Mr. Comstock presented a petition of David Hawkins, praying for a pension. Mr. Wilde presented a petition of Elijah Swann, praying for a pension. Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the committee on Pensions and Revolutionary Claims. Mr. Taylor, of N. Y. presented a petition of Westel Willoughby, junior, praying to be admitted to a seat in the House, in the place of William S. Smith, returned as one of the members for the state of New-York, whom he alleges to have been unduly returned. Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the committee of Elections. Ordered, That the petition of the manufacturers of hats in Boston, presented yesterday, be referred to the committee of Ways and Means. Mr. Lowndes, from the committee appointed to examine and report upon the state of the new building, on Capitol Hill, offered to Congress, made a report, which was read: When, Mr. Lowndes, by leave of the House, reported a bill 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 accommodation of Congress, which was read the first time, and, on motion, the said bill was read the second time, and committed to a committee of the whole House to-day. The House then resolved itself into a committee of the whole House on the said bill; and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair and Mr. Nelson reported the said bill with an amendment, which was read and concurred in by the House. Ordered, That the bill be engrossed and read a third time to-day. Mr. Wilde offered the following resolution as an amendment to the rules and orders of the House, which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. Resolved, That in addition to the standing committees heretofore authorized by the rules and orders of this House, the following standing committees be authorized and appointed: A military committee, A naval committee, A committee on foreign affairs, A committee on roads and canals, To consist of seven members each. That it shall be the duty of the said Military committee to take into consideration all such reports from the war department, petitions, matters, and things relating to the army of the United States as shall be presented, or shall, or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House, and to report, from time to time, their opinion thereon: That it shall be the duty of the said Naval committee, to take into consideration all such reports from the secretary of the navy, or the commissioners of the navy board, petitions, and other matters and things respecting the navy of the United States, as shall be presented, or shall, or may come in question and be referred to them by the House, and to report, from time to time, their opinion thereon. That it shall be the duty of the said committee on Foreign affairs to take into consideration all such reports from the department of state, messages, or parts of messages, petitions, and other matters and things respecting the intercourse and relations of the United States with foreign nations, as shall be presented, or shall, or may come in question and be referred to them by the House, and to report their opinion thereon: That it shall be the duty of the said committee on the Militia, to take into consideration all such reports, petitions, and other matters and things respecting the militia of the United States, as shall be presented, or shall, or may come into question and be referred to them by the House, and to report, from time to time, their opinion thereon. That it shall be the duty of the said committee. on Roads and Canals, to take into consideration all such reports, petitions, and other matters and things relating to the construction, preservation, and extension of roads and canals, in the United States, and the improvement of river navigation, as shall be presented, or shall, or may come into question, and be referred to them by the House, and to report, from time to time, their opinion thereon. That it shall be the duty of the said committee of Ordnance, Fortifications, Arsenals, and Harbour Defence, to take into consideration all such reports, petitions, and other matters and things, relating to the ordnance, fortifications, arsenals, armouries, and works of defence, both fixed and floating, on the harbours, on the coasts, or on the inland frontier of the United States, as shall be presented, or shall or may come into question, and be referred to them by the House, and to report, from time to time, their opinion thereon. An engrossed bill, entitled "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," was read the third time and passed. Ordered, That the title be as aforesaid, and that the Clerk carry the said bill to the Senate and desire their concurrence therein. The House proceeded, by ballot, to the election of a Chaplain to Congress, on their part, and upon an examination of the ballots, it appeared that the reverend Spencer H. Cone, was duly elected. Ordered, That the Clerk inform the Senate thereof. The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the secretary of the treasury, transmitting his annual report on the state of the finances of the United States, which was read and referred to the committee of Ways and Means, except so much thereof as relates to a national currency, which was referred to the committee to whom that subject was referred on yesterday. A message from the Senate by Mr. Cutts, their Secretary Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed the bill "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." Mr. Taul, from the committee for Enrolled Bills, reported, that the committee had examined the enrolled bill last mentioned, and had found the same truly enrolled: When The Speaker signed the said bill. Ordered, That the Clerk acquaint the Senate therewith. Ordered, That when the House adjourns, it will adjourn to meet again on Monday next. And then the House adjourned until Monday morning eleven o'clock. MONDAY, December 11, 1815. Several other members, to wit: from New-York, Peter B. Porter; from Pennsylvania, Thomas Burnside; from Maryland, Stevenson Archer; from Virginia, John Clopton; from North-Carolina, William R. King, and Israel Pickens; from South-Carolina, Benjamin Huger; and from Georgia, Alfred Cuthbert, and Thomas Telfair; appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats, the oath to support the constitution of the United States being first administered to them, by the Speaker. Rufus Easton, also appeared and took his seat, as the delegate for the territory of Missouri. Mr. Vose presented a petition of Shubael Carpenter, of Vermont. Mr. Pickering, presented a petition of John Crampersey, of Massachusetts. Mr. Gold, presented a petition of Noble Morse, of New-York. Mr. Barbour, presented a petition of John Porter, of Virginia. Mr. Reynolds, presented a petition of John Pritchett, of Tennessee. Mr. Alexander, presented a petition of Michael M'Dermott, of the Michigan territory. Mr. M'Lean, of Ohio, presented a petition of William Vineyard, of Ohio, respectively praying for pensions. Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the committee on Pensions and Revolutionary Claims. Mr. Atherton, presented a petition of Jonathan B. Eastman, of New-Hampshire, late a paymaster in the army of the United States, praying to be relieved from the payment of a sum of public money, |