The Alexandria Herald

Eighteenth Congress.

From the National Intelligencer.

IN SENATE—MARCH 11.

Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, submitted the following resolution; which was read, and laid over for consideration:

Resolved, That the committee on naval affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a naval depot at Pensacola, or at such place, as would, in their opinion, be most advantageous to the U. States.

The bill 'regulating the transportation of gold and silver bullion, specie, and jewels, carrying of passengers, and to prohibit the receipt of merchandise, in the public vessels of the U. States,' was read the third time, and passed.

Mr. Brown, from the select committee on roads and canals, reported the bill from the house of representatives 'for making the necessary surveys for roads and canals,' without amendment.

Mr. Van Buren, from the committee on the judiciary, to whom was referred two resolutions upon the expediency of amending the judiciary system of the U. States, reported two bills on the subject; one of which provides, that no law of any of the states shall be rendered invalid, without the concurrence of at least five judges of the supreme court: their opinions to be separately expressed.

The other bill provides, that there shall be two terms of the supreme court, held annually, in the city of Washington; that the U. States shall be divided into ten circuit districts; the judges of the supreme court to be relieved from the duty of attending the circuit courts; those courts to be held by the present district judges.

These bills were severally read, and passed to a second reading.

The senate (Mr. Johnson, of La. in the chair,) then resumed the consideration of the bill reported by the committee on pensions 'for the relief of Dean, Weymouth.'

In storming a battery at the battle of Bridgewater, this petitioner, then under the command of col. Miller of the 21st regt. of Infantry, received several severe wounds, which disabled him from procuring his subsistence by manual labor: and one of which, being through his right knee, required that his leg should be amputated.

He is poor, and has a wife and child. He now receives a pension of eight dollars a month from the U. States, and prays that it may be increased to fifteen dollars per month.

The bill proposes thus to increase his pension.

The principle of the bill was opposed—and to prevent any future misunderstanding it was amended by inserting in it the words—'in consideration of his numerous and severe wounds, received at the battle of Bridgewater.'

The bill was then reported to the senate, and passed to be engrossed and read the third time. Adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Mr. Allen, of Mass. offered the following joint resolution, which had its first reading, and was, on his motion, laid on the table: "Resolved, &c. That the president of the senate and speaker of the house of representatives, be authorized to close this session by adjournment of their respective houses, on the -- day of April next."

On motion of Mr. Livingston, Resolved, That the committee on public lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of vesting in the corporation of the city of New Orleans all the right of the U. States to the streets, squares and roads, in the city of N. Orleans: and, also, to all the land lying within the limits of the city, which, by the original plan thereof, was left vacant between the houses and lots fronting the levee and the river.

On motion of Mr. McLane, the house then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, on the bill making provision for the support of government for the year 1824.

And the question still being on the motion of Mr. Forsyth, to strike out the word 'Lima,' in that section of the bill which provides the means of sending ministers to the republics of South America, the debate of yesterday was renewed, and became, in some degree, extended to the consideration of our general relations with the South American states.

The motion to strike out was advocated by Messrs. Forsyth, Taylor, McLane, Trimble, Floyd, and Mallary, and opposed by Messrs. Wickliffe, Storrs, Buchanan, Livingston, Fuller, and McKim.

Messrs. Bartlett, Sibley, and Foot of Conn. also spoke, but only for the purpose of asking or of communicating facts, or not of directly taking part in the debate.

The committee rose on motion of Mr. Brent, at half past 4 o'clock. Adjourned.

IN SENATE. MARCH 12.

Mr. Lloyd, of Maryland, presented the petition of sundry inhabitants of Baltimore—praying the establishment of two light houses, on Cove point, and Thomas's point on the Chesapeake.

On motion of Mr. Van Buren, the bill to amend the Judiciary system of the U. States, was recommitted to the committee on the Judiciary.

The bill 'explanatory of an act, entitled "an act confirming certain claims to lots in the town of Mobile,"' was taken up in committee of the whole. Mr. Hayne in the chair.

Mr. King of Alabama, briefly explained the object of the bill; which was merely to do away a misconstruction which had been put upon a former act.

After some remarks by Messrs. Chandler and Lowrie, the bill was laid on the table.

The bill 'to abolish imprisonment for debt' was taken up. Mr. Talbot submitted a new bill, as an amendment to the one originally before the senate; & the subject was then postponed to, and made the order of the day for Monday next.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

A bill from the senate, 'for the gradual supply of cannon, bombs, howitz, shot, shells, and materials for the fortifications and other purposes,' was twice read and referred to the committee of Military affairs.

A bill from the senate, 'regulating the transportation of gold and silver bullion, specie, and jewels, and carrying passengers, and to prohibit the receipt of merchandise in the public vessels of the U. States,' was twice read and committed to the committee on Naval affairs.

Mr. Rankin offered the following, which lies one day: Resolved, that the secretary of the Treasury be directed to inform this house, at the next session of congress, whether the number of land offices in the United States may not be diminished by consolidating the land districts, or otherwise, without an injury to the public interest, or material inconvenience to individuals; and that he report such a plan for the location of the land offices and reorganization of the land districts, as will better promote the public interest than the present location and reorganization of the same; with such information as to the receipts and expenditures of the offices severally as may enable congress to decide on the propriety of discontinuing any office.

The house then went into committee of the whole, Mr. Campbell in the chair, on the bill making appropriations for the support of government for the year 1824.

The committee rose and reported bill as amended, and the house adjourned.