Edwardsville Spectator

CONGRESSIONAL EPITOME.

THURSDAY, JAN. 19.

Senate. The Committee on Naval Affairs reported a bill to establish a Naval Academy. Mr. Benton, from the select committee on amendments to the constitution, made a long report accompanied by resolutions embracing a plan for the election of President, &c. which we will endeavor to give our readers on a future occasion. Soon copies of the report were ordered to be printed. Some time was spent in the discussion of a bill to regulate the collection of duties, &c. which was laid on the table for the present; and the Senate adjourned to next Monday.

House of Representatives. Mr. Hemphill from the committee on Roads and Canals, reported a bill concerning Internal Improvements. Resolutions were laid on the table by Mr. Drayton, respecting fortifications for the defence of Charleston S.C. and by Mr. Holcomb respecting the procurement of several lots of live-oak timber for the frames of 6 steam batteries, 12 ships of the line, 15 frigates and 15 sloops of war. A resolution was adopted on motion of Mr. Cook on the subject of releasing W.L. D. Ewing from responsibility for the public money of which he was robbed; another, presented by Mr. Hayden was adopted, relative to clearing the obstructions in the Alleghany river so as to open steam-boat navigation between Olean and Pittsburgh. The Judicial Bill was taken up in committee, and the debate continued; and at length, on motion of Mr. Cook, the committee rose and reported the bill without amendment. It provides for three additional Supreme Judges. A motion was made to reduce the addition to two, and lost. Ayes 60. Noes 119.

FRIDAY, JAN. 20.

The Senate did not sit.

House of Representatives. A bill for a Naval School was reported. Mr. Vance, from the military committee, reported a bill for the construction of a road from Detroit to Fort Gratiot in Michigan Ter. The resolution respecting the fortifications at Charleston, and the timber for naval purposes, were adopted. A resolution passed, on motion of Mr. Scott, to inquire into the expediency of allowing those whose lands are forfeited for non-completion of payment, to enter lands at the minimum price to the amount of money paid by them on the lands forfeited. Mr. Scott laid a resolution on the table calling for a statement of the amount of money paid and forfeited by the purchasers of public lands.

The death of Patrick Farrelly a member from Pennsylvania being announced, a resolution passed, that the members would wear crape one month, and the House adjourned.

SATURDAY, JAN. 21.

Senate did not sit.

House of Representatives. The following resolution offered yesterday by Mr. Scott, of Missouri, was then taken up, and with a trifling modification, was adopted in the following form:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to communicate to this House the amount of money paid by the purchasers of public lands which have become forfeited to the United States from the commencement of the land system of the United States to the present time, designating the amount in each state and territory.

Mr. Cook, of Illinois, offered the following resolution, which lies one day on the table:

Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to communicate to this House the Report made by the Commissioners appointed to survey and locate the road from Detroit, in Michigan, to Chicago, in Illinois.

The Speaker laid before the House a communication from the Department of War, containing information called for by a resolution of Mr. Cook, on the 9th inst. in relation to the Cumberland Road; which was ordered to be laid on the table and printed.

The House then resumed the consideration of the bill to amend the Judicial system.

MONDAY, JAN. 23.

Senate. The report of the committee respecting Com. Porter's letter was taken up and, after some discussion, recommitted with instructions to strike out the two last paragraphs; which leaves a simple declaration that the committee find nothing in the transaction requiring the interference of the Senate. The bill to authorize the Legislature of Ohio to sell their school lands was taken up and discussed--in which Mr. Kane took a part in favor of the bill; after which it was ordered to a third reading.

House of Representatives. The resolution offered on Saturday by Mr. Cook was taken up and agreed to. A resolution offered by Mr. Dorsey on Saturday, to inquire if the number of cadets at West Point could be increased, &c. was taken up--Mr. Cocke offered as an amendment that the inquiry should extend to the propriety of diminishing the number, which was negatived, and Mr. Dorsey's resolution, modified and adopted. A message from the President was received, showing the amount of moneys which have been paid out of the Treasury to the late President for services rendered in other offices, and for other claims; which show an aggregate of $158,234 82. The Judicial Bill was taken up in committee and a splendid speech, little to the purpose, was made against it by Mr. Burgess of Rhode Island.

TUESDAY, JAN. 24.

Senate. Mr. Chandler, from the committee on the Militia, reported a bill authorizing the printing and distribution of the Infantry tactics, &c. passed to a second reading. Mr. Hayne, from the Naval committee, reported on Com. Porter's case, according to the instructions--and the committee was discharged from its further consideration.

House of Representatives.

Mr. Holcombe, from the Naval committee, reported a bill to compensate Mrs. Susan Decatur, widow of Com. S. Decatur: read twice, and committed for next day. A resolution offered on Monday by Mr. Moore, of Ala. directing the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish a detailed report showing the average price of the lands relinquished; and, if any have been re-sold, the medium price of sales in each district, was taken up and adopted. Mr. Henry from the committee on Roads and Canals, reported a bill to authorize subscription to the stock of the Louisville and Portland Canal; read twice and committed for next day. A resolution was adopted on motion of Mr. Adams of N.Y. to inquire into the expediency of a
A survey, with a view to a canal from Pittsburgh via Ohio, Lime-lake, Little-lake and Batavia, to the Erie Canal. The Judicial Bill progressed again.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 24.

Senate. Mr. Harrison submitted a resolution requesting the President to lay before the Senate Mr. Jefferson's Message, recommending an expedition across the continent, together with any other information he should think proper to communicate on the subject. The resolution previously offered by Mr. Noble, to inquire into the expediency of permitting the holders of one quarter section of land, to relinquish down to forty acres, was agreed to. The bill to authorize the Legislature of Ohio to sell the school lands was read the third time and passed. The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the bill to secure the accountability of public officers, which, after some discussion was laid on the table.

House of Representatives. Mr. Miner of Pennsylvania offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the people of the United States have viewed, with deep and anxious solicitude, the exertions of the people of the several states of the southern part of this continent, to secure the inestimable privileges of independence and self-government—that they have seen the proofs exhibited of their fortitude, patriotism and valor, with admiration; and beheld the success with which a gracious Providence hath crowned their arms, with gratitude and delight.

2. Resolved, That it accords alike with the generous and spontaneous wishes of this people, and the soundest maxims of policy, that the most perfect harmony of feeling and intercourse should be cherished among all the American nations, the principles of whose governments are founded on an acknowledgment of the equal rights of man; the appointment of Ministers to the proposed Congress of Panama, is a measure dictated by wisdom and propriety; and provision ought to be made by law, to defray any expense that may result therefrom.

Laid on the table. A resolution offered on Saturday by Mr. Carter of S. C. calling on the Secretary of the Navy for information on the subject of experiments to test the utility of cotton for cordage and sail cloth, was agreed to. A resolution passed to inquire into the expediency of more frequent sales of public lands, in smaller parcels. Mr. Pearce, of Rhode Island, offered a resolution calling for information as to the number of years which James Monroe, late President, has been in the public employ, &c. A message from the President was received, accompanying the documents and proceedings of the Naval courts martial in the cases of Captain Stewart and Lieuts. Sands and Hunter. The Judicial Bill underwent another discussion, and after an attempt to amend, passed. Ayes 132. Noes 59.

THURSDAY, JAN. 26.

Senate. The business was altogether private or local, chiefly concerning the eastern and southern sections of the Union, excepting the resolution offered the previous day by Mr. Harrison, which was adopted.

House of Representatives. Mr. Ingham, from the Post-Office Committee, reported, recommending a joint resolution directing an examination and survey of the mail routes between Philadelphia and Baltimore with a view to the selection of the best and improvement of all. Mr. Bassett, from the select committee on the subject, reported a bill to provide for the erection of a monument to General Washington. A resolution was adopted to inquire of the War Department whether an Engineer could not be had to examine the Muscle-shoals; also the route of a canal to unite the Hiwassee channel of the Tennessee with the Coosawda, a branch of the Coosa. Mr. Stewart of Pennsylvania offered the following resolution, which lies one day on the table:

Resolved, That the Secretary of War be instructed to report to this House an estimate of the probable expense of completing the system of canals along the Atlantic sea-board, from Boston to New Orleans; embracing the Barnstable and Buzzard's Bay; the Raritan and Delaware; the Chesapeake and Delaware; the Dismal Swamp, and the Florida Canals; with the several links to connect them with the Mississippi: also, an estimate of the expense of completing the proposed system of forts and fortifications, with their armaments, and the annual expense of preserving and keeping them in repair; specifying such of the said forts and fortifications as will be rendered unnecessary or less useful by the execution of the said system of canals; and, also, presenting a comparative view of the advantages and disadvantages of the two systems, in point of economy, and for the purposes of national defence, and protecting and facilitating our commercial operations in peace and war.

A bill making appropriations for several fortifications now erecting or about to be erected, was taken up in committee. When the clause respecting Fortress Monroe was taken up, Mr. Floyd, of Va. moved to strike out "Monroe" (the name of the fort) and insert "Powhatan"—which he accompanied with some taunts against the late President. We are surprised that he could find so many as 47 to vote for his amendment.

FRIDAY, JAN. 27.

Senate. Mr. Hendricks presented the petition of sundry inhabitants in Indiana, on the subject of erecting bridges over the water-courses on the route between St. Louis and Louisville, Ky.; referred. Mr. Benton submitted the following resolution for consideration:

Resolved, That the Committee on Roads and Canals be instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury, on the part of the Government of the United States, to subscribe for, or purchase, one thousand shares in the Louisville and Portland Canal stock, incorporated by act of the Legislature of Kentucky.

Mr. Benton presented the memorial of Wm. A. Thompson, and others, citizens of the states of New York and New Jersey, representing that they are desirous of undertaking to work the copper mines which are said to exist on the south shores of Lake Superior, within the limits of the United States. They state that they made application to the late President of the United States, in April, 1822, for a privilege of the kind now asked for, which, they have understood, laid the foundation of an Executive message on that subject. From that period to the present, no measures of a public nature have been taken; but, inasmuch as our country is dependant for copper on foreign supply, it is believed to be a matter worthy of the attention of Congress. Of native ore, there is, probably, a sufficient quantity for our own wants. Capital and enterprize, they state, they possess. They pray that, in consideration of the great expenses and hazard of the experiment, on their part, that a law may be passed to grant and confirm to them the right of ore on 40,000 acres of land, to be selected and located near the south shore of Lake Superior, or the river Ontonagon, within ten years from the passage of the act, and empowering them to make such contracts with the neighboring Indians, as may be requisite to effect their object. On motion of Mr. Benton it was referred to the committee on Indian affairs. The bill from the House of Representatives, further to amend the Judicial system of the United States, was read twice, and on motion of Mr. Van Buren, it was referred. The Senate adjourned to Monday.

House of Representatives. Mr. Cocke, of Tenn. from the committee on Indian Affairs, reported a bill making appropriations for the extinguishment of Indian titles to lands in the State of Indiana, and to acquire the right of surveying and locating a canal route through the Great Miami reservation: which was read twice, committed, made the order of the day for to-morrow, and ordered to be printed. Mr. Scott of Missouri, from the Committee on Public Lands, reported a bill authorizing certain soldiers of the late war to surrender bounty lands, and to locate other lands in lieu thereof; which was read twice, committed, made the order of the day for to-morrow, and ordered, with the report to be printed. Mr. Cocke, of Ten. offered the following resolution which lies one day on the table:

Resolved, That the President of the United States cause to be laid before this House a statement exhibiting the several items, as particularly as the same exist in the Department of the Treasury, of the several credits allowed to James Monroe, by the Auditor of said Department, under a letter addressed to the said Auditor, by Robert Smith, the Secretary of the Department of State, dated May 5, 1810, under the 4th, 6th and 7th charges of the account of the said James Monroe, referred to in the said letter.

On motion of Mr. Jennings of Indiana, it was

Resolved, That the committee on Public Lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of vesting in the trustees who have been appointed by the inhabitants of the Illinois grant, in the State of Indiana, and their successors in office, the fee-simple of certain lands, appropriated by Congress for the use of Schools, within the limits of said grant, for the sole use for which such lands were originally granted, and conformably to the provisions of an act of the General Assembly of said state.

The Speaker laid before the House a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, accompanied by a statement of the lands relinquished under the acts for the relief of the purchasers of public lands. Aggregate, 3,693,621 acres, $12,307,601, which was laid on the table and ordered to be printed. On motion that the House go into committee on the appropriation bill, Mr. Forsyth moved the postponement of the bill relating to Fortifications, which caused a warm discussion until the House adjourned to Monday.

MONDAY, JAN. 30.

Senate. Mr. Dickerson (of New-Jersey) submitted the following resolution for consideration:

Resolved, That provision ought to be made by law to authorize and require the Secretary of the Treasury to distribute annually to the states and territories of the United States three millions of dollars, for the purposes of education and internal improvement, to be apportioned among the States and Territories according to the ratio of direct taxation.

The resolution offered by Mr. Benton on Friday, relating to a subscription of stock in the Louisville and Portland canal company, was agreed to. The bill authorizing the printing and distribution of the Infantry tactics, &c. of the United States for the use of the Militia, was passed. The resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution, in regard to the election of President and Vice President, was taken up, and, after some remarks, postponed to the succeeding Monday.

House of Representatives. Mr. Bartlett, of New Hampshire, from the committee to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill concerning the naval establishment of the United States. This bill provides that after the first June next, the naval establishment shall consist of—One Vice-Admiral, two Rear-Admirals, 30 Captains, 30 Masters Commandant, 220 Lieutenants, 10 Chaplains; 50 Surgeons, 65 Assistant do. 50 Pursers, 20 Sailing Masters, 450 Midshipmen, 30 Boatswains, 50 Gunners, 30 Carpenters, 20 Sail-makers; and such number of petty officers, seamen, ordinary seamen, and boys, as the public exigencies require, to be determined and assigned to the different yards, stations and vessels in the Navy, under the direction of the President of the United States. The resolution offered on Friday by Mr. Cocke, of Tennessee, was taken up, which after some debate was, on motion of Mr. C. laid on the table. Mr. Metcalfe, of Ky. offered a resolution, which lies one day on the table, calling on the President for information as to the invitation received by this Government to join the Congress at Panama. The bill making appropriations for Fortifications was taken up: Mr. McLane, of Delaware, made an excellent speech in favor of the bill, and Mr. Forsyth some remarks in reply, when Mr. Forsyth's motion to postpone the subject to Monday, the 6th February was lost. Ayes 51. Noes 110.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1.

Senate. The Vice President communicated a report from the Secretary of War, and a statement of appropriations for the service of the year 1825, and amount unexpended on 31st Dec. last. Mr. Noble submitted a resolution on making an appropriation for extinguishing the Indian title to lands in Indiana. Mr. Barton from the Public Land Committee, reported against establishing a land district at Jefferson in Mo. Mr. King, of Ala. announced the death of Henry Chambers, a Senator from Alabama, and the Senate, on his motion, unanimously resolved to wear crape one month.

House of Representatives. The resolution of Mr. Metcalfe, of Ky. on the Panama mission, was taken up: Mr. Livingston, of Lou. spoke some time in favor of its passage. The bill making appropriations for fortifications occupied the House in committee, the rest of the day.

THURSDAY, FEB 2.

Senate. The resolution of Mr. Dickerson, on distributing 3,000,000 dollars for the purpose of education and internal improvement, was taken up and then laid on the table. Mr. Noble's resolution on Indian titles was agreed to. The Senate was engaged principally on executive business.

House of Representatives. The mission to Panama was the only subject of importance before the House to-day;

and a variety of amendments were offered; that proposed by Mr. Webster carried. and several attempts to amend it were made without effect.

FRIDAY, FEB. 3.

Senate did not sit.

House of Representatives. After some desultory business, the subject of the Panama Mission was taken up and again debated, and after several efforts to adjourn, &c. the question on adopting the resolution was taken and carried.—Ayes 124. Noes 40.