FEBRUARY, 1817.

Alteration of the Journal.

SENATE.

quested to take the Chair, and the bill having who, having examined and ascertained the whole numbeen amended, the PRESIDENT resumed the Chair, ber of votes, presented a list thereof to the President and it was reported to the House accordingly; of the Senate, which was read as follows: and the amendments having been concurred in, on the question, "Shall this bill be engrossed and President. For Vice President. read a third time?" it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 29, nays 5, as follows:

The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee to whom was referred the motion submitted by Mr. FROMENTIN, on the New Hampshire 14th instant, with instructions in relation to the journal, as follows:

"That before the statement of the motion of Mr. Barbour, on which the question was taken by yeas and nays, on Thursday the 13th instant, as recorded in the journal of that day, it would be proper to state the reading of the entries, prepared by the Secretary of the Senate, for a journal of the preceding day, with reference to the counting of votes for President and Vice President of the United States.

"In the opinion of the Committee, a fair view of the question on which the yeas and nays were taken, may be presented in the following mode of stating the fact, viz:

"The entries prepared by the Secretary of the Senate for a journal of proceedings, on Wednesday the 12th instant, with reference to the counting of votes for President and Vice President of the United States, were read in the words following:

Massachusetts -
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Vermont
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania

James Monroe, of Virginia.

Daniel D. Tompkins, of N. Y.
John E. Howard, of Maryland.
James Ross, of Pennsylvania.

Rufus King, of New York.

John Marshall, of Virginia. Robert G. Harper, of Maryl'd.]

Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
North Carolina

South Carolina
Georgia
Kentucky
Tennessee

Ohio
Louisiana
Indiana

Total

4

34 183 22 5 4 3

"The whole number of votes being 217, of which 109 make a majority.

motion, which was read and considered:
"Whereupon, Mr. Barbour, submitted the following

"Resolved, That the Journal of the proceedings of with the service of counting the ballots for President the Senate on yesterday, so far as they are connected and Vice President of the United States, be made up in conformity to the precedents heretofore established in similar cases."

"The two Houses of Congress agreeably to the joint resolution, assembled in the Representatives' Chamber, and the certificates of the Electors of the several States, beginning with the State of New Hampshire, were, by the President of the Senate, opened and delivered to the tellers appointed for the purpose, by whom they were read, except the State of Indiana; and when the certificate of the Electors of that State was opened, an objection was made by Mr. Taylor, a member of the House of Representatives, from the State of New York, on the ground that the votes of the Electors of the State of Indiana, for President and Vice President of the United States, (having been given previous to the admission of that State into the Union) ought not to be received and counted." "Whereupon, on motion, by Mr. VARNUM, the Sen-being ate returned to their own Chamber; and the following message was received from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Dougherty their Clerk:

** Mr. President: The House of Representatives is ready to proceed to make out and complete a list of the votes for President and Vice President of the United States, in pursuance of the joint resolution of the 11th instant.'

"The two Houses of Congress having again assembled in the Representatives' Chamber, and the certificate of the Electors of the State of Indiana having been opened by the President of the Senate, was delivered to the tellers appointed for the purpose,

mined in the negative-yeas 12, nays 20.
On the question to agree thereto, it was deter-
On motion by Mr. DANA, the yeas and nays
desired by one fifth of the Senators present,
those who voted in the affirmative, are

Messrs. Chace, Dana, Fromentin, Lacock, Macon,
Noble, Ruggles, Sanford, Tait, Taylor, Tichenor, and
Varnum.

Those who voted in the negative, are

Messrs. Ashmun, Barbour, Brown, Daggett, Gaillard, Goldsborough, Hanson, Hardin, Horsey, Howell, Hunter, Mason of New Hampshire, Mason of Virginia, Morrow, Roberts, Smith, Stokes, Talbot, Williams, and Wilson.

And then, on motion, the Senate adjourned until to-morrow.

Mr. WILLIAMS, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill entitled "An act relating to the ransom of American captives of the late war," reported it without amendment.

Mr. WILLIAMS, from the same committee, to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill to secure in certain cases the bounty in land to the heirs of deceased soldiers; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading.

FEBRUARY, 1817.

concerning the navigation of the United States,"
having been reported by the committee correctly
engrossed, the bill was read a third time as
amended, and passed.

The Senate resumed, agreeably to the order of the day, the consideration of the motion of the 17th instant, for instructing the Committee on Military Affairs to report to the Senate a bill to reduce the Military Peace Establishment of the United States; and, on motion by Mr. WILLIAMS, the consideration thereof was further postMr. CAMPBELL, from the Committee of Fi-poned to and made the order of the day for Monnance, who were instructed by a resolution of the day next. 11th instant, reported a bill to continue in force an act, entitled "An act further to provide for the collection of duties on imports and tonnage," passed the 3d day of March, 1815, and for other purposes; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading.

Mr. CHACE, from the Committee on the Judiciary, who were instructed by a resolution of the 20th instant, reported a bill providing an additional compensation to the circuit judge of the sixth circuit of the United States; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading.

Mr. CAMPBELL, from the Committee on Finance, to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year 1817, reported it with amendments, which were read.

Mr. TAIT gave notice that to-morrow he should ask leave to bring in a bill altering the time for the next meeting of Congress.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act more effectually to preserve the neutral relations of the United States," together with the amendments reported thereto by the Committee on Foreign Relations; and, on motion by Mr. BARBOUR, the bill was recommitted to the Committee on Foreign Relations, further to consider and report thereon.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill for the relief of Sarah Dewees, and no amendment having been agreed to, the PRESIDENT reported the bill to the House, and it was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed The PRESIDENT communicated a letter from a bill entitled "An act repealing the act, entitled the Secretary of the Navy Department, trans-An act for the safekeeping and accommodation mitting, for the use of the members of the Senate, of prisoners of war,' passed July 6, 1812;" a bill fifty copies of the Register of the Officers of the entitled "An act making provision for the support Navy of the United States, in conformity with of the Military Establishment for the year 1817," the resolution of December 11th, 1815; and the a bill entitled "An act making additional approletter was read. priations to defray the expenses of the army and militia during the late war with Great Britain ;" a bill entitled "An act supplementary to an act entitled 'An act further to amend the several acts for the establishment and regulation of the Treasury, War, and Navy Departments;" a bill, entitled "An act freeing from postage all letters and packets to and from James Madison;" a bill entitled "An act to authorize the extension of the Columbia turnpike road within the District of Columbia ;" a bill entitled "An act concerning the compensation of the district attorney for the district of Massachusetts;" also a bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of the Navy of the United States for the year 1817," in which bills they request the concurrence of the Senate.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred the memorial of Edward Shubrick and others, officers of the late United States brig Chippewa. Whereupon,

Resolved, That the memorialists have leave to withdraw their memorial.

The bill to divide the State of Pennsylvania into two judicial districts, was read the second time.

The bill for the relief of the legal representatives of John J. Yarnall, was read the second time.

The bill to establish a separate Territorial government for the eastern part of the Mississippi Territory, was read a third time, and passed.

The bill to set apart and dispose of certain public lands for the encouragement of the cultivation of the vine, and other exotic plants thereon, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, was read a third time.

Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be, "An act to set apart and dispose of certain public lands for the encouragement of the cultivation of the vine and olive."

The amendments to the bill, entitled "An act

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

The bill entitled "An act repealing the act entitled 'An act for the safekeeping and accommodation of prisoners of war,' passed July the 6th, 1812," was read the second time by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, to consider and report thereon.

The bill entitled "An act making provision for the support of the Military Establishment for the year 1817," was read the second time by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on Finance, to consider and report thereon.

The bill entitled "An act making additional appropriations to defray the expenses of the army Mr. WILLIAMS, from the Committee on Miliand militia during the late war with Great Brit-itary Affairs, who were instructed by a resolution ain," was read the second time by unanimous con- of the 5th instant, reported a bill to amend "An sent, and referred to the committee last mentioned, act for organizing the General Staff, and making to consider and report thereon. further provision for the Army of the United States;" and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading.

Mr. MASON, of Virginia, from the Committee on the District of Columbia, to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill to incorporate the subscribers to certain banks within the District of Columbia; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading.

Mr. MASON, from the same committee, asked and obtained leave to report a bill to extend the Com-charters of certain banks within the District of Columbia, and for other purposes; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading.

Mr. WILSON presented the petition of George Rowles, praying relief in consideration of his having been maimed while in the public service, in the Ordnance Department; and the petition was read, and referred to the Committee on Pensions, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise.

Agreeably to notice, Mr. TAIT asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill to alter the time for the next meeting of Congress; and the bill was re-read, and passed to the second reading.

the sale of certain lands therein described; and no amendment having been made thereto, the PRESIDENT reported the bill to the House, and it was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act supplementary to an act, entitled 'An act concerning the Naval Establishment;" and no amendment having been made thereto, the PRESIDENT reported it to the House, and it passed to a third reading.

The bill to provide for the purchase and distribution of the laws of the United States, was read a third time, the blank filled with "800," and passed.

The bill for the benefit of the legal representatives of Francis Cazeau, late merchant of Montreal, was read a third time, and passed.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act to set apart and pledge, as a permanent fund for internal improvements, the bonus of the National Bank, and the United States share of its dividends."

On motion, by Mr. DAGGETT, the further consideration thereof was postponed to, and made the order of the day for, Tuesday next.

FEBRUARY, 1817.

ed it to the House, and the bill was ordered to be
engrossed, and read a third time.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the
Whole, the consideration of the resolution direct-
ing a building to be erected for the use of the Li-
brary of Congress; and, no amendment having
been made thereto, the PRESIDENT reported it to
the House; and on the question, "Shall this res-
olution be engrossed, and read a third time?" it
was determined in the negative.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act concerning invalid pensioners;" a bill, entitled "An act to amend an act entitled 'An act making further provision for military services during the late war, and for other purposes;" also a bill, entitled "An act respecting the pay and emoluments of certain officers of the Army of the United States;" in which bills they request the concurrence of the Senate. They have also passed the bill which originated in the Senate, entitled "An act granting a pension to Commodore Richard Taylor," with amendments; in which they request the concurrence of the Senate.

On motion, the Senate proceeded to consider the amendments of the House of Representatives to the bill last mentioned, and concurred therein.

The three bills last brought up for concurrence were read, and they severally passed to the second

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Park Holland;" and no amend-reading. ment having been made thereto, the PRESIDENT reported it to the House, and it passed to a third reading.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill entitled, "An act to amend the act authorizing the payment for property lost, captured, or destroyed by the enemy while in the military service of the United States, and for other purposes, passed the ninth of April, 1816," together with the amendments reported thereto by the select committee; and on motion, by Mr. SANFORD, the further consideration thereof was postponed until Monday next.

The bill for the relief of Sarah Dewees was read a third time, and the blank filled with "9,079 80-106."

On the question, "Shall this bill pass ?" it was determined in the negative.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill to provide for the punishment of crimes and offences committed within the Indian boundaries, together with the amendments reported thereto by the Committee on the Judiciary; and, the amendments having been agreed to, the PRESIDENT reported the bill to the House accordingly; and, the amendments having been concurred in, the bill was ordered to be engrossed, and read a third time.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill authorizing vessels departing from the town of the Bayou St. John, and the basin of the Canal De Carondelet, for foreign ports, to clear out at the custom-house in the city of New Orleans; and, no amendment having been made thereto, the PRESIDENT report

On motion by Mr. GOLDSBOROUGH, the Acting Secretary of War was requested to lay before the Senate the probable amount of the claim of the State of Maryland, for military services during the late war, and such information as he may be in possession of on the subject.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill in addition to an act, entitled "An act for the more convenient taking of affidavits and bail in civil causes, depending in the courts of the United States;" and, no amendments having been made thereto, the PRESIDENT reported the bill to the House, and it was ordered to be engrossed, and read a third time.

Mr. CAMPBELL, from the Committee on Finance, communicated the correspondence with the Secretary of the Treasury, on the subject of the national currency; which was read, and ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the
Whole, the consideration of the bill to divide the
State of Pennsylvania into two judicial districts;
and, no amendment having been made thereto, the
PRESIDENT reported it to the House, and it was
ordered to be engrossed, and read a third time.

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

State, complying with their resolution of the 20th inst.
I transmit to the Senate a report of the Secretary of

FEBRUARY 22, 1817.

JAMES MADISON.

The Message and report therein mentioned

Mr. WILSON, from the same committee, who were instructed, by a resolution of the Senate, to inquire into the expediency of increasing the comsit-pensation of the postmaster at Newark, New Jersey, reported the following resolution; which was

Resolved, That it is inexpedient to increase the compensation of the postmaster at Newark, in New Jersey.

Mr. VARNUM gave notice that, at the next ting of the Senate, he should ask leave to bring in a bill, authorizing a subscription for the print-read: ing of the tenth volume of the public documents. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill for the relief of the legal representatives of John J. Yarnall; and, no amendment having been made thereto, the PRESIDENT reported it to the House, and it was ordered to be engrossed, and read a third time. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act relating to the ransom of American captives of the late war ;" and, no amendment having been made thereto, the PRESIDENT reported it to the House, and it passed to a third reading.

The bill to continue in force "An act further to provide for the collection of duties on imports and tonnage," passed the third day of March, 1815, and for other purposes, was read the second time.

The bill, entitled "An act respecting the pay and emoluments of certain officers of the Army of the United States," was read the second time, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, to consider and report thereon.

The bill, entitled "An act to amend an act entitled 'An act making further provision for miliservices during the late war, and for other purposes," was read the second time, and referred to the same committee to consider and report thereon.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of Gov-tary ernment for the year 1817," together with the amendments reported thereto by the Committee on Finance; and the amendments having been agreed to, with further amendments, on motion by Mr. CAMPBELL, the further consideration thereof was postponed until Monday next.

Mr. WILLIAMS gave notice that, at the next sitting of the Senate, he should ask leave to bring in a bill compensating Peter Hagner.

Mr. SANFORD presented the petition of Nicholas Boom, who was a private in the Army of the United States during the Revolutionary war, and praying a pension in consideration of his services and sufferings, as stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee on Pensions, to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise.

MONDAY, February 24.

The PRESIDENT Communicated a report of the Acting Secretary of the Department of War, showing the expenditure of the moneys appropriated for the contingent expenses of the Military Establishment, for the year 1816; and the report was read.

The PRESIDENT also communicated a letter from Governor Plumer, presenting to the Senate a map of New Hampshire, in compliance with a resolution of the Legislature of that State; and the letter was read.

Mr. CHACE, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act concerning the compensation of the district

The bill, entitled "An act concerning invalid pensioners," was read the second time, and referred to the Committee on Pensions, to consider and report thereon.

Mr. MORROW submitted sundry documents in relation to Malyne Baker. Whereupon, on motion by Mr. MORROW, the Committee on Pensions were instructed to inquire into the expediency of placing Malyne Baker, of the State of Ohio, on the list of invalid pensioners.

The bill to extend the charters of certain banks in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes, was read the second time.

On motion, by Mr. HARDIN, it was agreed to suspend the 11th rule for conducting business in the Senate:

Whereupon, Mr. HARDIN asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill to prevent the discontinuance of the business of the Supreme Court in certain cases; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading.

The bill to amend an act for organizing the General Staff, and making further provision for the Army of the United States, was read the second time.

The bill to alter the time for the next meeting of Congress was read the second time.

The bill to provide for the punishment of crimes and offences committed within the Indian boundaries, was read a third time.

On the question, "Shall this bill pass ?" it was