ceed to consider the resolution moved on the 9th inst. by himself, in the following words "Resolved, That the committee on the judiciary be instructed to report a bill to repeal the act entitled "an act to incorporate the subscribers to the bank of the United States," passed April 10th, 1816." The committee agreed to take up this resolution, which was read. Mr. Spencer rose and stated, that he owed it to the civility of mr. Johnson, that, in violating the usual custom on such occasions, which allowed the mover of a proposition to commence its discussion, he was sanctioned by the assent of Mr. Johnson. Mr. S. begged leave to remind the committee that there were three distinct propositions before it; the first was the resolution of the gentleman from Virginia; (Mr. Johnson;) the second was that Ke had the honor of submitting some days since, directing the isssing a scire facias, if the bank did not on a ecrtain day express its assent to a modification of its charter; and the third was the resolution of his friend from Kentucky, (Mr. Trimble.) directing a scire fucias absolutely and unconditionally. Mr. S. observed that he should prefer a modification of the charter, even if it should by same be esteemed a new compact, to the total destruction of the bank, with the views and apprehensions be entertained at present of the consequences of such a measure. If the committee should reach the resolution he had submitted, it was his intention to modify it, in some respects, particularly to omit the third proposition which proposed giving thesident the power of re. moving any director; and he should in other respects amend his propositions, as time and reflection had enabled him, he thought, to improve them. And, if the committee should reach the bill re ported by the select committee, mr 8. said he should, with the approbation of the gentlemen composing the committee, submit an amendment which would require the stockholders, constituting an attorney to vote for them, to swear to their ownership of the stock. Mr. S. thought it proper to apprise the committee of these intentions, that the subject might be fairly considered. For the reason before stated, mr. S. said, he should at present vote against the resolution for the repeal of the charter, and against that directing the issuing of a scire facias; but, if he should not succeed in at least the plan of the propositions he had submitted, although he should not be tenacious of each particular one, he should feel it his duty to vote for a scire fasias, unconditionally. Mr. S. proceeded to make explanations of some expressions in the report. The remark, that "the principal business of the bank certainly has been to discount on notes secured by a pledge of stock," was liable to misconstruction. The expression used does not convey the meaning of the committee; it was either an inadvertance in the draft, or an error in copying: he believed the expression originally was a principal part of the business, &c." and it was intended to confine the remark to the business of the bank at Philadelphia, which was sometimes loosely designated as the bank. With respect to the business of the bank and all its offices, it would appear, that about one fourth had uniformly been discounted on pledged stock, while at Philadelphia, the discounts on stock had frequently very nearly equalled those on personal security. With regard to the expression, in the elose of the report, that "whatever difference of opinion can exist among them,(the committee) as to the result and inferences to be drawn from the facts stated, they unanimously concur in giving to the preceding statements of facts, and abstracts of documents, their sanction." Mr. S. observed, that he thought the expression sufficiently precise, but he understood it was liable to a misconstruction. When inferences are mingled with facts, the unanimous sanction did not extend to these inferences; but, that, in all cases wherever a fact was definitely stated, the committee meant to sanction it. Mr. S. remarked, that the report had been prepared at a time of severe indisposition, and when the commit tee had been fatigued and almost exhausted with labor, and he should not be surprized if many erronous expressions were found in it Mr. Johnson of Va. then rose in support of the resolution under consideration, and addressed the committee about an hour. Mr. Pinulall, of Va- followed on the same side, and spoke nearly two hours in favor of the power of congress to repeal the charter, and the expediency of doing so. “ Mr. Lowndes then intimated a wish to make some remarks on the subject, which, late as it was, he would proceed to do. at once, if the committce were disposed how to bear him; but if they were desirous of rising he would give way, A motion being made to that effect, the committee rose, and the house adjourned. Friday, Feb. 19. The house having resumed the consideration of the bill to divide the United States into four districts for the regulation of the coasting trade, and of the amendments thereto proposed by mr. Silsbee, for reducing the number of districts from sup to two. After debate it was laid upon the table. The bill from the senate, to regulate the pay of the army, whilst employed on fatigue duty, was read a third time, and final ty passed. * According to the intimation given yesterday, the clerk then proceeded to call the roll of members of the house. The house then proceeded to the consideration of the bill to establish a separate territorial government in the southern part of e Missouri territory. A motion was made by mr. Robertson of Ky, with the view of obreining the erasure of the a atendiment yesterday adopted, to recommit the bill to a select committee, with instructions to strike out these words; "and all children horn of slaves within the said -ritory, shall be free, but may be held to service until the age of twenty-five years." And the question being taken thereon, was decided as follows For the amendment 88 88 The house being equally divided, the speaker decided the ques tion in the affirmative; and the bill was re-committed. The bill from the senate, for the admission of Alabama territory into the Union as a state, was read the third time, and passed as amended. The committee to whom was referred the bill above mentioned for establishing he territory, of Arkansaw out of the southern part of the Missouri territory reported the same amended according to the instruction of the house. Mr. Mercer expressed his views of this question in a short spe -ch: aud The question was then taken on concurring with the report of said committee, by yeas, and nays, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Abbot, Anderson of Ky, Austin, Baldwin, Ball, So the house determined, by a majority of two votes, to strike out the clause imposing a restriction on slavery in the proposed new territory of Arkansaw. Mr. Taylor then moved to amend the bill by inserting the provision that during the existence of the territorial government of Arkansaw, no slaves shall be brought into the said territory, to remain therein for a longer time than nine months from the date of their arrival." Mr. Pitkin supported, at some length the amendment; and Mr. Whitman stated also at some length the motives which would influence his vote.' Mr. Taylor, then, for reasons which he stated, modified the a mendment, to read as follows: "That neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall hereafter be introduced into the said territory, otherwise than for the punishment of erfines, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." Mr Mercer, after earnestly and at some length supporting his views on this subject, moved to amend the proposed amendment, by adding thereto the following proviso "Provided, That nothing he in shall divest the inhabitants of Arkansaw of their rights of property in the slaves which they now hold, or the natural increase thereof; nor to entitle to his freedom any slave carried therein, and held there for a period not exceeding nine months.” This motion was negatived without a division; and The question being taken on mr. Taylor's amendment, was determined in the negative-yeas 86, uays 90. [The yeas on this question were precisely the same, as in the list just above given, except that mr. Porter voted in the negative, instead of the affirmative as before. Mr. Taylor then, after stating that he thought it important that some line should be designated beyond which slavery should not be permitted, &e moved the following amendment as an additional section to the bill That neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall hereafter be introduced into any part of the territories of the United States lying north of 35 degrees and 30 minutes north latitude." After considerable debate and many remarks-and a call for the previous question being repeated, Mr. Taylor, having stated that he perceived from the debate, as well as from conversation, that it was not probable any line would be agreed on by the house, or any compromise of opinion be effected, he withdrew his amendment. The bill was then ordered to be engrossed and read a third time. Saturday, February 20. This day was chiefly speut in discussing the affairs of the bank of the United States. Mr. Lowndes spoke against the resolution offered by mr. Johnson, of Virginia, and messrs. M'Lane and Sergeant on the same side-messrs. Tyler, Pindall and Barbour, in favor of a repeal of the charter. Mr. Pleasants submitted a joint resolution prescribing the manner in which the vessels of the navy of the United States shall hereafter be named; [directing that all public vessels How building or to be built, shall be named by the secretary of the navy, under the direction of the president, according to the fol lowing rule, viz. ships of the first class to be called after the states of the Union; those of the second class; after the rivers of the United States, and those of the third class after the principal sities and towns; taking care that no two vessels in the navy bar the same name.] The resolution was twice read and ordered to be engrossed for a third reading to day. The house resumed the consideration of the bill from th-senate supplementary to the acts concerning the coasting trade; and the amendments to which were ord: red to be engrossed, and, with the bill, to be read the third time. The bili stablishing a separate territorial government in the - Arkans vw territory, was read the third time, passed, and sent to the senate. Monday, Feb. 22. Mr. Terry, from the committee appointed on the subject, reported a bill in behalf of the Connecticut asylum for instructing the deaf and dumb, which was twice read and laid The bill from the senate supplementary to the several acts concerning the coasting trade, was read the third time, as amended, passed and returned to the senate. The engrossed resolution prescribing the mode of naming the vessels of the United States, was read the third time, passed and But to the senate. The house again went into committee of the whole, mr. Bassett in the chair, on the subject of the bank of the United States-mr. Johnson's motion to repeal the charter still under consideration. Mr. Tyler concluded the argument which he commenced on Saturday in favor of the motion, and in reply to mr. Lowndesoccupying nearly two hours to day. Mr. M Lane, of Del. spoke about an hour against the motion, and Mr. Sergeant occupied the floor about the same time and on the same side of the question. The committe then rose; and the house adjourned. The house went into committee, mr. M'Coy in the hair, on the bill making appropriations for the public buildings Various 1mendments were made to the bill; and it was finally reported to the house, filled up as follows For erecting the centre building of the capitol, 136,644 dollars. For finishing the gates, the iron railing, and the enclosure, north of the president's house, 5,344 dollars. Forenlarging the offices west of the president's house, 8,137 dollars. For purchasing a lot of land, and for constructing pipes for supplying the executive offices, and president's house with water, 9,125 dollars. Thus amended the bill was ordered to be engrossed and read' a third time; and the house adjourned. Friday, Feb. 26. The bill from the senate to continue in force for a further time the act establishing trading houses with the Indians was ordered to a third reading. Mr. Poindexter submitted a resolution to enquire into the expediency of providing for the establishment of a provisional go. verument in Florida, lately acquired from Spain. The resolution was ordered to lie on the table. The hills from the senate to protect the commerce of the United States, and punish piracy; and to repeal part of an act of the 27th February, 1813, in addition to the act regulating the post office establishment, were severally read the third time and passed The engrossed bill to fores the provisions of the charter of the bank of the United States, so far as relates to the election of directors, was read the thir time, passed and sent to the senate. The engrossed bill to diminish the duty on certain wines, &c. was read the third time, (as amended yesterday on the motion of mr. Silsbee, which amendment authorises the transportation of wines and distilled spirits from the public warehouses in one distriet, under certain regulations, without losing the benefit of debenture.) passed and sent to the senate for concurrence. Che house then on motion of mr. Simkins, resolved itself into The amendments of the senate to the billa committee of the whole, mir. Saith, of Md. in the chair, on the regulating passenger ships and vess Is, were taken up and agrestitution of the United States, so far as to make uniform the node e solution from the senate, proposing an amendment to the conto, one of them with an amendment, and returned to the s: nate. The house took up the bill to extend the privilege of tranking letters, &c. to the secretary of the senate and cl rk of the house, during the recess of congress. Stats, and representatives to congress. [After considerable debate, in which messrs. Simkins, Tucker, The bill was amended, on motion of mr. Tallmadge, by includ-or, and Holines, participated; it was laid on the table, by a vote of Va. Couh, Talinedge, Barbour, of Va. Williams, of N. C. Taying in its provisions the speaker of the house. of 79 to 73] table, on the understanding that time would not be allowed to [this proposed amendment to the constitution was laid upon disens in Mr. Garnett moved to amend the bill by adding thereto the provisions of the bill freeing from postage letters and packages to and from certain officers of agricultural societies. This motion was lost; and The question being taken on ordering the bill to be engrossed and read a third time, it was decided in the negative; and the bill of course rejected. The house again resolved itself into a committee of the whole, mr. Smith, of Md. in the chair, on the subject of the bank of the United States, mr. Johnson's resolution for repealing the charter. being still under consideration. Mr Sergeant concluded the argument which he commenced yesterday-occupying to day more than two hours in defence of the bank. Mr. Pindall, of Virginia, again rose and spoke some time in favor of the repeal and support of the opinions he had previously advanced. Mr. Barbour, of Virginia, succinctly stated the reasons which | would induce him to vote for the resolution to repeal the charter. Mr. Storrs, of New York, briefly replied to mr. Barbour, when Mr. Moore, submitted the following resolution which was reject d Resolved, That the secretary of war be instructed to enquire whether the public interests will be promoted by subscribing for Pennsylvania, and make r port at the next sessio. shares in the turnpike road from Pittsburg to Waterford, in On motion of mr. Spencer, the committee of the whole on the state of the Union was discharged from the further consideration the United States, and the resolutions were ordered to lie on the of the resolution submitted by him on the subject of the bank of table. Saturday, February 27. The following message, under the date of yesterday, was received from the president of the United States, by the hands of Mr. J. J. Monroe. To the snate and house of representatives of the United States: The treaty of amity, settlements and limits, between the United States and his catholic majesty having been on the part of the United States, pacified, by and with the consent of the senate, coth_part of Spain may be expected to take place during the recess of congress, I recommend to their consideration the adoption of such legislative measures, contingent upon the exchange of the ratifications, as may be necessary or expedient for carrying the tresty into effect, in the interval between the session, and until congress, at their next session, may see fit to make further provision on the subjøet. JAMES MONROE. The committee rose, and the house adjourned. Wednesday, Feb 24. The speaker laid before the house a let-pies of it are now transmitted to congress. As the ratification on ter from the secretary of the treasury, transmitting an abstract of the official emoluments and expenditures of the offiers of th customs for the year 1818; and also a letter from the first coup troller of the treasury transmitting a list rendered by the register, of halances on his books which appear to have been due more than three years prior to the 30th September last, or have re mained unsettled on that day; which were ordered to lie or the table. On motion of mr. Trimble it was Resolved, That the president be requested to cause to be be laid before this house, at the next session of congress, any informa tion which may be in his power touching the causes of the imprisotament of White, an American citizen of Puenos Ayres The bill, entitled an act to amend an act regulating the post | office establishment; and the bill respecting the transportation of persons of color for sale or to he held to labor, were severally twice read and committed. The ssage was read, and referred to the committee on foregn relations, and permission given to the committee to sit during the stigs of the house. Mr. Holmes, from the committee, subsequently reported a bill, authorising the president of the United States to rake possession of East and West Florida, for the transportation thence of the paish authorities and providing for the temporary government of the territory, &e. which was twice read-and The house resumed the consid ration of the amendments of the senate to the general appropriation bill, and coeurred in all The rest of this day was spent on the subject of the bank of thexcept that which was disagreed to by the committee of the United States, the particulars of which have already been pub Lished-see page 5. whole yesterday, and so reported to the house. This amendoi nt was an appropriation of 430 dollars to be repaid to the owners of the British vess Lord Nelson, which was capture t on fak Ont.rio w ly days after the declaration of the late war, brought in and sold by agreement, and the conies placed in the hands of the court; th capture was afterwards adrefunded. In the mean time, the ei rk of the court had absconded with the ou ysi- his hands, and it was th Purpos of this amendment to pay the amount out of th public treasury. The engrossed resolution requesting the president of the United Some debate took place on the am adment, in which it was States to exuse astronomical observations to be made to ascertain | opposed on the growid that the circumstances of the eas Lainot the longitude of the capitol, from any known meredian in Eu-been investigated by a commatter of th house; that there wor rope, was read the third time, passed and sent to the senate. [Here follows the proceedings about the bank, recorded in p.6.] The bill to diminish the duty on certain wines, and to declare free of duty books, printed in foreign languages, was taken up, a Arended and ordered to a third reading. Thursday, February 25. The speaker laid before the house a letter from the secretary of the treasury in answer to a resolution of this house of the 22d inst. as to the balances against the state banks which have been retained by the bank of the United States as special deposits; also a letter from the secretary of the treasu-judged to be illegal and the proceeds of the sal ordered to be ry, as to what part of the balances transferred by the treasury to the bank, have been drawn from the bank by any department, between January and July, in 1817. merous claims of our own eitizens which would be unsuccessial at this session, fro u the want of tree fi act upon them; then this case ought not to have prefereve Ke. The amendment was supported on the merits and xtreme hardness of the case, and the injustice of withholding payment, &c. NEW SERIES. No. 6—VOL. IV.] BALTIMORE, APRIL 3, 1819. [No. 6-Vol. XVI. WHOLE NO, 396 THE PAST-THE PRESENT-FOR THE FUTURE. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. NILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE, "A stern chase is a long one," but our journal, Holmes, to appropriate money for the appointment of commission of congressional proceedings is at last concluded.ers to adjust the claims, which he remarked was "rather made at the suggestion of the executive departments," and which was rejected-the bill, going through the usual forms, was passed. Mr. Lacock's reply is inserted as promised, with several long articles from manuscript, and a highly interesting summary of foreign articles, &c. The house, on motion of Mr. Middleton, went into committee of the whole, Mr. Pitkin in the chair, ou the bill in addition to the acts prohibiting the slave trade. Considerable debate took place on this bill, some amendments were made, of no importance to notice as we intend to publish the law. It was ordered for a third reading. We are flattered by the re-publication of our first number, on the "sovereignty of the states," in seve-the public lands, to whom was referred the resolution of the se ral newspapers. No 2, is given in the present sheet. A powerful writer in the Richmond Enquirer, has taken up this subject. We congratulate the perple on having such a champion. Tuesday, March 2. Mr. Poindexter, from the committee on nate requesting the president of the United States to employ an artist to ascertain the latitude of 36 degrees 30 minuts nortit, on the west bank of Tennessee river, reported the same without amendment; and on motion the resolution was laid on the tale. The bill to fix the salaries of the registers and receivers of pubJie monies was indefinitely postponed. A resolution has been introduced into the legislaMr. Pleasants, from the committee on naval affairs, to whom ture of Pennsylvania, for the purpose of amending was referred a report of the commissioners of the navy pension the constitution of the United States, so as to pre-fund, made to the house during the present session, niad a re port thereon; which was read, and the resolution therein contained, vent the incorporation of a bank, except in the after some explanatory remarks of Mr. P. was concurred in, as district of Columbia. We hope that the amend- follows: ment may go so far as to deny that congress has the power to grant acts of incorporation at all, or vest any persons with peculiar privileges, except within the district aforesaid. The resolve passed the house and, we believe, the senate also. [Conclusion of the Congressional Journal.] The disagreement to this amendment was concurred in by the house, and the bill again sent to the senate. The house took up the bill from the senate in addition to the act concerning tonnage and discriminating duties; [extending the proviso of that act to the vessels of Prussia, Hamburg and Bremen.] The bill was explained and supported in a short speech by mr. Pitkin. Mr. Smith, of Md. was opposed to the hill in its present shape, and entered into some commercial statements to shew that it was inexpedient, particularly as it was in the nature of a convention, and could not be altered for five years. Amongst his objections, r. S. said, that a very heavy transit duty was laid by Prussia on our tobacco, passing through the Netherlands, up the Rhine, into her dominions, which had greatly affected the price of that sta ple in Holland; and he proposed an amendment, substantially, to require of Prussia to lay no higher duty on our tobacco, passing thither through the Netherlandis, than was imposed on it if enter ed in a Prussian port, as Dantzic, Stetten, Stralsund, &c. the instructed to use all the means which the laws place within Resolved, That the commissioners of the navy pension fund their power, to coerce payment of the balances due to the fund from all persons who may be found indebted to the same, and that they report to the house of representatives at an early period of the next session of congress, a particular statement of the means which have been used, and the success of those means, in accom plishing the objects of this resolution: and also, that they report whether any, and what, additional legislative provisions may be necessary to compel a compliance with the different provisions of the laws on this subject. Mr. Pleasants, from the same committee, reported without a mendment the bill from the senate to incorporate into one act the several acts concerning hospitals, and sick and disabled seamen, and then. on inotion of Mr. P. made by the instructions of the naval committee, the bill was indefinitely postponed. Mr. Folger, from a select cominittee, to whom was referred the bill from the senate for the relief of Daniel Pettibone [renewing his patent for welding steel to iron] reported that it was inexpe dient to pass the bill, and the bill was ordered to lie on the table The house took up the amendinents of the senate to the bill authorising the formation of a state government for the territory of Missouri, and concurred in all of them, except that which struck out the prohibitory clause concerning the admission and toleration of slavery. Some debate arising again on the principle of this amendment, Mr. Tallmadge moved the indefinite postponement of the bill. This motion was discussed at some length-messrs. Mille, Taylor and Tallmadge supporting the postponement; and mess Scott, Anderson, of Ky. Poindexter, Tucker, of Va. Barbour, of Va. and Beecher, opposing it; and was decided by yeas and nays in the negative-ayes 69, noes 74. Monday, March 1. Several bills were passed, which will appear in the list of acts. Further proceedings on the petition of the surviving officers, of the revolutionary army, was indefinite- The question recurring on concurring with the senate, in ly postponed. The report of the committee on this case conclud-striking out the clause, Mr. Adams opposed the concurrence, at ed with the following resolution: some length; and Resolved, That each officer of the revolutionary army who was entitled to half pay for life under the several resolves of congress Lpon that subject, and afterwards. in commutation tliereof, received the amount of five years full pay, in ertificates or se curities of the United States, shall now be paid by the United States, the nominal amount of such certificates or securities, without interest, deducting therefrom one eighth part of the said amount. The house next agreed, on motion of Mr. Terry, by the casting vote of the speaker, to take up the bill for the benefit of the Connecticut Asylum for the deaf and dumb, [granting to it a donation of six sections of the public lands.] The question being taken, was decided in the negative, by yeas and nays as follows For concurring 70 78 So the house refused to agree with the senate in striking out the clause, and the bill was returned to the senate. The bill from the senate providing for the correction of errors in making entries of land at the land offices, was read the third time, passed, and returned to the senate The house then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Cobb in the chair, on the bill from the senate making provision for the civilization of the Indian tribes adjoining the fronsettlements. After considerable debate, the bill was ordered for a third read-tier ingrad the same day and passed, ayes 57, noes 45. The house on motion, proceeded to the consideration of the bill from the senate, to continue in force an act regulating the currency within the United States of the gold and silver coins of Great Britain, France, Portugal and Spain, and the crowns and five franc pieces of France. On motion of Mr. Lowndes, the bill was amended by an entire substitute, without, however, materially changing its provisions; which amendment was ordered to be engrossed, and was subsequently read the third time, passed and sent to the senate. The speaker laid before the house a letter from the secretary of the treasury transmitting an account of the receipts and expenditures of the United States for the year 1817. The house then, on motion of Mr. Holmes, resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the state of the Union, to which was referred the bill authorising the president of the United States to take possession. under the treaty with Spain, of east and West Florida, and providing for the temporary government of the territory. Discussion being had on the amendment proposed by Mr. Mr. Barbour made a motion to strike out the first sectionnegatived, ayes 25, noes 78. It was read a third time and passed. The bill from the senate for the adjustment of claims to lands, and establishing land offices, in the district east of the island of Orleans, after some opposition, was passed. A message was received from the senate, announcing that they adhere to their amendment, (striking out the restriction of slav very.) to the bill authorising a state government for the Missouri territory. The message was then taken up; when Mr. Taylor moved that the house adhere to its disagreement to said amendment; which motion brought on a renewal of the debate on the subject; in which the restriction was zenlously supported by messrs. Taylor, Mills and Tallmadge, and as zealously opposed by Mr. Cobb. The question was finally taken ou adhering to the former de? sion of the house, and decided ļu the affirmative, by yeus and 1 as follows For adtrering 72 The adherence of the two houses to their respective opinions precluding any further propositions or compromise on the subject, be bill was of course lost. The joint resolution from the senate, directing the manner of executing, and fixing the prices to be paid for the public printing, was thrice read, passed and returned to the senate. The bill from the senate to provide for the due execution of the laws of the Union in the state of Illinois, passed through a cominittee of the whole. Mr. Hugh Nelson in the chair, and was subsequently read the third time, passed and returned to the se Date. The house then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, on motion of Mr. Harrison, Mr. Cobb, in the chair, on the bill concerning invalid pensioners, and made some progress therein; when about sun set, the committee rose, and the house adjourned. The National Intelligencer of Thursday, the 5th of March, gays-It is scarcely necessary to give the journal of the two houses of yesterday, since the list of acts will shew what was not done, as wellas what was done. We shall hereafter state some of the proceedings, that on the land bill particularly. The following are the proceedings of the scuate on Tuesday, omitted in their proper place. The bill from the other house for the erection of certain light houses, beacons and boys, passed through a committee of the whole, and was ordered to a third reading. The joint resolution from the house, directing the mode of nam ing the national vessels; the bill authorising the secretary of war to appoint au additional pension agent in Tennessee; the bill regulating the pay of invalid pensioners; and the bill for the relief of Hannah King and Luther Frink; were severally read the third time, passed, and returned to the other house. The engrossed bill from the other house, authorising a state government in the Missouri territory, was read the third time, as amended, passed, and returned for concurrence in the amend ments. The same paper, of Friday, che 6th, adds We have already stated that congress closed its late session on Wednesday, and have given the prominent legislative proceed ings of that day. The house adjourned, sine die, about half past | nine o'clock in the evening. Previous to parting, the following interchange of expressions of regard took place between the houses and their presiding officers respectively. One painful circumstance fills me with the deepest regret. It is that, after having co-operated with many of you, with some for years, to advance the public good, we separate, to meet, perhaps, no more. I here bear testimony to the fidelity with which you have all labored to fulfill the high and honorable trust committed to us by the nation. And every one of you will carry with you my most ardent wishes for your welfare and happiness. Mr. Lacock's Reply. FROM THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER. MESSRS, GALES AND SEATON-Shortly after the report was made in the senate on the subject of the Seminole war, formal notice was given in your pa per, that strictures (ample and free in their character) would be made on that report. Those strictures have appeared; and, by an editorial paragraph subjoined, it would seem that the editors of the Inteligencer had viewed the conduct of the committee and the senate on that occasion, as of such a nature as to justify in them a departure from the rules that have heretofore been observed in conducting their press. It is believed that this is the first instance in which, through the medium of that paper, the congress of the United States have been arraigned for their conduct; or that a committee of either branch have been charged by an officer of the army, with deliberate falsehood and malice for a discharge of their duty. Of this, however, no complaint is made, as it respects the editors. But, as the strictures have been made to assume, by those artificial means, an importance they would not have merited when intrinsically considered, it is therefore hoped that the editors will feel no hesi. On motion of Mr. Burrill, of Rhode-Island, the following reso-tation in publishing the following observations. IN THE SENATE, lutions were unanimously adopted. Resolved, unanimously, That the thanks ef the Senate be presented to the hon. James Barbour, senator from Virginia, for the dignified and impartial manner in which he nas discharged the important duties of president of the senate since he was called to the cha'r. Resolved, unanimously. That the thanks of the Senate be also presented to the hon. John Gaillard, senator from South Caroli na, for the dignified and impartial manner in which he discharged the important duties of president of the senate during the time he presided therein. TO THE PUBLIC. Having recently seen, in the National Intelligencer, strictures of an erroneous character, upon a report made by a select committee of the senate, on the subject of the Seminole war, and being the only member of that committee now at the seat of governMr. Barbour, in reply, addressed the senate, as follows: Gentlemen-The sensibility produced by this new evidence of ment, it seems to be a duty I owe to the senate of the your kindness and approbation, is beyond my power to express. U.S. to the committee of which I was a member, and I would rather reter to your own bosoms as furnishing a more to my own character, to offer some remarks on those correct standard by which to appreciate it. I have the consolation to reflect that whatever of zeal or capacity 1 possess, has strictures. In the first place it is necessary to obbeen devoted to the discharge of the duties of my station. Your serve, that, on applying to the editors of the Naapprobation is more than an ample reward. Permit ine, as the moment of separating is approaching, from all for a season, from tional Intelligencer, I was informed by them, in some, perhaps, forever, to tender you all an affectionate farewell, writing, that they were authorized to give up, as and pray that, upon your return to your respective homes, your the authors of the strictures, the names of two offireception may be such, in all your relations, as may make you hap-cers of the army of the United States. Could I Mr. Gaillard next rose and replied as follows: Mr. President-Next to the satisfaction arising from the consciousuess of faithfully performing our duty, the favorable opinion of those with whom we are associated, affords the bighest gratifivation that can be received; and the present vote of approbation, together with the many acts of kindness I have experienced from this honorable body, have excited in my mind feelings of gratitude which neither time nor circumstances can ever efface. have brought myself to believe that those young men were the real, as they were the ostensible, authors of those strictures, they would have been treated with silent pity and commiseration, and their production would have remained forever unnoticed by me. But charity for those men, and the peculiar circumstances of the case, forbid this conclusion: We must look to a higher source for their author. Those young men were aids to general Jackson, or Resolved, That the thanks of this house be presented to the belonged to his military family. Some of the docuhonorable Henry Clay, for the able, impartial, and dignified man-ments annexed to the strictures, were, it seems, furner in which he has presided over its deliberations, and perform-nished from his own private bureau, for they could IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The following resolution was, on motion of Mr. Hugh Nelson, of Virginia, unanimously adopted ed the arduous and important duties of the chair. To which Mr. Clay replied as follows I beg you to receive, gentlemen, my most respectful acknowledgments for the flattering vote which you have done me the honor to pass. Always entertaining for the house the highest consideration, the expression of your approbation conveys a gratification as pure as it is indiscribable. Lowe it to truth, however, to say, gentlemen, that, but for the almost unlimitted confidence with which you have constantly sustained the chair, I should have been utterly incompetent to discharge its arduous duties. It, gentlemen, in the course of our deliberations, momentary irritation has been, at any time felt, or unkind expressions have ever in the heat of debate, fallen from any of us, let these unpleasant incidents be consigned to oblivion, and let us recollect only the anxious desire which has uniformly animated every one to pro mote what appeared to him to be for the prosperity of our com mon country. On the 4th December, 1818, this volume of documents was received in manuscript and sent to the printer. On this day (and not on the 18th, as stated erroneously in the strictures) the resolution was offered in the senate, for raising the committee on this subject; it was considered on the 7th, and postponed from time to time, until the 18th December, when it was modified and enlarged, on motion of Mr. Eaton, and unanimously adopted. This delay was occasioned by the senate's not having previously received the documents from the printer. not be obtained in the war office. The personal invectives indulged in, in the strictures, correspond entirely with his previous observations in the public taverns and ball rooms of Washington;-for it is a fact notorious, and cannot be denied, that on these occasions he was vociferous in his imprecations, and violent in his threats, of personal vengeance, even to cutting off the ears of some of the members of the select committee, and this while the subject was before the senate; and some members of the house of representatives, who dared to animadvert upon his conduct, or even to doubt his infallibility, were There had, however, been made, in the senate, a menaced in nearly a similar manner. Under these call on the president for further information on this circumstances, there seems to be no unfairness in subject, and this resolution, offered on the 16th Deconsidering that general Jackson is the real author cember, was agreed to on the 17th, and the call was of those strictures, or at least he approved of, and as- complied with on the 28th December, by message sented to the publication:* and that those gentlemen and another volume of documents furnished. (with more gallantry than prudence) were induced These documents were not received from the to step forward and take upon themselves a respon- printer until the 1st or 2d of February, 1819. But a sibility that the general himself felt unwilling to en- copy of them had been received by each member of counter. And it is for him to decide how far it was the senate, through the medium of the hense of re just and proper for age and experience to take ad- presentatives, to whom they were first sent, on the vantage of the exuberant ardor of youthful feelings 27th or 28th of January, and, on the day they were and attachments, and by this means induce the offi- received, the committee were called together. At cers in question to hazard their reputation and fu- this meeting all the members being present, Mr. ture prospects in the army, by acts of inconsiderate King made a motion that the committee should ask rashness. As citizens of the United States, they the senate to discharge them from the further conwere entitled to equal privileges with all others.sideration of the subject. The question on the mo As military officers, they were held strictly subordi- tion was put, and, four members voting in the neganate to the civil power. An act of congress declares, tive, it was, of course, lost. that every officer shall be cashiered, or otherwise punished by court martial, who shall even speak contemptuous or disrespectful words of the congress of the United States or of the legislatures or governors of any of the states in the union. And, by rules and regulations established in the army of the U. This order was complied with, witnesses were States, the officers are forbidden, under like penal-summoned, and the examination proceeded, from ties, from publishing in newspapers, or otherwise, day to day, as the witnesses appeared, subject only observations disrespectful of each other. to the delay and interruption that arose from the And it is believed that this is the first instance in indispensable neecssity the members of the commitwhich a military officer, whose conduct was the sub-tee were under, of attending to their other official ject of investigation before the congress of the U. duties. States, has ventured to charge that body with'a viola- Thus the enquiry was prosecuted, until the comtion of the constitution, and with exercising inquisi-mittee were told by the chairman, that he knew of torial power. Or that a committee of either branch no other evidence that it was in his power to obtain. of the national legislature has been charged with the "most wanton and studied disregard to truth," and the most "foul" and "dishonest motives." But how far it is either for the honor or interest of the nation thus to submit to military dragooning and newspaper chastisement, by military officers who, it is believed, visited the seat of government for that purpose; and how far a committee of the senate of the United States should be subject to this kind of discipline, for the conscientious discharge of official duties, imposed by the unanimous voice of that body, is for the proper authorities to determine. I shall now state faithfully the proceedings had in the senate and before the committee, on this subject, pledging myself, and appealing to others, for the correctness of every fact stated. And, at this time, the committee ordered, under the authority of the resolutions of the senate, that the aids of gen. Jackson, and such other persons as the chairman might think necessary, should be summoned before the committee for examination. And at this time, as on former occasions, particular enquiry was made of the members of the committee generally, and of Mr. Eaton particularly, whether it was known that further testimony could be obtained, or whether they wished that other witnesses should be summoned, and the answers to these enquiries were in the negative. The testimony being thus considered as closed, the nature of the report to be made to the senate was then discussed, and all the points involved by the conduct of general Jackson, on which there could be any doubt, were distinctly stated in writing, and separate questions taken on each of them. On the first point, of raising and organizing the volunteers, the unanimous voice of the committee was, that it was illegal. The second point, the right to pursue On the 18th November, 1818, the president's the enemy into Florida, was decided unanimous'y message to both houses of congress was received. in the affirmative. And on several other points, the In this message the president refers to the Seminole committee were divided, three disapproving the co. war, and promises to present to congress the docu-duct of the commanding general, and two justifying ments respecting it. or excusing it. The decision of the committee being thus had, *If the reader entertains any doubts as to the au- the chairman was ordered to prepare a report, in thorship of the strictures, they will be removed on conformity to the principles established by the comreading the deposition of col. Orr, in which it will be mittee. About this time, however, another circum seen, that general Jackson obtained from him a fact stance took place, which necessarily occasioned which he asked leave to make use of in the stric-sonie delay in obtaining further evidence. tures. +See last paragraph of the strictures. Mr. Eaton informed the chairman of the commit ted that he had heard general Jackson say, at hig |