CONGRESS.

SENATE.

December 11.-All the forms being passed through, Messrs. Walter Leak and Thos. H. Williams took their seats as senators from the new

Dec. 8.-Mr. Sanford submitted the following state of Mississippi. motion for consideration, which lies one day of

course

Resolved, That the committee of finance enquire what alterations or amendments may be required in the present system of collecting the duties charged on the value of merchandize imported into the United States; and what further legal provisions are necessary in order to secure the equal and certain collection of those duties.

The senate resumed the consideration of the metion of the 10th instant, for information relating to the prompt settlement of public accounts, and agreed thereto.

The standing committees of the senate were then appointed by ballot-a list of which shall be given

hereafter.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, Dec 3.-On motion of Mr. Taylor, Mr. Barbour gave notice that he should, on tomorrow, ask leave to bring in a resolution proposing of New York, the house resolved itself into a com to the several states an amendment to the constitu-mittee of the whole on the state of the union, Mr. tion of the United States on the subject of internal Smith, of Md. being called to the chair.

improvements.

The president's message was the subject of con

Dec. 9.-No material business was done to day, sideration. except the following:

Mr. Taylor, moved a series of resolutions, emMr. Barbour, of Virginia, in pursuance of notice bracing the following references of various parts of yesterday given, introduced the following resolution the message: for an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, in relation to internal improvements.

Resolved, That so much of the message of the

subject of foreign affairs, and to our commercial Resolved, &c. That the following amendment to president of the United States, as relates to the the constitution of the United States, be proposed intercourse with British colonial ports, be referred to the legislatures of the several states, which, when

That so much as relates to military affairs; se states, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as much as relates to an improvement in the organizaa part of the said constitution: "Congress shall tion and discipline of the militia; so much as rehave power to pass laws appropriating money for lates to naval affairs; so much as relates to the imconstructing roads and canals, and improving the provement of the indian tribes in the arts of civiliznavigation of water courses. Provided, however, ed life; so much as relates to roads, canals, and sethat no road or canal, shall be conducted in any minaries of learning; so much as relates to the ilstate, nor the navigation of its waters improved, licit introduction of slaves from Amelia island into without the consent of such state. And provided, the United States; so much as relates to the public also, that whenever congress shall appropriate money to these objects, the amount thereof shall be distributed among the several states, in the ratio of representation which each state shall have in the most numerous branch of the national legislature. But the portion of any state, with its own consent, may be applied to the purpose aforesaid, in any other state."

ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the to a select committee.

buildings, and the erection of new edifices for the accommodation of the heads of departments and the attorney general; so much as relates to the surarmy; be severally referred to select committees, viving officers and soldiers of the revolutionary with leave to report by bill or otherwise.

That so much as relates to manufactures, be referred to the committee of commerce and manufac The resolution lies on the table for consideratures; so much as relates to the subject of revenue, tion.

and a repeal of the internal taxes, be referred to the [It was read a second time the next day, and refer- committee of ways and means; so much as relates red to a committee consisting of Messrs. Barbour, King, Lacock, Macon and Eppes.]

On ballotting for a Chaplain on the part of the senate, the Rev. Mr. HAWLEY, Pastor of St. John's church in Washington, was duly elected,

Dec. 10. Mr. Morrow, of Ohio, submitted the following motion for consideration;

to purchases of lands from the Indian tribes, to the committee on public lands.

The first resolution having been read for consideration, Mr. Clay (the speaker) moved to amend the same by adding to the end thereof the following words:

"And that the said committee be instructed to 's Resolved, That the President of the United States enquire whether any, and if any, what provisions be requested to communicate to the Senate such of law are necessary to ensure, to the American coinformation as he may possess relating to the pro-lonies of Spain, a just observance of the duties ingress made in surveying the several tracts of mili- cident to the neutral relation in which the United tary bounty lands appropriated by Congress, in the States stand, in the existing war between them and state of Indiana, and the Missouri territory, for the Spain." late army of the United States, and the time at which such surveys will probably be completed.

Mr. Sanford, of N. Y. submitted the following

motion:

Resolved, That the secretary of the treasury be directed to lay before the senate information of the progress which has been made in the settlement of public accounts, under the "act to provide for the prompt settlement of public accounts," and that he also state what further legal provision, may be, in his opinion, necessary to ensure their speedy settle

ment.

These motions lie on the table one day, of course.

Mr. Clay said, that his presenting at so early a period of the session, this subject to the consideration of the house, was in consequence of certain proceedings which he had seen represented in the public prints as having taken place before certain of our courts of justice. Two or three cases bearing on this subject had come to his knowledge, which he wished to state to the house. The first had occurred at Philadelphia, before the circuit court of the United States held in that city. The circumstances of the case, for which however he did not pretend to vouch, having received them through the channel already indicated, were these: if they were incorrectly stated, he was happy that à gen.

tleman had taken his seat this morning from that pose its authority. Persons sailing under the flag city, who would be able to correct him: that nine of the provinces had been arraigned in our courts, or ten British disbanded officers had formed in Eu-and tried for piracy; in one case, after having been rope the resolution to unite themselves with the arraigned, tried, and acquitted of piracy, the same Spanish patriots in the contest existing between individuals, on the instigation of a Spanish officer them and Spain; that to carry into effect this inten- or agent, had been again arraigned for the same of tion, they had sailed from Europe, and in their fence. The gentlemen from Massachusetts would transit to South America had touched at the port correct him if he was wrong, for the case bad ocof Philadelphia; that, during their residence incurred in the town of Boston. We admit the flag Philadelphia, wearing perhaps the arms and habili- of these colonies into our ports, said Mr. C. we prements of military men, making no disguise of their fess to be neutral; but if our laws pronounce, that, intention to participate in the struggle, they took the moment the property and persons under that passage in a vessel bound to some port in South flag enter our ports, they shall be seized, the one America; that, a knowledge of this fact having come claimed by the Spanish minister or consul as the to the ears of the public authorities, or, perhaps property of Spain, and the other prosecuted as pi at the instigation of some agent of the Spanish go rates, that law ought to be altered if we mean to vernment, a prosecution was commenced against perform our neutral professions. I have brought these officers, who, from their inability to procure the subject before this house thus promptly, said bail, were confined in prison. If, said Mr. C. the Mr. C. because I trust that in this house the cause circumstances attending this transaction be correct- will find justice; that, however treated elsewhere, ly stated, it becomes an imperious duty in the house on this floor will be found a guardian interest atto institute the enquiry contemplated by the amend- tending to our performance of the just obligations ment which I have proposed. That this was an ex-of neutrality. Hitherto, he said, whatever might traordinary case was demonstrated by the fact of have been our intentions, our acts had been all on the general sensation which it had excited on the the other side. From the proclamation of 1815, subject, in the place where it had occurred. Filled issued to terminate an expedition supposed to be as that respectable and populous city is with men organizing in Louisiana, an expedition existing only who differ widely on political topics and entertaining in the mind of chevalier de Onis, down to the late various views of public affairs, but one sentiment, act-whether the measure was a proper one or not Mr. C. said, prevailed on this subject, which was he did not say; his confidence in the executive led favorable to the persons thus arraigned. With re- him to suppose it was adopted on sufficient grounds gard to the conduct of the court on this occasion, -down to the order for suppressing, as it was callhe would say nothing: The respect which, whilst ed, the establishments at Amelia island and Galhe had a seat on this floor, he should always shew veztown-all the acts of the government had been to every department of the government; the re- on one side: they all bore against the colonies, spect he entertained for the honorable judge who against the cause in which the patriots of South had presided, forbade him from pronouncing the America were arduously engaged. It became us, decision of that court to have been unwarranted he said, to look to the other side, honestly intend. by law. But he felt himself perfectly sustained in ing neutrality, as he believed we did. Let us resaying that if the proceeding was warranted by the collect the condition of the patriots; no minister existing law, it was the imperious duty of congress here to spur on our government, as was said in an to alter the law in this respect. For, what, he ask- interesting and it appeared to him a very candid ed, was the neutral obligation which one nation work recently published in this country respecting owed to another engaged in war? The essence of the progress of the South American revolutionit is this that the belligerent means of the neutral no minister here to be rewarded by noble honors in shall not be employed in the war in favor of either consequence of the influence he is supposed to of the parties. That is the whole of the obligation possess with the American government. No: their of a third party in a war between two others; it unfortunate case, Mr. C. said, was what ours had certainly does not require of one nation to restrain been in the years 1778 and 1779-their ministers, the belligerent means of other nations. If those na like our Franklins and Jays at that day, were skulk tions choose to permit their means to be employed ing about Europe, imploring inexorable legitimacy in behalf of either party, it is their business to look for one kind look-some aid to terminate a war afto it, and not cars. Let the conduct of the per- flicting to humanity. Nay, their situation was worse sons prosecuted be regarded in its most unfavorable than ours: for we had one great and magnanimous light: let it be considered as the passage of troops ally to recognize us, but no nation had stepped through our country and there was nothing in our forward to acknowledge any of these provinces.neutral obligations forbidding it. The passage of Such disparity between the parties, Mr. C. said, troops through a neutral country according to his demanded a just attention to the interests of the impressions, was a question depending on the par- party which was unrepresented: and if the facts ticular interest, quiet or repose of the country tra- which he had mentioned, and others which had versed, and might be granted or refused at its dis- come to his knowledge, were correct, they loudly scretion, without in any degree affecting the obliga- demanded the interposition of congress. He trusttions of the neutral to either of the parties engaged ed the house would give the subject their attention, in the controversy. But surely, Mr. C. said, this and shew that here, in this place, the obligations was not a case of the passage of troops; the persons of neutrality would be strictly regarded in respect apprehended not being in sufficient number, nor or to Spanish America.

ganized or equipped in sech a manner as, under any Mr. Sergeant rose, in consequence of the gen. construction, to constitute a military corps. On tleman having appealed to him, not to enter into this case he would detain the house no longer, he any discussion of the question presented by the said; for he was satisfied they could not but agree amendment, but to speak of the facts which were with him, if the law justified the proceeding that within his knowledge. The statement made by the had taken place, that law ought to be immediately Speaker was substantially correct: it was also cor amended. Other cases had occurred in which it rect that the circumstance had occasioned considerappeared to him it became the congress to inter-able sensation among all parties in the city of Phi

ЗАТ

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For the Department of State Messrs. Forsyth
Hasbrouck and Scudder.

For the Treasury-Messrs. Lowndes, Allen of

For the Department of War-Messrs. Johnson, of
Ky. Tucker, of S. C. and Herkimer.

For the Navy Department-Messrs. Pleasants,
Storrs and Sampson.
For the General Post Office-Messrs. Ingham,
Hubbard and Huntingdon.

For the Puble Buildings-Messrs. Tucker, of
Va. Drake and Orr.

ladelphia, Mr. S. recapitulated the principle facts, adding, that the vessel in which these persons emAs rebarked was laden with munitions of war. spected the views and intentions of the persons ap-Va. and Marchand. prehended, Mr. S. said, he believed they had nei ther any intention nor any idea of violating the laws of the United States, and that their conduct had been perfectly decorous and correct. The court had thought they had offended against the act of congress of the last session; or were so far at least of that opinion, that they thought it necessary to detain them. The bail demanded was not high; but On so much of the President's Message as relates they were not able to procure it, and were therefore committed to gaol. It was because of the cor- to Foreign Affairs-Messrs. Forsyth, Holmes, of rect deportment of these persons, that the senti-Mass. Barbour, of Va. Robertson, of Lou. Porter, ment in their favor had been so general-but no Orr and Goodwyn. On Military Affairs-Messrs. Johnson, of Ky. complaint was made of the court, for which the same respect was entertained with which the Speak- Bloomfield, Reed, T. M. Nelson, Nesbitt, Forney er himself had regarded it. He had mentioned and Gage. these facts only, that the house might, when the time came for acting on it, be aware of the construction put on the existing law, so far as any had been given. The amendment moved by Mr. Clay, to the first resolution was agreed to without opposition.

The committee of the whole rose and reported their adoption of the several resolutions moved by Mr. Taylor, with the amendment, which the house agreed to nem. con, and the committees were ordered to be appointed accordingly.

And the house adjourned.

Thursday, Dec. 4.-Three other members appeared, viz. from Virginia, Mr. Jahnson; from Maryland, Mr. Bayly; and from Pennsylvania, Mr. Baldwin.

The following committees were announced, having been appointed by the Speaker, in pursuance of the order of yesterday:

Committee of Ways and Means-Messrs. Lowndes, Smith of Md. Burwell, Pitkin, Abbott, Sergeant and Trimble.

Of Elections-Messrs. Taylor, Tyler, Merrill, Shaw, Boss, Whitman and Strong.

On the Militia. Messrs. Harrison, Smyth of Va. Quarles, Williams of Con. Jones, Linn and Morton. On Naval Affairs-Messrs. Pleasants, Silsbee, Wendover, Parrot, Ringgold, Savage and Schuyler. On Indian Affairs-Messrs. Southward, Williams, of N. Y. Murray, Slocumb, Butler, Richards and Tarr.

On Internal Improvement-Messrs. Tucker, of Va. Talmadge, Ingham, Storrs, Claggett, Robertson of Ky. and Lewis.

Respecting Amelia Island-Messrs. Middleton, Smith, Upham, Sawyer, Ball, Mumford and Cook. On the Public Buildings-Messrs. Parris, Bassett Bellinger, Taylor, Forsyth, Crafts and Folger.

Respecting the surviving Revolutionary PatriotsMessrs. Bloomfield, Reed, Stuart, Rhea, Smith of Md. Wallace and Hall.

A number of petitions were presented and referred.

On motion of Mr. Comstock, Resolved that the committee on Military Affairs be instructed to enquire into the expediency of making provision by law for the commutation into money of the milita

Of Commerce and Manufactures-Messrs. New-ry bounty lands granted by congress. ton, Seybert, Moseley, Irving, M’Lane, Crawford and Kinsey.

Of Claims-Messrs. Williams of N. C. Rich, Bateman, M'Coy, Huntingdon, Schuyler and Walker of Ky.

f

Of the District of Columbia-Messrs. Herbert, Miller, Peter, Boden, Strother, Claiborne and Cobb. On the Public Lands-Messrs. Robertson of Lou. Anderson of Ky. Mercer, Campbell, Hendricks, Terry and Marr.

On the Post Office and Post Roads-Messrs. Ingham, Blount, Barber of Ohio, Townsend, Nelson of Mass. Colston and Terrell.

On Pensions and Revolutionary Claims-Messrs. Rhea, Wilkin, Ruggles, W. P. Maclay, Sherwood, Ellicott and Owen.

On Public Expenditure-Messrs. Desha, Anderson of Pa. Garnett, Cushman, Culbreth, Hunter and Holmes of Con..

On the Judiciary-Messrs. Nelson of Va. Hopkinson, Spencer, Edwards, Beecher, Livermore and Hale,

1

The Speaker laid before the house the constitution adopted for the new state of Mississippi.

The resolution for the admission of the state of Mississippi into the Union, was received from the senate, twice read, and referred to a committee of of the whole.

Friday, December 5, Mr. Ballard Smith, of Virginia, appeared and took his seat.

Mr. Robertson of Lou. offered the following resolution for consideration:

Resolved, That the president of the United States be requested to lay before the house of representatives such information as he may possess and think proper to communicate, relative to the independence and political condition of the provinces of Spanish America.

The resolution having been read

Mr. Robertson said, that he supposed there would be no objection to the adoption of the resolution which he had just submitted to the consideration of the house. He fouad, from the late message of the president, that the attention of the house, as well as of the nation, had been, in a general way, directed to the situation of the provinces of Spanish America. The president had observed too, and very truly that the citizens of the UnitOn Private Land Claims-Messrs. Herrick, Hies-ed States sympathized in the events which af fected their neighbors. Mr. R. said, that, as far ter, Pindall, Hogg and Tompkins.

On Accounts-Messrs. Little, Bennett and Allen, ...of Mass.

Of Revisal and unfinished business-Messrs. Sa, -vage, Whiteside and Westerlo.

Committees of investigation into expenditures, back as the year 1811, this subject had excited

&c.

considerable interest; that a committee had been raised; the declaration of independence and the con

stitution of Venezuela, with other information, I know to the contrary, from other province. It is laid before it by the then president, and a report on probable that they have not remained silent, but them submitted to the house. The report, among whatever they may have said has not been made other things, expressed much good will towards the known to this house, or to this nation. As our goVenezueleans, and an intention to acknowledge their vernment is essentially popular, I wish information independence whenever that independence should to be given to the people. I wish for information, be achieved. From that time till the present, si that our judgments may sanction sentiments our lence had been observed in regard to the affairs of hearts so warmly approve. I do not mean, Mr. Speak that part of the continent. The reason was obvious: er, to commit myself in regard to my future course we were soon after engaged in war with England, it must, to a certain extent, depend upon circumand since the peace our own pressing concerns had stances. This house will act as circumstances may occupied our attention. require; but for myself I have no hesitation to say, The president has spoken, sir, of the interest and that, if it shall appear that the provinces of Spanish the sympathy we feel in the affairs of our southern America, or any of them, are really independent, no neighbors. Perhaps it may be said with truth, that earthly consideration shall prevent me, in my pubno subject excites throughout the civilized world a lic character, from acknowledging them as sovestronger interest than the contest in which the reign states.

provinces of Spanish America are engaged. Every Mr. Forsyth said, he was too well acquainted wind that blows wafts to our shores the schemes with the the temper of the people of the United and speculations of European statesmen and poli-States on this subject, to oppose any motion for en." ticians; from the frozen regions of the north to the quiring into it; such was not his object; but he milder climes of the peninsula, it elicits remark knew from experience, that some enquiries were and commands attention. Even Alexander, he who proper and some dangerous. In this case, he indites epistles about peace and bible societies, thought that all which could be known ought to be while he whets the sword of battle and prepares the known; but he suggested to the mover of the resoweapons of destruction, he, it is said, is about to lution, whether it was not too broad in its call on furnish his Cossacks to add to the horrors of, as it the executive, and whether it ought not to contain is already called, the war of death. The thunders the usual qualification of excepting such informa of the pope too, the head of the christian church, tion as the president might deem the communica began to be heard, and no doubt we shall soon see tion of incompatible with the public interest. Mr. his anathemas giving up the people of South Ame-F. presumed the president had communicated all rica, body and soul, to the punishments due here that he knew, or all that he wished congress to and hereafter to the crimes of rebellion and repub-know on the subject; and as it was usual in requestlicanism. If, then, to governments across the At-ing information of the executive, to ask for such lantic, the situation of this people be thus interest only as the public interest would, in his opinion, ing, surely it is not a m matter of surprise that the permit to be disclosed, he proposed so to modify citizens of the United States should with some so- this motion, in which shape only could he consent licitude turn their attention towards them. Every to vote for it. republican in the United States must lament their disasters and exult in their triumphs: they do but follow the example we have set them; we owe our glory and our fame to resistance to arbitrary power, and the people of Spanish America,. and all others growing under oppression must owe their elevation and worth of character to the same cir- Resolved, That a committee be appointed to encumstance. They do but follow in our footsteps; quire into the expediency of revising and amending it is in vain to deny or diguise the fact; it is known certain acts concerning the mint establishment of throughout the world-whatever of injury despotism the United States, and that they have leave to reor priestcraft have sustained, whether from the report by bill.

Mr. Robertson signified his ready asssent to Mr. Forsyth's proposition.

The resolution passed nem. con. as modified, and committee of two was appointed to wait upon the president with it.

a

On motion of Mr. Seybert,

volution of France, or that which now, I hope, flou. On motion of Mr. Southard,

rishes in our hemisphere, is laid to the account of The house then proceeded to the appointment our glorious revolution, and the excellent princi- of a chaplain for congress on the part of this house, ples of our constitution. and the reverend Messrs. Balch, Cone, Laurie, Al

It is to be regretted, Mr. Speaker, that our ac- lison, Cumming, Addison and Brown were put in quaintance with the people of Spanish America is nomination, Two ballotings took place without an not more particular and intimate than it is: we en-election: on the third, Mr. Allison received 84 tertain but one sentiment about them-our feelings votes, and was duly elected.

are all in unison; yet we differ and dispute on a varie. The speaker laid before the house a letter from ty of points which it is desirable should be no longer the secretary of the treasury accompananied by suffered to remain in doubt. Mexico, Peru, Chili, Bue-printed copies for the use of the house, of a statenos Ayres, Venezuela, N. Grenada, are they indepen.ment of the receipts and expenditures of govern dent? Are they struggling for independence, or have ment for the year 1816; and they yielded to their European tyrant? Have they made known their situation to the executive de

partment? Have they demanded to be recognized as independent sovereignties? Do they govern them. selves? Elect their agents, legislature, executive and judiciary? Lay and collect taxes, raise and support armies and navies? It is possible that these facts are in the possession of the president; it is very wel! known that there have been agents, men of high respectability, sent publicly from the go. vernments of Venezuela, New Grenada, Buenos Ayres and Mexico, to this country, and, for any thing

The house adjourned to Monday next.

Monday Dec. 8-The following members appear ed, and took their seats, viz. From South Carolina, Mr. Eurle; from Massachusetts, Mr. Mason; from Virginia, Mr. Austin and Mr. Floyd; from Ohio, Mr. Hitchcock,

Mr. Scott, delegate from the Missouri territory, and Mr Pope, delegate from the Illinois, also appeared and took their seats.

Military Bounty Lands.

Mr. Johnson (of Kentucky) reported a bill authorising a commutation of soldiers' bounty lands.

[The first section of this bill provides that the the postponment. If that motion should not presoldiers of the late and present army shall be allow-vail, he should vote for the amendment proposed ed to commute their land patents for claims for mo- by Mr. Forsyth, because the facts on which it was ney, at the rate of one dollar and forty cents per founded would certainly disclose the reasons of the acre, to be paid in four annual instalments, by the measure. The Speaker had the other day intimatpension agents appointed in the several states; pro-ed, on the floor of this house, his opinion that every vided that there be in all cases a complete relin-act of the government, from the proclamation quishment of all claims on said lands by the com- against the expedition said to be fitting out at New mutators to the United States. The second section Orleans in 1815, to the present day, had been hos. of the bill makes the appropriation necessary to car-tile to the Spanish patriots: Now, Mr. M. said, he ry the first into effect.]

The bill was twice read and committed.

Amelia Island and Spanish patriots:

Mr. Rhea offered for consideration the following resolution:

looked upon the information called for by the resolution as necessary to repel the reproach, from so high a source, thus thrown on the government. He therefore hoped the resolve would be suffered to pass. Mr Johnson, of Kentucky, said he had not unResolved, That the president be requested to lay derstood the Speaker, in debate the other day, to before the house of representatives any information have intimated that every act of the government he may possess, and think proper to communicate, had been hostile to the patriot cause; but that they relative to the proceedings of certain persons who had leaned to one side of the question; had borne took possession of Amelia Island, at the mouth of more against the patriots than against Spain. And, the St. Mary's river, near the boundary of the state if our acts had any operation at all, who could deof Georgia, in the summer of the present year, and ny, Mr. J. asked, that what the Speaker had said, made an establishment there; and also any informa-was the fact? Was not the proclamation of 1815 tion he hath, and may think proper to communicate, of that nature? It was issued in consequence of relative to an establishment made, at an earlier representations of the Spanish minister. Being is period, by persons of the same description, in the sued at his instance, if it had any bearing at all, Gulph of Mexico, at a place called Galvezton, must it not have had a leaning against the Spanish within the limits of the United States, as we con- patriots? With regard to the seizure of Amelia tend, under the cession of Louisiana; together with island, if that measure had any operation at all in the reasons inducing him to issue orders to sup-regard to the two parties, must it not be against press the said establishments. the patriots? Theirs, he said, was a cause which Mr. Rhea said that the establishments referred he would not now advocate: but the sentiment avow. to in the resolution he had just offered, had already ed by the Speaker was his sentiment-one which he excited much attention throughout the country, would avow in this house and every where that which would be still more attracted to that by the whenever our acts had had a tendency to one side or order given to suppress them. His object in offer- the other it was to the injury of the patriots. Not ing this motion was to obtain such information as that the Speaker meant to say, any more than himself, might satisfy the minds of the American people on that our government intended hostility to that cause: the expediency of that measure. for, Mr. J. said, he understood him to have unequi Mr. Forsyth moved to strike out the last clause vocally said, he had no doubt it would appear that of the proposed resolution. It would be an extra the reasons of the executive for the measure in ordinary course for the house to ask for the reasons question had been sufficient to justify it. Mr. J. of the measure in question, when they were dis- was in favor of laying the resolution on the table, tinctly and satisfactorily avowed in the message of until it was ascertained whether the resolution was the president. To call upon him, after that expo- or was not necessary, in addition to that passed the sition, to explain the reasons for his conduct, would other day. Mr. Harrison, of Ohio, opposed the mobe to cast a severe reflection on the executive, as tion to lay the resolution on the table-he coincided implying dissatisfaction at the reasons already giv-in the view taken the other day by the Speaker, en. For his own part, Mr. F. said, the conduct of that every act of this government in relation to the... the executive appeared to him to have been per- contest between Spain and her colonies had borne fectly correct; but he had no objection to any in- hard on the latter; and he therefore desired further formation desired, if asked for unconnected with information on the subject embraced by the resoluthe clause he had excepted to.

tion.

This resolution produced a considerable debate, Mr. Holmes said, he regarded the information but rather of a desultory character. Mr. Nelson, sought by the resolution as exceedingly important. of Virginia, was in favor of the motion, and exThe fact of the suppression of the establishments pressed his confidence that the measures adopted by at those places so often referred to, attracted the the executive for suppressing these establishments, attention of the nation-and he was, therefore, in would be fully supported if these documents were favor of the earliest official information on the sub. exhibited. The time had passed, in his opinion, ject, that the house might understand on what in which they could be considered as sanctioned grounds the executive of the United States had by the patriots-"men embarked in the glorious and undertaken to suppress these establishments. Mr. magnanimous struggle for freedom and the rights H. was, however, of opinion that this resolution was of men, can never stoop to the condition of bucca- unnecessary, being embraced in the general call neers, banditti and pirates." Mr. N. seemed par-made, a few days ago, for information on the politicularly to point at the remarks of Mr. Clay, made tical state of the Spanish provinces, of which East on the preceding Tuesday, (see his speech) and Florida, embracing Amelia Island, was one; and the vindicated the conduct of the executive in respect same reasoning would apply to Galveztown, situatto those establishments. Mr. Holmes, of Massachu-ed on territory equally claimed by Spain and the setts, moved that the resolution should lie on the United States. If, however, the information now table, under a belief that the resolution offered the desired should not be received, Mr. H. said, he other day would embrace the information desired. should be one of the first to vote for it, considering Mr. Robertson, of Louisiana, coincided with Mr. it highly important. The intention to seize on these H. Mr. Miller, of South Carolina, was opposed to establishments, had struck him with surprise, he