Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

Congress of the United States.

Monday, Feb. 27.

The following Message was transmitted by the President of the United States to both houses of congress:

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the U. S..

Peace having happily taken place between the United States and Great Britain, it is desirable to guard against accidents, which, during the periods of war in Europe, might tend to interrupt it: and it is believed, in particular, that the navigation of American vessels exclusively by American seamen, either natives or such as are already naturalised would not only conduce to the attainment of that object, but, also, to increase the number of our seamen, and, consequently to render our commerce and navigation independent of the service of foreigners, who might be recalled by their governments, under circumstances the most inconvenient to the United States. I recommend the subject therefore to the consideration of congress, and, in deciding upon it, I am persuaded, that they will sufficiently estimate the policy of manifesting to the world a desire, on all occasions, to cultivate harmony with other nations, by any reasonable accommodations, which do not impair the enjoyment of any of the essential rights of a free and independent people. The example on the part of the American government will merit, and may be expected to receive a reciprocal attention from all the friendly powers of Europe.

JAMES MADISON.

February 25, 1815.

The message was read and committed in each House.

IN SENATE.

Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Mr. Giles, from the committee on Military Affairs, made a report on the subject of the difference of opinion existing between the executive authority of the United States, and the authorities of some of the individual states, respecting the relative powers of the general and state governments over militia; and the report was read, and ordered to be printed.

[This report, on a highly interesting subject, shall be published hereafter.]

Mr. Bibb, from the committee on foreign relations, to whom was referred the message of the President of the 28th inst. (see above) made the following report:

That they fully accord in the policy recommended, of avoiding, by prudent regulations, the occurrence of circumstances which may disturb a liberal intercourse with foreign nations. They are, moreover, persuaded, that the navigation of American vessels, exclusively by American seamen, either natives, or such as are already naturalized, would not only have tendency to render our commerce and navigation independent of the service of foreigners, but that it would be calculated to remove the pretext under which the American flag has heretofore been interrupted. But, while the committee consider the subject of the president's message highly important, they regret that the session of congress is so near its close that questions affecting the foreign as well as the domestic policy of the nation cannot now receive the deliberate and full examination to which they are entitled The committee, therefore, submit the following resolution.

Resolved, That the further consideration of the message be postponed until the next session of congress.

Mr. Bibb, from the same committee reported
a bill further to provide for the collection of the duties on imports and tonnage; which was read.

Mr. Giles, from the committee to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill for the relief of sundry persons in the service of the U. States for losses sustained in consequence of the destruction of their tools by fire at the Navy Yard, and the bill was read.

The bill supplemental to the act "for the final adjustment of land titles in the state of Louisiana and territory of Missouri," was, on motion of Mr. Morrow, postponed to the 2d Monday in March, (rejected)--as also was the bill respecting the sale of lands hereafter forfeited in the Jeffersonville land district

The following resolutions, reported by Mr. Tait, from the naval committee, were read and agreed to:

Resolved, That the secretary of the navy be requested to report to the senate in the first week of the next session, a system for the gradual and permanent increase of the navy of the United States.

Resolved, That the said secretary report as aforesaid the expenditures and contracts which have been made under the third section of the act of the 30th March, 1812.

Resolved, That the secretary of the navy report, as aforesaid, what measures have been taken to carry into execution the laws respecting navy hospitals.

Resolved, That the said secretary report, as aforesaid, what measures have been taken for the execution of the 11th section of the act of the 3d March, 1813. entitled "An act supplementary to the act for increasing the navy."

Resolved, That the secretary lay before the senate at the commencement of the next session. a corrected register of the navy and marine corps.

The several bills yesterday ordered to a third reading, were read a third time and passed.

The bill to establish a system of navigation. was postponed beyond the session; and the bill from the house for the relief of James Doyle, was rejected.

Mr. Dana submitted certain instructions from the legislature of Connecticut, instructing their Senators and Representatives to endeavor to procure certain amendments to the Constitution of the United States; which was read.