DEC. 7, 8, 1836.] Death of Mr. Dickson-Death of General Coffee, of Georgia, &c. as that the House proceed to the transaction of the said business immediately. Mr. GILLET gave notice that he would, on to-mor row, submit a motion that so much of the 106th rule as provides: "Nor shall any rule be suspended, except by a vote of at least two thirds of the members present; nor shall the order of business, as established by the rules of the House, be postponed or changed, except by a vote of at least two thirds of the members present," be repealed. The annual message was received from the President of the United States, through ANDREW JACKSON, Jr., Esq., his private secretary, and was read at the Clerk's table.-[See Appendix.] The reading of the message having been completed, Mr. LOYALL moved that it be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, and that 15,000 copies, with the accompanying documents, be printed for the use of the members, and also 5,000 copies of the message, without the documents. Mr. BRIGGS wished to modify this resolution by ordering that the 5,000 copies be furnished to the House within two days. He understood that this had been done on former occasions. Mr. LOYALL assented to the modification, and the resolution, thus modified, was carried. The SPEAKER laid before the House several communications from the heads of Departments, which were ordered to lie on the table and be printed; the committees not yet being appointed, that course being adopted instead of a reference of them. Mr. E. WHITTLESEY then moved to proceed to the consideration of the order for the appointment of committees; but, before taking the question, On motion of Mr. PARKS, The House adjourned. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7. DEATH OF MR. DICKSON. After the reading of the journal, Mr. CLAIBORNE, of Mississippi, addressed the House as follows: Mr. Speaker: It is only a few years since I witnessed from that gallery the affecting honors paid to the remains of a distinguished Representative from the State of Mississippi.* Since that period, she has lost two sons, † eminent for talents, in the public service, and you are now called on to render the last homage to the memory of another. The time that has intervened since the death of my lamented colleague saves me the painful duty of being the first to communicate it to his friends, now present. He died, sir, as he had lived, through a life of extraordinary vicissitudes, with characteristic fortitude, with but one wish ungratified-a wish so natural to the human heart--that, in his dark hour of dissolution, he might be supported by his nearest and best beloved, and the cherished beings that grew up and clustered around his fireside. Sir, let death come when it will, in what shape it may, in the battle or the shipwreck, or in the solitude of the cloister, it is appalling to human contemplation. But when it overtakes us in a distant land, and we know that our last moments of agony and infirmity are to be witnessed by stranger eyes, and are conscious that we must be carried down to an unwept grave, where no kindred dust shall mingle with ours forever, and the last hope of home and of family fades from our filmed view, oh! sir, this is death! this it is to die! Such was *Hon. Christopher Rankin. †Thomas B. Read and Robert H. Adam3, of the U. S. Senate. [II. OF R the destiny of my colleague, "by strangers honored and by strangers mourned." His dying message was for those broken-hearted ones, now in widowhood and orphan. age--his expiring sigh a prayer for them! Mr. Speaker, I shall pronounce no eulogy on the dead. Let his history speak it. For twenty years he preserved a high position in the public service, and died poorer than when he entered it, leaving to his children the riches of an honorable name. If it be praise to have lived beloved and die unreproached, then it is due to him. It now only remains for us to pay the final honors to his memory--sad, because it seems like breaking the last link that binds the living to the dead; solemn, when present may invoke the same tribute for ourselves! we reflect how soon, how very soon, some friend now I offer you, sir, the following resolution: memory of DAVID DICKSON, late a Representative from Resolved, That, in testimony of their respect for the the State of Mississippi, the members of this House will wear crape for one month. This resolution was unanimously agreed to. DEATH OF GENERAL COFFEE, OF GEORGIA. Mr. HAYNES, of Georgia, then rose and addressed the Chair as follows: Mr. Speaker: On me has devolved the mournful duty of announcing to this House the death of one of its members, my friend and colleague, the Hon. JOHN COFFEE, of Georgia. For a considerable portion of the last session of Congress he labored under severe indisposition, which at different periods detained him from the ser. vice of the House. Although his symptons were so mitigated before the adjournment as to enable him to resume the regular discharge of his official duties, no radical amendment had taken place, and with gradually increasing force his disease closed his existence, in the bosom of his family, in the month of September last. In speaking of a departed friend and colleague, the language of eulogy might be excused; but to those who have been associated with General COFFEE in the labors of this House, for the last three years, such language would be unnecessary. Suffice it to say that, in his domestic and social relations, he was eminently characterized by affectionate kindness and courtesy, and that public duties were discharged with honor to himself and fidelity to his country. As the usual mark of respect, I offer the following resolutions: Resolved, unanimously, That this House has received with the liveliest sensibility the annunciation of the death of the Hon. JOHN COFFEE, a Representative from the State of Georgia. Resolved, unanimously, That this House tenders to the relatives of the deceased the expression of its sympathy on this mournful event; and, as a testimony of respect for the memory of the deceased, the members will wear crape on the left arm for thirty days. These resolutions were unanimously agreed to; and then, on motion of Mr. CUSIIMAN, The House adjourned. H. OF R.] The Madison Papers-Death of Mr. Kinnard, &c. this amendment would be withdrawn, though at the moment he did not see the honorable member [Mr. MERCER] in his seat. Mr. HARPER remarked that he understood from the gentleman from Virginia, that, in consequence of the time which had now elapsed, he was not solicitous with regard to his amendment. The amendment was then disagreed to, and the appointment of the committees ordered. Mr. EVANS moved that when this House adjourn, it adjourn to meet on Monday; which was carried. THE MADISON PAPERS. The following message, in writing, was received from the President of the United States, by the hands of his private secretary, ANDREW JACKSON, Jr., Esq.: To the Senate and House of Representatives: I transmit, herewith, copies of my correspondence with Mrs. Madison, produced by the resolution adopted at the last session by the Senate and House of Represent atives, on the decease of her venerated husband. The occasion seems to be appropriate to present a letter from her on the subject of the publication of a work of great political interest and ability, carefully prepared by Mr. Madison's own hand, under circumstances that give it claims to be considered as little less than official. Congress has already, at considerable expense, published, in a variety of forms, the naked journals of the revolutionary Congress, and of the conventions that form. ed the constitution of the United States. I am persuaded that the work of Mr. Madison, considering the author, the subject-matter of it, and the circumstances under which it was prepared--long withheld from the pub. lic as it has been by those motives of personal kindness and delicacy that gave tone to his intercourse with his fellow-men, until he and all who had been participators with him in the scenes he describes have passed away-well deserves to become the property of the nation; and cannot fail, if published and disseminated at the public charge, to confer the most important of all benefits on the present and every succeeding generation--accurate knowledge of the principles of their Government, and the circumstances under which they were recommended, and imbodied in the constitution for adoption. ANDREW JACKSON. DECEMBER 6, 1836. The message, having been read, was, on motion of Mr. PATTON, referred to the proposed Joint Committee on the Library, and ordered to be printed. Several communications from heads of Departments were laid before the House by the Speaker, and ordered to lie on the table. DEATH OF MR. KINNARD. Mr. DAVIS, of Indiana, then rose and addressed the Chair as follows: Mr. Speaker: Painful as the duty may be, it is mine of this morning to announce to the House the decease of another of its members. My friend and colleague, the Hon. GEORGE L. KINNARD, died at Cincinnati on the 25th ult., after a few days of suffering much more severe than ordinarily falls to the lot of mankind in passing that dread ordeal. The immediate cause of his death is perhaps well known to this House and to the country. It was his misfortune to suffer from one of those appalling accidents which are of but too frequent recurrence upon our steamboats, by the bursting of their machinery. He, too, like one of our associates whose death was announced on yesterday, died among strangers, yet among friends. At the bospitable mansion of the Hon. Robert T. Lytle, (where he paid the great debt of nature,) he received the most unremitting attention and kindness, as also the most un [DEC. 12, 1836. wearied services of those who rank among the first in the profession of medicine; but all would not do; the omnipotent fiat had gone forth by which he was called from the service of his country to the service of his God. Had I studied by set phrase to pass a eulogy upon his character, I should find words too cold, language too inexpressive, to do justice to his virtues. It was my good fortune to be favored for many years with his acquaintance, and to share largely in his friendship. With a clear and discriminating mind, an honest heart, and an untiring industry, he had elevated himself to the highest seat in the affections of those who knew him best. In all the varied relations of life, (to which he was about to add another of a sacred and responsible character,) be sustained the most unsullied reputation, leaving to the world indubitable evidence, not only that he was a man of high attainments, but that he was emphatically one of God's noblest works-an honest man. Mr. D. then submitted the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That as a testimonial of respect for the memory of the Hon. GEORGE L. KINNARD, late a member of this House from the State of Indiana, the members of this body will wear crape on the left arm for thirty days. Resolved, That the connexions and constituents of Mr. KINNARD are joined in the sincerest condolence for the loss of that inestimable man to them, to us, and to the country. On motion of Mr. LAY, The House adjourned. MONDAY, DECEMBER 12. STANDING COMMITTEES. The appointment of the following committees, made by the Speaker since the last adjournment, was announced by the journal. Of Elections.-Messrs. Claiborne of Virginia, Griffin, Hawkins, Burns, Kilgore, Buchanan, Maury, Boyd, and Young. Of Ways and Means.-Messrs. Cambreleng, McKim, Loyall, Corwin, Johnson of Tennessee, Smith, Law. rence, Ingersoll, and Owens. Of Claims.--Messrs. Whittlesey of Ohio, Forester, Grennell, Davis, Taliaferro, Chambers of Kentucky, Darlington, Graham, and Russell. On Commerce.-Messrs. Sutherland, Pinckney, Pearce of Rhode Island, Gillet, Phillips, Johnson of Louisiana, Ingham, Cushman, and McKeon. On Public Lands.-Messrs. Boon, Williams of North Carolina, Lincoln, Casey, Kennon, Dunlap, Chapman, Harrison of Missouri, and Yell. On the Post Office and Post Roads.-Messrs. Connor, Briggs, Laporte, Hall of Vermont, Cleveland, French, Shields, Hopkins, and Kilgore. For the District of Columbia.--Messrs. W. B. Shepard, Hiester, Bouldin, Washington, Lane, Rogers, Fairfield, Moore, and Claiborne of Mississippi. On the Judiciary.-Messrs. Thomas, Hardin, Pierce of New Hampshire, Robertson, Peyton, Toucey, Martin, Vanderpoel, and Ripley. On Revolutionary Claims.-Messrs Muhlenberg, Crane, Standefer, Turrill, Beaumont, Craig, Chapin, Underwood, and Weeks. On Public Expenditures.--Messrs. Page, Clark, McLene, Mason of Maine, Leonard, Haley, White, Pearson, and Chetwood. On Private Land Claims.-- Messrs. Carr, Galbraith, Patterson, Chambers of Pennsylvania, May, Huntsman, Lawler, Slade, and Garland of Louisiana. On Manufactures.--Messrs. J. Q. Adams, Denny, Mc. Comas, Webster, G. Lee, Granger, Bynum, Fowler, and Whittlesey of Connecticut. DEC. 12, 1836.] Duty on Foreign Coal-Report on the Finances, &c. On Agriculture.-Messrs. Bockee, Bean, Shinn, Deberry, Bailey, Logan, Phelps, Efner, and Black. On Indian Affairs.--Messrs. Bell, McCarty, Everett, Ashley, Haynes, Hawes, Chaney, Montgomery, and Garland of Virginia. On Military Affairs.-Messrs. Johnson of Kentucky, Ward, Thomson of Ohio, Bunch, McKay, Anthony, Mann of New York, Coles, and Glascock. On the Militia.--Messrs. Glascock, Henderson, Fuller, Wagener, Calhoun of Massachusetts, Joshua Lee of New York, Carter, Graves, and Holt. On Naval Affairs.--Messrs. Jarvis, Milligan, Lansing, Reed, Grayson, Parker, Wise, Ash, and Grantland. On Foreign Affairs.-Messrs. Howard, Cramer, Hamer, Allan of Kentucky, Parks, Cushing, Jackson of Georgia, Dromgoole, and Rencher. On the Territories.-Messrs. Patton, Potts, Brown, Pickens, Pearce of Maryland, Hall of Maine, Johnson of Virginia, Boyd, and Miller. On Revolutionary Pensions.--Messrs. Wardwell, Lea of Tennessee, Lay, Janes, Storer, Morgan, Klingensmith, Bond, and Fry. On Invalid Pensions.--Messrs. Beale, Schenck, Tay. lor, Harrison of Pennsylvania, Doubleday, Hoar, Howell, Jenifer, and Williams of Kentucky. On Roads and Canals.-Messrs. Mercer, Vinton, Lucas, Reynolds of Illinois, Steele, Calhoon of Kentucky, Evans, McKennan, and Hard. On Revisal and Unfinished Business.--Messrs. Hunting ton, Mann of Pennsylvania, Mason of Ohio, Harlan, and Farlin. Of Accounts.-Messrs. Lee of New Jersey, Hall of Maine, Johnson of Virginia, Turner, and McKennan. [In addition to the standing committees of the House of Representatives, above announced, the following committees of the House of Representatives, appointed at the last session, being committees for the whole Congress, still exist, viz:] On Expenditures in the State Department.--Messrs. A. H. Shepperd, Calhoun of Massachusetts, Hunt, Morris, and Sickles. On Expenditures in the Treasury Department.-Messrs. Allen of Vermont, Harper, Spangler, Russell, and Barton. On Expenditures in the War Department.-Messrs. Jones of Ohio, Bovee, Johnson of Virginia, Love, and Hubley. On Expenditures in the Navy Department.--Messrs. Hall of Maine, Sloane, Seymour, Pettigrew, and Mason of New York. On Expenditures in the Post Office Department.-Messrs. Hawes, Burns, Childs, Bailey, and Reynolds of New York. On Expenditures on the Public Buildings.--Messrs. Darlington, Hazeltine, Pearce of Rhode Island, Galbraith, and Beale. [H. of R. The yeas and nays having been ordered, Mr. LINCOLN, of Massachusetts, (who had presented a petition of similar import, from sundry citizens of that State, which had been referred to the Committee of Ways and Means,) rose, and proceeded to state that, if the refer ence proposed by the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. ADAMS] was persisted in, his (Mr. L's) memorial would be placed in a very awkward situation. Mr. L. was going on to examine the propriety of the respective references proposed, when The SPEAKER said that, under the 45th rule of the House, the subject could not be debated on the same day on which the petition was presented, and that it would come up first in order of business to-morrow morning. So the subject was postponed accordingly. REPORT ON THE FINANCES. On motion of Mr. CAMBRELENG, the annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the subject of the finances, together with the estimates for the year 1837, was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. Mr. CHILDS offered a resolution granting the use of the hall to the American Colonization Society, on the evening of Tuesday next. Mr. C. asked for the yeas and nays on this motion, which the House refused to order; and the question having been taken by a division, the resolution was adopted: Ayes 91, noes 59. On motion of Mr. HARD, it was Resolved, That two chaplains, of different denominations, be elected to serve during the present session of Congress, one by each House, who shall interchange weekly. Agreed to. DUTIES ON FOREIGN GRAIN. Mr. FRY submitted the following resolution: Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of immediately abolishing the duties upon foreign grain or bread stuff's of all kinds. Mr. REED moved to amend the resolution by striking out the Committee of Ways and Means, and inserting the Committee on Agriculture. Mr. FRY said the question involved in the resolution was a plain matter of fact; and that, though he had no great solicitude as to the reference, he thought the one proposed by himself was the most appropriate. Mr. REED thought that, as the question was one which bore greatly on the interests of the agricultural community, he thought it would be best to refer it to the committee having the special care of those interests. The question on the amendment was then taken and carried: Ayes 87, noes 67. So the amendment was agreed to. Mr. REED observed that there existed no manner of necessity that this resolution should be referred to the DUTY ON FOREIGN COAL. Committee of Ways and Means, since every body is well Among the petitions presented to-day was one by aware that the revenue is sufficient, and far from reMr. ADAMS, from S. Brainard and eleven hundred quiring expedients or inquiries relating to an increase of others, citizens of Boston, praying for a repeal of the it. He also deemed it to be a desirable thing that imduties on foreign coal, who moved that the same be re-portations from all countries should be made as free as ferred to the Committee on Manufactures. Mr. PATTON thought that, inasmuch as petitions of a similar import had already been referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, it would be well that this petition, also, should take a similar reference. Mr. ADAMS said that he considered these petitions, of which there will probably be a great number, as materially affecting the whole question of the tariff, and, consequently, the whole manufacturers of the country. He did not wish to enter into any debate on the subject at this time, but he moved that the question on the reference be taken by yeas and nays. possible, and even without duty. But, (Mr. R. observed,) representing as this House did the interests of the whole country, we were bound to examine into the subject. He was therefore of opinion that the whole question should be referred to the Committee on Agriculture, as being the most appropriate for its consideration, and because the whole agricultural interests of the country were concerned in this question. It is true (observed the honorable member) that this is a year, it may be almost said, of famine, such as has not been known for twenty years; but, notwithstanding, it must not be lost H. OF R.] Bounty Lands-The Distribution Surplus, &c. sight of that the most important interests were in direct opposition to this proposition. He concluded by proposing, as an amendment, that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Agriculture. A division took place, when there appeared for the amendment 87, against it 58. So the amendment was carried. Mr. J. Q. ADAMS proposed, as an amendment, to insert the words "also foreign coals, salt, and iron." "Sugar" was also proposed to be inserted, at the suggestion of a member. A debate was about to spring up on this question, when a motion was made to postpone the further consid eration of the subject to Monday next; which motion was carried. BOUNTY LANDS. Mr. GILLET moved the following resolution: Resolved, That the Committee on the Public Lands inquire into the expediency of so altering the laws relating to bounty lands as to allow those entitled to them to locate on any public lands subject to entry at private sale, or to receive land scrip in lieu of bounty land. Mr. GILLET said he would explain the object of his resolution. It was within the recollection of most of the members present, that the soldiers of the last war were promised bounty lands. The act which contained this promise provided that public lands should be surveyed in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas, if he remembered rightly. The survey in Michigan was never made, and the lands set apart in Illinois and Missouri were long since exhausted. Consequently, those who have not received their bounty lands are compelled to locate them in Arkansas. The lands there, he presumed, were good and valuable, but they were at too great a distance from the Northern soldiers to be valuable to them. They can neither go there to settle on them, nor can they readily sell them. If they keep them, it is dif ficult for the owner to pay taxes at such a distant point, with which Northern people have little or no communication. By the very words of the promise, the soldier has a right to lands at the North, where they are the most valuable to them. This will work no injury to the United States, but may greatly benefit the war-worn soldier, who may desire to settle upon or sell his lands. He conceived, with his friend from Ohio, [Mr. VINTON,] that the issuing scrip would be highly advantageous and convenient to the soldier, and prejudicial to no one. The resolution was agreed to. THE DISTRIBUTION SURPLUS. Mr. MERCER moved the following resolution: Resolved, That the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed to report a bill to amend the 13th section of the act of the last session of Congress, entitled "An act to regulate the deposites of the public money," by releasing the several States who may receive any part of the surplus revenue of the United States, in pursuance of that act, from any obligation to return the same. The resolution having been read, Mr. MERCER, after a few observations upon the object of this proposition, moved to postpone the consideration of the resolution till Wednesday week next, and make it the special order of the day for that day. Mr. DUNLAP remarked: Mr. Speaker: I am opposed to the gentleman's resolution being made the special order of this House. The resolution involves a very important question, to wit, the power of Congress to distribute the surplus revenue. This important constitutional question was avoided at the last session, and now it is intended to be brought up, to the exclusion of all other business. The States bave the [ DEC. 13, 1836. money, and may do what they please with it, and I wish the discussion of this subject to be postponed until a long session of Congress. This will be a very short session, and should be a business session. The Tennessee land bill, in which my constituents are immediately interested, has heretofore been postponed for the want of time, so much having been spent in the discussion of important political questions. I would be doing injustice to the interests of my constituents, if I did agree that this impor tant question should be taken up, to the exclusion of other business. Sir, this question alone would occupy weeks in its discussion, and other measures must be made to give way to it, when no legislative action can be had on it this session. I am opposed to all unnecessary discussion at this session; and I desire that the business of the American people should be attended to. I therefore move that the resolution be laid on the table. Mr. MERCER asked for the yeas and nays on the question of laying his resolution on the table; which were ordered; and being taken without debate, (the rules not admitting debate on a motion to lay any prop osition on the table,) stood as follows: YEAS-Messrs. John Q. Adams, Anthony, Ash, Barton, Beale, Beaumont, Black, Boon, Borden, Bouldin, Bovee, Briggs, Brown, Cambreleng, Campbell, Carr, Chaney, Chapman, Chapin, John F. H. Claiborne, Cleveland, Coles, Craig, Cushman, Davis, Doubleday, Dromgoole, Dunlap, Efner, Fairfield, Fowler, Fry, Fuller, Galbraith, J. Garland, Gillet, Glascock, Granger, Grantland, Grayson, Grennell, Griffin, Haley, Joseph Hall, Hamer, Albert G. Harrison, Hawkins, Haynes, Henderson, Hiester, Hoar, Holt, Hopkins, Hubley, Huntington, Huntsman, Ingham, Jabez Jackson, Jarvis, Joseph Johnson, Cave Johnson, John W. Jones, Benjamin Jones, Kilgore, Klingensmith, Lansing, La. porte, Lawler, Lawrence, Gideon Lee, Joshua Lee, Thomas Lee, Leonard, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Loyall, Lucas, Lyon, Abijah Mann, Job Mann, Martin, William Mason, Moses Mason, McKay, McKim, McLene, Morgan, Muhlenberg, Owens, Page, Parker, Parks, Patterson, Patton, Franklin Pierce, Dutee J. Pearce, Phelps, Phillips, Pickens, Pinckney, John Reynolds, Joseph Reynolds, Ripley, Robertson, Russell, Schenck, Seymour, Shields, Shinn, Sickles, Smith, Taylor, Thomas, J. Thomson, Toucey, Turrill, Vanderpoel, Wagener, Ward, Wardwell, Webster, Weeks, Elisha Whittlesey, Thomas T. Whittlesey, Yell--126. NAYS-Messrs. Chilton Allan, Heman Allen, Bailey, Bell, Bond, Buchanan, Bunch, John Calhoon, William B. Calhoun, Carter, Casey, George Chambers, John Chambers, Childs, Nath. H. Claiborne, Clark, Connor, Corwin, Crane, Darlington, Deberry, Denny, Evans, Everett, French, Rice Garland, Graham, Graves, Hiland Hall, Hannegan, Hardin, Harlan, Harper, Hawes, Hazeltine, Howell, Ingersoll, Janes, Jenifer, Henry Johnson, Lane, Luke Lea, Love, S. Mason, Maury, McCarty, McComas, McKennan, Mercer, Montgomery, J. A. Pearce, Pearson, Pettigrew, Peyton, Potts, Reed, Rogers, W. B. Shepard, A. H. Shepperd, Slade, Sloane, Standefer, Storer, Sutherland, Taliaferro, Turner, Underwood, Vinton, Washington, White, L. Williams, S. Williams, Wise--73. So the resolution was ordered to lie on the table. The presentation of resolutions was continued, in the order of States, till 3 o'clock; when The House adjourned. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13. THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. On motion of Mr. LOYALL, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the state of the The second resolution, in the following terms, was adopted: [H. or R. An not been his view of the case, he certainly would not have recommended special relief to be extended. other reason which appeared to him (Mr. L.) to render it expedient to refer these claims to a special committee was the fact that so great was their number likely to be, that it would certainly throw upon the two committees to which the resolution proposed to refer them a mass of business such as they could not conveniently dispose of. It was also his desire, both from respect to the President and to his own constituents, to obtain a direct and distinct, decision upon these claims, as being peculiarly different in their principle from all the other topics belonging to the sphere of the Indian department. Mr. BELL suggested an amendment to Mr. LEWIS's amendment; which Mr. LEWIS expressed himself willing to accept. Mr. GLASCOCK supported the amendment, on the 2. Resolved, That so much of the said message as re-ground that it would not be in the power of a standing lates to the commerce of the United States with foreign nations and their dependencies be referred to the Committee on Commerce. The third resolution, in the following terms, was agreed to: 3. Resolved, That so much of the said message as relates to the finances, and every thing connected therewith; the safe keeping of the public moneys, and every thing connected therewith; the Bank of the United States, including the stock of the United States in that institution, be referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. The fourth, fifth, and sixth resolutions were then severally agreed to nem. con. 4. Resolved, That so much of the said message as relates to the public lands, and all things connected therewith, be referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. 5. Resolved, That so much of said message as relates to the report of the Secretary of War, and the public interests intrusted to the War Department, except so much thereof as relates to Indian affairs, be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. 6. Resolved, That so much of the said message as relates to the militia of the United States be referred to the Committee on the Militia. On the reading of the seventh resolution, viz: 7. Resolved, That so much of said message as relates to the Indian tribes, and every thing connected therewith, be referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs Mr. LEWIS moved that the words of the resolution and all connected therewith" be stricken out, and the words "connected with the breaking out of hostilities in Alabama and Georgia," and that the subject be referred to a select committee. Mr. LEWIS, in support of his amendment, said that his reasons for proposing the reference of this subject to a select committee were founded on the following passage of the President's message: "On the unexpected breaking out of hostilities in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, it became necessary, in some cases, to take the property of individuals for public use. Provision should be made, by law, for indemnifying the owners; and I would also respectfully suggest whether some provision may not be made, consistently with the principles of our Government, for the relief of the sufferers by Indian depredations, or by the operations of our own troops." He (Mr. L.) did not desire to refer this subject to a special committee out of any disrespect to the Committee of Claims, or that of Indian Affairs; such was not his motive. It was evident, from the paragraph of the message which he had read, that the President saw a difference in principle between the cases of suffering and depredation in the late war in the Creek country, and between former cases of Indian depredations. Had this committee to do justice to the multiplicity of petitions which would come before them; he therefore hoped the amendment would be concurred in by the House. Mr. WILLIAMS, of North Carolina, said he could see no difference whatever between these or other claims arising out of Indian depredations at any former period. If any familiarity with such kind of claims, if any experience on such topics, was to be found any where, he was certain that it was to be found in the Committees of Claims and on Indian Affairs; he was therefore at a loss to conceive why this subject should be taken out of their hands, and placed with a select committee. He concluded by moving to amend the amendment by striking out the words "select committee," and inserting "the Committee of Claims." Mr. LEWIS, in reply, observed that the honorable member professed not to observe any difference between these and former claims under Indian depredations; it was evident, however, that the President contemplated them under a peculiar aspect, or else he would not have made a special mention of them; this was with him sufficient reason to warrant the appointment of a select committee. The CHAIR suggested that the question before the House was upon the adoption of the original resolution. The resolution was then read by the Clerk, and afterwards the proposed amendment of Mr. LEWIS. Mr. GLASCOCK proposed a slight modification to the amendment, which the honorable mover accepted. The question on the original resolution was then put by the Chair, and it was agreed to; after which, Mr. LEWIS's amendment, as modified by Messrs. BELL and GLASCOCK, was put. Mr. E. WHITTLESEY spoke in opposition to the reference to a special committee. He contended that there existed no special difference in principle between these and other claims arising from similar causes. He deprecated the adoption of new principles of proceeding, upon the arising of new claims the same in principle with others. The Committee of Claims (observed Mr. W.) brought forward a bill, which passed in April of the year 1816, in reference to Indian depredations of all kinds, and to all other sufferings incurred in cases of war, whether those sufferings originated from the enemy or from the necessary requisitions of our own troops; there can, therefore, be no necessity (said Mr. W.) for a select committee in the present case, as no new principles ought to be established for the settlement of such claims, nor ought the, principles now established to be changed or enlarged. Mr. GLASCOCK said he concurred in the general views expressed by the member from Ohio, [Mr. WHITTLESEY,] but it occurred to him (Mr. G.) that the difficulty which was anticipated by referring this subject to a select committee would not occur. If that committee, |