Mr. Jennings presented a petition of the boara of trustees of the Vincennes University, praying that the titles to certain lands set apart by the United States for the benefit of schools in the Indiana Territory, and which have been sold by the said board, may be confirmed to the purchasers, and that the lands which remain unsold may be disposed of, and the proceeds vested in public stock, for the benefit of the said university.

Mr. Jennings also presented a petition of John Dumont and others of the Indiana Territory, praying permission to purchase a large quantity of public lands on a credit of 12 years without interest, on satisfactory proof that they have procured salt water, erected salt-works, and manufactured salt, on said land.

Mr. Jennings also presented a petition of George Westner, praying permission to change the location of a tract of land, purchased of the United States.

Mr. Easton presented a petition of sundry inhabitants of "Boons-Lick Settlement," in the Missouri Territory, praying for donations of land, as compensation for late military services against the hostile Indians.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the committee on the Public Lands.

Mr. Taylor, of New-York, from the committee of Elections, made a report on the petition of Westel Willoughby, jun. contesting the election of William S. Smith, which was read and referred to a committee of the whole House to-morrow.

The Speaker laid before the House, a letter from the Secretary of War, transmitting statements showing the application of moneys which have been transferred by order of the President, from several of the appropriations to other appropriations, for

the support of the military establishment, since the last session of Congress; which were referred to the committee of Ways and Means.

On motion of Mr. Johnson, of Kentucky, Resolved, That the committee of Claims be directed to inquire into the expediency of liquidating the claims of citizens against the United States, for the loss of property whilst in the public service during the late war.

On motion of Mr. Newton,

Resolved, That the door keeper of this House be and he hereby is authorized and required, under the direction of the Speaker, to procure curtains and such other hangings for the windows of the chamber of the House of Representatives, as may be necessary to render the same comfortable, and as many lamps as may be necessary for lighting the said chamber; also, to procure such furniture for the different committee rooms, as shall render them commodious and fit for business.

On motion of Mr. Parris,

Resolved, That the committee on the Post-Office and Post-Roads be instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a post-route from Lovel to Fryeburg, in the State of Massachusetts.

On motion of Mr. Johnson, of Kentucky, Resolved, That the committee on the Post-Office and post-roads, be instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a post-road from Georgetown, Kentucky, by Nathaniel Sanders' mill, on Eagle Creek, and by New-Fredericksburgh to Vevay, in the Indiana Territory.

On motion of Mr. Taul,

Resolved, That the committee on the Post-Office and Post-Roads, be instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a post-route from Columbia, in Kentucky, to Greensburgh, in the same State.

Mr. Reynolds submitted the following resolution, which was read and ordered to lie on the table.

Resolved, That the committee on the Public Lands, be instructed to inquire into the expediency of appropriating all that tract of land, known by the name of the "Congressional Reservation," lying in the counties of Maury and Giles, in the State of Tennessee, for the extinguishment of the Gerieme land warrants, issued by the State of North-Carolina; and that the actual occupants within the bounds of said tract, who have been living on said land on the first day of January last past, shall have a preference to perfect titles thereto : provided no one shall be permitted to appropriate more than six hundred and forty acres, nor less than fifty acres of land.

On motion of Mr. Thomas,

Resolved, That the committee on Military Affairs, be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law, for the relief of the widows and children of all such non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates, as have been killed in battle, died of wounds received in the public service, or died in service, in any of the corps composing the army of the United States during the late war. On motion of Mr. Throop,

Resolved, That the committee on the Post-Office and Post-Roads, be instructed to inquire into the expediency of declaring that part of the turnpike road leading from the town of Brutus in the county of Cayuga, to the town of Junius in the county of Seneca, a post-road; and also, into the expediency of establishing a post road leading from the village of Auburn in the county of Cayuga, through the towns of Mentz, Cato, and Wolcott, to Sodus Bay.

A message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Todd his Secretary, notifying that the President did, on the 8th instant, approve and sign "An act to authorize the President of the United States, to lease for the term therein mentioned, the new building on Capitol Hill, with the appurtenances, for the better accommodation of Congress."

Ordered, That the Clerk acquaint the Senate therewith.

And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning, eleven o'clock.

TUESDAY, December 12, 1815.

Several other members, to wit: from NewYork, Daniel Cady; from Maryland, Charles Goldsborough; from Virginia, Burwell Bassett; and from Kentucky, Benjamin Hardin, appeared, produced their credentials, and took their seats; the oath to support the constitution of the United States, being first administered to them by Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Vose presented a petition of sundry inhabitants of the states of New-Hampshire and Massachusetts, praying for the establishment of a post

route.

Mr. Clendennin presented a petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Portage, in the state of Ohio, praying that the mails may not be opened or transported on Sundays.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Mr. Brown presented a petition of Samuel A. Thomas, praying to be permitted to redeem a tract of land purchased of the United States, which be

eame forfeited because of his inability to pay last instalment.

the

Mr. Law presented a petition of Menasseh Miner, praying to be reimbursed the expenses incurred on account of his son, who was wounded at the late attack on Stonington by the British forces. Mr. Law also presented a petition of John Baptiste Friebeau, praying to be paid certain bills of credit which he received in payment for property sold to the United States, during the revolutionary war.

Mr. Hopkinson presented a petition of Caleb Earle and John Keen, praying to be indemnified for the loss of a vessel and cargo, which fell into the hands of the late enemy, at the capture of Alexandria, in consequence of being detained there by the embargo.

upon

Mr. Sargent presented a petition of John T. David, late a paymaster in the army, praying that his accounts may be settled by order of Congress, his remaining vouchers of expenditure, a part of which have been accidentally consumed by fire. Mr. McCoy presented a petition of Samuel Black, praying to be paid certain loan-office certificates, granted to his late father during the revolutionary war.

Mr. Tucker presented a petition of George Gale, praying to be paid for a wagon and team, lost in the service of the United States.

Mr. Thomas presented a petition of John Armstrong, late a Collector of Internal Revenue, praying to be allowed his commissions, which he alleges have been withheld from him.

Mr. Lattimore presented a petition of William Snodgrass, praying to be paid a draft held by him on the quarter-master's department of the army. Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the committee of Claims.