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the cause of humanity, and be the means of restoring to circumstances, to be explained hereafter, ing Heaven's best blessing to one benighted mortal, you have my permission to offer it to the newspapers.

NAUTICAL.

from out of the Gulph of Mexico, between the Ba hama Islands and the coast of East Florida, and on its arriving as far north as the north part of the Bahama Islands, it takes a more easterly direction, to restore the level of the Atlantic Ocean, deranged by the trade winds, as will appear hereafter; and

From a late English paper, received at the office of the influence it has in carrying vessels to the east

N. Y. Commercial Advertiser.
LIVERPOOL SHIP LETTER OFFICE,

London Coffee-House, near the Post office, Liverpool.
Mr. Editor-Having received the following ad-
dress from admiral S, at Plymouth, solic.ting
publicity to it, induces me to hand the same to
you, under the impression of some advantage being
derived from it here.

ward faster than they seem to run by their log, is
without doubt the cause of the numerous accidents
future, unless proper caution is observed.
which have already happened, and will happen in

All geographers know that the winds, called trade winds, blow from the eastward, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, generally about nine months in the year, and they are the cause of the Gulph of Florida stream; for they drive before them all the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, and that with a velocity, and in a To all navigators from the Atlantic ocean to the quantity greater or less in proportion to their western shores of Europe; but more particular-strength. I have been in the Atlantic Ocean, when,

I ain, sir, your most obedient servant,

W. M. LOLLEY.

ly to those of Great Britain, and to the English and Bristol Channels.

Causes of the numerous Shipwrecks, On the Scilly Islands, in Mounts Bay, in Cornwall, and on the western coasts of Great Britain; bu more particularly in the English channel.

during near two months, we could not set a topsail, it blew so strong; and I have, at another time, crossed the Atlantic Ocean, when, I may almost Say I could have carried a lighted candle in my hand, without a lantern, all the time, and it would not have blown out. The strength of the stream, therefore, must vary, and will cause an effect equalAll vessels, which are bound to the western ly uncertain. This current it is, which, forcing shores of Great Britain, from the Atlantic ocean its way into the Atlantic Ocean to restore the will always be subject to that disaster, without level interrupted by the trade winds, by a current care and attention to the circumstances explained inclining more easterly as it gets clear of the Bahereafter; for they will always be more or lesshama Islands, carries the vessels ahead of their ahead of their reckoning, and of course will be lia-reckoning. To explain this more familiarly, let ble to be on shore, before they conjecture them- one of us fill a bason of water to the brim, then selves to be near the land. This was no doubt blow strong on the surface, and the water will run the cause of the loss of Admiral Shovel, in the over on the opposite side of the bason to which Association, with the Eagle and Romney in compa- we blow, by little waves raised by the blowing. py, on the 22d of October, 1707; for by our naval Take some of the water out of the bason, and then history, it appears they brought too on that day, on the opposite side to that on which we blow, and they lay by till sunset, when they made sail the little waves will rise against the side of the for the English channel, supposing, no doubt, they bason, and the surface of the water being raised had space enough to run till day-light, without get thereby, it will find its level again by escaping on ting into danger; but they were cast away on the the sides of the bason each way; but let a card or rocks of Scilly, and every soul on board perished; some other obstacle be put on one side, and the whereas had they sounded at sun set, prior to their whole quantity will escape on the other side, to making sail, they might have known they had not produce a level. Just so it is with the water forc sufficient run for the night. The depth of wa- ed into the Gulph of Mexico by the trade winds; ter at sunset, w the best of my recollection, which for, as it cannot find its level by escaping on both will insure them safety, in the longest night's run sides, from the Gulph, owing to the north coast towards the English channel, should not be less of South America extending so far to the eastward, than seventy-five fathoms; of course more than as again to meet the trade winds, it all therefore that depth, or having no soundings, will put them escapes on the north side, and takes its course out of all doubt; but, of this exact depth, attention along the east coast of Florida, until it passes the to their charts must caution them, lest my memory Bahama Islands, and then, as I have said, forces should be in error. The mischief arises from ves- its way into the Atlantic Ocean, to restore the lesels persisting to run by their reckoning without vel interrupted by the trade winds. It cannot sounding-more particularly are they tempted to escape between the Islands, because it meets the this if they have had fine weather, in navigating the trade winds again. This current it is, which forcAtlantic ocean, and of course, confide more in theiring its way into the Atlantic Ocean, governs the reckoning.

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navigation of that sea, and carries the vessels so The reason vessels coming from the westward much to the eastward of their reckoning, that they will always be far ahead of their reckoning, say one approach the western shores of Europe before hundred leagues, more or less, is owing to the effect they are aware of it; and the weather very freof the Gulph of Florida stream; and how that ope-quently proves so hazy and cloudy, that no obserrates I will endeavour to explain, hoping the ap- vation can be taken to correct their longitude, beparent simplicity of my description will be excus. fore they get into soundings. I have been informed, ed by all who think it precisely so, as it is meant in the west of England, that a vessel has been known to explain it to all capacities, and particularly to (the name of which was mentioned to me) to have those who may never have attended to the geogra- run on shore on the north coast of Devon shire, phy of the coasts of Mexico. The gulph of Flori-with all her small sails in the night time, right beda stream runs with more or less velocity, accord- I fore the wind. But the frequency of wrecks, on

those shores, is too well ascertained by the many melancholy accounts which our naval history af

We

only part of this route presenting obstacles to navigation, that requires any serious labour or expense fords. to remove them, is situated between the Roanoke Vessels should, therefore, always sound at sun- and the Meherrin, and between the Fork of Benset, whenever they get within one hundred leaguesnett's Creek and the Dismal Swamp Canal. of Scily, by their reckoning, when coming from commenced our operations upon the latter ground: the westward; and the depth of water, or having || for unless that part of the route was practicable, no soundings, will ascertain what sail they may all the labor bestowed upon the examination of carry in the longest night, without getting into the former would be thrown away. The whole danger before morning. But the misfortune is, distance from the Fork of Bennett's Creek to the vessels will depend on their reckoning, and run Dismal Swamp Canal, is sixteen miles and three for the English or Bristol Channels without sound-quarters; the highest point of the dividing ridge ing more especially if they happen to have had mild between the Canal and the Creek, is 34 feet 7 3-4 weather on their voyage. I, myself, in a two deck-inches higher than the latter, and 10 feet higher ed ship, was near being on the rocks of Scily when coming from the West-Indies.

The loss of the Alexander, East Indiaman, off Portland, on the 25th of March 1815, when every soul on board perished, gave rise to the publication of these observations, which though they may not possess much merit, it is hoped will not bring into contempt the humble exertions of an

OLD SEAMEN.

PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.

than the surface of White Oak Spring Marsh, from which there is a gentle and gradual descent to the Dismal Swamp Canal. It is evident the Canal cannot be supplied with water either from Bennett's Creek or from the Dismal Swamp Canal. Some other resources must therefore be resorted to.Very near the dividing ridge is situated a millpond six miles in length and three feet average depth, called Powell's Pond. As this pond was the only source to feed the Canal, its adequacy very naturally became the subject of strict enquiry with the commissioners. We were informed by the most intelligent persons in the neighborhood, that it was highly probable, that there would be a deficiency of water after long spells of dry weather in midsummer. But the commissioners are THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. of opinion, that if the dam to the pond was reSIR-We the undersigned commissioners, ap-moved one mile lower down, to White Oak Marsh pointed by the act of the Legislature of North Ca- Spring which is ten feet lower than the scite of rolina, passed on the -day of December, 1811, the present dam, that the quantity of water would and of the Legislature of Virginia, on the 31st be so greatly augmented as to remove all grounds day of January, 1812, entitled "An act to incorpo- for any reasonable fears about a deficiency. The rate a Company for the purpose of cutting a naviga- surface of this pond is four feet four inches and a ble Canal from Roanoke to Meherrin River, and half lower than the dividing ridge, which is onfrom the waters of the Chowan River in North Ca-ly one half of a mile across, viz. it is only one half rolina, to some of the waters of James River, in Virginia, or to the Dismal Swamp Canal,"

TO THE GOVERNOR OF

BEG LEAVE TO REPORT

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the work will amount to $761,512.

of a mile from the Levee on one side to the Levee on the other. This part of the route is through a very level country and free from stone. The greatThat in April last, we employed Engineers to est difficulties in the scheme occur between the ascertain the best route for a canal to connect the Roanoke and Meherrin, but all these will yield to said waters, and to estimate the expense of exe- an application of a small portion of the immense cuting the work. We employed Messrs. James resources of the country interested in it. The R. Allen and Robert Robson. We have every rea- cost of this part of the work is estimated at son to place the most implicit reliance on their $641,512. The canal between the Fork of Bencompetency, to ascertain all the necessary factsnett's Creek, and the Dismal Swamp Canal, is eswith the greatest accuracy. They together com-timated at $120,000, so that the whole expense of bine a knowledge of calculation with experience in every thing relating to Canalling. Mr. RobWhen any man, or society of men, have, any son is particularly acquainted with the expense of particular scheme in view, from which they exthe construction of locks, of blowing rock, of pect to derive a profit, or save themselves an explain cutting, &c. for he has superintended the ex- pense; before they determine to undertake it, ecution of works of a similar kind. The Engi- they ought in the first place, to ascertain their neers have likewise had, in preparing their esti- ability to execute it; and thirdly, to be well asmate, the assistance of a gentleman of great expe-sured that the benefits resulting from its success rience, and who was one of the most active direc.will amply compensate them for the expense. tors of the Appomattox Company. The course of That it is practicable, the engineers have most navigation which we recommend, is as follows: unequivocally expressed their opinion. Of our A canal should commence near the Cowford and ability to execute it, we may be thoroughly conrun to Eaton Pugh's Island; thence along the rivinced by comparing the resources of the country ver hills until it arrives at the top of the ridge, near Sykes' Store, 14 3-4 miles; thence down the ridge to Mumfreesborough, 32 3-4 miles; thence down the channel of the Meherrin to Chowan; down Chowan to the mouth of Bennett's Creek; up Bennett's Creek to its Fork; thence by a canal to strike the west end of the White Oak Marsh Spring Canal; thence along said Canal to the Dismal Swamp Canal, and thence to Norfolk. The

with the estimated expense of the work. For the sake of illustration, we will divide the whole sum supposed to be necessary among the counties known to be interested. There are 40 counties in N. Carolina & Virginia interested in this scheme, besides the borough of Norfolk; these counties contain, on an average, at least 400 freeholders each, making 16,000 freeholders; add to this 6,000 for the borough of Norfolk; making in all

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22,000 freeholders: divide the sum of $761,512 by the 22,000 freeholders, and the quota to be apportioned to each freeholder will be less than the sum of thirty-five dollars. Compare the certain benefits with the estimated expense. Dan and Staunton River Low Grounds sell for only fifty dollars per acre, when James River Low Grounds, not at all superior in quality, sell for one hundred, and in many instances one hundred and fifty dollars per acre. The only reason for this difference in price is, that on James River they possess the advantages of navigation, of which we are destitute on the Roanoke; so that in the catalogue of benefits, we are first to mention the augmentation of the price of our lands by one hundred per cent.; 2dly, the saving of more than one half the expense of transportation of our produce to market: 3dly, The advantage it will give us of cultivating, at our option, a crop of grain or tobacco; 4thly, The creation of a valuable property, consisting of the Stock of the Company, which has no existence at present. The James River Stock is supposed to be the most valuable property in the State of Virginia, and we have no doubt that as much produce would be conveyed to the ocean by means of the Roanoke Canal, if it were completed, as is now carried down the James River Canal. It will pass through a country abounding in various and valuable staples: It will || convey to market the following articies, with many others, to an immense value, viz:--Juniper and Cypress Shingles, Lumber, Fish, Tar, Turpentine, Cotton, Indian Corn, Wheat, Tobacco, and Hemp. That so great and noble a River, watering such an extensive and fertile country, should be of no use for the conveyance of produce to market, is the bitterest sarcasm that can be pronounced upon the industry and enterprize of those who are interested in rendering it navigable. Therefore, having ascertained what we conceive to be the best route for the Canal, and, having estimated the probable expense, and believing as we do, that the scheme is practicable, & ought to be undertaken, we have proceeded, in obedience to the acts of the Legislatures of North-Carolina and Virginia, to apportion amongst the counties named in the acts, and the Borough of Norfolk, their respective proportions of the sum to be raised. All which is respectfully submitted,

By your obedient servants,

WILLIAM E. BRODNAX,
EATON PUGH,

FRANCIS JONES,

GEORGE NEWTON,

EDWARD C. CARRINGTON,

LIST OF ACTS.

Commiss'rs.

An act to enlarge the time for ascertaining the annual transfers and changes of property subject to the direct tax, and for other purposes.

An act for the relief of Henry Fanning. An act for the relief of Jonathan B. Eastman. An act for the relief of Joseph Anderson. An act to repeal so much of an act, passed on the twenty-third day of December, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen as imposes additional duties on postage.

An act for the relief of John G. Camp.

An act continuing in force certain acts, laying duties on bank notes, refined sugars, and for other purposes.

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An act to continue in force the act, entitled,

an act for imposing additional duties upon all goods, wares and merchandize, imported from any foreign port, or place, and for other purposes. An act for the relief of Jonathan White. An act for the relief of Charles Markin. An act for the relief of Martin Cole, John Pollock, George Westner, and Abraham Welty.

An act to continue in force " an act entitled an act, laying a duty on imported salt, granting a bounty on pickled fish exported, and allowances to certain vessels, employed in the fisheries."

An act for the relief of William Morrissett. An act concerning certain courts of the United States, in the state of New-York.

An act to increase the pensions of Robert White, Jacob Wrighter, John Young and John Cramper

sey.

An act to repeal the duties on certain articles manufactured within the United States. An act for the relief of Jonathan Rogers, Jun. of Waterford, in the state of Connecticut

An act for the relief of John Redman Coxe. An act rewarding the officers and crew of the sloop of war Hornet, for the capture and destruc. tion of the British sloop of war Penguin.

An act concerning the convention to regulate the commerce between the territories of the United States and his Britannic majesty.

An act for the relief of lieutenant colonel William Lawrence, of the army of the United States, and of the officers, non-commissioned officers and privates, composing the garrison of fort Boyer, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fourteen.

An act to reduce the amount of direct tax upon the United States and the district of Columbia, for the year one thousand eight hundred and sixteen; and to repeal in part, the act entitled "An act to provide additional revenue for defraying the expenses of government, and maintaining the public credit, by laying a direct tax upon the United States, and to provide for asssessing and collecting the same;" and also the act entitled "An act to provide additional revenue for defraying the expenses of government, and maintaining the public credit by laying a direct tax upon the district of Columbia."

The following is a complete list of the Laws and Resolutions passed in the first session of the FOURTEENTH CONGRESS, compiled from the laws published under the direction of the Depart-to

ment of State:

An act to authorize the president of the United States, to lease for the term therein mentioned, the new building on capitol hill, with the appurtenances, for the better accommodation of congress.

An act making additional appropriations to defray the expenses of the army and militia during the late war with Great Britain.

certain Canadian Volunteers. An act granting bounties in land and extra pay,

An act making appropriations for ordnance and erdnance stores for the year one thousand eight hundred and sixteen.

An act for the relief of Gustavus Loomis. An act to extend certain privileges, as therein mentioned, to Bernard Edme Verjon and Robert Lowe Stobie.

An act for the relief of John M. Forbes.

An act to change the mode of compensation to

the members of the senate and house of representatives, and the delegates from territories.

An act to alter the times of holding the circuit and district courts of the United States for the district of Vermont.

An act relative to evidence in cases of naturalization.

An act authorizing a subscription for the printing of a second edition of the public documents. An act for the relief of Erastus Loomis.

An act relating to settiers on the lands of the United States.

An act for the relief of John T Wirt. An act placing certain persons on the list of Navy Pensioners.

An act authorizing and requiring the secretary of state to issue letters patent to Andrew Kurtz. An act to limit the right of appeal from the circuit court of the United States for the district of Columbia.

An act to authorize the payment for property lost, captured, or destroyed by the enemy, while in the military service of the United States, and for other purposes.

An act to repeal the act, entitled “An act to provide additional revenues for defraying the expenses of government and maintaining the public credit, by laying duties on household furniture and on gold and silver watches."

An act for the remission of certain duties on the importation of books for the use of Harvard College, and on the carriage and personal baggage of his excellency William Gore, governor of the British province of Upper Canada.

An act in addition to an act to regulate the post office establishment.

An act to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the U. States.

An act making appropriations for the support of government, for the year one thousand eight hundred and sixteen.

An act providing for the settlement of certain accounts against the Library of congress, for extending the privileges of using the books therein, and for establishing the salary of the librarian.

An act supplementary to an act, entitled "An act to incorporate a company for making certain turnpike roads within the district of Columbia.” An act confirming to the navigation company of New-Orleans, the use and possession of a lot in the said city.

An act further extending the time for issuing and locating military land warrants and for other purposes.

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An act to abolish the existing duties on spirits distilled within the United States, and to lay other duties, in lieu of those at present imposed, on licenses to distillers of spirituous liquors.

An act for the relief of Xaverio Naudi. An act for the relief of the Baltimore and Massachusetts Bible Societies.

An act for the relief of Edward Wilson.

An act, further supplementary to the act, entitled "An act providing for the indemnification of certain claimants of public lands in the Mississippi territory.

An act concerning field officers of the militia. An act respecting the late officers and crew of the sloop of war Wasp.

An act for the relief of William Flood.

An act authorizing the president of the United States to lease the saline near the Wabash river, for a term not exceeding seven years.

An act to increase the pensions of invalids in certain cases; for the relief of invalids of the militia; and for the appointment of pension agents in those states where there is no commissioner of loans.

An act for organizing the general staff, and making further provision for the army of the Unit

ed States.

An act to amend an act, entitled "An act for the relief of Edward Hallowell."

An act concerning the entry of vessels at the ports of Middletown and Plymouth.

An act for the relief of Patrick O'Flyng, and Abigail O'Flyng, and Edmund O'Flyng.

An act making appropriations for the support of the navy of the United States for the year one thousand eight [hundred] and sixteen.

An act for the more convenient arrangement of the times and places of holding the circuit courts of the United States, for the districts of South Carolina and Georgia.

An act for the relief of certain purchasers of public lands in the Mississippi territory.

An act supplementary to an act, entitled “An act granting bounties in lands and extra pay to certain Canadian volunteers."

An act declaring the assent of congress to an act of the general assembly of the state of Vir

An act to increase the pension of William Mun-ginia. day.

An act authorizing the sale of a lot of ground, belonging to the United States, situated in the town of Knoxville and state of Tennessee.

An act for the relief of certain claimants to lands in the district of Vincennes.

An act to authorize the president of the United States to alter the road laid out from the foot of the rapids of the river Miami of lake Erie, to the western line of the Connecticut reserve.

An act to authorize the legislature of the state of Ohio to sell a certain part of a tract of land, reserved for the use of that state.

An act making further provision for military services during the late war, and for other purposes.

An act for the relief of Richard Mitchel.

An act for the relief of Charles Levaux Trudeau. An act rewarding the officers and crew of the Constitution, for the capture of the British sloop of war Levant.

An act authorizing the payment of a sum of money to John T. Courtnay and Samuel Harrison, or their legal representatives.

An act establishing a port of delivery at the town of the Bayou St. John.

An act supplementary to the act to provide additional revenues for defraying the expenses of government and maintaining the public credit, by laying a direct tax upon the United States, and to provide for assessing and collecting the same.

An act for the relief of Ephraim Shaler.

An act for the relief of a company of the twen

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tieth brigade of Virginia militia, commanded by captain Jonathan Wamsly.

An act for the relief of the Supervisors of the county of Clinton, in the state of New-York.

An act for the relief of Joseph Wilson.

An act for the relief of Thomas Ap Catesby
Jones.

An act for the relief of Asher Palmer.
An act for the relief of William Hamon.
An act for the relief of Joseph Wheaton.
An act granting to Amos Spafford the right of
pre-emption.

An act authorizing the payment of a sum of money to James Levins.

An act directing the discharge of Moses Lewis from imprisonment.

An act for the relief of the widow and children of Charles Dolph, deceased.

An act to increase the compensation now allowed by law to inspectors, measurers, weighers and gaugers, employed in the collection of the

customs.

An act for the relief of the heirs of Alexander Roxburgh.

An act for the relief of Young King, a chief of the Seneca tribe of Indians.

An act authorizing the payment for the court house of Hamilton, in the state of Ohio.

An act for the relief of John Crosby, and John Crosby, junior.

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the Algerine vessels captured and restored to the Dey of Algiers.

An act making appropriations for rebuilding light-houses and for completing the plan of lighting them, according to the improvements of Winslow Lewis, for placing beacons and buoys, for preserving Little Gull Island, and for surveying the coast of the U. States.

An act to authorize the building of three light houses, viz. one on Race Point, on Point Gammon, and one on the island of Petite Manon, in the state. of Massachusetts.

An act to authorize the sale of lands forfeited to the U. States, in the district of Jeffersonville, at the land office in said district.

An act for the relief of George T. Ross, Daniel T. Patterson, and the officers and men lately under their command.

An act for the relief of Charles Todd.
An act for the relief of Paul D. Butler.
An act providing for cases of lost military land
warrants, and discharges for faithful services.

An act for the relief of Thomas Farrer, William
Young, William Mosely and William Leech.

An act providing an additional compensation to the district judge of the southern district of NewYork.

An act to enable the Levy Court of the county of Alexandria to lay a tax for the purpose of defraying the expense of erecting a jail and court di-house.

An act for the relief of the president and rectors of the Washington bridge company. An act making further provision for settling claims to land in the territory of Illinois.

An act providing for the sale of the tract of land at the lower Rapids of Sandusky river.

An act continuing the salaries of certain officers of government.

An act to authorize the surveying and making a road in the territory of Illinois,

An act providing for the sale of the tract of land, at the British fort at the Miami of the lake, at the foot of the Rapids and for other purposes.

An act for the relief of Taylor and McNeal, Evans and McNeal, and Henry and Jolin McClees

An act for the payment of the militia, in theter. case therein mentioned.

An act for the benefit of John P. Maxwell, and Hugh H. Maxwell.

An act allowing pay to certain persons made prisoners with the revenue cutter "Surveyor." An act to regulate the dutics on imports and tonnage.

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An act for the relief of Charles Ross and Samuel Breck, surviving executors of John Ross, deceased. An act concerning the annual sum appropriated for arming and equipping the militia.

An act for the relief of Menassah Miner and Isaac Denison.

An act for reducing the duties on licenses to An act for the relief of certain owners of goods,retailers of wines, spirituous liquors, and foreign entered at Hampden, in the district of Maine. merchandize.

An act concerning Pharoah Farrow and others. An act to fix the commissions of the collectors of the direct tax and internal duties, and to revive and continue in force "An act further to provide for the collection of duties on imports and tonnage."

An act for the relief of Thomas H. Boyle. An act making appropriations for repairing certain roads therein described.

An act for the relief of Samuel Dick, William Bruce and Asa Kitchel.

An act for the relief of Joseph S. Newall. An act authorizing the payment of a sum of money to John Rogers and others.

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An act for the gradual increase of the navy of the United States.

An act regulating the currency within the U. States, of the gold coins of Great Britain, France, Portugal, and Spain, and the crowns of France, and five franc pieces.

An act supplementary to an act making alterations in the treasury and war departments, passed the 8th day of May, 1792.

An act to establish a land district in Illinois territory, north of district of Kaskaskia.

An act to increase the compensation of the superintendents of the manufactories of arms at Springfield and Harper's Ferry.

An act authorizing the judges of the circuit court, and the attorney for the district of Columto prepare a code of jurisprudence for the said district.

An act directing the discharge of Ebenezer
Keeler, and John Francis from imprisonment.
An act for the relief of Rufus S. Reed and Danielbia,
Dobbins.

An act confirming the titles of certain purchasers of land, who purchased from the board of trustees of the Vincennes university.

An act for the relief of Samuel Manac. An act providing for the distribution of one hundred thousand dollars among the captors of

An act for the relief of Elizabeth Hamilton. An act authorizing payment for prisoners captured by private armed vessels.

An act authorizing the comptroller of the treasury to cancel certain export bonds executed by ll Casper C. Schutte.

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