CONGRESS. SENATE. March 6.-The military committee was discharged from the further consideration of the petition of the surviving officers of the revolutionary armyand the same referred to the committee of claims. The motion yesterday made by Mr. Campbell, was agreed to in the following words: committee of the whole, Mr. Pitkin in the chair, on the report of the select committee on the 15th December, on the subject of internal improvement. The report of the committee concludes with the following resolution: "Resolved, That in order to promote and give security to the internal commerce among the several states; to facilitate the safe and expeditious transportation of mails, by the improvement of post roads, with the assent of the respective states; to render more easy and less expensive the means and provisions necessary for the common defence, Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary, be instructed to inquire into the expediency of extending the provisions of the law prescribing the mode in which the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings, in each state shall be authenti- by the construction of military roads, with the like cated, so as to take effect in every other state, to assent of the respective states; and for such other internal improvements as may be within the constithe public acts, records, and judicial proceedings tutional powers of the general government, it is expedient that the sum be paid to the United States, by the 20th section of the act to incorporate the subscribers to the bank of the United States, and the dividend which shall arrise from their shares in its capital stock, be constituted as a fund for internal improvement." of the several territories of the U. States. After the consideration of executive business the senate adjourned to Monday. March 9.-The bill making appropriations for the support of the navy, was ordered to a third reading, and read a third time and finally passed. The amendments of the other house to the amendments of the senate to the bill concerning certain surviving officers and soldiers of the revolu. tionary war, were taken up; and all having been agreed to, save that which goes to strike out certain words, and has the effect to permit those who already receive a pension from any individual state to avail themselves of the provisions of this act; on the question on concurring with this enlargement of the principle of the bill, the vote stood thus: YEAS-Messrs. Burrill, Campbell, Crittenden, Daggett, Eppes, Fromentin, Gaillard, Goldsborough, Horsey, Hunter, Johnson King, Morril, Otis, Sanford, Stokes, Tait, Talbot, Tichenor, Van Dyke, Williams of Miss. Williams of Ten.-22. NAYS.-Messrs. Dickerson, Lacock, Leake, Macon, Morrow, Noble, Roberts, Ruggles, Smith, Storer.-10. The amendments of the house being all concured in, the bill finally passed. The resolution being read, and the question propounded on its adoption, some discussion took place on a motion that the committee rise, (made with a view to prevent a discussion of the principle of the resolution) which was decided in the negative; after which several gentlemen delivered their sentiments on the main subject, and a good deal of discussion took place on incidental questions which arose. The committee rose without taking any ques. tion, obtained leave to sit again; and The house adjourned. the 13th of April next. Saturday March 7. Mr. Sergeant, from the joint committee to whom the subject was referred, reported a resolution that the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives be The engrossed resolution of Mr. Dickerson, pro-authorized to adjourn their respective houses on posing an amendment to the constitution of the United States, for the election of senators and re. presentatives in congress, and electors of president and vice president in an uniform manner, by districts throughout the United States, having been read, "shall the resolution pass the senate?" the question was decided as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Burrill, Campbell, Crittenden, Dickerson, Fromentin, Gaillard, Goldsborough, Hunter, Johnson, King, Lacock, Macon, Morrow, Noble, Smith, Stokes, Talbot, Tichenor, Williams of Miss. Williams of Tenn.-20. On motion of Mr. Tompkins, it was Resolved, That the committee on pensions and revolutionary claims be instructed to enquire into the expediency of extending for five years to the widow and infant children of John Paulding, deceased, one of the incorruptible captors of major Andre, the annual pension heretofore granted to the said John Paulding for his distinguished merits. On motion of Mr. Morton, it was NAYS-Messrs. Daggett, Eppes, Horsey, Leake, Morrill, Otis Roberts, Ruggles, Sanford, Storer, Tait, Taylor, Van Dyke-13 Resolved, That the committee on so much of the So less than two thirds of the senate having vot-president's message as relates to roads, canals and ed in the affirmative, the resolve was rejected. seminaries of learning, be instructed to enquire inMarch 10.-Mr. Storer submitted for considera- to the expediency of providing by law for contion the following resolution: structing a navigable canal to unite the waters of Narragansett bay and Long Island bay, by Taunton "Resolved, That the committee on the post office and post roads be instructed to enquire into the causes which so frequently prevent the due arrival of the public mail." [Mr. Robertson made a similar motion in the house, but with special reference to the mail to and from New-Orleans-the arrival of which is always uncertain.] The other proceedings of this day had very lit. tle present interest. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. river. Mr. Johnson, of Ky. gave notice that he should, on Monday, ask leave to introduce a bill authorizing the people of Michigan territory to send a delegate to congress. The house proceeded to the order of the day on the question of roads and canals; and the remainder of the day was consumed in debating it. Mr. Lowndes laving withdrawn his proposed Friday March, 6.-Among the petitions present-substitute, the question recurred on the resolution ed to day was one by Mr. Butler, from maj. gen. originally reported by the select committee. John Stark, representing his necessitous circum- Mr. Smyth, of Va. then addressed the house in stances, and praying that the bounty of the national a speech of an hour and a half against the report. Mr. Barbour followed, in a speech of two hours government may be extended to him in the decline of his days, in consideration of his faithful services on the same side. in defence of his country; which was referred to a select committee. After a variety of business-The house on motion of Mr. Tucker, of Virginia, resolved itself into a Mr. Ciay replied to those gentlemen in a speech of an hour and a half. And the committee rose at a late hour, and the house adjourned. [The Intelligencer, says "the debate which has already taken place has been distinguished by uncommon ability and by traits of profound reflection on the subject. As this question will be solemnly decided, and, it may be, conclusively settled, on this occasion, we need not say that the debate shall be laid before the public." (We also shall preserve some of the speeches in the REGISTER.] Monday, March 9. [Several reports were delivered, and certain proceedings took place, to be noticed as they advance to maturity.] Mr. Butler reported a bill for the relief of Gen. John Stark, which was twice read and committed. The resolution providing for the adjournment of congress on the 13th day of April next, received its third reading. This produced considerable debate-but the resolution was finally agreed to-101 to 46. Congress ust be very industrious, indeed, to get through a reasonable portion of the business before them. The bill respecting the district courts of the United States for the district of New-York, was taken up on its second reading, and the question having been stated on ordering the bill to be engrossed for a third reading tion he may possess, which can be communicated without injury to the public good, relative to Augustus Pierre Choteau, Julius Demun, and their company, Robert M'Knight, James Baird, and their company; likewise, J. Harro, captured by the forces of the king of Spain, and confined in the pri sons of Santa Fe, and that he communicate any information he may possess relative to the place where captured. And a committee was appointed to present the resolution to the president. Mr. Taylor submitted the following amendment to the rules and orders of the house; which lies on the table one day of course: "After six days from the commencement of a second or subsequent session of any Congress, all legislative business which at the close of the next preceding session remained in the house where it originated, shall be resumed and acted on in the same manner as if an adjournment had not taken place." The house then resumed the unfinished business of yesterday-and again went into a committee of the whole on the resolution reported by the select committee on the subject of internal improvement. Mr. Johnson of V. spoke more than an hour And, after the facts were explained by Mr. Spencer and others, the bill was ordered to be engross-against the resolution; and ed. [Passed the next day] The speaker laid before the house the following letter from the secretary of the treasury: Treasury department, March 6, 1818. SIR-In conformity with the provisions of the act of congress of the 3d of March, 1817, entitled "An act to incorporate the subscribers to certain banks in the District of Columbia, and to prevent the circulation of the notes of unincorporated associations within the said district," I have the honor to state, that the president and directors of the banks embraced by the said act, have deposited in this department statements of the situation of the said banks respectively, on the 1st day of January, 1818. Mr. Lowndes occupied about the same time in its support. A question was then taken on striking out all the original resolution after the word "Resolved," and inserting the following; and decided in the affirmative-ayes 78, noes 58. "That congress has power under the constitution to appropriate money for the construction of post roads, military and other roads, and of canals, and for the improvement of water courses." The question was then taken on the second resolution, offered as part of the substitute by Mr. Lowndes, and agreed to, ayes 76, noes-70, as follows: "Resolved, That congress has power under the constitution to construct post roads and military From an attentive examination of these state-roads, provided, that private property be not taken ments, I am of opinion that the concerns of these banks have been prudently conducted; that there is ne just reason to doubt their solidity, and that there exists no cause of danger arising from any kind of mismanagement. I have the honor, &c. Hon. H. Clay, WM. II. CRAWFORD. Speaker of the house of representatives. The report was ordered to lie on the table. The house then again resolved itself into a committee of the whole, on the report of the committee on the question of internal improvement. Mr. Cushman delivered a speech of nearly two hours in length, in favor of the report. Mr. Austin delivered one of equal length, on the other side of the question. Mr. Simpkins followed, in a speech of half an hour, in favour of the report. When the committee rose and the house adjourn ed a little before six o'clock. Tuesday, March 10. Among the reports received to-day was one delivered by Mr. Mason, of Mass. from the committee appointed on that subject, on the claims from Massachusetts for expenses incurred in calling out her militia, accompanied by a bill to authorize the settlement and payment of those claims. On motion of Mr. Floyd, Resolved, That the president of the United States be request ed to lay before this house any inferma for public use without just compensation." The third branch of the substitute was also agreed to, as follows, ayes 70 noes 69. "Resolved, That congress has power under the constitution to construct roads and canals necessary for commerce between the states; provided, that private property be not taken for public purposes, without just compensation." Mr. Mercer proposed to add another resolution to those agreed to, which, after some discussion, was adopted, ayes 75, noes 63, as follows. "Resolved, That congress has power under the constitution, to construct canals for military purposes, provided that no private property be taken for any such purpose without just compensation being made therefor." Mr. Lownes then moved the adoption of an additional resolution, as follows: "Resolved, That it is expedient that the sum to be paid to the United States under the 20th section of the act to incorporate the subscribers to the bank of the United States, and the dividends which shall arise from their shares in its capital stock, be constituted as a fund for the construction of roads and canals." The question on this resolution was decided in the negative-ayes 72, noes 73. After some other proceedings the committee rose reported progress, &c. and the house adjourned at 5 o'clock. Wednesday, March 11. The speaker presented CHRONICLE. the petition of Vincente Pazos, representing him- tion of the 4th ult. to inquire into the legality of self to be the agent of the republics of Venezuela, transfers of public debt, made to the bank of the New Granada, &c. complaining of the capture of United States, to secure the payment of loans made Amelia Island, stating that application had been to them, made a report thereon, which was read, made to the executive, who had resused justice, as and ordered to be printed. he says, and praying the interposition of congress. The house then, in committee of the whole, proMr. Forsyth moved that the petition should not ceeded to consider the resolutions about internal be received. This was opposed by Messrs. Cols- improvements. Messrs. H. Nelson and Mercer spoke ton, Johnson, of Ky. Harrison, and Robertson-and against them, and Messrs. Baldwin and Tucker, in [The memorial was read, as required. It pur- support of them. The committee rose, and the ports to be "the memorial of Vincente Pazos, of house adjourned at 5 o'clock. Peru, deputed agent of the authorities acting in the name of the representatives of Venezuela, New Grenada and Mexico," and states the motives of Robbery of the mail.-The great eastern mail, these representatives in giving authority to occupy which left Baltimore for Philadelphia on WedAmelia, &c. and the manifold grievances of loss of nesday last, was robbed in the night, when within military stores, &c. as well as of the military posi- two miles of Havre de Grace, by three men with tion; complaining also of a recent decision of the blackened faces, determined on their purpose, and admiralty court for the district of Georgia, in the properly equipped to execute it. They made case of a prize vessel, and denying the crimes of fence across the road, and while the driver and Mr. smuggling and slave-dealing imputed to the occu- Ludlow, who was with him, were endeavoring to pants of that island. The memorial, after stating ascertain the nature of the obstruction, they rushthat the memorialist has addressed the president ed upon them and, with pistols at their breasts, of the United States on this subject, and has receiv- tied them, threatening instant death in case of reed an answer not satisfactory thereto, concludes assistance or noise. They then took the mail and follows: the prisoners a short distance into the woods, and "In repeating these manifold grievances to your tying the latter to trees, cut open the mail bags and, honorable house, your memorialist looks with con- gutted the letters of the money contained in them. fidence for that dignified and sincere support of This employed them about two hours. They then the great republican cause in which those whom brought Mr. L. and the driver back to the road, he represents are so deeply engaged, and he re- tied them to the waggon, and mounted the horses poses in the bosom of your august assemblies those and made off-it was two hours before Mr. Lud. representations depending on such a redress of low and the driver could extricate themselves.-— grievance as shall comport with the honor, dignity one of the robbers proposed to shoot them to preand justice of the government of the U. States."] vent a discovery; but the others objected, saying An interesting debate took place on this memo- they had accomplished their purpose, and bloodrial. It was regarded by some as an act of great shed was unnecssary. impertinence for a foreigner thus to arraign the conduct of the president-that if the house wished to go into an examination of the conduct of the executive, it would do it on its own motion, &c. Others viewed it in a different light-as a claim for property lost by acts of the United States; and that the right of petition belonged as well to foreigners as to citizens, &c. However, it was decided, 124 to 28, that the paper should not be received. After some time spent in considering the claims law, as it is commonly called The house again went into a committee of the whole on the report of the committee respecting internal improvements-the debate was resumed on the main question. Mr. Sawyer and Mr. H. Nelson opposed, and Messrs. Jones, of Ten. and Mr. Colston supported the resolutions. The house adjourned after a sitting of nearly eight hours. Thursday, March 12. On reading the journal this morning, in the accustomed manner, a discussion arose as to the mode in which the entry had been made respecting the petition of Vincente Pazos, presented on yesterday. After stating the official character of the petitioner, the entry proceeded to describe, briefly, the contents of the petition, and particularly to state that the petitioner, having fail. ed in his application to the president for redress, applied to congress for relief. Quem Deus vult perdere prius dementat. Two of the three wretches who robbed the mail, were detected in Baltimore yesterday morning and secur. ed. About 20,000 dollars were found upon them. The one that appears to have been the principal is yet at large-but probably will be caught. Every citizen is deeply interested in catching him. A countryman for abusing his horse in one of the streets of Baltimore a few days ago, was brought before the city court; and, on his apparent repen. tance, fined only $20, and discharged. He submitted the case. A great man has fallen-Gen. George Rogers Clark, died at Locust Grove, in Kentucky, on the 13th ult. in the 66th year of his age. He was considered as the father of the western country. Some particulars of his life may be expected hereafter. The Franklin 74 had arrived at Gibraltar, all well, and proceeded to Syracuse. The Detroit Gazette says, that a majority of the votes in Michigan territory is against the second grade of territorial government!-The result is pronounced "extraordinary" Mr. T. J. Rodgers, at present a member of the senate of Pennsylvania, has been elected to congress in the room of John Ross, esq. resigned. Savannah, March 3 A letter from the collector of the port of Darien to a gentleman in this place states, that the surveyor of that harbor had seized seventy eight African slaves at the Creek Agency, and that they were on their way to Darien. Mr. Poindexter moved to strike out that part that described the contents of the memorial, as it had not been received; a debate ensued, but the house, by a large majority, overruled the motion, and thus sanctioned the entry as made on the jour-room to insert them. nal. [We have the yeas and nays on the rejection of Pazos' memorial; but have not either time or We also have a copy of the documents in relation Sundry bills were reported. Mr. Lowndes, from to the claims of our merchants for property seized, the committee, who were instructed by a resolu- &c. by Naples-which shall be attended to] The great quantity of documentary articles and appears to have been considered rather in the that presses upon us, compels a deferment of mis- light of a privy council to the president, than as a cellaneous subjects, original and selected. In the co-ordinate branch of the legislature. Indeed, if present number some of those articles are disposed we mistake not, it was so termed in conversation of-by the aid of a supplement, we expect with occasionally, if not in official proceedings of that our next to get through with the volume of papers day. There are not many, probably, of the present belonging to our relations with Spain-after which, generation of readers, who remember the fact, that, the remarks on banking shall be resumed, and con- in the first session of the first congress of the Unittinued to the end first contemplated. It is with ed States, president WASHINGTON personally came much pleasure we observe that these remarks have into the senate, when that body was engaged on been copied into several newspapers-and, judg-what is called executive business, and took part in ing from many private letters received, they ap their deliberations. When he attended, he took pear to have obtained the decided approbation of the vice-president's chair, and the vice-president the public at large. A late mission to Europe, took that of the secretary of the senate; one or and the condition for paying the dividends of the other of the secretaries occasionally accompanied bank in London-shall not be neglected. The editor will be absent from home the en- dressed the senate on the questions before them, the president on these visits. The president adsuing week, intending to visit Washington city-and in many respects exercised a power in respect but the common business of his office will be at- to their proceedings, which would now be deemed tended to as usual. Political Memoranda. We are indebted for the following very interesting are but six or seven. entirely incornpatible with their rights and privileges. This practice, however, did not long con tinue. Au occasion soon arose of collision of opinion between the president and the senate, on some nomination, and he did not afterwards attend, but communicated by message what he desired to lay before them. In the house of representatives of the United States, there are now, out of 184 members, only six who were members of the tenth congress, (1807-8-9) and have continued in the house without tive proceedings of the senate were always transAt this period the legislative as well as execu intermission. Of those who were members of that acted in secret session; and the public knew of the congress, and are members of the present house, proceedings of that branch of the government only but who have had intermissions of service. there from its messages to the other house announcing is even more strongly illustrated, in the senate of in practice, all responsibility to the constituent, Yet the principle of rotation its decisions. It became evident, however, that, the United States, though intended by the consti- under such circumstances, was ideal; but it was tution to be the more permanent service. In that not until the 20th of February, 1794, after a conbody there is but one individual who was a senator siderable struggle, that the senate came to a resoin the tenth congress. In the senate at present lution that its legislative proceedings should, after eight members out of forty were members of the the end of that session, be public, and that galle house of representatives in the tenth congress; and ries should be provided for the accommodation of of the present house of representatives two mem-auditors. On this question we find the yeas and bers were in that congress senators both from the nays registered, nineteen members having voted for state of Maryland. it, and eight against it. ment. These facts afford materials on the practical operation of for much reflection From the day of this triumph of popular princiour system of govern ples, the senate has gradually parted with the cha It may be added, that there is no member of to it. By the increase of its numbers from the ad. racter of reserve, which appears to have belonged the executive department of the government who mission of new states into the union, its legislative was then concerned in the administration of the go-business has become so laborious, that its peculiar vernment. Mr. MONOE was then a minister abroad, character of an executive council is almost overand Mr. ADAMS a member of the senate.. Of the looked, notwithstanding the great importance of present governors of the several states, there is not this feature in our government; and the debates in one who at that day filled the same office. Of the the senate are of much greater length, at this day, twenty, two were then representatives in congress. in proportion to the numbers composing the body, than those of the house of representatives. FROM THE SAME. It cannot have escaped the observation of those bates in the senate have not been regularly report- has gradually varied from that which it appears to equally between the two branches of the legisla VOL. XIX 4. WILLIAM H. CIAWFORD. The kon. the speaker of the house of representatives. Statement of exports, the produce and manufacture of Species of merchandise. Fish dried or smoked Septem Flaxseed Hops Wax I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, Cotton, sea island. your most obedient servant, $68,313,500 19,358,069 Indigo pounds 4,071 do. 8,101,880 other Tobacco Household furniture. Hats Saddlery Quantity or Beer, porter and cider, in casks gallons 160,519 bottles do 13,511 quintals Boots pickled barrels 44,426andles, tallow pounds 653 17,160 780,639 ditto wax do. 8,808 Oil, spermaceti gallons 11,300 Soa whale and other fish do. 460,888 Starc do. 'Whalebone pounds Spermaceti candles do. Wood staves and heading M. shingles hoops and poles . do. hewn timber boards and plank lumber of all kinds masts and spars oak bark and other dye all manufactures of Naval stores, tar do. tons 3,668 Snuff 28,258 Leather 2,975 Maple sugar 86,576 Bricks 25,005 Spirits from grain 350 5,080 201,939 Tobacco, manufactured 162,721 Essence of bark 69,724 Linseed oil do. 186,320 Spirits of turpentine barrels 37,120 Iron, pig bar rosin do. 8,038 nails dolu's 32,782 Ashes, pot tons 8,348 all other manufactures of pearl iron, &c. Skins and furs dollars 687,809 Spirits, from molasses gallons 418,702 Ginseng pounds 253,840 Sugar, refined pounds 144,409 Beef. barrels 37,889 Chocolate . do. Pork do. 11,355 713,045 Hams and bacon pounds 341,419 Copper and brass, and copper 8,765 Tallow manufactured dollars Butter do. 670,387 Medicinal drugs Cheese do. 394,903 Merchandise, and all articles Lard not enumerated, Hides manufactured Horned cattle Horses do. 132 Total value of the statement, Dollars 68,313,500 |