unkindly and with a seeming resolution even to bankrupt it, though at an amount of distress and ruin such as this country has never yet seen even in the dark and gloomy period of time above spoken of. We have not leisure to extend these remarks-but this is certain, that a prompt action in congress, by which the questions at present agitated, may be somehow settled, is indispensable to the public welfare. tion of the single and especial object intended to be açcomplished by it." [The nomination of Mr. Van Buren.] A considerable exportation of priests (banished) has lately been made from Mexico. If about 30,000 of them, and 1,000 generals, "more or less" were sent off, we might hope for the prevalence of piety and patriotism, in that priest-ridden and general-led country. tion. Among other long papers we insert the annual report The property of churches and convents in Mexico, vaof the secretary of the treasury, which, taken in connec-lued at one hundred millions of dollars, has been seized tion with that part of the message of the president which to pay the home and foreign debt incurred in the revolurefers to the state of the finances, are enough to make one laugh heartily at the prophecies of the affiliated press concerning the surplus, and the groans which they uttered on account of its excess!-unless in the imputation of motives which must not be supposed to influence honorable men, and a supposition that the estimates have been kept down to have effect over the action of congress on other subjects, and especially concerning the vetoed land bill, revived by Mr. Clay. We have an article prepared on the state of the finances, which has been postponed two weeks, and must yet lie over. A decree of the government acknowledges Iturbide as one of the principal authors of the independence of Mexico:-that the remains of this distinguished general are to be placed in the national urn, with those of the first heroes of its independence—that the widow and children of Iturbide can return to the republic, and that the family | shall continue to enjoy the pension designated by law. Large bodies of the Choctaw Indians have recently passed the Mississippi for the new lands assigned them in the west: but it is reported that between 5 and 6,000 of this nation, or tribe, refuse to leave the bones of their ancestors. The removal of the public deposites is the present great leading matter of interest at Washington, and will There is said to be a "split" among the Cherokees regive rise to some of the most able and ardent debates, maining east of the Mississippi, as to emigrating west of perhaps, ever had in congress. So, probably, also at that river; that the last meeting of the council had been Richmond, Virginia, in the house of delegates-for, on very boisterous, and that many individuals had enrolled the motion of Mr. John S. Barbour, (late member of themselves for emigration. A new delegation to Washcongress, but now of the legislature of Virginia) a spe-ington has been appointed. We are compelled to excial committee has been raised to which has been re-press an opinion that the Cherokees, as a tribe, must referred "so much of the governor's message as relates to an agreement entered into between the bank of Virginia and its office at Norfolk and the secretary of the treasury." A copy of a like agreement made with the "Girard Bank" will be found in page 272, and a copy of that with the bank of Virginia had been formally communicated to the legislature by the treasurer of the commonwealth-which is deeply interested in the stock and management of the bank. Will the agreement be vetoed? Mr. Butler, the new attorney general of the United States, arrived at Washington, a few days ago, and has entered upon the duties of his office. move beyond the Mississippi-but hope that they will make a careful bargain as to the possession of the new lands which are, or shall be, assigned them-that it may not soon be said to them-go further. An awful famine is said to prevail in the southern provinces of Russia, and it was expected that the ports of the Black Sea would be thrown open for the reception of bread-stuffs. The pood of rye meal (40 lbs.) usually worth 30 copecks, was selling for 400. The cattle were also dying of a rot. Many people were flying to the north, for food. It is said that hundreds of office-seekers are congregatWe had at Baltimore a heavy fall of snow, on Satur-ed at Washington. No particular reason for this gather day last-it was about 18 inches deep at Frederick; but, ing is assigned. on Sunday, the rail road cars arrived at Baltimore, from Frederick, 60 miles, only one hour and an half after the usual time. So much for rail road travelling and snowploughs! There was a very severe storm on Monday last, and a good deal of damage was done to the shipping at New York, Alexandria, &c. but we have not heard that any suffered in the land-locked harbor of Baltimore. So great was the fall of water that the mail from Washington for Baltimore, due at 5 A. M. on Wednesday last, did not arrive until about 4 P. M. the bridge and road at the Eastern branch of the Potomac, at Bladensburg, being impassable. Much damage has been sustained on the coast-and a heavy loss of lives and property suffered. The board of examiners, at the head of which was professor Silliman, appointed to investigate the causes of the destruction of the steamboat New England, have reported that the sole cause of the bursting of the boilers was the immense pressure of steam to which they were subjeeted through the negligence of the engineer. The people killed were, then, murdered. A meeting of "the democratic members" of the legislature of Pennsylvania was held at Harrisburg on the 16th inst. at which the calling of a rational convention to nominate candidates for the offices of president and vice president of the United States, was recommended. We shall give the proceedings hereafter. of the house of representatives of Massachusetts is correct-we shall miss John Davis from his seat in congress; from which we do not know how to spare him, though for Mr. Davis is not only one of the ablest, but also one even to fill that of the governor of Massachusetts― of the most amiable, resolute, yet conciliatory members of the body to which he at present belongs. MASSACHUSETTS. If the count made of the members In 1830, however, it had 6,474 inhabitants-now 12,363; Lowell was a part of the wilderness a little while ago. of whom 7,326 are females; or nearly two to one. VIRGINIA. The governor's message is very long and very warm. We intend to give some extracts from itas soon as we can. Mr. Ritchie has been re-elected public printer, by a close vote, which does not appear to have pleased him; and he says that there are some "circumstances connected with this transaction which it may be necessary to expose."The votes stood thus-on the joint ballot: for Mr. Ritchie 85, Mr. Samuel Shepherd 72, S. Shepherd & Co. 1. Necessary to a choice 80. NORTH CAROLINA. It appears by a late report of the treasurer of North Carolina, that the balance in the treasury on the 1st of Nov. 1832, was $7,924 75, and the receipts between that period and the 1st inst. $188,819 97. The disbursements during the same period were $138,867 46; leaving a balance in the treasury at the beginning Gen. McKean, in a letter from Washington, dated of this month of $57,877 24. The present amount of Dec. 15, decidedly expresses his opposition to a national of the literary fund is $117,024 81 no expenditures from Convention, and unequivocal aversion "to the consumma-l it having been made during the year. The present amount of the internal improvement fund is $979 08; this fund is SPAIN. Accounts have been received from Bilboa to the 27th Oct. The Carlists have been completely successful in that quar ter, and the most horrid barbarities have been committed; many details are before us-we select one of the most prominent. A merchant of respectability had been for some time absent, and on his return was met by a party of Carlists, who insisted on William Gaston has been elected a judge of the su his shouting out "Don Carlos, the holy inquisition and absolute preme court, vice chief justice Henderson, by the follow-monarchy." He hesitated, and only called out "viva! viva!" ing vote: for Mr. Gaston 112, Henry Seawell 43, blanks and scattering 36. upon which a monk sprung upon him, stabbed, ham-strung him and left him on the road to perish. The other parties followed, execrating and spitting upon him as they passed. The number of men near Bilboa is stated at 20,000, consisting mostly of fero SENATE. SOUTH CAROLINA. The following formula of a test cious banditti, led on by the priests. oath, submitted to the legislature of the state just named, is one that may be taken with as much ease of mind as is that imposed by old sailors on "crossing the line"-as for an example, a person is sworn "never to kiss the maid, when he might kiss the mistress, unless he likes the maid the best." TWENTY-THIRD CONGRESS-FIRST SESSION. December 12. After the message of the president of the United States, declining to communicate a certain paper called for by the senate (see page 247), had been read Mr. Clay rose, and said, that the call to which this message Mr. Mc Cord, from the committee on federal rela-was a response, had been made upon the president after full deliberation. The right to make it was founded upon the pretions, submitted a report on so much of the governor's sumed act of the president. It was founded upon the fact of message, No. 1, as relates to an oath of office; by a bill the promulgation of the state paper emanating from the presito alter the 4th article of the constitution of this state, dent relating to the deposites of the public money of the people which was read a first time, ordered to a second reading, of the United States, with the president's assent and direction. &c. It reads thus: "All persons who shall be chosen, of the president. It was now in the full possession of the peoThat paper had been published to the world, with the sanction or appointed to any office of profit or trust, before enter-ple of the United States. It had been published to make an ing on the execution thereof, shall take the following impression; and it had made a deep impression on their minds. oath: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will be faith-But still it had been published on authority alleged by the editor ful, and true allegiance bear to the state of South Caro- of a newspaper, to be derived from the president. Whether lina, so long as I may continue a citizen thereof; and that the paper was, in fact, genuine, or, if genuine, whether it was I am duly qualified according to the constitution of this specting which we had no evidence, but that which the asserpromulgated with the president's sanction, were questions restate, to exercise the office to which I have been appoint-tion of the editor, the paper itself, and concurring circumstaned; and that I will, to the best of my abilities, discharge ces, afforded. In this situation, it was by (Mr. C.) himself, the duties thereof, and preserve, protect and defend the and he supposed by those who voted with him in supporting constitution of this state and of the United States: so the call, deemed due and respectful to the president, due to the help me God." senate, and due to the whole country, to appeal to the highest source of information in relation to this subject, and to request an authentic and official copy of the paper itself. ALABAMA. The Mobile Commercial Register has the following remarks in relation to the late movement of United States' troops to the south. This call was in conformity with established usage, coeval, he (Mr. C.) believed with the government. Whenever either branch of congress desire a public paper in the possession of, We have just learned, from an authentic source, that orders or proceeding from, the executive, it has called for it. Innuhave been issued from head quarters for the immediate march-merable instances of such calls are to be found in the journals ing of ten companies of United States' artillery, completely of the two houses. equipped for the field, to Fort Mitchell, in this state. This detachment, added to the troops already stationed at that post, will constitute an effective force of fourteen companies; and it is probable that a general officer will be designated to the command. The object of this movement cannot be misunderstood. We have never abandoned the hope that a collision between the federal and state authorities may be avoided; but we are not of the number who regard the question as by any means disposed of. The general government will make every effort to complete the Indian reservations by the 15th January, and if that is found impracticable, to designate the districts in which they are to be located; but should they fail in these objects, there can remain no more doubt that the settlers will be removed, than there is of the ability of the government to effect it. Should inatters come to this extremity, which may heaven in mercy avert, what a fearful responsibility must rest upon those who have been instrumental in urging it on. How utterly misjudged, ill-timed, and inappropriate, are the sneers and taunts of the nullifiers, that "the president has backed out," "that he has succumbed to governor Gayle," and that he will not dare to execute laws and treaties, and maintain inviolate the plighted faith of the nation. In this case, the president refuses to comply with the call; and, undertaking to judge of the rights of the senate, and of the rights of the executive, pronounces that the call is not one which the senate can constitutionally make, or with which it is his duty to comply. Whatever sincerity and strength may exist in the opinion of the president, they cannot be greater than those which are entertained by him (Mr. C.), and he has no doubt by the majority of the senate, that they have a right to an official copy of the paper. He had expressly disclaimed all right of intervention between the president and his confidential advisers. Every such purpose, was and is, distinctly disavowed. If the document had remained confidential, it would not, and could not have been called for. It is because it had ceased to be confidential, and has been made public by the authority of the president himself; because he has broken the seal of confidence, and published to the world a highly important state paper, affecting the custody and safety of the treasury of the people of the United States, and the immediate, if not the sole cause of the most important act ever performed by the executive of the United States, that the call has been made. And is it come to this, that the whole world, including the people of the United States, may be put in possession of such a paper, and that an official copy of it shall be denied to a co-ordinate branch of the government? But, Mr. C. said, it was not necessary, nor was it his purpose, to proceed any further in this matter. He desired the highest and most authentic evidence of the paper in question. It has been applied for, and is refused. And now, by all the dictates of common sense, and according to all the rules of evidence respected here or elsewhere, he was at liberty to use the best evidence in his power, and he should hereafter use, on all fit occasions, a copy of the document referred to as published WEST INDIES. Some of the small British islands have bowed to the late act of parliament concerning the slaves, "conscious of weakness," but under protests against the proceeding. A good many slaves had made their escape from St. Lucia and Dominco, to Martinico and Guadaloupe, under the idea, perhaps, of enjoying freedom there, in which it is most likely that they will be disap-in the current newspapers of the day. pointed. We have accounts from Jamaica that the governor has dissolved the provincial legislature in consequence of their refusal to pass the necessary laws to carry into effeet the act of the British parliament for the emancipation of the slaves. The governor had sent munitions of war, and provisions in vessels of war, from Port Royal, to the different ports in the island, anticipating a revolt on the part of the negroes. He had expressed to the assembly his determination to rest on the security of the troops of the line, which had been reinforced, and on one portion of the militia, alluding, of course, to the whites. Several families had made arrangements to avail themselves of the first packets for New York. Mr. Grundy said that he had always himself believed the mocould result from it. It was unnecessary, because evidence of tion calling for this paper, unnecessary, and that no benefit a fact was only required when the fact itself was disputed. There was no dispute in this case. Friends and enemies had considered this paper as an authentic one. Why then was it necessary to call on the president for evidence that it was so? genuine, and every body on the other side believed it to be so: Every body on his side of the house admitted the paper to be no benefit, therefore, was to be expected from the call. He had also another objection to the call, and that objection was now recognized by the chief magistrate himself. That was, that the senate had not, in his opinion, a right to make a call his cabinet. If they had a right to do this, he did not know for what had passed between the president and the members of where they were to stop. He did not intend to question the motives of the senator with whom this call originated. It had become the act of the majority of the senate. But the president had said, in a respectful manner, that it was not a matter on which the senate had a right to be informed. The president had thought, and correctly so, that to send this paper would be to establish a precedent of a dangerous character for those who might come after him. He (Mr. G.) did not know that he should ever have to say any thing on the subject of these deposites: but, if he should, it would be impossible for him to deny the authenticity of this paper. He believed that it was authentic, as firmly as he believed that he was now standing in his place. He concluded with moving to lay the message on the table; and the motion was agreed to. The senate adjourned until Monday. December 16. The vice president of the United States this day took his seat in the chair of the senate, and delivered the following address: On the militia-Mr. Robinson, chairman, by 42 votes on the the 1st ballot-other members Messrs. Bibb, Robbins, Tall- On Indian affairs-Mr. White, chairman, by 42 votes on the On claims-Mr. Bell, chairman, by 29 votes on the 1st ballot -other members Messrs. Brown, Naudain, Wright and Tipton. On the judiciary-Mr. Clayton, chairman, by 22 votes on the Bell. 42 votes on the 1st ballot-other members Messrs. Ewing, On the post office and post roads-Mr. Grundy, chairman, by Rives, Clayton and Knight. On roads and canals-Mr. Hendricks, chairman, by 43 votes ley and Kent. on the 1st ballot-other members Messrs. Hill, Southard, Shep Senators! On entering on the duties of the station to which I have been called by the people, deference to you and justice2d ballot-other members Messrs. Bibb, Preston, Smith and to myself require that I should forestall expectations which might otherwise be disappointed. Although for many years heretofore a member of the senate, I regret that I should not have acquired that knowledge of the particular order of its proceedings which might naturally be expected. Unfortunately for me, in respect to my present condition, I ever found those at hand who had more correctly appreciated this important branch of their duties, and on whose opinions, as to points of order, I could at all times safely rely. This remissness will, doubtless, for a season, cause me no small degree of embar rassment. So far, however, as unremitting exertions on my part, and a proper respect for the advice of those who are bet ter informed than myself, can avail, this deficiency will be remedied as speedily as possible; and I feel persuaded that the senate, in the mean time, will extend to me a considerate indulgence. But, however wanting I may be, for the time, in a thorough knowledge of the technical duties of the chair, I entertain, I humbly hope, a deep and solemn conviction of its high moral obligations. I am well aware that he who occupies it, is bound to cherish towards the members of the body over which he presides, no other feelings than those of justice and courtesy-to regard them all as standing upon an honorable equality-to apply the rules established by themselves, for their own govern. ment, with strict impartiality-and to use whatever authority he possesses in the manner best calculated to protect the rights, to respect the feelings, and to guard the reputations of all who may be affected by its exercise. It is no disparagement to any other branch of the government to say, that there is none on which the constitution devolves such extensive powers as it does upon the senate. There is scarcely an exercise of constitutional authority in which it does not mediately or immediately participate; it forms an important, and, in some respects, an indispensable part of each of the three great departments, executive, legislative and judicial; and is, moreover, the body in which is inade effectual, that share of power in the federal organization so wisely allowed to the respective state sovereignties. 1st ballot-other members Messrs. Prentiss, McKean, Tall- On the District of Columbia-Mr. Chambers, chairman, by 28 votes on the Ist ballot-other members Messrs. Tyler, Southard, Bibb and Tomlinson. On contingent expenses-Mr. Knight, chairman, by 37 votes madge. on the 1st ballot-other members Messrs. Tomlinson and Tall On engrossed bills-Mr. Shcpley, chairman, by 23 votes on the 1st ballot-other members Messrs. Morris and Robinson. bills, the senate proceeded to the organization of its commitDecember 17. After leave was granted to bring in several tees-[the results of which are given above.] pies ordered to be printed. The annual treasury report was received, and 1,500 extra co The senate spent some time in the consideration of executive business-after which sundry petitions were received, and the senate adjourned. December 18. Many resolutions were offered this day, which will sufficiently appear in future proceedings-among them was the acquisitions and sales, &c. of the public lands. a series offered by Mr. Poindexter calling for a general view of Mr. Clay offered the following resolutions, which lie one day on the table: saine report. Resolved, That the secretary of the treasury be directed to communicate to the senate a copy of the entire letter addressed Invested with such august powers so judiciously restricted, the 13th February, 1817, to the president of the Mechanics by Mr. Crawford, when secretary of the treasury, under date and so largely adapted to the purposes of good government, it bank of New York, an extract from which is recited in his reis no wonder that the senate is regarded by the people of the port to congress on the 3d December, 1833; and copies of the United States, as one of the best features, in what they at least other correspondence of Mr. Crawford with the banks about consider to be, the wisest, the freest and happiest political sys-that period, to passages in which the secretary alludes in the tem in the world. In fervent wishes that it may long continue to be so regarded, and in a conviction of the importance of order, propriety and regularity in its proceedings, we must all concur. It shall be an object of my highest ambition, senators, to join with you, as far as in me lies, in effecting those desirable objects; and in endeavoring to realise the expectation formed by this body at the adoption of the constitution, and ever since confidently cherished, that it would exercise the most efficient influence in upholding the federal system, and in perpetuating what is at once the foundation and the safeguard of our country's welfare, the union of the states. Samuel McKean, senator from Pennsylvania, John M. Clayton, from Delaware, G. A. Waggaman, from Louisiana, and L. F. Linn, from Missouri, appeared to-day and took their seats. The senate proceeded first to elect the chairmen of the standing committees and afterwards the members of such committees. The first requires a majority, the second only a plurality of votes. Committee on foreign relations-Mr. Wilkins, chairman, by 26 votes on the 2d ballot-other members Messrs. Rives, ForByth, Sprague and Mangum. On finance-Mr. Webster, chairman, by 22 votes on the 3d ballot-other members Messrs. Tyler, Ewing, Wilkins and Mangum. On commerce-Mr. Silsbee, chairman, by 23 votes on the first ballot-other members Messrs. King, of Ála. Wright, Waggaman and Sprague. On manufactures-Mr. Frelinghuysen, chairman, by 23 votes on the 1st ballot-other members Messrs. Knight, Morris, Linn and Prentice. On agriculture-Mr. Brown, chairman, by 42 votes on the 1st ballot-other members Messrs. Robinson, Kent, Swift and Wright. On military affairs-Mr. Benton, chairman, by 36 votes on the 1st ballot-other members Messrs. Preston, Clayton, King and cate to the senate a copy of the correspondence between the the Indians, &c. Parts of the president's message were referred to the appropriate committees. of the United States for spoliations committed by the French Several bills were read a second time. Mr. Clay then rose and said, that he was still of opinion that necessary to have before the discussion came on, had not yet this subject required a very early and prompt decision. But some information which had been called for, and which it was probably be asked for to-morrow. and he therefore did not propose at present to go into the disbeen received; and other information equally necessary would taken up to close what he would have to say, with some resoThis would cause delay, lutions which he had not yet prepared. cussion. He was also desirous, when the subject should be low, were all chosen on the ensuing day, but placed here in The other members of this committee and those which folorder to save trouble. He therefore moved to postpone the consideration of the special order until Monday, which motion was agreed to. Some bills being read and referred, the senate adjourned. December 19. After the presentation of petitions, &c. Mr. Tyler asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill to repeal an act for the better organization of the treasury department, ap proved May 1820. In explanation, it appears that this act relates to the manner of prosecuting for debts due, or presumed to be owing to the U. States-as presented in the particular case of Mr. Randolph, now imprisoned at Richmond. Mr. Tyler said that the trial by jury was set at nought by the law, which he wished repealed. The bill to repeal it was read a first and second time. Mr. Clay presented the petition of a number of the citizens of Schenectady, calling the attention of congress to the distressing fact, that, almost on every occasion where there has been a fire on board a steamboat, it has terminated in a comple conflagration. He thought the proper course was to send this petition to the committee on naval affairs-which after some conversation, was agreed to. Mr. Grundy offered the following resolutions: Resolved 1st, That the postmaster general be directed to com municate to the senate a statement of the allowances, by him made, beyond the sums stipulated in the original contract, since the 6th of April, 1829, specifying, in every case, the service to be performed by the original contract, and the sums to be paid thereon, the nature and extent of each facility and improvement, and the extra allowance made therefor, and the name of the persons to whom the allowance has been made, and at what time. 2d. A statement of the curtailments of facilities lately made by the department, specifying each route, and the names of the respective contractors, and the amount of the diminution of service and of compensation, in each case; also, what routes, if bave been discontinued. any, 3d. The expenses incurred in putting into operation the post routes, established by the act of the 15th June, 1832; cost of transporting the mail on said routes in each year. The resolutions having been read, Mr. Grundy requested their immediate consideration. The question being then on their adoption, After some remarks by Messrs. Clay and Grundy, the resolu tions were agreed to. Mr. Webster offered the following resolution; which lies one day on the table. Resolved, That the committee on naval affairs be instructed to Inquire into the expediency of passing a law for preventing, as far as may be, accidents to vessels employed in the foreign or coastwise commerce of the United States, from explosion by @team. He ↑ sury in his report on this subject), the resolution was agreed to to vindicate himself against certain counexions which it had The resolution being disposed of, the senate adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The following are the standing committees of the house: On claims-Messrs. Whittlesey, (O.) Barber, McIntire, Gren- Pearce, (R. 1.) Thomas, (Lou.) Briggs, Murphy, Lane, Lytle, McKennan, Stoddert, Allen, (Va.) Dennis, Heister, Fillinore, don, Beardsley, Thomas, (Md.) Hardin, Parks, Pierce, (N. H.) On public expenditures-Messrs. Davenport, Lyon, Page, mas, Osgood. Barnitz, Bean, Dunlap, Clowney, Turner, Davis, (Ky.) On Indian affairs-Messrs. Lewis, Gilmer, McCarty, Everett, Mr. Mangum, of North Carolina, rose and said, it was with profound regret that he felt himself impelled by a sense of duty to call the attention of the senate to a subject, involving consi derations of a deeply interesting and most delicate nature. said, that he alluded to the message of the president of the 12th inst. responding to a request contained, in a resolution of the renate, in relation to a paper purporting to be published by his authority, in reference to the deposites. Next to the grave and novel occurrence requiring this notice, he said, he most regretted that the duty had devolved upon him to invite to it the consideration of the senate. He had delayed taking this course for several days, hoping that some other senator would conquer son, (N. Y.) Anthony, Wilson, (Va.) Jones, (O.) Ewing, GamOn territories-Messrs. Williams, Allen, (Ky.) Potts, Johnthe repugnance so natural and so inevitable, in the discharge of ble. a duty so delicate and so painful. That he had hoped that some notice of the subject would have proceeded from a differTompkins, Moore, (Va.) Lea, Deming, W. K. Fuller, Fowler, On revolutionary pensions Messrs. Wardwell, Barringer, ent quarter. But his hopes in this respect not being realized, Bell, (Obio.) and as he was one of those who voted for the resolution alluded to, he felt it proper and necessary to take this course. On invalid pensions-Messrs. Burges, Evans, Beall, Schley, Adams, (N. Y.) Schenek, Chilton, Chancey, Mitchell, (Ohio.) On roads and canals-Messrs. Mercer, Blair, (Tenn.) Vinton, Stewart, Rencher, Johnson, (Md.) Lucas, Pope, Slade, (III.) On revisal and unfinished business-Messrs. Dickson, Harrison, (Pa.) Melene, Shinn, Beaty. The subject involves high and grave matter, not in reference to the character of the information sought, for that is comparatively of utter insignificance; but as touching the constitutional rights of the executive and of the senate, and what, among gentlemen, can be considered as of but little less consequence, that high courtesy and mutual respect so essential to the har-Y.) Crockett, Miller. monious action and efficient co-operation of the different departments in our political system. Mr. M. proceeded to examine the subject at considerable length. It was one that ought to be treated with great caution | and delicacy. If the senate had been in error, it was honorable, as well as an act of duty, to retract it immediately-but, if on the contrary, a review of the case should add strength to first impressions, there was no alternative but to maintain the high constitutional rights of the senate, &c. He moved to take up the message, and refer it to a select committee, &c. Mr. Mangum having stated seren as the number of the committee, the senate proceeded to ballot for the committee, when the following members were elected: Messrs. Mangum, White, Forsyth, Ewing, Bibb, Southard and Rives. Mr. Forsyth then asked to be excused from serving on the committee; but the senate would not excuse him. The resolution offered yesterday by Mr. Poindexter being modified, was agreed to-and some other minor or preparatory bu siness was disposed of. On accounts-Messrs. Mann, (Pa.) Lee, (N. J.) Mitchell, (N. On erpenditures in department of state-Messrs. A. H. Shep- Huntington. (N. Y.) Rainsay, Sloane, Van Houten. lington, Brown, Henderson, Hard. Friday, Dec. 13. Mr. Bullard, of Louisiana, and Mr. Choate, of Massachusettes, appeared and took their seats to day. Among various petitions and memorials this morning, Mr. Stewart, of Pennsylvania, presented a number of memorials from citizens of Pennsylvania, praying for a further subscription of stock to the eastern and western sections of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. The resolution offered yesterday concerning the deposites, by Mr. Clay, came up, and that gentleman having explained the livan, Wager and McElderry, government directors of the bank The speaker presented a memorial from Messrs. Gilpin, Sulmotives which induced him to offer it-(and in doing so severe- of the United States, stating (as the speaker announced) certain ly examined certain things stated by the secretary of the trea-matters in relation to the conduct of that institution. Mr. Polk moved that it be referred to the committee of ways and means. Mr. Watmough moved that it be referred to the committee of the whole house on the state of the union. The latter motion having precedence by rule, was stated from the chair. Mr. Polk demanded the yeas and nays upon agreeing to it, which were ordered by the house. Resolved, That the senators from this state in the congress of the United States, be instructed, and the representatives requested, to endeavor to procure the passage of a law authoris ing the subscription of a million of dollars, on the part of the general government, to the stock of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal company, to be expended on the western section. Mr. McKennan presented eight memorials from sundry of the inhabitants of western Pennsylvania, relating to different subMr. Archer suggested that it would be better to let the paper jects. lie for the present upon the table, until the question pending be- Mr. Mercer presented the memorial of the president, direcfore the house, as to the reference of the report of the secretary tors and stockholders of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal compaof the treasury, on the same subject, should first have been set-ny, asking further aid from congress for carrying on said work. tled; and he moved accordingly. [The memorial was accompanied by a long and interesting report from capt. W. G McNeill, of the topographical engineers, upon the progress and state of the canal.] The memorial was referred to the committee on roads and canals. Mr. Polk said, that, unless the gentleman from Virginia would consent to withdraw that motion, he should ask for the yeas and nays upon that also. Mr. Archer said, if the gentlemen from Tennessee wished to address the house, he would, at his request, withdraw the motion, to afford him that opportunity; but should immediately af ter renew it. The motion was accordingly withdrawn. A brief debate followed. Mr. Polk advocated a reference of the paper to the committee of ways and means. Mr. Foster reminded the house that the president's message had not yet been disposed of-and hoped that the paper would lie on the table for the present. Mr. Archer said, suppose the house should determine that the secretary's letter on the deposites should go to the committee of the whole, would the gentleman desire this paper to take a different course? And concluded with moving to lay the memorial on the table, and to print it. Mr. Polk demanded the yeas and nays on the motion: which were ordered. Mr. Speight wished the question divided. It was divided accordingly, so as to take it separately on laying on the table and printing. The yeas and nays being taken, on laying the memorial for the present on the table, stood as follows: The amendment proposed by Mr. Patton to the 9th rule of the house, requiring the speaker to vote in all cases, and declaring when, including his vote, the honse was equally divided, the decision should be taken as in the negative, coming up as the unfinished business. When Messrs. Wayne and Patton had further discussed the subject, the question was taken by yeas and nays-96 for and 121 against it; so the rule was not amended as proposed. The unfinished business of yesterday next coming up, viz: the question of reconsidering a vote of the house, by which the val of the deposites, had been referred to a committee of the report of the secretary of the treasury, in relation to the remo whole on the state of the union, The debate was continued by Messrs. C. Allan, Selden, Font, Beardsley, Gorham and Polk. Mr. Burges moved for an adjournment, which was carried, and the house adjourned. sented concerning the public lands, and a series by Mr. Duncan, as follows: Resolved, also, That the same committee be instructed to inquire into the expediency of selling 160 acres of land to each actual settler, who shall cultivate the same for five years, at a less rate than the minimum price of the public lands. Tuesday, Dec. 17. Many resolutions were presented this day. We cannot give them at length, and several were of a private nature. Messrs. Standifer, Hawes, Hannegan, Ewing, L. Lyon, YEAS-Messrs. J. Q. Adams, C. Allan, Archer, Ashley, Carr and others, offered resolutions to favor state internal im Banks, Barber, Barnitz, Bates, Beale, Beatty, James M. Bell,provements, which were referred; several resolutions were preBinney, Bouldin, Briggs, Bullard, Bull, Burd, Burges, Cage, Carmichael, Chambers, Chilton, Choate, Claiborne, William Clarke, Clayton, Clowney, Corwin, Coulter, Crane, Crockett, Resolved, That the committee on public lands be instructed Darlington, John Davis, Warren R. Davis, Amos Davis, Daven- to inquire into the expediency of reducing and graduating the port, Deberry, Deming, Denny, Dennis, Dickson, Duncan, Ells-price of the public lands, so that the future proceeds of sales worth, Evans, Edward Everett, Horace Everett, Ewing, Felder, shall not exceed the general charge of surveying and selling Fillmore, Foot, Foster, Fowler, P. C. Fuller, Fulton, Gamble, them. Gholson, Gilmer, Gordon, Gorham, Grayson, Grennell, Griffin, Resolved, also, That the same committee be instructed to inHiland, Hall, Hard, Hardin, J. Harper, Hazeltine, Heath, Heis-quire into the expediency of granting the right of pre-emption ter, J. W. Huntington, W. C. Johnson, Seaborn Jones, Lay, T. to all settlers on the public lands. Lee, Lewis, Love, Martindale, Marshall, Mason, McKennan, Mercer, Milligan, Patton, Pinckney, Potts, Reed, Selden, Wm. B. Shepard, Aug. H. Shepperd, William Slade, Sloane, Spang der, Stewart, Wm. P. Taylor, Philemon Thomas, Tompkins, Tweedy, Vance, Vinton, Watmough, Frederick Whittlesey, Elisha Whittlesey, Wilde, Williams, Wilson, Young-107. NAYS-Messrs. John Adams, Heman Allen, John J. Allen, William Allen, Anthony, Baylies, Bean, Beardsley, Beaumont, John Bell, Jas. Blair, John Blair, Bockee, Bodle, Boon, Brown, Bunch, Burns, Bynum, Cambreleng, Carr, Casey, Saml. Clark, Resolved, That the committee on post offices and post roads, Clay, Connor, Cramer, Day, Philemon Dickerson, D. W. Dick-be instructed to inquire what amount of postage has been paid inson, Dunlap, Forester, W. K. Fuller, Galbraith, Gillett, Jos. into the treasury of the United States; and also to inquire into Hall, T. H. Hall, Halsey, Hamer, Hannegan, J. M. Harper, Har- the expediency of restoring to the post office department such rison, Hathaway, Hawkins, Hawes, Henderson, Howell, Hubbard, Abel Huntington, Inge, Jarvis, Noadiah Johnson, Cave portions of the amount so paid into the treasury, as will enable the postmaster general to carry into effect an act of congress, Johnson, Benjamin Jones, Kavanagh, King, Kinnard, Lane, approved June 15, 1832, entitled "an act to establish certain Lansing, Laporte, Lawrence, Luke Lea, Leavitt, Loyall, Lu cas, Lyon, Lytle, J. K. Mann, Mardis, McComas, McIntire, post roads, and to alter and discontinue others, and for other McKay, McKim, McKinley, McLene, McVean, Miller, Robert The other proceeding will sufficiently appear in their progress. Mitchell, Moore, Muhlenburg, Murphy, Osgood, Page, Parks, The resolutions being read, &c. Parker, Patterson, D. J. Pearce, Peyton, Franklin Pierce, Pierson, Polk, Pope, Ramsay, Rencher, Schenck, Schley, Shinn, Charles Slade, Smith, Speight, Standefer, Stoddert, Sutherland, William Taylor, Francis Thomas, Thomson, Turner, Turrill, Vanderpoel, Van Houten, Wagener, Ward, Wardwell, ster, Whallon, C. P. White, Wisc-119. Resolved, also, That the same committee inquire into the expediency of abolishing all auction sales of the public lands; permitting them in future to be purchased at private sale as soon as they are surveyed. On motion of Mr. Jarvis, it was purposes. The house resumed the consideration of Mr. Polk's motion to reconsider the reference of Mr. Taney's report, on the removal of the deposites, to a committee of the whole. Mr. Burges, who had the floor, (from having moved the adWeb-journment last evening), had declined availing himself of the priority of right to address the house; and yielded the floor to So the house refused to lay it on the table. On the question of printing, the nays were only 4. So it was ordered that the memorial be printed. The question being then put on referring the memorial to the committee of the whole on the state of the union, the yeas were 96, and the nays 133. So the house refused the motion: and the memorial was then referred to the committee of ways and means. A good many private petitions were presented this day, and several bills reported for the relief of private individuals. Mr. C. P. White, with consent of the house, submitted the following resolution, which was read and agreed to: Resolved, That the committee on naval affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of making an appropriation to construct and equip two small vessels of war, to be rigged either as brigs or schooners, under the direction of the navy department, to supply the places of the Porpoise and Dolphin; and that said committee be authorised to report by bill or otherwise. Adjourned to Monday. > Monday, Dec. 16. Mr. White, of La. appeared, was sworn, and took his seat. On motion of Mr. Stewart, the following joint resolution of the legislature of Pennsylvania, passed at its last session, was referred to the committee on roads and canals: Mr. Clayton, of Georgia, who rose for the purpose of vindicating himself from what he conceived a misrepresentation on the part of Mr. Beardsley, of New York. [But not having given, nor being able to give this debate just now, we must pass over safely and gradually, but thought a greater evil could hardly bewhat Mr. Clayton said. He wished to see the bank put down fal the country than its swift destruction.] After he had concluded, Mr. Speight demanded the previous question-it failed 102 to 113. The debate was then resumed and continued, and Messrs. Denny, Vanderpoel, McDuffie, Sutherland, Foot, Jones, Peyton, Davis and Lane took a part in it. And then The question was taken on reconsidering the reference of Mr. Taney's report to a committee of the whole, and decided in the affirmative-yeas 124, nays 102, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. John Adams, John J. Allen, William Allen, Anthony, Baylies, Beale, Bean, Beardsley, Beaumont, John Bell, James Blair, John Blair, Bockee, Bodle, Boon, Brown, Bunch, Burns, Bynum, Cambreleng, Carmichael, Carr, Casey, Chaney, Chinn, Claiborne. Samuel Clark, Clay, Coffee, Connor, Cramer, Day, Philemon Dickerson, D. W. Dickinson, Dunlap, Forester, Fowler, W. K. Fuller, Fulton, Galbraith, Gholson, Gillett, Joseph Hall, T. H. Hall, Halsey, Hamer, Hannegan, M. Harper, Harrison, Hathaway, Ilawkins, Hawes, Henderson, |