quire into the expediency of allowing three months' extra pay to all the officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates of volunteers who have engaged, or shall engage, to serve during the war with Mexico, to be paid at the time of their discharge; also the same allowance to all non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates of the regular army, who shall engage to serve for the same term; also to inquire into the expediency of placing the army, in all its extent, of officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, (militia, volunteers, and regulars,) on the same footing with the officers, petty officers, and seamen in the navy, with respect to pensions for wounds or disabilities received in service, and provision for their families in the event of being killed, or dying in service; and also, with respect to prize-money for public property taken from the enemy, so far as to make the same a fund in the hands of the government for the payment of pensions to the families of those killed or dying in the service.

The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution submitted by Mr. Crittenden the 10th instant, relative to increasing the pay of the non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates of the army, including the volunteers, during the war with Mexico: and,

The resolution having been amended on the motion of Mr. Benton, was agreed to, as follows:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of increasing, during the continuance of the present war with Mexico, the pay of the non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates of the army of the United States, including the volunteers; and also of providing for the granting of certificates of merit to such of them as may distinguish themselves by personal acts of extraor dinary devotion or bravery in the performance of their duty, and that those to whom such certificates are granted shall receive, in virtue thereof, additional pay at the rate of dollars per month during their continuance in service.

After the consideration of Executive business,

The Senate adjourned.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1846.

The Vice President laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, accompanied by a report of the acting Commissioner of the General Land Office, showing the operations of that branch of the public service during the last year: which was read, and ordered to be printed.

The Vice President laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, accompanied by two communications from the acting Commissioner of the General Land Office, made in compliance with a resolution of the Senate, relative to the nett proceeds of the sales of the public lands, situate in the State of Illinois, sold in the Vincennes land district, erroneously credited to the State of Indiana: which was read, and ordered to be printed.

The Vice President laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, made in compliance with a resolution of the Senate, on the expediency of providing by law that ships and vessels navigating the Delaware shall carry lights in the night, in order to avoid collision: which was read, and ordered to be printed.

On motion by Mr. Dix,

Ordered, That two hundred and fifty additional copies of the annual report on commerce and navigation be printed for the use of the Treasury Department.

Mr. Dickinson submitted an additional document relating to the claim of the administrator of Jacob Housman, deceased, to indemnity for Indian depredations during the Seminole war: which, with his petition on the files of the Senate, was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Dickinson presented a memorial of shipmasters and seamen of the lakes, praying that the harbor of Cattaraugus may be completed and lighted: which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. Evans presented the petition of Peter Grover, praying remuneration for an injury received while employed in the public service: which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. Evans presented the petition of Pamela A. S. Dearborn, widow of Greenleaf Dearborn, deceased, late an officer in the army of the United States, praying to be allowed certain arrears of pay: which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, presented the memorial of Ann B. Cox, widow and executrix of Nathaniel Cox, deceased, praying the payment of a balance ascertained to be due her on a settlement of the accounts of her late husband as navy agent at New Orleans: which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, presented the petition of Elisha L. Keen, praying the reimbursement of a sum of money advanced by him for the public service while engaged in transporting recruits for the navy during the last war with Great Britain: which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, presented the petition of William H. Bassett, praying the payment of certain fees and allowances due him as United States marshal for the western district of Louisiana: which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. Johnson, of Maryland, presented the memorial of Maria S. Johnston, executrix of Charles Johnston, deceased; the memorial of Elizabeth Lester, executrix of Robert Courtenay, deceased; and the memorial of Marianne R. Champayne, widow of John R. Champayne, deceased, praying indemnity for French spoliations prior to 1800: which were referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Johnson, of Maryland, presented the memorial of James Mc McIntosh, an officer in the navy, praying compensation for performing, while a lieutenant, duties belonging to officers of a higher grade: which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. Cilley presented the memorial of the representatives of Thomas Manning, deceased, praying indemnity for French spoliations prior to 1800: which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Sturgeon presented the petition of Jones and Boker and others, praying payment of the amount of certain treasury notes stolen from the mail by a person in the service of the Post Office Department: which, with the documents relating thereto on the files of the Senate, was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. Calhoun presented the memorial of George Harvey, in behalf of the owners and consignees of the ship James Mitchell, praying the payment of

a balance of an appropriation retained in the Treasury and claimed by them as costs decreed to be paid by the libellant: which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Calhoun presented the memorial of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, praying the erection of a new custom-house at that place: which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Dix presented the petition of Robert Deidericks, praying compensation for a package of merchandise lost by the custom-house officers at the port of New York, after having been deposited in the public store: which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. Dix presented resolutions adopted by the Chamber of Commerce of the city of New York, in favor of a grant of public land to aid in the construction of a railroad from lake Michigan to the Pacific ocean: which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. Dix presented the memorial of the Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company and other marine insurance companies of the city of New York, praying the establishment of a permanent court of admiralty at Key West, in Florida: which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. Dix presented the memorial of the marine insurance companies of the city of New York, praying the adoption of measures for the better security of commerce on the coast of Florida and near the harbor of New York: which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. Dix presented the petition of the Pilot's Association of the city of New York, praying the repeal of the act of March 2, 1837, concerning pilots: which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. Dix presented a memorial of James B. Johnson and others, formerly indented apprentices of licensed pilots of the city of New York, praying the repeal of the act of March 2, 1837, concerning pilots: which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, and ordered to be printed.

On motion by Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana,

Ordered, That the petition of Joseph de la Francia, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee of Claims.

On motion by Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana,

Ordered, That the memorial of the heirs and legal representatives of Louis de la Houssaye, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

On motion by Mr. Sturgeon,

Ordered, That the petition of Andrew Moore, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Pensions.

On motion by Mr. Morehead,

Ordered, That the petition of Pearson Cogswell, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee of Claims.

On motion by Mr. Archer,

Ordered, That the memorial of Joshua Dodge, on the files of the Senate, be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Agreeably to notice, Mr. Semple asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill (S. 1) to extend the national road to the city of Alton, on the Mississippi river: which was read the first and second times, by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

Agreeably to notice, Mr. Semple asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill (S. 2) to grant a portion of the public land to the State of Illinois to aid in the completion of the Illinois and Michigan canal; which was read the

first and second times, by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. French, their Clerk:

Mr. President: I am directed to communicate to the Senate information of the decease of the Hon. Felix G. McConnell, a member of the House of Representatives from the State of Alabama, and the proceedings of the House of Representatives thereon.

Mr. Lewis submitted the following resolutions, which were considered, by unanimous consent, and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Senate has received with deep sensibility the message from the House of Representatives announcing the death of the Honorable Felix Grundy McConnell, a representative from the State of Alabama.

Resolved, unanimously, That the members of the Senate, from a sincere desire of showing every mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.

Resolved, That, as a further mark of respect for the memory of the deceased, the Senate do now adjourn.

Whereupon,

The Senate adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1846.

The Hon. James F. Simmons, from the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, attended.

The Vice President laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, made in compliance with a resolution of the Senate, in relation to the establishment of a marine hospital in the State of Maine.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Commerce, and printed.

Mr. Mangum presented the memorial of John Hogan, praying compensation for his services, and reimbursement of expenses while acting as commissioner and special agent of the United States to the republic of Dominica in the year 1845: which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mr. Chalmers presented the memorial of Susan E. Gordon, representative of George Fisher, deceased, praying compensation for property used or destroyed by United States troops during the Creek hostilities: which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Dickinson presented two memorials of seamen and others navigating the lakes, praying that the harbor at Cattaraugus may be completed and lighted: which were referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. Fairfield presented the petition of Judith Whitten, widow of James Hibbert, a deceased naval seaman, praying a pension: which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. Fairfield presented the petition of Nathaniel Phillips, formerly a seaman in the naval service, praying to be allowed arrears of pension: which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. Bagby presented the petition of William Barclay, praying the confirmation of his title to a tract of land: which was referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

Mr. Bagby presented the petition of Lloyd Slemmer, praying to be allowed the pay of an acting master's mate in the navy during the time he performed the duties of that station: which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Bagby presented the petition of Richard G. Dove, praying compensation for his services as assistant messenger in the office of the Third Auditor of the Treasury: which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Thomas Clayton presented a petition of citizens of the State of Delaware, praying the adoption of measures for the speedy termination of the existing war with Mexico: which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mr. Pearce presented the memorial of Columbus Alexander and Theodore Barnard, praying to be indemnified for losses sustained in consequence of an alleged violation, on the part of the government, of their contract to execute the printing of the Navy Department; which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Benton submitted additional documents relating to the petition of Sarah E. Graham: which were referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr. Benton presented the petition of Richard M. Livingston, administrator of James Livingston, deceased, an officer in the revolutionary army, praying to be allowed commutation pay: which was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

Mr. Atchison presented the memorial of Thomas Talbot and others, citizens of Missouri, trading between that State and the province of New Mexico, praying indemnity for depredations committed upon their property in the year 1827, by a band of Pawnee Indians: which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Mr. Atchison presented two petitions of citizens of Missouri, praying the establishment of a mail route from St. Joseph to Alexandria, in that State: which were referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Mr. Atchison presented the petition of Thomas H. Noble, praying compensation for a quantity of charcoal furnished under contract for the use of the government: which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. Dix presented the memorial of S. D. Dakin, for himself and others, owners and patentees of an improved plan of dry-dock, praying that the Secretary of the Navy may be authorized by law to contract with them for the construction of dry-docks at the several naval stations of the United States: which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. Sturgeon submitted additional documents relating to the petition of Andrew Moore: which were referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. Cass presented a petition of inhabitants of Saut de Ste. Marie, in the State of Michigan, praying the appointment of a board of commissioners for adjusting the titles to lands within the limits of that settlement, and the removal of the military post now established there to some other place on the St. Mary's river: which was referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

Mr. Cass presented the petition of C. W. Fitch, in behalf of himself and the other heirs of Daniel Henshaw, deceased, praying indemnity for French spoliations prior to 1800: which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mr. Westcott presented the memorial of the administrator of William Bunce, deceased, praying compensation for property destroyed by order