Ordered, That it be recommitted to the said committee to bring in a bill accordingly.

The bill authorizing the appointment of hospital surgeons, and hospital surgeons' mates in the navy of the United States, was read the second time. The bill, in addition to "An act for the relief of George T. Ross and Daniel T. Patterson, and the officers and men lately under their command," was read the second time.

The bill to repeal the second section of an act, entitled "An act concerning the pay of officers, seamen, and marines in the navy of the United States" was read the second time.

The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the consideration of the bill to enable the people of the western part 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 the bill having been amended, the President reported it to the House accordingly; and the amendments were agreed to. And

On motion by Mr. Williams,

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

The resolution for supplying the members with the acts of Congress, was read the second time. The Senate resumed the consideration of the bil! to establish a new Executive Department, and for other purposes.

On motion by Mr. Barbour,

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

The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill for the prompt settlement of public accounts. And the bill having been further amended;

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

It was determined in the affirmative.

After the consideration of Executive business the the Senate adjourned to eleven o'clock to-morrow morning, to which time the several orders of day were postponed.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 29, 1817.

Mr. Mason, of Virginia, presented another petition from Thomas Ewell on the subject of his contracts with the Navy Department respecting gunpowder, praying the interference of Congress to the end that the said contracts may be fulfilled; and the petition was read.

On motion by Mr. Mason, of Virginia,

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

Mr. Horsey, from the committee to whom was referred so much of the message of the President of the United States as relates to the slave trade, reported a bill respecting the transportation of persons of colour for sale, or to be held to labour; and the bill was read.

Ordered, That it pass to the second reading. Mr. Horsey, from the same committce, also re

ported a bill respecting persous escapmg from the service of their masters; and the bill was read.

Ordered, That it pass to the second reading. Mr. Mason, of Virginia, presented the memorial of Thomas Law, and others, members of the Columbian Institute, praying an act of incorporation, the grant of part of the public reservation in the city of Washington for a botanical garden, and pecuniary aid to enable them to extend the benefits flowing from the society; and the memorial was read.

On motion by Mr. Mason, of Virginia,

Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on the District of Columbia; to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Tait, from the committce on Naval Affairs, asked and obtained leave to report a bill to amend and explain an act giving pensions to the orphans and widows of persons slain in the public or private armed vessels of the United States; and the bill was read.

Ordered, That it pass to the second reading,

Mr. Tait also submitted sundry documents in relation thereto.

On motion by Mr. Morrow,

Resolved, That the committee on the Post-Office and Post-Roads be instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a post-road from Piqua, in the State of Ohio, to Fort Wayne; and report thereon.

The bill making appropriations for the payment

of certain claims for militia services to the State of

Georgia, was read the second time.

The bill to appoint additional pension agents was read the second time.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill to enable the people of the western part 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 the bill having been further amended,

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

It was determined in the affirmative, yeas 23, nays 11.

On motion by Mr. Tichenor,

The yeas and nays being desired by one fifth of the Senators present, those who voted in the affirmative are,

The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill to establish a new Executive Department and for other purposes.

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

It was determined in the negative, yeas 11, nays 23.

On motion by Mr. Wilson,

The yeas and nays being desired by one fifth of the Senators present, those who voted in the af firmative, are