whom was referred the bill entitled "An act for the relief of Park Holland," reported it without amendment.

Agreeably to notice Mr Brown asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill authorizing vessels departing from the town of Bayou St John aud Basin of the Canal de Carondelet, for foreign ports, to clear out at the custom-house in the city of New-Orleans; and the bill was read.

Ordered, That it pass to the second reading.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee of Clains, to whom was referred the petition of Andrew J. Villard: Whereupon,

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

The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of Simon Sarazin and I. B. Aubert, of Baton Rouge, in the State of Louisiana; and in conformity thereto,

Resolved, That the petitioners have leave to withdraw their papers.

Agreeably to the order of the day 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 9th of April. 1815," as amended; and

The question recurring on the motion by Mr.

Lacock, to re-consider the vote on the motion to strike out the first section of the bill; and

It was determined in the affirmative, yeas 19, nays 18.

It having been agreed to take the question by yeas and nays, those who voted in the affirmative,

So it was agreed to re-consider the vote on the

motion to strike out the first section of the bill.

Whereupon,

Mr. Daggett renewed the motion to strike cut the first section of the bill; and

It was determined in the affirmative, yeas 20, nays 17.

The

On motion by Mr. Varnum,

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

On motion by Mr. Daggett,

Resolved, That the bill be referred to a select

committee, with instructions to conform the bill to the amendment made by striking out the first section, so as to retain the amendments already made by the Senate, not inconsistent with the above instruction.

Ordered, That Mr. Daggett, Mr. Roberts, and Mr. Barbour, be the committee.

On motion by Mr. Talbot,

It was agreed that when the Senate adjourn it be to Monday next; and

On motion,

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17th, 1817.

The President communicated a report of the postmaster-general, of the clerks employed in the general post-office, and the amount of salaries paid them for the year 1816; and the report was read.

Mr. Daggett, from the committee to whom was referred the bill from the House of Representatives, 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 day of April, 1816,” reported the same with amendments; which were read.

Mr. Mason, of N. H., submitted the following motion for consideration:

Resolved, That the committee on Military Affairs be instructed to report to the Senate a bill to reduce the military peace establishment of the United States, to the number of five thousand men, tẹ consist of such proportions of artillery, infantry, and riflemen, as the President of the United States shall dcem proper, retaining the corps of engineers as at present established.

Mr. Mason, of N H, also submitted the following motion for consideration;

Resolved, That the committee of Finance be instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury, in behalf and for the use of the United States, to purchase or cause to be erected suitable buildings for customhouses and public warehouses in such principal district in each State where the said Secretary shall deem the same necessary, for the safe and convenient collection of the revenue of the United States

On motion by Mr. Hanson,

That the committee of Finance, to whom were referred the petition of the president and directors of the Bank of the Metropolis, the petition of the president and directors of the Patriotic Bank of Washington, and the petition of the president and directors, and company of the Central Bank of Geogetown and Washington, respectively praying charters of incorporation, be discharged from the further consideration thereof, and that they be se