Mr. Williams, from the committee appointed to consider the subject, reported a bill to provide for the purchase and distribution of the laws of the United States; and the bill was read.

Ordered, That it pass to the second reading.

Mr. Roberts, from the committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of Sarah Dewees, made a report, which was read.

Mr. Roberts, from the same committee, also reported a bill for the relief of Sarah Dewees; and the bill was read.

Ordered, That it pass to the second reading.

Agreeably to notice, Mr. Roberts asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill authorizing a subscription for an additional volume of the laws of the United States, and for the distribution thereof; and the bill was read.

Ordered, That it pass to the second reading. The Senate resumed the consideration of the motions for instructing the military committee to inquire into the expediency of repealing or modifying so much of the second section of the act establishing the military staff as relates to hospital surgeons and surgeons' mates; and of a reform in the provi sions of the laws respecting the allowance and pay of private servants to the military and staff officers of the army, in order to place them on a more economical establishment; and agreed thereto.

The bill to incorporate the members of the Co lumbian Institute, was read the second time.

The engrossed bill to appoint additional pension agents, was read a third time.

Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be, "An act to appoint additional pension agents,"

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

The engrossed 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, was read a third time.

Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be, "An act to amend and explain an act giving pensions to the orphans and widows of per. sons slain in the public or private armed vessels of the United States."

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

The engrossed bill for the relief of the widow and children of Arnold Henry Dohrman, deceased, was read a third time, and the blanks were filled, 1st, 300; 2d, 100

Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be," An act for the relief of the widow and children of Arnold Henry Dohrman, deceased."

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

The bill granting a pension to commodore

Richard Taylor, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, was read a third time and the blank filled.

Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be," An act granting a pension to commodore Richard Taylor."

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

Agreeably to special order the Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the consideration of the bill respecting persons escaping from the service of their masters.

On motion by Mr. Smith,

Ordered, That the consideration thereof be further postponed to, and made the order of the day for to-morrow.

The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the consideration of the bill directing the discharge of David Olmsted from imprisonment; and no amendment having been agreed to, the 'President reported the bill to the House. 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 making provision for subsisting the army of the United States, by authorizing the appointment of commissaries of subsistence.

On motion by Mr. Hardin,

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, 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 ninth of April, 1816," together with the amendments reported thereto by the committee of Claims, and Mr Varnum was requested to take the chair; and the bill having been amended the President resumed the chair, and it was reported to the House accordingly ; and the amendments having been concurred in,

On motion,

The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning; to which time the several orders of the day were postponed.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6th, 1817.

On motion of Mr. Sanford,

Ordered, That William Radcliff and others, of the city of New-York, have leave to withdraw their petition and papers presented at the last session.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition in behalf of the represen

tatives of Francis Cazeau, and having agreed thereto.

On motion by Mr. Goldsborough,

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

The bill for the relief of Sarah Dewees, was read the second time.

A message from the President of the United States, by Mr. Todd, his Secretary:

Mr. President-The President of the United States this day approved and signed a resolution to employ John Trumbull, to compose and execute certain paintings.

Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives accordingly.

The bill authorizing a subscription for an additional volume of the laws of the United States, and for the distribution thereof, was read the second time.

The bill to provide for the purchase and distribution of the laws of the United States, was read the second time.

The engrossed bill to provide for the punish meut of crimes and offences, committed within the Indian boundaries, having been read a third time. On motion by Mr. Daggett,

Ordered, That it be recommitted to the committee on the Judiciary, further to consider and report thereon.

The bill directing the discharge of Lewis Olmsted from imprisonment, having been reported by