Extract of a letter from Thomas Wayne, esq. purser and have been actually obliged to sacrifice their on board the U. S brig Saranac, dated St. Mary's property here, whilst English vessels prosecute the river, September 27, 1817, to Benjamin Homans. trade in perfect safety, merely from the cireum. "On our arrival here, we found gen. M'Gregor instance of there being a few British vessels of war. command of Amelia Island. A few days afterwards in the West India seas. The presence of one of our he decamper, and embarked on board the privateer smallest armed vessels would completely awe those M'Grego, formerly the St. Joseph. The command marauders, and enable our merchant vessels to proof the island devolved on colonel Irwin, an Ameri secute a legal trade in safety. Her presence, (of the can, who was, in a few days, attacked by the Spa- Boxer,) in this neighborhood would be attended niards. After an engagement of forty-eight hours, with the most salutary effects." which was all smoke, it terminated without the loss We have copied the documents respecting of a single life, and the Spaniards retreated. Galvezton and Amelia as selected by the editors of "The noted Woodbine, of infamous memory, ar- the National Intelligencer, with the single addition rived here from Nassau, with a view, as was said, of the number of private armed vessels lying in to join the patriots; but his friend, M'Gregor, hav the port of New Orleans, as listed by the collector ing lefe the cause, he was disappointed and embark--and have also compared the selection with the ed with M'Gregor, who sailed a few days since for body of the documents submitted by the president Nassau, to commence some new expedition, which, for ourselves, and agree with the editors of that it is generally supposed, will be to the bay of E-paper that nothing is omitted that is material to pirito Santo, or bay of Tambo, in latitude 28° 15' a correct view of the subject."

can enter.

N. and longitude 76 30 W. This is an extensive In presenting these documents, the National Inbay, and capable of admitting ships of any size, telligencer observes-"It may be remarked, in contiguous to which are the finest lands in East regard to these documents generally, that there Florida, which Woodbine pretends belong to him are occasions on which information is commu by virtue of a grant from the Indians. He says, het nicated to a government, a disclosure of which has surveyed the whole of the Gulf of Mexico, and would be prejudicial to the public interest, or Tampo bay is the only place into which large ships to that of individuals who have given it. The president, it will be recollected, communicated, "The patriots of Amelia are a most heterogeneous as requested by congress, such documents only as set, consisting of all countries and languages, ex- were conceived not improper to be made public; cept Spanish Americans. Among them may be and-though we have no particular information to found, Americans, French, Lish, Scotch, English, justify the suggestion-this appears to us to be one Dutch, Germans, Hayiians, Petions, &c. alt come of those occasions on which the executive might ostensibly to aid the cause of the patrious of South act unwisely by exposing to the world all the infor America; but their real motive is, no doubt, to prey mation in its possession." upon whom they can. Should they continue in Amelia Island, the place will become a second Barrataria. "At this time the government consists of Mons. Aury who is commander in chief of the naval and military forces; and Ruggles Hubbard, formerly high-sheriff of New-Lark, is the civil governor.

"A number of prizes of considerable value, have been brought into Amelia by Aury's squadron.

"It appears to be the anxious wish of the inhabitants, of the opposite side of the river, to be under the American government, as they are not now se cure from either party."

Extracts of letters from Robt. M. Harrison, esq. coneul of the United States at the Island of St. Thomas, to the secretary of state.

We decidedly agree with the sentiment contained in the preceding extract, and think that too much has been communicated as to the names of certain individuals, who may thereby be excited to acts of outrage against such as communicated the facts, their character being, in some cases, of the very worst description.

Legislature of Maryland.

IN COUNCIL.Annapolis, Dec. 1, 1817. GENTLEMEN. In conformity with the resolutions of your honorable body, at its last session, imposing certain duties upon this department, we have the honor to state, that the honorable John C. Herbert St. Thomas, 20th April, 1817. and James Fenwick, esq. were appointed comThe increasing number of American seamen, missioners on the part of the state of Maryland, to whose ill success in the privateers and pirates that meet such commissioners as might be appointed infest those seas, induces them to relinquish those on the part of the commonwealth of Virginia to unprofitable pursuits, whenever an opportunity arrange and devise some efficient mode of protectoffers, and who almost universally swarm to this ing the fisheries on the Potomac river, by inhibiting island to claim my protection and support, so that steam boat navigation on said river during the they daily almost surround my door, renders its month of April. No official notification of the ap again my duty to request instructions from the pointment of commissioners on the part of Virginia Department of State. 1 have not yet extended to has been communicated to this department, arising, such men any more than a partial assistance, though not from any disinclination to co-operate in the many of them are in the greatest possible distress, prosecution of the measure, but as we have reason considering that the expenditure of such large sums to believe proceeding wholly from an adjournment of money might be cosidered as advancing beyond of its legislature before any communication from the bounds of my duty. It is much to be regretted this department could be received by it that the disappointment sustained by so great a We have the honor further to state, that twentynumber of our seamen should not be sufficient toave copies of the new edition of the laws of the deter others from embarking in such enterprizes," United States, printed under the direction of the St. Thomas, 30th May, 1817. secretary of state, and the attorney.general of the "Numbers of American vessels, originally bourd United States, have been purchased and partially to the Spanish main, where their cargoes could have distributed. been disposed of to great advantage, have been deterred from a prosecution of their voyage, from a dread of the piratical cruisers that infest those seas,

It will he recollected by your honorable body, that the sum of eight thousand dollars was placed at the disposal of the executive, for the purpose of

CONGRESS.

SENATE.

December 29.-Mr. Tait offered the following motion for consideration:

instructed to enquire into the expediency of ang Resolved, That the committee on the militia be menting the pay of the militia when called into the service of the United States. [Agreed to next day.]

collecting the public arms, eamp equipage, and munitions of war generally, which had been distributed among the several regiments during the late war. This measure was recommended by the to prevent emigrants to the western states and executive to the last general assembly, with a view territories from carrying the public arms out of this state. It is to be lamented that this resolution cannot be carried into effect, as fully and effectually A message was received from the president of as could be wished, owing to the want of system the United States, by his private secretary, com and discipline in the militia of the state, arising municating the following report, in compliance with as well from the resignations of militia officers, as the senate's resolution of the 16th inst. from defects in the system itself.

"Department of state, Dec. 24, 1817. Your honorable body are well aware, that by the The secretary of state, to whom has been refer law of the United States, and the rules of the war department, it is required of the adjutant generals red the resolution of the senate of the 16th inst. of the respective states, that they make an annual requesting information touching the execution of return of the militia of the state to the inspector so much of the first article of the treaty of Ghent and adjutant general of the United States. As no as relates to the restitution of slaves, which has provision by law now exists by which this object not heretofore been communicated, has the honor can be effected, we feel it our duty to recommend to report to the president-That no answer has to your honorable body, the enactment of a law up-been received from the British government to the on the subject, making it the duty of the major proposal made by order of the late president, on generals commanding divisions, to make return the 17th September, 1816, that the question upon annually to the adjutant general of the number of the different construction given by the respective inilitia in their respective divisions, and compelling governments to that article should be referred to the brigadiers, colonels, lieutenant-colonels, majors the decision of some friendly sovereign; that the and captains, to make such annual returns to late minister of the United States in England, be their respective immediate military superiors, under fore his departure from London, renewed the resuch penalties and forfeitures as to the wisdom of quest for an answer, and that the present minister the legislature may appear expedient and necessary. at the same court has been instructed to invite We deem it further our duty to state to your again the attention of the British government to honorable body, that the claims and vouchers the subject. All which is respectfully submitted. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. against the United States for the military expenditures have been fully arranged, and are now ma state of complete preparation, and will be submitted to the general government by the state agent as December 30. The president of the senate.comsoon as possible; and we have the strongest reason municated, from the secretary of the treasury, in to believe and hope, will receive the quick attention obedience to a resolution of the senate of the 24th of the general government; the principal obstacle inst. a statement of the amount of duties on imto an adjustment being the difficulty of fixing on ported salt during the years 1815, 1816, and 1817, some general principle which may be found applic-and a statement for the same years of the amount able to the claims of the states generally. of drawbacks paid to vessels employed in the fisheries, and on pickled fish exported; which being read,

The law of the last session, appointing an agent to coHect the state's debts, has not been carried into effect, as the agent appointed by the law has not accepted of the appointment. We are of opi nion that this law must fail in its effect, so long as the amount of compensation which the agent shall receive for his services is uncertain, and depends upon the amount of the valid debts; we therefore respectfully recommend the appointment of an agent, with a certain annual salary.

The message and report were ordered to be printed.

Mr. Smith moved that the said statement be referred to the committee on finance, with instruc. tions to enquire into the expediency of repealing the law laying the duty on salt. This motion lies on the table.

The senate resumed the consideration of the bill for the relief of Silas Willard.

[Some discussion took place on this bill, from Contracts have been made with the Registers of which it appeared that the case is this: that the pe. the land office for an Index of the names of all the titioner was the bail of John M. Willard, who was lands surveyed and patented, and of the unpatented indicted in the circuit court of Vermont for trading certificates, since the revolution to the present time, with the enemy in Canada during the late war; that which work is in a state of considerable forwardness. the accused, flying the country, and not standing We herewith transmit a copy of a work entitled, a trial, his bond was forfeited, and his bail became "Rules and regulations for the field exercise and responsible. He prays relief; and his petition is manœuvres of infantry, compiled and adapted to supported by good evidence that the bail required the organization of the army of the United States, was excessive; that he has been since reduced to agreeably to a resolve of congress," together with poverty, and is a man of the fairest general chaan accompanying letter from the author.

We also herewith transmit a proposition of Nathan Starr, of Connecticut, offering to contract with the state of Maryland for any number of swords which they may require.

Which are respectfully submitted to the inspecs tion and consideration of your honorable body.

We have the honor to be, with high consideration and respect, your obed't serv'ts.

C. RIDGELY, of Hampton. The hon. the general assembly.

racter.

It was not denied that the petitioner merited relief; but, it being suggested by Mr. Sanford that the president was already authorised by law, on the recommendation of the secretary of the treasury, to extend relief to insolvent debtors to the United States in certain cases, and that legislation in this case was unnecessary

The bill was, with the consent of Mr. Roberts, the chairman of the committee who reported it, postponed to Friday next.

Mr. Daggett submitted the following motion for consideration:

enquiry to be made into the subject; but since that [period, the case had assumed a new character, of Resolved, that the president of the United States most extraordinary complexion. It was well known, be requested to cause to be laid before the senate he said, that Mr. Meade is a citizen of the United a statement of the proceedings which may have States, and, he believed, was, at one time, an accre been had under the act of congress passed the 3d dited consul, resident in some part of the Spanish of March, 1817, entitled "an act to set apart and dominions. Either character ought to have prodispose of certain public lands for the encourage. tected him from violence and outrage. But, unfortu ment of the cultivation of the vine and olive.". nately for him, they did not. The causes which Also, that the president be requested to give to the produced his confinement were unknown to Mr. senate such information as he may possess in rela- Trimble: they were probably buried in the vaults tion to any location of land, or settlement made by of the inquisition. That, however, was of little any individuals under the aforesaid act. consequence, if the facts he was about to state were December 31. Mr. Burrill submitted the follow-true; and that they are true was evinced, he said, Ing motion for consideration: by a document which he held in his hand, and which Resolved, That the committee on the District of he said, struck the mind with as much force as if Columbia be instructed to enquire into the expedi- it was marked with the characters of official certain. ency of commencing the erection of the centre ty I am prepared, said he, to admit, that if a cibuilding of the capitol, and of making provision for the speedy completion thereof. That said committee be also instructed to enquire whether suitable apartments can be had in the capitol for the reception and accommodation of the library of congress; and, in case such apartments cannot be had there, to enquire into the expediency of pur-jor criminal code of Spain-and, on the contrary, chasing or erecting a convenient building for the library.

Mr. Burrill also submitted for consideration the following motion:

Resolved, That the committee to whom was referred the petition of the committee of the Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends at Baltimore, be instructed to enquire into the expediency of so amending the laws of the United States on the subject of the African slave trade, as more effectually to prevent said trade from being carried on by citizens of the United States, under foreign flags; and also into the expediency of the United States taking measures, in concert with other nations, for the entire abolition of said trade.

Mr. Tait gave notice, that on Friday next he should ask leave to introduce a bill, in addition to an act "making an appropriation for repairing certain roads therein described."

Mr. Sanford gave notice, that he should on Fri. day move a resolution for the publication of the journal of proceedings of the convention of the United States, now remaining in the office of the secretary of state.

tizen of the United States shall violate the penal or criminal code of any country, he must submit to the punishment which may be inflicted on him: but such is not the case of Mr. Meade. It was not contended, he said, that the person in question had violated the letter or spirit of any part of the penal

the document which he held in his hand afforded the highest evidence that there was no cause of complaint against him. Upon some urgent and vigorous remonstrances being made on the subject by our minister, Mr. Erving, a public notorious royal order was issued. Mark me, sir, said he-a public notorious royal order, announcing to Spain, to Ameri ca, and the whole world, that there was no cause for the detention of Mr. Meade, and directing bis immediate releasement. How the aching heart of Mr. Meade must have throbbed and swelled, cheered with the prospect of leaving in a few hours his loathsome pestilential dungeon, to breathe once more the free and wholesome air! How it must have sunk and died within his, when the doors of his "prison house" were unbarred by a meagre minion, who had come skulking through the vaults of those abodes of death, with another secret order. Mark me, again, sir-another secret order, issued at the same time, under the same royal signature, commanding his keeper to hold the prisoner at his peril. Yes, sir, one order public and notorious for releasement, and another secret order for confinement, of the same late, and under the same royal signature. If these facts be true, the case stands without a parallel in ancient or modern times. Even the case of Czerney George The National Intelligencer of Saturday last con- has no similitude: he was a monster, executed by tains a list of the petitions presented at the present the Turk, because he had in cool blood, plunged his session of congress. It occupies five columns in sabre through the heart of his own father. Where small type. Some of them are pretty generally in as Mr Mead is acknowledged to be an innocent teresting, but really we have not room for them victim, suffering under royal displeasure. I will The following is a sketch of the speech of Mr. Trim- not attempt, said Mr. T. to paint the horrors of a ble, of Kentucky, on offering his resolution for an Spanish dungeon, or the sickenings of hope at pro enquiry into the confinement of Mr. Meade, at Cadiz. tracted confinement. It is not my wish to excite See page 295.* public feeling, and I utterly disclaim all intention Mr. Trimble said, that, having offered the resolu- of connecting this subject with other questions, tion, it might be expected that he would give some now under discussion, or which may fall under disexplanation of the case to which it alludes. He cussion, between this government and Spain. Mr. had a right to presume that every member of the T. averred also that he had entire confidence in the house had heard of the confinement of Mr Meade. late and present executive heads of the government, More than three years ago that gentleman had been and had no doubt that every thing which could be incarcerated in a Spanish dungeon, where he had done had been done in behalf of Mr. Meade. But ever since remained. It was within his (Mr. Trim.he held it the duty of this house to enquire into ble's) recollection, that many persons had expect ed that the last congress would have caused an

The resolutions yesterday offered, were taken up and agreed to.

*The imprisonment of Mr. Meade was strangely called impressment in the last number.

this (he would again call it) extraordinary case, and if the facts and circumstances shall require it, make such expression of its opinion as will add weight and force to future executive exertions. If the case were as well founded rumor told, he for

one was ready to volunteer his arm in defence of and oppression of Mr. Meade, and anxious as we are Mr Meade, and breast the storm, unfearing conse- to see him rescued from the fangs of a merciless set quences. For, said he, while I have the honor of a of men, we are persuaded that his persecutions seat in this house, no lawless despot shall lay an arise from too intimate a connection with that goangry finger on a fellow-citizen of mine, without the vernment. We were witness to this fact on the hazard of bringing that finger to the block. He was spot, and saw plainly the result. The pamphlet one of those, he said, who were willing to believe which Mr. Meade wrote against the regents was a that we ought not at this time uselessly to embroil correct detail of facts, which occasioned their reourselves with any foreign power, and he was moval by the cortez. The revolution of power thoroughly satisfied that it is our best and wisest has brought these disgraced officers once more in policy to husband our resources, our men, and our the cabinet, and they now revenge themselves on means, to meet the coming conflict with the only bim.

nation that dare strike us upon land or on the wa

An American merchant in a foreign country, must ter-the only nation that can send us a Hannibal, sell his flour and tobacco tranquilly, but have or whom we shall revisit with a Scipio--that nation nothing to do with the government; that will anwho has already sacked our infant Rome, and whose swer in this country, where the people are the goproud Carthage we shall one day humble in the vernment, and no person can be wronged with imdust, and sweep with the besom of retributive de- punity. It is worse than futile for an American to solation. But, said he, there are no present cir- attempt ingrafting the principles and sentiments cumstances, or looked-for events, that ought to in- of his country on the Spanish monarchy; and, unforcline us to harden our ears, that we may not hear tunately Mr. Meade knew too much and felt too the calls of a suffering citizen, imploring our pro- great an interest in the public affairs. However, tection. Solon, I think it was, upon being asked, we trust that whatever can be consistently done by "What form of government is best?" replied, "That our government, to enforce his release, will be form in which the smallest insult offered to the speedily adopted. A personal and intimate acmeanest citizen is considered an injury to the whole quaintance with Spanish policy and humanity, deriv. community." Could a better maxim be adopted ed froom the gloomy example of Philip the 2d, sain a government like ours? Is there any thing which tisfies us that Mr. Meade has nothing to hope for so exactly accords with the principles of our con- from their mercy, but probably eternal confinement. stitution? This, it is true, is but a single instance One fact will illustrate the position. of individual oppression; but the outrage done to During the time that Mr Charles Pinckney was the personal rights of this victim; the infraction of minister in Spain, or probably when Mr. Erving was national law; and the affront, the insult offered to charge des affaires, a person was in the employ of our government, is ex actly the same as if half a the legation by the name of doctor Gaugh, an Irishmillion had been incarcerated; for he held that man by birth, but extremely attached to this country our system of government is the true poetic chain, and possessing a frank, honest disposition; he atwhich links us together as a band of brothers--tempted to convey some English despatches with and

the American ones out of the country, and was intercepted and suddenly missed. Inquiry was made for him without effect, and it was suspected that the stiletto had been too successfully applied on the occasion. When lord Wellington beseiged and captured Pampeluna, forth issued from one of the deepest dungeons of that fortress our doctor Gaugh, pretty well as to health, but a little fatigued and and had not that event occurred, he would in ali out of humour at probably ten years confinement; probability, have never seen the light of day.—This will be the case with Meade, unless means are taken to interfere with effect. No nation presumes more than Spain-but ignorance and fanaticism are no excuse]

When Mr. Newton introduced the bill to remit

"If from that chain a single link you strike, "Ten, or ten thousand, break the chain alike." We are bound, sir, said Mr. T. under our constitution, to protect the life, liberty, and property of every citizen of our country. But where may be claim that protection? Or rather, where shall his right to claim it cease? Is it confined to the limits of the union? or does it not extend to the remotest region of the globe which is visited by our people? May the citizen claim it against the savages of the western wilds, and is he not entitled to it, among the still more lawless chieftians of a decaying, pe rishing and ruined monarchy? It is not in this land of liberty that the citizen need call for protection; here it comes, as it were, unbidden, to encompass him about; but, when oppression falls upon him in a foreign land, among strangers, friendless and unprotected, his supplicatmg voice should not be the duties on West's painting, he said "the object heard in vain; for every thing which is obligatory in of the bill under consideration was to remit, to the the social compact, or honorable in humanity, calls Pennsylvania hospital, the duties on a painting, calfor and commands your protection, as if he stood led "Christ in the Temple healing the Sick," preupon the sacred soil that gave him birth. Who sented to that institution by Benjamin West. The of us, said Mr. T. in the condition of Mr. Meade, British government, with a liberality and promptiwould not ask this inquiry of the house? Which of tude that does honor to it, remitted every charge us will refuse it? For the honor of my country incident to the exportation. The reception of it hope there is not one. in this country would, Mr. N. said, he trusted, be The motion of Mr. T. was agreed to without op-met by the government in a spirit not less gracious position or further debate. and liberal. The munificence of this celebrated ar[The New York National Advocate makes the fol-tist, a munificence, the exercise of which belongs onlowing remarks on the case of Mr. Meade, which ly to genius of a superior order, and of extensive acthe editor says "has been brought up before congress quirements, would, he hoped, be acknowledged in and developes a system of base persecution on the such a manner as to manifest the sense this governpart of the Spanish government, which requires the ment entertains of the respect shown by him for interference of this country. We are in possession this nation. The painting, Mr. N. added, is consiof additional facts, which we shall endeavor to pubdered as the chef d'œuvre of his pencil. The prelish in our next. We cannot, however, avoid ob- sent is designed as a memento of the love that ilerving, that greatly as we deplore the confinement lustrious man bears his native land. It is also high

་་་་་་་་སྐྱེ

ly complimentary to the taste and judgment of

George Mumford, of North Carolina, principal assessor for the tenth collection district. No resignation has been received from Mr. Mumford. Levi Barber, of Ohio, receiver of public monies at Marietta; appointed 3d March, 1807; resigned 1st December, 1817.

Samuel C Crafts, of Vermont, principal assessor this nation. The painting moreover reflects honor for the sixth collection district; appointed 4th on this country, and extends its fame, as it is the January, 1815; resigned 5th June, 1817. production of an American. Permit me, said Mr. George Robertson, of Kentucky, principal asses appointed N. to congratulate my country on her rising fame.sor for the seventh collection distric'; The genius and skill displayed by Trumbull; by 4th January, 1815; resigned 5th June, 1817. Stewart, by Vanderlyn, by Sully, by Peale, and many others, secure to each an imperishable fame, and to their country renown. A new epoch has commenced-its progress is auspicious. The Gre oian, Italian, Flemish, French, and British schools will be rivalled and equalled in time, by our own. John F. Parrot, of New Hampshire, naval officer I congratulate those who are endowed with genius, but whose means are too limited to enable them to for the district of Portsmouth; appointed 23d April, seek, in distant regions, the acquirements neces-1816; resigned 15th November, 1817. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS." ry to form and fix their judgment, and to give to Referred to the committee of elections. their taste the characters of delicacy and correct. The speaker laid before the house a report from ness, on the prospect they have of completing their studies in their native land, under political the secretary of war, made in pursuance of a reso institutions that give to genius full scope, and the lution of the house, embracing a list of all officers enjoyment of its creations, and that leave to emu- who held brevet rank in the army at the close of the lation the influence of developing its powers The late war, their lineal rank at the time of receiving inspiration thus kindled, diffused and made active, the brevet; and a list of officers of the present army, will bestow on their works whatever can delight who hold brevet rank higher than their lineal rank, and enchant the mind, and soften and meliorate the and the number and grade of such officers as reheart. Mr. N. asked pardon for this trespass. Had ceive, in virtue of their brevet rank, greater pay or he said less and less he could not have said-be emoluments than they would otherwise be entitled should not have performed his duty, and done justo by law; which report was ordered to lie on the tice to his feelings. He hoped the bill would pass table, and be printed. unanimously.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

On motion of Mr. Pitkin, it was Resolved, The secretary of the treasury be di Monday, Dec. 29-Mr. Pindall, from the com- rected to lay before the house a statement of Ame mittee to whom the subject had been referred, re-rican and foreign tonnage employed in the foreign ported a bill to amend the act respecting the recov. ery of fugitives from justice, and persons escaping from the service of their masters, [providing the means to be pursued for the recovery of slaves escaping into another state, and affixing the penalties for harboring such fugitives, or obstructing their recovery, &c] The bill was twice read and commit

ted. 44

A message was received from the Presidemt of the United States, by Mr. J. J. Monroe, his private secretary, transmitting, in compliance with a reso lution of the House, of the 12th inst. the following report:

"Department of State, Dec, 26, 1817. The resolution of the House of Representatives of the 12th of this month, requesting the President to communicate to that House whether any and which of the representatives named in the list thereto annexed have held offices since the 4th of March last, designating the offices, the time of ap. pointment and acceptance, and whether they were at that time so held, or when they had been resign ed, having been referred to this department, the Secretary has the honor respectfully to report to the president as follows:

John Holmes, of Massachusetts, commissioner under the 4th article of the treaty of Ghent, appointed 16th February, 1816; resigned 24th November, 1817.

Samuel Herrick, of Ohio, attorney of the United States; appointed 19th December, 1810; resigned

28th November 1817.

Daniel Cruger, of New-York, post master at Bath; appointed 29th June, 1815; resigned 1st December, 1817.

Elias Earle, of South-Carolina, post master at Centreville; appointed in April, 1815; resigned 12th June, 1817.

Thomas H Hubbard, of New-York, post master at Hamilton; appointed 11th March, 1813; resigned 23d October, 1817.

trade of the United States, in the years 1815, 1816, and far as practicable in 1817, distinguishing the nations to whom the foreign tonnage belonged. Also, a statement of American and British tonnage employed in the trade between the United States and the British dominions in Europe, for each of said years, distinguishing the amount em. ployed between the United States and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the other British European dominions:

That the secretary of the treasury be also directed to lay before the house a statement shewing the amount of British tonnage in the trade between the United States and the British West Indies, and between the United States and the British North American Colonies, in 1815, 1816 and 1817, containing the amount entered in and cleared from the American ports, in each of said years.

Resolved, That the secretary of the treasury be directed to lay before the house a statement shewing the quantity of sugar, coffee, rum, molasses, and cocoa imported into, and exported from, the United States, in each of the years 1815, 1816, and 1817, together with the countries and places from whence the same were imported, and the quantity imported from each country and place.

In submitting his motion, Mr. Pitkin briefly remarked on the importance of the information which the resolutions called for, and the necessity there was for the house being in possession of it, par. ticularly in certain interesting questions which would come before the house of the subject of trade and navigation.

Mr. Poindexter offered a resolution which was agreed to, having for its object an enquiry into the expediency of authorising the president to exchange with the several tribes of Indians, their land on the east side of the Mississippi for United States lands to the westward thereof.

The Speaker laid before the house, a letter from William Allen, accompanied by a present to the