On motion, The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock on Monday morning. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26th, 1816. The President communicated a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, accompanied with a statement of the emoluments of the officers employed in the collection of the customs, for the year 1815; which were read. The President also communicated a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, on the petition of John Holker, made in obedience to the resolution of the Senate, of the 9th ultimo; and the report was read. On motion by Mr. Tait, Ordered, That the committee on naval affairs, to whom was referred the memorial of Thomas Ap Catesby Jones, a lieutenant in the navy, of Robert Jones and others, and of Joseph Henry and others, be discharged from the further consideration thereof respectively; and that they have leave to withdraw their memorials. On request, Mr. Barbour had leave of absence for two weeks. Mr. Roberts presented the petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the city of Washington, representing that great delay and injury is experienced, from not having a port of entry therein; and the petition was read. On motion by Mr. Roberts, Ordered, That it be 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; to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise. Mr. Roberts presented the memorial of the Bible Society of Philadelphia, praying that provision may be made to exempt from duty, certain stereotype editions of the sacred scriptures, and bibles and testaments in foreign languages, as may be hereafter imported by bible societies, for reasons stated in the memorial; which was read. On motion by Mr. Roberts, Ordered, That it be refered to the committee last mentioned, to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise. Mr. Roberts, also presented the memorial of the American convention, for promoting the abolition of slavery, recommending the adoption of certain measures for the promotion of the interests of that unhappy class of their fellow beings, involved in the thraldom of slavery, as stated in the memorial; which was read. On motion by Mr. Roberts. Resolved, That it be referred to a select committee, to consist of five members, to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise. Ordered, That Mr. Roberts, Mr. King, Mr. Ruggles, Mr. Mason, of Va. and Mr. Chace, be the committee. Mr. Horsey presented the petition of John Rudolph, of the borough of Wilmington, in the State of Delaware, praying remuneration for losses sustained as contractor, for supplying rations to troops in the service of the United States, during the late war, as stated in the petition; which was read. On motion by Mr. Horsey, Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on military affairs, to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise. Mr. Chace presented the petition of Robert Lovewell, of St. Albans, in the State of Vermont, praying a pension, in consideration of a wound received while in the service of the United States, during the late war, as stated in the petition; which was read. On motion by Mr. Chace, Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on military affairs, to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise. Mr. Chace, also presented the petition of Benjamin Putman, of Windsor county, in the State of Vermont, paying some compensation, in consideration of his sufferings, during his captivity, and remuneration for sacrifices he made to regain his liberty; having been captured by the enemy during the late war, as is stated in the petition; which was read. On motion by Mr. Chace, Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on military affairs, to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise. Mr. King presented the petition of Harriet Fulton, widow and executrix, of the late Robert Fulton, praying the extension of his patent, as inventor of a method of navigating vessels by the agency of fire and steam, for reasons stated in the petition; which was read. On motion by Mr. King, Resolved, That it be referred to a select committee, to consist of five members, to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise. Ordered, That Mr. King, Mr. Daggett, Mr. Mason, of Va. Mr. Morrow, and Mr. Chace, be the committee. Mr. Lacock, from the committee to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill, dividing the State of Pennsylvania, into two judicial districts; and the bill was read. Ordered, That it pass to the second reading. Ordered, That a member be added to the committee on the proceedings, on the lamented death of the late George Washington, in place of Mr. Barbour; and Mr. Mason, of Va. was elected. Mr. Brown, from the committee to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill for the relief. of Edward Wilson; and the bill was read. Ordered, That it pass to the second reading. The bill concerning the District of Columbia, was read the second time. Agreeably to special order, the Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the consideration of the bill making appropriation for the construction of roads and canals; and On the question" Shall this bill be engrossed, and read a third time?" It was determined in the affirmative. Agreeably to the order of the day, the Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the bill to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury, to subscribe in behalf of the United States, for shares in the capital stock of the Chesapeake and Delaware canal company. On motion by Mr. Morrow, Ordered, That the considertaion thereof be further postponed to, and made the order of the day for to-morrow. The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the bill entitled "An act, to authorize the payment for property lost, captured, or destroyed by the enemy, while in the military service of the United States," together with the amendments proposed thereto. On motion by Mr. Daggett, Ordered, That the consideration thereof be further postponed until to-morrow. The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the consideration of the bill, concerning field officers of the militia; and the bill having been amended, the President reported it to the House accordingly. |