concluded his remarks in favor of the bill. On motion of Mr. Southard, the senate ad- On motion of Mr. Tipton, the committee on the journed. post office and post roads were instructed to inquire March 20. Mr. McKean presented the proceed-into the expediency of establishing a post route ings of a large meeting of the friends of the late from Corydon to Harrison county, in Indiana. and present administrations of the general government, and opposed to the sub-treasury bill, recently held at Pittsburgh, on which occasion George A. Cook presided. Mr. McK. said, on looking over the names of the gentlemen who made the call and took part in this meeting, he knew many of them to be what they profess to be, "friends and supporters of the late and present administrations;" he knew also that they were men of respectability and democrats of the old school. Read, laid on the table and ordered to be printed.

The question recurring on the substitute of the The resolution offered by Mr. Norvell, for de- house for the bill as amended by the senate, claring the sense of the senate that no one engaged Mr. Preston opposed the substitute on the ground in a duel ought to be appointed to office under the that it added to the circuit of Judge Wayne the U. S. government, was taken up, and without de-state of Alabama, in which Judge McKinley rebate, laid on the table, on motion of Mr. Clay, of sides, thus also relieving one of them from certain Alabama. duties, and imposing them on another, when the The resolution offered by Mr. Morris, for in-duties of both respectively were well known to structing the committee on the judiciary to inquire them when they accepted their appointments. in regard to the relations of the United States with Texas in regard to slavery, under existing laws, and whether any legislation is necessary or expedient on this subject, was taken up, and, without debate, laid on the table, on motion of Mr. Walker, as follows:

Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be directed to bring in a bill to abolish the punishment On motion of Mr. Deberry, of death for all offences against the United States, Resolve, That the committee on revolutionary except treason and murder, and to abolish the punpensions be instructed to inquire into the expe-ishment of whipping for all offences against the diency of extending the benefits of the pension United States. law of June, 1832, to such persons as performed the requisite service in the capacity of mechanics or wagoners when put to such service by the officers in command.

Resolved, That the secretary of war be directed Resolved, That the committee on the post office to communicate to this house a copy of the report and post roads be instructed to inquire into the ex- of the superintendent of the public works at St. pediency of lessening the rates of postage on letters, Josephs, in Michigan, and Michigan city, in Inso as to make it only equal to the cost of transport-diana, for the year 1837, and of the papers accoming the mails, as near as may be. panying the same. On motion of Russell.

On motion of Mr. Casey, Resolved, That the dissemination of knowledge Resolved, That the committee on public lands be to all classes of citizens is of the first importance, instructed to inquire into the expediency of making Resolved, That the secretary of the treasury be for in the intelligence of the people depend the per- a grant of land to the state of Illinois, to aid in the directed to furnish to this house a statement of the minence and stability of our republican institutions, completion of the various works of internal imnumber of arrivals and clearances, with their ton- and one important medium through which know-provement in which said state is engaged. nage and value of cargoes, of British and American ledge is communicated is that of the press, in the Mr. Snyder offered the following, which lies over vessels respectively, to and from ports in the Bri- circulation of public newspapers. That facilities one day:

tish provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, may be more amply afforded to the poorer portion Resolved, That the committee on public lands be in the year commencing January 1, and ending of our fellow citizens to acquire, as far as practica. instructed to inquire into the expediency of reportDecember 31, 1828, and also in the year commenc-ble, all information in relation to our public affairs, ing a bill granting to each soldier who served ing January 1, and ending Dec. 31, 1837, in the the committee on the post office and post roads be in any of the campaigns against the Indians, in following districts, to wit: Passamaquoddy, Port instructed to inquire into the expediency of repealland and Falmouth, Boston and Charleston, and New York.

On motion of Mr. Mallory, Resolved, That the committee on naval affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of allow ing to the officers of revenue cutters during the time they shall be co-operating with the navy of the United States the same pay and rations to which

Mr. Martin offered the following, which lies over one day.

Resolved, That the committee on public lands be instructed to inquire as to the best mode of disposing of the public lands within the several states of this union, at as early a day as the same may be done, having a proper regard for the interests of the government and the rights of the states, and that they be instructed to report a bill for that purpose. Mr. Shields offered the following, which lies over one day: Whereas, many of the troops employed in the service of the United States, in the present Florida Seminole war, lost their horses and baggage in said service, without any fault of theirs, because the United States had failed to provide forage for said horses, and consequently said troops were dismounted, many hundred miles from home, and required to perform, and did perforin, after they were dismounted, on foot, the saine services which were required of mounted men; and, notwithstanding their monthly pay while mounted was twenty dollars, it was reduced after they had sustained such loss to eight dollars per month; and, whereas, the horses of many of said troops died from excessive fatigue in executing extraordinary orders of the commanding officers, without any fault of their riders, and the said horses were killed by accident or casualty while under the immediate orders and direction of said officers, to which they would not otherwise have been liable; therefore,

Resolved, That the committee on claims be instructed to inquire into the expediency of allowing to said dismounted men, who performed services as above stated, additional pay, so as to make their monthly wages equal to that of mounted men in said service; and, also, of providing that the property lost in said service, in any of the troops above mentioned, shall be paid for by the United States.

Mr. Davies offered the following, which was disagreed to by the house.

Resolved, That hereafter the stated hour of meeting of this house shall be half past eleven o'clock. Mr. Cushman offered a similar resolution, fixing the time of meeting at 11 o'clock, which was also rejected.

On motion of Mr. Rice Garland, Resolved, That the secretary of the treasury be directed to communicate to this house what progress has been made in issuing patents for land in the state of Louisiana since the last report made to this house on that subject, stating particularly how many patents have been issued for private land claims; how many for lands purchased under the credit system; how many for lands purchased under the cash system at public sales, and by private entry of lands that have been offered for sale; how many for lands sold under the different laws authorizing the entry at private sale of the back lands in that state; how many for purchasers under each of the pre-emption laws of 1814, of May 29, 1830, and June 19, 1834; and how many under any other description of title. Also, how many remain yet to be issued of each of said description of titles, and the causes that delay the issuing of said patents; also, when it is probable the patents now suspended will be issued; also, what progress has been made in the examination of the certificates of purchase under the pre-emption law of June 19, 1834; when the examination will probably terminate; and under what law or laws the said secretary of the treasury, or the commissioner of the general Jand office, they, or either of them, have suspended the issuing of patents under said act.

On motion of Mr. Sawyer,

Resolved, That the committee on commerce be instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a light boat off Bluff Point, on Albemarle sound.

On motion of Mr. Phillips, it was Resolved, That the committee on commerce be instructed to inquire into the expediency of remodelling the consular establishment of the United

States.

Mr. Adams offered the following, which lies

over:

showing the object prayed for in each of said peti-union, (Mr. Casey in the chair,) and resumed the
tions, memorials, remonstrances and resolution. consideration of the civil and diplomatic appropri-
On motion of Mr. Everett, it was
ation bill.
Resolved, That the secretary of war be directed
to lay before this house a copy of his answer to a
letter of general Jesup, of the 20th December,
1837.

Mr. Cambreleng proposed to amend the bill by in-
creasing the same to be appropriated for the pro-
tection of seamen, from thirty thousand dollars, as
proposed in the bill, to forty thousand dollars.
Mr. Patton moved the suspension of the rules for Mr. Adams complained that it had not been
the purpose of taking up the resolutions, offered by shown to be clearly necessary to appropriate so
himself, on a former day, on the subject of the exe-large an additional sum to that already appropriated
cutive power, and the manner of its exercise, and for this object at the extra session. He wanted an
proposing the appointment of a select committee inquiry into this subject.
to inquire whether any "honest, capable, and faith-
ful" officers have been dismissed from offices not
on grounds of error, negligence, incapacity, mis-
conduct, or unfitness; and, also, to consider and
report whether any and what restrictions can be
imposed by law upon the executive patronage, so
as more effectually to guard against abuse and cor-
ruption in the exercise of the power of removal
from and appointment to office.

And upon this motion Mr. Patton demanded the
yeas and nays, which were ordered.
Mr. Cambreleng asked if it was the object of the
mover to make the consideration of this resolution
the special order.

Mr. Patton replied that it was his object to move
for the assignment of a particular day for the con-
sideration of the resolution.

Mr. Boon wished to vote understandingly. He
would ask how far back this inquiry was to go?
Mr. Patton said he was willing that it should go
back to the beginning of the government.
The resolutions were again read at the request
of several members, and, the question being taken,
resulted as follows: Yea3, 71, nays 66. So that,
(more than a hundred members being absent,) two.
thirds not voting for the motion, the house refused
at this time to give preference to the cons.deration
of Mr. Patton's resolutions.

Petitions.

It was also objected by Mr. A. H. Shepperd, that the accounts of the officers, employed to disburse this money, as foreign consuls, &c. were not before, the house; and that an investigation of these accounts should be had.

Mr. Howard attributed the necessity of making an additional appropriation for this object to the difference of exchange, which has made the expenditure greater, and which will have the same effect for some time to come.

Mr. A. H. Shepperd contended that the great sin in this matter is that sums are represented as being expended, which are yet in the hands of disbursing officers. He was for an inquiry into this subject.

Mr. Adams, made some explanations as to the mode in which drafts were made for the purpose under consideration, by foreign consuls, and urged still further the necessity of the inquiry he had proposed. Mr. A. thought there was a good deal in the remark of the gentleman from Maryland, (Mr. Howard,) that the difference in exchange was the cause of an increased expenditure in this department. He said that this had been adverted to as a good argument in favor of the sub-treasury scheme. This he had hardly expected: but he hoped that the chairman of the committee of ways and means, or some other skilful financier in this house, would bring forward some measure, which would have the effect to relieve the country from such an onerous tax as that to which allusion was made by the chair

The states were then called upon, in order, for
the presentation of petitions, when they were pre-man of the committee on foreign affairs.
sented by the following gentlemen, viz:

From Maine, by Messrs. Fairfield and Davee.
From Massachusetts, by Messrs. Cushing, Briggs,
Fletcher, Calhoun, Lincoln, Reed, Adams, and
Phillips.

From Connecticut, by Mr. Ingham.
From Vermont, by Mr. Everett.

From New York, by Messrs. Jackson, Noble,
Childs, Curtis, Marvin, Filmore, Sibley, Loomis,
Peck, DeGraff, Russell, Bronson, and Hoffman.
From New Jersey, by Mr. Maxwell.
From Pennsylvania, by Messrs. Davis, Henry,
McClure, Naylor, Paynter, Plumer, Hubley, Mor-
ris, Toland, and Biddle.

From Maryland, by Mr. Howard.
From Virginia, by Messrs. Pennybacker, Wise,
Johnson, and Hopkins.

From North Carolina, by Mr. Montgomery.
From South Carolina, by Messrs. Richardson,
Rhett, and Legare.

From Tennessee, by Messrs. Stone, Carter, J.
L. Williams, the Speaker, and McClellan.
From Ohio, by Messrs. Hamer and Kilgore.
From Indiana, by Messrs. Ewing, White, and
Herod.

From Illinois, by Mr. Snyder.

From Missouri, by Mr. Harrison.

Mr Phillips made statements to show that there had latterly been a great increase in the number of cases, calling for the expenditure of this appropriation, and to demonstrate the necessity of the proposed amendment.

Some explanations ensued, between Messrs. Cambreleng, A. H. Shepperd, and Adams, as to the mode of remitting, drawing, and disbursing the fund for the relief of distressed seamen.

Mr. McKay contended that the whole matter required to be regulated and revised, and showed the necessity of this by comparing the present usage with the requisitions of the law of 1803. He was opposed to the amendment.

Mr. McKim thought the amendment proposed one of the most important items in the bill before the committee. The object was most useful, and the necessity of the case required that the proposed increase should now be made.

The question was then taken on the proposed amendment, ayes 44, noes 19; no quorum voting. The Speaker resumed the chair, and the chairman announced the fact that no quorum was present,

Mr. Reed rose to move that the house adjourn, and called for the yeas and nays, with the view of ascertaining who were present. He should vote

The yeas and nays were ordered, and the house refused to adjourn by the following vote: yeas 9, nays 121.

From Alabama, by Messrs. Chapman and Lyon. against adjournment.
From Michigan, by Mr. Crary.
From Florida, by Mr. Downing.
Memorials in relation to the late duel, and the
subject of duelling generally, were presented by
Messrs. Fairfield, Davee, Adams, McClellan, Sib
ley, Loomis, De Graff, Maxwell, Henry, McClure,
Biddle, Polk, Kilgore, and Phillips, and referred to
the select committee on that subject.

Remonstrances against the annexation of Texas
were presented by Messrs. Fletcher, Lincoln, and
Naylor, and laid on the table.

Memorials relating to, slavery, were presented by Messrs. Cushing, Briggs, Fletcher, Lincoln, Adams, Everett, Davis, Henry, Naylor, Kilgore, and Herod.

The house then adjourned.

Resolved, That the clerk of this house be direct- Tuesday, March 20. On motion of Mr. E. Whiled to cause to be made out, and reported to thistlesey, the Speaker was requested to appoint a house, a list of all the petitions, memorials and member of the committee of claims, vice Mr. Carpapers presented to the house, at the late session, ter, deceased. and at the present session of congress, and laid on the table without being read, printed, debated, or referred; specifying the name of the first petitioner, and the number of signatures to each paper so laid on the table; specifying also the state from which each petition, memorial remonstrance, or resolution came: and distinguishing all such as have been laid on the table under the general resolution of the 21st December, 1837, from those which have been laid on the table by separate motions, and

Áfter a number of committees had reported, the house took up the unfinished business of the morning, which was the resolution of Mr. Wm. C. Johnson, in relation to the appropriation of public lands for public schools already debated by that gentleman for several days during that hour. He had not finished when the time appropriated to morning business elapsed.

On motion of Mr. Cambreleng, the house went into committee of the whole on the state of the

A quorum appearing, Mr. Casey resumed the chair, and the amendinent under consideration was adopted without a division.

On motion of Mr. Cambreleng, (who stated that there was no other head under which the appropriations could be presented,) the bill was so amended as to provide for the second payment of Luigi Persico, under a joint resolution of both houses, $4000; and for the second payment to artists employed upon the pictures for the rotundo, $8000.

Mr. Bell offered the following amendment to the bill:

"Sec.. And be it further enacted, That, from and after the first day of October next, the salaries of all the officers for the payment of which provision is made in this act, and all compensations and allowances to agents or other persons authorized by law, the payment of which is provided for in this act except the president and judges of the courts of the United States, and except also, such officers, agents, diplomatic or commercial, whose duties require them to reside without the limits of the United States and the territories thereof, shall be reduced one-fourth, or twenty-five per cent. of the amount now authorized by law: provided, that any time before the said first day of October, the bill reported from the committee on ways and means to

the house of representatives, entitled a bill to provide for the collection, safe-keeping, transfer, and disbursement of the public revenue,' or any other bill of a similar tendency, or in which provision shall be made for the collection and disbursement of the public revenue in gold and silver, treasury notes, or other evidences of debt issued under the authority of the United States, to the exclusion of current bank notes shall become the law of the land."

Mr. Cambreleng objected that this amendment was not in order, as to the bill under consideration, under the rules of the house.

navy commissioners, and to increase the compen-
sation of the warrant clerk of the navy department.
On motion of Mr. Thomas,

Mr. Fillmore. It would be recollected that the affair alluded to in this proposition occurred some three months ago. The resolution of inquiry had Resolved, That the clerk be directed to purchase already been on the table a month. The informaa full and perfect copy of the laws of the United tion it seeks is in the hands of the executive. To States for the use of each of the standing commit- obtain it was a matter of as much importance to tees of the house of representatives, and to pay for his constituents as it could possibly be to the genthe same out of the contingent fund. tleman from Maryland, who has easier access to its The house took up and concurred in the follow-source. It was discretionary with the executive to ing resolution, moved by Mr. Slade on the 11th of grant or to withhold this information, as he should January last: think best. The gentleman from Maryland might certainly so far confide in the executive as to leave such a matter to him.

"Resolved, That the secretary of the treasury be directed to lay before this house a statement, showThe Chair decided it not to be in order. ing the number of acres of the public lands which Mr. Bell took an appeal from this decision. The have been purchased under laws granting the right rule in question provides that "no motion or pro- of pre-emption, distinguishing the several laws position on a subject, different from that under con- under which, and the several states and territories sideration, should be admitted under color of amend- in which such purchases have been made. And that ment." This objection did not apply to this he also be directed to communicate any inforamendment, he contended; it had reference to the mation which may be in possession of his depart specific subject-matter of the bill. He also an- nent touching any associations which may have swered other supposed objections to the presenta- been formed by intruders on public lands, for the tion of his proposition as an amendment to the bill purpose of adjusting their relative rights of occuunder consideration; and insisted that the construc-pancy, and putting down competition at the public tion of the rule, set up by the gentleman from New sales of such lands." York, (Mr. Cambreleng,) as an objection to this amendment, was a new construction of a rule acted upon for many years without such objections. Mr. Williams, of North Carolina, defended the appropriateness of the proposed amendment to this bill. He gave instances to show that the practice of the house was in favor of such a construction of the rule. He hoped the committee would overrule the decision of the chair upon this question of order, whether the amendment itself were or were not adopted.

|

Mr. Johnson of Maryland, being indisposed today, the consideration of his resolution, in relation to public lands and public schools, on motion of Mr. Everett, of Vermont, was postponed until to morrow morning.

The resolution of Mr. Everett, which was laid on the table on the 28th December, calling upon the department of state, for information relative to the correspondence of this government with that of Mexico, was then taken up and passed. Mr. Cushman moved that the house go into comMr. Cambreleng opposed the appeal, and contend-mittee of the whole, during the remainder of the ed that the letter of the rule should be adhered to, whatever might have been the practice of the house

under that rule hitherto.

Mr. Bell further contended that his amendment was not on a different subject from that under consideration, and urged its adoption upon that ground, as well as upon the uniform practice of the house. Mr. Halstead sustained the appeal. What was the subject of the bill? The payinent of the salaries of public officers. And what was the subject of the proposed amendment? The reduction of the amounts of those salaries. Nor did that portion of the amendment which makes it contingent at all after that view of the question. He was in favor of the amendment, and of its coming in under the bill before the committee, as a course sanctioned by the custom and usage of the house.

Mr. Reed defended the proposition to append the proposed amendment to the general appropriation bill upon the same grounds as those stated by the gentleman last up.

Mr. Cushman supported the chair.

The question upon sustaining the decision of the chair was taken by tellers, and resulted as follows: ayes 66, noes 57. So the chair was sustained.

Mr. Reed rose and made a correction of an error in the report of some remarks of his upon a former day, in relation to certain expenditures of the post office department.

Jet d'eau, in the yard of the capitol, &c. Mr. Halstead moved to strike from the bill the itein of $1,000 for the jet d'eau on the southern foot path in the capitol grounds, and was about to make another amendment he wished to make, when

hour, upon the bill from the senate, for testing ex-
periments for the purpose of preventing the explo-

sion of steamboat boilers.

Mr. Adams objected, on the ground that several
resolutions remained on the speaker's table, requir-
ing immediate action; and that the morning hour
should be devoted to their consideration.
Mr. Cushman's motion to suspend the rules was
lost.

Mr. Clark asked leave to introduce at this time
a resolution, fixing a day for the special considera-
tion of the sub-treasury bill, reported by the com-
mittee of this house; to which objection was made.
Mr. C. made an unsuccessful motion to suspend
the rules for this purpose.

The resolution of Mr. Miller, offered on the 29th December, and laid on the table for consideration, for the purpose of ordering an inquiry into the expediency of making certain improvements in the harbor of St. Louis, was taken up, and adopted.

Two resolutions offered by Mr. Jones on the same day and laid over, authorizing certain surveys of rivers in the territory of Wisconsin, were taken up, and, on motion of Mr. Bond, referred to the committee on roads and canals.

A resolution offered by the same, on the same day, and laid over, in relation to the surveys of certain mineral lands in that territory, was taken up and adopted.

The resolution of Mr. Everett, offered and laid over on the 9th January, calling for inquiry as to the capture of certain Seminoles, under a flag of truce, by general Jesup, was next taken up, and passed.

was offered on the 19th of February, and laid over,
came next in order for consideration.

Mr. Adams, hoped the gentleman from Maryland would withdraw his motion to postpone. The information asked for was of such a character as to allay, not to excite feeling. The house was the proper arbiter of all questions touching peace and war, and should first receive all important infor mation upon topics like that under consideration. Yet the intelligence of the day had contained official correspondence upon the subject, which this very resolution a month ago demanded, and which now comes before the house from Canada.

Mr. McKim had read this correspondence, and saw in it only additional reason why this resolution ought not now to be adopted. It would only keep up the feverish anxiety of the country to know that which the proper time for knowing had not yet come. The whole affair was the subject of negotiation at the court of St. James, and it would be improper to anticipate the result. He could not withdraw his motion to postpone.

Mr. Fillmore and Mr. Fletcher, of Vermont, insisted upon the importance of this information to the whole country, and to their constituents in particular, and hoped the motion would not prevail. The motion to postpone was rejected without a division; and the resolution was then adopted. On motion of Mr. Cambreleng, the house resolv. ed itself into committee of the whole on the state of the union, (Mr Casey in the chair,) upon the general appropriation bill.

An amendinent offered yesterday by Mr. Halstead. proposing to strike out the appropriation of $4,000 for a jet d'eau in the capital yard, being under consideration, and the mover having possession of the floor,

Mr. Halstead went at length into an examination of the expenditures of the last and present administrations, and those of Mr. Adams' administration, urging the necessity of their reduction, and of the interposition of a check to alleged increasing extravagances.

Mr. Bynum responded to the remarks of Mr. Halsted.. His observations applied to the strietures of the gentleman from New Jersey upon the extravagance of the administration, and were chiefly of a personal character.

Mr. Lincoln expressed his surprise that the gentleman from New Jersey should have introduced his review of the expenditures upon an amendment so unimportant. He defended the appropriation under consideration, and did not consider that, as chairman of the committee on the public buildings, he had acted in opposition to democratic principles in putting that item into the estimates upon which the bill before the committee was based. He was opposed to rash and indiscriminate denunciations against the administration, and believed that such a course impeded, rather than

The Chair reminded him that the committee had The resolution of Mr. Fillmore, calling for in-aided desirable reforms.
decided to act upon one amendment at a time. forination from the executive relative to the burn-
Mr. Halstead said he was about to give his rea-ing of the steamboat Caroline, at Schlosser, which
sons for opposing this and other items in the bill,
and the whole bill. He was proceeding to do this,
when he gave way to a motion that the committee
rise, which motion prevailed; and then, on motion,
The house adjourned at 4 o'clock.
Wednesday, March 21. The following, among
other reports, were presented to-day.

By Mr. Cambreleng, from the committee of ways and means, a bill making appropriations for preventing and suppressing Indian hostilities for 1835, and for arrearages for 1837..

By Mr. Fry, from the committee on revolutionary pensions, against the resolution of February 19, to amend the pension law of July 4, 1836; also, against the petitions of Hannah Brown and Catharine Coffin; and a bill granting a pension to Stephen Olney.

By Mr. Harlan, from the same committee, reported unfavorably upon the subject of reviving the acts granting bounty lands and extra pay to certain Canadian volunteers.

By Mr. Kemble, from the committee on military affairs, against the petition of Ann C. Stephenson. By Mr. Ingham, from the committee on naval affairs, a bill to authorize the employment of two additional clerks in the office of the secretary of the navy, two additional clerks in the office of the

Mr. McKim said that, in the absence of the chairman of the committee on foreign affairs, he would move to lay this resolution on the table.

Mr. Fillmore expressed the hope that the resolution would not thus be disposed of. It was offered a month ago, and the information it called for was of importance.

Mr. McKim insisting on his motion,

Mr. Fillmore deinanded the yeas and nays; when Mr. McKim said he would change his motion. and moved to postpone the further consideration of the resolution until to-morrow.

Mr. Fillmore would like to know for what reason the gentleman from Maryland had interposed this objection.

Mr. McKim had already said that the chairman of the committee on foreign affairs was not in his place.

Mr. Fillmore said he had the best reason to know that that gentlemen was in favor of, or rather was not opposed to, the adoption of this proposition.

Mr. McKim could only speak for himself. He was, himself, opposed to the adoption of it. Every thing was now going on right, with regard to that affair, and the tendency of this proposition would only be to excite and irritate feeling.

Mr. Bell said that the country was under obligation to the gentleman from New Jersey for his effort in bringing up the instances of extravagance in expenditure in the administration of the govern ment, whether in the legislative or executive departments. He believed that that gentleman would find that some of the items to which he had alluded were not the proper subjects of animadversion; but as to the great mass of those items, he was correct. Mr. B. was sorry to perceive the tone in which that gentleman had been responded to. If the positions of gentlemen upon this subject were to be sanctioned by the house, there was an end to free debate and free inquiry into the expenditures of the government forever. He thought the present the proper occasion for the introduction of this discussion, as to the general expenditures of government.

Mr. Cambreleng made some remarks in reference to the pressing necessity of the immediate passage of the appropriation bills.

Mr. Mercer, as a member of the committee on the public buildings, sustained the particular item in the bill now to be striken out.

Mr. Halstead took the floor, and gave way to Mr. Bell, who moved that the committee rise; which was ordered, 63 to 48.

On motion of Mr. Underwood, the house adjourned at ten minutes past 5 o'clock.

FIFTH SERIES.

No. 5.-VOL. IV.]

WASHINGTON CITY, MARCH 31, 1838.

[VOL. LIV. WHOLE NO. 1,383,

Since our last general Scott arrived in this city, and is, we are pleased to learn, in excellent

health.

-The "Globe" on Wednesday night says:"We regret to learn that the Hon. Mr. McKim of| Maryland, has been confined to his chamber by indisposition since Thursday last, which will account for his name not being found in the vote of the house since that day.

THE PAST-THE PRESENT-FOR THE FUTURE.

French bad laws."

A more miserable failure, or a more weak, un. purposed and unconcerted attempt to overthrow an established government, was never made than in the case of the recent outbreaks in Canada.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED, EVERY SATURDAY, BY WILLIAM OGDEN NILES, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. The present sheet contains Mr. Clay's speech bly of Lower Canada, and leader, as was supposed, as they have funds, which would make the loss to on the sub-treasury bill. It has been in type for of the recent insurrection, has, according to a letter eastern merchants bad enough in all conscience, some time, waiting an insertion in the order of the from Dr. Nelson, a co-patriot, deserted back again they hold those funds in reserve until the accumudebate. In our next we will publish Mr. Web-to the royal authorities, and abandoned the cause lation of their notes depresses the price of them ster's speech, and follow it with Mr. Calhoun's reply of revolution-induced thereto, says the aforesaid low enough to satisfy their plans, when they will to Mr. Clay, and the desultory debate which occur doctor, "through selfish and family motives regard-probably buy them up. The difficulty with the red between those gentlemen. ing the seignories and inveterate love of the old other states, is a real indebtedness, and too liberal issues from the banks. Their policy of present ease will be liable to recoil at the last in heavier calamity. Exchanges on the great point of New Orleans remain steady, and on Boston, we are happy to say, have been brought down within onefourth or one-half per cent. of par. The operation BANKS, CURRENCY, &c. The Albany Argus of has been somewhat severe, but the result has been Saturday last contains a statement of the condition quickly brought about, and will prepare the way of the banks of New York, for the mouth ending for speedy relief and expansion. Money is scarce the 1st inst. A comparison with previous reports here in a general way, yet plenty in some circles. shows the following results: The five per cent. treasury notes are a good deal Feb. 1. March 1. bought up for the sake of the interest they bear. Loans and disc'ts, 61,391,299 53,348,854 52,238,238 On the 22d instant, the house of representatives Specie, 2,302,313 3,919 332 4,092,793 of Massachusetts rejected the motion of Mr. SturCirculation, 14,940,498 11,545,850 11,107,350 gis to instruct the committee to bring in a bill deDue canal fund, 3,052,533 3,249,730 2,333,221 claring that the charters of all the banks in the state treasurer, 2,152,950 147,527 31,16J commonwealth were forfeited in consequence of the U. S. treasurer, 4,143,389 199,442 174,936 temporary suspension of specie payments. In faInd. depositors, 14,516,813 14,950,163 14,375,291 Profits, vor of rejecting 218, nays 193. 6,323,726 8,010,450 8,057,769 The above statements show a diminution of loans and discounts for the last month, of $1,095.566; an increase of specie of $173,461; a diminished circulation of $403,500; a decrease of the canal fund deposites of $386,509; of individual deposites, $574,872; and of the state treasurer's deposite of $155,273.

THE SUB-TREASURY BILL, as amended in various particulars, was ordered to be engrossed on Saturday night last by a vote of 27 ayes to 25 noes, and by the same vote passed on Monday last. On Tuesday was reported to the house by the speak er, and, after a short debate, on motion of Mr. Patton ordered to lie on the table-ayes 106. nays 98. We have inserted the bill as it passed the senate, and all the proceedings upon it in that body and in the house, in subsequent pages, to which our readers are referred.

MANDAMUS CASE. On Thursdary last the circuit court of the District of Columbia, was moved to issue their process of attachment against Amos Kendall, esq. post uaster general, for contempt in disobeying the mandamus heretofore isssued in this case. Mr. R. S. Coxe, who read the application, as we learn from the Intelligencer," made a short statement of the facts which had transpired since the decision of the supreme court, and read a correspondence with the postmaster general on the subject. The court has not inade known its decision.

CANADIAN AFFAIRS. Gen. Sutherland, of the patriot army, an account of whose capture we published someti ne since, is now under trial by a military court martial at Toronto. He is arraigned under an act, passed at the recent session of the Upper Canada legislature, "to protect the inhabitants of the province from aggression fron the frontier or neighboring countries."

On his arraignment he called himself a lawyerwhich would seem to contradict the story of his being a deserter from the U. S. marines.

After his arraignment, as we learn from the New York American, he made an unsuccessful attempt to destroy himself. Conplaining of indisposition, he induced the jailor to send hin a basin of warm water, and at the same time asking for some writing materials; they were sent, together with a penknife. Having induced the sentinel stationed in his room to lie down and sleep, Sutherland attempt ed to destroy himself, by putting his feet and hands in the warm water, and with the penknife opening the veins of the arms and legs. The faintness caused by the loss of blood, caused him to fall on the floor, which aroused the sentinel; immediate assistance was procured, the wounds bound up, and the prisoner removed to the hospital.

The Hamilton (U. C.) Express, of the 17th inst.

says:

Colonel Prince has gone to Toronto to give evi. dence against Sutherland, Theller, and others, before the court martial, which has been organized for their trial. We understand that colonel Prince said the spot where Sutherland was taken has been measured by the American authorities, and declared by them to be within our territory. If this be so, it cuts off all hope which the miserable wretch may have clung to for the prolongation of his life. M. Papineau, ex-speaker of the house of assemVon. LIV.SIG. 5

The Boston Daily Advertiser publishes the following:

Resumption of specie__ payments. The late bank convention at New York, adjourned to meet again in that city on the 2nd Wednesday in April. The associated banks of this city have appointed the same delegates who attended the former convention, with instructions, we believe, which authorize them to agree to a resumption of specie payments on the part of the banks of this city, at as early a period as the convention may deem it expedient. We have no doubt that the banks of this city will be fully prepared to resume at the earliest date which can be named by the convention.

In the senate, on the same day, after a long debate, the following resolution was passed by a unanimous vote, thirty-six senators voting in favor of it, viz:

66

Resolved, That the suspension of specie payments by the banks of this commonwealth in May last was, under the circumstances, necessary, expedient, and for the interest of the people.”

REVENUE OF 1837. The statement of the regis. ter of the treasury, recently presented to congress, shows the amount of gross revenue which accrued from duties on imports and tonnage in the ports of the United States to be $31.690,356. Of this amount $17,176,908 accrued in the city of New York; 4,489,472 in Boston; in Philadelphia 3,195,339; New Orleans 2.291,544; Baltimore 1,492,424; Charleston 693,339; Savannah 158,223; Richmond 152,575; Mobile 140,762; Portland 134,837; and Salem 128,081.

The amount of duties on imports which accrued in the city of New York in the year ending Sept. 30, 1837, was $10,855,201. The amount which accrued in the same period in Boston was 2,966,109; in Philadelphia, 2,073,778; Baltimore, 1,220,751; New Orleans, 1,670,758; Salem, 151,237.

The presidents of the New Orleans banks held a preparatory meeting on the 16th inst. to consult on their joint action with regard to the emission of post notes, &c., of which Mr. H. D. F. Burthe, of The amount of debentures, bounties, &c., was the Carrollton bank, was appointed chairman. It $4,722,663, of which $1,376,844 was for expenses was adjourned till next day, for the purpose of ac- of collection. The amount of debentures and other quiring correct information as to the present cir-deductions in New York was 1,467,782. culation of each bank.

The board of trade of New York, at a meeting on Saturday evening, adopted the following resolution by an almost unanimous vote:

Resolved, Tha: the board of trade consider the charges, contained in a memorial to the legislature, on the Phoenix bank, fully proved, and that its charter ought to be repealed, and its affairs closed by competent receivers.

We find in the French papers the following notice published by the bank recently established in Paris under the chief direction of M. Laffitte :

"After the 1st January, the bank will issue notes bearing interest as follows:

2 per cent. on notes payable at 3 days sight, 2 1-2 do do. 12 do 4 do. do. 30 do The interest will be paid only to the day of their first presentation.

These notes given in exchange for money deposited with the bank are transferable by endorse

Drafts on all the cities in the departinents will be furnished falling due at any period that may be required.”

[N. Y. Courier.

EMANCIPATION AND COLONIZATION. The New Orleans Picayune of the 13th inst. says "We understand that six hundred negroes, belonging to a gentleman of this city, lately deceased, are to be liberated according to his will, provided they are willing to go to Africa, in which case ample provision is to be made for their transportation."

The New York Journal of Commerce says that a few days have produced great fluctuations in the rates of domestic exchanges. The rate on Missis-ment. sippi is now twenty-five per cent. discount, Tennessee 20: Alabama bank notes of large denominations, 17; Georgia, 10; Ohio, 8; Michigan, 12, and Wild Cat, 25. The recent change has been chiefly in exchange on Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. It is said that the banks of the two latter states have large funds on the Atlantic, which they refuse altogether to employ in redeemning their paper, until, by holding off, they get it still lower. They have bought immense quantities of cotton at high prices, part of which has been credited towards debts due to the banks, and the balance has been settled by large issues of their notes. These A STEAMER LOST. We learn, says the St. Louis notes constitute the local currency, and serve to Bulletin, "that the steamboat American, Lusk, pay the debts due from their merchants to those on master, on her passage from Natchez to this port, the Atlantic cities. Many eastern merchants have loaded with iron, struck a snag at the foot of Big taken these notes, and now the banks contrive to Eddy, and sunk immediately in eight fret water; throw on them the whole loss which would other- fortunately no lives were lost. The deck paswise accrue on the high prices they have paid. In-sengers have lost all the property they had on stead of employing the proceeds of their cotton_to board. The Wilmington brought up the crew and equalize exchanges by buying up their bills as fast passengers to this place."