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Ordered, That this bill pass to a third reading. Mr. MITCHILL presented the memorial of a number of merchants of the city of New York, dealers in salt, praying that the bill before the Senate, providing for the repeal of the duty on salt may be postponed, for reasons mentioned in the petition; and the memorial was read and ordered to lie for consideration.

Mr. LOGAN presented a similar petition from sundry merchants of the city of Philadelphia; which was read, and ordered to lie for consideration.

The Senate took into consideration the amendments reported to the bill, entitled "An act repealing the acts laying duties on salt, and continuing in force, for a limited time, the first section of an act, entitled 'An act further to protect the commerce and seamen of the United States against the Barbary Powers."

Ordered, That this bill be the order of the day for Monday next.

The bill to prohibit the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States, from and after the first day of January, 1808, was read the third time as amended. Resolved, That this bill pass, that it be engrossed, and that the title thereof be "An act to prohibit the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States, from and after the first day of January, in the year of our Lord 1808.

Mr. GILES, from the committee, reported the bill, entitled "An act supplementary to the act, entitled 'An act making provision for the redemption of the whole of the public debt of the United States," without amendment.

The bill, to explain the act, entitled "An act supplementary to an act, entitled 'An act to divide the Territory of the United States Northwest of the river Ohio into two separate governments," was read the third time.

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed.

The Senate took into consideration, as in Committee of the Whole, the amendments reported to the bill, entitled "An act to provide for surveying the coasts of the United States," and the President having reported the bill to the House with amendments,

Ordered, That this bill pass to the third reading as amended.

JANUARY, 1807.

by law, was read the second time, and made the order of the day for Friday next.

The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill, entitled "An act authorizing the erection of a bridge over the river Potomac, within the District of Columbia," and the motion that it be postponed to the next session of Congress; and, after debate, the Senate adjourned.

THURSDAY, January 29.

Mr. FENNER presented the memorial of sundry citizens of the State of Rhode Island, praying the acts laying duties on salt may not be repealed, for the reasons stated in their petition; which was read, and ordered to lie for consideration.

The Message yesterday received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES was read, as follows:

To the Senate and House of

Representatives of the United States:

By the letter of Captain Bissell, who commands at Fort Massac, and of Mr. Murrell to General Jackson, of Tennessee, copies of which are now communicated to Congress, it will be seen that Aaron Burr passed Fort Massac on the 31st December, with about ten boats, navigated by about six hands each, without any military appearance; and that three boats with ammunition were said to have been arrested by the militia at Louisville.

As the guard of militia posted on various points of the Ohio will be able to prevent any further aids passing through that channel, should any be attempted, we may now estimate with tolerable certainty the means derived from the Ohio and its waters, towards the accomplishment of the purposes of Mr. Burr.

JANUARY 28, 1807.

TH. JEFFERSON.

The Message and papers were read, and ordered to lie for consideration.

The following Message, received yesterday from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, was also read:

To the Senate and House of

Representatives of the United States:

2

I communicate, for the information of Congress, the report of the Director of the Mint, of the operations of that establishment during the last year. TH. JEFFERSON.

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The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill, entitled "An act authorizing the erection of a bridge over the river Potomac, within the Dis-read: trict of Columbia ;" and a motion was made, by Mr. THRUSTON, to postpone the further consideration of this bill to the next session of Congress; and, after debate, the Senate adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, January 28.

Sundry written Messages were received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Coles, his Secretary.

Representatives of the United States :

I now render to Congress the account of the fund established for defraying the contingent expenses of Government for the year 1806. No occasion having arisen for making use of any part of the balance, of $18,012 50, unexpended on the 31st day of December, 1805, that balance remains in the Treasury. TH. JEFFERSON.

JANUARY 27, 1807.

Ordered, That the Message and account lie on

The bill to prevent settlements being made on lands ceded to the United States, until authorized | the table.

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Mr. LOGAN presented the petition of sundry merchants of the city of Philadelphia, praying the benefit of drawback on certain imported articles, notwithstanding the formalities of the laws, by unavoidable casualties, though with no intention of fraud, have not been complied with, for reasons mentioned at large in the petition; which was read, and ordered to lie for consideration.

Mr. STONE, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act to extend the power of granting writs of injunction to the judges of the district courts of the United States," reported it with amendments; which were read, and ordered to lie for consideration.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed the bill, sent from the Senate, entitled "An act to alter the time for holding the circuit courts in the district of North Carolina," with amendments, in which they request the concurrence of the Senate. They have passed a bill, entitled "An act for the relief of the sufferers by fire, in the town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire," in which they request the concurrence of the Senate.

The bill last mentioned was read, and ordered to the second reading.

SENATE.

he was captain of an armed vessel called the Pallas, one of the squadron in the service of the United States, under the command of Captain Paul Jones, and praying Congress for the advance of his proportion of prize money, the proceeds of three British merchant ships sent to Bergen, in Norway, in the year 1779, for reasons mentioned in the petition; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. TURNER, from the committee to whom was referred the amendments of the House of Representatives to the bill, entitled "An act to alter the time for holding the circuit courts in the district of North Carolina," made report. Whereupon, the Senate concurred in the amendments.

The bill, entitled "An act for the relief of the sufferers by fire, in the town of Portsmouth, in New Hampshire," was read the second time, and referred to Messrs. GILMAN, TRACY, and ADAMS, to consider and report thereon.

Agreeably to the order of the day, the Senate took into consideration, as in Committee of the Whole, the second reading of the bill to prevent settlements being made on lands ceded to the United States until authorized by law; and the bill was made the order of the day for Tuesday next. The bill, entitled "An act to provide for survey

The Senate took into consideration the amendments of the House of Representatives to the billing the coasts of the United States," was read the first mentioned in the message; and,

Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. TURNER, BRADLEY, and STONE, to consider and report thereon.

third time as amended, and passed.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the second reading of the bill to reduce the expenses attending the administration of justice in the District of Columbia, and the President having reported it to the House amended, Ordered, That it pass to the third reading as amended.

The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill, entitled "An act authorizing the erection of a bridge over the river Potomac, within the District of Columbia," and the motion that it be postponed to the next session of Congress. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the And on the question to agree to the postpone-Whole, the second reading of the bill, entitled "An ment, it passed in the affirmative-yeas 17, nays act authorizing certain light-houses, and the fixing 16, as follows: of stakes, buoys, and beacons, at certain places therein mentioned:" and the consideration thereof was postponed.

YEAS-Messrs. Adams, Baldwin, Fenner, Giles, Hillhouse, Howland, Logan, Maclay, Mitchill, Pickering, Reed, Smith of Maryland, Smith of New York, Sumter, Thruston, Tracy, and Worthington.

NAYS-Messrs. Bayard, Bradley, Clay, Condit, Gaillard, Gilman, Kitchel, Milledge, Moore, Plumer, Smith of Ohio, Smith of Tennessee, Smith of Vermont, Stone, Turner, and White.

FRIDAY, January 30.

The Senate resumed the third reading of the bill to explain the act, entitled "An act supplementary to an act, entitled 'An act to divide the Territory of the United States Northwest of the river Ohio into two separate governments."

Resolved, That this bill pass, that it be engrossed, and that the title thereof be "An act to explain the act, entitled 'An act supplementary to the act, entitled 'An act to divide the Territory of the United

Mr. ADAMS made the following motion, which States Northwest of the river Ohio into two sepawas read: rate governments.

Resolved, That the following rule be added to the rules for conducting business in the Senate.

The final question upon the second reading of every bill, resolution, Constitutional amendment, or motion, originating in the Senate, and requiring three readings previous to its being passed, shall be, Whether it shall be engrossed and read a third time? And no amendment shall be received for discussion at the third read ing of any bill, resolution, amendment, or motion, unless by unanimous consent of the members present.

Ordered, That it lie for consideration. Mr. LOGAN presented the petition of Dennis De Cottineau, stating that, during the American war,

MONDAY, February 2.

Mr. LOGAN, from the committee to whom was referred, on the 21st ultimo, the bill, entitled "An act to continue in force, for a further time, an act entitled 'An act to suspend the commercial intercourse between the United States and certain parts of the island of St. Domingo," reported it without amendment.

On motion of Mr. MILLEDGE, that it be

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and, if any, what, amendments ought to

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be made to the act, entitled "An act to punish frauds on the Bank of the United States;" and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise :

Ordered, That this motion lie for consideration The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion made on the 30th ultimo, for an additional rule in conducting business in the Senate; and it was referred to Messrs. GILES, ADAMS, and TRACY, to consider and report thereon.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act to annex certain shores and waters to the district of Mississippi, and to authorize the building a custom-house at New Orleans;" in which they request the concurrence of the Senate; and also informed the Senate of the death of General Levi Casey, late a member of the House of Representatives, and that his funeral will take place this day at one o'clock.

Whereupon, Resolved, That the Senate will attend the funeral of General CASEY.

The bill last brought up for concurrence was read, and ordered to the second reading. The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: To the Senate and House of

Representatives of the United States:

In execution of the act of the last session of Congress, entitled "An act to regulate the laying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio," I appointed Thomas Moore, of Maryland, Joseph Ker, of Ohio, and Eli Williams, of Maryland, Commissioners to lay out the said road, and to perform the other duties assigned to them by the act. The progress which they made in the execution of the work during the last season, will appear in their report now communicated to Congress, On the receipt of it, I took measures to obtain consent for making the road of the States of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, through which the Commissioners proposed to lay it out. I have received acts of the Legislatures of Maryland and Virginia, giving the consent desired; that of Pennsylvania has the subject still under consideration, as is supposed. Until I receive full consent to a free choice of route through the whole distance, I have thought it safest neither to accept or reject finally the partial report of the Commissioners. Some matters suggested in the report belong exclusively to the Legislature. TH. JEFFERSON.

JANUARY 31, 1807.

FEBRUARY, 1807.

The Senate took into consideration the motion made yesterday, That a committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and, if any, what, amendment ought to be made to the act, entitled "An act to punish frauds on the Bank of the United States," and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise; and, having agreed to the motion, Messrs. MILLEDGE, ADAMS, and BRADLEY, were appointed the committee.

The bill, entitled "An act to annex certain shores and waters to the district of Mississippi, and to authorize the building of a custom-house at New Orleans," was read the second time, and referred to Messrs. TRACY, STONE, and BALDWIN, to consider and report thereon.

Mr. GILMAN, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of the sufferers by fire in the town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire," reported it without amendment.

Ordered, That this bill pass to a third reading. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the second reading of the bill, entitled "An act authorizing the erection of light-houses, and the fixing of stakes, buoys, and beacons, at certain places therein mentioned ;" and the President having reported it to the House without amendment, by unanimous consent, the bill was read the third time, and passed.

Agreeably to the order of the day, the Senate resumed the second reading of the bill, entitled "An act repealing the acts laying duties on salt, and continuing in force, for a further time, the first section of an act, entitled 'An act further to protect the commerce and seamen of the United States against the Barbary Powers;" and it was agreed that it be the order of the day for Monday

next.

resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the secAgreeably to the order of the day, the Senate ond reading of the bill to prevent settlements being made on lands ceded to the United States until authorized by law; and, on motion to amend the bill, it was ordered that the bill, together with a proposed amendment to the proviso in the first section, be referred to Messrs. GILES, BRADLEY, and SMITH, of Tennessee, to consider and report thereon.

A motion was submitted, by Mr. CLAY, for con

The Message was read, and ordered to lie for sideration, as follows: consideration.

And, on motion, the Senate adjourned.

TUESDAY, February 3.

Mr. GAILLARD presented the memorial of Nathaniel Russel, and others, merchants of Charleston, South Carolina, stating, that, in the year 1802, and for a long time previous to that period, they grievously suffered from depredations committed on their lawful commerce by privateers and vessels of war under the flag and authority of the French Republic; and praying the interposition of Congress for their relief, for reasons mentioned in the memorial; which was read and ordered to lie for consideration.

"That a committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and, if any, what, further provision is necessary to secure to the citizens of the United States, suffering from Indian depredations, the indemnity guarantied to them by law."

And, on motion, the Senate adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, February 4.

Mr. BRADLEY presented the petition of Ira Allen, stating that he has sustained great damage and sufferings by the capture of a quantity of arms and ordnance, under the authority of the British Government, which were purchased in France for the supply of the militia of the State of Vermont, in the year 1795, as is stated at large

FEBRUARY, 1807.

Proceedings.

in his petition; and praying the interposition of Congress; and his petition was read, and referred to Messrs. BRADLEY, TRACY, and WORTHINGTON, to consider and report thereon.

The Senate took into consideration the motion made yesterday, "That a committee be appointed 'to inquire whether any, and, if any, what, fur'ther provision is necessary to secure to the citizens of the United States, suffering from Indian 'depredations, the indemnity guarantied to them by law;" and the motion was adopted; and Messrs. CLAY, BRADLEY, and TRACY, were appointed the committee to consider and report

thereon.

Mr. GILES, from the committee to whom was referred, on the 2d instant, the motion for an additional rule for conducting business in the Senate, reported the same with an amendment.

The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill, entitled "An act to continue in force for a further time an act, entitled "An act to suspend the commercial intercourse between the United States and certain parts of the island of St. Do

mingo, and it was recommitted to Messrs. LOGAN, MITCHILL, and GILES, further to consider and report thereon.

The Senate resumed the third reading of the bill in addition to the act for establishing a Mint, and regulating the coins of the United States; and Ordered, That it be recommitted to Messrs. TRACY, LOGAN, and MITCHILL, further to consider and report thereon.

The bill to reduce the expenses attending the administration of justice in the District of Columbia was read the third time as amended, and passed.

The bill regulating the grants of land in the Territory of Michigan was read the third time as amended; and a motion was made by Mr. BRADLEY further to amend the bill: Whereupon, it was agreed that the consideration thereof be postponed until to-morrow.

The bill confirming claims to land in the district of Vincennes, was read the third time, and passed.

The bill, entitled "An act for the relief of the sufferers by fire in the town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire," was read the third time, and passed.

On motion, by Mr. BAYARD,

"That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill to regulate the summoning of grand jurors."

Ordered, That this motion lie for consideration. Mr. BAYARD also submitted the following motion for consideration:

"That the Attorney General of the United States be directed to procure and lay before the Senate, at their next session, tables of the fees and compensation paid to attorneys at law, prothonotaries, registers, and clerks of judicial courts, to the sheriffs and coroners, to grand and petit jurors, and to witnesses, in the several

States."

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the second reading of the bill, entitled "An act authorizing the discharge of William Hearn from his imprisonment," and the President

SENATE

having reported it to the House amended, the bill was ordered to the third reading as amended.

The Senate took into consideration the amendment reported to the additional rule for conducting business in the Senate; which was read and agreed to, and the rule was adopted, as follows:

"The final question upon the second reading of every bill, resolution, Constitutional amendment, or motion, originating in the Senate, and requiring three readings previous to its being passed, shall be: Whether it shall be engrossed and read a third time?' And no amendment shall be received for discussion at the

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third reading of any bill, resolution, amendment, or motion, unless by unanimous consent of the members present; but it shall at all times be in order, before the final passage of any such bill, resolution, Constitutionand, should such commitment take place, and any al amendment, or motion, to move its commitment; amendment be reported by the committee, the said bill, resolution, Constitutional amendment, or motion, shall be again read a second time, and considered as in Committee of the Whole, and then the aforesaid question shall be again put."

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the second reading of the bill, entitled "An act to extend the power of granting writs of injunctions to the judges of the district courts of the United States; and the amendment réported by the special committee having been adopted, and the bill reported to the House accordingly, it was agreed to postpone the further consideration

of this bill.

Whole, the bill, entitled "An act supplementary The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the to the act, entitled 'An act making provision for the redemption of the whole of the public debt of the United States;" and a motion was made to amend the bill, and the Senate adjourned.

THURSDAY, February 7.

Mr. HILLHOUSE, from the committee to whom the petition was referred, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill for the relief of John Chester; which was read, and ordered to a second reading.

Mr. BRADLEY, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Edmund Briggs," reported it without amendment.

Ordered, That this bill pass to a third reading. The Senate took into consideration the Message of the President of the United States of the 2d instant, with the report of the Commissioners appointed under the act to regulate the laying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio; and they were referred to Messrs. WORTHINGTON, TRACY, and GILES, to consider and report thereon.

The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill, entitled "An act supplementary to the act, entitled 'An act making provision for the redemption of the whole of the public debt of the United States ;" and the President having reported it to the House without amendment,

Ordered, That this bill pass to a third reading. Mr. ADAMS Submitted the following motion for consideration:

SENATE.

Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.

FEBRUARY, 1807.

Resolved, That a committee of the Senate be ap- tion between their waters. Their report strongpointed, jointly with such committee as may be appoint-ly recommended the project, as one not only sus ed on the part of the House of Representatives, to in- ceptible of being accomplished, but as a work quire whether the act passed April 18th, 1806, entitled eventually promising an adequate profit. The "An act to repeal so much of any act or acts as author- want of capital at that time, the disturbances then ize the receipt of evidence of the public debt, in pay- arising with Great Britain, the occurrence and ment for the lands of the United States, and for other consequences of the war, diverted, for a long time, purposes relative to the public debt," was enrolled as the public attention from this interesting object. the same passed the two Houses of Congress; and, When, however, peace and a flourishing comif any error hath occurred therein, to report the same, and what measure may be expedient to correct the said merce had recruited the exhausted resources of the country, it again occupied the minds of those men, whose views, extending beyond themselves, are employed upon objects of general benefit and utility.

error.

The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the report of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, stating that the measures which have been authorized by the Board, subsequent to their report of the 5th of February, 1805, are fully detailed in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury to this Board, dated the 4th of the present month, and the statements therein referred to, which are herewith transmitted and prayed to be received as part of their report. And the report was read, and ordered to lie for consideration.

A rival interest had long been felt by Pennsylvania and Maryland, as to the waters of the Susquehannah. The Susquehannah, and the streams falling into it rendered navigable, it was evident that a great proportion of the produce of Pennsylvania and a part of that of the State of New York would pass down the river, and seek a market at Baltimore.

The Legislature of Pennsylvania having this impression, enacted penal laws against removing obstructions to the navigation of the river. The

CHESAPEAKE AND DELAWARE CANAL.
The Senate took into consideration the report
of the committee on the memorial of the Presi-expected advantage had rendered Maryland un-
dent and Directors of the Chesapeake and Dela-
ware Canal Company. The resolution reported
by the committee is as follows:

Resolved, That acres of land be granted to the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Company, upon their giving bond, conditioned to transfer to the United States a number of shares of the capital stock of said company, at the rate of two hundred dollars a share, equal to the proceeds of the sales of the land granted to them; and conditioned to sell the said land within years, and to furnish to the Secretary of the Treasury a true account of the sales.

Mr. BAYARD. Mr. President, I am apprehensive that the resolution now under consideration, not being viewed as a national object, will not be regarded with the attention it deserves. Having some acquaintance with the subject, and being strongly impressed with its importance, I deem it a duty to communicate to the Senate the facts which I possess, and to unfold those views of the object proposed, which have presented themselves to my mind. I shall not feel it incumbent on me to employ any argument to prove the general utility of canals. If, however, there be but one opinion on this subject in old and populous countries, how much more benefit may we expect from the improvement in a young country where labor and capital, which it is calculated to save, are so much more wanted.

The relative position of the Delaware and Chesapeake bays long since awakened the attention of a distinguished body, as to the practicability of opening a water communication between

them.

In the year 1769, Dr. Franklin, Mr. Ritten house, Mr. Gilpin, and Mr. Hollingsworth, were appointed a committee by the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, to examine the ground between the bays, and to ascertain the practicability and probable expense of opening a communica

willing to consent to unite, at their heads, the waters of the two bays. This unworthy spirit, which opposed a partial interest to general benefit, yielded at length to the enlarged and liberal views which comprehend the whole interests of the two States. Pennsylvania agreed to allow the navigation of the Susquehannah to be opened, and Maryland to permit the heads of the bays to be united by a canal.

In the years 1799, 1801, and 1802, by Legislative acts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, a company was incorporated with a capital of $500,000, for the purpose of cutting the canal. Subscriptions were obtained nearly to the amount of $400,000, the company was organized and the work undertaken.

Engineers of ability were employed to survey and level the ground upon several routes, which different opinions had distinguished as preferable, and after a full knowledge on the subject was attained, the line of the canal was fixed by the Board of Directors from Welch Point, on the Elk, to a point near Mendenhall's Landing, on the Christiana river. The extent of this route is twenty-one miles. A shorter distance might have united the two bays, but the safety of the harbors and navigation, and the boldness of the waters, secured by the route adopted, not only justified, but strongly recommended, the extension of the line and the probable increase of expense. An opinion had existed that the bays might be united so as to allow the waters of the one to flow into the other. The scheme was considered, but it was found that it could not be executed, so as to answer the intended purpose, without an expense infinitely beyond the means of the company. A canal with locks was, in consequence, determined on. The depth of the canal was fixed at seven and a half feet, to afford navigation to the common vessels belonging to the bays. To supply

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