developed in the report, difusing it widely would motion of Mr. Wright, proceeded to consider the
enable the scientific world to discover its want of amendment of the house to the bill to modify the
foundation.
last clause of the 5th section of the deposite act of
the 23d of June, 1836; after debate, the yeas and
nays were taken and the amendment agreed to:
Ayes 29, hoes 17.

Mr. Worthington, from the committee on commerce, reported a bill establishing certain collection districts, and creating ports of entry therein. NAYS-Messrs. Allen, Benton, Brown, Calhoun, Mr. Robertson asked that the house would at this Clay, of Alabama, Fulton, Hubbard, King, Lump-time take up and consider a resolution offered kin, McKean, Mouton, Niles, Pierce, Roane. Ro- by him on a former day concerning the public binson, Strange, Tipton, Wall, White, Willians, Wright--21.

Mr. Buchanan said he would then vote for thejected. printing of the proposed number. If it was genuine, it was undoubtedly the greatest discovery of modern times; and, if it were not, and if the principle were

Mr. Whittlesey hoped that, immediately after the disposal of the army bill, the house would take up and consider all private (senate) bills now on the speaker's table.

Mr. Sergeant asked leave to offer the following resolution, which was adopted unanimously: Resolved, That the secretary of the treasury be requested to collect, and report to congress on the first day of the next session, all the information that can be obtained as to the use of steam engines in the United States, and the accidents and the loss of life or property which have attended their use, and especially that he ascertain and report:

1. The whole number of steam engines in the United States, where and by whom constructed, where they are used, how long they have been used, their capacity or power respectively, and the purposes or uses to which applied, and whether bigh or low pressure.

2. The explosions or other disasters which have happened to such engines, when and where, with as many of the circumstances attending the same as can be collected.

3. The causes, as far as can be ascertained, of such explosions or other disasters.

4. The loss of life or property, or injury to persons or property, which has ensued in each case, distinguishing the mode of injury, by burning, scalding, wounding, drowning, or otherwise.

army bill; and the question being on agreeing on
EVENING SESSION.
The house resumed the consideration of the
the amendments proposed by the military com
mittee to the 15th section,

of congress.
grounds the committee now forbore to act; more
MI. B. wished to learn on what
especially as the language of the president led the
nothing but a movement by congress.
Mexican authorities to look with an anxiety to
Mexico to fall through without any just com- to make it more intelligible, which was agreed to.
adjournment, the arbitration might be suffered by
After the
plaint, on our part, of evasion or trifling, inasmuch [The section provides for the transfer to the ord
Mr. Adums proposed a verbal modification of it,
as the president had expressly and anxiously re-nance corps of second lieutenants from the artil.
served the right to go on as if no overture had been |lery.]
made.

Pennsylvania put this question as a matter of right
Mr. Howard asked whether the gentleman from
Mr. Howard said it would give him great pleasure
or courtesy? Mr. Bidule. The latter, of course.
to reply. All the information he had on this sub-
ject was, that when the proposal was accepted, the
Mexican minister had it not in his power to execute
it. He had not been here during the whole winter,
it.
and probably has it not yet in his power to execute
tion of going forward in good faith, or only in
Whether this delay is a proof of serious inten-
baffling the action of this house, Mr. H. could not
Mexican government never would do justice to this
say. His own opinion of the matter was, that the
country, and that its recent and present movements
were true or not a few days would show.
were only expedients to gain time. Whether this
The house then took up and considered the army
with various amendments.
bill as reported from the committee of the whole,

5. The disasters to steamboats, when, where, and how they have occurred, by explosion, collision, fire, or otherwis; the size, capacity, or bur-taken up, and considered, the debate thereon taking The amendments offered in committee were den of the boats, their ages, and where and by the same general range as in committee of the whom built. whole, and as heretofore reported.

6. How such steamboats whether intoxicating liquor was served out to, or were manned, and permitted to be used by, the hands or persons employed on board the same.

of.

8. In the case of boats to which no disasters have happened, the burden and size of the same, when, where, and by whom built, and the names of their owners and masters or commanders and engineers.

reported by the committee, to insert, at the end of
The amendment first in order was the proposition
the first section, the following:

could not bear this reduction of its officers without with much earnestness, insisting that the artillery Mr. Evans opposed the policy of the amendment augmenting the ordnance in some other mode. He material injury, and suggesting the propriety of was supported in this view by Mr. Adams and Mr. Biddle, and opposed by Mr. McKay, Mr. Grennell, and Mr. Calhoun, of Massachusetts.

The amendment, as modified, was agreed to. tion was agreed to, so as to make it read: The amendment in the proviso to the 14th sec

partinent claiming the compensation of such duProvided, That the officers of the ordnance declothing, arins, and accoutrements of the company, ties and responsibilities-[viz. with respect to under the authority of the second section of the act passed second March, eighteen hundred and captains and subalterns of the army of the United twenty-seven, giving further compensation to the States in certain cases]-shall have been actually curred the aforesaid responsibilities. equal to a company of artillery, and thereby in. in the command of enlisted men of the ordnance,

In the 15th section the amendments were agreed to so as to make it read:

commissioned officer of the line or staff, exclusive Sec. 15. And be it further enacted, That every 7. The names of the owners and masters or regiments of artillery, one company, to be organ- he may have served or shall serve in the army of "That there shall be added to each of the four additional ration per diem for every five years that of general officers, shall be entitled to receive one commanders of the boats to which such disasters ized in the same manner as authorized by existing the United States; and the paymaster general, surhave happened, and of the officers and crews there-laws, with the exceptions hereafter mentioned: that geon general, and commissary general of purcha teen privates, and to every company of infantry one the additional ration allowed in this section: Prothere he added to every company of artillery six-ses, shall each be allowed six rations per diem, and sergeant and thirty-eight privates, and that the num-vided, That, in certain cases where officers are enber of second lieutenants of a company of artillery titled to and receive double rations, the additional be reduced to one, and that this reduction be so one allowed in this section shall not be included in cers to the four additional companies authorized as made, in connexion with the appointment of offi- the number to be doubled. Mr. Toland moved to suspend the rules to enable ment hereafter directed, that all the present second dollars per month, Mr. McKay moved to strike aforesaid, and the transfer to the ordnance depart- of each musician and private soldier shall be eight In the 16th section, which provides that the pay him to move to take up and consider the joint reso-lieutenants shall be retained in service; and there out "eight" and insert "seven." Intion, offered by him yesterday, and laid over, un-shall be raised and organized, under the direction strenuously opposed by Mr. Cushman, of New der the rule, till this day. Ayes 93, noes 26; no of the president of the United States, one regiment Hampshire, and negatived. Mr. Petrikin and Mr. quorum. The Speaker. Evidently a large quorum of infantry, to be composed of the same number Mercer endeavored to have the pay of soldiers enThis motion was present, and yet no quoruin votes. Mr. Toland. Let the resolution be read again; musicians, and privates, composing the regiments and rank of officers, non commissioned officers, gaged in making roads and laboring on public if understood, it cannot fail to be adopted. The resolution was again read; and the house who shall receive the same pay and allowances, and of infantry now in the service of the United States, again divided, on the question of suspending the be subject to the same rules and regulations which rules. Ayes 129, noes gave it up. The resolution now apply to other regiments of infantry, as prowas then adopted as follows: vided for in this act."

9. Any such other information as may seem to him material.

"That, after six days from the commencement of a second or subsequent session (except the final session) of any congress, all bills and joint resolutions which shall have passed in one house, and which remain undetermined in the other, shall be resumed and acted on as if an adjournment had not taken place."

[Mr. Cushing afterwards moved to reconsider this vote; which motion was entered.]

A message from the senate was taken up, proposing a conference with the house upon the subject of certain proposed amendments of the latter, in which the senate non-concurred, in bill making appropriations for certain roads in Wisconsin; and three members ordered to be appointed managers of such conference on the part of the house.

by striking out "infantry," and inserting "riflemen," Mr. Harrison moved to amend this amendment so as to make the proposed new regiment a rifle regiment. The motion was lost. Mr. Briggs moved to amend this amendment by striking out that part of it which authorizes the raising of a new were ordered. After some debate, Mr. Briggs' regiment; and, on this motion, the yeas and nays Yeas 96, nays 86. The question then recurred on amendment was adopted by the following vote: the above amendment as thus amended; which was adopted.

Mr.

works increased by an allowance of 25 cents per was sternly opposed by Mr. Evans, who was inday, afterwards modified to 15; but the amendment dignant at a proposal to pay men lightly laboring, far from all danger, more than those who were tried to get the pay of the marines raised to eight Florida. The amendment was rejected. Mr. Reed marching, fighting, and dying, in the morasses of dollars per month, but without success. Childs, with a view to prevent desertions, introduced a proviso for retaining $2 a month of soldiers' pay to the end of the period of enlistment. This the rejection of that clause of the first section was agreed to. Mr. Everett moved to reconsider of infantry, so as to sanction the addition of such which provides for the raising of a new regiment regiment. In order to get at this, he first moved tion of the committee of the whole to strike out tion prevailed: Yeas 103, nay: 81. He then moved The next amendment in order was the proposi-sition from Mr. Pope and Mr. Underwood, the moto reconsider the whole section. And, after oppothe following proviso from the second section of the to reconsider the rejection of the infantry regiment, bill: the bill. Mr. Williams, of N. C., demanded the ion, but the request of many gentlemen friendly to assigning as a reason no change of his own opin yeas and nays; which were ordered. Mr. Füllmore opposed the motion, preferring the clause as it came greater efficiency. from the senate. This would cost less, and give

be employed in any service for any state or coin
"Provided, That no officer of the said corps shall
pany for which he shall receive any compensation
except his pay from the United States."

Mr. Biddle wished to ask a question of the chairman of the committee on foreign relations, as to the present posture of our relations with Mexico. An individual, Mr. John Baldwin, having one of the largest and most flagrant claims upon that government, was a native of his district, and, after a reThis amendment was concurred in. sidence of twenty years in Mexico, had been strip-reduces the assistant adjutants general to be appoint. The next amendment proposed by the committee ped of every thing, and had returned home in a ed, from four to two. Concurred in. state of destitution. The enormity of his case was established by authentic documents, as well as by to the bill was to add to the original bill the words The next amendment proposed by the committee the letters of Mr. Ellis. It would be recollected italicised in the following section: that the president, in accepting the overture as to an arbitrainent, had stated that the action of con-president of the United States be, and he is hereby, "Sec. 13. And be it further enacted, That the gress was not to be thereby suspended. Yet, prac-authorised to add to the ordnance department, tically, such seemed to be its effect. Mr. B. found whenever he may deem it expedient to increase the no fault with this; but it was obvious that whilst same, by and with the advice of the senate, two matters remained in such a position, any quickening majors, and by the transfer to, and appointment in, impulse to the negotiation must come from this of ten first lieutenants, and ten second lieutenants house. He had understood that the time had more of artillery; and that the pay and emoluments of than passed within which a final and definite reply the officers of the said departinent shall be the same ought to have been received from Mexico. Under as those allowed to the officers of the regiments of such circumstances, the claimants could not but dragoons."

feel the deepest uneasiness at the approaching rise At 2 o'clock the house took its usual recess.

regiment to those already provided for in the bill. Mr. Ewing hoped the motion to reconsider would neous belief of the necessity for this additional fail. He feared, however, there existed an erroa fact which transpired during debate on yesterday. pected quarter from which this motion came, and This apprehension arises on account of the unexThe gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Grennell) had expressed some latent doubts of a wellauthenticated fact adverted to by the gentleman from Tennessee, (Mr. Bell.) His friend of Tennessee had stated, and correctly, the opinions of some of the most experienced and meritorious field officers now in service, from whom he (Mr. E.) had letters precisely similar in sentiment; and he would read them if freedom of opinion were tolerated by the men now in power. As it is, he would

only state the fact corroborative of the allegation speech of unusual animation, in which he scouted traordinary lectures ever delivered in the house. made by his friend from Tennessee. And if the the perpetual cry of alarm at the horrors of a stand. It did not touch the question actually, which was information had come from the white house, it ing army. Whether we should have a standing only between two modes of increasing the army— would not be more worthy of credence, that a very army was not now the question: that had been set- whether by additional officers, or by augmenting small, if any, addition is required to the standing tled long ago by Washington, by Adams, by Jeffer- the rank and file. Mr. Bronson defended the "aisarmy now authorized by law True, the British son, by Madison, by Monroe, by Jackson. If the ing of a new regiment as necessary for the drilling have increased their force in Canada. No new ag- argument was good for any thing, and militia were of recruits, &c. Mr. Reed explained, and stated his gression upon us is contemplated by that event; the to be our sole reliance, the proper course would be willingness to vote for all the necessary defences ou increase will have enough to do with the Cana- to move at once to disband the army. The question the frontier. He again professed his readiness to dians, who seem resolved to be free. True we are was not whether we were to have a standing army; relinquish for this purpose the troops now in garriincreasing the number of Indians on our western but whether the army should be augmented. On son on the seaboard, and let a few artificers be refrontier, but they are helpless, and more inimical to this point we had the recommendations of the ex- tained in the forts to preserve the buildings and areach other than to us. A small force in that quar-ecutive, and the opinions officially given of our best mament. There were three or four companies at ter only is required, and the original bill provided and most experienced officers. The senate had in Newport, who seemed to be only wanted to fire for enough. True, the difficulties in Florida are repeated bills signified their conviction of its pro- salutes. He had rather they were sent to fight the not entirely at an end, but the men now there and priety. In opposition to all this, two members of Indians. He was in favor of fortifications, as inin that neighborhood, directed by the skill and the house said they had private letters of an oppo dispensable in time of war to defend our cities chivalry of the general who now has the command, site tenor. Mr. Cushing would rely on the public against the attacks of a marine force, but opposed will, as soon as the season of action arrives, end all communications of men of high and tried honor and to keeping large garrisons in them. He was against trouble in that quarter. Such being the existing conduct, in preference to private anonymous au- extending a standing army beyond what was indisstate of our concerns, I cannot conceive why this thority. Of all the panic speeches, he had never pensably necessary. great increase is urged with such pertinacity. We heard those surpassed which had been called forth Mr. Briggs replied with much warmth to the reall know the militia, in case of war or imminent by the proposal to raise this one poor regiment of marks of Mr. Cushing and Mr. Evans; denied that danger, must be the chief reliance. The great body infantry. The house had been threatened with the he had said that the liberties of the country were in of the the people will defend their rights and liber- danger of a standing army. Why, if the addition danger from an army of 12,000 men; and the thunty: and in time of peace, surely the bill as reported should be made, the proportion of this terrible army ders of eloquence which had been launched at him had no need of this amendment to give a sufficient to the people of this country would be about one to were wide of the mark. He believed there was increase to the standing troops. two hundred and filty able-bodied freemen with nothing very impious in what he had said. As to arms in their hands. Were Americans so timid? the long and loud cry from all parts of the land for Did this frighten them? Parallels had been sought an increase of the army, he had not seen the evifrom history to show that 12,000 men were to put dence of it any where. He knew, indeed, that on down our liberties. Why, the old women of these that floor a very loud cry was set up by the gentlestates would almost be sufficient to resist such a men from the southwest and northern frontier; but force with their distants and canes. The true dan the military committee, after having had the subger to liberty was, that our army was too small. ject for months before them, were of opinion that The danger was not that this little force would ren- an increase of three thousand men would be suffi der our country military, but that the military spirit cient. Now, however, a new regiment was called of the army would be overborne and destroyed by for on the ground that new difficulties and dangers a deep infusion of the civil influence. The men had sprung up on our northern and western lines of who pleaded with congress for this angmentation frontier. This reason did not seem to him suffiwere themselves most devoted to the liberties of cient. The difficulties in Florida were now chiefly the country, as they had proved on many a well-over, and troops might be drawn from that quarter. fought field. They had resisted tyranny at the can- His colleague (Mr. Cushing) had severely lectured non's mouth. It was not these men-it was not the him and other gentlemen, for not speaking to the officers of the army who were dangerous to free- question. Yet the gentleman had no sooner delidom. No, it was our civil officers, who became the vered this rebuke than he himself went off at a fantools of party. gent. The gentleman had talked about declamation. Did he call his own speech logic? If so, the gentleman's notions of logic differed from his The gentleman talked about panic and complained that so much was said about the dangers of a standing army. Mr. B. had called on the friends of the bill to show why the standing army should be increased, and, in reply, his colleague demanded of him why it should not be increased. Was this the logic of gentlemen? The two gentlemen from Maine and Massachusetts had manifested great zeal for the increase of the army, and of the expenses of the government.

He (Mr. E.) represented a people always prepared and willing to defend their country, and they would rejoice to see the proper patriotic feeling manifested here to organize and equip the militia. Expenditures for that purpose would be borne with cheerfully. But we neglect our militia, or amuse them with mere reports of committees, and leave then to instruct themselves. This is not as it should be. He (Mr. E.) had one other considera tion to present. A colleague (Mr. Boon) had confid ntly charged the great and wasteful expenditures of this administration to the opposition. The country knows this charge is unmerited, and he would have the vote upon this question, to add a regiment to those asked by the chairman of the military committee, to demonstrate who and of what party they are by whom unnecessary expense of money and of morals is sanctioned. The ayes and noes will show this.

The motion to reconsider prevailed: Yeas 100, nays 91. And the question being on the vote of a former sitting, by which the clause, on motion of Mr. Briggs, was stricken out, on this motion a very spirited debate arose.

Mr. Briggs defended his former motion to strike out the provision for the new regiment with much earnestness, complaining that Mr. Evans and Mr. Bronson were unwilling to rely on the militia for the defence of the northern frontier, and wanted to have the standing army increased in a time of profound peace. He hoped the country would note the fact that the old and approved doctrine of reliance on the militia for the defence of the country was laughed to scorn. He dwelt much on this idea, which seemed to fill him with profound indignation. He protested against doubling our standing army in time of peace.

Mr. Yell alluded to the mass of Indians the government had congregated on our western frontier. Mr. Evans commented with severity on some of the remarks of Mr. Briggs. The gentleman had thrown himself in the breach after the war had becoure desperate. In the morning his mere motion, without any speech to back it, was sufficient, and prevailed; but now the majority had changed, he must make a speech. The addition of one regi. ment was certainly enormous, and enough to alarm all the friends of the liber y of the country. These were vast strides towards despotism. Such an augmentation of our standing ariny of 7,000 men was indeed formidable. The nation would do well to mark it. Yet petitions for this very thing had come up from all quarters of the land; from the west and southwest, and the whole Atlantic border, as well as from the north and northeast.

Mr. C. said the danger to liberty was just the reverse of that which had been so loudly urged. He relied, as the whole country relied, on the militia; but who were the militia? They were freemen, with arms in their hands; and whether enlisted to serve five years or draughted to serve for one, was quite immaterial The word "militia" had been used as a name of terror to atlright the house. The real confidence of the American people was in freemen armed-in a body, with the spirit of what in some countries was called a national guard; but, under the present organization of our militia, such a body did not exist as such. He wished it did. The militia were not a substitute for an army; each had its own proper duty, and both were necessary. He again insisted that the true source of danger lay in the influence of popular leaders over the militia and volunteers, and not over a standing army. How did general Jackson attain such an unexampled predominance of influence and despotic power in this free republic? By his popularity with the militia and volunteers whom he led in battle. This was the rise of his power. He never could have attained it by means of the regular army.

Mr. Cushing here rose and said, I deny the imputation. Mr. Briggs went on to say that he did not see what excited alarm. The militia were not spoken of and treated as formerly. The gentleman from Maine thought their place was at home, and that they were not the troops that were wanted to protect the west or do garrison duty. This sort of language toward the militia would suit the mouth of a despot who wished to subjugate the liberties of the country. Such a one might, with great consistency, say to the people, stay on your farms, the defence of the country is not for you; trust all that matter to me, give me regulars, and I will take care of you.

Mr. Cushing said that he was actuated by zeal to do his duty to his country, and nothing else, and he spurned any other imputation. The question being now taken, it was decided in the negative: Ayes

Mr. C. reprobated as a consequence to this perpetual recurrence to the militia to do garrison duty, what had almost urged Massachusetts herself to nullify: the militia of a state might be, and often were, called out and commanded by a colonel of the line. The militia of the states were the reliance of the states. He appealed to the state rights gen-95, noes 104. tlemen on that floor, whether they advocated such So the house refused to strike out the provision a state of things? for an additional regiment of infantry. He again adverted to the panic at a standing army, Mr. Evans now moved to strike out that part of and contended that the very form the argument had the bill which proposed to reduce the number of assumed, in likening our condition to that of Eu-lieutenants of artillery, and transfer them to the Mr. Reed wanted to know from what part of the ropean countries, with despotic governments, to ordnance, but the motion was negatived. Mr. Atlantic border? Rome with her Prætorian cohorts, &c. proved that Thompson moved to strike out 38, and to insert 28 Mr. Evans said from Massachusetts, as well as there was a lack of solid objection to the bill. That other parts of it, as the remonstrances in the war a body of Indians, in the circumstances of those department against the transfer of troops would who had been removed by force, many of them in show. Mr. E. repelled with much warmth the im- chains, from their former homes, and placed in a putation that he was unwilling to rely on the militia body on our western frontier, should have pacific for defence: he was willing, entirely willing; but it feelings toward us and our settlements, was against was not the business of militia to do permanent human nature, and would be nothing less than a garrison duty; and forts with garrisons were neces- miracle in morals. It was surely the duty of those sary as rallying points for the militia, to strengthen who were themselves in safety, to listen to the reit, &c. He ridiculed the idea of 12 millions of monstrances and petitions of those whose wives freemen dreading a little army of 12,000 men. And and children were exposed to such a danger. He as to Mr. Reed, he had no doubt that gentleman was ready to go to the people and account to them would make a speech for Fort Independence, in for his vote to augment the present military estabBoston Harbor. [Mr. Reed. Certainly.] Yet lishment of the United States government. where was the use of a fort without any garrison? | Mr. Mercer made some remarks in reply to this Mr. Cushing next took the floor, and went into a speech, which he considered as one of the most ex

as the increase of the rank and file to each company. Lost. Mr. Underwood now declared that he washed his hands of the bill. He perceived the object was not to increase the force of the army, but to provide patronage for favorites. Mr. Glascock denied, with warmth, any such imputation: this was the first time in the debate in which the bill had been represented as a party or political measure; the votes would show that it was no such thing, since it was both advocated and opposed by gentlemen of all parties. Mr. Underwood argued to show that the bill involved a great increase in the expenses of the army. Mr. McKay replied, and insisted that the reverse was true: that the expenses were reduced, and that the bill was a measure of economy. Mr. Garland, of Louisiana, moved an amendment, that

all officers for the new regiment should be taken from those now attached to the army. Negatived: Ayes 60, toes 89.

A motion was now made to adjourn; but it was rejected.

Saturday, June 30. [We cannot find room for more than a brief abstract of the proceedings of the house, but they shall be noticed in detail in the next "REGISTER."]

After the transaction of other business, Mr. The remaining amendments proposed by the Kilgore made an ineffectual effort to have an hour committee were now read in order, and the ques- assigned for the consideration of his resolution, tion put on the whole, with the exception of jour, repealing the section of the law of 1816, in referviz: those in the 19th, 25th, 31-t, and 35th secence to banks issuing small notes, which he nodetions. The amendments in section 19 were then fied so as to limit its operation to the 1st of March read, and, after a short conversation, agreed to. next. For suspending the rules 105, nays 86. The amendments to the 25th section having been The engrossed bill to increase the present military read, Mr. Carter strongly objected to the pay pro-establishment of the United States and for other purposed to be allowed to the surgeons. Mr. Thomp- poses, was read a third time, when Mr. Carter of son and Mr. McKay replied and explained. Mr. Tenn., inoved that it be recommitted with instrucCarter moved an amendment to reduce the pay. tions to strike out all the clauses of the bill propoMr. Mallory opposed the amendment, and it was sing an increase in the number of officers, or in rejected. The 25th section was then agreed to. crease of pay, and also the section for raising an The amendments in the 31st section having been additional regiment of infantry. This motion gave read, Mr Mason, of Ohio, moved to strike out the rise to a debate which occupied the attention of the allowance to the soldiers of bounty. Mr. Childs house until the hour of recess. proposed to substitute for the bounty lands an allowance of $100 in money. Negatived. Mr. Fill more proposed to insert after the word "and" the words fit for cultivation." Negatived. Mr. Kemble moved a reconsideration of the clause above

On notion of Mr. E. Whittlesey, the section was further amended by inserting a provision that the bounty lands shall be patented to the soldier or his heirs, and shall not be assignable until patented. The section was then agreed to.

The 35th section having been read, Mr. Briggs moved an amendment, providing that the regiment raised under the first section shall serve for two years only. Negatived. The section was then agreed to.

[The subject was not resumed in the afternoon in consequence of the intervention of the special orders.]

EVENING SESSION.

The house went into committee of the whole,
(Mr. Owens in the chair) and took up several bills
remitting duties on iron imported for the construc-
tion of steamboats; all of which, with the excep-
tion of No. 854, were reported without amendment.
The bill No. 187, to authorize the importation of
iron steamboats, free of duty, was laid on the table.

any bank which has, since the said 4th day of July, 1836, issued bills or notes of a less denomination than five dollars or which shall issue any such bills or notes prior to the 1st day of October, 1838; but that, froin and after the said last mentioned day, the bills or notes of no bank shall be received in pay. ment of any debt due to the United States, which bank shall alter that date issue, re-issue, or pay out any bill or note of a denomination less than five dollars.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the first twelve sections of the act entitled "An act to regu late the deposites of the public money," approved 23d June, 1836, be, and the same are hereby, repealed except so far as is above provided, and to enable the treasury department to collect any debts which may be due or owing from the late deposite banks.

Mr. Cambreleng arose and delivered a speech in favor of the bill. A debate now arose, during which Mr. Legare inoved that the bill be referred to the committee of ways and means and printed for information. Mr. Cushman moved the previous ques. tion. Mr. Curtis moved a call of the house; which motion was agreed to. After some progress had been made in the call, Mr. Harlan moved to suspend further proceedings, which was ultimately agreed to. The question was then taken on seconding the call for the previous question which result ed as follows: Ayes 97, noes 105. So the call was not seconded, and the house refused thereby, to order the bill to its engrossment at this time.

Mr. Duncan then addressed the house until the hour of recess, in favor of the bill.

EVENING SESSION.

The hour assigned for this subject having expired, and the special order having been called, Mr. Adams moved to suspend the rules for another hour. The motion was lost. The house then, according to apMr. Duncan resumed and concluded his remarks, pointment, went into committee of the whole on the in the progress of which he was frequently called bill to amend an act entitled "An act to authorize to order. Mr. Legare then withdrew his motion to refer and Mr. Thompson moved an amendment in the 15th the state of Tennessee to issue grants and perfect section, which provides that every commissioned titles to certain lands therein described, and to set-print, and moved to strike out the second section. officer of the line or staff, exclusive of general of- tle the claims to vacant lands within the same," This motion was, after discussion, adopted. Ayes ficers, shall be entitled to receive one additional passed 18th of April, 1806. A desultory debate en- 119. noes 101. The debate was now resumed, ration for every five years that he may have served, sued, when Mr. McKennan noved that the commit doing which several amendments were offend, &c. so as to make it include officers of the marine tee rise and report the bill; which motion prevailed. some of which were adopted-but without coming corps. Mr. Craig now moved the previous ques-Finally, after a variety of proceedings, the question to a decision upon the bill, the house adjourned. tion, but withdrew it at the earnest solicitation of arose on the engrossment and third reading of the Wednesday, July 4. After some business of minor his colleague, Mr. Rives, who wanted to introduce bill, when it was rejected by a vote of 51 veas to importance had been transacted, the house resumed a provision allowing a commission to paymasters he would, on Monday, move a reconsideration of posite bill of 1836, which was ordered to a third 91 nays. Mr. Martin, of Alabama, gave notice that the senate bill to repeal the 5th section of the dereading, as amended on u otion of Mr. Legare: Ayes 179, noes 33. It was afterwards passed, by aves and noes: Ayes 173, noes 31. And, with the second section stricken out, the bill was returned to the senate for concurrence. The remainder of the session was occupied in considering the harbor bill and with other business, which will be noticed in our next.

for extra duty.

Mr. Boon hereupon renewed the call for the previous question. Mr. Rencher a oved an adjourn ment. Lost. The call for the previous question was seconded: Ayes 92, noes 61. The previous question was put and carried, and the bill was then ordered to its engrossment by yeas and nays as fol

lows:

the vote. And then, on motion of Mr. Griffin, the
house adjourned

Monday, July 2. After a number of petitions and reports had been received and disposed of, several resolutions were submitted; all of which shall be noticed in our next. The army bill was next taken up, the pending motions being, 1st, to recon YEAS-Messrs. J. W. Allen, Anderson, An- the bill with instructions. After a brif lisenssion, sider the vote on engrossment, and 2d, to recoinuit drews, Atherton, Banks, Beatty, Beirne, Bicknell, the previous question was called and seconded, Biddle, Birdsall, Boon, Brodhead, Bronson, J. Cal- when the yeas and nays were ordered and the house honn, Cambreleng, Casey, Chaney, Chapusan, refused to reconsider. Yeas 94, nays 95. Finally Clark, Cleveland, Coles, Craig, Cushing, Cush- the question was taken on the final passage of the man, Dawson, Davee, DeGrati, Dromgoole, Dun-bill, when there appeared ayes 112, nays 80. So can, Elmore, Evans. Farrington, Fairfield, R. Flet- the bill was passed and returned to the senate for cher, Foster, Fry, Gallup, James Garland, Glas concurrence in the amendments. cock, Graut, Gray, Greuneil, Haley, Hall, Hammond, Hauer, Harrison, Haynes, Holt, Hopkins, Howard, Hubley, W... H. Inter, Inghasa, T. B. Jackson, Henry Johnson, N. Jons, Kemble, King nsmith, Legare, Lincoln, Logan, Lyon, Mallore, J. M. Mison, Martin, McKay, Robert McClellan, A. McClellan, McClure, Miller, Mor gan, S. W. Morris, Naylor, Noble, Noyes, Palmer, Parker, Parmenter, Parris, Paynter, Phelps, Phillips, J. H. Prentiss, S. S. Prentiss, Richardson, Rives, Robinson, Sheplor, Snyder, Southgate, S neer, Taylor, Thomas, Titus, Toland, Towns, Turney, Vail, Warner, Webster, Weeks, A. S. White, T. T. Whittlesey, J. W. Williams, J. L. Williams, Yell-107.

appropriately referred.
Several bills from the senate were read twice and

On motion of Mr. Sergeant, the house went into
committee of the whole on the state of the union,
(Mr. Mason of Va., in the chair) and took up the
harbor bill which occupied its attention until the
hour of recess.

EVENING SESSION.

ceeded with the harbor bill, which was discussed and
After recess, the committee of the whole pro-
amended; finally the committee rose, reported the
bill and amendments; and at half past ten o'clock
the house adjourned.

Tuesday, July 3. Mr. Adams yielded the floor to
enable Mr. Slade to oter a resolution inquiring
NAYS-Messrs. Adams, Alexander, Heman, into the expediency of erecting a national foundry
Allen, Ayerigg, Bell, Bond, Briggs, Bynum, W. B. at the city of Vergennes, Vt. Mr. A. then resumed
Calhoun, W. B. Campbell, Carter, Chambers, the floor, and consumed the morning hour in an ar
Cheatham, Childs, Connor, Corwin, Darlington, gument against the admission of Texas into the
Davies, Dunn, Everett, Ewing, Fillmore, Goode, J.union.
Graham, William Graham, Griffin, Harlen, Has-
tings, Hawes, Henry, Hofman, R. M. T. Hunter, deposite act of 1837 was read:
The following bill from the senate to repeal the}

of the deposite act of the 23d of June, 1836, and
for other pusposes.

J. W. Jones, Leadbetter, Lewis, Marvin, S. Mason. A BILL to modify the last clause of the 5th section
Maxwell, McKennan, Mercer, Milligan, Mitchell,
Montgomery, C. Morris, Murray, Ogle, Peck,
Petrikin, Pope, Potts, Raridan, Randolph, Reed.
Reacher, Ridgway, Robertson, Rumsey, Russell,
Shefer, A. H. Shepperd, C. Shepard, Sibley, Slade,
Stanley, Stone, Stratton, Taliaferro, Thompson,
Tillin hast, Underwood, J. White, E. Whittlesey
L. Willians, S. Williams, C. H. Williams, Word,

Yorke-77.

So the bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time. And then the house adjourned.

EVENING SESSION.

The harbour bill was considered, and passed. The bill to guard against explosions on board of steamboats was also passed. The post office bill, with a number of other bills, was passed Adjourned.

Thursday, July 5. Mr. Adams resumed his speech on the subject of Texas, and addressed the house until the expiration of the morning hour. Mr. Elmore moved to suspend the rules to enable Mr. A. to complete his speech. Negatived.

The house took up the Indian annuity bill, which was discussed, amended, and laid aside to be r ported.

The house next took up the fortification bill, which was amended. The house then took up the military academy bill, which was also amended and laid aside. The bill authorizing the purchase The bill was then laid aside. ved to strike out the enacting clause. Negatived. of certain books was taken up. Mr. Cushman mo.

On motion of Mr. Fillmore the bill to arrange the

sessions, &c. of the district court of the northern aside. Mr. Mercer moved to take up the harbour district of New York, was taken up, read, and laid bill, but before any question was taken the hour of

recess arrived.

EVENING SESSION.

have a place in our next.
The proceedings of the evening session, shall

CHRONICLE. night with one of the most severe storms which we Awful storm. Our town was visited on Saturday have ever witnessed. It commenced about 8 o'clock and continued until 11, during which time Be it enacted, &c. That the last clause of the 5th the lightning was incessant, and so near that scarcesection of the act entitled "An act to regulate the ly a moment would elapse between the flash and 1836, declaring that the notes or bills of no bank torrents, and the wind blew a gale during the time. deposites of the public money," approved 23d June, the noise of the thunder. The rain came down in shall be received in payment of any debt due to We have heard of no injury which has been susthe United States, which shall, after the 4th day of tained in the town, with the exception of one house nation than five dollars, shall be, and the same is country, we fear, has not been so fortunate, as the July, 1836, issue any note or bill of a less denomi- which was slightly injured by the lightning. The hereby, modified, so that the interdiction as to re-wheat must have been seriously injured by the wind ception of the bills and notes shall continue against and the hard driving rain. [Petersburg Intel.

FIFTH SERIES. No. 20.-VOL. IV.]

WASHINGTON CITY, JULY 14, 1838.

[VOL. LIV. WHOLE NO. 1,398.

THE PAST-THE PRESENT-FOR THE FUTURE.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED, EVERY SATURDAY, BY WILLIAM OGDEN NILES, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.

Both houses of congress adjourned on Monday last, leaving, as usual, a large portion of business unfinished. We have endeavored to crowd into the present sheet all that was done in the last week of the session, but have been reluctantly compelled to postpone a portion until our next. We have, however, published a list of the acts passed, to which our readers are referred.

A fine steamboat is now plying regularly between Havre and St. Petersbugh, touching at Copenhagen. She commenced her trips on the 1st June. The passage is made in 5 or 6 days, so that a traveller may leave Paris on Monday, and on the next Monday be in the capital of Russia.

and unequivocal tone, in favor of an early resumption of specie payments, that has been issued since the suspension. Governor Ritner has, in this matter, taken the lead, and the people of Pennsylvania will honor him for it. have appeared at a more opportune moment. His proclamation could not The Pennsylvanian, commenting on the procla mation, says: Most sincerely do we rejoice that the session has glorious victory to the democracy of Pennsylvania. "The proclamation is, in fact, a closed, and our readers will rejoice with us-for we The forces of irredeemable federalisin and anti-mawill now be enabled, instead of the dry details of sonry are compelled to abandon the ground they is supposed will be assigned to Holland. The trilegislation, to furnish them with useful and agreea-have occupied for more than a year. ble articles, and impart the usual variety to our banner is struck!" Their rag pages.

BANKS, CURRENCY, &c. The subjoined summary statement of the condition of the Baltimore banks is taken from the authorized monthly statement (for July) prepared in conformity to a law of the last legislature.

Aggregate circulation of the 12 banks in Baltimore,

Specie,

Loans and discounts,

Deposites, including $971,360 94 by

the treasurer of Maryland,

Due to other banks,

Due froin other banks,

From the New York Courier, July 11.

The Paris papers mention considerable movemuch dissatisfaction appears to exist in portions of ments of troops to the northern frontier, where the duchy of Luxemburg-those portions which it colored flag has been raised in several villages, and the Prussian troops are said to have interposed. The Philadelphia U. S. Gazette of yesterday has Havre on the 1st of June, there to await the orders The government steamer Pheaton arrived at the following paragraph: of marshal Soult. It was to convey the marshal and his suite to London to attend the coronation.

Banks. We understand that the banks of the
city have agreed to settle all balances between
themselves on the first of August; and after that
time, no interest will be paid or received by any
of them, for balances due by one to the other.
The Pennsylvania United States Bank no longer
issues the bills of the old United States Bank, but
her own.
[Philad. Herald.

CANADA FRONTIER.

From the Globe of Friday night. The humane and judicious arrangement made by the government with the chiefs and head$2,139,747, 83 men of the Cherokee nation, and the prudent, 1,140,885 50 prompt, and energetic measures of general Scott 12,725,460 21 having secured the peaceful execution of the treaty, From the N. Y. Express, July 13. Since the ad- and the quiet removal of the Indians to their new 4,314,483 35 journment of congress, and the consequent certainty homes in the west, two regiments of artillery have 3,383,962 43 that that body can do no more mischief, the spirit and been ordered north, to be stationed on the Canada 3,355,234 59 commercial feeling of business men begin to re-frontier; which, together with the new regiment cover: and were it not for the oppressive hot weather now organizing under colonel Worth, who has alThe depression which has existed in the stock and the general langour attendant on a heat of 90 ready passed on to Sackett's Harbor, will, it is market for the last few days, continues to increase, degrees and upwards, we have no doubt there would hoped, prove sufficient effectually to aid the welland transactions yesterday were generally effected he quite a revival. As it is, the three banking in disposed inhabitants of the border to maintain the at prices showing a further decline. The cause of stitutions that we have alluded to below are rapidly peace of the country. the present depression in stocks may be attributed advancing. To these three may be added the branch to the fact that a very large amount of stocks on of the United States bank, inaking a fourth, and which advances have been made by the United which will probably be in operation quite as soon States Bank, may be expected to be thrown into as the others. The following are the particulars of the market, in the event of a general_resumption the various institutions: of specie payments taking place at Philadelphia, and the curtailment of money accommodations which would no doubt follow such resumption. No inaterial change in the price of United States Bank stock has taken place.

The Philadelphia U. S. Gazette of Thursday has the following:

Meeting of the banks. At a meeting of the associated banks of the city and county of Philadelphia, held on Wednesday evening, 11th inst., Dr. Dunlap, from the committee appointed to recominend proper measures for the early and general resumption of specie payments, presented a report, which, with the following resolutions, was adopted by the board,

viz:

Resolved, That the bauks of Boston, Providence, Baltimore and Richmond, and such others as the time adinit of, be invited to meet the banks of Philadel

phia in convention in this city, on Monday, the 23d instant, to consult upon the measures to be adopted for an early and simultaneous resumption of specie payments

Resolved, That the committee be instructed to communicate this resolution to the banks in question, and to make the necessary arrangements for the meeting of the convention.

It was also resolved, That it he recommended to the several banks of the city and districts, to appoint one or more delegates to represent them in this con.

vention.

The association then adjourned sine die.

On our last page we have published the proclamation of governor Ritner of Pennsylvania, requiring the banks in that state to resume specie payments in full on the 13th of August next. It has diffused much joy through that community, as will be seen by the following paragraphs:

From the U. S. Gazette, July 13. Governor's proclamation. In another part of this paper, will be found a proclamation from governor Ritner, on the subject of the banks of this common wealth's resuming specie payments on the thirteenth of August next. The document is an able and patriotic production; one that will be received with joy by our citizens generally.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer, July 13. We never gave place to a public document with more pleasure than the following. It will, we venture to predict, be received with a burst of enthu siastic approbation, not only throughout Pennsylvania, but from one section of the country to the other. It is the first executive message of a decided VOL. LIV.-SIG. 20.

The Quebec Gazette of the 6th inst. contains a proclamation issued by lord Durham on the 3d, revoking the proclamation issued by lord Gosford, in which rewards were offered for the apprehension of Messrs. Papineau, Brown and others, their ap prehension being no longer requisite for the ends of justice.

First. There is the great establishment which it is intended to increase soine 30 or 40 millions. It has two millions already subscribed, and will commence operations with this sun, and then enlarge. His lordship has also organized a court of appeals, The second is the Mechanics' association. This the members of which are Mr. Sewell, chief justice, company will probably be organized first. The di- of Quebec, Mr. chief justice Reid, of Montreal, rectors, twenty-one in number, are already chosen, Messrs justices Panet, Rolland and Vallieres de St. stock subscribed, and every thing is in a fair way of Real, and Mr. Arthur Buller, barrister at law; these commencing.

The third is an association of dry goods merchants and grocers, together with large capitalists. The trustees are already chosen.

The fourth is the United States branch, which will, we learn, be under the principal control of Morris greater degree of confidence and banking experience, Robinson, a gentleman who probably combines a than that of any other individual.

This is packet day. The rate of exchange is
fixed at 108 1-2 on London. This is a shade lower
than by the last packet. No alteration on France.
The ainount of business done was quite limited.

Statement of the Bank of England up to May 29.
Liabilities.

Assets.

gentlemen having been added to the executive council for the purpose.

Lord Durhamn was to hold a levee at Montreal on Monday. The court of king's bench at Quebec has awarded $100 damages to Dr. O'Callaghan, for a public horse whipping inflicted by the hands of a Mr. Doyle.

GENERAL WOOL, accompanied by major Gra ham, of the United States ariny, J. E. Johnson, engineer, and general James Irish, of Gorham, arrived in this city on Friday; and we understand

they are to leave to-morrow morning for Moose Head lake, where it is expected one or more sites scot, where other sites will be selected for the saine for military posts will be selected. Thence they will go down the St. Croix, and perhaps the Penob9,806,000 purpose, if judged necessary. The posts, we further learn, are to be immediately established. 32,454,000 [Bangor Whig.

Circulation £19,018,000 Securities £22,648,000
Deposite 10,786,000 Bullion

29,804,000

LATE FROM EUROPE. The packet ship Sully,
at New York, brings Paris dates to the 1st, and
Havre to the 2d, June, both inclusive.

New York is spoken of in the Havre papers.
A line of steam packets between Havre and
Ex-governor Tacon had arrived at Boadeaux
from Havana.

It is in contemplation to construct a rail road
from Paris to the Belgian frontier.

MAINE. The following is the reply of Mr. Fairfield to the letter of the committee appointed by the democratic state convention to inform him of his nomination for the office of governor:

Washington, June 27, 1838. Gentlemen: By your letter received this day, I am informed that, at a convention of democratic republicans assembled at Augusta, on the 20th instant, I was unanimously nominated as a candition at Paris. A dinner was given them on the mark of the favorable regard of those with whom Haytien commissioners were received with atten- date for the office of goveror of Maine. For this 29th of May, by M. Dutrone, one of the founders of it has been my honor as well as pleasure to be pa the french abolition society, at which were present litically associated, I feel grateful; and whatever Messrs. Passy, Odillon Barrot, Las Casas, Remn- may have been my views and wishes upon this sat, and other distinguished politicians. Among the subject, heretofore so often expressed to my decorations of the room were the national flag of friends, I do not, under all the cicumstances of this Hayti, and the portraits of Boyer and Petion. The nomination, feel at liberty to decline it. commisioners returned thanks for the honors paid them, in language says the constitutional, equally dignified and patriotic.

bestowed promotion on Colonel the prince of
The emperor of Russia had arrived at Berlin, and
Orange, raising him to the rank of general in the
Russian service.

and for those whose organ upon this occasion you
Accept, gentlemen, for yourselves personally,
are, the profound respect and esteem of
Your obedient servant,
JOHN FAIRFIELD.
Messrs. Albert Smith, Levi J. Ham, Amos
Nourse, M. L. Hill, Ed. S. Jarvis, Committee,