FOURTH SERIES.] No. 1-VOL. IV. BALTIMORE, MARCH 5, 1831. [VOL. XL. WHOLE NO. 1015 THE PAST THE PRESENT FOR THE FUTURE. EDITED, PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY H. NILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. At a much increased exertion and cost, we commence our new volume by complimenting our readers TWENTY-FIRST CONGRESS-24 SESSION, [We shat! be compelled to use much brevity in our With a SUPPLEMENT, by which we have been enabled to journal of the proceedings, but the important things ocget in the whole of Mr. Calhoun's pamphlet, with a cursing will all appear on the issue of them, and some of great deal of other matter of unusual interest. We in-the long articles, such as motions made and resolutions tend to publish, and in the most compact and conve-submitted, on which no action was had, shall have place trient manner that we can, and as rapidly as we may, hereafter.] SENATE. all the papers belonging to the political controversy that this pamphlet has given, or shall give, birth to; February 24. In the sketch of Thursday's proceedwhich, with the heavy stock of valuable articles wait-ings given in our last, we were barely able to briefly no ing the adjournment of congress for insertion, promise to render this volume uncommonly valuable. tice the remarks of the gentlemen who took part in the debate on the motion to strike out some items in the general appropriation bill, relative to the mission to the Ottoman Porte. The following view of the proceedings had on that occasion is more full, and will, therefore, be more satisfactory. We have not yet either time nor room to make any remarks on the extraordinary state of political feeling that has lately prevailed at Washington, and is powerfully extending itself to all parts of the United States. Perhaps, we shall keep ourselves altogether out of the The senate then again resumed the consideration of arena-though we may faithfully give the remarks of the amendments to the bill making appropriations for the some of the feading editors, on either side of this tri-support of government for the year 1831-as heretofore angular or quadrangular warfare. The excitement stated: a Washington was unprecedented for eight or ten days Mr. Tyler rose, and, in a speech of about two hours before the close of the session, and on many accounts; duration, defended the course of his colleague, and reand may strange rumors were afloat, as to expected plied to the arguments of Messrs. Livingston and Kane. changes in the condition of persons and things. But Remarking upon the terms "lawless;" "unconstitution. we are so cramped for room that we could not men-al," and "derogation of the rights of this body," as tion them, it so disposed; and are compelled to post-used by his colleague:-he said that the citizens of Virpone many current articles which should have had a prompt insertion. A week or two more, will restore is to the usual command over the contents of our pages. We need a great deal more space, to keep up with events. Many articles in type are lying over. FLOUR. A letter from Liverpool by the Silas Richards, received at the exchange, dated the 25th of January, says: "In consequence of the prohibition of the export of grain from Poland, flour has risen in Liverpool to 35 shilling per barrel in bond. On the receipt of this news, flour advanced 25 cents a barrel at Baltimore. ginia were a bold and fearless people, and called things by their right names. If the terms used were offensive to the senate, he had no doubt his colleague would give such reasons for using them as would justify him in so doing, and satisfy the senate. He said the discussion had been forced upon them, and if the integrity of the party was to be sustained, it required no great sagacity to determine upon the mode in which it should be done. It seemed to be thought, that, if any opposition was made to the measures of the administration by members of the party, it was the desertion of the party and of the executive. This reminded him of an anecdote. At or near the time when his colleague was delivering his speech, commenced the breaking up of the ice in the Potomac. Being in company with a gentleman, he was informed of the breaking up of the ice, and that a por tion of the bridge had been carried away, thus serving to show that Virginia had fairly separated from the ad ministration, and raised the flag of the opposition. He was willing to let the anecdote pass for what it was BALTIMORE AND WASHINGTON BAIL ROAD. Bills worth. Every senator should feel that on this subject have passed the congress of the United States and the of executive appointments a stand should be taken. Esgeneral assembly of Maryland, authorising the Balti-to perpetua should be the language of every one as to more and Ohio rail road company to make a lateral road co Washington city. Particulars hereafter. MARYLAND. We omitted to mention last week, that Mr. Chambers had been re-elected a senator of the United States, for six years, from the 3rd inst. without any regular opposition-all the votes not given for him being blanks. the preservation of the constitution of the United States. Tempests might rage and commotions prevail-yet, amidst the rocking of the battlements and war of the NORTHERN BOUNDARY. London, Jun. 20. It is cal-elements, we might laugh, unconcerned, if the consti culated that the hasty decision of the king of Holland, tution was preserved in its purity. As to the indepenrelative to the long pending boundary question between dent spirit of Virginia, not the two houses of congress, this country and the United States, will transfer from backed by the federal judiciary, had been able to drive Great Britain to the Americans at least six millions of her from taking a stand on constitutional principles.acres. Of this vast extent of country nearly 4,700,000 Mr. T. remarked on the course pursued by the present acres belong to the county of Hertford, and upwards of a secretary of state after the stand he had taken upon the million to the county of Devon, two of the nearest coun- Panama question. He read an extract from his speech ties to the city of Quebec, the capital of the Canadas. on that occasion, and said that the honorable secretary It is also calculated that the United States boundary had not only turned his back upon that speech, but upwill be brought within about 13 miles of the river St. on his vote on the question also. He had moved heaven Lawrence for the distance of 60 miles; and that about and earth to seek to put down the last administration, 100 miles of the river St. John, along the banks of which but, notwithstanding the shoes which he then had on runs the old and direct communication between Quebec were not worn out, when he himself-this same indiviand New Brunswick, Halifax and Nova Scotia, will be dual-the present secretary-originated a mission, and The course purgiven as the United States boundary. But this is not called upon the senate to sanction it. all; we understand that four other proposed roads to sued by Mr. Adams was then said to be a dangerous different parts of our lower provinces will be henceforth infraction of the constitution; and after what had re within the United States territory. As has been observ-cently transpired, had not the Jackson party a right to ed, "his Orange majesty must have vaster ideas of space complain that the secretary had done all this to break than his present limitted sway would lead us to be-up that party? A great deal was said about modern lieve." statesmen-it was difficult to find statesmen at the preVOL. XL-No. 1. sent day. Certain individuals walked with heads erect, facing the sky, regardless of what ever fell in their way, and trampling upon some of the dearest and most invaluable principles of the nation. He would not give a tittle of the statesmen who framed the constitution of the United States for all the modern statesmen who had been so much lauded. The foregoing is but an im perfect sketch of part of the remarks of Mr. T. He concluded by submitting the following amendment, by way of proviso. "Provided always, That nothing in this act contained shall be construed as sanctioning, or in any way approv ing, the appointment of these persons, by the president alone, during the recess of the senate, and without their advice and consent, as commissioners to negotiate a treaty with the Ottoman porte." February 25. Mr. Dickerson presented a memorial from certain citizens of New Jersey, praying that the duties at present imposed on the importation of foreign iron may not be reduced. Messrs. Poindexter and Benton submitted certain propositions that will have place in our next. Mr. Benton presented a letter from the secretary of war, transmitting the report of a board of inquiry appointed to inquire into the causes of the destruction of fort Delaware. Mr. B. afterwards made an unsuccessful effort to get up the bill for the relief of the officers and soldiers who suffered a loss of their private property by the conflagration. The bill for the relief of certain importers of foreign merchandise, was read the third time and passed. The bill for laying out a road from Line creek to Chatahooche, and for repairing the present mail road through the Creek nation of Indians, was also read the third time and passed. The bill declaring the assent of congress to an act of the general assembly of the state of Ohio, concerning the national road, (to erect toll-gates, for the purpose of keeping the road in repair), was taken up, and discussed by Messrs. Burnet, Hayne, Poindexter, Livingston, Forsyth and Ruggles. It was ordered to a third reading. Mr. Livingston submitted the following resolution: Resolved, That a select committee be appointed to expedient, in order to prevent and punish the practice of duelling in the District of Columbia, and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise. committee. After a variety of proceedings Mr. Brown was not prepared, nor had he intended to say a word on the subject-but, from the extraordinary course pursued in the debate, he could not remain silent. It had been said that those who voted for the appropriation would prostrate the senate to the executive will. He considered the measure constitutional, and should vote for it, without any fear or design of prostrating himself or the senate at the feet of the executive. A discrimination had been attempted to be made between the president and his ministers. He had been taught to believe that this was the doctrine of Great Britain-he had been also taught to believe that the pre-examine and report whether any legislative provision is sident was responsible for the acts of his ministers.Our shafts might be cast at the ministers, but they wounded only the president: for he alone was responsible. The "lawless" and "rank usurpation" must be After some remarks by Messrs. Livingston and pardoned, it seemed, because it was the language of Hayne-the resolution was then agreed to, and Messrs. fearless Virginia. He had as much respect for that state Livingston, Hayne, and Clayton, were appointed the as any other senator-she had furnished able statesmen The senate then resumed, as in committee of the in the cabinet and distinguished warriors in the field; but he believed there was not an individual here who whole, the consideration of the amendments to the apwould yield the palm to Virginia in zeal for the pre-propriation bill, the question being on that submitted by servation of the constitution. He had not been able to Mr. Kane. discover any abuse of power in this case. The praetice began with Washington, in sending commissioners Mr. Tyler submitted a proviso (to come in at the end to Algiers, and was followed up by Jefferson, in sending of Mr. Kane's amendment), which he had handed to a mission to Russia. There was no comparison be- the chair a few days ago in the following words: tween this commission and the mission to Panama. Mr. "Provided, always, That nothing in this aet containB. read an extract from the speech of Mr. Tazewelled, shall be construed as sanctioning, or in any way apon the latter case, in which he made a distinction between a mission to barbarians and civilized nations, &c. Mr. Tazewell rejoined to those who had replied to his remarks, and defended and enlarged upon them.Among other remarks he said, he called the power exercised unconstitutional. He had not been bred in courts, and was not acquainted with any diplomatic word to soften it. If the proceeding was actually unconstitutional, was it disrespectful to say so? He might have said the provisions of the constitution had been mistaken-but, nevertheless, would it not be unconstitutional? If a thing was done contrary to law-a power exerted contrary to law-was it not a lawless exertion of power? The terms he had used fell short of what had been charged against a former president. It had been said, on the discussion of the Panama question, by two of the present secretaries, then senators, that the course pursued by Mr. Adams was a lawless usurpation of power. This was the language used on that occasion; and, seeing he had no more than copied the language of the courtiers of the day, he did not know how he could be accused of disrespect. If gentlemen were disposed to apply the terms he had used to particular men, he could not help it. He reiterated that there had been a power exerted in this case in vio-net, Chambers, Chase, Clayton, Dickerson, Foot, Frelation of the constitution. Mr. Tazewell continued at much greater length, but we have not attempted literally to follow him, and shall not, on the present occasion, give his further remarks. The foregoing is in deed a mere abstract of the debate. Mr. Livingston next rose, and occupied about half an hour in explaining his previous arguments, and dending them. He also remarked upon what had fallen wrem Messrs. Tyler and Tazewell to-day; when, On motion of Mr. Forsyth, (who has the floor for to-morrow,) The senate adjourned. proving the appointment of these persons, by the president alone, during the recess of the senate, and without their advice and consent, as commissioners to negotiate a treaty, with the Ottoman Porte:" which was agreed to as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Barnard, Barton, Bell, Burnet, Chambers, Ellis, Foot, Frelinghuysen, Hayne, Hendricks, Iredell, Johnston, King, Knight, Marks, Naudain, Poindexter, Ruggles, Seymour, Silsbee, Sprague, Tazewell, Tyler, Webster, Willey-25. NAYS-Messrs. Benton, Bibb, Brown, Chase, Dickerson, Dudley, Forsyth, Grundy, Kane, Livingston, McKinley, Robbins, Robinson, Sanford, Smith, of Md. Smith, of S. Carolina, Troup, Woodbury-18. An amendment then offered by Mr. Webster, to authorise the appointment of a charge des affaires, instead of a minister plenipotentiary, was, after debate, agreed to-ayes 37, noes 7. The senate then adjourned. February 26. Other business being attended to-the bill declaring the assent of congress to a certain act of the state of Ohio, (as stated in yesterday's proceedings), being opposed by Mr. Poindexter and supported by Mr. Hendricks, was passed by the following vote YEAS-Messrs. Barnard, Barton, Bell, Benton, Bur linghuysen, Hendricks, Holmes, Kane, King, Knight, McKinley, Marks, Naudain, Robbins, Robinson, Ruggles, Sanford, Seymour, Silsbee, Smith, of Md. Webster, Willey, Woodbury.-29. NAYS.-Messrs. Brown, Ellis, Hayne, Iredell, Poin dexter, Smith, of S. C. Troup.-7. Mr. Hayne, from the select committee, to which was referred sundry memorials, praying for a reduction of the duties on imported iron; and others, remonstrating against the reduction, made a report, and moved that it be printed. Mr. Dickerson said, the report was from the majority of the committee; the sentiments of the minority were directly at variance with those of the majority. The report had come under his eye for the first time on yesterday, and he had not yet had time to prepare a report of the views of the minority. He should probably be able to do so on Monday. He thought the views of both parties should go to the world together, and he therefore hoped the printing would not be ordered until the counter report was ready to go with the report of the majority of the committee. He moved to lay the report on the table, but withdrew the motion at the request of Hendricks, Holmes, Iredell, Johnston, Knight, Marks, Naudain, Poindexter, Ruggles, Seymour, Silsbee, Sprague, Tazewell, Tyler, Webster-25. Other amendments being agreed to, the bill was order ed to be engrossed for a third reading; and then, at 6 o'clock, the senate adjourned. February 28. On motion of Mr. Burnet, it was or dered that, when the senate adjourns this morning, it will adjourn until half past one o'clock. Mr. Hendricks then arose, and announced the decease of his colleague, Mr. Noble, who died on the evening of the 26th. Mr. H's notice of Mr. Noble, was brief, but very respectful and kind to the memory of the deceased. [We cannot go into details-at present. The body was brought into the chamber, as usual, at a little after interment, &c. according to custom in such cases.] At half past one o'clock the senate again assembled. Mr. Webster said, that, supposing the chairman of committee on manufactures was prepared to make the counter-report, (of which he had spoken on Saturday), hé would move to take up the report of the select commit tee on the subject of a reduction of the duties on irons with a view to ordering it to be printed. Mr. King, who said the statement made by the senator who had just taken his seat, was one of the most extraordinary he had ever heard. Committees were seldom unanimous; it was generally the majority of the committee which reported measures for consideration. If the minority were not satisfied, they had always an opportu-11 o'clock, and thence afterwards taken to the place of nity to present their individual views. He believed such a thing as a counter report had not been known in this body from the first commencement of the government. it had been done, he believed, in the house of representatives. When the report was made to the house, the committee ceased to exist, and it was not in the power of the minority to make a report. After a general discussion-Mr. Webster moved to refer the report of the select committee to the committee on manufactures; which Mr. Brown remarked was like putting the lamb ander the protection of the wolf. The motion gave rise to a further debate between Messrs. Hayne, Dickerson, Smith, of Md. and Tyler. Mr. Hayne accepted the amendment of Mr. Webster as a modification of his motion, and then called for a division of the question, so that it might be put on the printing first. The question being put on the printing, it was determined in the affirmative, unanimously-42 votes being in favor of it. Mr. Hayne asked, as a matter of justice to the select committee, that a censure might not be cast upon them in sending their report to another committee. The course proposed was unprecedented. Mr. Holmes said he should vote for the reference, and could not see in what manner it would be a censure on any body. Mr. Foot said such a course was altogether unprecedented. Mr. Webster then moved to lay the whole matter on the table; and on this motion he called for the yeas and nays, and they were ordered. Being taken, they stood as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Barnard, Barton, Bell, Burnet, Chambers, Chase, Clayton, Dickerson, Dudley, Foot, Frelinghuysen, Hendricks, Holmes, Knight, Marks, Naudain, Robbins, Ruggles, Sanford, Seymour, Silsbee, Webster, Willey-23. NAYS-Messrs. Benton, Bibb, Brown, Ellis, Forsyth, Grundy, Hayne, Iredell, Kane, King, McKinley, Poindexter, Robinson, Smith, of Md. Smith, of S. Carolina, Sprague, Troup, Tyler, White, Woodbury-20. So the report was laid on the table, and the decision of this motion in the affirmative, had the effect to prevent the printing. It is understood that the views of the committee are in favor of a reduction of the duty on iron imported.] The consideration of the general appropriation bill was resumed, and some amendments made in it, in committee of the whole. It was reported to the senate, and Mr. Bibb moved to strike out the proviso, yesterday adopted on the motion of Mr. Tyler; but gave way for Mr. King, who moved to strike out all after the word "Provided," and insert a proviso more general in its nature, referring not only to the present and past administration, but to all former administrations. Mr. Bibb now renewed the motion to strike out the whole of the proviso, which, after an explanation by Mr. Tyler, of his object in offering it, disclaiming any intention of giving it a particular application to the president, was determined in the negative, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Benton, Bibb, Brown, Chase, Dudley, Forsyth, Grundy, Kane, King, Livingston, McKinley, Robbins, Robinson, Smith, of Md. Smith, of S. C. Troup, Woodbury-17. NAYS-Messrs. Barnard, Barton, Bell, Burnet, Chambers, Clayton, Ellis, Foot, Frelinghuysen, Hayne, Mr. Hayne withdrew the motion which was made by Mr. Webster, on Saturday, and accepted by him, for its reference to the committee on manufactures; and so the printing was ordered. Mr. Dickerson then presented a paper, which he stated to be the views of the minority of the select com mittee; but the chair declared that it could not be rez ceived as such. Mr. D. then presented it as an individual senator. Mr. Grundy moved to lay the whole subject on the table, with a view to give an opportunity to order the general appropiation bill, as amended, to a third readings On this motion the yeas and nays were ordered, and it was decided in the negative, 15 to 20. The question then being on receiving the paper, a short debate arose between Messrs. King, and Hayne, which was arrested by a motion of Mr. Foot, to lay it on the table; which motion prevailed. Other proceedings being had, the senate took a recess till 6 o'clock. Mr. Smith, of Md. presented the eredentials of the hon. E. F. Chambers, re-elected a senator of the U. States, by the legislature of the state of Maryland, to serve for six years from the 4th of March next; and they were read. The general appropriation bill, as amended, was read the third time, and passed. The evening session continued until 11 o'clock. A great many bills were passed. Among other proceeds ings were the following On motion of Mr. Chambers, the senate took up the bill, "to authorise the extension, construction, and use of a lateral branch of the Baltimore and Ohio rail road into and within the District of Columbia: together with the amendments reported by the district committee of the senate. The amendments were agreed to, and the bill was read a third time and passed. The bill supplementary to the act to reduce the duty on salt, was, on motion of Mr. Silsbee, read the second time. Mr. Woodbury remarked that there were two of three other cases of grievances, for which this bill did not provide. Having stated them, he said they all came within the spirit of the law of the last session, and he would therefore submit two additional sections to the bill now under consideration, to embrace them. The amendments were read and agreed to, and the bill, as amended, ordered to be engrossed for a third readings It was subsequently read the third time, and passed. March 1. Mr. Dickerson moved that the senate now proceed to consider the paper submitted by him, as the views of the minority of the select committee on the subject of reducing the duties on iron. It was finally ordered to be printed-19 to 18. Mr. Naudain presented three resolutions of the les gislature of the state of Delaware, in relation to the of ficers of the revolution, the tariff and the public landsj which was severally laid on the table. Mr. Marks presented petitions from certain citizens of the state of Pennsylvania, relative to the southern Indians; which were laid on the table. The bill for the relief of certain insolvent debtors of the United States was then taken up, on motion of Mr. Webster, and, being explained by him, was ordered to a third reading. The military appropriation bill was then taken up, and some amendments made. Mr. Foot made an unsuccessful attempt to get up the bill for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the revolutionary army-the votes were 20 to 20. The bill making appropriations for the naval service was read the third time and passed. The bill to carry into effect certain Indian treaties was taken up, amended, and ordered to a third reading. The amendment struck out the clause which provides for taking the sum appropriated for carrying into effect the Choctaw treaty from the fund of 500,000 dollars last year appropriated for the removal of the southern Indiwas ordered to be paid out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. The bill from the house, making provision for a subscription to a completion of congressional documents, [by Gales and Seaton], was read a second time, and con-ans, and the expense of carrying into effect that treaty sidered as in committee of the whole. The yeas and nays were called eight times, on different motions to refer or amend the bill, &c. or, in other words to defeat it; but a general majority of about 3 votes resisted all the propositions. Finally, The bill was then reported to the senate without amendment; and the question being put on ordering it to a third reading, it was determined in the affirmative, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Barton, Bell, Burnet, Chambers, Chase, Clayton, Foot, Frelinghuysen, Hendricks, Holmes, Johnston, Knight, Livingston, Marks, Naudain, Robbins, Robinson, Ruggles, Seymour, Silsbee, Smith, of S. C. Sprague, Webster, Willey.-24. NAYS-Messrs. Benton, Bibb, Brown, Dickerson, Dudley, Ellis, Forsyth, Grundy, Hayne, Iredell, Kane, King, McKinley, Poindexter, Sanford, Smith, of Md. Tazewell, Tyler, Woodbury-19. The senate agreed to take a recess from 4 to 6 o'clock. The bill from the house of representatives, for the punishment of persons for cutting or otherwise destroying live oak and red cedar timber, reserved for the use of the United States, was read a third time and passed. The bill for the benefit of certain insolvent debtors of the United States, was also read the third time and passed. The military appropriation bill, as amended, was also read the third time and passed. After other proceedings-the vice president stated that he should not again attend the meetings of the senate at the present session, and availed himself of this oppor tunity of wishing the senators a very pleasant return to their homes. In the evening session, the first business was to elect a president pro tem. There were three ballots The amendments of the house to the amendments of the senate of the general appropriation bill were all agreed to, with the exception of that which goes to strike out the clause inserted on the motions of Mr. Kane and Mr. Tyler, (before noticed) and inserting 15,000 for the services of the commisioners employed to conclude the treaty with the sublime porte. A variety of motions were made on this subject, several points of order were discussed, and then some remarks were made on the constitutionality of the appointment of the commissioners. The effect that the amendment of the house would have, as preventing the senate from expressing their disapprobation of the course of the executive, was also spoken of, when, finally, the senate refused to agree to the amendment, and appointed a committee of conference on its part, consisting of Messrs. Tazewell, Webster and King, to meet conferees to be appointed by the house of representatives. The senate then adjourned. March 2. A good deal of business was transacted this day. The bills concerning the public documents into effect certain Indian treaties, and several private proposed to be published by Gales and Seaton, to carry bills were passed. Certain resolutions offered by Mr. Benton, (to be inserted hereafter) were adopted. The bill for the reliet of James Monroe was discussed and ordered to a third reading by the following voteYEAS-Messrs. Benton, Bibb, Chambers, Chase, Clayton, Dudley, Frelinghuysen, Grundy, Hayne, Hendricks, Johnston, Livingston, Marks, Poindexter, Robinson, Seymour, Silsbee, Sprague, Tazewell, Tyler, Willey, Woodbury-22. NAYS-Messrs. Barton, Bell, Brown, Burnet, Dickerson, Ellis, Foot, Forsyth, Iredell, Kane, McKinley, Robbins, Ruggles, Smith, of Md. Troup-15. The bill was then read the third time, and passed. On motion of Mr. Mc Kinley the senate then proceeded to the consideration of executive business, and sat with closed doors till near 4 o'clock. And then, After agreeing to the amendments of the house to the bill relative to punishments for contempts of court, the senate took a recess till 7 o'clock. Whereupon Mr. Tazewell rose, and with a profession of his sincere distrust of his ability to discharge the duties of the chair with satisfaction to himself or to the Evening session, March 2. The various business senate, begged to be excused from accepting the bonora-transacted this evening, can only be briefly noticed. ble station which the senate had assigned to him. The internal improvement bill occupied much time. It Mr. Webster expressed a hope that the honorable was warmly supported and opposed-many amendments senator from Virginia would re-consider his determina-offered, &c. but it was finally passed and returned to tion, and would not be excused from the duty to which the house of representatives for concurrence. the vote of the senate had called him. The senate concurred in the amendments of several bills, as made by the house of representatives. The bill making appropriatious for the improvement of certain barbors, mouths of rivers, &c. was passed. [Another bill on this subject, and providing for surveys, appears to have been refused a consideration. The lat Mr. Tyler, expressed his high respect for his colleague, and declaring that he himself, with all the sincere respect which he had for his colleague, not expecting such a course, had voted for the venerable senator from Maryland, and desirous to pay due regard to the wishes of his colleague, moved that his colleague beter, we believe, relates to new proposed works. The excused from serving as president pro tempore. The secretary of the senate having put the question on this motion, it was decided in the affirinative, by 20 votes to 14. A fourth ballot was then had-Mr. Smith had 20 votes, Mr. Bell 11, Mr. Ruggles 4, and Mr. King 4. So Mr. Smith, of Maryland, was elected president pro tempore of the senate; and, being conducted to the chair, made his acknowledgments for the honor which he said he was satisfied was paid rather to his age than to his ability, and said that the only return he could make would be to devote his best ability to the proper despatch of the business before the senate. light house bill was passed, and many other bills. Mr. Chambers moved to take up the bill to alter the draw and bridge over the Potomac. [It was now past 1 o'clock at night.] No quorum present. The missing members were sent for, and a quorum appeared. The further proceedings are not fully stated-the senate adjourned at half past two. March 3. A great part of the sitting of this day was spent in executive business. Among other proceedings was the presentation of a memorial from Abraham Bradley, stating that his name had been inserted in fifty-nine cases of extra allowance; that in thirty-six of them the original document had been mutituted, and the name of A. Bradley, junior, acting as post master general, care-worth, George Evans, Joshua Evans, H. Everett, Finch, Ford, Forward, Gilmore, Grennell, Gurley, Hawkins, Hemphill, Hodges, There were some warm remarks on the affairs of the post office, by Mr. Clayton and others. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, Feb. 25. After the presentation of reportsMr. Huntington moved the following resolution; which was read and laid on the table, viz: Thursday, Feb. 24. The house proceeded to the consideration of the bill making appropriations for carrying on certain roads and works of internal improvements,rious forms, including castings, manufactured in the U. and providing for surveys. Resolved, That the secretary of the treasury be directed to communicate to this house, at the commencement of the next session of congress, or as soon thereafter as may be practicable, a statement shewing the quantity, quality, and kinds of iron, and steel, in its vaStates, annually, for three years, prior to September, Some debate arose on an objection by Mr. Carson to 1831, and the estimated value thereof. And that he also the appropriation of $5,000 for a military road in the inform this house, as aforesaid, whether any legislative state of Maine-in which Mr. C. opposed it and Messrs. provisions are necessary to prevent the evasion of the Verplanck and Anderson supported it; and the appro-payment of the existing duties on bar or other iron imported into the United States, and the frauds upon the priation was finally agreed to. revenue occasioned thereby, specifying such frauds and evasions, if any exist. Mr. Pettis moved to amend the item for improving the Ohio and Mississippi rivers by inserting "Missouri," and adding at the end, The house took up the resolution of Mr. C. P. White, proposing to print 6,000 additional copies of the reports pro and con of the judiciary committee, on the propriety of repealing the 25th section of the judiciary act of 1789. Mr. Foster resumed the floor in favor of the repeal, and spoke half an hour in conclusion of his remarks; when Mr. Evans, of Maine, rose and observed that it could now no longer be said that those who coincided with the full opportunity for discussing the question and advocatHe would, therefore, now move the report of the majority of the committee, had not had ing their views. previous question, which being seconded, Mr. Pettis asked for the yeas and nays on the previous question; but they were refused. "And the president of the United States is hereby authorised to cause to be expended a part of the said sum of $50,000 in removing obstructions to the navigation of the Missouri rivers, within the limits of the state of Missouri, in the same manner as is provided in the 2d section of the act of 24th May, 1824, for improving the navigation of the Ohio and Mississippi, if it be ascertained that the obstructions to the navigation of the Missouri are of equal or greater importance than those remaining to be removed from the Ohio and Mississppi rivers," Mr. P. earnestly supported his amendment, but it was negatived. On the item of 50,000 dollars for the improvement of the navigation of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, a long debate took place. It was opposed by Mr. Archer at some length, on principle, as well as on the expediency and inutility of the particular appropriation. From the permanature of the river, the obstructions could not be nently removed, and he wished to know how long these appropriations would be necessary. Mr. Crockett anThe swered frankly "as long as the Mississippi runs.” appropriation was advocated by Mr. Wickliffe and Mr. Crockett-by the latter gentleman repeatedly; and Messrs. Verplanck and Gilmore participated in the de-ordered to a third reading. fence of the item. It was eventually agreed to. Mr. Sterigere moved that the resolution lie on the table. Negatived. The previous question was then carried, and the ques tion being put on the adoption of the resolution, it was decided in the affirmative, Ayes 140, noes 32. The speaker laid before the house sundry communications-and several private or local bills were passed, or On motion of Mr. Everett, of Mass. the rule was susOn the item of 150,000 dollars for the improvement pended, (two-thirds concurring), for the purpose of taking up the bill laid on the table yesterday, to authorise a of the Ohio coming up for concurrence, Mr. Lea objected to the bill on the ground of its com-subscription to Gales & Seaton's compilation of the doprising so many heterogeneous objects; and argued at some length against the plan of carrying appropriations by such combinations; and moved to recommit the bill for the purpose of having the analagous appropriations classed in separate bills. On this motion, and the item of 150,000 dollars considerable debate ensued, in which Messrs. Lea, Crockett, Archer, Verplanck, Carson, and Sutherland joined. The motion to recommit was lost-ayes 62, noes 107. Mr. Polk then moved to strike out the appropriation of 25,000 dollars for surveys, and argued at some length Mr. Buchanan and Mr. against the appropriation. Crockett advocated the appropriation, and the question being on striking it out, it was negatived as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Alexander, Allen, Alston, Anderson, Angel, Ar cher, Barnwelt, James Blair, Boekee, Bouldin, Brodhead, Cambreleng, Campbell, Carson, Chandler, Claiborne, Clay, Coke, Conner, Craig, Crocheron, Davenport, Desha, De Witt, Draper, Drayton, Earl. Findlay, Foster, Fry, Gaither, Gordon, Hall, Halsey, Holland, Hoffman, Cave Johnson, Perkins King, Lea, Lent, Lewis, Loyall, Lumpkin, Magee, Thomas Maxwell, McCoy, McIntire, Nuckolls, Patton, Pettis, Polk, Potter, Reneher, Roane, Sanford, A H. Shepperd, Shields, Speight, Taliaferro, Wiley Thompson, Trezvant, Tucker, Camp. P. White, Wickliffe, Wilde, Williams-66. NAYS-Messrs. Armstrong, Arnold, Bartley, Bates, Baylor, Beekman, John Blair, Boon, Brown, Buchanan, Burges, Butman, Ca. Boon, Childs, Chilton, Clark. Coleman, Condiet, Cooper, Coulter, Cowles, Crane, Crawford, Crockett, Creighton, Crowninshield, John Davis, Deberry, Denny, Doddridge, Dudley, Duncan, Eager, Ells cuments of congress, prior to the burning of the capitol; and the bill was then taken up, 94 to 76. Mr. Wickliffe opposed the bill, and Mr. Chillon advoeated it. Mr. Condict then moved the previous question, and the motion was seconded and carried, by yeas and nays, 87 to 82. Mr. Speight moved a call of the house, but the motion was negatived, The question was then put on engrossing the bill for a third reading, and carried, by yeas and nays, 93 to 92. An engrossed bill entitled "an act making appropriations for carrying on certain roads and works of internal improvement, and providing for surveys," was read the third time, and passed by ayes 107 and noes 57. The house went into committee, Mr. Polk in the chair, on sundry appropriation bills. The first taken up was the bill for carrying into effect certain Indian treaties. Mr. McDuffie moved to insert an appropriation of ty, recently ratified by the senate. 80,000 dollars for carrying into effect the Choctaw trea Mr. Bates said he regretted not to see the chairman of the committee on Indian affaire in his place. In this dark sea he thought the house had a right to know from the pilot by what course, or what star it was sailing, f |