The motion submitted by Mr. Bassett, of Va. to amend the rules of the house, was taken up and agreed to. [The question of consideration, which has heretofore been a matter of much contention in the house, in the days of party conflict, is thus expunged from the rules of the house.]

red the resolution of the house of representatives. of the 8th inst. requesting the president to lay be fore the house any information he may possess, and think proper to communicate, relative to the proceedings of certain persons who took possession of Amelia island, at the mouth of St. Mary's river, in On notion of Mr. Edwards, of North Carolina, the summer of the present year, and made an estabthe committee on public lands were instructed to lishment there; and relative to a similar establishenquire what further provisions are necessary in the ment, previously made at Galvezton, has the honor existing laws, for the more effectual prevention of to submit to the president the accompanying papers frauds by the purchasers of the public lands. containing the information received at the respecOn motion of Mr. M Lane, of Del. the committee tive departments of state, the treasury and the na on so much of the message of the president, as re-vy upon the subjects embraced in the resolution. lates to roads and canals, were instructed to en- [On this the National Intelligencer observes.-The quire into the expediency of authorizing the secre- documents respect ng affairs at Amelia Island and tary of the treasury of the United States to sub- Galvezton were yesterday transmitted to the house scribe for stock in the company incorporated under of representatives by the president. Consisting of the name and style of the Chesapeake and Delaware a voluminous compilation of correspondence from canal company, or any other company now, or here- officers of government and others in the neighborafter to be, incorporated for similar purpose, to be hood of those depots, the papers were not read, paid by the appropriation of the public lands, or by but ordered to be printed. They shall be laid beany surplus money in the treasury of the United fore our readers as early as practicable. They States. afford, in a more authentic shape, judging from a [The rest of the business transacted is not of gene hasty glance at them, information of nearly the ral importance, or will be noticed in its progress. This same character as that already received by the pubremark will generally apply to our accounts of the pro-lic through the medium of the newspapers.] ceedings in congress.]

Monday, Dec. 15—Mr. Tucker, of Va. from the committee to whom was referred so much of the message of the president of the United States as relates to the subject of internal improvements, made a long and elaborate report, concluding with the following resolution:

The report was read, and referred to a commit

tee of the whole.

Mr. Robertson, of Louisiana, offered the following resolution to the house:

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire into the expediency of providing by law for the exercise of the right of expatriation; and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Robertson said, that for a very considerable Resolved, That, in order to promote and give se length of time he had wished this question to be curity to the internal commerce among the several decided by that tribunal to whom the decision of states; to facilitate the safe and expeditious trans- it belonged. He had, some years ago, offered a portation of the mails by the improvement of post resolution similar to this, which was then not roads with the assent of the respective states; to adopted; whether on account of the war in which render more easy and less expensive the means and we were then engaged, or for what other consideraprovisions necessary for the common defence, by tions he had never been able to decide. The ques the construction of military roads, with the like as- tion which had arisen during the late war made sent of the respective states; and for such other a decision of it necessary.. It would be well recolinternal improvements as may be within the consti-lected, that, among the soldiers of the United tutional powers of the general government, it is ex- States were many individuals, natives of Great Bri pedient that the sum to be paid to the United tain, who were taken prisoners of war, and, accordStates by the 20th section of the act to incorporate ing to the doctrine of the British government, an the subscribers to the bank of the United States, and odious doctrine, reprobated, he believed, by every the dividends which shall arise from their shares in other government, were treated as traitors fighting its capital stock, be constituted as a fund for inter-against their government; and that, if this connal improvement. struction had been consummated, our government had menaced severe retaliation. But, with what consistency could the United States take the {this is really a very important report, and seems ground of retaliation, when they themselves had intended to try the question in respect to internal im- never recognized, in regard to our citizens, what provement, in a manner different from that suggested we demanded of Great Britain in regard to her's! in the president's message. It is very possible that two So far as proceedings have been had on this point, thirds of both houses may agree to pass such a law, Mr. R. said he was led to believe this right had and thus defeat the pre determined veto of the presi-been denied to our citizens. He would not dwell dent.] on the particulars of the decision on this subject by Judge Ellsworth some years ago, but merely state that Isaac Williams, a citizen of the United States, became a citizen of the French republic, and was To the house of representatives. thereafter fined and imprisoned, by the decision of In compliance with the resolution of the house of our courts, for making war on Great Britain, on the representatives of the 8th of this month, I transmit, ground, that he could not divest himself of the alfor the information of this house, a report from the legiance he owed the United States. It was certainsecretary of state, with the documents referred by proper, Mr. R. said that there should be some to in it, containing all the information of the ex-decision of the legislature on a question of this na ecutive, which it is proper to disclose, relative to ture anu magnitude, which at present depended on certain persons who lately took possession of Ame-the opinions of the judiciary; and, as far as acts of lia island and Galvezton. JAMES MONROE. Washington, Dec. 15, 1817.

The following message was received from the president of the United States, by Mr. J. J. Monroe, his secretary:

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Dec. 13, 1817.

congress can regulate judicial opinions, that such directions should be given on this head as he thought were obviously just and necessary. He ha

The secretary of state, to whom has been refer- | thought proper to make these remarks because, al

A debate of some length arose on this bill, and particularly on it details, which did not, however, result in any final decision.

though he believed the right to be clear, and that than half would commute for money, say 25,000; the government would maintain it as they ought to pay this number the proposed, commutation to do, if they possessed the respect which is profes- would require five millions of dollars, or 1,250,000, sed for the principles of liberty and for civil rights annually, for four years, which mode of payment →a decision of the legislature on the subject was had been selected, as well with a view to the benemore important at this moment, from considerations fit of the soldiers as to the relief of the treasury. growing out of the present relations between the The committee, he said, had no doubt but the anUnited States and foreign nations. By the existing nual proceeds from the very land commuted would treaty with Spain, a citizen of the United States, be sufficient to defray the whole amount; which holding a commission under any government at war would remove all objections of a financial nature with Spain, whilst we are at peace with her, is con and he was not aware of any other. The measidered as a pirate. This extraordinary provision sure, he hoped, would have the effect of cutting off of the treaty must have escaped the attention of all speculation, of which there was so much comthat power in our government which makes treaties, plaint, and by which the soldier was deprived of or it would have been rejected, as well for its cruel-his rights under the influence of his necessities. ty as because it is an act of legislation to define and punish piracies, and not a power confided to the treaty-making authority. To say nothing more Mr. Holmes doubted the policy of the bill, and of that, however, Mr. R. observed, that he deemed it necessary to protect the citizens of the United expressed his fears that the speculator rather than States from punishment, due only to piracy, when the soldier would receive the benefit of it. Me. found with commissions in their hands from any Clay held an opinion directly oposite to that of government at war with Spain. He wished to see Mr. H. and supported the bill with much zeal. our citizens at perfect liberty, to become citizens of He did not, however, entirely approve of the details what nation they chose, on such terms as that na of the bill; to which he moved amendments, going tion should prescribe. It would appear, moreover, to exclude any but original grantees from the benefrom what he had said, Mr. R remarked, that there fit of the provision, and reducing the commutation was not that neutrality in our conduct towards the to one hundred dollars for every 160 acres, and two two parties, in the war between Spain and her colo-hundred dollars for every 320. These amendments, nics, which we all profess. In this respect the par- however, he waved for the present, to give place to ties were certainly not on the same footing; since a a motion to strike out the first section of the bill, citizen of the United States in the employ of Spain in order to try the principle of the bill. against the colonies is not considered as a pirate, A motion was made to strike out the first secbut, engaged in the service of the colonies against tion of the bill. Spain, he is. He did not know that this fact would have induced him to have brought the question before the house, but for the deep impression he felt of the justice and propriety of adopting the principle, abstracted from the existing state of things. But it was the more necessary to reduce the principle to legislation, because of the situation in which the want of it has placed us in regard to foreign nations.

The motion of Mr. Robertson was adopted without opposition, and without a division.

lution:

After considerable discussion-the committee rose, reported progress, and had leave to sit again. Adjourned.

Tuesday, December 16-Mr. Rhea of Tennessee, offered for consideration the following resolution:

Resolved, That the committee on pensions and and revolutionary claims be instructed to enquire into the expediency of suspending, for one year so much of the act, entitled "an act making further provisions for the support of the public credit and for the redemption of the public debt," passed the Mr. Harrison, of Ohio, offered the following reso-third day of March, 1795, as bars from settlement or allowance, certificates, commonly called loan Resolved, That the committee on military affairs office and final settlement certificates, and indents be and they are hereby instructed to enquire into of interest. After some spirited remarks from Mr. Rhea, the the expediency of continuing the pensions which now are or have been heretofore allowed to the wiresolution was agreed to without a division. dows and orphans of the officers and soldiers who were killed or wounded in service of the late war, for a term of five years beyond the periods when they shall respectively cease under existing laws. (Mr. H. introduced the preceding resolution by a speech of considerable length, and with handsome effect--it passed without opposition.)

The house then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Bassett in the chair, on the bill for the commutation of soldiers' pay.

Mr. Scott, delegate from Missouri, submitted a resolution which had for its object the regulation and leasing of the public lead mines in that territory-and another for leasing the public salines.

Mr. Bassett of Virginia, submitted for considera. tion the following proposition:

Resolved, by the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America, in congress assembled, That the daily compensation of members of the senate and house of representatives, and delegates from territories, shall (until further provided for by law) be the same as in the year 1813.

On the question, "will the house now consider this resolution?" which the speaker, in this instance, thought proper to put, the house decided in the ne gative.

Mr. Johnson, of Ky. as chairman of the military committee, stated a number of facts bearing on the subject of the bill. The number of men in the service at the close of the war was ascertained to have been 34,000; the number who died in service or were killed in battle was estimated at about 17,000; making in the whole about 50,000 soldiers (and heirs of soldiers) entitled to the bounty in On motion of Mr. Whitman, of Mass. it was land. For this number eight millions of acres would be required. But it was a number overra- Resolved, That the committee on pensions and ted; and he did not believe that 40,000 would come revolutionary claims be directed to enquire into forward to claim the land bounty. Of the whole the expediency of continuing the pensions granted number of 50,000, he calculated that not more to invalids of the army who served in the late war,

So the house refused to take Mr. Bassett's mo tion into consideration.

in case of their decease before the expiration of] the term of five years from the time of granting the same, to the widow or children of such deceased invalid, if any he has left or shall leave, to the end of the said term.

Mr. Wendover submitted for consideration the following resolution:

2,611,376 20

$10,925,191 62

The funds out of which the appropiations for the year 1818 may be discharged, are the following:

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire into the expediency of altering the flag of the United States, and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise. Mr. W. said, in submitting this motion, that he 1, The sum of $6,000,000, annually reserved by should make but few remarks on this subject, not the act of the 4th August, 1790, out of the Duties being a novel one; a bill relative thereto having and Customs, towards the expenses of governbeen reported at the last session, but laid overment. from the pressure of business deemed of more im- 2. The proceeds of the Stamp Duties, and the portance. Had tlie flag of the United States never duty on Sugar refined within the United States. have undergone an alteration, he certainly should 3. The surplus which may remain of the Customs not, he said, propose to make a further alteration and Internal Duties, after satisfying the pledge for in it. But, having been altered once, he thought which they are pledged and appropriated. it necessary and proper that an alteration should now be made. It was his impression, and he thought it was generally believed, that the flag would be essentially injured by an alteration on the same principle as that which had before been made, of increasing the stripes and the stars. Mr. W stated the incongruity of the flags in general use (except those in the navy) not agreeing with the law, and greatly varying from each other. He instanced the flags flying over the building in which congress sat and that at the navy yard; one of which contained nine stripes, the other eighteen, and neither of them conformnable to the law. It was of some Importance, he conceived, that the flag of the na-ed to be printed: tion should be designated with precision, and that the practice under the law should be conformed to Its requisitions.

The motion was agreed to without opposition. The house restined the consideration, in committee of the whole, Mr. Bassett in the chair, on the bill for the commutation of soldiers' pay:

The question being on striking out the first section of the bill

4. Any other unappropriated money which may come into the Treasury during the year 1818. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your most obedient servant, WM. H. CRAWFORD.

The Hon. the Speaker

of the House of Representatives. The Speuker also presented to the House a report from the Department of State on the petition of sundry inhabitants of the District of Detroit, in the Territory of Michigan, respecting losses incr red during the invasion of 1812, by the British, which was referred to a select committee, and order

On motion of Mr. Holmes, of Mass.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire into the expediency of providing by law for the pay of the members of the senate and house of representatives and the deputies from the terri tories of the United States-and that the said committee have leave to report by bill or otherwise,

Mr, Livermore proposed that this resolution should be referred to a committee of twenty members, one from each state. But he withdrew it, and the usual number was ordered to be appointed.

After several other resolutions had been received

A debate of much length ensued-it resulted in no final decision of the question; before coming to which, the committee rose, reported progress and asked leave to sit again. In the course of the debate,The House then again resolved itself into a comMr, Clay read a long amendment of detail, which he intended to submit, should the notion to strike out the first section of the bill not prevail.

After the committee rose Mr. Sergeant, desiring leave to sit again to be refused to the committee, signified is intention, in that event, to move a recommitment of the bill, with instructions to the committee to report a bill authorizing commutation of the land bounty for a pension during life.

This suggestion was overruled for the present, by the house granting leave to the committee to sit again.

And the house adjourned.

mittee of the whole, Mr. Bassett in the chair, on the bill to provide for commuting the bounty lands of the soldiers of the late army-the motion to strike out the first section being still under consideration,

The debate was resumed, and continued to a late hour, in which Messrs: Ball, Colston, Livermore, Storrs, Holmes, of Ms. and Beecher, spoke against the bill, and Messrs. Anderson, of Ky. Baldwin, Harrison, Clay and Johnson, of Ky. advocated it.

In conclusion, Mr. Clay remarked, that as, with the view of trying the principle of the bill, the motion was made to strike out the first section, he had prepared a substitute which he believed would

Wednesday, Dec. 17.—Mr. Bryan, of North Caro-obviate many of the objections which had been Tima, appeared and took his seat.

The Speaker laid before the House the following communication from the Treasury Department, which was ordered to be printed, with the accompanying documents :

Treasury Department, December 17th, 1817. STR-I have the honor to transmit herewith for the information of the House of Representatives, án estimate of the appropriations for the service of the year 1818, amounting to $10,925,191 62, viz: For the Civil List 1,070,708 02 490,368 51 487,666 64

Miscellaneous Expenses, Intercourse with foreign nations,

urged against it-he suggested to the gentleman (Mr. Holmes) who moved to strike out the first section the propriety of withdrawing that motion, so as to give him (Mr. Clay) an opportunity of presenting his amendment to the consideration of the committee.

Mr. Holmes, desirous of giving the friends of the bill every opportunity of making it acceptable to the house, withdrew his motion to strike out the first section; when.

Mr. Clay offered a substitute by way of amendment, embracing various provisions varying in many points from the original bill. The amendment hav

ing been read, the committee rose, reported pro- men!"--but it occupies about eleven 8vo pages, and gress, and obtained leave to sit again-the house must, reluctantly, be laid over for our next-the having previously ordered Mr. Clay's amendment resolution attached to it is inserted in the preced. to be printed. ing matter.

The amendments of the senate to the bill to abolish the internal taxes, were taken up and severally agreed to; so that the bill now wants. only the approbation of the president to become a law.

CHRONICLE.

Gen. Gaines, having arrived at the Flint river, sent a friendly message to the Indian Thursday, Dec. 18. After receiving and deter-chief on the opposite side, which he would not mining on several resolutions, &c. offered, some of listen to. A small detachment under maj. Twigge which will be noticed in their progress, the house then crossed, the indians fired upon them, and the again resolved itself into a committee of the whole fire was returned. The Indians left four killed on the bill for the commutation of soldiers' pay-on the field and fled-we suffered no loss. The The question was taken on agreeing to the official letter from gen. Gaines is in type, but we amendment of detail (being a substitute for the cannot squeeze it in; an industrious congress occubill before the committee) proposed by Mr. Clay; pying more space than we expected. But this letand decided affirmatively, 96 gentlemen rising inter with other neglected matter shall be preserved. The Savannah Republican, of the 9th instant,

its favor.

The amendment of Mr. Clay being then open for gives a report that Woodb ne has arrived at Pensaamendment, was read over for that purpose. Mr. T M. Nelson, having moved to fill the blank for the amount of commutation with 160 dollars for one dollar per acre)—

The question was decided in the negative, by majority of about 20 votes.

a

cola from New-Providence with an expedition fitted out at that place; that he is accompanied by MacGregor, and has enlisted a considerable number of Indians and blacks in his service. We hope it may be the fortune of gen. Gaines to catch the wretch that has cost us the lives of hundreds of women Mr Claiborne, of Tenn. on the principle, that if and children, that he may be tried and punished as the bill passed (to which, however, he was alto a murderer, as he deserves. We cannot believe that gether opposed) the government ought not to spe- he has any authority from the British government eulate on the soldier, by giving him less than its for his proceedings since the peace; and whether own price for the same article, moved to fill the he has or has not, his infamous career should be blank with 320 dollars, or two dollars per acre. stopped. Negatived, ayes 25.

Mr. Cobb, of Geo. having moved to fill the blank with 120 dollars, (or 75 cents per acre) it was deoided in the negative, ayes 48.

Mr. Harrison, of Ohio, moved 130, and Mr. Little, of Md. 150; both of which were negatived.

Maj. Christopher Van de Venter, of the army, has been appointed chief clerk, in the department of war, vice Mr. John Graham, resigned.

The legislature of Vermont, in granting a bank at Windsor, have exacted of the stockholders a bonus of 1000 dollars for the first year, and 1500 dollars for every subsequent year.

Mr. Clay then moved to fill the blank with the sum, originally proposed by him, of one hundred The rev. Dr. Ambrose Mareschal has been condollars, though he confessed he should have pre-secrated Roman catholic arch-bishop of Baltimore, ferred one dollar per acre. He was under the im- Bishop Cheverous, of Boston, and bishop Conally, pression, however, that the bill had a better chance of New York, performed the ceremony on Sunday to pass in this shape than with a higher sum, and it last. would yet produce much good.

On this question the house divided thus:

For the motion,

Against it,

75
78

The city council of Charleston have appointed a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God for restoring to that city its ordinary state of health.

The celebrated Harmony society, which lately

A second count being called, the vote stood thus: emigrated from Pennsylvania to Indian, and are

For the motion,

Against it,

84
67

delightfully seated on the Wabash, have recently received eighty additional members from Germany decid--1000 are expected.

The amount of commutation was therefore ed to stand at one hundred dollars for one hundred and sixty acres.

The committee proceeded in the consideration of the bill, and made thereto a variety of amendments, on which much desultory debate took place, little interesting, it is presumed, to the general reader, and which is therefore not noted.

The question being stated, "Shall the committee rise and report the bill?"

Mr. Whitman, of Mass. assigned the reasons which would induce him to oppose the bill.

On motion of Mr. Spencer, of New York, the committee rose, reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again.

And the house adjourned at 4 o'clock.

The U. S. ship Alert has arrived at Washington city from Norfolk.

Gen. Ripley has arrived at Philadelphia from New Orleans, on his way to the seat of government.

A special session of the circuit court of the United States was opened at Philadelphia on the 15th inst. for the trial of the British officers charged with a misdemeanor in violating the neutral rela tions of the United States, by attempting to pass to South America to aid the patriots. The grand jury returned the bills ignoramus, and the officers were discharged.

The steam boat Massachusetts has departed from Salem "on a voyage for North Carolina or Mobile."

Constitutional amendment.-We regret to learn Yesterday (Friday evening) a friend in con- that the amendment recommended by the legisgress furnished us with a copy of "a report in lature of New-Jersey, at its session last winter, to part of the committee of the house of representa the constitution of the United States, providing for tives of the United States, on so much of the presidistricting the several states for the election of redent's message as relates to roads, canals and semi-presentatives to congress, &c. has been rejected in aries of learning." It is truly an "important docu- Rhode Island and Vermont,

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THE PAST--THE PRESENT FOR THE FUTURE.

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Services of Militia. immediate vicinity of their homes and where The militia of a free state is justly regarded they, of course, possessed every possible acas the natural bulwark of the civil and religi-commodation. In this light service, as some ous rights of its people-as the best and safest may esteem it, we lost quite as many men as defence against sudden invasion from abroad, were killed (on our side) in the battles of Biand as the only faithful barrier to domestic densburg and at North-Point,-by diseases ⚫ncroachment. The armed citiz cannot gendered from the new condition in which our easily be made a slave: a sense of the duty that citizens were placed. Yet the regular soldiers he owes to the law and to his country in the at the fort were healthy;* either because they time of its need, teaches him obedience, and he had learnt how to live, or were compelled to yields himself up to those whose province it is live according to certain rules which military to command him, for the time being-but he men know must be observed to prevent di still reasons upon the fitness of the things re-sease and death in the service. The ever-to-bequired of him, and, when his period of service lamented PIKE disciplined the 15th regiment is ended, carries the result of that reasoning, to every thing--he began by teaching his raw together with his experience in the business of officers and men how to make their fi.es-then a soldier, into the mass of the people and adds how to cook their victuals, how to drink, how them to the common stock of intelligence and to sleep, &c.-nothing was too minute or apforce. And, perhaps, the restraints that he parently too trifling to be unworthy of the atsuffered in his military character may also tention of that inestimable soldier. What was cause him more dearly to estimate the rights the consequence? His regiment was healthy that belong to him as a citizen: because he is and robust, and his men were very soon presensible that as a government gains power the pared for any service that might be required people must suffer restraint. Rome did not of them. Disease, that mowed down the ranks lose her liberty until the jealousy of her rulers of other regiments, found a barrier in the disdeprived the people of the use of arms: faction cipline of his. And, further, this fact soon and the spirit of party, it is true, often caused occurred-that while other troops which rethe government to assume a shape as hateful as ceived the same quantity and quality of prothat of an absolute monarchy could easily do; visions as were distributed to the 15th regi but yet the body of the population-that por-nent, were in a state approaching starvation, tion which had no active participation in the his men had an abundance-and a va iety that feuds of those factions, retained a very consi-was astonishing. Initiated into the art of cookderable portion of their natural rights until ing their victuals, they soon had bread and the line was clearly and determinately drawn meat to spare, which they sold or bartered for between the soldier and the citizen; and the vegetables, and additionally obtained some of former, in a mere mercenary animal, lost the the little luxuries of the table. All this resulted habits of thinking and acting as a MAN: then because Pike was himself a soldier; brought up came the declension and fall of that once most in camps, and every way skilled in the duties powerful nation. and requirements of the profession of arnis. But, with all its important and imposing attention in others-with the continually en The want of such knowledge, industry and character, the embodying of a militia force, hodying and discharging of the militia (ever the only force that can be tolerated with safety furnishing fresh victims) probably cost us mo e by a free people, in times of peace (except to men, in the late war, than have been killed in a very limitted extent) is terribly destructive of battle, or who have died in consequence of human hfe-much more so than occurs in re- wounds received therein, in all the affairs that gular armies. It is the great misfortune at- have taken place in the country that now forms tending it, that by the time when the citizen the United States, from its first discovery until has learnt how to live as a soldier, and has this time, in which white people were on either been made efficient through discipline, that his aide engaged. It is fearful to calculate the loss duties are at an end; and others continually at certain posts where the militia were assemsucceed him who require the same course of bled.

instruction and of experience that he did,

in obtaining which so many of his comrades The fact is, that we were wretchedly ignouselessly perished. In the summer of 1815, rant of almost every thing that belonged to a the altimore brigade, (by detachments of a *The like of this happene! every where. When regiment at a time, for a week's service) for a the militia were dying by scores, the regulars were few weeks, did duty at Fort McHenry-in the healthy.

VOL. XIII

18.