So it was

this

Resolved, That on the 4th day of January next, at 1 o'clock, p. m., House will proceed to the election of a postmaster for the present Congress. The House proceeded to the consideration of the resolution moved yesterday by Mr. Hamlin, calling upon the Secretary of War for the names of persons entitled to bounty lands in the late war, who have not obtained their warrants, &c., and which resolution was laid upon the table yesterday, under the rule.

The question being on agreeing to the said resolution,

Mr. Thomasson moved to amend the same, by adding thereto the following, to wit: "that he also furnish a list of the names of the officers and soldiers of the Revolution who are entitled to arrearages of land or money, or are entitled to pensions."

And the question being put on agreeing to the said amendment,

It was decided in the affirmative.

Mr. Reding moved further to amend the said resolution, by adding thereto the following: "and also to furnish the names and balances due to the officers and soldiers of the late war."

And the question being put on agreeing to this amendment,

It was decided in the affirmative.

The resolution, as amended, was then agreed to.

And so it was

Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested to communicate to this House the names of persons who were entitled to bounty lands in the last war, who have not obtained their warrants; also, the names of such persons as have obtained their warrants, but have neglected to take out their patents, together with the place of abode and place of enlistment of such persons; that he also furnish a list of the names of the officers and soldiers of the Revolution who are entitled to arrearages of land or money, or are entitled to pensions; and, also, to furnish the names and balances due to the officers and soldiers of the late war.

The House proceeded to the consideration of the resolution moved yesterday by Mr. Hale, calling upon the Secretary of the Navy for information relative to the home squadron.

And, after debate,

A motion was made by Mr. Hamlin to amend the said resolution, by adding thereto the following: "and what duty has been performed by the home squadron."

And, after further debate,

On motion of Mr. Hale,

The House, at thirty minutes past three o'clock, p. m., adjourned until to-morrow, at twelve o'clock, meridian.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1843.

Mr. Payne gave notice of a motion for leave to introduce a bill to repeal the law distributing the proceeds of the public lands among the States. Mr. Weller gave notice of a motion for leave to introduce a bill to amend and continue in force the "Act to incorporate the inhabitants of the city of Washington."

Mr. Steenrod gave notice of a motion for leave to introduce a bill making an appropriation for the Cumberland road in the States of Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, and Virginia.

Mr. Seymour, of New York, gave notice of a motion for leave to introduce a bill extending the provisions of the act of Congress of July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half-pay and pensions to certain widows," so as to include the widows of such officers and soldiers of the Revolution as were married after the 1st day of January, 1794; and, also, to extend for a further period the pensions already granted by said act.

Mr. Sample gave notice of a motion for leave to introduce a bill for the relief of George and Reuben Allen, of Laporte county, Indiana.

Mr. Morris, of Pennsylvania, gave notice of a motion for leave to introduce a bill to provide for the construction of a dry-dock at the navy-yard at Philadelphia.

Mr. Levy presented "Articles of complaint exhibited by William Wyatt, of Florida, against Samuel Douglass, United States judge of the superior court of the middle district of Florida:" which articles were referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. McConnell presented the following joint resolutions of the Legislature of the State of Alabama: which were read, and referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads:

Whereas serious inconvenience has resulted to the citizens of this State from the existing rates of postage on letters: and whereas we believe that the post office charges should be regulated by the national currency: Therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Alabama in General Assembly convened, That our Senators in Congress be instructed, and our Representatives requested, to use their best exertions to modify the present charges on letters so as to comport with our national currency.

Resolved, further, That the Governor be requested to transmit a copy of this preamble and joint resolution to our Senators and Representatives in Congress.

Mr. Slidell gave notice of a motion for leave to introduce bills of the following titles, viz:

A bill to provide for the adjustment of land claims in the States of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri, and in the Territory of Iowa;

A bill to confirm the entry of public lands in certain cases; and

A bill to exempt from duty cotton imported into the United States from Texas.

Mr. Ficklin presented the petition of Jacob Shy, of Jasper county, State of Illinois, praying relief for the volunteers and soldiers of the late war with Great Britain.

Mr. Florence presented the petition of Enos McDonald, of Pickaway county, State of Ohio, praying to be allowed a pension in consideration of wounds received as a soldier in the late war with Great Britain.

Mr. Gilmer presented the petition of Nathaniel Shiflett, of the State of Virginia, praying to be allowed a pension in consideration of wounds received as a soldier in the late war with Great Britain.

Mr. Gilmer presented a petition of George Hall, of the State of Virginia, of like import.

Ordered, That said petitions be referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions.

Mr. Harper presented a petition of sundry citizens of Guernsey county, State of Ohio, praying the erection of a bridge over the Ohio river, at Wheeling: which was referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

Mr. Holmes presented a petition of citizens of Vermillion county, State of Ohio, praying an appropriation for the erection of a light-house at the entrance of the harbor of Vermillion, in said State: which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. Caldwell presented a petition of sundry citizens of the State of Kentucky, praying that Benjamin Hansford, of said State, may be allowed a pension for services rendered as a soldier in the war of the Revolution: which was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions.

Mr. Belser presented the petition of citizens of Macon and Pike counties, State of Alabama, praying for the establishment of a mail-route from Tuskegee to Troy, in said State.

Mr. Bossier presented the petition of citizens of Bossier parish, State of Louisiana, praying the establishment of a post office as therein named. Ordered, That said petitions be referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. McConnell presented the petition of sundry citizens of the State of Alabama, praying that the seat of the Coosa land district, in said State, may be changed from Lebanon to Jacksonville: which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. Tibbatts presented a memorial and resolutions of the State of Kentucky, relative to the purchase and manufacture of hemp in said State, for the use of the navy: which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr. Grider presented a petition of citizens of Allen county, State of Kentucky, praying the establishment of a new district court in said State, to be held at Bowling Green: which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. Caldwell presented a petition of Patrick Coyle, of Wayne county, State of Ohio, praying to be allowed a pension for services rendered by his father, James Coyle, as a soldier of the Revolution: which was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

Mr. Caldwell presented a memorial of sundry ladies engaged in behalf of St. Matthew's "fair," now open at Carusi's Saloon, in the city of Washington, setting forth that they have been engaged for the last four months in preparing every variety of useful and ornamental articles for the benefit of members of Congress, and tendering to them an earnest invitation to attend said "fair:" which memorial was ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. Levy presented the following memorial and resolutions:

The memorial of citizens of Pensacola, praying an appropriation for the erection of a hospital and barracks at Fort Barrancas: referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

A resolution of the Legislative Council of Florida, on the subject of the re-location of valueless sixteenth sections, or school lands, in said Territory;

A resolution of the Legislative Council of Florida, on the subject of the location of unreserved lands for school purposes;

A resolution of the Legislative Council of Florida, on the subject of a law giving pre-emption rights to settlers who have been compelled to abandon their lands and improvements, by decrees of the courts of the United States, in favor of summary claimants of large tracts.

Ordered, That the said resolutions be referred to the Committee on the Territories.

A resolution of the Legislative Council of Florida, on the subject of a

post office at Fort King;

A resolution of the Legislative Council of Florida, on the subject of a post office at Blountstown;

A resolution of the Legislative Council of Florida, on the subject of a post office in Musquito county.

Ordered, That the said resolutions be referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

A resolution of the Legislative Council of Florida, on the subject of an appropriation for the construction of a road from Tallahassee to Iola: referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

By Mr. Slidell: The memorial of the heirs of Carlos de Villemont-heretofore presented January 20, 1837: referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

By Mr. Joseph R. Ingersoll: The memorial of Josiah W. Kirk-heretofore presented February 3, 1843: referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

Mr. Patterson presented a memorial of citizens of Pittsford, State of New York, praying for a reduction of postage.

Mr. Preston King presented a like petition from citizens of St. Lawrence county, New York.

Mr. Irvin presented a like petition from citizens of Centre county, Pennsylvania.

Mr. H. Dodge presented two several petitions from citizens of Wisconsin Territory, praying for a mail-route from Mickwonago to Madison.

Ordered, That the said petitions and memorial be referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. Benton presented a petition of Reuben Hildreth, of Herkimer county, New York, who was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and is now a pensioner of the United States, praying for arrears of pension.

Mr. Catlin presented sundry documents in support of the claim of the heirs of Ebenezer Gray for a pension.

Ordered, That the said petition and documents be referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions.

Mr. Parmenter presented the petition of Thomas Harrison-heretofore presented January 21, 1842.

Mr. Wilkins presented a petition of Catharine H. T. Johnson, of Meadville, Pennsylvania, widow of Hezekiah Johnson, who was a soldier in the war of 1812 with Great Britain, praying for compensation for the services of her late husband in the said war.

Mr. Hungerford presented additional evidence in support of the claim of Samuel W. Marshall for a pension.

Mr. Preston King presented the petition of Daniel W. Church-heretofore presented May 18, 1840.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions.

Mr. Herrick presented a petition of Daniel Grant, Seth Grant, Israel P. Stone, and Emily Pinkham, (the latter for the heirs of Silas Pinkham,) owners of the licensed fishing schooner James and Henry, of Kennebunk Port, which was lost in August, 1843, in Chaleur bay, praying for indemnity for the loss of the said vessel.

Mr. Thompson presented a resolution of the Legislature of Mississippi,

on the subject of an appropriation for a light-house on St. Joseph's (sometimes called Half Moon) Island, in Lake Borgne-heretofore presented May 10, 1842.

Mr. Dana presented a petition of citizens of Havana, Chemung county, New York, engaged in the navigation of the New York canals, praying that canal-boats trading with the cities of New York, Troy, and Albany, or on the waters of the Hudson river, may not be required to take out coasting licenses, nor to pay hospital money.

Mr. Moseley presented a petition of shipmasters, merchants, and others, citizens of the State of New York, praying for the erection of a light-house or beacon-light upon or near the "public works" at the mouth of the Cattaraugus river, Lake Erie.

Ordered, That the said petitions and resolution be referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. Leonard presented sundry depositions in the case of John W. Simonton, John Whitehead, and the heirs and legal representatives of Purdon C. Greene and J. W. Fleming, the early proprietors of the island of Key West: referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. Jenks presented the petition of Adam Sterrett-heretofore presented January 18, 1842: referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

Mr. Steenrod presented two several petitions from citizens of Ohio county, Virginia, praying for an appropriation for the construction of a bridge across the Ohio river at Wheeling;

Also, a like petition from citizens of Ohio and Berkeley counties, Virginia.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

Under the 24th rule of the House, documents, petitions, and memorials were handed to the Clerk as follows:

By Mr. Cobb: A communication made to this House on the 13th of January, 1842, by the Secretary of War, enclosing an estimate for an appropriation necessary to pay arrearages due certain companies of Georgia militia-heretofore referred January 25, 1842: referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Also, the petition of James C. Watson-heretofore presented December 16, 1840: referred to the Committee of Claims.

Also, a resolution of the Legislature of Georgia, on the subject of a stage mail-route from Clarkesville, Georgia, to Ashville, North Carolina; and a weekly mail from Lafayette to Salem-heretofore presented February 6, 1840: referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. By Mr. Clingman: A petition of John Phagan, of North Cove, North Carolina, setting forth that he performed certain services by order of Mr. Cass, then Secretary of War, in removing Indians from Florida to Fort Gibson, and praying for compensation for said services: referred to the Committee of Claims.

By Mr. Morse: The petition of Isaac Allen-heretofore presented April 9, 1838;

Also, the petition of John Farnham-heretofore presented December 16, 1840;

Also, the petition of James Mains-heretofore presented December 16, 1840.