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the United States; and the danger that others would execute cur laws for us, if we did not enter into the African alliance: and both points were so presented, as to operate as inducements to the Senate to agree to the treaty. At the same time, the evidences of this were not given; the correspondence shed no light upon it; and there were no protocols, or minutes of conference, to show what passed between the British and American negotiatiors. Now, these beliefs, thus created, were either founded or not. If founded, and the great powers of Europe have actually taken cognizance of our conduct in relation to the slave trade, we, the people of the United States, ought to know it; it is due to them to know it. If not founded, then it is due to Great Britain, Austria, and Prussia, that they should be absolved from a suspicion which the message creates against them. No one can read the passages in the message without feeling that a belief of interference in our affairs is created against these sovereigns. It is no asserted, but they and their conduct are referred to in a way to excite the belief. If Mr. B. ventured any opinion, it would be, that the imputation was unfounded; and that all this parade of the quintuple allies, and the attention-discussionanimadversion-excitement-which is presented to us, was merely a scenic representation, to help on with the ratification of the treaty. With respect to the other branch of the inquiry-that in relation to executing our laws for us, if we did not execute them ourselves-he believed that there was such a threat; that it came from Great Britain; and that the people had a right to know whether it is true. As it stands, the message as good as affirms it. These were Mr. B.'s. reasons for making the call, and he was taken by surprise to see any ob jection to it. But objection was made; and now he must vindicate his call; and he would do it on both points of inquiry, and each in their order.

First, as to the quintuple treaty: The Senator from Virginia supposes there is nothing to be communicated, and therefore resists the call. Even if it is so, let the Government say so; let the Government say there is nothing to communicate. They will not say so. They have already said the contrary; and that in a call from the House of Representatives. They admit they have a correspondence in relation to this quintuple treaty, and promise to communicate it at the proper time. Here is the President's answer, in which the call upon him is set out the correspondence admitted-and its communication postponed to a more suitable time. Mr. B. then read the answer of the President to Mr. J. Q ADAMS's call, in the following words: To the House of Representatives:

A resolution of the House of Representatives of the 13th instant has been communicated to me, requesting, "so far as may be compatible with the public interest, a copy of the quintuple treaty between the five principal powers of Europe, for the suppression of the African slave-trade; and, also, copies of any remonstrance or protest addressed by Lewis Cass, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the court of France, to that Government, against the ratification by France of the said treaty; and of all correspondence between the Goveroments of the United States and of France; and of all communications from the said Lewis Cuss to his own Government, and from this Government to him, relating there

to."

In answer to this request, I have to say that the treaty men. tioned therein has not been officially communicated to the Gov. erument of the United States; and no authentic copy of it, therefore, can be furnished. In regard to the other papers requested, although it is my hope and expectation that it will be proper and convenient, at an early day, to lay them before Congress, to gether with others connected with the same subjects; yet, in my opinion, a communication of them to the House of Repre sentatives, at this time, would not be compatible with the public interest.

WASHINGTON, June 20, 1842.

JOHN TYLER.

This shows that there is something to be con. summated; and certainly this is the proper time for it. The negotiation is over; and there can be no reason for delaying the communication of the correspondence. Mr. B. hoped there would be no further objection to that branch of the inquiry which his resolution presented.

On the second branch of it-that of an execution of our laws and obligations by others, if we did not remove the pretext for this assumption, by entering into the African alliance. On this branch of the inquiry, he believed the reasons for having the information which was cailed for, were strong and irresistible. The message clearly presents the case

of a threat against us on the part of Great Britain; and the question is, Is this true? If true, the country is insulted-the nation dishonored--by cowering under it. If untrue, Great Britain is wronged, by being presented as hectoring over us, when, in fact, she was not. Taken either way-and we want the facts-we want to see on what foundation this part of the message rests. This is the more necessary, because the correspondence is dead silent--silent as the grave-on all that relates to this African squadron. Not a word upon it in the one hundred and twenty pages of correspondence which was communicated to the Senate, to enlighten it upon the formation of the treaty! There is a head for it, but nothing under the head! not one word between the two negotiators! See the document, page 84, and the section beaded "SUPPRESSION OF THE AFRICAN SLAVETRADE-EXTRADITION;" and all in glaring capitals, as if we were going to see all that passed between the two negotiators on the point of this suppression; when not a word is to be found. The extradition-this is to say, the surrender of fugitive criminals-has one note, of half a page, to say that this article for the delivery of fugitives would not be binding upon Great Britain until ratified by Parliament; and after that, his Lordship vanishes from the chapter. He is seen or heard of no more in the eight pages which follow on the suppression of the slave-trade: the whole is confined to our Secretary and a couple of naval officers-the British minister not even appearing to be cognizant of what they were about! Look at it, and follow the papers as they rise, and see what a figure they present. The first is from Captain Paine, of the United States navy, to Mr. Webster, dated May 2, 1842, and is in answer to inquiries which are not given! Mr. Webster's letter to Captain Paine is not given; and how the Captain came to make this communication is only to be guessed at; for there is no clew to its production. It is, however, a letter of much interest, and gives the history of the little Sierra Leone anti-slave-trade treaty between a British and an American officer, which was so promptly, so patriotically, so nobly rejected by Mr. Van Buren in 1840. A part of the object of the letter seems to have been to complain to the new administration of the manner in which the past administration had rejected and rebuked that little treatythe seminal principle of the present African alli

ance.

Mr. Paulding, as Secretary of the Navy, and speaking in the name of President Van Buren, says, in relation to the arrangement made at Sierra Leone, to Captain Paine:

"Such a delegation of power is not only unauthorized by your instructions, but contrary to the established and well. known principles and policy of your Government; and is, there. fore, not sanctioned by the department."

This was a pretty pointed rebuke to Capt. Paine, who had made the arrangement with Capt. Tucker, of her Britannic Majesty's sloop-of-war the Wolverine. As such, Capt. Paine seems to have felt it; and thus signified his feelings in the concluding sentence of his letter:

"Any expression of my opinion of Mr. Paulding's letter to me would have been improper, and would still be indecorous. I shall be grateful to be informed if you think any explanation or defence necessary. I have never believed so."

The correspondence does not show whether the Secretary thought any defence or explanation on the part of Capt. Paine necessary; but he proceeded immediately to console his feelings by making an arrangement of a still stronger character with Great Britain, and availing himself of all Capt. Paine's information to facilitate its conclusion. On the 30th day of April, 1842, the Secretary addresses eight queries to Captains Bell and Paine on the subject of the African slave-trade, of which the 6th, 7th, and 8th are in these words:

"6. The utility of employing vessels of different nations to cruise together, so that one or the other might have a right to visit and search every vessel which might be met with under suspicious circumstances, either as belonging to the country of the vessel visiting and searching, or to some other country which has, by treaty, conceded such right of visitation and search."

7. To what places shaves from slave-ships could be most conveniently taken."

"8. Finally, what number of vessels, and of what size, it would be necessary to employ on the western coast of Africa, in order to put an entire end to the traffic in slaves; and for what number of years it would probably be necessary to maintain such force to accomplish that purpose."

The answers to these queries are:

"6. We are of opinion that a squadron should be kept on the coast of Africa, to co-operate with the British, or other nations interested in stopping the slave-trade; and that the most eff cient mode would be for vessels to cruise in couples--one of each nation."

7. If captured under the American flag, send them to Cape Mesurado, Liberia; or, if convenient, to such other of the Amer ican settlements as the agent of the United States there may

wish."

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"One steamer, from two hundred to three hundred tons bur den.

"Two (eight or ten gun) brigs or schooners.

"Ten schooners of about one hundred tons, each with four guns.

"One store-ship, two hundred and fifty to three hundred tons. "All the vessels to have one-tenth less than their comple ments of men, to be filled up with kroomen, on their arrival on the coast.

"A steamer (to be fitted up, if possible, to burn with either coal or wood, as circumstances may require) will be essenti ally necessary."

These were the answers to the three questions; and in conformity with these answers, the African articles were drawn up. And these answers from Captains Bell and Paine close the whole head of the correspondence under the title of "Suppression of the African slave-trade!" Not a word appears in it, to or from Lord Ashburton; and from all that we can see, it would secm that he had never heard of these African articles until he signed them in the treaty!

The articles, then, for this squadron, and these remonstrating ambassadors, stand before us as American conceptions! as stipulations originating with the United States, and carried forward by them as their separate work, until the articles leaped full grown into the body of the treaty. This is the way they appear to us: they appear as articles of American growth and origin, when, I undertake to affirm, that they are wholly British! that they came from the British negotiator! and that the American Secretary has done bis work in seeking testimony to justify them, and to ripen them into formal stipulations!

To sustain this belief, I do not refer to the fact (pregnant as it is) that the British have been pushing and pressing this alliance upon us for thirty-six years--from the time Mr. Monroe was in London in 1806. I leave out all that, and come to direct proof. Here it is, (holding up a pamphlet,) in the noble pamphlet of General Cass against the British pretension of search. I laid that pamphlet by for use, when I got a copy of it. I use part of it now, and more hereafter. For the present, I quote from page 24, (Balt more edition, by J. Young,) and only take what is there quoted from the London Times newspaper-a paper which (no Senator need be reminded) is the organ of the ministry which sent out Lord Ashburton. The article is of the

date of January last, when the minister was on the point of setting out to the United States, and tells what he came for. This is the article:

"This dispute (of impressment) now sleeps; though it will have to be revived, at latest, on the next occasion when we find ourselves invested, by a war, with the right, of which it is the consequence; and, indeed, it might be raised upon the contempluted treaty, giving a mutual right of search for the preven tion of the slave trade, unless provided for, as it might, and probably would be, by special articles."

Here the official paper of the present British ministry shows us, at the moment the special min. ister is setting out, that the question of impress. ment is to be revived, and may be done on the contemplated treaty, and in that part of the treaty which relates to the suppression of the slave-trade; and that "special articles" would probably be agreed upon in relation to the suppression of this trade. This is the import of the article in the Times; and it is under a nisi-under an "unless"-and under the contingency for providing for this suppression by special articles, that the right of impressment might not be raised upon the treaty! All this is too plain for comment, and too grave for neglect. It comes from the authentic organ of the British ministry; and time and events have verified every word of it. The pretension to impress has been revived-revived in Lord Ashburton's letter of the 9th of August, in answer to Mr. Webster's of the 8th, in which our Secretary gave the minister an opportunity to revive the pretension, by opening a

PUBLISHED BY BLAIR AND RIVES, AT ONE DOLLAR PER SESSION, IN ADVANCE.

27TH CONG.........3D SESS.

Continued from No. 5.

gratuitous correspondence upon this head, after the treaty was concluded! The treaty bears date the 9th of August, and must have been concluded some days before that time. Mr. Webster's letter bears da'e the 8th of August-Lord Ashburton's the 9th of August; and each letter concludes with a farewell, and a declaration that these letters "closed" their correspondence! Thus the minister had a natural occasion presented to him to revive the pretension of impress ment, and was thereby saved from appearing "officious" or "inquisitive" upon the subject, as it is intended that the British governors in the West Indies shall appear when liberating American slaves. This proves that the Times newspaper was right as to impressment: the stipulations for the African quadron show that it was equally right as to the "special articles" in lieu of the right of search! And both together prove that impressment, right of search, and this African squadron, hunting negroes in couples on the coast of Africa, are all part and parcel of the same thing -the degrading right of impressment, against which the United States went to war in 1812.

This is enough to prove the British origin of these African articles, and the fallacy of the form in which they came before us.

Mr. B. said, upon these expositions of facts and reasons, he trusted that no further opposition would be made to the call which he had submitted. He had a right to the information: the whole American people had a right to it. A treaty conce'ns the public, and the negotiators have no right to make chimney-corner work of it-to convert it into a private affair-give and take what they please; and keep no record-make no report--inform the country nothing about it. This is the first time negotiations have been so conducted in our country: let it be the last! Let the rebuke be now administered which will prevent the repetition of such reprehensible conduct in future. Our negotiator seems to have acted without instructions from the President: the correspondence shows it, and he so declared it at Boston. He seems also to heve made no minutes of his proceedings. And now, if he is to make no report to us, (a part of the treaty-making power,) there is an end to accountability and responsibility on the great point of our negotiations with foreign powers.

Mr. EVANS said it was not his purpose to discuss the resolution; but, as it was evident it would take up a considerable portion of time, he hoped it would be postponed. He would suggest to the Senator from Virginia (Mr. ARCHER] the propriety of letting it lie over till to morrow.

Mr. ARCHER assenting, the resolution was postponed till to-morrow.

THE CIVIL AND DIPLOMATIC APPROPRIATION BILL.

On motion of Mr. EVANS, the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill was taken up as in committee of the hole.

Mr. EVANS stated that the committee had not proposed any amendments to this bill, although there was no appropriation in it for the coast survey. It was, however, only for appropriations of the cur. rent half year; and when the general appropriation bill for the fiscal year came up, any omissions could be supplied.

Mr. WOODBURY observed that, though the ap. propriations in this bill were not higher than the estimates, yet there were two classes of appropriations in it, which looked to expenditures that ought to be reduced. The estimates themselves were too high, and would lead to expense: larger than were proper in the present state of the country. They were those connected with our judiciary and the diplomatic relations. But, as this would be corrected in the next bill, (and it was very desirous to have this one pass speedily,) he would make no motion to amend, but merely state this fact in order to foreclose any inference that double the amount of those two classes of appropriations in

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1842.

this bill was not thought too high for the whole year.

There being no proposition to amend the bill, it was reported back to the Senate, ordered to be read a third time, was read a third time, and passed. ASSUMPTION OF STATE DEBTS.

The PRESIDENT pro tem laid before the Senate a message from the President of the United States, covering the following communication from the Secretary of State:

To the President:

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, Dec. 23, 1842.

The Secretary of State-to whom the President has referred the resolution of the Senate of the 22d instant, in the following words: "That the President of the United States be requested to inform the Senate whether the late special minister from Great Britain to the United States made any proposition, infor mally or otherwise, to the negotiator on the part of the United Siates, for the assumption or guaranty of the State debts by the Government of the United States to the holders of said debts"has the honor to report to the President, that the late special minister from Great Britain to the United States made no prop. osition, informal or otherwise, to the negotiator on the part of the United States, for the assumption or guaranty of the State debts by the Government of the United States to the holders of said debts. DANIEL WEBSTER.

On motion of Mr. ARCHER, and by unanimous consent, the communication was ordered to be printed.

The PRESIDENT pro tem. laid before the Senate the following communication from the President of the United States:

To the Senate of the United States:

I have received the resolution of the 22d inst., requesting me to inform the Senate of the nature and extent of the "infor mal communications" which took place between the American Secretary of State and the British special minister, during the late negotiation in Washington city, on the "subject of the claim of the United States and Great Britain to the territory west of the Rocky Mountains:" and also to inform the Senate what were the reasons which prevented "any agreement on the subject at present," and which made it "inexpedient to include that subject among the subjects of formal negotiation."

In my message to Congress at the commencement of the present session, in adverting to the territory of the United States on the Pacific ocean, north of the 42d deg. of north latitude, a part of which is claimed by Great Britain, I recom. mended that, "in advance of the claims of individual rights to these lands, sound policy dictates that every effort should be resorted to by the two Governments to settle their respective claims;" and also stated that I should not delay to urge on Great Britain the importance of an early settlement. Measures have been already taken, in pursuance of the purpose thus expressed; and, under these circumstances, I do not deem it consistent with the public interest to make any communication on the subject. JOHN TYLER.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 1842.

On motion of Mr. ARCHER, and by unanimous consent, the communication was ordered to be printed.

On motion of Mr. BAYARD, (there being no further business before the Senate,) the Senate proceeded to the consideration of executive business; and, having spent a short time therein, adjourned till Tuesday next.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FRIDAY, December 23, 1842.
PRIVATE BILL DAY.

This day and to-morrow were, some days since, set apart for the consideration of the business on the private calendar; and it was also agreed to meet two hours earlier than usual on those two days.

The SPEAKER accordingly called the House to order this morning at 10 o'clock; and at the devotional exercises by the Rev. Mr. TUSTON, one of the congressional chaplains, there were not more than 20 members in attendance.

The Clerk commenced the reading of the journal of yesterday; but

Mr. ARNOLD said there was important matter in the journal, which it would be better not to approve without a quorum at least. He therefore suggested a postponement of the reading of the journal.

Mr. J. C. CLARK moved a call of the House, as he wished to see what gentlemen were absent from the House when business required their at tendance.

Mr. CUSHING moved an adjournmen', (al

VOLUME 12.... No. 6.

though he should vole against it himself,) and on this he called for the yeas and nays; which were ordered. This motion had the double effect of recording the names of gentlemen present, and of giving time for others to arrive.

The yeas and nays having been taken, (during which the members in attendance increased,) the motion to adjourn was negatived-yeas 5, navs 51. Mr. COWEN moved that the call of the House be dispensed with.

The motion was negatived.

The question was then taken on seconding the call of the House; on which the vote was-54 in the affirmative, and 40 in the negative; being still less than a quorum.

Mr. BIDLACK said he wished to see the difference between profession and practice; and, therefore, he called upon the Clerk to state what number of gentlemen voted to change the hour of meeting from 12 to 10 o'clock.

Mr. CUSHING said the vote was taken by tellers, and, therefore, the names of the gentlemen who voted in the majority could not be given.

Mr. FILLMORE suggested that the committees be called for reports.

The SPEAKER replied that no business could be entertained until a quorum was in attendance. After some irregular conversation between several members,

Mr. CHAPMAN moved that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. BOARDMAN and others called for the yeas and nays; which were ordered, and resulted as follows: Yeas 7, nays 109.

The motion to adjourn was, therefore, negatived. It being now ascertained that a quorum was in attendance, the journal of yesterday was read, and approved.

The SPEAKER then said the business in order was the bills on the private calendar; and, first, those bills would be taken which were ready for a third reading.

The following bills were then read a third time, and passed:

A bill for the relief of Robert Ramsey.

A bill for the relief of the owners, master, and crew of the schooner Martha, of Eastport, Maine. A bill for the relief of the owners, master, and crew of the schooner Cod-hook, of Bluehill, Maine. A bill to refund to Charles Holt a fine imposed on him under the sedition law.

A bill for the relief of George Hammell. A bill granting a pension to Isaac Plummer. Aill for the relief of Major Thomas Harrison. A bill for the relief of John Javins. A bill for the relief of John Farnham. A bill for the relief of Samuel Hambleton. A bill for the relief of Levi Eldridge and others. A bill for the relief of the owners, master, and crew of the schooner Joanna, of Ellsworth, Maine. A bill for the relief of William Allen. A bill for the relief of Lloyd J. Bryan. A bill for the relief of Nancy Tompkins. A bill for the relief of Benjamin J. Totten. A bill for the relief of Mary Crawford. A bill granting to Captain James Lowe one thousand dollars and a section of land.

A bill for the relief of Leah Tenure, widow of Michael Tenure.

A bill for the relief of Ruth Mathiot.

A bill for the relief of Carter B. Chandler.
A bill for the relief of Henry Freeman.
A bill for the relief of Sarah White.
A bill for the relief of Nancy Byrd.
A bill for the relief of Alice Usher.

A bill for the relief of Eve Vandenburgh.

A bill for the relief of Martha Dameron, widow

of Christopher Tompkins.

A bill for the relief of Elizabeth Dawkins.

A bill for the relief of Richard Marsh.

A bill for the relief of Joseph Bonnell.

A bill for the relief of Nancy Hambright.
A bill for the relief of Tirzah Hunt.

A bill for the payment of seven companies of

Georgia militia for services rendered in the years 1840 and 1841.

A bill for the relief of David W. Haley.

A bill for the relief of Allen Rogers.

A bill for the relief of William G. Sanders.

A bill for the relief of the owners and crew of the schooner Martha, (J. Nickerson.)

A bill for the relief of the owners of the schooner Three Brothers, (George Dyer and others.)

A bill for the relief of Gorham A. Worth, one of the sureties of Samuel Edmonds, deceased.

A bill for the relief of William Gale.
A bill for the relief of Robert T. Norris.

A bill for the relief of Teakle Savage, administrator of Bolitha Laws.

A bill for the relief of Charles Gordon, of Belfast, owner of the schooner Two Sons, and the legal representatives of the crew of said vessel.

A bill for the relief of Orin Prentiss, of Stoning. ton, Connecticut, owner of the schooner Lily, and the crew of raid vessel.

A bill for the relief of. Isaac Champlin and others, owners of the schooner Buffalo.

A bill for the relief of Joseph Holmes and others, owner and legal representatives of the crew of the schooner Industry.

A bill for the relief of John A. Smith.

A bill for the relief of Edwin Bartlett, late consul of the United States at Lima, in Peru.

A bill for the relief of the administrator of John Jackson.

A bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Robert T. Spence.

A bill for the relief of Peter Lionberger.
A bill for the relief of John R. Delany.
A bill for the relief of Joseph W. Newcomb.

A bill for the relief of Sylvia Underwood, mother

of Lieutenant Underwood, deceased.

A bill for the relief of James Mount.

A bill for the relief of Susan Brum.

A bill for the relief of Elizabeth Harris.

A bill for the relief of Robert Layton's children.
A bill for the relief of Mary Elder.

A bill for the relief of the widow of Captain William Royall, deceased, (Mrs. Ann)

A bill for the relief of Prudence Couch.
A bill for the relief of Anna Jones.

A bill for the relief of Maria M. Brooks.

A bill for the relief of Asa Davis.

A bill for the relief of David Akinson.

A bill for the relief of Samuel Neely.
A bill for the relief of James Sweetman.
A bill for the relief of Lyman N. Cook.
A bill for the relief of Gideon A. Perry.
A bill for the relief of John F. Wiley.
A bill for the relief of John Hicks.
A bill for the relief of George Waddell.
A bill for the relief of Samuel Lord.

A bill for the relief of Caspar W. Wever.

A bill for the relief of Richard Rush.

A bill for the relief of James M. Morgan.

A bill for the relief of John Drysdale.

A bill for the relief of Garret Vleit.

A bill for the relief of Elisha Moreland, William M. Kennedy, Robert J. Kennedy, and Mason E. Lewis.

A bill for the relief of S. D. Rose et al.

A bill for the relief of Barent Stryker.

A bill for the relief of John Wharry.

A bill for the relief of Mary McGee and Susan Pierce, heirs at law of George Neilson.

A bill to revive an act entitled "An act for the relief of John Davlin."

A bill for the relief of Samuel Billings, owner of the fishing schooner Lurana.

A bill for the relief of the owners, officers, and crew of the armed brig Warrior, or their legal representatives.

A bill for the relief of Benjamin Evans.

A bill for the relief of Joshua Drew.

A bill for the relief of Thomas Copeland.

A bill for the relief of Sarah Parker.

A bill for the relief of George P. Pollen and Robert Colgate.

A bill for the relief of Isaac and Thomas J. Winslow.

A bill for the relief of Burr and Smith.

A bill for the relief of Alexander H. Everett.
A bill allowing a pension to George Rouse,

A bill for the relief of Elizabeth Hillsman. A bill for the relief of Esther Augur. A bill for the relief of Wilmot Marsden. A bill for the relief of Abraham Vanhorn, A bill granting a pension to John Peak. A bill granting a pension to Israel Thomas. A bill granting a pension to Josiah Westlake. A bill for the relief of Dexter Hungerford. A bill for the relief of Joseph Hover and Abelard Guthrie.

A bill for the relief of Peters, Moore, & Co. A bill for the relief of Richard Cooke, jr., Robt. Anderson, and George Southall.

A bill for the relief of Horace Witherell. A bill granting a pension to Robert Poindexter of Kentucky.

A bill for the relief of Ferdinand Leibert.
A bill for the relief of James B. Sullivan.
A bill for the relief of Benj. Treslow.
A bill for the relief of Snow Y. Sears.

A bill for the relief of John Gerard Ford.

The question was then taken on the engrossment of the bill for the relief of the heirs of Robt. Fulton; which was agreed to: but it was not read a third time, objections being made.

The following bills were ordered to be engrossed, and were read a third time, and passed:

A bill granting a pension to Joseph Watson. A bill for the relief of Solomon Emmerson. A bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to refund to David Watkinson & Co. a part of the duties imposed on a certain quantity of tin and iron imported by them into the port of New York.

A bill to authorize the enrolment or register of the brig New Granada.

On leave given, Mr.WASHINGTON reported a bill from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, for the relief of the heirs of Major General Baron De Kalb; which, on his motion, was referred to the Committee of the Whole House, and made the order of the day for to-morrow.

Mr. GIDDINGS moved that the House resolve itself into Committee of the Whole House on the private bills on the calendar which were ready to be committed.

The motion was agreed to; and Mr. CASEY took the chair.

The committee then acted on the following bills, which were severally laid aside to be reported: The bill for the relief of Charles B. Hall. The bill for the relief of Aquila Goodwin. The bill for the relief of John McColgan. The bill for the relief of Jonathan E. Hustin. The bill for the relief of the legal representatives of General Alexander Macomb and others.

The bill for the relief of Philip Renault. The bill for the relief of Nancy Terry. The bill for the relief of Daniel Penhallow. The bill for the relief of Samuel M. Asbury. The bill for the relief of John P. Skinner and the legal representatives of Isaac Green.

The bill for the relief of S. Morris Waln. The bill for the relief of John Patten, jr., owner of the fishing schooner Credit, and master and crew of said vessel.

The bill for the relief of Abner Lowell and others, owners of the fishing schooner William. The bill for the relief of Mary Williams, widow of Jacob Williams, deceased.

The bill for the relief of Joseph Ellery. The bill for the relief of Lieutenant F. W. Smith. The bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Francis Pellicer, deceased.

The bill for the relief of James S. Calhoun. The bill for the relief of Johnson Patrick. The bill for the relief of Cornelius Wilson and James Carter.

The bill for the relief of William Ellery, owner of the fishing schooner Sevo and Ida, and others. The bill for the relief of John H. Russell and others, owner, master, and crew of the fishing schooner Lucy Ann.

The bill for the relief of Mary Bradstreet and Amos Tappan.

The bill for the relief of Knott Martin and Arnold Martin the third, owners of the fishing schooner Only Son, and others.

The bill for the relief of Joseph W. Reckless.
The bill for the relief of Barnabas Baker and

others, owners of the fishing schooner called the Union, of Dennis, Massachusetts.

The bill for the relief of the legal representa. tives of Henry Hoffman.

The bill for the relief of Hugh Riddle, of the city of New York.

The bill for the relief of John S. Kerving. The bill for the relief of Thomas King. The bill for the relief of Joshua Knowles, jr. and owners and the crew of the fishing schooner Garnett.

The bill for the relief of William Lomax. The bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Captain Samuel Shannon.

The bill for the relief of Elizabeth Whiteman ; and

The bill for the relief of the heirs and legal representatives of Major General the Baron de Kalb.

On motion by Mr. COWEN, the committee rose and reported the bills to the House; when, the following, after having been ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, were severally read a third time, and passed:

The bill for the relief of Charles B. Hall.
The bill for the relief of Aquila Goodwin.
The bill for the relief of John McColgan.

The bill for the relief of the heirs and legal rep. resentatives of Major General Alexander Macomb, deceased, and others.

The bill for the relief of John P. Horton. The bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Francis Pillecer.

The bill for the relief of Philip Renault. The bill for the relief of Nancy Terry. The bill for the relief of Daniel Penhallow. The bill for the relief of Samuel M. Asbury. The bill for the relief of John P. Skinner, and the legal representatives of Isaac Green.

The bill for the relief of S. Morris Waln. The bill for the relief of Mary Williams, widow of Jacob Williams, deceased.

The bill for the relief of Joseph Ellery. The bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Lieutenant F. W. Smith, deceased.

The bill for the relief of James S. Calhoun. The bill for the relief of Johnson Patrick. The bill for the relief of Cornelius Wilson and James Carter.

The bill for the relief of Joseph W. Reckless. The bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Henry Hoffman.

The bill for the relief of Hugh Riddle, of the city of New York.

The bill for the relief of John S. Kerving. The bill for the relief of Thomas King. The bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Captain Samuel Shannon, deceased.

The bill for the relief of the heirs and legal representatives of William Lomax.

The bill for the relief of Elizabeth Whiteman. The bill for the relief of the heirs and legal representatives of Major General the Baron de Kalb.

On motion by Mr. HOLMES, the reconsidera. tion ordered of the bill remitting the duties on the organ imported by the Episcopal church of Charleston, South Carolina, was taken up; and, after some remarks from Mr. H., was read the third time, and passed.

Mr. BIDLACK moved a reconsideration of the vote on bill No. 571, for the relief of Samuel M. Asbury, purporting to come from the Committee for the District of Columbia. He thought the House was prcceeding with too little caution. According to his recollection, there had been two or three reports against this claim, and none in favor of it. When a committee had reported favorably, he would not interfere. The motion to reconsider was rejected.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi moved that when the House adjourned, it should adjourn over to Tuesday next.

Mr. GIDDINGS called for the yeas and nays on the motion.

Mr. THOMPSON modified his motion by substituting Monday for Tuesday.

Then yeas and nays were then ordered, when
Mr. THOMPSON withdrew his motion.

Mr. ANDREWS of Kentucky renewed the original motion of Mr. T. to adjourn over to Tues

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Mr. BLACK and others objected, and the resolution was not received.

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION.

The SPEAKER laid before the House a communication from the Treasury Department, in answer to a resolution of the House of the 19th March, 1842, transmitting a statement relative to the judicial expenses of the Government, and the laws and usages under which the same are incurred; also, the projet of a bill to fix, ascertain, and regulate the fees allowed to clerks, attorneys, marshals, witnesses, and jurors in the United States courts: referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, and ordered to be printed.

On motion of Mr. WARREN, the documents and papers relating to the claim of W. Fuller were referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

SECOND REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS. Mr. CROSS gave notice of his intention to ask leave to bring in a bill to repeal the provision by which the second regiment of dragoons is to be dismounted on the first of March next.

LAND CLAIMS IN MISSISSIPPI. Mr. JACOB THOMPSON offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the Committee on the Public Lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill to this House quieting the titles to certain lands sold at Chocchuuma and Columbus, Mississippi; which, after the definitive establishment of the boundary line between the Chickasaw and Choctaw cessions, are found to be within the former ces. sion.

JESSE HOYT'S ACCOUNTS.

Mr. BOARDMAN offered the following resolu tion, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to communicate to this House the amount of the defalcation of Jesse Hoyt, late collector of the port of New York; and also what means, if any, have been adopted for the recovery of the same, together with the names of the sureties of said Hoyt. LIGHT-HOUSES.

Mr. J. C. CLARK offered the following resolution, which (after a brief interval of objection) was adopted:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be requested to inform the House whether any agent or agents (other than the regular and usual inspectors) have been employed during the past year in the examination and inspection of the lighthouses; and if so, the names of such agents, the instructions given, the persons employed under them, the whole expendi ture of such examination and inspection, the number of lighthouses inspected, the time employed in such inspection, the re port or reports of such agent or agents, the amount of money paid for the same, and the fund from which payment has been made.

At this stage of the proceelings, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr BOWNE; but was, after some conversational debate, withdrawn. COLLECTIONS AND EXPENDITURES AT NEW YORK.

On motion of Mr. G. DAVIS, it was

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury report to this House the number, classes, and compensation of persons, re. spectively, in the employment of the Government in the port of New York on the 1st day of January, 1829, and also on the 1st day of January, 1812; and the amount of revenue collected in that port for the two years immediately preceding these dates.

PRIVATE CLAIM IN KENTUCKY. Mr. W. O. BUTLER offered the following resolation; which was adopted:

Resolved, That the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads inquire into the expediency of releasing D. & V. K. Rich, securities of J. F. Moore, deceased, late postmaster at Gaines Cross Roads, in the State of Kentucky, from the pay. ment of a judgment by the district court of the United States for the district of Kentucky, for the sum of $108 53; and that all the papers on file in the Post Office Department relating to said claim be referred to said committee.

STOCKBRIDGE INDIANS.

Mr. W. A. HARRIS said he would ask the favor of the House to take up a bill reported by him from the Committee on Indian Affairs, for the relief of the Stockbridge tribe of Indians in the Territory of Wisconsin.

The bill was then read.

Mr. BRIGGS objected to its further consideration.

After some conversation,

Mr. FILLMORE hoped he would withdraw the objection.

Mr. HARRIS explained the design of the blll. It was precisely analagous to a bill which had been hitherto passed in relation to another tribe, and which had been found most salutary in its operation. This tribe of Indians was not only civilized, but in a great measure christianized; and their ardent desire was to be made citizens of the republic. There was, moreover, nothing of a specu. lating character about the present bill.

Mr. BRIGGS still persisting in his objection, the report was read.

Mr. ROOSEVELT said that this bill proposed specially to naturalize the Stockbridge tribe of Indians. Now, he would remind the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. HARRIS] that the Constituton of the United States only gave Congre s the power to pass uniform laws of naturalization. (Many voices: "That refers to foreigners.") Then, why pass the bill at all? Is not the Indian a native American? [Laughter.] He wants no act of naturalization. [Laughter.]

Mr. HARRIS said he thought the gentleman from New York [Mr. ROOSEVELT] had conceived, and given to the House the worst kind of a Virginia abstraction he had ever heard. [Laughter ]

The question was then taken upon the engross. ment of the bill, and carried; and, by general consent, it was read a third time, and passed.

JEU D'ESPRIT.

Mr. SNYDER submitted the following preamble and resolution, the reading of which was received with much manifestation of merriment:

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Whereas Nature, in the plenitude of her wisdom, and bounti ful bequest to the people of these United States, has decreed, by its stupendous grandeur and beneficial results, some of her great works should remain unaltered, as emblems of her wisdom and design. In her beneficence, she has interspersed every section of our land with great navigable rivers, lakes, and tributary streams, purposely the enjoyment and comfort of man: instance the matchless valley of the great Mississippi. Would it not be valueless, and perfect waste, without that noble river of its name?-the Western States useless for agricultural purposes, without their navigable lakes? And what would Pennsylvania be, without her foaming Susque hanna? Her iron, coal, timber, and salt, would be a dead waste on her borders; her fertile soil, uncultivated, would now be used, as of yore by the aborigines-for a hunting-ground. May the opinion be here hazarded, that all these large rivers and lakes are the common property of the Government, free for all citizens to navigate, trade upon, or travel, as a common highway; and that no State, for State or company purposes, has the right to obstruct the free passage thereof?-even the occupant of its banks having no more right to the exclusive navigation or the use of the water, than the Louisianian, one thousand miles off; but must remain as nature's grand highway, and the General Government is bound to maintain it as such. Pennsylvania lived prosperously, enjoyed all the blessings of a kind Providence, until about eighteen years since, when the internal improvement of the State was commenced. Since then, by act of Assembly, eight or ten dams have been authorized to be constructed across that great highway of nature, the Susquehanna river, which has destroyed the ascending navigation for boats, and totally prevents the ascension of shad. Shad were caught in the northward country, and sold for from six to ten dollars a hundred; now, not one is to be seen. The loss of all kinds of fish is consequent upon* those dams-a very serious injury to the people of that river, which is three hundred miles long. The shad are a loss to the com munity at large, as countless millions heretofore were hatched in its fresh-water streams. The health of the country is injured, the right of property taken from the citizen without his consent, for internal improvement purposes; and Nature's public high way to market (Philadelphia) by keel-bottom boats in the head of the river, is now destroyed, by reason of dams; and the immense trade of the Valley of the Susquehanna, and a portion from the State of New York, is forced into State and company canals. Therefore,

Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the constitutional right of Pennsylvania to authorize the building of dams across the Susquehanna, to the injury of the natural rights of the great body politic, and report to this House.

Mr. STANLY objected to the reception of the resolution.

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Mr. McKEON presented the petition of the insurance companies in the city of New York, praying for an appropriation for the improvement of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers: referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. CROSS, under the resolution adopted by the House, referred to the appropriate committees the following cases, to wit: The petition of R. B. Hyde for a pension; the petition of the widow and heirs of Edward Duvall, and the petition of Benjamin Murphy, praying indemnities for losses sustained in consequence of Indian depredations.

IN SENATE.

TUESDAY, December 27, 1842.

Mr. YOUNG presented a petition from Ralph V. M. Cross, and 344 others, citizens of the town of St. Charles and its vicinity; a petition from citizens of Grand Detour and its vicinity; and a petition from Levi Ballou and 55 others,, citizens of Babcock's Grove, Dupage county, Illinois, praying the establishment of a tri-weekly four-horse post-coach mail-route from Chicago, by the Steam Mill settlement on the Des Plains river, Babcock's Grove, in Dupage county, St. Charles, in Kane county, Sycamore, in De Kalb county, Broaddy's Grove, and Jefferson Grove, to Grand Detour, in said State; which, with the accompanying diagram, were referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Also, presented a letter and memorial from Uriah Brown, of Schuyler county, Illinois, praying an investigation by Congress of his right to the discovery of the plan by which ships of war may be blown up, by means of a current of galvanic electricity, to be discharged through submerged magazines of gunpowder; which, on his motion, was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. YOUNG, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce bills of the following titles, to wit:

A bill granting an additional quantity of land to the State of Illinois, to aid in the completion of the Illinois and Michigan canal;

A bill making further appropriations for the continuation of the work on the Cumberland road in the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois;

A bil appropriating the rents of the United States lead mines in the State of Illinois, and Ter ritories of Wiskonsin and Iowa, for the improvement of the navigation at the Rock river and Des Moines rapids, in the Mississippi river; which were severally read twice, and referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

And a bill making a further appropriation for the continuation of the public works, and rebuilding the light-house, at the harbor of Chicago, in the State of Illinois; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. Y. also gave notice that he would, on tomorrow, ask leave to introduce a bill to confirm the sales of the school lands in the State of Illinois.

Mr. CLAYTON presented a memorial from Edward Worrell, M. D, alleging that he was unjustly selected as one of those who were to be disbanded from the service of the United States, under the

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late law for the disbandment of a portion of the army, and asking an investigation into the matter: referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. BUCHANAN presented a memorial from a number of citizens of Pennsylvania, asking that the fine imposed on General Jackson, by Judge Hall, might be refunded. The memorialists urge that Congress ought, unanimously, as if by acclamation, and without unnecessary delay, to restore to that great man, before he takes bis departure from this to a better world, the fine so unjustly imposed on him referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Also, presented a memorial from a number of citizens of Pennsylvania, complaining that the greatest want of the country was the want of a proper currency, and proposing to the Government of the United States to issue stock or certificates of loan to the States to the amount of 2,000,000,000 of dollars, founded upon the public domain, as affording a proper basis for a sound currency: referred to the Committee on Finance.

Also, presented a memorial from a number of citizens of the city and county of Philadelphia, alleging that they were from the first opposed to the passage of the bankrupt law, because it interfered with pre-existing contracts; but that now, believ. ing that the mischiefs of the law were at an end, and that the law would be very useful in its prospective operations, pray that it may be continued: referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. TALLMADGE presented six memorials, numerously signed, from the city of New York; also from Syracuse, Rochester, and Penn Yan, in the State of New York; and one from Philadelphia; all remonstrating against the repeal of the bankrupt law. Mr. T. said he had no doubt, if time were given, that memorials of a similar character would be poured in upon the Senate from all parts of the Union. He had received letters from many of the States, giving the decided opinion that a great portion of the community every where were in favor of the law, and expressing the earnest hope that it would not be repealed. These writers anxiously inquire as to the prospect of a repeal, and the terms of that repeal, if such a bill should succeed.

Mr. T. said that these letters were so numerous, it was impossible for him to answer them individ. ually, even if he possessed the information they desired. He would, therefore, take this occasion to say that he indulged a hope that, on mature reflection, a majority in Congress would be willing to preserve the law, with such modifications and amendments as should be deemed necessary to remove any objectionable features in it. Mr. T. said he considered it a duty enjoined on Congress by the Constitution, to establish a uniform system of bankruptcy; and that to repeal this law without an effort to amend it, would be a dereliction of duty which he would not anticipate. He would not assume that a power yielded by the States to Congress, for the mere purpose of uniformity, was not to be exercised by Congress, because it would not; nor by the States, because they could not exercise it. The principal objections which were originally urged against the bill are now obviated. One was its operation on past contracts: that is now removed; another was, that there was not suf cient judicial force to execute the law. Ex. perience has shown there is no difficulty on that score. But Mr. T. said he did not intend, on this occasion, to go into an argument on the subject. If, however, he should be disappointed in his views of the action of Congress, and the law should be repealed, he could not persuade himself that a single member of this Senate would be willing to cut off any applications pending at the time of the repeal. He hoped the repeal-if it should take place-would be prospective; and that a period some time hence would be fixed upon for it to take effect. If there be any distinction between those who have been already discharged, and those whose applications are now pending, it is in favor of the latter. They have struggled along, and omitted to apply, in the hope that they would be saved the necessity; and now, to cut them off, after others have been discharged, would be

cruel in the extreme. He hoped and believed no such injustice would be done.

The memorials were referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. BENTON presented a memorial from Philadelphia, on the subject of the bankrupt law. The letter accompanying it says that the memorial was signed by forty firms of that city-the names of twenty of whom he knew himself. Mr. B said this petition was opposed to the repeal of the act, but wished Congress to amend, and make it a bankrupt system. One of the points of objection to the law was, that it was unjust and uncoustitu. tional, because it absolved the debtor from all his obligations entered into long before the enactment of the law was even contemplated. The letter states that two-thirds of the merchants and nine. teen-twentieths of the people believe that the banks which issue bills should be included within the provisions of the law: referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. BERRIEN presented a memorial from the city of New York, asking that the bankrupt law may not be repealed, but assigning reasons why it should be continued, with certain modifications therein set forth: referred to the Judiciary Committee.

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Mr. BERRIEN took occasion to say, that so far as his information extended, there more strong and decided expression of public opinion in favor of the continuance of the law, under certain modifications, than there was for its repeal. Something more than 50,000 persons had petitioned upon the subject of the law at the last session; of whom, less than 3,000 were in favor of its unconditional repeal; 40,000 asked for its continuance; and the residue of the 50.000 asked for its suspension, modification, and repeal.

Mr. McROBERTS presented a petition from a number of citizens of Illinois, asking Congress to pass a law for the occupation and settlement of the Oregon Territory, and that actual grants of land be made to settlers as an inducement to settlement: laid on the table, to accompany the bill.

On motion of Mr. BATES, it was ordered that the petition and papers of Rufus and Charles Lane, asking for fishing bounty, be taken from the files of the Senate, and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. LINN, on leave, introduced a bill for the relief of Reuben E Gentry, William Monroe, and others; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

On motion of Mr. KING, it was ordered that the petition of the heirs of William Fisher, asking for the confirmation of a certain land claim, founded on a Spanish grant, be taken from the files of the Senate, and referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

On motion of Mr. KING, it was ordered that the petition of Samuel Thompson be taken from the files of the Senate, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

On motion of Mr. SEVIER, it was ordered that the petition and documents relating to the claim of F. A. Kerr, for compensation and for supplies furDished indigent Indians, be taken from the files, and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs; and also that the petition of George Duval, a Cherokee, for indemnity for losses sustained, be taken from the files, and referred to the same committee.

Mr. SEVIER presented a memorial from Docter Gunton, President of the Bank of Washington, asking that Congress would pass a law extending the charter of that institution: referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

Mr. SMITH of Indiana presented a document from the Commissioner of the General Land Office, on the subject of surveys of lands; which was referred to the Committee on the Public Lands.

Mr. STURGEON presented a memorial from a large number of citizens of Southwestern Pennsylvania, asking for the repeal of the bankrupt law. Mr. S. said the law was peculiarly unpopular in this section of the country, which might be judged of from the reading of an extract from the letter enclosing the petition; which said, that if petitions were circulated there, ninety-nine out of every one

hundred would readily sign for the repeal; that they believe it was the worst law ever passed by Congress; and that it had done more to demoralizz the country than any act ever passed: referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. WRIGHT presented a memorial from certain inhabitants of Brooklyn, remonstrating against the repeal of the bankrupt law, as far as its pros. pective operations are concerned, and recommend. ing certain modifications: referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Also, presented a memorial from citizens of the northern district of New York, remonstrating against the repeal of the law in any such terms as would operate as a suspension of it before the pas sage of the repealing act. The memorialists give as a reason, that, by the rules of the court thereon, (many, if not all, of the district courts) all the applicants under the law are compelled to pay fees in advance; and, in a majority of the instances, such fees are obtained only by the greatest sacrifice on the part of the petitioners; and that, therefore, it would be manifestly unjust to destroy these petitions, filed pursuant to the law, and in all respects in conformity thereto : referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Also, presented a petition from Oneida county, New York, asking for the unconditional repeal of the bankrupt law; and a petition from a number of citizens of New York, purporting to be merchants, for a full and unconditional repeal of the bankrupt law; which were referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. SIMMONS presented two memorials from citizens of Philadelphia, against the repeal, but in favor of a modification of the bankrupt law: referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. SPRAGUE presented a memorial from Providence, Rhode Island, signed by merchants and manufacturers, in favor of the repeal of the bankrupt law: referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. MILLER presented a memorial from John Kurtz, praying for an extension of the charter of the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank of Georgetown: referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

Mr. WOODBURY presented a memorial from certain messengers and laborers in the office of the Auditor of the Post Office Department, praying for an increase of their compensation: referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. BENTON presented a petition, signed by Thomas White, and one hundred and fifty others, of Dorchester county, Maryland, praying for a repeal of the bankrupt act: referred to the Judiciary Commitee.

Mr. WHITE, from the Committee on Indian Affairs, reported a bill for the relief of Benjamin Murphy, of Arkansas; which was read, and ordered to a second reading.

Mr. BAYARD presented a memorial from cer. tain officers who served in the surveying and exploring expedition, representing that they had received a certain amount of pay under the authority of an express order in writing from the Navy Department, and that the accounting (fficer of the Government, in the adjustment of their accounts, had refused to allow the amount thus paid them, and that their ordinary pay is now withheld until an adjustment of their accounts. They pray Congress to pass a law authorizing the settlement of their accounts on the basis of the agreement of the Secretary of the Navy when they entered the service: referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. BATES presented a petition from William Smith, of Northampton, Massachusetts, praying indemnity for losses sustained by French spoliations prior to 1800. Mr. B. said, to show the injustice and inhumanity of withholding the indem. nity, it was only necessary to have the memorial read, (which was done,) showing that the petitioner is now an inmate of the poor-house: referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mr. BAYARD, on leave, introduced a bill entitled "An act to amend the act entitled 'An act to reorganize the Navy Department of the United States,' passed the 30th August, 1842;" and

A bill to provide for the establishment of schools

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