some of these Indians to England; but as lord Bathurst, in the most explicit manner, assured the undersigned that no use of them, hostile to the United States, would be made by Great Bri tain, the undersigned is persuaded that deter mination has not been departed from by his majesty's government" endanger the peace of the nation, and interrupt that good understanding which so happily exists between our governments The principles of good faith, which always insure good neighborhood between nations, require the immediate and prompt interference of the spanish authority, to destroy or remove from our "How far the threat of Indian vengeance is be- frontier this banditti, put an end to an evil of so coming to the humanity of British officers, or the serious a nature, and return to our citizens and dignity of their government, in a correspondence friendly Indians inhabiting our territory, those newith the officers of a civilized nation, and in a time groes now in the said fort, and which have been of peace, the undersigned leaves to his majesty's stolen and enticed from them. I cannot permit government to decide. Neither colonel Nicholls, myself to indulge a belief, that the governor of nor colonel James, was ashamed to use it, and it Pensacola, or the military commander of that would be treated by the undersigned as it was by place, will hesitate a moment in giving orders for the officers of the United States to whom it was this banditti to be dispersed, and the property of addressed, were it not his duty to remark, that in the United States forthwith retored to them, and condescending to be the heralds of this menace, our friendly Indians particularly, when I reflect those officers sufficiently indicated that they un- that the conduct of this banditti is such as will not be derstood its being carried into execution or not, tolerated by our government, and if not put down by depended upon them; that they viewed them-Spanish authority, will compel us, in self defence, to selves as the regulators, to restrain or to license destroy them. This communication is entrusted to Indian barbarity, at their discretion; that they, captain Amelung, of the first regiment of United British military officers, called upon the civil au States infantry, who is charged to bring back such thority of the United States, to satisfy the revenge answer as you may be pleased to make to this letof Indian savages, belonging within the American ||ter. In your answer you will be pleased to state, jurisdiction, for acts committed upon the Ameri-whether that fort has been built by the government can territory; threatening as the alternative, to of Spain, and whether those negroes who garrison let loose those savages to wreak their own venit are considered as the subjects of his catholic mageance, in all its fury, upon American women and jesty, and if not by his catholic majesty, by whom children." and under whose orders it has been erected. ANDREW JACKSON, Maj gen. commanding Division of the South. To the Governor of Pensacola, or, || (Signed) the military commander of that place. ISAAC L BAKER, Aid-de-camp. (Translated copy.) No. 15. "Independently of the very serious character of these transactions in themselves, huntersigned entreats the attention of the British government, to the spirit by which they were dictated. This excessive earnestness of British authorities, military and civil, to hold themselves forth as the protectors, through right and through wrong, of Indians, not belonging to British territories, however politic it may be deemed to embitter enmities, and to provoke hostilities between the Governor Zuniga to general Jackson. Indians and the Americans, cannot but excite ani. Most Excellent Sir,-On the 24th of the premosities far more formidable between the Bri- sent month, captain Amelung, of the first United tish and American nations. If persevered in, it States' regiment, put into my hands your excelmust eventually, prove most pernicious and fatal lency's letter, dated at Washington, Mississippi to the Indians themselves. The occasion will territory, on the 23d of April last, in which, after justify the expression of the hope that orders and || apprizing me, that your government had given it instructions will be issued to the local authorities in charge to you to inform me, that the fort of the of the British colomes in North America, which negroes, erected during the last war, (with Gr at ⚫ will leave no doubt on the minds of those invested Britain,) near the junction of the Chatahouche with them, that the real intention of Great Britain and Flint rivers, had been reinforced, and was towards the United States is peace." now occupied by more than two hundred and fifty negroes, many of whom were seduced from the service of their masters, (who are cit zens of the United States,) and that all of them are well Head Quarters, Division of the South, armed, provisioned, and disciplined; you make Washington, M. T. 23d April, 1816. S many wise reflections, with respect to the serious Sir, I am charged by my government to make injuries, which may result from tolerating such an known to you, that a negro fort, erected during establishment, not only to those in the immediate our late war with Great Britain, at or near the neighborhood of it, by disturbing the peace of junction of the Chatahouchee and Flint rivers, has the nation, but likewise to the good understandbeen strengthened since that period, and is nowing which happily exists between cur respective occupied by upwards of two hundred and fifty negroes, many of whom have been enticed away from the service of their masters, citizens of the United States; all of whom are well clothed and disciplined. Secret practices to inveigle negroes from the citizens of Georgia, as well as from the Cherokee and Creek nations of Indians, are still continued by this banditti and the hostile Creeks. This is a state of things which cannot fail to produce much injury to the neighboring settle ments, and excite irritations which eventually may No. 14. General Jackson to the governor of Pensacola. governments: you enter into an investigation, to show what the Spanish authorities ought to do, to put an end to an evil of so serious a nature, in the node prescribed by the principles of good faith, which are the foundation of friendly neighborhood among nations: you distinctly state, what the government ought immediately to do, in failure of which, your government will be obliged to do it, to ensure the safety of the inhabitants of the United States; and you conclude, by requesting me to state, in my answer to your letter,' whether the said fort has been constructed by the Spanish || I will not assure you that he did it under authorigovernment, and whether the negroes, who com- ty from his government; but I can say, that he posed its garrison, are deemed subjects of his ca- proceeded to place artillery, munitions and provisions tholic majesty; and if the fort was not built by in it, by the arrangement of vice adiniral Malcolm; Spanish authority, to state by what ahthority, and and, that when colonel Nicholls and the troops by whose order it was built. of his detachment, after the conclusion of the exIn answer to your excellency, I will state, (with pedition against Louisiana withdrew from that the veracity which comports with the character of point, he left orders with the negroes, totally contrary an honorable officer, in which class I rank myself,) to the incontestible right of sovereignty, which the that having arrived at this place, nearly at the king my master exercises, from the line of the 31° close of the month of March preceding, and being of north latitude to the south. My predecessors informed of what your excellency has communi- in this government, have given an account of all cated to me, (with this difference, that the fort, these actions to the authorities on whom they deinstead of being where you place it, is to be pended, that the satisfaction which the violation found on the eastern bank of the Appalichacola, at || required might be demanded, by those on whom about fifteen miles from its mouth or entrance in this duty devolves. to the sea;) I lost no time in proposing to my I think I have answered your excellency's let captain general, the measures which appeared to ter satisfactorily, and in terins which cannot leave me proper, as well for securing the inhabitants of a doubt of the sincerity of my intentions in favor the country under my command, from the dama of the common cause of the American and Spanish ges, losses, and injuries which they have suffered, and inhabitants; and that my present inaction does not still suffer, from this establishment, as to prevent proceed from a want of inclination. I likewise the American citizens, and the friendly Indians of flatter myself, that, until my captain general dethe neighborhood, from continuing to experience || cides, no steps will be taken by the government them. I have hitherto received no answer, and of the United States, or by your excellency, which consequently your excellency, (who knows how may be prejudicial to the sovereignty of the king limited are the powers of a subordinate officer,) my master, or the district of Apalachicola, which cannot be surprised that I should make known to is a dependency of this government. And finally, you, that although my mode of thinking exactly cor- I conclude by assuring your excellency, that it responds with yours, as to dislodging the negroes will afford me particular satisfaction to have opfrom the fort, the occupying it with Spanish troops,portunities of evincing my desire, not only to conor destroying it, and delivering the negroes who tribute, so far as depends on me, to the cementing may be collected to their lawful owners, of the good understanding which subsists between shall not be able to act until I receive the orders of our respective governments, but also to prove to my captain general, and the assistance necessary to your excellency, the high opinion I entertain of enable me to undertake the enterprize, with a moral your virtues and military talents. God preserve certainty of accomplishing the end. I am persuad-your excellency many years. ed that the determination of the said chief cannot be long delayed; and, should it authorize me to act, your excellency may rest assured and persuaded, that I will not lose an instant in adopting on my part, the most efficacious measures for cut. ting up by the root an evil, which is felt to the full extent stated in your letter, by the inhabitants of this Pensacola, 26th May, 1818. (Signed) MAURICIO DE ZUNIGA. His Excellency Andrew Jackson. [Documents to be continued.] province, who are the subjects of my sovereign, Congress of the United States. and whose prosperity and tranquillity it is my duty to preserve and protect. SENATE. Thursday, February 18. With this explanation, your before named letter Mr. Otis gave notice that he should, on to-mor¬ may be considered as fully answered, as it gives row, ask leave to bring in a bill to authorize the me pleasure to understand, that thinking as your President of the United States to employ the pubexcellency thinks, with respect to the necessity lic armed vessels in protecting the merchant vesof destroying the negroes, the fort at Apalachicu- sels of the United States from piratical aggression. la, occupied by them, was not constructed by or- The Senate resumed, as in committee of the ders of the Spanish government; and that the ne-whole, Mr. Daggett in the chair, the consideragroes, although in part belonging to inhabitants tion of the bill making further provision respectof this province, and, as rational beings, may being the sale of the public lands." the subjects of the king my master, are deemed Mr Edwards moved to strike out the second by me insurgents, or rebels against the authority, section of the bill, which provides, that "credit not only of his catholic majesty, but also of the shall not be allowed for the purchase money, on proprietors from whose service they have with the sale of any of the public lands which shall be drawn themselves; some seduced by the English co- sold after the day of next, but every pur lonel Nicholls, major Woodbine, and their agents, chaser of land sold at public sale thereafter shall, and others from their inclination to run off. But on the day of purchase, make complete payment as your excellency manifests a particular desire, therefor; and the purchaser at private sale shall that, in case the fort was not erected by Spanish produce to the register of the land office a receipt authority, I should state by what authority, and from the treasurer of the United States, or from by whose orders, it was erected, I have no diffithe receiver of public monies of the district, for culty in satisfying your curiosity, by informing you, that I have understood, ever since my arrival at this place, that the said fort, and another near the confluence of the Chatahouchee and Flint rivers, (which it appears no longer exiist) were built by the order of the before named colonel Nicholls." the amount of purchase money on any tract, before he shall enter the same at the land office; and if any person, being the highest bidder at a public sale for a tract of land, shall fail to make payment therefor on the day on which the same was purchased, the traci shall be again offered at VOL. VII.] THE NATIONAL REGISTER. public sale, on the next day of sale, and such person shall not be capable of becoming the purchaser of that or any other tract offered at such public sales;" and to insert, in lieu thereof, the following: President of the United States shall, by procla mation, designate for that purpose; and all the heretofore reserved sections, for the future disthe said day of next, shall be offered at posal of Congress, which shall remain unsold on "That credit shall not be allowed for the pur-public sale, at the same time and manner, and on chase money, on the sale of any of the public lands the same terms with the lands which had revert day of next, ed, and which are hereby directed to be sold; and which shall be sold after the day of- next, and which shall thereafter at any land office which shall have been open for any lands which shall have been sold prior to the the sale of lands five years previous to said day. revert, or become forfeited to the United States, Nor at any other land office, now established, at any time after five years from the time it was first for failure in making payment, shall not be subopened for the sale of public lands; but everyject to entry at private sale, until such lands shall purchaser of land, after the periods above speci- have been first offered at public sale, in the manfied, shall, on the day of purchase, make complete ner and on the terms provided, with respect to payment therefor; and the purchaser at private lands which shall revert, or become forfeited, besale, after the said periods respectively, shall pro-fore that day. The public sale for which shall duce to the register of the land office a receipt from the treasurer of the United States, or from the receiver of public moneys of the district, for the amount of purchase money on any tract before he shall enter the same at the land office; and if any person, being the highest bidder, at the said public sales, for a tract of land, shall fail to make payment therefor, on the day on which the same was purchased, the tract shall be again of fered at public sale, and such person shall not be capable of becoming the purchaser of that or any other tract offered at such public sale." This question was decided in the negative, by yeas and nays, 32 to 1—Mr. Edwards only voting for the motion. take place at such time as shall be designated for And in lieu thereof to insert the following: "That where any person shall be actually settled on any quarter section of land which shall have been previously offered at public sale, and remain unsold, such person shall, upon applica tion to the register of the land office in the district in which the land may lie, be entitled, upon satisfactory proof thereof, to receive from said register a license to remain on the said land for the term of five years; during which time, provided the said land shall not be liable to be sold to any the said settler shall continue to reside thereon, Mr. Edwards then moved to strike out of the other person; but if the said settler shall, at any Sd section (which prescribes the terms to pur-time within the said five years, and during his an acre, with legal in chasers at private sale) the words "at one dollar actual residence on said land, tender payment for and fifty cents an acre, to be paid at the time of the same, at the rate ofmaking such entry as aforesaid;” and in lieu there-terest thereon, from the date of his license, and shall actually pay the same to the receiver, and of to insert the following: "Upon the following terms, viz: to the pur-produce his receipt as in other cases, the land chaser of not more than eighty acres, at fifty cents an acre; to the purchaser of not more than one quarter section, at seventy-five cents an acre; to the purchaser of not more than one section, at one dollar an acre; and to purchasers of any an acre: amount exceeding one section, at Provided however, that no tract less than one section, purchased as aforesaid, shall be transferable Dickerson, Eaton, Eppes, Gaillard, Horsey, Hunter, King, in any manner whatever at any time within five Lacock, Leake, Macon, Mellen, Morril, Morrow, Noble, Otis, Palmer, Roberts, Ruggies, Sanford, Storer, Tait, Taibot, years from the time of the purchase thereof." of Wilson---32. This motion was also determined in the nega-Taylor, Tichenor, Van Dyke, Williams, of Miss. Williams, Mr. Edwards tive, by yeas and nays-32 to 2. and Mr. Thomas, only voting in the affirmative. The 4th section of the bill being taken up, Mr. Edwards moved to strike therefrom the following clause: shall be sold to the said settler, upon his making chased any other tract of land subsequent to the oath, before the register, that he has not purdate of this license." This motion was also decided in the negative, by yeas and nays, as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Edwards, Fromentin, Johnson, Thomas--4. Mr. Edwards next moved to add to the 3d sec, tion the following proviso: "Provided however, That no person shall be permitted to purchase, either directly or indirect YEAS-Messrs. Edwards, Fromentin, Macon, Morril, Ruggles, Thomas, Wilson-7. ly, at any land office, more than one section of land in any one year, and all purchases made con"That the public lands heretofore sold, or which shall have been sold prior to the day of void." next, on terms of credit for part of the pur-trary, to this provision shall be uterly null and The question being taken on this motion, it chase money, and which have, or shall hereafter was determined in the negative, by yeas and nays, become forfeited, or revert in any manner to the as follows: United States, for failure to make payment, shail not be subject to entry at private sale, after the next, aforesaid; but all the lands -day of which at that day shall have been forfeited, or reverted to the United States, as aforesaid, in any of the districts established for the sale of the public lands, shall be offered at public sale, to the highest bidder, at the land office for such respec tive district, under the superintendence of the register and receiver of public money for such district, in half-quarter sections, on the terms of a cash payment of the purchase money, on such day or days, in the respective districts, as the NAYS.-Messrs. Barbour, Burrill, Crittenden, Daggett, Dickerson, Eaton, Eppes, Gaillard, Horsey, Hunter, Johnson, King, Lacock, Leake, Mellen, Morrow, Noble, Otis, Paimer, Roberts, Sanford, Stokes, Storer, Tait, Talbot, Taylor, Mr. Edwards then proposed to strike out of the Tichenor, Van Dyke, Williams of Miss. Williams of Tenn.--29. 3d section, fixing the minimum price at which public lands shall be offered at public sales, at one dollar and fifty cents, per acre, the words " and iny cents," so as to reduce the price to 08€ dollar. This motion was negatived, by yeas and nays, as follows: [No. 9 The bill from the other House supplementary YEAS-Messrs. Crittenden, Edwards, Fromentin, Johnson,ment of public accounts, was read the third time, to the act providing for the more prompt settleLeake, Noble, Ruggles, Taylor, Thomas, Williams, of Ten. Wilson,-11. NAYS-Messrs. Barbour, Burrill, Daggett, Dickerson, Eaton, Eppes, Gaillard, Horsey, Hunter, King, Macon, Meilen, Morril, Morrow, Ouis, Palmer, Roberts, Sanford, Storer, Tait, Talbot, Tichenor, Van Dyke, Williams, of Miss.-2. passed, and returned to the House. for the sale of the public lands; and the engrossThe engrossed bill making further provision ed bill to designate the boundaries of districts and establish land offices for the sale of unsold Mr. Edwards next moved so to amend the section as to fix the price at one dollar and twenty-lands in Indiana and Ohio, were severally read five cents per acre, instead of one dollar and fifty cents. This motion was also negatived, by yeas and navs, as follows: the third time, passed, and sent to the House of Representatives for concurrence. YEAS-Messrs. Crittenden, Edwards, Johnson, Leake, Ruggies, Taylor, Thomas, Williams, of Ten. Wilson.---9. NAYS.-Messrs. Barbour, Burrill, Daggett, Dickerson, Mr. Morrow, from the committee to whom that Eaton, Eppes, Fromentin, Gaillard, Horsey, Hunter, King, part of the President's Message relating to the Lacock, Macon, Meilen, Morril, Morrow, Noble, Otis, Pal-subject was referred, reported a bill making furmer, Roberts, Storer, Tait, Talbot, Tichenor, Van Dyke, ther provision for the civilization of the Indian tribes adjoining our frontier settlements, which was read Mr. Van Dyke, from the committee on pen|| of Elizabeth B H Forsyth, which was read. sions, made an unfavorable report on the petition Williams, of Len.---26. Mr Noble then proposed in effect to reject the bill, by moving to postpone it to the 5th day of March. This motion was determined in the negative,was referred so much of the message of the Preas follows: Thomas--6. YEAS-Messrs. Edwards, Noble, Palmer, Ruggies, Talbot, NAYS-Messrs. Barbour, Burrill, Daggett, Dickerson, Eppes, Fromentin, Galiard, Horsey, Hunter, Johnson, King, Lacock, Leake, Macon, Melien, Morrill, Morrow, Otis, Ro herts, Sanford, Storer, Tait, Taylor, Tichenor, Van Dyke, Williams, of Miss. Williams, of Ten. Wilson----28. Mr Morrow, from the committee, to whom sident of the United States as relates to the Indian tribes, reported the following bill, which was read, and passed to the second reading. A bill making provision for the civilization of the Indian tribes, adjoining the frontier settle ments. Mr. Edwards moved to fill the blanks in the bill so as to put the act into operation on the 1st || sentatives of the United States of America in ConBe it enacted by the Senate and House of Repreo October, 1820, which motion was lost by yeasgress assembled, That for the purpose of providing and nays-24 to 12; and The blanks having been filled with the 1st day of July, 1820. The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read the third time. The act supplementary to the act to provide for the prompt settlement of public accounts; and the bill to designate the boundaries of districts, and establish land offices for the sale of lands not heretofore offered for sale in Indiana and Obio; and the bill respecting the transportation of persons of color for sale, severally passed through committees of the whole, and the two first were ordered to a third reading, and the last postponed to Monday. Mr. Morrow, from the committee on the pub Jic lands, reported a bill to continue in force the act establishing trading houses with the Indian tribes, which was read. Friday, February 19. Mr. Leake presented two memorials of the Legislature of the State of Mississippi, the first ask ing of Congress the establishment of a port of entry at or near the mouth of Peart river; the se cond respecting the British claims to lands in Hancock and Jackson counties in that state. Mr. Williams, of Tennessee, from the committee on military affairs, made an unfavorable r. port on the petition or Capt. Biggar's company of rangers, praying additional pay; which was read. was Agreeably to notice Mr. Otis having obtained leave, introduced a bill to protect the commerce of the United States from piracy; which read twice by general consent, and referred On motion of Mr. Macon, the committee on foreign relations were discharged from the further consideration of the petition of James Simpson, || American Consul at Morocco. the Indian tribes adjoining to the frontier settleagainst the further decline and final extinction of among them the habits and arts of civilization, the ments of the United States, and for introducing hereby, authorized in every case where he shall President of the United States shall be, and he is judge the improvement in the habits and conditions of such Indians practicable, and that the means of instruction can be introduced with their moral character, to instruct them in the mode of own consent, to employ capable persons of good agriculture suited to their situation; and for teaching their children in reading, writing, and arithmetic, and for performing such other duties as and rules as the President may give and prescribe may be enjoined according to such instructions for the regulation of their conduct in the dis charge of their duties. Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the annual sum of dollars be, and the same is hereby, appropriated for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this act; and an ac count of the expenditure of the money, and proceedings in execution of the foregoing provisions, shall be annually laid before Congress. The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the post office committee relative to authorizing a guard for the mail, and concurred with the committee in their resolution, that it is Mr. Wilson, from the joint committee appoint-inexpedient to authorize the Postmaster General ed on the subject of public printing, made a re- to employ an armed guard for the protection of port, which was reaų. the nails. VOL. VII.] THE NATIONAL REGISTER. The Senate took up the bill for the better or ganization of the Military Academy; and, On motion of Mr. Williams of Tennessee, the bill was postponed to the 5th of March. The bill to repeal part of the act of 1813, respecting the post office establishment; and the bill to authorize the Postmaster General to con tract for transporting the mails in steam boats, were severally considered in committee of the whole, and ordered to a third reading. Mr. Burril, from the joint committee appoint ed to inquire what business it is necessary to act on during the present session, made a report. The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill respecting the transportation of persons of color for sale, or to be held to labor. The engrossed bill for the relief of Jacob Parkhill; the engrossed bill to repeal a part of the act concerning the post office department, passed in 1813; and the engrossed bill respecting the transportation of persons of color for sale or to be held to labor, were severally read the third time, passed, and sent to the other house. Mr. Goldsborough, from the committee of claims, made an unfavorable report on the petition of Samuel Sterett, which was read The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill making appropriations for the support of government for the current year, together with the amendments reported by the committee of finance thereto. The amendments making a further appropriation for the centre building of the capitol, was disagreed to. One of the amendments reported by the com Some debate arose on this bill, in which it was advocated by Messrs. Burrill, Eaton, and Wilson, and opposed by Mesrrs. Macon and Fromentin;mittee was to make the sums heretofore advanced in the course of which the last named gentleman, for the purpose of destroying it, moved to postpone the bill indefinitely. This question was decided in the negative, by the following vote. YEAS-Messrs. Fromentin, Gaillard, Johnson, Macon, Tait, Talbot, Williams, of Miss.-7. NAYS-Messrs. Barbour, Burrill, Crittenden, Daggett, Eaton, Eppes, Hunter, King, Lacock, Leake, Mellen, Morril, Noble, Otis, Palmer, Roberts, Ruggles, Sanford, Stokes, Storer, Taylor, Thomes, Tichenor, Van Dyke, Wilson-25. The bill was then ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. The Senate resumed, as in committee, Mr. Daggett in the chair, the consideration of the bil making appropriations for the support of govern ment for the current year. Various amendments were reported by the committee of finance, making appropriat ons for objects authorized since the passage of the bill in the House, and to conform the provisions of the bill to salaries éncreased, &c. One of the amendments reported, was making a further appropria tion of 76,644 dollars for the centre building of the Capitol. Tuesday, February 23. by the United States, and now appropriated, for the Cumberland Turnpike, reimburseable "out of the fund reserved for laying out and making by virtue of the several acts for the admission of roads to the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, said states into the Union;" in other words, to make the reserved funds of Indiana and Illinois responsible for these advances, as well as that of the state of Ohio. The question on concurring in this amendment, was decided in the affirmative by yeas and nays, as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Burrill, Daggett, Eaton, Eppes, Gaillard, Goldsborough, Horsey, Johnson, King, Lacock, Leake, Mel len, Morrow, Otis, Palmer, Roberts, Sanford, Tait, Tichenor, Van Dyke, Williams of Miss. Wilson-22. NAYS. -Messrs. Barbour, Crittenden, Edwards, Fromentin, Macon, Morrow, Nobie, Ruggies, Stokes, Talbot, Taylor, Thomas, Williams of Ten.-13. The remaining amendments were agreed to, and, with the bill, ordered to be read a third time. The joint resolution, directing the ascertainment of the 36th degree 30 minutes of north latitude, on the west bank of Tennessee river, was taken up and ordered to be engrossed, and was subsequently read the third time, passed, and sent to the other house. Mr. Williams, of Miss presented the petition of sundry inhabitants of that state, praying that the mouth of the Pascagoula river may be desig-sury nated and established as the port of entry. The report of the military committee, unfavorable to the petition of captain Biggar's company of rangers, was taken up and agreed to. The Senate took up the amendments of the house to the Alabama bill, and concurred therein; and concurred also in the amendments of the house to the bill supplementary to the acts concerning the coasting trade. Mr. Daggett, from the committee on foreign relations, reported the bill to protect the commerce of the United States from piracy, with sundry amendments, which were considered and agreed to by the Senate, and the bill ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. The bill for the better organization of the TreaDepartment, passed through a committee of the whole, and was ordered to a third reading. Wednesday, February 24, The most important object (exclusive of Executive business) which engaged the attention of the senate to day, was a report by Mr. Lacock, from the committee to whom was referred so much of the Message of the President as relates to the Seminole War. This report is in decided reprehension of the acts of the Commanding General. the report was read and ordered to be printed. Mr. Thomas gave notice that he should, on tobill to grant a domorrow, ask leave to bring in nation of lands to the State of Illinois, for the seat of government of that state. Mr. Lacock, from the select committee appointThe bill in addition to the act concerning ton-ed on that subject, made a report on the transacnage and discriminating duties; and the bill to tions of the Seminole war, the conduct of the continue in force for a further time the act for commanding general, &c. accompanied by sundry establishing trading houses with the Indian tribes, documents-all which were ordered to lie on the severally passed through committees of the whole, table and five hundred additional copies ordered to be printed; by a vote of 32 to 3. were amended, and ordered to be read a third time. The bill from the House of Representatives, authorizing the transportation of the mails in steam boats, was read the third time, passed, and returned to the other house. The report of the committee of claims unfavorable to the petition of Samuel Sterrett, was taken up and agreed to. The general appropriation bill for 1819, was read the third time, as amended, passed and re |