"No person, who has been so long a member of this body, could have been selected, who has made the rules of its proceedings less an object of his study. This circumstance will make my errors more numerous than might be anticipated, and will throw me oftener on the kind indulgence of the Senate.

"Whatever my errors may be, I have the consolation of knowing that they can be revised and corrected at the instance of any member; and I beg every one to believe, that so far from feeling hurt at the correctness of my decisions being questioned, it will be matter of gratification, that the sense of the Senate may be taken, in every instance, when it may be supposed I am mistaken.

[DECEMBER 10, 1832.

with the Government, and which, in its consequences, and from analogy, might not only call for large payments from the Treasury, but disturb the great mass of individual accounts long since finally settled, I deemed it my duty to make a more thorough investigation of the subject than it was possible for me to do previously to the close of your last session. I adopted this course the more readily, from the consideration that as the bill contained no appropriation, the States which would have been entitled to claim its benefits could not have received them without the fuller legislation of Congress.

The principle which this bill authorizes, varies not only from the practice uniformly adopted by many of the "Whatever industry and attention can do towards re- accounting officers in the case of individual accounts, moving defects in qualifications, I promise shall be done; and in those of the States finally settled and closed preand I shall take the chair, determined that, in anxious deviously to your last session, but also from that pursued sire to do that which is just towards every member, and under the act of your last session for the adjustment that which will most promote the correct discharge of the and settlement of the claims of the State of South Caroimportant business we may have to perform, I will not be lina. This last act prescribed no particular mode for the exceeded by any who have preceded me." allowance of interest, which, therefore, in conformity with the directions of Congress in previous cases, and with the uniform practice of the Auditor by whom the account was settled, was computed on the sums expended by the State of South Carolina for the use and benefit of the United States, and which had been repaid to the State, and the payments made by the United States were deducted from the principal sums, exclusive of the interest; thereby stopping future interest on so much of the principal as had been reimbursed by the payment.

On motion, it was ordered that messages communicating the election of Mr. WHITE as President pro tempore, be sent to the House of Representatives, and to the President of the United States.

Messrs. GRUNDY and FRELINGHUYSEN were appointed on the joint committee, to wait on the President of the United States, and inform him of the readiness of the two Houses to receive from him any communication; and After the usual resolutions respecting the supply of newspapers, &c. the Senate adjourned.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4.

I deem it proper, moreover, to observe, that both under the act of the 5th of August, 1790, and that of the 12th of February, 1793, authorizing the settlement of the accounts between the United States and the individual read-States, arising out of the war of the Revolution, the interest on these accounts was computed in conformity with the practice already adverted to, and from which the bill now returned is a departure.

The sitting to-day was occupied in receiving and ing the President's Message, [for which see Appendix] of which 5000 copies were ordered to be printed.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5.

No business of importance was transacted to-day--the Senate remaining in session only a few minutes.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6.

The President laid before the Senate a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, containing the Treasury report of the state of the finances, for the year 1832; which was ordered to be printed.

VETOED BILL.

With these reasons and considerations, I return the bill to the Senate.

ANDREW JACKSON.

December 6, 1832. The Message was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. Adjourned to Monday.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10.

The PRESIDENT announced to the Senate the appointment of the following standing committees for the ON FOREIGN RELATIONS.--Messrs. Forsyth, King, Bell,

session:

The following message was received from the President Mangum, and Tomlinson. of the United States: ON FINANCE--Messrs. Smith, Tyler, Silsbee, Johnston, and Forsyth.

WASHINGTON, DECEMBER 6, 1832. To the Senate of the United States:

I avail myself of this early opportunity to return to the Senate, in which it originated, the bill entitled "An act providing for the final settlement of the claims of States for interest on advances to the United States, made during the last war," with the reasons which induced me to withhold my approbation, in consequence of which it has failed to become a law.

This bill was presented to me for my signature on the last day of your session, and when I was compelled to consider a variety of other bills of greater urgency to the public service. It obviously embraced a principle in the allowance of interest different from that which had been sanctioned by the practice of the accounting officers, or by the previous legislation of Congress, in regard to advances by the States, and without any apparent grounds for the change.

Previously to giving my sanction to so great an extension of the practice of allowing interest upon accounts

ON COMMERCE-Messrs. King, Dudley, Silsbee, Johnston, and Bibb.

ON MANUFACTURES--Messrs. Dickerson, Clay, Knight, Miller, and Seymour.

ON AGRICULTURE-Messrs. Seymour, Brown, Robinson, Waggaman, and Foot.

ON MILITARY AFFAIRS--Messrs. Benton, Troup, Kane, Clayton, and Tipton.

ON THE MILITIA--Messrs. Robinson, Clayton, Waggaman, Clay, and Hendricks.

Webster, and Bibb.
ON NAVAL AFFAIRS-Messrs. Dallas, Smith, Robbins,

ON PUBLIC LANDS-Messrs. Kane, Tipton, Moore,
Holmes, and Prentiss.

ON PRIVATE LAND CLAIMS-Messrs. Poindexter, Naudain, Prentiss, Ruggles, and Knight.

ON INDIAN AFFAIRS-Messrs. Troup, Benton, Poindexter, Wilkins, and Frelinghuysen.

ON CLAIMS--Messrs. Ruggles, Bell, Naudain, Brown, and Moore.

DECEMBER 13, 1832.]

Public Lands-Commercial Statements.

[SENATE.

ON THE JUDICIARY--Messrs. Wilkins, Webster, Fre-lain; and on the fourth balloting the following was the linghuysen, Grundy, and Mangum.

ON THE POST OFFICE AND POST ROADS-Messrs. Grundy, Hill, Ewing, Tomlinson, and Buckner.

ON ROADS AND CANALS--Messrs. Hendricks, Sprague, Dallas, Hill, and Buckner.

ON PENSIONS-Messrs. Foot, Chambers, Dickerson, Sprague, and Poindexter.

ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA--Messrs. Chambers, Tyler, Holmes, Clayton, and Miller.

ON THE CONTINGENT FUND--Messrs. Knight, Dudley, and Tomlinson.

ON ENGROSSED BILLS--Messrs. Robbins, Robinson, and Ewing.

After distributing the various subjects of the President's Message to the appropriate committees, and disposing of some minor business, adjourned.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11.

PUBLIC LANDS.

Mr. CLAY rose and said, it would be recollected that during the last session a bill had passed the Senate, which originated in the Committee on Manufactures, to appropriate, for a limited time, the proceeds arising from the sales of public lands. At a very late period of the session this bill was sent to the other House; and owing, probably, to that circumstance, and probably to some other causes, the bill had not been definitively acted on by that House. Rather, he would say, there had been no express decision of the House for or against the bill. It was indefinitely postponed. He was desirous of again obtaining the sense of the Senate on this question, and, should it be in accordance with the vote of the last session, to afford the other House the opportunity of a more full examination and discussion of the bill.

He therefore gave notice that he would, to-morrow, ask leave to introduce a bill to appropriate for a limited time the proceeds of the Public Lands.

FRENCH SPOLIATIONS.

Mr. WILKINS, pursuant to notice, asked and obtain ed leave to introduce a bill to provide for the satisfaction of claims due to certain American citizens for spoliations committed by France on their commerce, prior to the 30th September, 1800.

The bill was then read twice, and on motion of Mr. WILKINS, ordered to be referred to a select committee of five members.

Mr. WILKINS said that previous to the balloting for the committee, he wished to remark that, as it was probable the usual courtesy of the Senate in appointing the mover to be on the committee, might be extended to him in this case, he wished it to be understood that he did not desire to be on the committee. He would rather that, in his room, some gentleman might be appointed who was more conversant with commercial buisiness. He desired, however, that it might be understood that he had in no way changed his original opinions on the subject of these claims.

The PRESIDENT replied that he believed it was the duty of the Chair to appoint the committee.

Mr. WILKINS. Then I wish the Chair to consider my remarks as addressed to himself."

Mr. SMITH. I do not think it very proper to appoint commercial gentlemen on this committee. They might be interested in the result.

The conversation here ceased.

[The following members were appointed by the Chair to compose the committee: Messrs. WEBSTER, CHAMBERS, DUDLEY, BROWN, TYLER.]

ELECTION OF CHAPLAIN.

result:

For the Rev. Mr. PISE,

Rev. Mr. RUSSELL,
Rev. Mr. HATCH,

22

12

4

So that the Rev. Mr. PISE was declared to be elected.
[He received nineteen votes on the first ballot.]
After the consideration of Executive business,
Adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12.

PUBLIC LANDS.

Mr. CLAY, agreeably to notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill to appropriate, for a limited time, the proceeds of the sales of the public lands in the United States and for granting lands to certain States.

The bill having been read twice, and being before the Senate, as in Committee of the whole.

Mr. CLAY said that this bill had been before two committees of the Senate, and that it had been passed at the last session by a considerable majority. He thought, therefore, that there would be no necessity for its reference to any committee at this session. The bill was precisely the same as the one which had passed the Senate last year, with the exception of the necessary change in the time when the bill would take effect. If, however, it was the wish of any Senator that the bill should be referred he had no objection. He would prefer to have the bill made the order for some convenient but not very distant day, when it might be taken up and discussed. If agreeable to the Senate, he would say the fourth Monday in this month, or the first Monday in January. He did not see that it was necessary to send the bill to a committee, but if any gentleman wished that course to be taken, he repeated, he should not object to it.

Mr. KANE said that it would be recollected that this subject had recently been referred to the Committee on the Public Lands, by the reference to that committee of so much of the President's message as relates to the public lands. had come from the Executive on the subject of the pubAn important proposition, indeed a new one, lic lands generally. That proposition was now before the committee; and he hoped that the gentlemen from Kentucky would consent to a reference of his bill to the same committee. Mr. K. concluded by moving this refer

ence.

The motion was agreed to, and the bill was referred to the Committee on the Public Lands.

INTEREST TO STATES.

Mr. CHAMBERS asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill providing for the final settlements of the claims of States for interest on advances made to the U. States during the late war.

The bill was read, and ordered to a second reading. After notices for various bills, and receiving sundry resolutions, adjourned.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13.

Mr. SMITH, instructed by the Committee on Finance, offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed, with as little delay as may be, to furnish the Senate with the projet of a bill for reducing the duties levied upon imports, in conformity with the suggestions made by him in his annual report.

This resolution lies on the table one day.
COMMERCIAL STATEMENTS.

A joint resolution offered by Mr. SMITH, to provide for printing the annual statements of commerce and navi

The Senate then proceeded to the election of a Chap-gation was then taken up.

SENATE.]

Commercial Statements.

[DECEMBER 17, 1832.

Mr. SMITH briefly stated the reasons which had induc-garded the calling for a bill as derogatory to the character ed him to offer this resolution. Referring to the act which of the Senate.

directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report these Mr. TYLER regretted that on a mere motion to reconstatements anually to Congress in the first, meaning, per-sider the order for adjournment, the merits of the resoluhaps, the first Monday of December, or as soon after as pos- tion should be brought up for discussion. Notwithstandsible-he complained that the document did not very fre- ing what had fallen from the Senator from Mississippi, quently find its way to the members until the session had however, he should still calculate on having his vote in terminated, and they had returned to their homes. He favor of the resolution. He reminded that gentleman that did not get his last statement until the end of October or the existing law required of the Secretary of the Treasury the beginning of November. He referred to the great but to communicate to Congress all the information concernunsuccessful exertions which had been made by the Sec-ing the finances of the country. In obedience to this retary to obtain the statements, at an earlier period, from law, the Secretary had stated that there might be a reducthe officers who had to prepare the details. The Secretion in the revenue to the amount of six millions. This tary hoped to send in the next statement, by the 1st of was the broad proposition of the Secretary. Was not the February; and after that time, it would be long before it Senate justified then in calling upon the Secretary to state could be printed, and presented to the members. The in what manner this reduction could be effected? Are object of his resolution was to give authority to the Secre- we not to call on him to furnish a bill of particulars which tary to have the document printed so that it might be we may make the basis of our legislation? The resolution printed, sheet by sheet, as the matter was furnished from did no more than call on him for such bill of particulars. the Department, and under the supervision of the Treas- He considered that the objection of the gentleman from ury. The difficulty arose out of the impossibility of get- Mississippi would apply with great force to any other of the ting the reports of the various officers in proper time. The Departments; but for the reasons he had stated, he did not Secretary complained that he could not get them in time; think it applicable to the Treasury. He expressed his hope unless some penalty could be inflicted for neglect and de- that the Senate would reconsider the motion to adjourn. lay, he did not see how the officers could be coerced into greater diligence.

Mr. MANGUM said a few words against the motion to reconsider, and against the resolution itself. Unlearned Mr. HOLMES admitted that there was ground for com- as he was in these matters, and untutored in the precise plaint as to the delay in furnishing these annual statements. course which had been customary, he was not disposed to It often happened that they were not received until long call on any body but the regular committees of that body after the termination of the session; perhaps not before for the draught of a bill. The Secretary, it was true, was May or June, instead of early in January. The report required to furnish all information concerning his Departhas to be delivered to the Secretary of the Senate, and ment, and he could see no impropriety in his furnishing afterwards to be printed. The adoption of this resolution the Senate with details; but he would prefer that the com would lead to the printing of the statements beforehand, mittees should examine the facts, and if they agreed with but the evil would not thereby be remedied. The re- the Secretary as to the main points, it was for them to go port of the Secretary of the Treasury gives the returns to him for such details as they might require: as a `matter up to the 30th of September, and he saw no reason why concerning the dignity of the Senate, he should feel himthe report should not be made before the 1st of January. self called on to oppose the course which was now sug It was said that there was no penal sanction to the law, gested. He would not call on any branch of the Governand that the officers could delay their returns without in- ment for the projet of a bill. curring any penalty. It is so; but he should suppose that neglect could be prevented; that if the Secretary could not remove an offender, he could report his neglect to the President. He thought the subject should be further considered, and with this view, he moved to lay the resolution on the table.

The motion was agreed to.

The question was then taken on the motion to reconsider; which was decided in the negative-ayes 17, nocs 18. And the Senate adjourned to Monday.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 17.

Mr. POINDEXTER offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be direct-

On motion of Mr. FORSYTH, the Senate then pro-ed to report to the Senate, with as little delay as practi

ceeded to the consideration of executive business.

RE-CONSIDERATION.

cable, a detailed statement of the articles of foreign growth or manufacture, oh which, in his opinion, the present rate of duties ought to be reduced, specifying particularly the

When the doors were re-opened, a motion had been amount of reduction on each article separately, so as to made by Mr. POINDEXTER to re-consider the order of produce the result of an aggregate reduction of the revethe Senate to adjourn till Monday, for the purpose of nue six millions of dollars, on such manufactures as are giving an opportunity, to-morrow, for the adoption of the classed under the general denomination of protected artiresolution offered to-day by Mr. SMITH, from the Com-cles; and that he also append to such report an enumeration of articles deemed to be "essential to our national When Reporters were admitted, Mr. HOLMES had independence in time of war," and which therefore ought, just opposed the motion. proposed reduction of duties. in his opinion, to be exempted from the operation of the

mittee on Finance.

On motion of Mr. POINDEXTER, the resolution was ordered to be printed.

Mr. POINDEXTER succeeded him in a few remarks in opposition to any call upon the Head of a Department for the projet of a bill. In his opinion, the Senate ought to look to their own committees for draughts of bills, and to the Departments merely for information. He had a strong COMMERCIAL STATEMENTS. objection to sending either to the President, or any one On motion of Mr. SMITH, the Senate proceeded to the of the Departments, for a bill. He would look to the re- consideration of the joint resolution offered by him relative gular committees for the bills, and the committees would to the printing of the annual statement of commerce and look to the Departments for such information as they navigation.

might require. He could not consider this resolution, Mr. HOLMES remarked, that he had no intention of therefore, in the light of an ordinary cal! for information; opposing, nor did he intend to propose amending the reand whenever it should be taken up, he would record his solution. He would suggest, however, to the mover to name in opposition to it. Not that he was ever opposed avoid the supposition that the intention was to take this to call on the Departments for information, but that he re- portion of the public printing from the public printer,

DECEMBER 17, 1832.]

act.

and give it to another; whether it would not be better to fer, as proposed by the resolution. It would give more insert an amendment, providing that the work should be power of public patronage to one of the Heads of Departexecuted by the printer of one of the two Houses of Con-ments, which they already possess to a disproportionate gress. He presumed this arose from an inadvertence in amount. The Secretary may give the printing of the dodrawing the resolution, and had made the suggestion, in cuments to any printer he chooses; thereby releasing him order to avoid the idea, that might otherwise be formed, from that responsibility to Congress which rests on their that the object of the resolution was to take so much work own public printers. I move, then, to amend the resolufrom the public printer. He regretted that the resolution tion, by inserting after the word printed, "by the printer did not go a little further, (as in its present shape it was of the Senate or House of Representatives." not, in his opinion, calculated to reach the object in view,) The question was then, taken, and Mr. P's amendment and do something that would tend to procure for them the was carried without a division. documents a little sooner, which would make some provi- Mr. BIBB said, he could not see the necessity of this sion of law necessary, by which the public printer would be resolution. He would read to the Senate the law of Conallowed more time to expedite the work. He did not be-gress providing for the transmission to Congress of these lieve, however, that any sanction of a penalty by Con-statements at each session. [Mr. B. here read the law.] gress would be necessary to prevent any remissness on Now, said Mr. B., do we mean to change this law of Conthe part of the collectors, as the Secretary of the Trea- gress by the passage of a resolution, and provide that the sury undoubtedly had it in his power to report any dere- statements shall be sent ready printed, by the Secretary of liction of duty to the President, with a view to the removal the Treasury, to the members at their respective homes, of the offending officer. This would have the effect to and in his own time, instead of laying them before Congress? let those officers know that their returns must be made When the statements are sent to us, said Mr. B., we have in time to comply with the requisitions of the law. them under our own control, and can dispose of them as we Mr. FOOT said, that he had an objection to the resolu- please; but it will be quite otherwise should the resolution tion itself. It was calculated to release the custom house pass. He believed that the Secretary of the Treasury had it officers from making their returns. Some do not make in his power to send in the statements in time for Contheir returns in time. If the Executive cannot enforce gress to print them before its adjournment; and he should the law on this subject, there ought to be an enforcing like to know who were the persons not performing their It is of great importance to have the documents in respective duties, in time to enable him to do so. Sir, season. Sir, I am entirely opposed to the resolution in itself. | said Mr. B., I, for one, am covetous of that portion of Mr. SMITH observed, that it was unimportant to him patronage of the Government possessed by the two Houses individually, whether the resolution passed or not, be- of Congress, and am not disposed to deprive them of it, cause he expected hereafter to have no participation in to bestow it on any of the Executive departments. the subject of it. His sole object was the future conve- Mr. SMITH said, the resolution is not opposed to the nience of the Senate, and to expedite the public business. law. The only difference from the usual practice, proHis attention had been called to this subject, by the re-posed by the resolution, is, that the documents shall be marks of the Senator from Maine, of the last session, and submitted to the Senate, not in manuscript, but in print. the acknowledged inconveniences resulting from the late The whole object of the resolution is to save time. The receipt of this important document referred to. Now his reports of collections must be made up after the 20th of resolution went to remedy completely the inconveniences September. If the documents were placed before the complained of; for a part of the returns embraced in this Senate by the 1st of January, their action upon them very document, were already received by the Treasury could not be completed by the 1st of March. The public Department, and could now be put to press if the depart-printers, from their numerous engagements, are not able ment had the power to print it; and then the remaining to print them in time. It is difficult to collate and copy parts could be printed as received. The public printer, the documents. Two men could not do it in less than two Mr. S. said, had much to do, and of an important nature, weeks. The Secretary could have them printed as they at the very time this document usually came in, (1st Ja- were made out. The only difference would be, that they nuary.) It would take much time even to examine the would be submitted to the Senate in print, and not in maproof sheets, as consisting of nice and great calculations, nuscript: not to the individual members of Congress, as in figure work; and indeed he did not believe that two the gentleman had intimated, but to the two Houses of proof readers could do it in two weeks. Now all this Congress. Last session an extra number was printed: could be avoided by the adoption of the resolution. It they were not delivered to members, but to the House. was, as he said before, no object to him; his only object There is no power transferred to the Secretary. He is was the convenience of the Senate hereafter. bound to present the usual number. The resolution cannot intefere with the law. The Secretary is required by the law to submit his report by the first of December, or as soon after as possible. The Senate want to have the documents early, no matter whether in print or manuscript, so that they can act upon them during the session. He saw great inconvenience in the present mode: he only wished for convenience. It is difficult to get the documents from manuscript in less than two weeks. Mr. POINDEXTER said, the resolution seemed to inMr. HOLMES said, that he too never had any idea of volve some difficulties, and he, for one, wished for time legislating for himself, though he did not expect to be for further consideration. He would, therefore, move to here again. There are many of us, he said, not legislay it on the table.

Mr. FOOT again remarked, that the honorable Senator had said well, that we ought not to legislate for ourselves as individuals. Sir, I do not aim to legislate for myself, but for my country: and this is a duty which I will not yield or abandon while I have a standing on this fleor.

Mr. SMITH said, he had not intended to convey the idea that they were legislating for themselves. When he spoke of the convenience of the Senate, it was in reference to the expediting the public business.

lating for ourselves but for posterity, except, indeed, The resolution was then laid on the table, without a some bachelors, who could not legislate for their pos-division. terity.

Mr. POINDEXTER said, there is no necessity for this measure. It is the custom of the Senate sometimes to print the usual number, and sometimes an extra number. On this point the Secretary of the Treasury is not comp?tent to decide. But there is another objection to a trans

TARIFF DUTIES.

The Senate then proceeded to take up the orders of the day.

The following resolution, offered by Mr. SMITH, on Thursday, being under consideration:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be direct

ed, with as little delay as may be, to furnish the Senate with the projet of a bill for reducing the duties levied upon imports, in conformity with the suggestions made by him in his annual report.

[DECEMBER 24, 1832.

MISSOURI CANAL.

The bill to grant a quantity of land to the State of Missouri, for the purpose of enabling said State to open a canal in the Big Swamp, between the counties of Cape Girardeau and Scott, to connect the waters of the river St. Francois, and the river Mississippi, was read a second time, and after a brief explanation by Mr. BUCKNER, of the condition of the lands through which the canal was proposed to be made, was reported without amendment. MR. SPRAGUE put a question to the Senator from Missouri as to the quantity of land which was proposed to be given to the State, and whether the whole of it came under the denomination of a swamp?

Mr. TYLER said that he had been chiefly instrumental in prevailing on the Committee of Finance to adopt the resolution now before the Senate. It had been adopted without opposition, and seemed to meet the entire approbation of all the members, save one. Under these circumstances it had come before the Senate. He intended it for good. He thought a speedy action on the subject of the tariff was indispensably necessary; that it was due to the country, to the condition of the finances, and demanded by the fearful crisis into which our affairs had Mr. BUCKNER replied that it was intended to give been unfortunately plunged. A great crisis had arrived, two and a half miles on each side of the canal, and that and definitive action-powerful, well sustained, and effi- the swamps extended six miles. There was very little cient action--was necessary to save the country. The good land which was not inundated, and most of that was subject could not be blinked, and he, for one, resting settled by public or other grants. These persons were upon the principles on which he had all his life acted, protected by the bill. was ready for action. He was not for shedding blood in civil strife, but for prompt legislation, which would heal the wounds of the country. He found himself, however, differing with some of those with whom he commonly acted, and without whose aid the resolution could not be carried. Some objected for one cause, and some for another. He hoped that those objections would yield to better reflection, and that those who agreed in the main, would not differ about unessentials. For the present, he declined to press the subject, and moved to lay the resolution on the table.

The resolution was accordingly ordered to lie upon the table.

On motion of Mr. SMITH, the Senate then proceeded to the consideration of Executive business. After which, The Senate adjourned.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18.

THE TARIFF.

The resolution offered yesterday by Mr. POINDEXTER being taken up,

Mr. SMITH requested that the resolution might lie over for the present to allow time for examination.

Mr. POINDEX TER said that he had no objection to suffer the resolution to lie over. But as it was necessary, on account of the labor it would impose on the Department, that it should be speedily acted on, he gave notice that he should call the resolution up for consideration on the day after to-morrow.

After forwarding a number of bills, and disposing of sundry minor matters,

The Senate adjourned.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19.

REVENUE FRAUDS.

The following resolution, offered yesterday by Mr. SPRAGUE, was taken up:

Resolved, That the Committee on Finance be instructed to inquire into the expediency of making further provision for the protection of the revenue, by prohibiting| officers of the castoms from trading in articles not subject to duty.

On motion of Mr. SPRAGUE, who wished time for further information, the bill was, for the present, laid on the table. PUNISHMENT OF CRIMES.

The bill supplementary to an Act to provide for the more efficient punishment of certain crimes against the United States, &c. was read a second time.

The bill being in committee, some discussion took place in reference to its various details, in which Messrs. DALLAS, CHAMBERS, EWING, HOLMES, WILKINS, TYLER, MANGUM, and BIBB, participated.

The discussion chiefly related to that clause of the bill which prescribes the punishment of solitary imprisonment, from one year to five years, at the discretion of the Court, for persons convicted of having counterfeit notes in their possession. This discretion was, on one side, deemed too great to be vested in any court, because five years solitary confinement is a punishment equal to death. On the other hand, it was insisted that, in such case as was provided for by the clause, the inception of the offence ought to be punished as severely as its consummation. Some amendments were made in the details of

the bill.

The bill, on motion of Mr. BIBB, was laid on the table.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20.

FRENCH SPOLIATIONS.

Mr. CHAMBERS, from the Select Committee on French Spoliations, reported a bill similar to one before the Senate at the last session, with a verbal amendment, which was read and ordered to a second reading.

Mr. CHAMBERS took occasion to state, that, as the chairman of the committee was absent, it was not the intention of the committee to call up the bill for consideration until they should have the pleasure of seeing him in his place.

After disposing of a number of petitions, resolutions, and private bills,

Adjourned to Monday.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 24.

REDUCTION OF DUTIES.

After the Senate had disposed of some other morning business,

Mr. SPRAGUE, in a very few words, stated that he had been induced to offer this resolution in consequence of letters which had reached him from sources entitled to the highest respect, communicating the fact that great Mr. POINDEXTER moved that the Senate do now frauds were committed by officers of the customs, carry- consider the following resolution, which he offered on ing on a traffic in articles not subject to duty. Having the 17th instant: received this information from quarters entitled to weight, Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be dihe wished it to be referred to the Committee on Finance, to examine and report whether some legal provision to prevent these frauds might not be expedient. The resolution was then agreed to.

rected to report to the Senate with as little delay as practicable, a detailed statement of the articles of foreign growth or manufacture, on which, in his opinion, the present rate of duties ought to be reduced, specifying