Virginia Statesman

Congressional.

Twentieth Congress.—First Session.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29.

IN SENATE.

Agreeable to notice, Mr. Harrison had leave to introduce a bill for the relief of Mrs. Brown, widow of the late Major General Brown; which was read twice by unanimous consent, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. Smith of Md. from the Committee on Finance, reported the bill making appropriations for the Military service of the United States, for the year 1828, with an amendment.

The following resolution was submitted by Mr. Smith of Maryland:

Resolved, That the Committee on Naval Affairs be instructed to consider, and, if necessary, to revise, the several acts relative to the Marine Corps, and particularly the propriety of separating it from the Army of the United States, so that it may be a distinct Corps, subject to rules and regulations appropriate to the service in which it is employed; to make the pay, and emoluments, and rank, of each officer such as may be proper, and may be understood: And further, To consider whether it may not conduce to the public service to make a new organization of the Corps; and whether it may not be expedient to fill up vacancies in the Corps with such Cadets from the Military Academy as may be disposed to enter the service.

OFFICE OF MAJOR GENERAL

The resolution submitted yesterday by Mr. Chandler, to abolish the office of Major General in the Army of the United States, was considered; and, after considerable discussion, was, on motion of Mr. Berrien, modified so as to propose an inquiry only.

DUTY ON SALT.

Mr. Harrison said, that the bill to reduce the duty on imported salt, had for some time lain on the table, on account of the absence of gentlemen interested in the bill. He now gave notice, that he would call it up on Monday.

On motion of Mr. Benton, the Senate proceeded to the consideration of Executive business, and, after having been so employed, the doors were opened, and

The Senate adjourned to Monday next.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

UNITED STATES' BANK

Mr. Miner moved the following resolution, which was read, and laid on the table.

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to communicate to the House the monthly statements of the Bank of the United States, for the year 1827.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of War, transmitting a list of the names of the Cadets now at West Point, the State and County from whence sent, &c.; which was read, and laid on the table.

Mr. Mallary, Chairman of the Committee on Manufactures, rose in his place, and said, that, as there appeared an anxiety on all sides of the House to get through with the appropriation bill, and as he believed that this day and tomorrow would be amply sufficient for the purpose, he had risen to give notice, that, on Monday next, whether the appropriation bill should have been disposed of or not, he should move for the consideration of the tariff bill.

Mr. White submitted the following paper, to be proposed as an amendment to the bill in amendment to the acts imposing duties on imports.

At the end of the bill add—

"On foreign oranges, in addition to the present duty, the sum of twenty five cents per hundred, imported into the United States between the months of October and April in each year."

Which was committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to which that bill was committed.

The Chair now proclaimed the orders of the day, the first of which was, the consideration of a bill for the relief of Richard W. Meade, remaining unfinished from Saturday last, and now recurring under the rule, which assigns Friday, and Saturdays to the consideration of private bills.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

Mr. McDuffie, Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, moved the postponement of private bills, for the purpose of taking up the unfinished business of yesterday, which was the consideration of the appropriation bill for internal improvements.

The motion prevailed. The orders of the day were postponed accordingly, and the question recurring on the amendment of Mr. Drayton, to the amendment reported by the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, viz: to insert the following proviso, after the sum of $30,000 proposed to be appropriated for continuing surveys, &c.

Provided, That no part thereof be expended upon any surveys, excepting such as have been already contracted for, or where the surveys hereafter made are preparatory to the construction of roads or canals for the transportation of the mail, or for military purposes."

After spending some time in the consideration of the same, the House adjourned.