route from Jefferson city to the county seat of Benton in said State; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

On mction by Mr. WILLIAMS, the petition and papers of Peter H. Cueen, now on file, were referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. PIERCE gave notice that to-morow he would ask leave to introduce a bill for the equalization of the pay of the officers of the staff and line of the army.

Mr. TAPPAN gave notice that to morrow he would ask leave to introduce a bill to limit the tenure of office of the judges of the Federal courts of the United States.

Mr. CALHOUN gave notice that to-morrow he would ask leave to introduce a bill for the relief of the heirs of John De Treville.

Mr. DAVIS submitted the following resolution, which was considered and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the laws as to mitigate or wholly abolish the imprisonment of witnesses in criminal cases.

Mr. RUGGLES submitted the following resolution for consideration:

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to communicate to the Senate, if not incompatible with the public interests, any corre. spondence which may have taken place between this Government and that of Great Britain, relative to the Northeastern boundary, not heretofore communicated to the Senate. Also, on like condition, any correspondence had with the Governor of Maine on the same subj cl, not heretofore communicated.

Mr. YOUNG submitted the following resolutions, which were severally considered and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law for the abandonment of Rock Island, in the State of Illinois, as a military post.

Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce be instructed to inquire into the expediency of esta blishing a marine hospital, for the accommodation of sick and disabled boatmen and indigent pas engers navigating the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, at the ri y of Cairo, in the State of Illinois.

Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce be instructed to inquire into the expediency of esta blishing ports of entry and delivery, or ports of delive y, at the cities of Cairo, Alion, and Chicago, in the S ate of Illinois.

Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce be instructed to inquire into the expediency of granting an extension of credit to the State of Illinois on daty bonds already given, or hereafter to be xe cuted, on the importation of railroad iron into that Sa'e.

Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce be instructed to inquire into the expediency of making specific appropriation for the improvement of the Reck river and Des Moines Rapides of the Mi-sissippi river, o as to make said river navigable for s'eamboats at all seasons of the year, when the navigation is not obstructed by ice.

ELECTION OF CHAPLAIN.

The Senate then proceded to the election of Chaplain, and the ballots having ben comtel, the PRESIDENT announce the following as the resul':

Whole numb r of ballots

For Rev. Mr. COOKMAN,

Rev. Mr. THORNT. N,

Rev. Mr. SHAW,

39

Smith of Vermont,

Hammen,

25

10

Mr. Bll,

4

Lewis Williams,

Al.ord,

Chion,

Lucas,

So Mr. CoKMAN was declared to be duly elected.

The Sinate then adjourned.

Mr. Shaw,

Doig,

Hook,

Ridgway.

Mr. Hunt,

J. W. Davis of la.

Parrish, Ryal'.

COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS.

COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS.

Mr. W. Thompson, jr. Mr. Monroe,

Miller,

Coles,

Kemble,

J. W. Allen,

Sumter,

G ggin,

W. O. Butler.

COMMITTEE ON THE MILITIA.

Mr. Botts,

Mr. Keim,

Mr. Rogers of N. Y.

Carter,

Medill,

Brown of Tenn.

P. F. Thomas, of Md. Rariden.

Mr. Rives,

Smith of Conn.

Triplett,

Mr. WINTHROP of Massachusetts stated that, on examining the list of yeas and nays on the vote taken, last week, on the motion of Mr. STANLY to reconsider the vote by which the resolution of Mr. ATHERTON, for the printing of the usual number of copies of the President's Annual Message had been adopted, he discovered that his name was omitted.

Mr. JOSEPH L. WILLIAMS stated that he also was present, and voted in the affirmative, when the question on the motion to reconsider was taken, but his name was not recorded.

Whereupon,

Mr. WINTHROP moved that the yeas given by Mr. J. L. WILLIAMS and himself, on Thursday last, on the question of reconsidering the vote for printing certain extra copies of the President's Message, be now entered upon the journal, it appearing that the same was omitted at the time.

Mr. PETRIKIN was inclined to question the propriety of permitting members to have their votes inserted on the journal at so long a time after the decision had been announced. He thought members ought to remain in their places, and listen whether their names had been omitted or not, so as to have the error rectified at the time.

After some debate on the propriety of permitting the votes to be recorded, in which Messrs. STANLY, TILLINGHAST, WISE, LEWIS WILLIAMS, and CUSHING, participated, the motion to insert was agreed to by the following vote: yeas 200, nays 3.

The SPEAKER then stated that the addition just made of two votes in the affirmative, would reverse the decision of Wednesday last, by which the meiton of Mr. STANLY to reconsider the resolution of Mr. ATHERTON, was rejected. That resolution was, therefore, reconsidered, and its merits consequently open to debate.

Mr. STANLY then moved to amend the resolution by inserting 15,000 of the President's message without, and 5,000 with, the accompanying document.

Mr. DUNCAN inquired whether the order to print had been executed.

The SPEAKER replied that it had not.

Mr. TILLINGHAST, by way of compromise, moved farther to amend by substituting 5,000 of the message with, and 5,000 without, the accompa nying documenis.

The question was then taken on the amendment to the amendment, and decided in the negative. The question being then on the amendment of Mr. STANLY,

Mr. BRIGGS moved to amend the amendment by substituting 10,000 with, and 5,000 without, the documents.

Mr. BEATTY thereupon called for the yeas and nays, which were ordered; and, being taken, were -yeas 110, nays 96, as follows:

YEAS-Messsrs. Judson Allen, Anderson, Atherton, Banks, Barnard, Beatty, Beirne, Blackwel', Boyd, Breckenridge, Briggs, Albert G. Brown, Burke, Sampson H. Butler, William O. Butler, Calhoun, Carr, Carroll, Clifford, Cole, Connor, William R. Cooper, Craig, Cranston, Crary, Crockett, Cross, Dana, Davec, Dennis, Dickerson, Dean, Doe, Doig, Duncan, Earl, Eastman, Ely, Everett, Fine, Fisher, Fletcher, Fornance, Galbraith, Garland, Gerry, Hammond, Hand, John Hastings, Hawkins, Hill of Virgisia, Hill of North Carolina, Hillen, Hubbard, Jackson, James, Jameson, Nathaniel Jones, John W. Jones, Keim, Kemp. shall, Kille, Lane, Leet, Leonard, Lowell, Lucas, McCarty, McClellan, McClure, McCulloch, Marchand, Medill, Miller, Mitchell, Montanya, Montgomery, Samuel W. Morris, Ogle, Parmenter, Par

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1840.

-WEEKLY

ris, Paynter, Pope, Prentiss, Reed, Reynolds, Ridgway, Edward Rogers, Ryall, Saltonstall, Samuels, Shaw, Slade, John Smith, Thomas Smith, Strong, Stuart, Jacob Thompson, Tilliaghast, Toland, Underwood, Vroom, David D. Wagener, Peter J. Wagner, Watterson, Weller, Wick, Jared W. Williams, Henry Williams, and Worthington110.

NAY3-Messrs. Adams, Alford, John W. Allen, Andrews, Baker, Beil, Boardman, Botts, Brews. ter, Brockway, Wm. B. Campbell, Carter, Casey, Chapman, Chinn, Chittenden, Clark, Mark A. Cooper, Crabb, Curtis, Cushing, Edward Davies, John Davis, John W. Davis, Garret Davis, Dawson, Dellet, Edwards, Evans, Fillmore, Floyd, Gates, Gentry, Giddings, Goggin, Goode, Graham, Granger, Green, Habersham, Hall, William S. Hastings, Hawes, Henry, George W. Hopkins, Hunt, Jenifer, Charles Johnston, Joseph Johnson, William Cost Johnson, Cave Johnson, Leadbetter, Lincoln, McKay, Mallory, Marvin, Mason, Mon.. roe, Morgan, Calvary Morris, Newhard, Osborne, Palen, Parrish, Peck, Petrikin, Pickens, Proffit, Randall, Randolph, Rariden, Rayner, Rives, Russell, Shepard, Simonton, Truman Smith, Stanly, Starkweather, Sumpter, Swearingen, Sweney, Taliaferro, Philip F. Thomas, Waddy Thompson, John B. Thompson, Triplett, Turney, Warren, John White, Thomas W. Williams, Lewis Wil. liams, Joseph L. Williams, Christopher H. Williams, Winthrop, and Wise-96.

So the amendment was agreed to.

The question being on agreeing to the amendment of Mr. STANLY as amended, it was decided in the affi mative.

And the question then being on the adoption of the resolution as amended, it was agreed to without

a coun'.

So ten thousand copies of the President's message with, and five thousand copies without, the accompanying documents, were ordered to be print

ed.

DEATH OF MR. ANDERSON OF KENTUCKY. Mr. THOMPSON of Kentucky rose and an. nounced to the House that SIMEON H. ANDERSON, his predecessor in this Congress from the Fitth Dis rict in Kentucky, had departed this life, at his residence in Garrard county, since the last session. Mr. T. remarked that his death was a public calamity, because the country, in the morning of his life, and as his career of usefulness upon a new theatre had just commenced, had been deprived of one of her most promising sons. In the councils of his native State, he had rendered services to that State, and achieved for himself an enviable reputation; without opposition, and by the undivided suffrage of his district, he had been returned a member for this Congress. His bearing as a gentleman was a true evidence of the moral worth and integrity of purpose that characterized the man. His brief services here had not fully manifested to this body the rich attainments and high order of intellect that, combined with his private virtue, had secured to hin not only public confidence at home, but also that respect and attachment which all the better sympathies of social life ever accord to merit and worth. The bar of which he was a member and an ornament, in his native State, regret his untimely death; his district feels the loss. Allied with the best blood of the State, he has left a young family to mourn the sad bereavement of a kind parent and an affectionate husband. Mr. T. presented the following resolutions as a token of condolence to that family, and as the last kind office and tribute of respect we can pay to the memory of one who yet lives in the cherished remembrances and affec

VOLUME 9...........No. 2.

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tions of his friends, his relatives, and of the State of which he was a favorite child, and on whom she rested high and proud hopes of future usefulness and eminence. There is allotted to but few a better and brighter fortune than seemed to await him. The sentiment that "they whom the gods love die young" was a tender delusion of heathen superstition, in this instance, he trusted, but exemplified and adopted by a wise and mysterious dispensation of the Christian's Providence. The malediction, "May you die from home," was an imprecation he had no enemy malevolent enough to utter, and he now reposes as he lived and died, surrounded by his household and friends.

Resolved, That this House with deep regret have heard the announcement of the death of SIMEON H. ANDERSON, of Kentucky, late a member of this Congre's.

Resolved, That to testify their regard for the deceased, and as an evidence of the sympathy they feel, and hereby tender to his surviving relatives, they will wear crape on the left arm for thirty days.

Resolved, As a further testimony of respect for the deceased, that when this House adjourn to-day, it adjourn to to-morrow.

DEATH OF MR. RAMSEY, OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Mr. LEET then rose, and addressed the House as follows:

Mr. SPEAKER: In accordance with a practice which has been sanctioned by long usage, I rise to discharge a painful duty; in doing which I feel sure the House will sympathize with me. I rise, sir, to announce the death of WILLIAM STERRETT RAMSEY, who was a distinguished member of the Pennsylvania delegation, and represented the Cumber land district. He died suddenly in October last, in the city of Baltimore, somewhat remote from the bosom of his near relatives, but where, however, there were not wanting friends to show appropriate marks of respect to his memory. His death was not less sudden than melancholy. From early infancy he was afflicted with feeble health, and a week constitution.

Having been called by the people of his dis trict to serve them in the National Legislature of his native country, and desirous to execute the trust reposed in him, he struggled through the last unusually arduous and exciting session, in the discharge of his duties, in a manner alike honorable to himself, gratifying to his friends, and satisfactory to his constituents. At the close of the session, he found his constitution rapidly yielding to the ravages of a confirmed consumption; and during the recess of Congress, in the youth of his days, with the fairest earthly prospects before him, (could he have lived to realize them,) and at a time when one would think he might be buoyant with hope, he sunk a victim to gloomy melancholy, leaving numerous devoted friends to lament his premature and deplorable death. I have never been able to feel fully the propriety of panegyric on occasions like this-it excites little or no interest where the subject of it is unknown, and cannot reach his ear, nor enhance his character in the esteem of those who knew his goodness, his talents, and his virtues. I may be indulged, however, in simply saying, that Mr. RAMSEY, as a man, was liberal and kind; and, as a friend, was true and faithful: he enjoyed the advantages of an accomplished

education received in this country, and he visited some of the most famous places in Europe in the anxious pursuit of knowledge, and for the improvement of his health. Some time after his return from Europe, he was in 1838 elected to the 26th Congress, and in 1840 was again returned by a generous and enlightened constituency to the 27th Congress. But, alas! he is now no more-he died a high minded and honorable man.

Without making further remarks, I ask the House to pay the customary tribute of respect to the memory of a deceased member, by adopting the resolutions which I hold in my hand, and now send to the Chair.

Resolved, That the members of this House will testify their respect for the memory of WILLIAM STERRETT RAMSEY, by wearing crape on the left arm for thirty days.

Resolved, That this House do now adjourn. The above resolutions were then adopted, And the House adjourned until to-morrow at 12 o'clock.

IN SENATE,
TUESDAY, December 15, 1840.

The PRESIDENT submitted a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, enclosing a communication from F. R. Hassler, the superintendent of the coast survey and the construction of weights and measures, showing the progress made therein; which was laid on the table.

Also, a report from the Secretary of the Treasu. ry, in compliance with the act for the relief of insolvent debtors; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. HUBBARD presented the petition of Walter Loomis and Abel Gay; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Also, the petition of General Joseph M. Hernandez; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Also, the petition of Gad Humphreys; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Also, the petition of Philip Weaddeman; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Also, the petition of Malachi Hagan, which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Also, the petition of the heirs of John J. Bulow, deceased; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. HUBBARD also offered the following resolution, which was considered and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Committee on Pensions be instructed to inquire into the expediency of granting a pension to Jchn McNeil for wounds received during the last war.

Mr. BUCHANAN presented the memorial of William W. Chew, Secretary of Legation at St. Petersburg; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mr. ANDERSON presented the petition of Clements, Bryan and Company; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. WRIGHT presented the memorial of De Forest Manice; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. PRESTON presented the petition of Charles Howe; which was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Mr. FULTON presented the memorial of members of the Legislature of Arkansas, praying for the establishment of a mail route in the counties of Monroe, Francis, and Jackson; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. ROANE presented the petition of the Editor of the Farmer's Register, praying for the reduction of postage on periodicals; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. CLAY of Alabama presented the petition of citizens of Madison county, Alabama, praying for the establishment of a mail route; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Also, the petition of George Turnley, of Che

rokee county, Alabama; which was referred to the Committee on the Public Lands.

Mr. C. also gave notice that, on to-morrow, he would ask leave to introduce a bill for the rel ef of the Selma and Tennessee Railroad Company.

On motion by Mr. FULTON, so much of the President's annual message as relates to the Post Office and post roads was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

On motion by Mr. PIERCE, the petitions of Thankful Reynolds, of the widow of John Vance, of Huldah Tucker, of Samuel Collins, of Lucy Eaton, widow of John Bennett, of John R. Midwinter, and of Joseph Bassett, now on the files of the Senate, were referred to the Committee on Pensions.

On motion by Mr. WALL, the petition and papars of Francis A. Dickins, now on file, were referred to the Committe on the Judiciary.

Mr. YOUNG presented the petition of inhabitants of the counties of Lake, Henry, and Boone, for a mail route; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. TALLMADGE presented the petition of the heirs of Henry Eckford; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

· Mr. HUBBARD, from the Committee on Claims, to which was referred

The bill for the relief of George W. Paschal; and The bill to establish a Board of Commissioners to hear and determine claims against the United States;

reported the same without amendment.

Mr. NORVELL, from the Committee on the Public lands, to which was referred

A bill granting to the State of Michigan a quan. tity of land to aid said State in the construction of a canal around the Falls of Ste Marie; and

A bill to create an addi ional land office in the State of Michigan, and for other purposes; reported the same without amendinent.

Mr. CLAY of Alabama, from the Committee on the Public Lands, to which were referred

A bill to relinqish to the State of Alabama the two per cent. fund reserved by the act for her admission into the Union, to be applied to the making of a road or roads leading to said State;

A bill to establish an additional land district in the State of Alabama;

A bill for the relief of William Jones;

A bill for the relief of certain settlers on the public lands, who were deprived of the benefits of the act granting pre-emption rights, which was ap proved on the 19 h of June, 1834;

A bill to grant other lands to the inhabitants of townships deprived of the 16th section by Indian reservations; and}

A bill to relinquish the reversionary interest of the United States to a certain reservation in the State of Alabama;

severally reported the same without amendment.

Mr. FULTON, from the Committee on the Pub. lic Lands, to which were referred

A bill in relation to donations of land to certain persons in the State of Arkansas;

A bill to quiet the titles of certain land claimants in the States of Missouri and Arkansas, and for other purposes;

A bill to settle the title to certain tracts of land in the State of Arkansas;

A bill to authorize the inhabitants of township eight north, range thirty-two west, in the State of Arkansas, to enter a section of land in lieu of the sixteenth section in said township, upon condition that the same is surrendered to the United States for military purposes;

A bill authorizing the inhabitants of fractional township ten south, of range one east, in the State of Arkansas, to enter one half section of land for school purposes;

A bill for the relief of James Smith of Arkansas; and

A bill for the relief of sundry citizens of Arkansas, who lost their improvements in consequence of a treaty between the United States and the Choctaw Indians;

severally reported the same without amendment. Mr. SEVIER gave notice that to-morrow he would ask leave to introduce

A bill for the relief of Benjamin Murphy; A bill for the relief of Richard T. Banks; A bill making appropriations for the removal of the raft in Red River;

A bill to authorize the Legislature of the State of Arkansas to sell the lands heretofore appropriated for the use of schools in that State; and

A bill to revive the act entitled "An act to enable claimants to lands within the limits of Missouri and the Territory of Arkansas, to institute proceedings to try the validity of their claims," approved the 26 h of May, 1824, and an act amending the same, and extending the provision of said act to claimants to land within the States of Louisiana and Mississippi.

Mr. CLAY of Alabama, in pursuance of previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce A bill for the relief of James Walker; and

A bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Colin Bishop;

which were severally read twice, and referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Roads.

Mr. C. also, on leave, introduced a bill for the relief of Jubal B. Hancock; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Mr. DAVIS, in pursuance of previous notice, obtained leave to introduce a bill to refund to Noah Miller and others part of the proceeds of the sale of the British sloop Mary and cargo, which were captured by them, and libelled and sold for the benefit of the United States; which, with accompanying documents, was referred to the Committee on Com

merce.

Mr. DAVIS gave notice that to-morrow he would ask leave to introduce a bill for the relief of the Plumb Island Bridge Company.

Mr. CALHOUN, in pursuance of previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill for the relief of the heirs of John De Treville, deceased; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

Mr. WILLIAMS, in pursuance of previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill to provide for the settlement of the claim of the State of Maine for the services of her militia; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. W. also, on leave, introduced a bill to regulate the pay and emoluments of pursers of the navy; and

A bill to regulate and establish the navy ration; which was severally read twice, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. SMITH of Indiana, in pursuance of previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Col. Francis Vigo; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

Also, a bill to regulate the land offices in the State of Indiana, and for other purposes; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on the Public Lands.

Also, a bill to authorize the Mount Carmel and New Albany Railroad Company to enter on a credit a quantity of land, to aid the company in the construction of a railroad from New Albany, in the State of Indiana, to Mount Carmel, in the State of Illinois, and for other purposes; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

Mr. NORVELL, in pursuance of previous no. tice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill authorizing the President of the United States to cause certain surveys to be made; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on the Public Lands.

Mr. TAPPAN, in pursuance of previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a joint resolution, proposing an amendment to the Constitu. tion of the United States, so as to limit the term of office of the judges of the supreme and inferior courts thereof.

Mr. ANDERSON gave notice that to-morrow he would ask leave to introduce a bill to amend an act entitled "An act to authorize the State of Tennessee to issue grants and perfect titles to certain lands therein described, and to settle the claims to the vacant and unappropriated lands within the same," passed the 18th day of April, 1806.

Mr. HUBBARD, in pursuance of previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill for the settlement of the claims of New Hampshire against the United States; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. HENDERSON, in pursuance of previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill to confirm the survey and location of claims for lands in the State of Mississippi, east of Pearl river and south of the 31st degree of north latitude; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on the Public Lands.

Mr. MERRICK in pursuance of previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce

A bill for the legal representatives of William Sanford, deceased;

A bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Robert White; and

A bill for the relief of the heirs or legal representatives of Joseph Morris, deceased;

which were severally read twice, and referred to the Committes on Revolutionary Claims.

Mr. MERRICK gave notice that to-morrow he would ask leave to introduce a bill for the relief of the heirs of Francis Newman.

On motion by Mr. RUGGLES, the documents in relation to the better security of the lives of passengers on board of steam vessels, now on file, were referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. FULTON, in pursuance of previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill making appropriations for the completion of certain roads in the State of Arkansas; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. F. gave notice that, to-morrow, he would ask leave to introduce a bill to perfect the titles to lands south of the Arkansas river, held under the New Madrid locations, and pre-emption rights under the act of 1814; and

A bill for the relief of William A. Dixon. The following resolution, submitted yesterday by Mr. CLAY of Kentucky, was taken up for consideration, viz:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to communicate to the Senate statements showing the quantity of land reported by the registers and receivers of the several land offices, in pursuance of the resolution of the Senate of the 25th April, 1828, to have been unsold in their respective districts on the 30th day of June, 1828, after having been offered at the minimum price per aere, discriminating between the several land districts; what proportion of the land so unsold on that day consisted of first rate land, and what was unfit for cultivation, according to the reports of the said officers; what was their estimate of the average value per acre of the said unsold land; and what part of the said land to remaining unsold on the 30th June, 1828, aforesaid, has been since sold, and at what price, discriminating between the amount sold in each of the districts. And the Secretary is further directed to cause parallel columns to be prepared, exhibiting in one connected view the quantity of land unsold on the day aforesaid in each district, the amount since sold, the value as assessed or estimated by the said officers, and the prices at which the lands have since actually sold; and the aggregate value of the land as assessed, and the aggregate amount of the sales made since the 30th June, 1828, in each land district.

Mr. CLAY of Alabama offered the following amendments:

Resolved further, That said Secretary cause to be exhibited in the report aforesaid, such alterations as may have been made in the several land districts embraced by said reports made pursuant the said resolution of the Senate of the 25 h of April, 1828-showing in what instances, and to what extent, said districts have been enlarged or diminished since the said 30th day of June, 1828; and also what new lands, then embraced by said several districts, have since been sold.

Resolved further, That said Secretary cause to be communicated statements showing in separate columns the quantity of public land which has been offered for sale at public auction, and has remain. ed unsold at the minimum price, in each State and Territory for a period of five years, and less than

ten years; the quantity so offered and remaining unsold for ten years and less than fifteen years; the quantity so offered and remaining unsold for fifteen years and less than twenty years; the quanti y so offered and remaining unsold for more than twenty and less than thirty years; and the quantity which has been so offered and has remained unsold for more than thirty years: showing the aggregate at the foot of each column, and the general aggregate of all the lands which have been offered, and have remained unsold for five years and upwards, up to the latest returns.

The amendments were agreed to; and the resolution, as amended, was adopted. REPEAL OF THE INDEPENDENT TREA SURY LAW.

The following resolution, submitted yesterday by Mr. CLAY of Kentucky, was taken up for consideration, viz:

Resolved, That the act entitled "An act to provide for the collection, safekeeping, transfer, and disbursement of the public revenue," ought to be forthwith repealed; and that the Committee on Finance be instructed to report a bill accordingly.

Mr. CLAY said it was no part of his purpose, in offering his resolution, to invite or pa take in an argument on any question that might arise out of the great measure to which the resolution relates. It was, then, no purpose on his part to enter into any argument. He would as lief argue to a con. victed criminal, with a rope round his neck, and the cart about to leave his body, to prove to him that his conviction was according to law and justice, as to prove that this Sub-Treasury measure ought to be abandoned. He had brought forward the resolution in the shape in which he had presented it to the Senate, because he thought it was his duty so to do. The ordinary course of legislation-the usual practice, he was aware, in repealing existing laws-was to move a resolution of instruction, addressed to a committee, and directing an inquiry into the expediency of the measure, or to ask leave to introduce a bill to repea! the measure which it was wished to got rid of. But there were occasions when that ordinary form, he presumed, might, and ought to be dispensed with. If they looked for examples to the only period which bears any analogy to that which exists at this moment he meant the period of 1800, when Jefferson came into power, but under circumstances far different, and in a contest more equal and of doubtful issue than that which has brought the present men into power-if they looked back to that pciod, and saw the alien law, not limited and temporal, but of permanent duration-could they not suppose that it would have been idle and ridiculous to move a resolution of inquiry as to the expediency of repealing that most odious measure? But respecting this Sub-Treasury, about which they had had about three years and three months' argument -a period longer than the last war with Great Britain, and half as great as the war of the Revolu tion-under these circumstances, discussion of the measure would seem to be unnecessary and misplaced; it was sufficient for him to say that the nation wills the repeal of the measure-the nation decrees the repeal of the measure-the nation commands the repeal of the measure-and the representatives of nineteen States were sent there instruc'ed to repeal it. They might dispute about what was or was not involved in the issue of the late Presidential contest; they might contend tha that contest affirmed this or that principle or measure, and they might dispute about it: he knew it was the practice of gentlemen to whom it was his misfortune to be opposed in that Senate, after elections, to contend that this election sanctions this or puts down that measure, and that election demonstrates that the people are in favor of this and opposed to that measure, whether Sub-Treasury or a United States Bank, and there might be a controversy about the matter; but on one point it was impossible there could be diversity of opinion, either here or elsewhere; and that is, that this nation, by one of the most tremendous majorities ever given in our nation's annals, whatever else it may have decided, has decided against this Sub-Treasury measure. And when the nation speaks-when the nation w.lls-when the nation commands, what is to be

done? There was no necessity to go through the form of referring to a committee to inquire into the expediency of doing what the public sentiment required. What Senator would stand there in his place and say he opposed himself to the will of the nation?

He, for one, had hoped that the President of the United States, in the message which he had communicated at the commencement of the session, with a magnanimity which would have becoming, would have announced the fact of this will of the nation, and recommended a conformity to it.

Let him not be misunderstood. He would not ask the President-no, he had too much personal respect for him; he had too much regard for human nature, to ask the President to come here and say to Congress, "I have been wrong all this time; the measure which I have urged upon you for adoption is one that was founded in error." No; it would be unmanly; he (Mr. CLAY) could not expect it at his hands; but he did expect the President would have said what the fact was; that he would have admitted that the nation had decided against his favorite measure; and that he would have recommended submission to the will of the nation; but least of all did he expect a recommendation and improvement; and that the Secretary of the Treasury should concur in the recommendation of amendment and improvement of a measure against which the nation had decided, which both the Executive and the Secretary knew. But if they disregard the will of the nation prior to the 4th of March next, they knew well that it would not endure longer than a Congress could convene, and a new President could act on the

measure.

But a word as to the effect of à repeal of this measure. What is the effect of the operation of the present Sub-Treasury system? It was said to be very successful. This was announced in the message, and repeated in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury. He should, however, have been pleased if those documents had gone into details respecting the operation of this measure, showing how it had altered the business and the relations of the country, and the receipts and disbursements of the revenue. But so far, it was said it had satisfied all their expectations, and was in successful operation. Now he (Mr. CLAY,) thanked God he was far removed from any one of the Receivers General-nay he wished he was farther removed; but he should be glad to know where had been its successful operation. Perhaps the Senator from New Hampshire [Mr. HUBBARD] might communicate the information. He should be glad to learn how it had succesfully operated, from that illustrious Senator who had ably and eloquently defended the. Secretary of the Treasury on all cccasions; and he must say that it was a most ungrateful return for those services to treat him as he had been treated at a recent election for United States Senator for the State of New Hampshire. He should be glad, however, to learn from him [Mr. HUBRARD] and from the gentleman who was at the head of the Committee on Finance, in detail, what had been the operation of this Sub-Treasury system-how it was acting-how it was working-how it was varying the financial and commercial and manufacturing affairs of the country. He would tell them what he understood it to be, though he was separated from many of these Receivers General. He understood that there was not the slightest difference prevailing now, from what, before the 4th of July last, was the system in operation. He understood that now, as then, the notes of all the specie paying banks were received by the collector and transferred to the Receivers General. He understood the process was this: A merchant of New York has a large sum to pay-say $100; well, he gives a check to a specie paying bank-be pays no money, bat the check is endorsed specie and he gives another check with no endorsement whatever; both are carried to the bank, and are carried to the credit-true, not of the Government-but of the Receiver General in his private account, as a private transaction. Well, they all knew, whatever might be endorsed on the check for $100 or $300, that they were both cash paper,

convertible into specie, and this was the usage prior to the 4th of July last; and the paper of no bank which did not pay specie was received by the collector of the public revenue, but the paper of banks paying specie was. It is now received, and it was so received before the 4th of July, taking New York as an example for illustration. The revenue, when collected by the collector, was paid into the bank to the account of Jesse Hoyt-to his private account, over which the Government had no control-and now he passed it over to Paul or Saul Allen, who had also an account with the bank, over which the Government had no control or direction. Well, then, the whole revenue of the United States, amounting to nineteen millions, according to the estimates of the current and the next year, but thirteen millions as actually received during the present yearthe whole revenue of the United States, at some time or other, passed through the hands and was kept in the custody of private individuals who stood credited for the amount on the books of some bank or banks to which they had resort. Well then, if he were not mistaken, it was very clear the operation of the system so far, had been exceedingly limited, and in the event of a repeal, which was proposed in that resolution, the result would be that the administration of the Treasury Department will revert back to the state of things prior to the 4th of July, or rather it will continue the s me state of things which yet existed, without interfering with the financial affairs of the Government. He hoped for another result, should he succeed in obtaining

a

concurrence with his resolution-he hoped that an account would be opened, as in olden times, as in safe times, and in times of regular administration of the Government, with the Treasu rer of the United States. But he contended that, whatever inconveniences could result from a repeal of the measure, that was no consideration for them. Their duty was marked out by the public opinion, and, for one, he was disposed to obey its instruction which, to nineteen States of this Union, had been given.

He would not enter further into a discussion of the subject; he would content himself with those observations, and he was not disposed to urge others to a general expression of opinion; but if they could doubt-if they wanted further time to consider whether they were acting here as trustees of a great community, or were giving a mere expression of their own opinions-if, indeed, they wanted time for any purpose, he should be the last to deny a request so reasonable as that.

Mr. WRIGHT said he came from one of the nineteen States alluded to by the Senator from Kentucky, and he was happy to say to that Senator that he rejoiced to find it was the disposition of the party about to come into power to make precisely the issue tendered by this resolution. He thanked that Senator, therefore-as he would have done yesterday when the resolution was presented, had it been proper-for presenting that proposition to them. He could say to that Senator, that for one-and perhaps he could say it with more propriety than any other member of that body-he did not desire further to discuss that measure either before the Senate or the country; he could only say, that when the Senate was called upon to act upon the proposition, he was desirous that it should be with an understanding of what it is, and that the Senate might be as full as may be, consistent with the attendance of members in the city. To-day he did not desire to act upon it, for one Senator now in town, was sick and not able to be in his place; and another left town after the last adjournment of the Senate prior to yesterday, with the confident expectation of returning last evening, who had not yet resumed his seat; but if there was a disposition in the Senate to act upon the resolution, and make an expression which would not mislead the public mind, he should desire that expression to be made now, and upon this resolution. It would be a work of supererogation, in a short session like this, to pass the resolution, and instruct a committee to report a bill for the proposed repeal, without any expectation that the bill would meet the approbation of the Senate Hence he wished that all the members in attend

ance might be present when the vote should be taken. But he could not excuse himself if he allowed the opportunity to pass without some slight reference to the remarks of the Senator by whom the resolution had been introduced. That Senator had become deeply impressed with the result of the late election; and on the point whether it was or was not a full and free and fair expression of the popular will, he (Mr. WRIGHT) did not stand there to express an opinion. He would merely call to the honorable Senator's mind that they had just passed through the first election under this Government, when principles on the part of the dominant party were not declared, when measures were not avowed, and when men stood before the country, not to proclaim to the people their principles and measures, but to apologize for saying nothing in reference to their measures or the policy which they proposed to adopt. That being the case, the Senate would pardon him for calling their attention to the fact, that he, and other Senators who had sat there with him from 1832 and 1833 to the present time, had seen election after election, when it was the fashion of candidates and of parties to avow their principles, and had heard the honorable Senetor, with an ingenuity which cannot be surpassed, parry the issue his (Mr. WRIGHT's) friends had made, and contend, almost with success, that nothing was prejudged by the popular voice in those popular elections. Take the very measure which it was now proposed to repeal, and what was the judgment of the people, and what was the public expression at the Congress i nal elections of 1838 and 18391 Then, if ever, a distinct issue or proposition was presented to the people of this country. That was the issue that was pending during the war of more than three years' duration, of which the honorable Senator had spoken-that was the only point in controversy; and what was the result? There was a popular branch of the National Legislature unfavorable to this measure in 1837 and 1838, and was returned in its place in 1838 and 1839, favorable to it; and it was adopted in pursuance of a pronunciation of the will of the people of this country, pending the controversy as to the measure itself. That po. pular mind may have changed-it may be different now; but if it be, and if the pronunciation of the popular opinion has been against the Independent Treasury, of what measure, as a substitute, has it been in favor? Has the pronunciation of the late election declared the popular voice of the country to be in favor of a National Bank? Will the Senator contend that it was so, and will his party assume it? Or has it declared in favor of the policy of another political party, and a return to the system of State bank deposites? Would the honorable Senator admit that? He (Mr. WRIGHT) did not say the honorable Senator would admit either or both; but he had a right to ask the question.

But the Senator says the result of the late elec. tion has been a triumphant pronunciation against this measure. How is it ascertained? By what declaration of policy or principle on the part of that party which has become predominant? Why, he should suppose-and he made the remark without intending disrespect any where -if the result of the late election could be claimed as proving any thing, it was to prove that they were to take down the splendid edifice in which he then stood, and erect a log cabin in its placethat instead of the rich draperies and valuable pictures before them, they were to hang around their chamber coon skins, cat skins, and other trophies of the chase. But the Senator does not claim such to be our duties, resulting from the late expression of the popular will. No, such is not, and has not been, the result of the pronunciation of the will of the freemen of this country; and yet, could they not prove such conclusions with double force and double testimony over that which the honorable Senator seeks now to establish-the condemnation of the Sub-Treasury measure? And yet they were called upon to be silent, to submit, and to obey this foregone decree. Against the popular pronunciation made at the late elections, he should not intentionally utter one word—the decision of the people he

should respect; for they were.yet, thank God, the highest tribunal known to our country and her institutions. When the powers which that election has brought into existence shall constitutionally take their places, he should be one of those who, whether as a private citizen or in the high position in which he then stood, would be found ready to render a constitutional submission; but he was not ready to admit that, in rendering its verdict, the popular voice had pronounced its decision against this measure; or if it had, that it had decided in favor of any other measure in its place. What, then, was the argument of the gentleman in favor of this precipitate repeal? Was it that the measure was doing mischief to the country, and was working evil to the people? He (Mr. WRIGHT) did not understand him to say so. It was that it was not carried out in its terms and spirit-that the law was not observed, but that it was violated by the officers appointed under it. Well, the honorable Senator might be right, for he (Mr. WRIGHT) had not that acquaintance with banking institutions which would enable him to pronounce on the fact. If that were so, however, did it follow that the law must be repealed, because the law was not observed? And should they expect from the honorable Senator that mode of getting rid of a salutary law which was not executed? Should not, rather, an inquiry be instituted to ascertain whether the officers did discharge their duty? He knew not what the fact might be any where, but he confessed it would have pleased him better if the honorable gentleman had consented to take Philadelphia. instead of New York, as an example; and he knew the New York banks were specie paying banks; and he knew it was the constructive duty of the Receiver General to receive three-fourths of the revenue there in the notes of specie paying banks; but does the Philadelphia Receiver General take checks upon nonspecie paying banks? And if the Receiver General of New York, instead of compelling the merchants to bring specie to his vaults, takes a certified check that is payable in specie, and presents it for payment himself, is the law violated, or is the community injured? What, then, is the argument? Why, that there had been but little salutary influence from the practical operation of this law, and therefore it was better to repeal it. Repeal it for what? To take the revenues out of the reach of Congress, and place them again where they had virtually been since the suspension of the banks in 1837, until the passage of the law-in the hands of the Executive? Will it be better to put them exclusively in Executive hands, to keep them within the power and provisions of a law, even if it does not suit the Senator, until a better system can be devised? What is the course of wisdom, and what has been the popular voice in the matter? But he was going further than he had intended, and therefore he should suspend further remark. He did not desire to foreclose the debate by a motion to postpone now, but when the Senate came to act upon this resolution, he desired that the decision should be the sense of the Senate, and of as full a Senate as the attendance of members of the Senate in the city would permit. For the present he would only ask that the vote be taken by ayes and noes.

or

Mr. CLAY was not particularly desirous to press this measure until Senators were on the floor, and he should have great pleasure to concur in any reasonable suggestion of the Senator from New York. But while he was up, he would ask the gentleman from New York, who charged upon the party which had obtained the predominance, that they had no known principles, whether that gentleman desired to know his (Mr. CLAY'S) princi ples, or the principles of the friends with whom he was associated? Did he desire to know their opi. nions with respect to this Sub-Treasury measure? Why, had they not been battling, with the whole country coming to their aid, against this identical measure? Had the Senator any difficulty in guessing that the party coming into power, when it assumed the reins of government, would put aside this measure? The Senator told them that at one time an apparent popular expression in favor of the measure, in 1838 and 1839-that a popular majori