for the establishment and regulation of the Treasury, War, and Navy Departments;" and the report was read.

Mr. Tait presented the memorial of E. Cutbush and Samuel R. Marshall, on behalf of the surgeons and assistants of the navy of the United States, praying the regulation of their rank and increase of pay and emoluments, as stated in the memorial; which was read.

On motion by Mr. Tait,

Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on Naval Affairs, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Horsey presented the memorial of John Fisher and others, citizens of the United States, praying the revision and amendment of "An act respecting fugitives from justice, and persons escaping from the service of their masters," passed the 12th of February, 1793, for the purpose of more effectually suppressing a traffick in negroes and people of colour from the middle to the southern States, as stated in the memorial; which was read. On motion by Mr. Horsey,

Ordered, That it be referred to the committce to whom was referred so much of the message of the President of the United States as relates to the slave trade, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Wilson, from the committee, reported correctly engrossed, the bill authorizing the sale of certain grounds, belonging to the United States,

in the city of Washington; the bill for the relief of William Edwards; also, the amendment to the bill entitled "An act for the relief of William Haslet?"

Mr. Morrow, from the committee on the Public Lands, to whom was referred the bill to authorize the State of Tennessee to issue grants, and perfect titles on certain entries and locations of lands therein described, reported it with amendments; which were read.

Mr. Williams, from the committee on Military Affairs, who were instructed, by a resolution of the 6th instant," to inquire into the expediency of increasing the pay of the regimental and battalion paymasters, and giving them rank in the army," made a report; which was read.

Mr. Williams, fron the same committee, who were instructed, by a resolution of the 3d instant, "to inquire into the expediency of authorizing, by law, the appointment of additional agents in such States or Territories where it may be found necessary for the more convenient payment of such persons as are now, or may hereafter be placed on the pension list," made a report; which was read.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 13th instant, for instructing the Secretary of War 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, and agreed thereto.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the

report

of the committee on the Public Lands, who were instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing, by law, an exchange of territory with any of the Indian tribes; and, after debate,

On motion by Mr. Fromentin,

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

any

On motion by Mr. Fromentin,

Resolved, That the Secretary for the Department of War be required to lay before the Senate document or information in his office respect. ing the exchange of lands with any of the Indian tribes, now completed or contemplated, under the act of Congress approved on the 26th day of March, 1801, entitled, An act to erect Louisiana into two Territories, and to provide for the temporary government thereof."

The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on Public Lands on the petition of David Chambers. Whereupon,

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

The bill, entitled, "An act to amend the act authorizing the payment 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,” was read the second time.

On motion by Mr. Macon,

Ordered, That it be referred to the committee. of Claims, to consider and report thereon.

On motion by Mr. Mason, of Va.,

Ordered, That the committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of James Garey, be discharged from the further consideration thereof, and that the petitioner have leave to withdraw his petition and documents.

On motion,

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

WEDNESDAY, January 15, 1817.

The President communicated the report of the Acting Secretary for the Department of War, exhibiting the names of the clerks employed in the several offices attached to that Department, and the sums given to each for the year 1816, and the report was read.

Mr. Chace presented the petition of Jedediah Smith, of Roxbury, in the county of Orange and State of Vermont, praying a pension; for reasons stated in the petition, which was read.

On motion by Mr. Chace,

Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on Pensions, to consider and report thereon, by hill or otherwise.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on Military Affairs who were instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing, by law, the appointment of additional agents in such States or Territories where it may

be found necessary, for the more convenient payment of such persons as now are or may hereafter be placed on the pension list.

On motion by Mr. Roberts,

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

The bill entitled “an act making a partial appropriation for the subsistence of the army, during the year 1817," was read the second time. On motion by Mr. Williams,

Ordered, That it be referred to the committee of Finance to consider and report thereon.

The resolution to authorize the President of the United States to employ John Trumbull to execute a painting commemorative of the declaration of independence, was read the second time. On motion by Mr. Goldsborough,

Ordered, That it be referred to a select committee with instructions to confer with colonel John Trumbull for the purpose of selecting two additional scenes from the period of the revolution to be the subjects of paintings, which together with the declaration of independence when completed. are to be deposited in the capitol of the United States. Ordered, That Mr. Barbour, Mr. Goldsborough, and Mr King be the committee.

Mr. Lacock presented the petition of Daniel Pettibone, praying to be employed to erect the necessary apparatus for warming the capitol, now undergoing repairs, upon his improved plan, as stated in the petition; which was read.