themselves as holding near three hundred millions of acres on this side the Mississippi, on the other side a world of unknown acres; more, vastly more, permit me to suggest, viewing the uncertainty of all human establishments, than they may ever have an opportunity of selling, at least for centuries to come, barring all accident. Why not then apply some of them now to the improvement of the country? The passing of this law will not ocaasion the selling a single acre less, whilst the appropriation we ask of these lands, at the same time that it must yield a great and immediate benefit to the country, will, I have no doubt, be in the end profitable to the country. For these reasons, and for others that have been assigned, I hope the Senate will approve the measure and pass the bill. The question was then taken on the postponement of the bill to the next session of Congress, and was decided in the affirmative. WEDNESDAY, February 25. The bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act in addition to the act, 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," was read the second time and referred to Messrs. GILES, ADAMS, and SMITH, of Maryland, to consider and report thereon. The bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act making further appropriations for fortifying the ports and harbors of the United States, and for building gunboats," was read the second time and referred to Messrs. BRADLEY, TRACY, and MACLAY, to consider and report theron. The bill making a further appropriation towards defraying the expense of a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio, was read the second time. On the question, Shall this bill be engrossed and read the third time? it was determined in the affirmative. The Senate took into consideration the report of the conferees on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "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," which is as follows: 66 That, having met the conferees on the part of the House of Representatives, they have mutually agreed, in conference, to recommend to pass the bill with the proviso at the end of the 8th section, amended as follows, to wit: Provided however, That nothing in this section shall extend to prohibit the taking on board, or transporting on any river, or inland bay of the sea, within the jurisdiction of the United States, any negro, mulatto, or person of color, (not imported contrary to the provisions of the act,) in any vessel or species of craft whatever." And, also, to amend the 8th section, by striking out the word "fifty," and insert in lieu thereof "forty; and in the second line strike out the words " as a slave, or," and insert in lieu thereof "to be." FEBRUARY, 1807. And in section 9, line 1, strike out "fifty," and in sert" forty." And also in section 10, line 1, strike out "fifty," and insert "forty." And the report was adopted. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act authorizing the settlement of the accounts between the United States and William Eaton;" also, a bill, entitled "An act providing for the payment of the expense incurred by the military preparations for the defence of the Territory of Michigan against hostile Indians, in the year 1806; in which bills they desire the concurrence of the Senate. They agree to some and disagree to other amendments of the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act to extend the time for locating Virginia military warrants, and for returning the surveys thereon to the office of the Secretary of the Department of War." The two bills first mentioned in the message from the House of Representatives were read, and ordered to the second reading. The Senate took into consideration the resolution of the House of Representatives agreeing to some and disagreeing to other amendments of the Senate to the bill last mentioned in the message. Resolved, That they insist on their amendments disagreed to by the House of Representatives to the said bill. The Senate resumed the third reading of the bill, from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act repealing the acts laying duties on salt, and continuing in force for a further time the first tect the commerce and seamen of the United section of the act, entitled "An act further to proStates against the Barbary Powers; and on the question, Shall this bill pass as amended? it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 15, nays 12, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Bradley, Condit, Giles, Howland, Kitchel, Logan, Maclay, Milledge, Moore, Reed, Smith of Maryland, Smith of Tennessee, Smith of Vermont, Thruston, and Worthington. NAYS-Messrs. Adams, Bayard, Gilman, Hillhouse, Mitchill, Pickering, Plumer, Smith of New York, Sumter, Tracy, Turner, and White. And the title was amended, as follows: "An act repealing an act laying a duty on salt, and continuing in force for a further time the first section of the act, entitled an act further to protect the commerce and seamen of the United States against the Barbary Powers." The following motion was submitted for consideration by Mr. WORTHINGTON: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to report to the Senate, at their next session, the best information he can acquire as to the usefulness, the practicability, and probable expense of the canal contemplated between the waters of the Chesapeake and Delaware, from Elk river to Christiana creek, with his own opinion and reasons thereon; and a plan or plans for the application of such means as may be most convenient to the Government, and within the power of Congress, to aid in carrying into execution the same e; and whether the route adopted by the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Company be the most eligible communication between the waters of the two bays; and, likewise, his opinion generally on the practicability of an inland navigation between the southern and northern extremities of the United States. The Senate resumed the report of the Committee, made on the 18th instant, on the motion to inquire whether the act passed April 18th, 1806, was correctly enrolled; and agreed to the report, as follows: Strike out, near the end of the motion, after the word "therein," these words: to report the same, and what measures may be expedient to correct the said error," and insert "whether any measure has become necessary in consequence thereof;" and on the question to agree to the motion, amended as follows: Resolved, That a committee of the Senate be appointed, jointly with such committee as may be appointed on the part of the House of Representatives, to inquire whether the act passed April 18, 1806, entitled "An act to repeal so much of any act or acts as authorize the receipt of evidences of the public debt in pay ment for the lands of the United States, and for other purposes, relative to the public debt," was enrolled as the same passed the two Houses of Congress; and, if any error hath occurred therein, whether any measure has become necessary in consequence thereof: SENATE. tions for the defence of the Territory of Michigan against the hostile Indians, in the year 1806," was read the second time, and referred to Messrs. TRACY, WORTHINGTON, and ADAMS. The bill sent from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act authorizing the settlement of the accounts between the United States and William Eaton," was read the second time, and referred to Messrs. BRADLEY, GILES, and SUMTER, to consider and report thereon. The Senate took into consideration the motion made on the 20th instant, to amend the Constitution of the United States, by adding a thirteenth article, respecting the judicial power thereof; and the further consideration of this motion was postponed until the next session of Congress. The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the report of the committee, made on the 24th instant, on the petition of Reni Naw, and agreed thereto; and the petitioner had leave to withdraw his petition. the report of the committee, made on the 24th The Senate proceeded to the consideration of instant, on the memorial of sundry merchants of the city of Philadelphia, on the subject of drawback; and the further consideration thereof was postponed. Mr. WORTHINGTON submitted the following It was determined in the affirmative. The Senate took into consideration, as in Com-motion for consideration: mittee of the Whole, the amendments reported Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be dito the joint resolution from the House of Repre-rected to report to the Senate, at their next session, sentatives, to publish the report and chart of the survey of the coast of North Carolina, and agreed thereto; and the President having reported the resolution to the House amended accordingly, on the question, Shall this resolution be read the third time as amended? it was determined in the affirmative. The Senate took into consideration, as in Committee of the Whole, the amendments reported by the special committee to the bill sent from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act making appropriations for finishing the south wing of the Capitol, and for other purposes," and agreed in part thereto; and the President having reported the bill to the House amended, on motion, the further consideration of this bill was postponed until to-morrow. Mr. MITCHILL presented the petition of the inhabitants of the city of New York, stating the exposed and defenceless situation of that city, and praying that their harbor may be placed in a state of permanent and adequate defence; and the petition was read and referred to a committee this day appointed on a bill from the House of Representatives on the subject of defence. THURSDAY, February 26. the best information he can acquire as to the practicability, and probable expense of forming a turnpike road throughout the Atlantic States, commencing at the City of Washington, and running each way, towards the Northeastern and Southwestern extremities of the Union; together with his opinion as to the most suitable route for the same, and a plan or plans for the application of such means as may be most convenient to aid in carrying the same into execution. the Government, and within the power of Congress, to The bill making a further appropriation towards defraying the expense of a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio, was read the third time; and the first and second blanks having each been filled with the words "two hundred and fifty thousand dollars," on motion, the title was amended to read as follows: "An act in addition to the act to regulate the laying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio," and then the bill was passed. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act making provision for the disposal of the public lands situated between the United States' military tract, and the Connecticut Reserve, and for other purposes;" in which they request the concurrence of the Senate. The House of Representatives disagree to all the amendments of the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act repealing the acts laying duties on salt, The bill sent from the House of Representa- and continuing in force, for a further time, the tives, entitled "An act providing for the payment first section of the act, entitled 'An act further to of the expense incurred by the military prepara-protect the commerce and seamen of the United The joint resolution for publishing the chart of the survey of the coast of North Carolina was read the third time, as amended, and passed. SENATE. Canal at the Rapids of the Ohio. States against the Barbary Powers ;" and, moreover, do adhere to their bill as originally passed. The bill from the House of Representatives first mentioned in the message was read; and, by unanimous consent, to dispense with the rule, the bill was read the second time, and referred to Messrs. WORTHINGTON, TRACY, and BALDWIN, the committee appointed on the 8th of December last, to examine the laws of the United States providing for the sale of public lands, to consider and report thereon. FEBRUARY, 1807. RAPIDS OF THE OHIO. The report of the committee, made on the 24th instant, on the subject of a canal at the Rapids of the Ohio, was considered, and is as follows: The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill, entitled "An act making appro-appointed by the Kentucky Legislature to promote the priations for finishing the south wing of the Capitol, and for other purposes;" and the President reported to the House that the Committee of the Whole had agreed to some, and disagreed to other, amendments reported by the select committee; and had also agreed further to amend the bill. Whereupon, a motion was made to strike out the words "twenty-five," line sixth of the bill, as reported by the select committee; and it passed in the negative. On motion, it was agreed to strike out the word "repairing," line eighth, and insert, in lieu thereof, the words "making a new roof and other repairs." On the question, Shall this bill be now read the third time as amended? it was determined in the affirmative. Mr. GILES, from the committee to whom was referred that part of the Message of the President of the United States, as relates to the laws respecting the insurrections, and the violation of the public peace; also, the bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act providing for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States," reported the bill with amendments; which were read, and ordered to lie for consideration. the Rapids of the Ohio and the adjacent shores, accom"That they have attentively examined a survey of panied by explanatory notes, made by a Mr. Jared Brooks, who appears to be a skilful and intelligent engineer. That the survey exhibits the sites proposed for the canal on the Kentucky shore, and its supposed contemplated route on the Indiana side; and its accuracy is certified by nine respectable gentlemen, who, being execution of an act for incorporating a company for cutting the canal in question, have themselves examined the several objects delineated. Mr. Brooks has sunk, at short and convenient distances, shafts ascer taining the nature of the ground through which the canal is proposed to pass on the Kentucky shore, the various depths to the surface of the rock; and by his the object, and the superior advantages of the Kentucky survey and notes has fully evinced the practicability of over the opposite side. On the Kentucky shore the requisite depth of the canal will be less, its length not firmer ground for its sides, and far better harbors at its so great by at least one-third, a better bed afforded, head and foot. From these circumstances, it is presumed, the expense of the undertaking will not be so great by one half on the Kentucky, as upon the opposite shore, and, in Mr. Brooks's opinion, will not exceed $200,000. "To open the canal so as to admit of the passage of vessels of any burden capable of navigating the Ohio, the Legislature of Kentucky, at their session of 1804, passed an act incorporating a company by the name of the Ohio Canal Company, which was amended by an act passed at their session of 1805. By the provisions of these acts, the company is permitted to raise a capital of $500,000, composed of shares of fifty dollars each, is vested with suitable powers to accomplish the work, able tolls. On their part, the Legislature of Kentucky and upon its completion authorized to charge reasonhas directed a subscription for one thousand shares, and has invited the Governments of the United States, Mr. BRADLEY gave notice that he would to-York, all supposed to be more or less interested, to par Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, and New morrow ask leave to bring in a bill to suspend the ticipate in the undertaking. duties on salt, from and after the time therein specified. The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Stephen Sayre;" and the bill was ordered to the third reading. The Senate took into consideration the resolution of the House of Representatives, adhering to their disagreement to the amendments of the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act repealing the acts laying duties on salt, and continuing in force for a further time the first section of the act, entitled 'An act further to protect the commerce and seamen of the United States against the Barbary Powers ;" and, on motion that the Senate adhere to their amendments to the said bill, it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 15, nays 13, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Adams, Bayard, Bradley, Clay, Giles, Gilman, Hillhouse, Mitchill, Pickering, Plumer, Smith of Maryland, Smith of New York, Smith of Tennessee, Thruston, and Tracy. NAYS-Messrs. Condit, Gaillard, Howland, Kitchel, Logan, Maclay, Milledge, Moore, Reed, Smith of Vermont, Sumter, Turner, and Worthington. "That the work is one of great and national import ance is undeniable. The immense country on the Ohio and its waters, above the Rapids, in seeking a market for its surplus products, has to encounter the obstruction in the navigation of that stream, which they present. This obstruction, never entirely free from danger, is such as to absolutely preclude the passage of vessels for several months in the year in their descent, and when laden, for the whole year in their ascent of the river. The rapidity of the current, which averages at the rate of from ten to eleven miles an hour through the falls, leaves no alternative for a safe voyage up as well as down the river, but in a canal. "How far it is the policy of the Government to aid in works of this kind, when it has no direct interest; whether, indeed, in such a case, it has the Constitutional power of patronage and encouragement; it is not necessary to be decided in the present instance. Being the proprietor of land bordering upon the Ohio, to a greater extent than any individual State, owning, too, an invaluable saline near the Wabash, there can be no doubt that both policy and power combine in favor of promoting an undertaking by which its property is to be incidentally benefitted. If the value and price of land depend as well upon the facility with which its products find a market, as upon its capacity to produce, there can be no doubt that the public lands will be increased in value, by improvements in the navigation of those streams which water them. The saline alluded to will have its market enlarged by the opening of the proposed canal; and those above the Rapids, as well as those below, may in time count upon it as one of the sources from whence salt may be obtained. But, as some contrariety of opinion has existed in relation to the preferable side of the Ohio for the canal; as the information upon which your committee has, on this subject, acted, is rather of an ex-parte character; and as any aid this Government may think proper to give ought only to be afforded after the most impartial and thorough investigation of the subject, they beg leave to recommend the following resolution : "Resolved, That the President be authorized to appoint three commissioners for the purpose of examining the rapids of the Ohio, to ascertain whether a canal to avoid them be practicable, and which side of the river presents the greatest advantages for its accomplishment; and, also, whether the bed of the river is capable of being so cleared out as to admit of ascending and descending navigation, and the relative importance of a sluice and canal." The report was agreed to. Ordered, That Messrs. CLAY, THRUSTON, and GILES, be a committee to bring in a bill accordingly. Mr. CLAY, from the above committee, agreeably to instructions, reported a bill providing for the appointment of commissioners to ascertain the practicability of removing the obstructions in the navigation of the Ohio at the Rapids; and the bill was read, and ordered to the second reading. FRIDAY, February 27. Mr. GILES, from to committee to whom was referred the bill sent from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act in addition to the act, 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," reported the same without amendment. Resolved, That the further consideration of this bill be postponed until the next session of Congress. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act providing for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States," together with the report of the select committee thereon; and the President, from the Committee of the Whole, reported the bill to the House amended. On the question, Shall the bill be read a third time as amended? It was determined in the affirmative. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House agree to the modifications of the amendments as reported by the committee of conference to the bill, entitled "An act to prohibit the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the SENATE. United States from and after the first day of January, in the year of our Lord 1808;" they disagree to the amendments of the Senate to the joint resolution to publish the report and chart of the survey of the coast of North Carolina. They have passed a bill, entitled "An act to amend the act, entitled An act to regulate and fix the compensation of clerks, and to authorize the laying out of certain public roads, and for other purposes," in which they request the concurrence of the Senate. The bill last mentioned in the message was read, and ordered to the second reading. The bill sent from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act making appropriations for finishing the south wing of the Capitol, and for other purposes," was read the third time as amended, and passed. The bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act for the relief of Stephen Sayre," was read the third time, and recommitted to Messsrs. TRACY, ADAMS, and BRADLEY, further to consider and report thereon. Mr. WORTHINGTON, from the committee to whom was referred the bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act regulating the claims to land in the Territories of Orleans and Louisiana," reported the same with amendments; which were read, and ordered to lie for consideration. The Senate took into consideration the resolution of the House of Representatives disagreeing to their amendments to the joint resolution for publishing the report and chart of the survey of the coast of North Carolina; and, Resolved, That they recede from their amendments disagreed to. The Senate took into consideration the report of the committee on the memorial of sundry merchants of the city of Philadelphia on the subject of drawback, and the consideration thereof was postponed. The bill providing for the appointment of commissioners to ascertain the practicability of removing the obstruction of the navigation of the Ohio at the Rapids, was read the second time, as in Committee of the Whole; and the President having reported the bill to the House amended, on the question, Shall this bill be engrossed and read a third time as amended? it passed in the affirmative. Mr. MITCHILL, from the committee to whom was referred the bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act for the relief of Daniel S. Dexter," reported it without amendment; and the bill was considered in Committee of the Whole; and the President having reported it to the House with an amendment, on the question, Shall this bill be read a third time as amended? it was determined in the affirmative. The President communicated to the Senate a report of the Secretary for the Department of the Treasury, enclosing the copy of a letter from the Comptroller of the Treasury, accompanied with a statement of the emoluments of the officers of the customs for the year 1806;" which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. SATURDAY, February 28. Mr. TRACY, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Stephen Sayre," reported the same with amendments; and the bill was again considered as in Committee of the Whole; and the President having reported it to the House amended, it was agreed, by unanimous consent, to dispense with the rule, and the bill was read a third time as amended, and passed. The bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act to amend the act, entitled 'An act to regulate and fix the compensation of clerks, and to authorize the laying out of certain public roads, and for other purposes," was read the second time, and referred to the committee appointed on the 7th of January last, to whom was referred the report of the Postmaster General, to consider and report thereon; and that Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, be added to the committee in place of Mr. BALDWIN, detained by the ill state of his health. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of Government during the year 1807;" also, a bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Oliver Pollock;" in which they request the concurrence of the Senate. The bills were read; and the bill last mentioned in the message was ordered to the second reading. On motion, it was agreed, by unanimous consent, to dispense with the rule, and the bill first mentioned in the message was read the second time, and referred to Messrs TRACY, SMITH, of Maryland, and TURNER, to consider and report thereon. FEBRUARY, 1807. missioners to ascertain the practicability of removing the obstructions in the navigation of the Ohio at the Rapids, was read the third time; and the first blank, providing for the daily pay of the commissioners, was filled with the words "five dollars," and the second blank in the clause making an appropriation, with "two thousand dollars;" and on the question, Shall this bill pass as amended? it was determined in the affirmativeyeas 18, nays 8, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Bayard, Clay, Gaillard, Gilman, Hillhouse, Maclay, Milledge, Mitchill, Moore, Pickering, Plumer, Reed, Smith of Maryland, Smith of Ohio, Smith of Tennessee, Thruston, White, and Worthington. NAIS-Messrs. Adams, Condit, Howland, Kitchel, Smith of New York, Smith of Vermont, Tracy, and Turner. So it was Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be "An act providing for the appointment of commissioners to ascertain the practicability of removing the obstructions in the navigation of the Ohio, at the Rapids.” The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the second reading of the bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act regulating claims to land in the Territories of Orleans and Louisiana," together with the report of the special committee thereon; and the President reported to the House that the Committee of the Whole do not agree to the report of the select committee, but had agreed to amend the bill. On the question, Shall this bill pass to the third reading as amended? it was determined in the affirmative. The Senate adjourned to 7 o'clock this evening. Seven o'clock in the Evening. Mr. WORTHINGTON had leave to withdraw the motions made on the 25th and 26th instant, re- A message from the House of Representatives specting a canal between the waters of the Chesa-informed the Senate that the House have passed peake and Delaware, and a turnpike road from the a bill, entitled "An act making compensation to City of Washington through the Atlantic States, Messrs. Lewis and Clarke and their companions;" for the purpose of substituting the following for a bill, entitled "An act disapproving of an act consideration: passed by the Governor and Judges of the TerriResolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be di-tory of Michigan, entitled 'An act concerning the rected to prepare and report to the Senate, at their next session, a plan for the application of such means as are within the power of Congress, to the purposes of opening 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 Government; and, also, a statement of works of the nature mentioned which have been com menced, the progress which has been made in them, and the means and prospect of their being completed; and all such information as, in the opinion of the Secretary, shall be material, in relation to the objects of this resolution. Bank of Detroit ;" and a bill entitled "An act authorizing patents to issue for lands located and surveyed by virtue of certain Virginia resolution warrants," in which bills they request the concurrence of the Senate. The bills first mentioned in the message were read, and ordered to the second reading. The bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act regulating the claims to land in the Territories of Orleans and Louisiana," was, by unanimous consent, read the third time as amended, and passed. MONDAY, March 2. The bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act providing for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States," was A message from the House of Representatives read the third time, and passed with amendments. informed the Senate that the House have passed The bill from the House of Representatives, a bill, entitled "An act repealing the acts laying entitled "An act for the relief of Daniel S. Dex-duties on salt, and continuing in force for a furter," was read the third time and passed, with amendments. The bill providing for the appointment of com ther time the first section of the act, entitled 'An act further to protect the commerce and seamen of the United States against the Barbary Powers," |