been agreed to, the PRESIDENT reported the bill to the House accordingly. On motion, by Mr. GOLDSBOROUGH, to strike out the first section of the bill, it was determined in the negative-yeas 4, nays 27, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Dana, Goldsborough, Mason of New Hampshire, and Thompson. NAYS-Messrs. Barbour, Barry, Bibb, Brown, Chace, Condit, Daggett, Fromentin, Gaillard, Howell, Hunter, King, Lacock, Macon, Mason of Virginia, Morrow, Roberts, Ruggles, Talbot, Tait, Taylor, Tichenor, Turner, Varnum, Wells, Williams, and Wilson. On the question, "Shall the amendments be engrossed, and the bill read a third time as amended?" it was determined in the affirmative. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act to repeal so much of an act, passed on the 23d of December, 1814, as imposes additional duties on postage ;" and no amendment having been proposed thereto, the bill passed to a third reading. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act continuing in force certain acts laying duties on bank notes, refined sugars, and for other purposes;" and no amendment having been proposed thereto, the bill passed to a third reading. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act to continue in force an act, entitled 'An act laying a duty on imported salt, granting a bounty on pickled fish exported, and allowances to certain vessels employed in the fisheries." On motion, by Mr. MACON, the further consid eration thereof was postponed until Thursday next. The bill to increase the pensions of Robert White and Jacob Wrighter was read a third time, and the blanks filled with the word "twenty." Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be "An act to increase the pensions of Robert White and Jacob Wrighter." The bill for the relef of Edward Barry and George Hodge was read a third time, and passed. The bill for the relief of Xaverio Nandi was read a third time, and passed. Mr. BROWN, from the committee appointed on the memorial of the Legislature of the Mississippi Territory, to whom was referred the bill entitled "An act for the relief of Jonathan White," reported it without amendment. Mr. BROWN, from the same committee, to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Martin Cole, John Pollock, George Westner, and Abraham Welty," reported it without amendment. Mr. BROWN, from the same committee, to whom was referred the bill entitled "An act for the relief of Charles Markin," reported it without amendment. WEDNESDAY, January 31. The PRESIDENT communicated a report of the Secretary of the Navy Department, on the petition of William Garrett, referred to him on the SENATE. 19th instant; and the report was read and re ferred, together with the petition and the accompanying papers, to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr. RUGGLES presented the petition of Edward Wilson, of Belmont county, in the State of Ohio, praying the privilege of applying the amount of two payments he has made on a quarter section of land, purchased of the United States, to the payment of any other unlocated land in the State which he may think proper to enter, for reasons stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the committee appointed the 7th of December, on the memorial of the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the Mississippi Territory. Mr. SANFORD presented the petition of Harman Hendricks, merchant of New York, praying restitution of moneys illegally exacted from him by the collector of New York, as duties on copper of a certain description, as stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to a select committee; and Messrs. SANFORD, BROWN, and CHACE, were appointed the committee. The engrossed resolution directing a copy of the documents printed by a resolve of Congress, of the 27th December, 1813, to be transmitted to each of the Judges of the Supreme Court, was read a third time, and passed. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Martin Cole, John Pollock, George Westner, and Abraham Welty;" and no amendment having been proposed thereto, the bill passed to a third reading. certain acts laying duties on bank notes, refined The bill entitled "An act, continuing in force sugars, and for other purposes," was read a third time; and amended by unanimous consent. Resolved, That this bill pass with amendment. The bill entitled "An act to repeal so much of an act passed on the 23d of December, 1814, as imposes additional duties on postage ;" was read a third time, and passed. The amendments to the bill entitled "An act to continue in force the act, entitled 'An act for imposing additional duties upon all goods, wares, and merchandise, imported from any foreign port or place, and for other purposes," was read a third time as amended; and on the question "Shall this bill pass as amended?" it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 25, nays 5, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Barbour, Barry, Bibb, Brown, Chace, Condit, Fromentin, Gaillard, Howell, Hunter, Lacock, Mason of New Hampshire, Mason of Virginia, Morrow, Roberts, Ruggles, Sanford, Talbot, Tait, Taylor, Turner, Varnum, Wells, Williams, and Wilson. NAYS-Messrs. Dana, Goldsborough, Thompson, and Tichenor. Horsey, So it was Resolved, That this bill pass with amendments. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act to alter and amend the law of costs;" in which they request the concurrence of the Senate. The PRESIDENT communicated a letter from the Commissioner of the General Land Office, with a supplementary report of the commissioners appointed to ascertain and adjust claims for land in the late Territory of Orleans, now State of Louisiana; which was read, and referred to the committee appointed the 7th of December, on the memorial of the Legislature of the MississipTerritory. On motion by Mr. LACOCK, to amend the proposed fifth section, by inserting the word "or" before the word "consumed," in the fifth line; and to strike out the words "or injured," in the same line; it was determined in the affirmative-pi yeas 22, nays 9, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Barbour, Barry, Bibb, Chace, Condit, Daggett, Dana, Horsey, Howell, Lacock, Mason of New Hampshire, Morrow, Roberts, Talbot, Tait, Taylor, Thompson, Tichenor, Turner, Varnum, Williams, and Wilson. Mr. DAGGETT presented the petition of William S. Hotchkiss and others, citizens of Newburn, in the State of Connecticut, concerned in the business of rope-making, praying a law may be passed granting a suitable drawback of the duties on foreign hemp manufactured into cordage in the United States, and thence exported, or some other relief, for reasons stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee appointOn motion, by Mr. BARBOUR, the bill was re-ed on so much of the Message of the President of committed to the Committee on Military Affairs, the United States as relates to Manufactures. further to consider and report thereon. NAYS-Messrs. Brown, Fromentin, Goldsborough, Hunter, King, Mason of Virginia, Ruggles, Sanford, and Wells. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Jonathan White;" and no amendment having been proposed thereto, the bill passed to a third reading. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Charles Markin ;" and no amendment having been proposed thereto, the bill passed to a third reading. Mr. BARRY presented the memorial of the Legislature of the State of Kentucky, praying an allowance, in money or land, may be made by Congress to the widows and orphans of volunteers of that State, who may have died in the military service of the United States; and the memorial was read, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. THURSDAY, February 1. Mr. SANFORD presented the petition of James P. Watson, of New York, praying to be placed on the pension list, as a lieutenant of the Navy of the United States, for reasons stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise. On motion, by Mr. SANFORD, the committee to whom was referred the petition of Harman Hendricks was discharged from the further consideration thereof, and it was referred to the Committee appointed on so much of the Message of the President of the United States as relates to Finance and an Uniform National Currency. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill further providing for the Library of Congress, and Mr. VARNUM was requested to take the Chair; and Mr. ROBERTS moved to strike out the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th sections of the bill, and proposed for consideration sundry new sections to be inserted in lieu thereof; which were read, and, on motion by Mr. BARBOUR, the further consideration of the bill and amendments were postponed until Monday next. Mr. KING, from the committee to whom was referred the memorial of Thomas B. Wait and Sons, praying for encouragement in the printing of a second and improved edition of the public documents, to be comprised in nine volumes, reported the following resolution; which was read and passed to the second reading. Resolved, That five hundred copies of the State papers and public documents proposed to be printed by T. B. Wait and Sons, be taken for the use of Congress and the several Executive departments; T. B. Wait and Sons engaging to deliver the same at the Department of State, in well bound volumes, at two The bill entitled "An act to alter and amend the law of costs," was read the second time, and referred to a select committee; and Messrs. ROB-dollars and a quarter for each volume. ERTS, DAGGETT, and RUGGLES, were appointed the committee. The bill entitled "An act for the relief of Martin Cole, John Pollock, George Westner, and Abraham Welty," was read a third time, and passed. The bill entitled "An act for the relief of Jonathan White," was read a third time, and passed. I The Senate adjourned to Monday. MONDAY, February 5. ROBERT G. HARPER, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of Maryland, from the 29th of January, 1816, to the 3d of March, 1821, produced his credentials, which were read; and the oath prescribed by law was administered to him, and he took his seat in the Senate. The PRESIDENT communicated a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, made in obedience to the resolution of the Senate of the 26th of January, 1816, exhibiting the amount of duties received on imported salt, from the commencement of the present Government, to the 31st of December, 1814, and the bounty paid on the exportation of pickled fish and salted provisions; and the report was read. SENATE. Whole, the consideration of the resolution for a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States, that the Senators of the United States shall be chosen for three years; and, on motion by Mr. BIBB, the further consideration thereof was postponed until Monday next. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act to repeal the duties on certain articles manufactured within the United States;" in which bill they request the concur The bill last mentioned was read, and passed to the second reading. Mr. TAIT, from the Committee on Naval Af-rence of the Senate. fairs, to whom was referred the report of the Secretary of the Navy, on the petition of William Garratt, reported the following resolution; which was read: Resolved, That the prayer of the petitioner is unreasonable, and ought not to be granted. Mr. SANFORD presented the petition of Lathrop Thompson and others, of Southold, in the State of New York, remonstrating against the transportation and opening the mail on the Sabbath; and the petition was read, and, on motion by Mr. SANFORD, referred to the committee to whom were referred on the 22d of December, the petitions of sundry inhabitants of Beaver county, in the State of Pennsylvania, on the same subject. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill further providing for the Library of Congress, together with the amendments proposed thereto; and, on motion by Mr. TAYLOR, the bill was referred to a select committee, further to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. FROMENTIN, TAYLOR, and GOLDSBOROUGH, were appointed the committee. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act to continue in force an act, entitled 'An act laying a duty on imported salt, granting a bounty on pickled fish exported, and allowances to cerMr. CONDIT presented the petition of a number tain vessels employed in the fisheries; and, on of widows, orphans, and females, of New Man-motion by Mr. DAGGETT, the further considerachester, in the State of New Jersey, praying the tion thereof was postponed until to-morrow. encouragement of domestic manufactures, for reasons stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee on Manufactures. Mr. SANFORD gave notice that, to-morrow, he should ask leave to bring in a bill concerning certain courts of the United States, in the State of New York. 1 Mr. LACOCK communicated a resolution of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, instructing the Senators, and requesting the Representatives of that State, in Congress, to use their endeavors to procure the passage of a law dividing the State of Pennsylvania into two districts, and establishing a district and circuit court of the United States, at Pittsburg, in the county of Alleghany. Whereupon, on motion by Mr. Lacock, Resolved. That a committee be appointed to inquire into the expediency of dividing the State of Pennsylvania into two districts, and establishing a district and circuit court of the United States at Pittsburg, in the county of Alleghany. Ordered, That Messrs. LACOCK, ROBERTS, and CHACE, be the committee. The resolution for purchasing five hundred copies of the State papers and public documents, proposed to be printed by T. B. Wait and Sons, was amended and read, and passed to the second reading. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill to reward the officers and crew of the late United States' brig Argus; and, on motion by Mr. TAIT, the further consideration thereof was postponed until to-morrow. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the TUESDAY, February 6. Mr. FROMENTIN, from the committee to whom was referred the bill further providing for the Library of Congress, reported it amended. Mr. VARNUM, from the committee to whom was referred the memorial of Francis Le Barron, reported a bill, authorizing the opening and working copper mines on Lake Superior, and for other purposes; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading. Mr. TAIT, from the Committee on Naval AFfairs, to whom was referred the petition of James P. Watson, reported the following resolution; which was read: Resolved, That it is inexpedient at this time to grant the prayer of the petitioner, and that he have leave to withdraw his petition. Agreeably to notice given, Mr. SANFORD asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill, concerning certain courts of the United States, in the State of New York; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading. The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the Naval Committee, to whom was referred the petition of William Garratt. Whereupon, Resolved, That the prayer of the petitioner is unreasonable, and ought not to be granted. The Senate resumed the consideration of the resolution, authorizing the purchase of five hundred copies of State papers, proposed to be published by T. B. Wait and Sons, which was amended and agreed to as follows: Resolved, That five hundred copies of the State papers and public documents, proposed to be printed by T. B. Wait and Sons, be taken for the use of Congress, and the several Executive departments; T. B. Wait and Sons, engaging to deliver the same at the Department of State in well bound volumes, at two dollars and a quarter for each volume. Whereupon, on motion by Mr. VARNUM, the said resolution was recommitted to Messrs. KING, VARNUM, and FROMENTIN, with instructions to report a bill accordingly. The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: It is represented, that the lands in the Michigan Territory, designated by law towards satisfying land bounties promised the soldiers of the late army, are so covered with swamps and lakes, or otherwise unfit for cultivation, that a very inconsiderable proportion can be applied to the intended grants. I recommend, therefore, that other lands be designated by Congress, for the purpose of supplying the deficiency. FEBRUARY 6, 1816. JAMES MADISON. FEBRUARY, 1816. and magnitude of navigable lakes, rivers, and bays; the variety of climate, and consequent diversity of productions embraced by the United States, cannot fail to impose the conviction, that a capacity exists in this country to maintain an extensive internal commerce. invites to the prosecution of a commerce of the most The variety of productions peculiar to the several parts, to the regulations of the country, not dependent on, or interesting kind. A commerce internal, subject solely materially affected by the vicissitudes of foreign competition or collisions; the profits on which will rest in the country, and make an addition to the wealth of the nation. Such a commerce will, in its natural tendency, create interests and feelings, consonant with the great interests of the community, Any practicable scheme, therefore, for improvement of roads and inland navigation, having for its object the encouragement and extension of a commerce so beneficial, has strong claims to the attention and aid of Government, constituted to promote the general welfare. Such improvements, executed on an extensive scale, would unquestionably contribute to the general interest and increase of wealth in the nation, for, whatever tends to accelerate the progress of industry, in its various and particular branches, or to remove the obstacles to its full exertion, must, in the result, produce that effect. The contemplated improvement in roads and canals, by extending the communication for commercial and The Message was read, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. The bill, entitled "An act to repeal the duties personal intercourse, to the interior and distant parts on certain articles manufactured within the Uni- of the Union, would bestow common benefits, and give ted States," was read the second time, and refer-industry, whether agricultural, commercial, or manuan enlarged faculty to the great branches of national red to the Committee appointed on so much of facturing. the Message of the President of the United States as relates to Finance and an Uniform National Currency. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act to continue in force an act, entitled 'An act laying a duty on imported salt, granting a bounty on pickled fish exported, and allowances to certain vessels employed in the fisheries ;" and on the question, "Shall this bill be read a third time?" it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 23, nays 6, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Barry, Bibb, Brown, Campbell, Chace, Condit, Gaillard, Horsey, Howell, Hunter, King, Lacock, Mason of New Hampshire, Mason of Virginia, Morrow, Ruggles, Sanford, Tait, Talbot, Taylor, Wells, Williams, and Wilson. NAYS-Messrs. Goldsborough, Macon, Thompson, Tichenor, Turner, and Varnum. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, to reward the officers and crew of the United States' brig Argus; and on motion, by Mr. TAIT, the further consideration thereof was postponed until Thursday next. INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. Mr. MORROW, from the committee appointed on so much of the Message of the President of the United States, as relates to roads and canals, made a report in part, which was read, together with a bill, making appropriation for the construction of roads and canals; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading. The report and bill are as follows: The agricultural products, which at present, from inconvenient distance, their weight, or bulk, are unportable, could then be carried to a distant market; the reduction on the charge for transportation would become an addition to the price; and a ready market, and increased price, enhance the value of the lands from which the products were drawn. The general commerce of the country would thereby receive a proportional advantage from the increase of the quantity of articles for exportation, the facility and also from a more general consumption arising from an extension to the vending of imported commodities, as increased ability in the community to purchase such commodities. To manufacturers a reduction on the charge for transportation of the raw material, and wrought commodity, would be highly beneficial. The beneficial effects on individual interests, and the general wealth in society, arising from a system of cheap conveyance, by artificial roads and canals, does not rest on speculative opinion or abstract reasonings for been removed by the test of experience in every counconfirmation; all doubts as to the advantages, have try, where such improvements have been executed on a liberal scale. To insure to the pursuits of useful industry in a nation, a state of the greatest prosperity, it is only necessary to protect their interests from foreign aggression, to leave them unrestrained by artificial provisions, and to remove, or ameliorate, the natural obstacles to their exertion, by public works, rendering conveyance practicable and cheap. Such public works, while they are calculated to subof the community, are highly important in a political serve the pecuniary interests of every industrious class point of view. The citizens, in the most remote parts, would be brought into close connexion, by a facility That a view of the extent of territory, the number to commercial and personal intercourse. The common FEBRUARY, 1816. Internal Inprovements. SENATE. interests and identity of feelings thence arising, would, portance and great interest, is sensibly felt. In makas a cement to the parts, bind together the whole, with ing the decision, general interests must be kept in the strong bond of interest and affection, giving stabil-view, and be held superior to local considerations. It ity and perpetuity to the Union; and, as a means of appears proper, that when the Government authorize security, tend to increase our capacity for resistance the expenditure and application of public moneys, to to foreign aggressions, by rendering less expensive, and one of these objects, they should at the same time more effective, our military operations. The disadvan-adopt a system, calculated to insure, in due time, the tages experienced and heavy charges incurred during execution of other works requiring their aid. the late war, for want of inland navigation along the seacoast, connecting the great points of defence, are of too recent date, and decisive a character, to require any other demonstration that a facility in inland communication constitutes a principal means of national defence. After due consideration, and that examination which the committee have been able to give to the subject, they respectfully recommend to the first attention of Congress, "the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal," being in their opinion of the first importance, and requiring the aid of the General Government. It forms the central link in that great chain of inland navigation along the seacoast, proposed to be opened. It is believed, from the best evidence, to be practicable of execution, and of itself, unconnected with other im It is believed that improvements so important to the political and general interest of society, stand strongly recommended to the attention of the National Legislature. The General Government alone possess the means and resources to give direction to works calcu-provements, will afford the most extensive advantages. lated for general advantage, and to insure their complete execution. The particular objects of this kind, to which public aid should be given, the means to be employed, and the mode of applying the public moneys remain to be considered. The objects are, such artificial roads and canals as are practicable of execution, and which promise a general or extensive advantage to the community; others, of minor importance, that are local in their nature, and will produce only local benefits, will, more properly, be left for execution to the means and enterprise of individuals, or to the exertions of particular States. It is, indeed, a political maxim, well attested by experience, that wherever private interests are competent to the provision and application of their own instruments and means, such provision and means should be left to themselves. On this the committee will make a special report. Of the different modes which might be devised of applying public moneys to objects of internal improvements, that of authorizing subscriptions for a limited number of shares of the stock of companies incorporated for the purpose, appears, on every consideration, to be the most eligible. By limiting the number of shares to be subscribed, to a third, or less than one half, of the whole stock, there is more security that the Government shall not become engaged in impracticable projects for improvements, and also for the economical expenditure of the funds, than would be, on the plan of a direct application by Government, of the public moneys. The committee, in order to ascertain what funds may be made applicable to the objects of internal improvement, with due regard to the state of the finances, and demands on the Treasury, requested information The great works which are calculated for national from the Treasury Department. The information obadvantage, either in a military or commercial view, tained accompanies this report. It will be observed their execution must depend (at least for aid) on the that the surplus revenue applicable to these objects General Government. Wherever great obstacles are is hypothetically stated in the Secretary's letter, as necesto be overcome, great power and means must be em-sarily it must be, in the present state of the revenue ployed. To such works the means of associated in-laws. dividuals are incompetent, and the particular States It appears, however, under any contemplated change may not have a sufficient interest in the execution of works of the most essential advantage to other parts of the community. In other cases, where interest might be sufficiently operative, the means or the power may not be possessed, their territorial jurisdiction being limited short of the whole extent of the work. in the existing system, that the revenue would be sufficient to supply, after the present year, and during a state of peace, an annual appropriation of $600,000 for the purpose of internal improvement. That sum would constitute a fund capable of effecting many valuable objects of that kind; and, under prosperous Among many other objects of improvement in in- circumstances, the fund might be gradually argumented land navigation and roads, coming within the above in the proportion of the decrease of the public debt. description, the following appears to be recommended But, if it shall enter into the policy of Government to by their importance to the attention of Congress: 1st. authorize expenditures in execution of the works calCanals opening an inland navigation along the At-culated for public advantage and general convenience, lantic seacoast. 2d. A great turnpike road from North the same policy will direct to the provision of the to South. 3d. Turnpike roads forming communications means. For it cannot be doubted that the resources between the Atlantic and Western rivers. 4th. Mili- of the nation are amply sufficient, when brought in tary roads communicating with the frontier posts; and, aid of private means, to effect every object of improve5th. A canal around the Falls of Ohio, or opening the bed ment on roads and canals, that are of an extensive of the river at that place. nature, and of national concern. The present state of the national finances, and the effect which engaging in many expensive works at the same time would produce, in raising the price of labor, seems to point out the policy of applying the public means to one, or only a few of these objects, in the first instance. The difficulty and delicacy of selecting a particular object from among many others of acknowledged im The committee respectfully propose, that an annual appropriation be made, to constitute a fund for making roads and opening canals; that the fund shall be under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall, whenever authorized by Congress, subscribe for shares in the stock of companies incorporated for making artificial roads or opening canals, and shall pay out of the aforesaid fund the instalments as they become |