for obtaining complete and accurate statistical accounts of the foreign commerce of the United States, made a report, together with a bill to provide for obtaining accurate statements of the foreign commerce of the United States; and the report and bill were read, and the bill passed to the second reading.

Mr. ROBERTS presented the petition of Rebecca Mr. LowRIE presented the petition of the DisHodgson, widow of Joseph Hodgson, praying pay-trict and Circuit Judge, and others, praying the ment for the value of a certain house, which was times of holding the United States' Court in the consumed by fire whilst in the occupation of the Western District of Pennsylvania may be changed, Government of the United States, as the War as stated in the petition; which was read, and reOffice, in the City of Washington, in the year ferred to the Committee on the Judiciary. 1800, as stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee of Claims. The Senate adjourned to Monday morning.

consideration:

Resolved, That the Committee on Public Lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so altering the laws concerning the sale of public lands, as to divide the sections and fractions of sections into half-quarter sections; and, also, where lands have reverted to the United States for non-payment, to direct the sale thereof again at public auction, upon the same terms and conditions of all other public sales; and, also, that, from and after the day of , credit shall not be given on sales of public laud; but the same shall be sold for money only.

Mr. ROBERTS, from the committee appointed on the 16th instant, who were directed to ascertain whether convenient apartments could be had in the north wing of the Capitol for the accommodation of the committees and officers of the Senate, made a report; which was read.

Mr. TICHENOR presented the memorial of Mark Richards, of the State of Vermont, praying an

allowance of interest on a balance that was due and paid him, on a contract with the Secretary of with Great Britain, as stated in the memorial; War, for rations furnished during the late war which was read, and referred to the Committee of

Claims.

Mr. SANFORD presented the petition of Eli Hart, praying compensation for property destroyed by the enemy during the late war with Great Britain; and the petition was read, and referred to the Comtittee of Claims.

Mr. LANMAN presented the petition of Oliver Champlin, surveyor of New London, in the State of Connecticut, praying an increase of compensation for his services; and the petition was read, and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures.

On motion by Mr. ROBERTS, the Committee on the District of Columbia were instructed to inquire whether any legal provisions be necessary to provide for the accommodation of the courts of said District, in Washington county, and for the office of the clerk of that court.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 16th instant, for instructing the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire what provisions are necessary to give effect to the laws of the United States within the State of Alabama; and agreed thereto.

Mr. PLEASANTS presented the petition of the President and Directors of the Farmers' Bank of Alexandria, in the District of Columbia, praying an extension of their charter; and, also, of the President and Directors of the Union Bank of Alexandria, in said District, praying that the capital of the Farmers' Bank of Alexandria may be increased, so as to include their capital, and make one Bank, to be denominated the Farmers' Bank The Senate resumed the consideration of the of Alexandria; and the petitions were severally motion of the 16th instant, for directing the Comread, and referred to the Committee on the Dis-mittee on Pensions to inquire into the expediency trict of Columbia.

Mr. MELLEN asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill establishing a circuit court within and for the district of Maine; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading.

On request, Mr. Oris was excused from serving on the standing Committee on the Judiciary, and also for the District of Columbia.

of reviving the act of 1806, entitled "An act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary war," which expired at the close of the last session of Congress; and agreed thereto.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 16th instant, for instructing the Committee on Finance to inquire into the expeMr. SANFORD, from the Committee of Com-diency of altering the laws for appointing certain merce and Manufactures, who have considered the official statements which have been hitherto made, of the commerce of the United States with foreign countries, and the provisions which are requisite

officers; and agreed thereto.

The bill for the relief of John A. Dix was read the second time and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Reference of President's Message-Slave Trade.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motions of the 8th instant, and agreed thereto, as follows: Resolved. That so much of the Message of the Pre-contemplated by the law, and might be presumed, it sident of the United States as concerns our relations plicable to such seizures, for carrying the several proseemed proper to make the necessary regulations, ap. with Spain, be referred to the Committee on Foreign visions of the act into effect.

Resolved, That so much of the Message of the Pre-import of the law, that none of the persons thus taken sident of the United States as relates to manufactures, other than the coast of Africa, being designated, their should remain within the United States; and no place, be referred to the Committee of Commerce and Man-removal or delivery, whether carried from the United ufactures. they were taken, was supposed to be confined to that States, or landed immediately from the vessels in which whole coast was thought to be left open for the seleccoast. No settlement or station being specified, the

sident of the United States as relates to violations of our neutrality, be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Resolved, That so much of the Message of the Pre-tion of a proper place at which the persons thus taken sident of the United States as relates to the designation of particular ports for the admission of foreign ships of war and privateers, be referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

of Africa having been little explored, and no persons residing there who possessed the requisite qualifications to entitle them to the trust, being known to the Executive, to none such could it be committed. It was believed that citizens only, who would go hence well instructed in the views of their Government, and zealous to give them effect, would be competent to these duties, and that it was not the intention of the law to preclude their appointment. It was obvious that the longer these persons should be detained in the United States, in the hands of the marshal, the greater would be the expense, and that for the same term would the main purpose of the law be suspended. It seemed, therefore, to be incumbent on me to make the necessary arrangements for carrying this act into effect in Africa, in time to meet the delivery of any persons who might be taken by the public vessels and landed there under it.

DECEMBER, 1819.

the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Mr. BURRILL presented the petition of Joseph Aborn, surveyor of the port of Pawtuxet, within the district of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, praying additional compensation for his services; and the petition was read, and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures.

Mr. MORRIL presented the petition of Samuel F. Hooker, of the State of New York, praying indemnification for certain property captured and condemned by the enemy during the late war with Great Britain, as stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. ROBERTS, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the bill for the relief of Samuel Ward, reported the same without amendment.

Mr. ROBERTS, from the same committee, to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill for the relief of Eli Hart; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading.

Mr. EATON presented the petition of Thomas Hardeman, of Howard county, in the Missouri Territory, praying that his title to a certain tract of land, described in the petition, may be perfected; and the petition was read, and referred to the Com

mittee on Public Lands.

Mr. MELLEN presented the petition of Caleb B. Hall, and others, of Bucksport, in the county of Hancock, State of Massachusetts, and also the petition of Jonathan Stevens, and others, of Castine, in said State, praying that the sums paid by them respectively for certain duties, may be refunded; and the petitions were severally read, and referred to the Committee on Finance.

On this view of the policy and sanctions of the law, it has been decided to send a public ship to the coast of Africa, with two such agents, who will take with them tools, and other implements, necessary for the purposes above mentioned. To each of these agents a small salary has been allowed-fifteen hundred dollars to the principal and twelve hundred to the other. All our public agents on the coast of Africa receive salaries for their services, and it was understood that none of our citizens, possessing the requisite qualifications, would accept these trusts, by which they would be confined to parts the least frequented and civilized, without a reasonable compensation. Such allowance, therefore, seemed to be indispensable to the execution of the act. It is intended also to subject a portion of the sum appropriated, to the order of the principal agent, for the special objects above stated, amounting in the whole, including the salaries of the agents for one year, to rather less than one-third of the appropriation. Special instructions will be given to these agents, defining, in precise terms, their duties, in regard to the persons thus delivered to them; the disbursement of the money by the principal agent; and Resolved, That the Committee on Public Lands be his accountability for the same. They will also have instructed to inquire into the expediency of continupower to select the most suitable place, on the coasting in force the act entitled "An act to suspend, for a of Africa, at which all persons who may be taken limited time, the sale or forfeiture of lands for failure under this act shall be delivered to them, with an in completing the payments thereon," until the 31st express injunction to exercise no power founded on the principle of colonization, or other power than that of performing the benevolent offices above recited, by the permission and sanction of the existing Government under which they may establish themselves. Orders will be given to the commander of the public ship in which they will sail, to cruise along the coast, to give the more complete effect to the principal object of the act.

DECEMBER 17, 1819.
The Message was read.

JAMES MONROE.

TUESDAY, December 21.

Mr. SANFORD presented the memorial of John Delafield, of the city of New York, praying compensation for certain loan office certificates held by him, as stated in the memorial; which was read, and referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. MELLEN presented the petition of David Haynes and others, of Massachusetts, praying the establishment of a certain post route, as stated in

Mr. NOBLE submitted the following motion for consideration:

of March, 1822.

Mr. MACON presented the petition of Benjamin Putney, praying relief in consideration of his services in the Revolutionary war; and the petition was read, and referred to the Committee of Claims.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 20th instant, for instructing the Committee on Public Lands to inquire into the expe diency of altering the laws concerning the sale of public lands; and agreed thereto.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 20th instant, for directing the sale of the furniture lately in the use of the Senate. Whereupon, on motion,

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee on the Public Buildings, to report what disposition ought to be made of the furniture lately in the use of the Senate, and now not in use.

The bill establishing a circuit court within and for the district of Maine, was read a second time, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill authorizing

the purchase of a certain number of copies of the Declaration of Independence, published by John Binns; and the two first blanks having been filled, the first with "200," and the second with "nine," the bill was reported to the House; and ordered to be engrossed, and read a third time?"

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill for the relief of Matthew Barrow; and no amendment having been made thereto, it was reported to the House, and ordered to be engrossed and read a third time. The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee appointed on the 16th instant, who were directed to ascertain whether convenient apartments could be had in the north wing of the Capitol, for the accommodation of the committees and officers of the Senate; and the same having been agreed to, it was

Resolved, That the proper officers, with as little delay as possible, cause the enumerated eight rooms to be labelled, and furnished accordingly.

SENATE.

olutionary war, praying remuneration, in lieu of prize money, for his shares of certain ships captured, as stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. OTIS presented the petition of Samuel G. Perkins, and others, of Massachusetts, praying redress for an outrage committed by Henry Christophe, in seizing and confiscating a large amount of property in the ports of the Island of St. Domingo, under his dominion, by his decree of the 3d of January, 1811, as stated in the petition; which was read, and committed to the Committee of Foreign Relations.

Mr. WILLIAMS, of Mississippi, presented the memorial of the Legislature of the State of Mississippi, praying the establishment of a port of entry at or near the mouth of Pearl river; and also the petition of the inhabitants of Green, and of Jackson county, in the State of Mississippi, representing that the mouth of the Pascagoula river is the most suitable place for a port of entry and delivery in that State, and praying that it may be designated as such by the competent authority; and the memorial and petitions were severally read, and referred to the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures.

Mr. HUNTER, from the Committee for the District of Columbia, pursuant to instructions, reported a bill providing for the accommodation of the Circuit Court for the District of Columbia, in the county of Washington; and the bill was twice read, by unanimous consent, and considered as in Committee of the Whole, and no amendment having been made thereto, it was reported to the House, and ordered to be engrossed and read a third time. Mr. WALKER, of Georgia, presented the petition of Rebecca C. Appling, sister and legal representative of the late Colonel Daniel Appling, of the Army of the United States, deceased, praying that provision may be made by law, allowing the legal representative of Colonel Appling, and the officers and men who fought under him in the battle of Sandy Creek, the amount of the property captured; and the petition was read, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands to inquire into the expemittee of Claims.

Mr. SANFORD presented the petition of John Williamson, representing that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and now in indigence, and praying a pension, or some other relief, in consideration of his services; and the petition was read, and referred to the Committee on Pensions.

WEDNESDAY, December 22.

WILLIAM R. KING, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of Alabama, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the Senate.

Mr. SANFORD presented the memorial of Noah Brown, and others, in behalf of the owners of the private armed brig Warrior, praying that they may be indemnified from loss, in consequence of the malconduct of the clerk of the district court of New York, to whom had been paid, by the order of that court, the proceeds of the brig Dundee, which brig had been libelled and condemned as lawful prize, as stated in the memorial; which was read, and referred to the Committee of Claims.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 21st instant, for instructing the Com

diency of continuing in force the act, entitled "An act to suspend, for a limited time, the sale or forfeiture of lands for failure in completing the payments thereon," until the 31st of March, 1822; and agreed thereto.

The bill for the relief of Eli Hart was read the second time, and considered as in Committee of the Whole, and no amendment having been made, it was reported to the House, and ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

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

The bill for the relief of Matthew Barrow was read a third time, and passed.

The bill providing for the accommodation of the Circuit Court for the District of Columbia, in the county of Washington, was read a third time, and passed.

Mr. HUNTER presented the petition of Walter Channing, surviving partner of the house of Gibbs and Channing, of Newport, in the State of Rhode Island, praying restitution of a certain sum paid by them for duties on a quantity of saltpetre, imported in the ship Mount Hope, on the 3d of May, 1803, for reasons stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee on Finance. Mr. Oris presented the petition of James Warren, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, who was a lieutenant of marines on board the frigate Alliance, belonging to, and in the service of, the United The bill authorizing the purchase of a certain States, commanded by Peter Landais, in the Rev-number of copies of the Declaration of Independ

16th CoN. 1st SESS.-2

The bill authorizing a subscription for the eleventh and twelfth volumes of State Papers was read a third time, and the further consideration thereof postponed until Monday next.

Mr. ROBERTS presented the petition of David Mr. WILLIAMS, of Mississippi, from the compensation for a number of arms impressed into the Henly, late of Knoxville, Tennessee, praying committee to whom the subject was referred, reported service of the United States, as stated in the petia bill declaring the consent of Congress to the ad- tion; which was read, and referred to the Commission of the State of Maine into the Union; mittee of Claims. and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading.