the committee correctly engrossed, was read a third time. Resolved, That this bill pass, and that the title thereof be, "An act directing the discharge of Lewis Olmsted from imprisonment." 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. Mr. Smith having proposed sundry amendments thereto. On motion by Mr. Talbot, Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed to, and made the order of the for, Monday next, and that the amendments be printed for the use of the Senate. After the consideration of executive business, The Senate resumed 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," as amended; and the bill having been further amended, and a further amendment being proposed by Mr. Talbot: On motion, The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning; to which time the several orders of the day were postponed. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7th, 1817. Mr. Ruggles reported from the committee that they had, on the 6th instant, laid before the President of the United States the enrolled bill and enrolled resolution last reported to have been examed; and that they had examined, and found duly enrolled, the bill entitled "An act for the relief of Henry Malcolm;" the bill entitled "An act to amend an act, entitled, 'An act authorizing the payment of a sum of money to Joseph Stewart and others;" also the bill, entitled, “ An act to extend the provisions of the act to authorize certain officers and other persons to administer oaths, approved May the third, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight." 66 The following written message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Todd, his Secretary: To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: On comparing the 4th section of the act of Congress, passed March 31, 1814, providing for the indemnification of certain claimants of public lands in the Mississippi Territory, with the article of agreement and cession between the United States and State of Georgia, bearing date April 30, 1802, it appears that the engagements entered into with the claimants interfere with the rights and interests secured to that State. I recommend to Con gress that provision be made, by law, for payments to the State of Georgia equal to the amount of Mississippi stock which shall be paid into the Treasury, until the stipulated sum of 1,250,000 dollars shall be completed. February 6, 1817. The message was read. JAMES MADISON. On motion by Mr. Tait, Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on the Public Lands, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise. The following written message was also receiyed from the President of the United States, by Mr. Todd, his Secretary: To the Senate of the United States: I transmit to the Senate a report of the Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 28th of last month. February 7, 1817. JAMES MADISON. The message and report therein mentioned were read. The President communicated a report of the commissioners of the sinking fund, stating that the measures which have been authorized by the board subsequent to their last report, of the 7th of February, 1816, so far as the same have been completed, are fully detailed in the report of the Se cretary of the Treasury to this board, dated the 6th day of the present month, and in the statements therein referred to, which are herewith transmitted, and prayed to be received as part of this report; and the report was read. Mr. Goldsborough, from the committee of Claims, pursuant to instructions, reported a bill for the benefit of the legal representatives of Francis Cazeau, late merchant of Montreal; and the bill was read. Ordered, That it pass to the second reading. Mr. Mason, of N. H., presented the memorial of the ship owners, and others interested in foreign commerce, in the town of Portsmouth, and State of New-Hampshire, representing that in consequence of the measures adopted by foreign nations for the promotion of their own navigation, the ship owners of the United States are deprived of an equal and fair participation in the carrying and West-India trade; that although the amount of tónnage has greatly increased since the year 1806, yet the employment of it has declined in a degree highly alarming to all who, like themselves, depend on navigation for their support and pros perity; and praying the adoption of such regulations as may relieve the navigation of the United States from its present embarrassment; and the memorial was read. On motion by Mr. Mason, of N. H, Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on Foreign Relations, to consider and report there. on by bill or otherwise, and that it be printed fo the use of the Senate. Mr. Ruggles presented the petition of James Reed and others, praying the right of pre-emption to a certain tract of land, on which they have erected certain improvements, as stated in the petition; which was read. On motion by Mr. Ruggles, Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on the Public Lands, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise. Mr. Ruggles offered instructions from the legislature of the State of Ohio to ther Senators, to use their influence to procure the passage of a law of Congress giving the inhabitants on the United States' reservation, at Lower Sandusky, the preemption right to such part or portion of said reservation as will secure to said inhabitants their improvements, upon such terms and conditions as may appear reasonable and just; and moved that they be received and read: And It was determined in the negative. Mr. Wilson submitted the following motion for consideration: Resolved, That the Senate deem it inexpedient that instructions from a State legislature to the Senators from such State, should be received and filed in the Senate. On motion by Mr. Daggett, Ordered, That the committee appointed to in |