The Gommittee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of Priscilla C. Simonds, report:

This case received the favorable action of the Committee and of the Senate, at the last Congress.

It appears that Moses H. Simonds, the son of the petitioner, was captain of company H, third regiment of Missouri mounted volunteers, and was mustered into the service of the United States on the 12th June, 1847. That while in the discharge of his duty, and en route for Santa Fe with his company, Captain Simonds sickened and died at Council Grove on the 25th day of July, 1847. That after his death, his property and effects, consisting of two horses, clothing, and military equipage, &c., valued by Lieutenant Cannon, of said company, under oath. at $418, were taken possession of by Major Reynolds, of said regiment, agreeably to the 94th paragraph of the Rules and Articles of War, but never accounted for by him, either to the representatives of the deceased officer or to the govern

ment.

General Jesup, in answer to inquiries from the committee, states, that it appears by the papers that the major of the regiment (Reynolds) did, on the decease of Captain Simonds, immediately secure all his effects, as provided by law; and it further appears, upon examination at the Adjutant General's office, that he failed to send any inventory to the War Department, as provided for by law. Major Reynolds is also dead; and there does not now appear to be any means of recovering the property, or its value, from that quarter.

Under the peculiar circumstances of this case, the committee are of opinion that the helpless and widowed mother of this meritorious officer, who died in the active service of his country, is entitled to the favorable consideration of Congress, and that relief should be awarded to her, at least to the extent of the value of the property which was taken possession of by the authorized officer of the government. They therefore re port a bill for her relief.

1st Session.

No. 12.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.

DECEMBER 21, 1853.

Ordered to be printed.

Mr. BENJAMIN made the following

REPORT:

[To accompany bill S. No. 55.]

The Committee on Commerce to whom was referred the petition of Merhants of New Orleans, praying that the said port be extended, have had the same under consideration, and beg leave to report :

That the increasing business and population of that portion of the Parish of Jefferson in which the memorialists reside, as well as the accommodations which will be extended to the shipping by the extension of the port of New Orleans, commend the prayer of the petitioners to the favorable consideration of your committee, and they accordingly herewith report a bill, and recommend its passage to the Senate.

The Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of the heirs of the late Dr. William Somerville, report:

That they concur in the report made in this case by the Committee of Claims, at the 1st session of the 32d Congress, (No. 283,) which is hereto annexed and made a part of this report.

They also report a bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Dr. William Somerville, deceased, and recommend its passage.

IN SENATE-JULY 6, 1852.

Mr. PRATT made the following report:

[To accompany bill S. No. 476.]

The Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of the heirs at law of the late Doctor Wm. Somerville, of Calvert county, Maryland, have had the same under consideration, and now report:

That the petitioners claim indemnity for the destruction of the property of their ancestor Dr. Wm. Somerville, by the British during the war of 1812, and that the testimony adduced clearly establishes the following facts:

1. That the house of Doctor Somerville was occupied by the American troops for the purpose of reconnoitering the enemy, by the order of the officer in command.

2. That on the day it was destroyed by the enemy it was so occupied, and the American force driven from it prior to its destruction. 3. That the destruction of the property was caused by its occupancy by the American soldiers.

4. That the value of the property destroyed is not clearly established. Your committee believe that the petitioners are entitled to relief, and they report a bill directing the proper accounting officer of the treasury to ascertain from the proof now on file, and from such further legal proof as may be furnished, the value of the said property, and directing said amount to be paid, which they confidently recommend to the favorable consideration of the Senate.