was read, and the resolution therein contained was concurred in by the House, as follows: Resolved, That the prayer of the petitioner ought not to be granted. Ordered, That the committee on Pensions and Revolutionary Claims be discharged from the further consideration of the petitions of Daniel Boynton, Jonathan Bowers, James Price, James Donohue, Nathaniel Thompson, and Jethro Randall, and that leave be given to withdraw the same. Mr. Rhea, from the committee on Pensions and Revolutionary Claims, to which was committed the bill from the Senate, entitled "An act for the relief of the heirs of Landon Carter," reported the same with an amendment; which was read, and, together with the bill, committed to the committee of the whole, to which is committed the bill for the relief of Cornelia Mason. Mr. Rhea also, reported the bill from the Senate, entitled "An act for the relief of Samuel Ward," without amendment. Ordered, That the said bill be committed to a committee of the whole on Monday next. Mr. Poindexter, from the committee on Private Land Claims, to which was committed the amendment proposed by the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Daniel Burnett, Gibson Clark, and the legal representatives of Hubert Rowell," reported their agreement to the said amendment with an amendment; which was read, and, together with the bill ordered to lie on the table. Mr. Stroher, from the committee for the District of Columbia. to which was referred the bill from the Senate, entitled "An act supplemental to the act, entitled An act further to amend the charter of the City of Washington," reported the same with an amendment; which was read, and, together with the bill, committed to a committee of the whole, on Monday next. Mr. Johnson, of Kentucky, from the committee on Military Affairs, reported a bill to increase the pay of the militia while in actual service and for other purposes; which was read the first and sccond time and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. Blount, from the committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, reported a bill to establish and alter post roaus; which was read the first and second time and committed to a cominittee of the whole, on Monday next. Mr. Sergeant, from the committee to whom was referred a resolution of the 13th February; and a memorial from a number of citizens of the United States, residing in the city of Philadelphia, relating to the imprisonment of Richard W. Meade, made a report; which was read and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. Bassett, from the committee on that part of the President's message, which relates to the public buildings, and to the crection of additional public edifices, made a report in relation to the accoinmodation of Congress at their next session; which was read and committed to the committee of the whole, on the bill making appropriations for the public buildings, and furnishing the Capitol and President's House. Mr. Pitkin, from the joint committee appointed to examine and reported what business is necessary to be done by Congress previous to the adjournment of present session, made a report; which was read and ordered to lie on the table. On motion of Mr. Taylor, Resolved, That the Secretary for the Department of the Navy, be instructed, to report to this House during the first week of the. next session of Congress, a particular statement of the expenditure of the appropriations made by an act rewarding the officers and crew of the frigate Constitution; and the officers and crew of the Wasp, passed March 3d, 1813; also, by an act to reward the officers and crew of the sloop of war Hornet, and lieutenant Elliot, and his officers and companions, passed July 13th, 1813; also, by an act authorizing the purchase of the vessels captured on Lake Erie, passed 18th April, 1814; also by an act authorizing the purchase of vessels captured on Lake Camplain, passed March 3d, 1815; also, by an act rewarding the officers and crew of the sloop of war Hornet, for the capture and destruction of the British sloop of war Penguin, passed February 28th, 1816; and also, by an act providing for the distribution of 100,000 dollars, among the captors of the Algerine vessels captured and restored to the Dey of Algiers, passed April 27th, 1816; designating the names of the prize agents appointed under the several acts, and the payments by them respectively made, specifying the time when, and persons to whom, the same may have been made, and the balances, if any, remaining in their hands unexpended. On motion of Mr. Slocumb, Resolved, That the Secretary for the Department of War, be directed to prepare and report to this House, at the next session a system providing for the abolition of the existing Indian trading establishments of the United States, and providing for the opening of the trade with the Indians to individuals under suitable regulations. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Cutts, their Secretary: Mr. Speaker: The Senate have postponed until the first Monday in July next, the "resolution directing the printing and distribution of the act to provide for the surviving officers and soldiers of the revolutionary army:" and they have passed a bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Michael Jones;" in which they ask the concurrence of this House. And then he withdrew. The said bill was read the first and second time and referred to the committee on the Public Lands. Mr. Livermore, submitted the following resolution, to wit: Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring therein, That the following amendment to the constitution of the United States, be proposed to the legislatures of the several states, which, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the said states, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as a part of the said constitution: "No person shall be held to service or labour as a slave, nor shall slavery be tolerated in any state hereafter admitted into the Union, or made one of the United States of America." The said resolution was read; and on the question will the House now proceed to consider the same? It was determined in the negative. Mr. Smith, of Maryland, laid on the Clerk's table two acts of the Parliament of Great Britain, one, entitled "An act to consolidate and extend the several laws now in force, for allowing the importation and exportation of certain goods and merchandise into, and from, certain ports in the West Indies," passed the 27th June, 1805; the other, entitled "An act to permit the importation of rice, grain and flour, from any foreign colonies on the continent of America, into certain ports in the West Indies, and to allow certain articles to be imported from the United States of America into the British provinces in North America, for the purpose of exportation to the British islands in the West Indies," passed on the 30th June, 1808; which were ordered to be printed for the use of the members of Congress, The House took up and proceeded to consider the amendment reported by the committee of the whole to the bill authorizing a subscription to the History of Congress; and the said amendment being read at the Clerk's table, was disagreed to by the House. table. The said bill was then amended, and ordered to lie on the The House took up and proceeded to consider the resolutions reported by the committee on Roads, Canals, and Seminaries of Learning; and the said resolutions being amended to read as follows, to wit: Resolved, That the Secretary of War be instructed to report to this House, at the ensuing session of Congress, a plan for the application of such means as are within the power of Congress, to the purpose of opening and constructing such roads and canals, as may deserve and require the aid of government, with a view to military operations in time of war; the transportation of munitions of war; and the more complete defence of the United States; and also, a statement of the works of the nature abovementioned, which have been commenced; the progress which has been made; and the means and prospect of their completion; and, together with such information, as in the opinion of the Secretary, shall be material in relation to the objects of this resolution.. Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be instructed to prepare and report to this House, at their next session, a plan for the application of such means as are within the power of Congress, to the purpose of opening and improving roads, and making canals; together with a statement of the undertakings of that nature, which, as objects of public improvement, may require and deserve the aid of the government; and, also, a statement of works of the nature abovementioned which have been commenced; the progress which has been made in them; the means and prospect of their being completed; the public improvements carried on by states or by companies, or incorporations which have been associated for such purposes, to which it may be deemed expedient to subscribe or afford assistance; the terms and conditions of such associations, and the state of their funds, and such information, as in the opinion of the Secretary shall be material in relation to the objects of this resolution. The question was taken to agree to the said resolutions, And passed in the affirmative. {Nays 57. The yeas and nays being required by one-fifth of the members' present, Those who voted in the affirmative, are The Speaker laid before the House a report of the Secretary of State, on the petition of Jonathan Elliot; which was read and ordered to lie on the table. The bill from the Senate, entitled "An act directing the manner of appointing Indian agents, and continuing the act for establishing trading houses with the Indian tribes," was read the third time and passed as amended. Ordered, That the Clerk acquaint the Senate therewith. An act for the relief of major general Jacob Brown. An act to establish a port of entry and delivery at Cape Vincent, at the fork of Lake Ontario, and the head of the river St. Lawrence. An act to abolish the port of delivery established at the mouth of Slade's Creek, in the state of North Carolina, were severally read the third time and passed. Ordered, That the titles be as aforesaid. An engrossed bill for the relief of Loring Austin, was read the third time and passed. Ordered, That the title be, "An act for the relief of Loring Austin and George R. Wells," and that the Clerk carry the said bills to the Senate and ask their concurrence therein. The House resolved itself into a committee of the whole, on the bill to authorize the people of the territory of Illinois to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the Union on an equal footing with the original states; and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, |