Chambers, made a report together with the following resolution.

Resolved, That the petitioner has leave to withdraw his petition and documents.

The report and resolution were read.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 10th instant, for instructing the committee of Claims to inquire into the expediency of allowing compensation to certain persons who were mounted rangers, and agreed thereto.

Mr. Barbour, submitted the following motion for consideration.

Resolved, That the Secretary of War be instructed to procure copies of the existing militia laws of the different States, as well as correct reports of the number and organization of their militia, to be laid before the Senate at their next session.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 10th instant, for the appointment of a committee to inquire into the expediency of purchasing copies of the late edition of the acts of Congress and having agreed thercto,

Ordered, That Mr. Williams, Mr. Macon, and Mr. Varnum be the committee.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the public lands on the expediency of an exchange of Territory with the Indian tribes.

On motion by Mr. Fromentin.

Ordered, That the consideration thereof be further postponed until to-morrow.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the select committee on the petition of Robert Kid. Whereupon,

Rosolved, That the prayer of the petitioner ought not to be granted.

Agreeably to notice, Mr. Barbour asked and obtained leave to bring in the following resolution:

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby authorized to employ John Trumbull, of Connecticut, to compose and execute a painting commemorative of the declaration of independence; to be placed, when finished, in the capitol of the United States; and the resolution was read.

Ordered, That it pass to the second reading.

Mr. Fromentin presented the petition of certain members of the legislature of the Mississippi Territory praying for admission of said territory into the Union as a State, without division; for reasons stated in the petition; which was read. On motion by Mr. Fromentin,

Ordered, That it be referred to the committee to whom was referred on the 7th instant the memorial of the legislative council and house of representatives of the Mississippi Territory on the same subject, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Roberts, from the committee of Claims, to whom was referred the bill entitled "an act di

recting the discharge of John Ricaud, from imprisonment," reported it with amendments; which were read.

The bill concerning the attorney-general of the United States, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, was read a third time.

Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be," an act concerning the attorney-general of the United States."

Ordered, That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of Representatives in this bill.

The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the consideration of the bill authorizing the sale of certain grounds belonging to the United States in the city of Washington; and the bill having been amended, the President reported it to the House accordingly. And,

On the question." Shall this bill be engrossed and read a third time?

A

It was determined in the affirmative.

message from the House of Representatives by Mr. Dougherty their Clerk:

Mr. President:-The Speaker of the House of Representatives, having signed two enrolled bills, I am directed to bring them to the Senate, for the signature of their President.

The House of Representatives have passed the bill, which originated in the Senate, entitled “an

act to authorize a new edition of the laws respecting the public lands."

They have passed a bill entitled "an act to amend the act authorizing the payment 6 for property lost, captured or destroyed by the enemy, while in the military service of the United States, and for other purposes;' passed the 9th of April 1816," also a bill entitled “an act making a partial appropriation for the subsistence of the army during the year 1817:" in which bills they request the concurrence of the Senate. And he withdrew.

The two bills last mentioned were read.

Ordered, That they severally pass to the second reading.

The President signed the two enrolled bills last reported to have been examined, and they were delivered to the committee to be laid before the President of the United States.

The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole the consideration of the bill to provide for the prompt settlement of the public accounts, and Mr. Macon having proposed an amendment there

to.

On motion by Mr. Wilson,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until to-morrow.

The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole the consideration of the bill to provide for the due exccution of the laws of the United States, within the State of Indiana.

On motion by Mr Chace,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until Monday next.

The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the consideration of the bill for the relief of William Edwards. 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 for the relief of Willian Haslet," together with the amendment reported thereto by the committee of Claims; and the amendment having been agreed to, the President reported the bill to the House accordingly.

On the question." Shall the amendment be engrossed, and the bill read a third time as amended ?"

It was determined in the affirmative.

On motion,

The Senate adjorned to 11 o'clock to-morrowmorning.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14th, 1817.

The President communicated a report from the Secretary for the Department of the Navy, comprehending a statement of the contracts made by that Department during the year 1816, prepared in obedience to the act of the 3d of March, 1809, entitled, An act further to amend the several acts