"The balance in the treasury, on the 1st of Oct. 1822, the commencement of the last fiscal year, was $61,404 72. In this sum, however, was included $13,063 10-the amount of subscriptions to the Washington monument. The amount of receipts into the treasury, from the 1st of October, 1822, to the 1st of October, 1823, was $534,474 03; which, with the above stated balance, makes the aggregate sum of $595,878 75. to the university, will amount to the sum of $55,000, prehensive view of this interesting subject. Enough leaving au ple provision for the annuity to the pri- however is known to enable us to form something mary schools, which I hope will be held sacred, like an estimate of the whole. Returns from seventy and a surplus of $9,000, after paying the expenses four counties give us the number of 6,105 indigent charged on the fund. I think it a matter of much children, within those counties, who have been sent moment, that the university, after the large sums to school, in the year 1822, by the aid of the fund, expended in erecting the buildings, should get into at the average expense of $7 for tuition, books operation as soon as practicable. Greater funds and other things. It may be fairly presumed, that will probably be necessarry to commence than to a number, little, if any thing, short of 10,000, will continue it, after the different professorships shall receive this benefit, when the system is more ma. be fully attended. Might it not then, as far as the tured by time and the experience which it will income of the fund will authorize it, without en bring along with it. Indeed, it is not improbable croaching on that part of it allotted to the prima. that that number has been sent to school the prery schools, comport with the true interests of the sent year. It is a subject of much gratification to state, to disencumber the annuity, in such a way as reflect that the rudiments of learning, at least as to enable the institution to commence its operations far as reading, writing and the elementary branches to the greatest advantage? I know the liberality of of arithmetic, are thus dispensed to so great a num the assembly will do justice to my motives for re- ber of our community, who, or but few of whom, commending this subject to their deliberate consi- would probably have received no education at all, deration. From causes, which I fear lie beyond our but for this benevolent provision in their favor. control, the physical power of this, compared with some of the other states, is much reduced. The preservation of our intellectual power, and conse. quently our moral and political influence in the union, where we have hitherto enjoyed our pro. portion, is considered, by all attentive observers, as depending, in no small degree, on the judicious application of the funds devoted to the purposes of education. These have been wisely divided by our predecessors between the primary schools and university We have reason to believe that the first of these are progressing in usefulness, as the full expenditure of the part of the fund appropriated to their use, is fast taking place. From the nature of the case, the application of the $45,000, ap propriated to the primary schools, could be brought into active operation with comparatively small previous expense. But an institution, for the higher branches of education, requires, of necessity, the concentration of so many articles of expense, that it is widely different in situation. Many of the states in the union have establishments of this kind, and Virginia has, for many years, been rendered, in a measure, tributary to the others, to a considerable amount, for the higher branches of education received by her sons. I am aware, that an opinion is prevalent that this institution is established for the benefit of the wealthy at the expense of the poor. I think this is a mistaken view. The wealthy can, at all times, take care of themselves; and having an institution of this kind among us, will certainly put it in the power of many to attend who would not go out of the state for that purpose. Besides, we may entertain a reasonable hope, if our university establishes the character, which, there are just grounds to hope it will, we may receive from the other states some return for our contributions to them. "The amount of warrants issued during the same period, was $562,821 73--leaving in the treasury, on the 1st day of October last, $33,057 02-in which sum is included the subscriptions to the Washington monument, amounting to $13,063 10, as above stated;-which, being deducted from the above balance of $33,057 02, leaves the sum of $19,993 92-the actual balance applicable to the revenue on the said 1st day of October last. "The estimated revenue for the current fiscal year, beginning on the 1st day of October last, and which will end on the 30th day of September, 1824, is, first, the above balance in the treasury of $19,993 92-secondly, the receipts for the current fiscal year, beginning and ending on the days above stated, $482,363 83-making the aggregate sum of $502,322 83. The estimated expenses of the commonwealth, during the same year, make the sum of $500,783 00-which will leave in the treasury, on the 1st day of October, in the year 1824, the sum of $1,539 83. This estimate is understood to be made on the supposition that the sum of $110,000 will be applied to the sinking fund, and is bottomed on the ordinary expenditure, taking no extraordi nary ones into view. [After stating that attention had been paid to certain resolutions passed, &c. and enumerating the papers submitted, &c.--the message concludes as follows] "There are just grounds for entertaining the be- "I am unwilling to close this communication with. lief, that the money appropriated for the education out congratulating you, which I most cordially do, of indigent children, in the different counties, is on the prospect which the people of Spanish Ameriannually becoming more usefully employed. This ca have, of closing their protracted and sanguinary improvement progresses with the experience of revolution, by the establishment of representative those entrusted with the management of the funds, governments, the best guarantee for rational, pracand with the knowledge of the benefits derived tical liberty. The Greeks too, unfortunately as from their application. The school commissioners, they are situated, with their ruthless oppressors on according to their statements, had difficulties to one side, and Christian nations,on the other, looking encounter in many respects, growing out of the with freezing indifference on their fate, give numfalse feeling of parents in some instances, and a berless proofs of what an invincible valor, in a good variety of other circumstances; but these difficul cause, is capable of achieving; and, great as the dif ties are gradually disappearing before better infor-ficulties are by which they are surrounded, it is ar. mation and the removal of prejudices. The returns dently hoped may, in a considerable degree, better of the commissioners are not sufficiently full and their condition, though they may not be permitted perfect to enable me to give any thing like a com- to establish a free government. The people of Old Spain have yielded to superior force, and the person having the greatest number of vores for preparchment of their constitution has been put aside sident shall be the president, if such number be by the point of the bayonet. France is stronger equal to a majority of the whole number of electothan Spain, and this is the third time, in the course ral districts within the United States; and if no of little more than a century, that her armies have person have such majority, then the president shall deluged the Spanish soil with Spanish blood. Con be chosen by the house of representatives, from the trasted with these nations, and with all others of three having the greatest number of votes for prewhose history we have any knowledge, how eligisident, in the manner now prescribed by the conble is our situation!! That we may have that true stitution. wisdom, founded on moderation and acquiescence in the will of the majority, fairly expressed, which alone can insure the felicity of our situation, is my constant prayer to that Great Being, in whose Al mighty hand is the destiny of nations." Eighteenth Congress-first session. SENATE. December 11. In pursuance of notice given yes terday, Mr. Benton asked, and obtained, leave to introduce the following resolution, which passed to a second reading, and was ordered to be printed: Resolved, by the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America, in congress assembled, two-thirds of both houses concurring, That the fol lowing amendment of the constitution of the United States, be proposed to the legislatures of the seve ral states, which, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the whole number of states, shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as part of the said constitution: That, for the purpose of electing a president and vice president of the United States, each state shall be divided, by the legislature thereof, into a num. ber of districts, equal to the whole number of senators and representatives to which such state may be entitled in the congress; each district shall be composed of contiguous territory, and shall contain, as nearly as may be, an equal number of persons, entitled, by the constitution, to be represented; and on such days as congress shall determine, which days shall be the same throughout the United States, the citizens of each state, who may be qualified to vote for a representative in congress, shall meet at such places within their respective districts as the legislature of each state shall appoint, and each, in his proper person, shall vote for president and vice president, one of whom, at the least, shail not be an inhabitant of the same state with himself; and separate triplicate lists shall be kept of all the voters, and of all the votes given for each person as president, and for each as vice president. All the votes, so given in each district, shall be collected, forthwith, in such manner as the legislature of the state may direct, at some one convenient place within the district; and the votes given for each candidate shall be added together, and the person having the greatest number of votes for president, and the one having the greatest number of votes for vice president, shall be certified as duly prefer red in said district, and shall be entitled to one vote each for the respective offices for which they are candidates; but, if two or more persons shall have an equal number of votes, in such district election, for the same office, then the returning officers shall decide between them, and certify accordingly. Tri plicate certificates of the whole number of votes given for each candidate shall be made out and transmitted, in such manner as congress may di rect, to the seat of government of the United States, addressed to the president of the senate: The pre sident of the senate shall, in presence of the senate and house of representatives, open all the certifi cates, and the votes shall then be counted. The The person having the greatest number of votes for vice president, shall be the vice president, if such number be equal to a majority of the whole number of electoral districts; and if no person have such majority, then the vice president shall be chosen by the senate, from the two persons having the greatest number of votes for that office, in the manner now prescribed by the constitution. December 12. Many petitions were this day presented-by Mr. Lowrie, the memorial of the city and county of Philadelphia, praying a revision of the present tariff, The resolution, offered yesterday by Mr Holmes, of Maine, instructing the committee of finance to inquire whether any further provisions are neces sary to prevent frauds in the revenue, on the eastern frontier of the United States, was again read and passed. The joint resolution offered yesterday by Mr. Benton, proposing an amendment of the constitu. tion, so as to give the election of president and vice president to the people, in primary assemblies, received its second reading. Adjourned till Monday. December 15. Mr. Mills, a senator from the state of Massachusetts, appeared and took his seat. The following communication, received from the department of war, was read: Department of war, December 11, 1823. SIR: In compliance with the 1st section of the act of congress, of the 6th May, 1822, "to amend an act, entitled an act to regulate trade and inter. course with the Indian tribes, and to preserve peace on the frontiers,' approved 30th of March, 1802," I transmit, herewith, an abstract of all licenses granted by the superintendents and agents for Indian affairs, to trade with the Indians, shewing by, and to whom, when, and where, granted, with the amount of the bonds and capital employed, as far as the same could be ascertained from the re.. turns which have been made to this department. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, J. C. CALHOUS. To the president of the sénate of the United States A number of petitions, chiefly of a private nature, were presented and referred. Different parts of the president's message were referred to differ. ent committees. Mr. Hayne rose to submit a proposition to amend the constitution of the United States. He thought it should not be changed for light or frivolous causes - but it was the duty of nations and individuals to guard against impending evils, &c. Now was a favorable time to make provision against a defect of the constitution, as admitted on all hands. He noticed other amendments proposed, and regarded them as defective. The election of a president ought not to come before either house of congress, because that a minority might give a chief magis. trate to the nation, &c. He said "The remedy ap. peared so obvious and so immediately upon the surface of the subject, he was surprised that it had not yet been suggested-it is only to apply the same rule to this, that is applied to all other elections. On the failure of the first ballotting to produce a choice, citizens of the city and county of Philadelphia, pray. proceed to the second, and continue till the elec-ing a revision of the tariff. The following resolutions were offered, read and laid over for consideration: By Mr. D'Wolf: be Resolved, That the committee on commerce and manufactures on all articles of domestic manufacture, the raw material of whichs is instructed to inquire into the expediency of allowing drawback By Mr. Euton: amendments may be necessary to an act, entitled "an act, relative Resolved, That the judiciary committee inquire if any, and what, to the election of a president and vice president of the United States and declaring the officer who shall act as president, in case of vacancies in the offices of both president and vice president," passed the 1st of March, 1792. [Agreed to next day.] In pursuance of notice given yesterday, Mr. Dickerson, and Mr. Holmes, of Maine, called up the several resolutions, proposing amendments to the constitution, in relation to the mode of electing president and vice president, which were offered by them, at the last session. These, together with the resolutions on the same subject, recently proposed by Mr. Benton and Mr. Hayne, were referred to a select committee, consisting of five members, and ordered to be printed for the use of the senate. Mr. King, of N. York, for reasons assigned, was excused from serving in the committee on foreign relations. tio is effected. Mr. H. said, his resolution pro posed that the electors should not be discharged until they had fulfilled their commission; that, after the first ballotting, if the choice was not made, they should be again convened, by proclamation of the president, in their respective states, or at the seat of government. We cannot shut our eyes to the fact, that the country is rapidly increasing, and that the probability of effecting an election at the first ballotting of the electors will continue to di minish. In the state elections, there is often a failure to elect their officers at the first ballotting; but the power is not then transferred to other hands. The consequences which this amendment provides against, must happen, if something is not done to prevent them. If it is adopted, the president will then be, emphatically, the man of the people's choice-the doors will be shut against fraud and corruption; and all improper combinations will be prevented. Should congress agree to the resolution, and the people adopt the amendment, it would not be too late for its application to the ensuing election. In seventeen of the states, the le. gislatures will be in session in time to act upon it; and, in the others, the sessions may be anticipated for a few weeks for the purpose. But the merits of his proposition, Mr. H. observed, did not depend upon its effect on the ensuing election-it was intended The bill supplementary to an act to relieve perfor the future benefit of our country; whose liber-sons imprisoned for debt, was taken up in committies, be trusted, were founded on a basis so solid as tee of the whole, reported, without amendment, and to resist all encroachments, but those of time itself. ordered to be engrossed and read a third time. Leave was then granted to Mr. Hayne to intro. [Passed next day.] duce the following resolution; which was read, pas- Adjourned. sed to a second reading, and ord red to be printed: Resolved, by the senate and house of representatives of the United States, in congress assembled, two thirds of both houses concurring, That the following amendment to the constitution of the United States be proposed to the legislatures of the several states; which, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the states, shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as part of the said constitution: "If no person voted for, according to the constitution, as presi dent of the United States, shall have a majority of the votes of the whole number of electors, then the president of the United States shall forthwith issue his proclamation, calling upon the electors to convene at, on the day of, thereafter, for the purpose of choosing a president; that the electors, when so convened, shall choose, immediately, by ballot, a president of the United States, and a majority of the whole number of electors shall be necessary to a choice "And should no person voted for, according to the constitution, as vice president of the United States, have a inajority of the votes of the whole number of electors, then the president of the United States shall forthwith issue his proclamation, calling upon the elec tors to convene at, on the day of, thereafter, for the purpose of choosing a vice president; that the electors, when so convened, shall choose, immediately, by ballot, a vice president of the United States, and a majority of the whole number of electors sha!! be necessary to a choice." A proposition was made that all the resolutions, proposing amendments to the constitution, offered at the last session and the pres nt, should be printed in a pamphlet--but a decision on the subject was postponed until to-morrow. Mr. Johnson's resolution about the judiciary, being amended, was agreed to, and referred. Mr. Lloyd, of Maryland, submitted the following resolution, which was read and laid over for consideration: Resolved, That the committee on military affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of passing a law, authorizing the proper departments to settle, on equitable terms, the claims of Ma ryland against the government of the United States, arising from advances made by Maryland during the late war. The senate then proceeded to the consideration of executive business, and immediately after Adjourned till twelve o'clock to-morrow. December 16. Mr. Kelly, of Alabama, appeared and took his seat. Among the petitions presented was one of certain The resolution submitted yesterday, by Mr. Lloyd, of Md. was agreed to. December 17. Mr. King, of Alabama, re-elected, appeared, was qualified and took his seat. Mr. Mills was appointed on the committee of fo reign relations, vice Mr. King, excused. Many petitions were received- chiefly of a local or private nature. Mr. Lowrie laid on the table a resolution of the synod of the city of Philadelphia, approving of the course taken by the government, in relation to certain tribes of Indians. Mr. Ruggles, from the committee on claims, re ported the bill for the relief of Daniel D. Tompkins, without amendment. Mr. Johnson's resolution, touching the official du ties of the receivers at certain land offices, was agreed to. Executive business occupied the greater part of this day. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, Dec. 11. The house resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Taylor being called to the chair, on the bill appropriating a cer tain sum of money for the relief of Daniel D. Tomp. kins. The bill having been read Mr. Cocke rose, and moved to strike out the enacting clause of the bill. He made this motion be cause the house were told, as the ground on which the act of the last session was passed, that there was a balance reported against the vice president; that bis services had been great; and that his situation was then such that it was not possible for him to pay the amount claimed of him. I was astonished, (said Mr. C.) when I saw the report published, that a large balance was due to him by the government, knowing it to have been admitted at the last session that there was no balance due to him. A similar case was brought before this house some years ago, in the case of John H. Piatt. We were in which he declares, not only that he is satisfied were told that he had rendered essential services to that this balance is justly due, but that much more the government; that he was insolvent, and that is due to him. Under such circumstances, all that nothing could be got from him. In the same man. is now asked is, that we shall pay so much as has ner, after a law had passed in his favor, there was a been thus ascertained to be due. It is, in fact, to report that there was a large sum of money due to do nothing more than supply the defect of the act this individual; but the house refused to appropriate of the last congress, in which, by some omission, no it. And, Mr. C. said, before he could vote for this appropriation had been made to meet the balance, bill, he must be convinced that the money was really if, according to the provisions of that act, a balance due to Mr. Tompkins. He should like to know, he should have been ascertained to be due to Mr. said, upon what vouchers a report of this sort had Tompkins. Now, what does the gentleman from been made. We are told, by the president's mes- Tennessee tell us? He wishes to know the ground sage, moreover, that this is not all the money that of the settlement? He wants, in short, to settle this will be claimed in this case: and, pass this bill, said account himself-to see the basis on which the offMr. C. and, probably before the Christmas holidays, cers of the treasury proceeded, in coming to the we shall have another call upon us to appropriate, decision which they have laid before the president. I am told, upwards of a hundred thousand dollars, for This, Mr. C. said, might have been proper when the the same purpose. It does seem strange to me, that subject was under consideration at the last session; those who are entrusted only with the disbursement but congress had committed the liquidation of these of public money, should expend their own funds to accounts to another tribunal. It had committed the large amount of a hundred or a hundred and it to the accounting officers of the governmentfifty thousand dollars. It is not usual for them to gentlemen, whose characters were unimpeached do so. And when we see a claim of this sort, which and on whose accuracy, in this settlement, no rehas lain dormant for a number of years, brought flections had been cast. The gentleman from Ten. forward after all the circumstances of it are forgot-nessee, whose vigilance over the treasury was the ten, we should have some proof exhibited to this admiration of the country and of the house, should house in support of it, before we put our hand into have reserved the remarks with which he had fa the public purse and take out the money of the vored the hous, until the time when a final settle. people to pay it. I make these objections to ascer- ment of the demands of the vice president on this tain whether the house will, without further infor- government is called up in this house-but now, mation, vote away this sum of money, especially when the sum reported is incontestible, when all when they know that a much larger sum of money the guards of the treasury unite in declaring it justwill be hereafter demanded of them on the same ly due, when all that is asked is to supply a defi plea as this. ciency in the law of the last session, those remarks, however eloquent, would, he trusted, have no weight. Mr. Cambreleng followed, and shewed that this case was essentially different from Piatt's. That was in dispute between the accounting officers- Mr. Livermore generally opposed the bill, and Mr this was not. Mr. McLane stated the facts of the Trimble, with much feeling, supported it. The case and supported the bill-the passage of which claim, he said, was just "Daniel D. Tompkins was a matter of course. He referred to the distin-never was indebted to this government”—he had fully guished services of the gentleman, and spoke of the justice of his claim. Mr. Cocke replied] Mr. Clay, (the speaker), then rose and said, that, to him, it appeared that the considerations, urged by the gentleman from Tennessee, would have been in their proper place, if urged at the last session-a but were certainly out of place at this time, when we are called upon, not to investigate a new claim, but to redeem the pledged faith of the public. On such a question, it was entirely unnecessary for the friends of the vice-president to refer to the public services, eminent as they had been, of the distinguished gentleman in question. This was not a fit occasion to introduce them. If the claimant were the meanest and most obscure individual in society, the house were equally bound to pass that bill. For, what was it? The accounts, to which it refers, had long been pressing on the public for li quidation; they had, at length, been brought before this house; and, after deliberate consideration, an act is passed for their final settlement. The ac counts were quietly examined and liquidated by the accounting officer. But, mark the precaution by which that act is characterized! Not only were these accounts to be submitted to the severe scru. tiny of the most rigid officer of this government; an officer, whose scrupulous accuracy, in the ad. mission of accounts against the government, is as deservedly approved as it is universally known; but, after they had gone through the crucible-af. ter they had been subjected to all the jealous scrutiny of this vigilant officer, they are to be submitted to the president for revisal. The president revises them, and then be sends to this house a message, examined the subject; and the prompt payment of the money was "due to the American people, and the good faith and the honor and honesty of the go. vernment" As observed in our last, the bill was ordered for third reading, only two or three in opposition. The following persons have been appointed to compose the committee on the subject of revolu tionary pensions, viz: Mr. Edwards, of North Carolina, Mr. Cassedy, Mr. Kremer, Mr. Hogeboom, Mr. Arthur Smith, Mr Vance, of North Carolina. Friday, Dec. 12. Mr. Fuller submitted the following: Resolved, That the president of the United States be requested the navy of the United States. to communicate to this house a plan for a peace establishment of The resolution lies on the table for one day of course. [It was agreed to next day, nem. con.] On motion of Mr. Cobb, it was Resolved, That the committee of ways and means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of repealing so much of the laws of the United States as imposes a duty on imported salt. On motion of Mr. Tomlinson, it was Resolved, That the committee of commerce be instructed to inquire whether it be expedient so to amend the act, entitled “An abolish the office of measurer: to provide that the duties hereto act to regulate the collection of duties un imports and tonnage "as to fore performed by the measurers, in virtue of said act, shall be performed by the inspectors; and to prohibit the allowance of any additional compensation to inspectors for measuring. On motion of Mr Whipple, it was Resolved, That the committee on military affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of amending the act making propassert April 3, 1808, so that the arms, provided by virtue of sard vision for arming and equipping the militia of the United States, act, and transmitted to the several states and territories of the union, shall, by each state and territory, be deposited and kept in be delivered to the militia thereof only when called into the actual proper arsenals, to be provided by said state or territory, ready to service of the United States, or of the state or territorial govern. ment, and to be returned to such place or places of deposite when said service shall cease. Mr Cook s... itted the following: Mr. Mercer presented the following resolution, which lies one day of course. Resolved, That the secretary of the navy be directed to trans- Besolved, That the secretary of the treasury be directed to commit to this house a list of the officers of the navy of the United This resolution lies on the table one day of course. [Agreed to next day, nem, con.] Monday, Dec. 15. About thirty petitions were presented and referred. The Speaker laid before the house, a communication from the comptroller of the treasury, ac. companied with a list received from the register of the treasury, of the balances on the books of receipts and expenditures, which appear to have been due more than three years prior to the 30th of September last; which several papers were laid upon the table for consideration. Mr. Rankin, from the committee on the public lands, reported "a bill to authorize the state of Indiana to open a canal through the public lands, to connect the navigation, of the rivers Wabash and the Miami of Lake Erie;" which was read twice and committed. Mr. Hemphill, from the committee on roads and canals, reported a bill, entitled "an act to procure the necessary surveys and estimates on the subject of roads and canals;" which, having been twice read, he proposed to refer to the committee of the whole on the state of the union. The manner of the reference being objected to by Mr. Taylor, of New York, the resolution was, 78 to 76, simply referred to a committee of the whole, by which it is placed in the ordinary nature of business. On motion of Mr. Sharpe, it was Resolved, That the committee on manufactures be instructed to inquire into the expediency of imposing a duty on merchandise sold at public auction. Onation of Mr. Call, it was Resolver, That the committee on public lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of further providing for the survey and sale of the public lands in the territory of Florida. Also, Resolved, That the committee on public lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of extending the time limited for the settlement of private land claims in East and West Florida. Also, Resolved, That the committee on public lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of granting donations or pre-emption of rights to certain actual settlers in the territory of Florida. Niv. Poinsett submitted the following: Resolved, That the committee on naval affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing the construction of ten additional sloops of war. On motion of Mr. Me cer, Resolved, That the committee on naval affairs be instructed to my at West Point, a school of instruction for the midshipmen of inquire into the expediency of associating with the military acade the navy of the United States. sion therein. Resolved, That the committee on naval affairs be instructed to Resolved, That the committee on commerce be directed to in quire into the expediency of imposing a duty on wheat, imported Resolved, That the committee on the Cumberland road be in structed to inquire into the expediency of making a suitable ap Resolved, That the committee of ways and means be instructed merchandise imported, to be secured in warehouses or other ap to inquire into the expediency of permitting all goods, wares and proved places, at one port of entry in each state of the United States, without payment or securing the duties thereon at the first entry thereof. Adjourned. Tuesday, Dec. 16. Several reports were receiv. ed from different committees, all which will be sufficiently noticed in their progress. Mr. Mercer's resolution offered yesterday, after some explanations, was agreed to-as was that of Mr. Allen, of Tennessee. On motion of Mr. Plumer, of New Hampshire, Resolved, That the committee on military affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing, by law, for the final settlement, on principles of equity and justice, of the claims of the state of New Hampshire against the United States, for militia services during the late war with Great Britain. Mr. Alien, of Massachusetts, offered a resolution, requiring of the post master general a full exhibit of almost every thing belonging to his department. [Agreed to next day.] Mr. Kent, of Maryland, offered the following resolution for consideration: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the expediency of making such an appropriation of the public lands to the purposes of education in those states to which no grants have appropriations, which may have been heretofore made in favor of yet been made, as will correspond, in a just proportion, with the other states-and that said committee have leave to report by bili or otherwise. Mr. Poinsett said, he was induced to offer this resolution to the consideration of the house, from an earnest desire to see our navy rendered efficient If we and capable of maintaining the high reputation which it has so gallantly and nobly won. Mr. Kent said, he offered the resolution just read, would have fleets of line of battle ships and frigates in readiness to be poured forth against an enemy, at the commencement of a war, we must not only from the importance of the object embrac rear up officers capable of commanding them. As ed by it, but because certain resolutions, which bad His object, in our navy is now constituted, we shall be compelled, passed the legislature of the state of which he was in the event of war, to confide the command of a representative, had been presented to the last our ships, the safety of our gallant seamen, and congress, and not finally acted on. the honor of our Aag, to inexperienced officers; to calling the attention of the house to the resolution, men, who have been, for years, on shore, forget. at this time, was, to obtain their decision on it; if ting what they formerly had learned. We have favorable, that the state of Maryland, and those now five sloops of war and thirty masters com- states equally interested with her, might derive mandant, so that an officer cannot hope to be em the contemplated advantages from it; but if, conployed oftner than once in six years. To have an trary to their just expectations, the decision should efficient navy, the proportion between sloops of be unfavorable, that they might turn their attention war and line of battle ships and frigates must be to some other source for the promotion of the im preserved; and I trust, said Mr. P. that the sub-portant purposes of education. He would mention, ject will receive from the committec the consider ation its importance deserves. The resolution was agreed was not singular in adopting the principle confor the information of the house, that Maryland tained in the resolution; that it had received, after |