On motion by Mr. Goldsborough,

Ordered, That the committee of Finance, to whom was referred the petition of the president and directors of the bank of the Metropolis; of the president and directors of the Patriotic bank of Washington; and of the president and directors of the Central bank of Georgetown and Washington, respectively praying charters of incorporation, be discharged from the further consideration thereof, and that they be severally referred to the committee on the District of Columbia, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise.

The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the consideration of the bill to incorporate the members of the Columbian Institute; and On motion by Mr. Wilson,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until the fourth day of March, next. The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the consideration of the bill to establish a separate territorial government for the eastern part of the Mississippi Territory, together with the amendments reported thereto by the select

committee. Mr. Varnum was requested to take the chair; and the amendments having been agreed to, with an additional amendment, the President resumed the chair, and the bill was rcported to the House accordingly. And the amendments having been concurred in.

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

It was determined in the affirmative.

Mr. Williams submitted the following motion for consideration :

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to lay before the Senate a copy of the correspondence between the government of the United States and the government of Spain, relative to the subjects of controversy between the two nations, except such part as he may deem improper to disclose.

The President communicated a report of the postmaster-general, of the unproductive post-roads for the year 1816; and the report was read.

On motion by Mr. Morrow,

Ordered, That the further consideration of the bill to set apart and dispose of certain public lands for the encouragement of the cultivation of the vine and other exotic plants thereon, be postponed to, and made the order of the day for to-morrow.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20th, 1817..

Mr. Mason, of Va., presented the petition of the president and directors of the Union Bank of Alexandria, praying an act of incorporation, for reasons stated in the petition; which was read.

On motion by Mr. Mason, of Va.,

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

Mr. Mason, of Va., also presented the petition of the president and directors of the Farmers' Bank of Alexandria, praying an extension of their charter, for reasons stated in the petition; which was read.

On motion by Mr. Mason, of Va.,

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

Mr. Mason, of Va, also presented the petition of Alicia Carter, relict of William B. Carter, who died in the service of his country during the late war, previous to his being mustered, praying for relief, as stated in the petition; which was read. On motion by Mr. Mason, of Va., Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on Military Affairs, to consider and by bill or otherwise.

report

thereon

Mr. Tait, from the committee on Naval Affairs, to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill

for the relief of the legal representatives of John J. Yarnall, deceased; and the bill was read. Ordered, That it pass to the second reading. Mr. Tait, from the same committec, to whom was referred the memorial of Edward Shubrick and others, officers of the late United States' brig Chippewa, made report, together with the following resolution⚫

Resolved, That the memorialists have leave to withdraw their memorial.

Mr. Mason, of N. H., presented the memorial of the merchants of Portsmouth, N. H., and its vicinity, who have suffered from the depredations of French cruisers; representing, that during the wars in Europe which arose out of the French revolu tion, their property, while engaged in lawful commerce, was subjected to capture and condemnation by the cruisers of the French republic, upon the most frivolous pretences; that for these aggressions they had a claim upon the justice of the French government, which they had urged with some success, but that by the convention of September 30, 1800, the claim of American citizens for indemnity for such captures was relinquished, in consideration of certain great political advantages in favour of the United States, whereby they conceive the United States are bound to discharge those claims which they prevented their citizens from obtaining abroad; and praying compensation therefor, and that such measures may be pursued as will secure to them an indemnity from the goverm

ment of France for the depredations of French cruisers since the ratification of the convention of September 30, 1800; and the memorial was read. On motion by Mr. Mason, of N. H.,

Ordered, That it be printed for the use of the Senate.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 19th instant, for requesting the President of the United States to cause to be reported to the Senate, at the next session of Congress, such measures as he may deem most effectual for the security of the country watered by the Chesapeake Bay against the maritime force of an enemy. On motion by Mr. Barbour,

Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until the 4th day of March, next.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 19th instant, for requesting a copy of the correspondence between the government of the United States, and the government of Spain, relative to the controversy between the two nations, except such part as may be deemed improper to disclose, and agreed thereto.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion of the 19th instant, for instructing the committee on the Judiciary to inquire into the expediency of allowing to the judge of the sixth circuit court of the United States, a certain compensation for having performed the duties of the judge of the district court of South-Carolina; and agreed thcreto.