APRIL, 1812. Proceedings. SENATE. Aaron Greely," was read the second time, by unanimous consent; and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. GREGG, WORTHINGTON, and VARNUM, were appointed the committee. amendments of the Senate to the bill, entitled The bill, entitled "An act for the relief of "An act for the organization of a corps of artificers," with amendments, in which they request the concurrence of the Senate. They have passed a bill, entitled "An act for ascertaining the titles and claims to lands in that part of Louisiana which lies east of the river Mississippi and island of New Orleans;" in which bill they request the concurrence of the Senate. The Senate proceeded to consider the amendments of the House of Representatives to their amendments to the bill, entitled "An act for the organization of a corps of artificers ;" and concurred therein. The bill last brought up for concurrence was read, and passed to the second reading. The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion made yesterday by Mr. DANA, and it was agreed to; and, on his motion, referred to a select committee, to consist of five members, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise; and Messrs. DANA, SMITH, of Maryland, TAYLOR, HUNTER, and LLOYD, were appointed the committee. The PRESIDENT Communicated the report of the Secretary for the Department of Treasury, made in conformity with the resolution of the Senate of the 10th instant, relating to the appropriations made by the several acts passed during the present session; and the report was read, and ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate. THURSDAY, April 16. Mr. ANDERSON, from the committee to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill for the relief of Reuben Saunders and his securities; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading. The bill, entitled "An act for ascertaining the titles and claims to lands in that part of Louisiana which lies east of the river Mississippi and island of New Orleans," was read the second time, and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. GREGG, TAIT, and WORTHINGTON, were appointed the committee. The bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act for the relief of William Hubbell," was read a third time, and passed.. The bill for the relief of Thomas and William Streshly, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, was read a third time, and passed. The bill granting to the Governor of the State of Louisiana, for the time being, and his successors in office, a lot of ground, and the buildings thereon, in the city of New Orleans, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, was read a third time, and passed. FRIDAY, April 17. On motion, by Mr. Dana, the injunction of secrecy was removed respecting the proceedings on the "Act to prohibit the exportation of specie, goods, wares, and merchandise, for a limited time." [The proceedings are as follow: THURSDAY, April 9, 1812. The following confidential message was retheir committee, Mr. SMILIE and Mr. PLEASceived from the House of Representatives, by ANTS; Mr. SMILIE chairman: Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed a bill, entitled "An act to prohibit the exportation of specie, goods, wares, and merchandise, for a limited time;" in which bill they ask the concurrence of the Senate. The bill was read, and, on motion, by Mr. CAMPBELL, of Tennessee, that the bill be now read the second time by unanimous consent, it was objected to as against the rule. Ordered, That the bill pass to a second reading. FRIDAY, April 10. The bill from the House of Representatives, entitled "An act to prohibit the exportation of specie, goods, wares, and merchandise, for a limited time," was read the second time, and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. CAMPBELL, of Tennessee, BRADLEY, and TAYLOR, were appointed the committee. Mr. CAMPBELL, of Tennessee, from the committee, reported the bill last mentioned with an amendment. Whereupon, the bill was resumed, and considered as in Committee of the Whole, together with the amendment reported thereto by the select committee; and having agreed to the amendment, the President reported the bill to the House accordingly. consideration of the bill be postponed until toOn motion, by Mr. GOODRICH, that the further morrow, and that it be printed under an injunction of secrecy, for the use of the Senate, it was determined in the negative. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed the bill, entitled "An act further to amend the charter of the City of Washington;" a bill, entitled "An act to continue in force, for a limited time, an act, entitled 'An act continuing, for a On the question, Shall the bill pass to the third limited time, the salaries of the officers of Gov-reading as amended? it was determined in the ernment therein mentioned;" also, a bill, entitled affirmative-yeas 16, nays 12, as follows: "An act for the relief of Aaron Greely ;" in which bills they request the concurrence of the Senate. The three bills last brought up for concurrence were read, and passed. YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Brent, Campbell of Tennessee, Condit, Crawford, Gaillard, Gregg, Howell, Leib, Pope, Smith of New York, Tait, Taylor, Turner, and Varnum. NAYS-Messrs. Bradley, Dana, German, Giles, Gilman, Goodrich, Horsey, Hunter, Lambert, Lloyd, Reed, and Smith of Maryland. MONDAY, April 13. On motion, by Mr. CAMPBELL, of Tennessee, the galleries were cleared, and the doors of the Senate Chamber closed. The amendment to the confidential bill, entitled "An act to prohibit the exportation of specie, goods. wares, and merchandise, for a limited time," having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, the bill was read the third time. APRIL, 1812. ered to the committee to be laid before the President of the United States. Mr. VARNUM, from the committee, reported that they had laid the enrolled bill, last mentioned, before the President of the United States. [End of confidential proceedings.] Mr. GREGG, from the committee to whom was yesterday referred the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Aaron Greely," reported it without amendment. Ordered, That it pass to a third reading. Mr. GERMAN, from the committee to whom was referred on the 14th instant, the bill authorizing the appointment of an additional judge of the district court of the district of New York, re On motion, by Mr. BRADLEY, to recommit the bill, for the purpose of amending the second sec-ported it amended. tion, it was determined in the negative-yeas 11, nays 17, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Bradley, Dana, Giles, Gilman, Goodrich, Horsey, Hunter, Lambert, Lloyd, Reed, and Smith of Maryland. NAYS-Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Brent, Campbell of Tennessee, Condit, Crawford, Cutts, Gaillard, Gregg, Howell Leib, Robinson, Smith of New York, Tait, Taylor, Turner, and Varnum. On the question, Shall this bill pass as amended? it was determined in the affirmative-yeas 17, nays 11, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Brent, Campbell of Tennessee, Condit, Crawford, Cutts, Gaillard, Gregg, Howell, Leib, Robinson, Smith of New York, Tait, Taylor, Turner, and Varnum.. Mr. GREGG, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act to continue in force 'An act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary war, and for other purposes," reported it amended. He also reported, from the committee to whom the subject was referred, the bill, entitled "An act for ascertaining the titles and claims to lands in that part of Louisiana which lies east of the river Mississippi and island of New Orleans," without amendment. The bill, entitled 'An act further to amend the charter of the City of Washington." was read the second time, and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon, and Messrs. BRENT, DANA, and HUNTER, were appointed the com NAYS-Messrs. Bradley, Dana, Giles, Gilman, Goodrich, Horsey, Hunter, Lambert, Lloyd, Reed, and Smith|mittee. of Maryland. So it was resolved that this bill pass with an amendment. Ordered, That Messrs. VARNUM, and ANDERSON be a committee to carry the said bill to the House of Representatives, and request their concurrence in the amendment. A message from the House of Representatives, by Messrs. CALHOUN and PIPER; Mr. CALHOUN chairman: Mr. President: The House of Representatives concur in the amendment to the bill, entitled "An act to prohibit the exportation of specie, goods, wares, and merchandise, for a limited time." TUESDAY, April 14. Mr. VARNUM, from the committee, reported that they had examined and found duly enrolled the bill, entitled "An act to prohibit the exportation of specie, goods, wares, and merchandise, for a limited time." A message from the House of Representatives," by their committee for enrolled bills; Mr. CRAWFORD chairman: Mr. President: The Speaker of the House of Representatives having signed an enrolled bill, the committee are directed to bring it to the Sen. ate for the signature of thetr President. The PRESIDENT signed the enrolled bill last reported to have been examined, and it was deliv The bill for the relief of Reuben Saunders and his securities, was read the second time. Mr. SMITH, of New York, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase or lease the old city hall, in the city of New York," reported it amended. Mr. WORTHINGTON, from the committee to whom the Message of the President of the United States, of the 3d March, respecting the proceedings under the act to regulate the laying out and making a road from Cumberland, in Maryland, to the State of Ohio, was referred, reported a bill in addition to the act to regulate the laying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading. The bill, entitled "An act to continue in force for a limited time, an act, entitled 'An act continuing, for a limited time, the salaries of the of ficers of Government, therein mentioned," was read the second time. MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY. Mr. TAYLOR, from the committee to was referred, on the 17th of March, the bill, entitled "An act to enable the people of the Mississippi Territory to form a constitution and State government, and for the admission of such State into the Union on an equal footing with the original States;" and on the 6th instant, the bill to carry into effect the provisions of the eighth section of the act regulating the grants of land, and providing for the disposal of the lands of the United States south of the State of Tennessee, reported that the said bills be severally postponed to the first Monday in December next. The report is as follows: That in considering the subject referred to them, they could not avoid being struck with the immense size of the Territory proposed to be erected into a State, a size disproportionate to the size of any of the largest States which now compose our confederation. It embraces, in its present form, and without any extension, to the Gulf of Mexico, (as is proposed in the bill referred to us,) nearly six and a half degrees of geographical longitude, and four entire degrees of latitude, and affords an area of twice the surface of the State of Pennsylvania. Your committee are strongly impressed with the propriety and expediency of dividing the said Territory, so as to form of the same two States, whenever the population, within the limits of each section, shall render it just and proper; and they respectfully submit to the Senate the following divisional line, between the western and eastern sections of the said Territory, viz: up the Mobile river, to the point nearest its source, which falls on the eleventh degree of west longitude from the City of Washington; thence a course due north until the line intersects the waters of Bear creek; thence down the said creek to its confluence with the Tennessee river; thence down the said river to the northern boundary line of the said Territory. By a view of the map of this country it will appear that the above divisional line will divide the Territory into nearly two equal parts, and it has, for the most part, a delineation by nature. By the 5th section of the 1st article of the treaty of cession from the State of Georgia the United States are bound to erect the said Territory into one State. It has, however, been suggested that the State of Georgia would not, upon a proper representation, withhold her consent to the proposed division. To the end, therefore, that an opportunity may be afforded to the State of Georgia to express this consent, by a legislative act of the said State, as they shall think proper, your committee recommend that the said bill shall be postponed to the first Monday in December next. The committee further recommend that the bill "to carry into effect the provisions of the eighth section of the act regulating the grants of land, and providing for the disposal of the lands of the United States south of the State of Tennessee," which was also referred to said committee, be postponed to the first Monday in December next. MONDAY, April 20. SENATE. "GENTLEMEN: Upon me devolves the painful duty of anouncing to the Senate the death of our venerable fellow-citizen, GEORGE CLINTON, Vice President of the United States. "By this afflictive dispensation of Divine Providence the Senate is deprived of a President rendered dear to which he has so long presided over their deliberations; each of its members by the dignity and impartiality with and the nation bereaved of one of the brightest luminaries of its glorious Revolution." The Senate being informed of the decease of their distinguished fellow-citizen, GEORGE CLINTON, Vice President of the United States, do Resolve, That a committee be appointed, jointly, with such as may be appointed on the part of the House of Representatives, to consider and report measures proper to manifest the public respect for the memory of the deceased, and expressive of the deep regret of the Congress of the United States on the loss of a citizen so highly respected and revered. Ordered, That Messrs. SMITH of New York, SMITH of Maryland, GERMAN, GILMAN, and BRADLEY, be the committee. lution to the House of Representatives. Ordered, That the Secretary carry this reso A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House concur in the resolution of the Senate for the appointment of a joint committee to consider and report measures proper to manifest the public respect for the memory of the Vice President of the United States," deceased, and have appointed a committee on their part. TUESDAY, April 21. On motion of Mr. SMITH, of New York, Resolved unanimously, That, from an unfeigned respect to the late GEORGE CLINTON, Vice President of the United States, and President of the Senate, the Chair of the President of the Senate be shrouded with black during the present session; and, as a further testimony of respect for the memory of the deceased, the members of the Senate will go into mourning and wear a black crape round the left arm for thirty days. WEDNESDAY, April 22. The bill in addition to the "Act to regulate the laying out and opening a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio," was read the second time. Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, presented the memoA Message from the House of Representatives rial of Peter Hoffman, junior, and others, merinformed the Senate that the House have passed chants, of the city of Baltimore, stating that their a bill, entitled "An act to alter and establish cerceived a clearance for a voyage to Cadiz, and on ship William, on the last day of March last, retain post roads;" also, a bill, entitled "An act authorizing the departure of ships and vessels from the ports and harbors of the United States, in certain cases;" in which bills they request the concurrence of the Senate. DEATH OF THE VICE PRESIDENT. The PRESIDENT addressed the Senate as follows: the day following sailed from the port of Baltimore, previous to the Message of the President of the United States recommending an embargo; that the vessel proceeded on her voyage, and, while on the high seas, was met by a revenue cutter, and brought back to the port of Baltimore; and praying permission for the said vessel to depart and pursue her contemplated voyage; and the memorial was read, and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise; and Messrs. SMITH, of Maryland, BIBB, and CAMPBELL, of Tennessee, were appointed the committee. The two bills brought up on the 20th inst. for concurrence were read, and passed to the second reading, The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act to enable the people of the Mississippi Territory to form a constitution and State government, and for the admission of such State into the Union on an equal footing with the original States; also, the bill to carry into effect the provisions of the eighth section of the act regulating the grants of land, and providing 1or the disposal of the lands of the United States south of the State of Tennessee; and, in conformity thereto, Resolved, That the first-mentioned bill be postponed to the first Monday in December next. Resolved, also, That the bill to carry into effect the provisions of the eighth section of the act regulating the grants of land, and providing for the disposal of the lands of the United States south of the State of Tennessee, be postponed to the first Monday in December next. APRIL, 1812. frigates, and burnt by the orders of their commanding officer; which frigates, they were informed by one of the officers, were fitted out for the express purpose of destroying all American vessels bound to any part of Spain or Portugal in the possession of the enemies of France; and the petition was read, and referred to the Secretary for the Department of State, to consider and report thereon. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act for ascertaining the titles and claims to lands in that part of Louisiana which lies east of the river Mississippi and island of New Orleans;" and it was ordered to the third reading. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill authorizing the appointment of an additional judge of the district court of the distriet of New York, together with the amendments reported thereto by the select committee; and, having agreed to the amendments, the President reported the bill to the House accordingly. On the question, Shall this bill be engrossed, and read a third time as amended? it was determined in the affirmative. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill for the relief of Reuben Saunders and his securities; and, on the question, Shall this bill be engrossed, and read a third time? it was determined in the affirmative. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act to continue in force 'An act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds re- The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the ceived in the Revolutionary war, and for other Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An purposes," together with the amendments report-act to continue in force, for a limited time, an ed thereto by the select committee; and, having agreed to the amendments, the President reported the bill to the House accordingly. On the question, Shall this bill be read a third time as amended ? it was determined in the affirmative. The bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Aaron Greely," was read a third time, and passed. The Senate resumed the consideration of the joint resolution brought up from the House of Representatives, on the subject of a recess. On motion, by Mr. WORTHINGTON, to strike out a part of the resolution for the purpose of amendment, a division was called for; and, on the question to strike out, the votes being equal, the President determined it in the negative. Resolved, That the Senate concur in the joint resolution. Ordered, That Messrs. BRADLEY, REED, WORTHINGTON, GOODRICH, and LLOYD, be the committee. act, entitled 'An act continuing, for a limited time, the salaries of the officers of Government therein mentioned ;" and the bill was ordered to a third reading. Mr. GERMAN presented the memorial of Charles Selden and others, citizens of the State of New York, praying a repeal of the act, entitled "An act laying an embargo on all ships and vessels in the ports and harbors of the United States, for a limited time," passed the 4th of April, 1812, or a modification thereof, for reasons stated at large in the memorial; which was read. Mr. GERMAN also presented the memorial of Conklin and Pierson, and others, merchants, of the city of New York, praying a suspension of the non-importation act, or a modification thereof, for reasons stated at large in the memorial; which was read, and referred to the committee to whom was referred, on the 15th instant, the memorial of Alexander Henry and others, merchants, of Philadelphia, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise. Mr. LLOYD presented the petition of Ezra Wes Mr. CUTTS presented the memorial of John ton and Son, of Duxbury, in the State of Massa- Goddard, and others, citizens of Portsmouth, in chusetts, praying indemnification for a vessel and the State of New Hampshire, and its vicinity, cargo, fitted out in reliance on the proclamation praying a repeal of the act, entitled "An act proof the President of the United States, of 2d No-hibiting the importation of goods, wares, and vember, 1810, that the decrees of France, violating neutral commerce, were revoked, and which vessel and cargo were captured on the 23d January last, in the prosecution of a voyage from Boston to Oporto, in Portugal, by two French merchandise, from Great Britain," for reasons stated at large in the memorial; which was read, and referred to the committee last mentioned, to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise.. Mr. DANA, from the committee appointed on the subject reported in part, a bill concerning Representatives of the United States: SENATE. cers of Government therein mentioned," was read a third time, and passed. The bill, entitled "An act for ascertaining the titles and claims to lands in that part of Louisiana which lies east of the river Mississippi and island of New Orleans," was read a third time, and passed. Mr. CAMPBELL, of Tennessee, from the committee appointed on the subject of Tennessee lands, reported a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to issue grants and perfect titles on certain entries and locations of lands therein described; which was read, and passed to the second reading. On the question, Shall this bill be engrossed and read a third time? it was determined in the affirmative. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the The extensive and multiplied preparations into Whole, the consideration of the bill in addition which the United States are at length driven for main- to the act to regulate the laying out and making taining their violated rights, have caused this auga road from Cumberland, in the State of Marymentation of business to press on the Department of land, to the State of Ohio. War particularly, with a weight disproportionate to the powers of any single officer, with no other aids than are authorized by existing laws. With a view to a more adequate arrangement for the essential objects of that department, I recommend to the early consideration of Congress a provision for two subordinate appointments therein, with such compensation annexed as may be reasonably expected by citizens duly qualified for the important functions which may be properly assigned to them, APRIL 20, 1812. JAMES MADISON. THURSDAY, April 23. The amendments to the bill, entitled "An act to continue in force An act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary war, and for other ́purposes," having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, the bill was read the third time as amended, and passed with amendments. The following Message was received from the I transmit to the Senate a report of the Secretary of APRIL 23, 1812. The Message and report therein referrred to were read. -FRIDAY, April 24. The bill in addition to the act to regulate the laying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Ohio, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, was read a third time, and passed. On motion by Mr. WORTHINGTON, the Message The bill authorizing the appointment of an ad of the President of the United States, of the 22d ditional judge of the district court of the district instant, recommending provision for two suborof New York, having been reported by the com-dinate appointments in the War Department, mittee correctly engrossed, was read a third time, and passed. The bill for the relief of Reuben Saunders and his securities, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, was read a third time, and passed. The bill, entitled "An act to alter and estab·lish certain post roads," was read the second time, and referred to a select committee, to consist of five members, to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. TURNER, WORTHINGTON, GREGG, CONDIT, and LEIB, were appointed the committee. Mr. DANA, from the committee appointed on the subject, further reported a bill respecting associations for maritime security, and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading. The bill, entitled "An act authorizing the departure of ships and vessels from the ports and harbors of the United States in certain cases," was read the second time. The bill, entitled "An act to continue in force, for a limited time, an act, entitled An act continuing, for a limited time, the salaries of the offi- | was referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise; and Messrs. SMITH, of Maryland, WORTHINGTON and GILES, were appointed the committee. The bill to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to issue grants and perfect titles on certain entries and locations of land therein described, was read the second time. The bill respecting associations for maritime security, was read the second time. Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, reported, from the committee to whom was referred the memorial of Peter Hoffman, and others, owners of the ship William: That the petitioners state that the said ship was. laden with flour, between the 18th and 27th of March, cleared out on the 31st, and actually sailed on the 1st of April, on her intended voyage to Cadiz; that they had no knowledge of the intention of laying an embargo, either while loading or at the time of the sailing of said ship; that, from contrary winds and weather, she was detained in the Chesapeake until the 10th of April, when, at the distance of four leagues from Cape |