On motion, by Mr. Thomas, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, to consider and report thereon. The bill, entitled "An act to revive and continue in force an act, entitled "An act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary war," was read the second time. On motion, by Mr. Thomas, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Pensions, to consider and report thereon. The bill, entitled "An act to provide for paying to the state of Missouri three per cent. of the nett proceeds arising from the sale of the public lands within the same," was read the second time. On motion, by Mr. Barton, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Public Lands, to consider and report thereon. The resolution providing for the distribution of the Secret Journal and Foreign Correspondence of the old Congress, and of the Journal of the Convention which formed the constitution of the United States, was read the second time. The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion for a new rule as it respects the appointment of the committees of the Senate; and, On motion, by Mr. Eaton, Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until Friday next. Mr. King, of New York, presented the memorial of Ebenezer Stevens, and others, praying that Congress would afford them relief on account of a demand against the United States, arising out of certain contracts entered into with Robert Morris, Esq. for the supply of provisions to the army of the United States during the Revolutionary war; and the memorial was read; and, On motion, by Mr. King, Ordered, That it bé referred to the Committee of Claims, to consider and report thereon. Mr. Morril presented the petition of Stephen Shattuck, of the state of New Hampshire, praying to be placed on the roll of pensioners; and the petition was read. On motion, by Mr. Morril, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Pensions, to consider and report thereon. Mr. Barbour presented the memorial of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the city of Washington, praying authority to remove the course of the canal, and to convert a part of the public mall into building lots; and the memorial was read. On motion, by Mr. Barbour, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia, to consider and report thereon. On request, Mr. Eaton was excused from serving on the Committee on Pensions. On motion, by Mr. Talbot, It was agreed that when the Senate adjourn it be to Thursday next. Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, presented the petition of William Nott, and others, syndics of the creditors of George T. Phillips, late of New York, merchant, praying that certain bonds may be cancelled, their conditions having been complied with; and the petition was read; and, On motion, by Mr. Johnson, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures, to consider and report thereon. On motion, The Senate adjourned. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1821. Mr. Findlay presented the memorial of the President and Directors of the Bank of the United States, praying certain legislative enactments for the relief of the institution; the memorial was read; and, On motion, by Mr. Findlay, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Finance, to consider and report thereon. Mr. Ruggles, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of Daniel Merrill, made a report accompanied by the following resolution: Resolved, That the prayer of the petitioner ought not to be granted. The report and resolution were read. Mr. Parrott presented the petition of Reuben Shapley, representing that he is the owner of the schooner John and cargo, captured by his Britannic Majesty's ship of war Talbot, in 1815, within the time limited by the treaty of peace for the restoration of captured vessels. That the said vessel and cargo were both lost on the island of Cuba, through the misconduct or negligence of the captors; that he has been unable to obtain indemnity from the British government, and praying such relief as to the wisdom and equity of Congress may seem meet; and the petition was read. On motion, by Mr. Parrott, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, to consider and report thereon. Mr. Johnson, of Kentucky, presented the memorial of the Transylvania University, in the state of Kentucky, praying the repeal of the duty on books imported into the United States; and the memorial was read; and, On motion, by Mr. Johnson, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Finance, to consider and report thereon. Mr. Pleasants called up the petition presented at the last session of Congress, of Joseph Janney, praying compensation for buildings and other property destroyed by the enemy during the late war with Great Britain, in consequence of the occupancy thereof by militia; and the petition was read. Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Claims, to consider and report thereon. Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, presented the petition of the President and Directors of the Planters' Bank of New Orleans, praying the reimbursement of certain moneys advanced the paymaster of the troops of the United States stationed at that place in the year 1815; and the petition was read; and, On motion, by Mr. Johnson, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Claims, to consider and report thereon. Mr. D'Wolf presented the memorial of John R. Wheaton, and others, merchants and ropemakers, of Bristol, Rhode Island, praying a drawback of duty on cordage exported; and the memorial was read. On motion, by Mr. D'Wolf, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, to consider and report thereon. Mr. Morril presented the petition of Thomas Mullet, praying to be placed on the list of Revolutionary pensioners; and the petition was read. On motion, by Mr. Morril, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Pensions, to consider and report thereon. Mr. Knight submitted the following motion for consideration. Resolved, That the Committee on Naval Affairs be instructed to inquire into the rate and amount received per annum for commission or compensation of the several navy agents; and, also, of the mode practised by them in furnishing the navy of the United States with supplies, and that they report by bill or otherwise. Mr. Johnson gave notice that, to-morrow, he should ask leave to introduce a bill granting to the governor of the state of Louisiana, for the time being, and his successors in office, two tracts of land in the county of Point Coupee. On motion, by Mr. Noble, Resolved, That a member be appointed on the Committee on Pensions, in place of Mr. Eaton, excused; and Mr. Talbot was appointed. Mr. Barton submitted the following motion for consideration: Resolved, That the Committee on Public Lands be instructed to inquire whether any, and, if any, what, amendments explanatory of the several acts of Congress granting rights of pre-emption to settlers on public lands be necessary to effect the objects of those acts. On motion, by Mr. Dickerson, Resolved, That so much of the message of the President of the United States as respects our relations with foreign nations, be referred to the Committee of Foreign Relations. That so much thereof as relates to the debts and revenues of the United States, be referred to the Committee of Finance. That so much thereof as relates to Domestic Manufactures, be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures. That so much thereof as relates to the construction of permanent fortifications, be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. That so much thereof as relates to the naval service and the construction of vessels of war, be referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. That so much thereof as relates to the future establishment of a government over the territory composed of East and West Florida, be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The bill explanatory of the act for the relief of James Leander Cathcart, passed May fifteenth, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty was read the second time. The bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Samuel Clarkson and Alexander Elmslie," was read the second time. On motion, by Mr. Lowrie, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Finance, to con sider and report thereon. The resolution providing for the distribution of the Marshals' returns of the Fourth Census was read the second time. On motion, by Mr. Ruggles, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, to consider and report thereon. The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the resolution providing for the distribution of the Secret Journal and Foreign Correspondence of the old Congress, and of the Journal of the Convention which formed the Constitution of the United States; and, no amendment having been made thereto, it was reported to the House; and, Ordered, That it pass to a third reading. Mr. Johnson, of Kentucky, submitted the following motion for consideration: Resolved, That the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads be instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing the Postmaster General to permit the postmasters in the western country to take for postage on letters the currency of the state in which the post offices may be located. Mr. King, of N. Y. presented the petition of Jacob Barker, of New York, praying the interposition of Congress in the settlement of his accounts under his contracts of the 2d of May, 1814, with the Secretary of the Treasury, for a portion of the ten million loan, being part of the twenty-five millions authorized by the act of the 24th of March, 1814; the petition was read; and, On motion, by Mr. King, Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Claims, to consider and report thereon. After the consideration of Executive business, The Senate adjourned. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1821. The Vice President of the United States attended. Mr. Ruggles presented the memorial of John Scudder, and other citizens of Cincinnati, in the state of Ohio, urging the expediency of |