bill for the relief of the heirs of Philip Barbour, reported the same without amendment.

Mr. NORVELL, from the Committee on the Public Lands, to which had been referred the following bills, reported the same without amendment: A bill granting to the State of Michigan a quantity of land to aid in constructing a canal around the falls of Ste. Marie.

A bill granting to the county of Kalamazoo, in the State of Michigan, the right of pre-emption to a quarter section of land, and for other purposes.

A bill granting to certain persons therein named, the right of pre-emption to a fraction of a section of land in Ottoway, in the State of Michigan.

Mr. WALKER, from the Committee on the Public Lands, to which had been referred the bill to relinquish to the State of Mississippi the Two per cent. fund arising under her compact for admission into the Union, reported the same without amend

ment.

Mr. W. made some remarks as to the necessity of an early passage of the bill, and at his suggestion, and by unanimous consent, it was then taken up, and considered as in Committee of the Whole, and ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

Mr. W. from the same committee, also reported the following bills without amendment:

A bill for the relief of James Duiton; and

A bill to authorize the substitution of other lands in place of school sections which are useless or unproductive.

Mr. WHITE of Indiana presented the remonstrance of the settlers upon certain lots of land adjoining the town of Milwaukie, against the confirmation of the title of Francis Laventure and others, who claim a pre-emption right, and a petition for an act granting a special pre-emption to the occupants of those lots: referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

Also, a memorial of the merchants of Albion, Mount Carmel, and Princeton, praying for aid to construct the Mount Carmeland New Albany Railroad; which was referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

Mr. SMITH of Indiana offered the following resolution, which, by unanimous consent, was considered and agreed to:

Kesolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of regulating and establishing the salaries of the dis trict judges of the United States.

Mr. NICHOLAS gave notice that, to-morrow, he would ask leave to introduce a bill to revive the act entitled an act to enable claimants to land, within the limits of Mis ouri and the Territory of Arkansas, to institute proceedings to try the validity of their claims, approved May 26, 1834, and an act amending the same, and to extend the provisions of said acts to claimants to lands within the State of Louisiana.

Mr. YOUNG gave notice that, to-morrow, he would ask leave to introduce several bills for the relief of individuals, and one in relation to the Galena Railroad.

Mr. LINN submitted the following resolution: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate be directed respectfully to request annually of the Governors of the different States and Territories of the United States to furnish, for the use of the Congressional Library, all reports and documents in their posse sien in relation to the geology and mineralogy of their respective States and Territories. The resolutions submitted on Tuesday by Mr. BENTON and Mr. WALL, were severally considered and agreed to.

ORDERS OF THE DAY.

The bill to amend an act entitled "An act more effectually to provide for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States, and for other purposes, was taken up on its third reading, and passed.

The bill to prevent the counterfeiting of any foreign copper, gold, silver, or other coin, and to prevent the bringing into the United States, or uttering any counterfeit.foreign copper, gold, silver, or other coin, was considered as in Committee of the Whole, and ordered to be engrossed foa third reading.

The Senate then went into Executive business, and afterwards

Adjourned until Monday next.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
FRIDAY, January 3, 1840.

After the journal was read,

Mr. JENIFER rose and asked the indulgence of the House whilst he called their attention, for a few moments, in relation to a matter personally concerning himself.

I do not rise to ask a correction of the journal, but for the purpose of pointing the attention of gentlemen to a report of the picceedings which took place on Tuesday last.

In the Globe of Tuesday evening, which purports to give a sketch of the debate upon the resolution of the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. SERGEANT] "to alter the 20 h rule of the House, to allow further time for the daily presentation of petitions," I find the following remarks:

"Mr. BYNUM appealed to Mr. GARLAND to withdraw the motion for the previous question, as he had been attacked by three gentlemen on the opposite side, and had been gros-ly misrepresented, and he only wished to say a few words in reply to those gentlemen, [Messrs. JOHNSON of Maryland, JENIFER, and STANIY.] He should think it hard if he were not granted this privilege.

"Mr. GARLAND said he would not withdraw his motion for the previous question, which cut off further remarks on the subject.

"Mr. BYNUM then said that it was the usual practice of that party, after having two or three bullies to attack a gentleman and do him injustice, to refuse to let him reply to such attacks."

The distance of my seat from the member from North Carolina, and the usual want of order in the hall, prevented me from distinctly hearing what was said upon that occasion. Three days having elapsed since these remarks appeared in the Globe, and, as far as I have seen, without correction, I am left to infer that they were either expressed on the floor, or authorized to be reported. Had I heard them, I do not know that I should have noticed them, well knowing that they would be properly appreciated by gentlemen here. But as they have been published in the columns of the Globe and sent throughout the country, it may be expected that some response should be given.

I wish it to be distinctly understood that I do not rise to complain; that I do not feel aggrieved; that I take no offence at whatever may have been said, or reported to have been said, coming from that quarter.

Still, a regard for the kind opinion of friends, and a respect for myself, which I hope ever to retain, requires that I should define my position in relation to the member from North Carolina.

Since the 7th day of June, 1836, (a day which that member no doubt well remembered,) I have purposely avoided noticing any thing he might say, or in any manner coming in contact with him, well knowing that no laurels are to be gained, where even victory would be a disgrace. Under there circumstances, my friends need feel no apprehension on my account. But to prevent misunderstanding, and do justice to myself, I desire it to be also understood, that if, upon any occasion, I have, or hereafter may, wound the feelings of any gen'leman, I shall always hold myself bound to make an honcrable atonement, or meet him in an honorable way; but he must be a gentleman worthy the notice of an honorable man.

Mr. BYNUM said he rose to reply to the remarks of the gentleman from Maryland, [Mr. JENIFER,] although he was sorry that he could not hear distinctly what that gentleman had said. He understood him, however, to complain of something that had been published in the Globe, in relation to what he (Mr. B.) had said some days since. He had not been able to understand what censure that gentleman had passed on him, if any. He would state, though, for his satisfaction, and all others, that the Globe contained what he had uttered on the floor, at the time alluded to by that gentleman, to the best of his recollection. The language was his, and for it he held himself responsible, in that House or out of it. The only

explanation that he felt a disposition to make to the House was this:

On the occasion alluded to, he had been attacked by three or four gen'lemen-by the gentleman himself [Mr. JENIFER] and his colleague [Mr. JOHNSON,] a gentleman from New York, [Mr.HOFFMAN,] and a member from North Carolina. He, however, was not disposed to notice what, asle then thought, was the most illiberal manner, in which, by the want of courtesy, he was prevented from a reply, in vindication of himself and the remarks he had used on that occasion, to the altacks of those gentlemen, in which he thought he had been grossly misrepresented; and which he should have attempted to show, it he could have been allowed the privilege of replying at the time. At the time he made the remarks, he did not know whether that gentleman [Mr. JENIFER] was in his seat or not. The gentleman thought fit, however, to open the attack upon him, and was then followed up by his colleague and others; although the gentleman had said he had lain down a particular rule for himself to pursue, since the memorable 7th of June, 1836, and that course was to have nothing to do with me; and, to avoid me in debate. Sir, such was the identical course that I had laid down for myself to pursue towards that gentleman, and several others with whom my relations were of a peculiar nature. I take it for granted that it is dishonorable, after two gentlemen have had a difference, that has been confessedly settled honorably to both parties, and stand up. on peculiar terms, to embrace any public occasion to renew their difficulties, by bandying personal epithets. Sir, that has not been my course here or elsewhere, as I do not conceive that that belongs to an honorable man and a gentleman. The word bully, that I used, if it be that the gentleman complains of, I used to denote one that would play the political champion of this House, such as we have frequently witnessed in it for several years yast. I thought every man understod it, when I used it, in that sense, and I regret that any man should have brought it before this House. I do not know what the gentleman has said about the affair of the 7th of June; but if he says or insinuates that that affair was not honorably settled by both parties then, he says or insinuates what he did not say nor insinuate on the grour d; and he contradicts what was said and done then; but I say I did not hear the gentleman, and do not know exactly what he did say. If the gentleman will harrow up that old affair, which a lundristood was honorably settled at the time, then let him pro. ceed. Or if he should undertake to pounce on me, to become my lecturer here, or els where, I say to him, that this House is not large enough to hold us both. No, sir, this House cannot hold us both, nor the world retain us alive. I regret that these private matters should ever have been brough before this House; they do not belong it.

Mr. STANLY he e rose, and put an interroga. tory to Mr. BYNUM, to which he wished a reply; but was not dist neily heard by the Reporter.

Mr. BYNUM said that the member had asked for a civil answer to a question which he said he had put in a civil way. It the member was in earnest, and could be relied on, he had no objection to answering any civil question put to him in a proper spirit.

Mr. STANLY was understood to ask of the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. BYNUM] if the word "bully," or "political champion," was intended by him in an offensive sense? whether he intended it to have a literal or political construction?

Mr. BYNUM said he did not know that he could make any other explanation to the question than he had given. He had said that he had used the word "bully" in the sense he had explained before; which was one who was in the habit of thrusting himself on every occasion in debate, and endeavoring to browbeat and bully others out of their opinions; and if that was not satisfactory, the member might act as he chose in relation to it, as' he had no further explanation to make.

Mr. STANLY was then understood to proceed as though unsatisfied.

The SPEAKER here interposed to put a stop to the discussion, which he said was of such a nature

as could not be permitted to go on; and that the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. JENIFER] had merely risen, as he understood him, to make some correction of a matter which personally interrested him. Mr. STANLY was again understood to say that reference had been made to him by his colleague, [Mr. BYNUM,] in his reply to the gentleman from Maryland, which he conceived needed some notice. He said it was usual with him to cultivate with gentlemen the most friendly relations--and particularly so with persons from the State which he in part represented-that he felt his heart warmed to meet any such; but on his arrival here he had cautioned his friends and colleagues not to introduce him to his colleague, [Mr. BYNUM,] for if they did he would hold them personally responsible. He made some further remarks not heard sufficiently distinct to be understood.

Mr. BYNUM said that this place was not the proper one to settle these private matters. If the member would but go to the Rotunda, he would satisfy him. To which Mr. S. made no reply, but said something, as he sat down, about Mr. B. begging his life, which was not understood. Mr. B. then rose and said, "When and where, puppy, puppy, puppy?" and the matter here closed.

Mr. KEIM rose and said:

Mr. SPEAKER: I have made an effort this morning to present to this House the usual resolutions of tribute to the memory of a deceased friend and colleague-a duty which required an earlier attention, but from the delay in our organization,it was always unpleasant to my feelings to offer them, until the restoration of order, and the House itself had once again returned to its proper and characteristic decorum. It appears to me that now is the proper moment, as it may allay, in some degree, the smothered passions which unfortunately seem to be gathering around some of the gentlemen upon this floor; for I am sure the hand of death has been too busy during the past year, to need any additional provocation from them in aid of his relentless power. Indeed, from that ruthless spoiler who can escape? The old, the young, the humble, and the great, are alike stricken with his unerring shaft, and we perchance are left to mourn a desolation which sooner or later also awaits us.

To some, however, death presents no terror, but like a welcome harbinger of rest, he is hailed with cordial greeting, and dying friends are looked upon as

"Pioneers to smooth

Our rugged way, to break

Those bars of terror and abhorrence nature throws Cross our obstructed path, and thus to make Welcome as safe our port from every storm." Few, however, have left this earthly tenement, more to be lamented than my friend and colleague, WILLIAM W. POTTER; for none possessed more amiable quallidies, or enjoyed a more virtuous heart.

His assiduous attention to his duties here promoted a disease that baffled all human skill, and marked him as a premature victim to its ravages. With a consciousness of his approaching end, he was fully prepared to "return the dust to the earth as it was, and the spirit to God who gave it." Thus, in the meridian of his days, was taken from us a mind replete with all the acquirements that a patriot cherished, or a statesman prized.

Indefatigable in his services to his constituents, their tears have designated how well they loved him who never betrayed their confidence, or faltered in devotion to their best interests.

As a husband, he was exemplary for his affection and kindness; and none can soothe the anguish of the partner of his bosom, save "He who spake as never yet man spake."

Happily, indeed, for human suffering, there is an antidote for every affliction, in the benign precepts of our holy religion. They teach us that

"Heaven gives us friends to bless the present scene;
Resumes them, to prepare us for the next."

To that only solace has the bereaved widow looked for strength and consolation, in the promised hope that "they who dwell in righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever."

I offer the following resolutions:
Resolved, That this House has received with

deep sensibility the communication of the death of WILLIAM W. POTTER, a Representative of the State of Pennsylvania.

Resolved, That the members of this House will testify their respect for the memory of the deceased by wearing crape on the left arm for thirty days. Resolved, That, as a further testimonial of respect for the memory of the deceased, this House will adjourn until to-morrow at 12 o'clock.

The question was then put, and the resolutions were unanimously adopted; after which,

Mr. KEIM moved that the House now adjourn. Mr. WADDY THOMPSON requested Mr. KEIM to waive his motion for the adjournment, to enable him to make a motion for reconsidering a vote, which, unless it be done at that time, and entered on the journal, it would not be in his power to move at any other time.

Mr. KEIM acceded to said request.

Mr. THOMPSON moved that the vote ordering the printing of the map of the seat of war in Florida, accompanying the report of the Secretary of War, be reconsidered.

The question on adjournment was then put, and carried in the affirmative; and

The House adjourned till to-morrow, 12 o'clock.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
SATURDAY, January 4, 1840.

Mr. EVANS asked leave of the House to introduce a bill, which he said was very important, and which would not take more than three minutes of the time of the House to consider. It was a bill which was usually reported by the Committee of Ways and Means; but, inasmuch as the organi. zation of the House had been so long delayed, the committee had not yet had a meeting, and it was probable would not for several days. The money which had been appropriated for the contingent expenses of both Houses, and for the payment of the members, had been expended; and he learned from the officers of both Houses, that great inconvenience resulted from it. He wished to introduce the bill, if no objection was made, and would ask the House to go into a Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union to consider it. No objection being made,

Mr. E. then introduced a bill making appropriations, in part, for the support of Government for the year 1840; which was twice read; when

Mr. E. then moved that the same be referred to the Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union, which was agreed to; and

The House then went into committee, Mr. BANKS in the Chair, and the bill having been considered, was reported to the Hou-e; when it was read the third time by its title and passed.

On motion of Mr. TILLINGHAST, the House took up and considered the resolution of the Senate proposing the appointment of a Committee on the Library, and concurred in the same.

Mr. RAMSEY said he had had in his possession for several days a petition from the citizens of the Third Congressional District of Pennsylvania, complaining that their rights had been trampled on in permitting the gentleman here [Mr. NAYLOR] to take his seat as their representative, and asking that the frauds by which their rights have been violated be investigated; which he asked might be read for the information of the Hou-e.

The SPEAKER said it would not be in order at that time.

Mr. RAMSEY then moved a suspension of the rules to enable him to present the petition; and upon that motion demanded the yeas and nays, which were ordered, and were-yeas 118, nays 67.

YEAS-Messrs. Adams, Judson Allen, Atherton, Banks, Beatty, Beirne, Biddle, Black, Blackwell, Brewster, Briggs, Aaron V. Brown, Albert G. Brown, Burke, W. O. Butler, SH. Butler, Bynum, John Campbell, Carr, Carroll, Carter, Chapman, Clifford, Coles, Mark A. Cooper, Crabb, Cross, Cushing, Dana, Davee, John W. Davis, Doan, Doig, Duncan, Earl, Eastman, Ely, Everett, Fine, Fisher, Fletcher, Floyd, Fornance, Galbraith, James Garland, Goggin, Griffin, IIall, Hammond, Hand, John Hastings, John Hill of N. C. Hook, Hopkins, Howard, Hubbard, Jackson, Jamesor, Jenifer, Joseph Johnson, Cave Johnson, Nathaniel Jones, Keim, Kempshall, Leadbetter, Leet, Leonard, Lewis, Lowell, Lucas, McClellan, McCulloh, McKay, Marchand, Miller, Montanya, Samuel W. Morris, Newhard, Parish, Parmenter, Par. ris, Paynter, Pickens, Pope, Prentiss, Ramsey, Reynolds, Edward Rogers, James Rogers, Samuels, Sergeant, Shaw, Shepard, Slade, Albert Smith, John Smith, Thomas Smith, Starkweather, Steenrod, Strong, Sumter, Swearingen, Sweeny,

Taylor, Philip F. Thomas, Jacob Thompson, Tillinghast, To.. land, Turney, Underwood, Vanderpoel, David D. Wagener, Warren, Watterson, Weller, John White, Wick, and Jared W. Williams-118.

NAYS-Messrs. Alford, John W. Allen, Simeon H. Anderson, Andrews, Barnard, Bell, Brockway, Anson Brown, Calhoun, William B. Campbell, Casey, Chinn, Chittenden, Clark, Cooper, Cranston, Crockett, Curtis, Davies, G. Davis, Dawson, Dillett, Evans, Fillmore, Rice Garland, Gates, Gentry, Gid dings, Goode, Graham, Granger Graves, Green, Habersham, W. S. Hastings, Henry, Hoffman, Hunt, James, Charles Johnston, Lincoln, Marvin, Morgan, C. Morris, Nisbet, Osborne, Palen, Peck, Randall, Randolph, Rariden, Rayner, Reed, Ridgway, Russell, Truman Smith, Stanly, Storrs, Stuart, Taliaferro, Waddy Thompson, Trumbull, Peter J. Wagner, Thomas W. Williams, Lewis Williams, C, H. Williams, and Sherrod Wil. liams-67.

So the rules were not suspended, it requiring a vote of two-thirds.

Mr. S. WILLIAMS asked leave to offer a resolution, which was read, as follows:

Resolved, That the memorials and petitions presented to the House of Representatives at the last Corgress, and upon which favorable reports were made, and on which the House did not finally act, and such memorials and petitions as were presented at the last Congress and referred, upon which the committees did not make reports, be again referred to the committees to which the said memorials and petitions were heretofore severally referred.

No objection being made, the resolution was received and agreed to.

The motion of Mr. THOMPSON of South Carolina to reconsider the vote on ordering the printing of the map of the seat of war in Florida, accompanying the report of the Secretary of War, came up for consideration; when

Mr. THOMPSON of South Carolina observed that the matter which he had moved to reconsider might be said to be a small matter; but inasmuch as abuses in small matters are the more dangerous as they are likely to escape attention, he had for this reason seized the earliest opportunity of bring. ing it before the House. The vote that he had moved the reconsideration of, was on the proposition to print 5,000 extra copies of the map of the seat of war in Florida, which the gentleman who moved the pristing said would not cost more than 800 or 1000 dollars. This, to be sure, might be considered as a small matter in comparison with the ordinary expenses of the like nature. The House, in its expenditures for printing, was some. thing like the law-de minimis non curat; but it was in regard to these small matters that economy was, as he had before observed, as necessary as in large ones; and as to this particular document, for all the use that it would be to the members of that body, it might as well be burnt. Any body was welcome to the share of them that would fall to him, for he could make no earthly use of them whatever. To his constituents they would not be worth a single baubee, and he could see no reason at all for printing, unless it was for the purpose of rewarding certain favorites of the Administration, hanging about Washington, with a portion of the public money. He did not know any one of the ten thousand instances of gross extravagance and waste of public money more to be denounced than that of members of Congress having printed for themselves, at the public expense, documents worth no more than mere waste paper, for the purpose of putting money in the pockets of a political partisan. He would mention one fact which would surprise many of the young members who were not yet aware of the extent to which the practice he adverted to had prevailed. While at home last summer, he received from one to two hundred maps of the United States-excellent maps, which would readily sell in a stationer's shop-that had been printed under the order of the House for the use of its members. These things were done under the plea of furnishing useful information to the members, to enable them the better to carry on the business of legislation; but they already had a valuable and extensive library; and if more information was neces sary for the members, he thought it would be better to furnish them with good historical works, than to expend the public money in printing a parcel of maps, that would be worth to them, as far as use ful information was concerned, no more than mere waste paper. He also received last summer a number of maps of Florida, which were, to him and his constituents, perfectly worthless. As he had been placed on the military committee, on the mo

tron of whose chairman this printing had been ordered, he thought it his duty to move the reconsideration, being determined, while a member of that committee, to resist, to the utmost of his ability, every unnecessary expenditure, whether proposed in it or in the House.

In justice, however, to the gentleman who was at the head of that committee for the last Congress, he must say that that gentleman was uniform ly in favor of preserving the strictest economy, and cordially co-operated with him in resisting every extravagance of expenditure.

Mr. T. concluded, by moving a reconsideration of the vole referred to in the commencement of his remarks.

Mr. CAVE JOHNSON said, that as he had submitted the motion for printing the map of Flo. rida accompanying the report of the Secretary of War, it was due to himself and the House that he should explain the reasons which operated upon him in making that motion. The map of Florida accompanied the report of the Secretary of War, and the only question was, whether, in publishing the documents accompanying the President's message,the map should be included. There was a former order of this House, made some years ago upon his application, that a general order for printing should not include maps and charts, without the special order of the House. In consequence of this order, he brought the subject before the House, that the House might decide tor itself, whether the map of Florida should constitute a part of each of the documents accompanying the message, and that he thought the gentleman from South Carolina had used an improper expression, when he spoke of them as extra copies.

Mr. J. said that he had seen the map of Florida, already published by the Senate, accompanying the report of the Secretary of War, and that he supposed the number of maps necessary to accompany the documents might now be procured at a moderate price, as the engraving had already been done under the orders of the Senate; and hat he had inquired of one of the printers, then n the House, as to the probable cost for each, if now ordered. He was informed that each one would not exceed six or eight cents for the paper and printing, the engraving having been already done. For these reasons he had, in the first place, made the application to the House. Since that time, he had been informed that the Clerk of the House, some time before, had made a contract for the performance of such work by some lithographer in the city, whose name he did uot reeollect, by which the House was to pay about the same price that the Senate paid the engraver. He had inquired what the price of the work would be, but had not been able to learn. If he had supposed that a new engraving would have to be made, he should never have made the application.

Mr. J. said that he was grauified to learn from the honorable member from South Carolina, that he was so zealous an advocate for economy and reform-that the honorable member knew, having served many years in this House with him, that he, (Mr. J.) had been at all times the decided and warm advocate of ecomomy as well as the curtailment of all unnecessary expenditures, and he could assure the honorable member that he would not find him altered in that respect.

The honorable member had been pleased to say, that he had unlimited confidence in the chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs in the last Congress, [Gen. MCKAY,] but that he was apprehensive he would not have the same reason for a continuance of that confidence to the chairman of that committee in the present Congress; that this movement was a bad beginning.

Mr. J. expressed a hope that the honorable member from South Carolina would find no cause for dissatisfaction with the present chairman of that committee on the score of economy, and that he thought the motion submitted by him the other day for printing the map accompanying the report of the Secretary ought not to create any suspicion in his mind prejudicial to the present chairman of that committee. He begged to remind the honorabe gentleman, that during the last Congress the Report of the Secretary of War was accompanied

by a map of Florida, which was ordered by the House to be printed, upon the motion of the chairman of the Military Committee of that Congress, in whom the gentleman had so much confidence. He had not examined the journal, but had been so informed this morning by the chairman of that committee.

Mr. THOMPSON rose to state one fact. The contract for printing these maps, he said, was to be given to a person in this city, who was to be subjected to the same process of taxation that was proved to have been practised in New York, and other cities. That is (said Mr. T.) the person who does the work is to submit to an assessment on the price of the printing, which he is to contribute to the support of a publication, very important to the party in power-the Democratic Review.

Mr. BANKS observed that he should have pursued his usual course in silence, in reference to the motion of the gentleman from South Carolina, but for one fact. It had been the course pursued by that gentleman, with many of the party who acted with him, to endeavor to produce an impression on the public mind, that there was a party in that House disposed to print public documents, merely to reward their political favorites. He knew not of such favorites; and knew of no such design in the part of those with whom he acted, and denied that he and his friends had ever been governed by any such motives. He readily believed, however, that the House did print too much, and he had never voted for the printing of a document, unless he deemed it necessary for the public service. With regard to the motion now under consideration, he should vote for it, believing that the printing of the document Was unnecessary. But, said Mr. B. while the gentleman says so much about useless and unnecessary printing, let me call his attent on, and that of the gentleman who vote with him, to the extravagant waste of pnblic money last session in printing 20,000 extra copies of the Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, in relation to defalcations of public officers. The printing of these extra copies of old documents cost some $15,000 of the public money, and it was carried through the House by the votes of the gentleman and his friends.

Mr. THOMPSON of South Carlina. The gentleman speaks at random, and states what is not true. I did not vote for the printing of these docu

ments.

Mr. BANKS resumed. The document he referred to, was document 297, being the Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, in relation to the defalcations of public officers. I assert, said he, that there was a propositiou to print 20,000 extra copies of these old documents, that it was carried through by the votes cf the gentleman from South Carolina and his party, and that the journals will show it.

Mr. THOMPSON again interrupted Mr. BANKS, and said that the gentleman had stated at random what was not true.

Mr. BANKS continued. If the gentleman did not vote for that particular proposition, it certainly was caried through by the votes of the party with which he acts; and when the gentleman is endeavoring to create a false impression abroad that the friends of the Administration were seeking to expend the public money in useless printing, for the purpose of rewarding political favorites, it was but fair to bring up, as an offset to it, this extravagance of the last session, carried through by his party, as well as to deny the charge. With respect to the particular document under consideration, he felt it due to himself to say, that he should vote against the printing of it, not believing it to be necessary for the public information. As to the vote of the gentleman himself on printing the documents, he could not say with certainty how he voted, without a reference to the journal; though h's impression had been that the gentleman had voted for it, until he denied it; but he did say that the printing was carried through by the votes of the gentleman's party.

Mr. WISE was sorry that his colleague had thought proper to make an attack on the motion made by him last session for the printing of the report relative to defalcation, I (said Mr. W.)

made the motion to print the extra copies of document 297, which would show to the thousands of voters of this country, that the late message of the President was not true. The message stated that independently of the defalcation of Swartwout, only $60,000 were lost to the Government in consequence of the defalcations of public officers. That document, No. 297, would show that, by the land officers and collectors of the present Administration, nearly one million of dollars were lost, while the message stated the loss at only $60,000. This document disproved the truth of the President's message, and showed either that he was disposed to cover the defalcations of his officers, or that he was deceived by his Secretary of the Treasury. He would frankly say of Martin Van Buren, bolieving him to be a gentleman, that if he had read the document No. 297, he would not have made the statements he d d in his message,in opposition to facts shown by the records within his reach. Permit me to say to my colleague, continued Mr.W. that the printing of that document was better calculated to promote public economy than any other; and that he would, at any time, be willing to pay ten dollars from out of the public Treasury, to show to the people how one dollar had been taken from it, either by fraud or in consequence of ignorance or mismanagement. Did the gentleman mean to say that there was not another motive besides economy that induced him and his party to vote against the publication of these documents? Sir, (said Mr. W.) if I could get the vote of the House to day, I would print the report of the Secretary of the Treasury in opposition to the message; and if I could get my colleague to circulate it in his district, his constituents would hold him accountable for voting as he did against publishing a document to circulate the truth. After some additional remarks from Mr. W.

Mr. BANKS said he hoped his colleague had not understood him as objecting to the original printing of document No. 297. It was important that it should be printed for the use of the members of the House, and he voted for it. But, said Mr. B. I objected, after it was printed, and in possession of every member of the House, to the printing of 20,000 extra copies, by which an expense of $15,000 was incurred. He did not deem it proper, at this time, to go into an examiurtion of the President's message, and he therefore would not reply to the remarks of his colleague on that subject; but he knew that an intelligent people had had full benefit of the document his colleague refered to-that it was widely circulated and discussed at public meetings, and that its statements were met and proved to be false in many particulars; for it was shown that many persons stated in it to be defaulters, had since paid up the balances against them, and that many were of necessity reported as such, from the mere fact that their acconn's were unsettled. He had never voted against circulating useful or necessary information. He was as ready to give light to the people as any man; and whether by the viva voce principle, and against the secret system of voting, or by useful and necessary publications, he wished all his acts to be known to the people. He would have nothing concealed or misrepresented, but all his acts to be aboveboard. As to the question under consideration, it was perhaps a small matter, and nothing would have induced him to say one word in regard to it had it not been for the unceasing endeavors of some gentlemen on that floor to produce an impression on the public mind that the party with which he acted were disposed to expend money in useless printing for the purpose of rewarding political favorites. He had shown how the extravagance, charged by the gentleman from South Carolina, had been practised to a greater extent by the party with which he acted. How the change had come over gentlemen this session, which made them such great sticklers for eeonomy, he would not pretend to say, but would only observe, in reference to himself, that he should vote against the printing of the document under consideration, as he did not believe it was wanted for the public service,

Mr. GRAVES rose to call the attention of the

House to the probable cost of printing this document. When the chairman of the committee [Mr. C. JOHNSON] first moved the printing of this document, he stated that the main expense having already been incurred in the cost of engraving the plate, the printing would not amount to more than six or eight cents a copy. But (said Mr. G.) we are now told by the chairman that the old plates cannot be had, and therefore the engraving must be paid for anew. He would now ask the gentleman whether he did not believe the cost would be some four or five thousand dollars. He had risen to make these remarks in order to induce gentlemen to vote for the reconsideration moved by the gentleman from South Carolina.

Mr. SMITH of Maine said he understood the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. BANKS] to charge on the gentleman from South Corolina [Mr. WADDY THOMPSON] and his friends, the pas age of the resolution ordering the printing of 20,0000 extra copies of document No 297. He understood that, in reply to that charge, the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr.THOMPSON] said that the gentleman from Virinia had "at random stated that which was not true." Now (said Mr. S.) I hold in my hand the resolution authorizing the printing of 20,000 extra copies of document No. 297; I hold in my hand the yeas and ways (holding up the journal) on the adoption of that resolution; and among the yeas I find recorded the name of "WADDY THOMPSON, jun." I have nothing more (continued Mr. S.) to say on that subject.

Mr THOMPSON. I understood the gentleman from Vugina to charge me with voting generally for extensive printing, and not to refer to this particular document.

Mr. BANKS. I stated expressly that it was document No. 297, being the report of the Secretary of the Treasury on defalcations of public officers. I referred particularly to the document, and stated so distinctly what it was, as to leave no room for misunderstanding.

He

Mr. THOMPSON said that he had not understood the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. BANKS] as alluding to any particular document, but as making the general charge that he, Mr. T. had voted for extra printing ordered by the last Congress. This was what Mr. T. had pronounced untrue: Mr. T. certainly did not wish to be understood that he had not voted for printing an extra number of this particular document, for he did not hear the gentleman speak of any one in particular. had vote in many instances for extra copies--in this, as in other cases, where the document was useful. Bnt his general course had been to vote against such propositions. When he learned by the remarks of Mr. WISE that the gentleman [Mr. BANKS] had alluded to this particular document, he endeavored to get the floor before the remarks of the gentleman from Maine, and thus to set himself right.

While up, he would ask of the CLERK if the printing of this map was not given to the editor of a public print, who was not a lithographer?

The SPEAKER informed the gentleman that the CLERK's answer was, that the printing was given to Mr. Langtree.

Mr. THOMPSON. Well, sir, Mr. Langtree is the editor of the Democratic Review, and is not a lithographer; and one of the first acts of the CLERK was to give this printing to Mr. Langtree, who, as he was not a lithographer, must get the work done by somebody who is, and share the profits with him.

Mr. CALVARY MORRIS asked who published the same map at the last session, and whether it was not published on the same plate this year that was used last session?

The SPEAKER said the CLERK did not know. Mr. MORRIS wished merely to state the fact, that the impression had gone abroad that the Senate last year ordered a plate of this map to be engraved; and that subsequently, the House having ordered the printing of it, it was printed on the same plate; that this year the Senate had again ordered copies of it, which had been printed for that body; and that, therefore, if the printing now ordered by the House should be executed, there would be four different impressions from the same

plate. Now, he would ask gentlemen better acquainted with such matters than he was, if this would not be paying four times for the same engraving.

Mr. COLES observed that it was true these maps had been printed several times; but the first maps printed were mere outlines, while the present was one very much improvel and enlarged. He was opposed to the printing of an extra number of copies, as unnecessary, and therefore should vote for the reconsideration.

Mr. PECK called for the reading of the contract with Mr. Langtree, and it was read accordingly.

Mr. GRAVES inquired of the honorable gentleman from Tennessee, if Mr. Langtree was a lithographer.

Mr. JOHNSON was understood to reply in the negative.

Mr. JOHNSON repeate 1, that he had no desire for the publication of the map, and should not have submitted the motion under any circumstances other than those named, and was g'ad that the question was now before the House, so that the members might decide whether the documents should be accompanied by the map or not.

Mr. CRARY wished to ascertain what was the practice of the House in ordering the printing of documents of a like nature. He understood, that at the last session these maps were ordered to be engraved by the Senate, and when the House ordered the same pinting, they hid to wait some two months, as it was said, for them to be re-engraved. As he understood the matter, when the Senate ordered maps to be engraved and printed, the expense was paid out of the contingent fund of the S nate; and when the House ordered the printing of the same maps they were again eugraved, or supposed to be so, and paid for out of the fund of the House. Now, unless some plan was adopted by which the House kept its own plates, after paying for them, without suffering them to be used again and again at the same cost as if new engravings were made, he should in future vote against the printing of any maps whatever.

The question was then taken on the motion to reconsider; which was carried without a division. The question then recurred on the adoption of the resolution; when,

On motion of Mr. BANKS, it was laid on the teble.

Mr. BROWN of Tennessee asked permission of the House to introduce the following as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which, he said, he wished to be printed for the information of the members, and to lie on the lable till he had an opportunity of calling it up: Joint Resolution to amend the Constitution of the United States, in relation to the election of President:

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Statee of America 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 Constitution, to wit:

"No person who shall hereafter be elected, and shall serve the period of four years as President of the United States, shall be again eligible to that office."

The SPEAKER said that it was not then in order to introduce the resolution without the consent of the House.

Mr. JAMESON said: Mr. Speaker, I rise to do what I intended on yesterday to have done,but failed in obtaining the door before the House adjourned; that is, to announce to this House the death of the Hon. ALBERT GALLATIN HARRISON, one of the members elect from the State of Missouri, to the Twenty-sixth Congress. He died at his residence, near Fulton, Missouri, of bilious fever, in the month of September last. In his death, not only the bereaved widow and his children sus ain a deep and abiding loss-the loss of an amiable, kind, and affectionate husband and parent-but Missouri lost one of her favorite and ablest sons. Always

true to his trust, and faithful to the interests of Missouri, my lamented predecessor had obtained for himself a deep seat in the affections of her people. I have known the deceased since I have known myself, and many on this floor were also well acquainted with him; and they will bear me witness to the fact, that he posses-ed all those noble qualities and virtues which of themselves constitute the high road to honor and distinction.

He had filed with credit to himself, and to the entire satisfacuon of the people, more difficult offices of honor and profit, in the same length of time, than any man who has ever resided in Missouri. He was called by Him in whose bands life and death are held, from the theatre of action, in the meridian of life; and but few have passed from time, more to be lamented than ALBERT GALLATIN HARRISON; few, if any, can fill his p ace as the agent or Representative of Missouri; and a void is left in that domestic circle in which he moved, and in the heart of his amiable and intel ligent bereaved widow, that no power on earth, no human being can fill: a void that can only be filled by the cons ant presence, aid, and protection of the Spirit of the Eternal God.

Mr. HARRISON was a native of Kentucky, from whose land so many able and chivalric men have emanated: the birth place of a great many members now on this floor from other States.

Mr. J. then offered the following resolutions: Resolved, unanimously. That this House has received with deep sensibility the annunciation of the death of the Hon. ALBERT G. HARRISON, one of the late Representatives elect from the State of Missouri for the Twenty-sixth Congress of the United States.

Resolved, unanimously, That the members of this House tender the widow and r la ives of the deceased their sympathy on this mournful event, and wilt s'ify their respect for his memory, by wear. ing crape on the left arm for thirty days.

Resolved, That, as a further evidence of their respect for the memory of the deceased, the House adjourn until Monday next, at 12 o'clock, m. The House adjourned.

IN SENATE,

MONDAY, January 6, 1840.

The CHAIR subm ttel a communication from the Legis'ature of Wise nsin, requesting an appropriation for the improvement of the navigation of the Des Moines river; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Also, the petition of the daughter and only child of Lieut. Nathaniel Fanning; which was referred to the Comm te on Naval Affairs.

Mr. HUBBARD presented the petition of Samuel Steinrod; which was referred to the Com. mittee on Claims.

Mr. NORVELL presented the petition of Joseph Compo; which was referred to the Commi tee on Private Land Claims.

Mr. ROBINSON presented the petition of Chalon Guard and others, praying permission to purchase a quant ty of the public land on a credit; which was referred to the Committee on the Public Lands.

Also, the memorial of the members of the bar of Laporte, II. which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. BUCHANAN presented a memorial from certa'n officers of the line of the army, praying for an equalization of pay with the staff; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Also, the memorial of William Strickland, E. F. Gill, and A. K. Campbell, stating that they were about publishing in Great Britain a descrip: tion of the public works of the United States: and that the citizens of this country may be furnished on the same terms, they pray that they be permit ted to import the same free of duty; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

On motion by Mr. B. the petition and papers of John R. Midwinter, and those, in the case of Elizabeth Truxion, now on file, were respectively referred to the Committee on Pensions.

On motion by Mr. SMITH of Connecticut, the papers on file in the case of David Allen, were referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Clatms,

7

Mr. CLAY of Kentucky presented a petition of a number of citizens, praying for a grant of land in the Oregon Territory; which was referred to the Select Committee on the Oregon Territory, and ordered to be printed.

The Select Committee is composed of the following Senators: Messrs. LINN, PRESTON, WALL, PIERCE, and WALKER.

On motion by Mr. DAVIS, the petition of Major Honison, presented by him some days since, was referred to the same committee.

Mr. D. also presented the petition of Isaac R. Howe, for a Congress of Nations; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mr. SEVIER presented the petition of William Cox; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Also, the petition of Major W. G. Belknap and others, of the line of the army, praying for an equalization of pay with the officers of the staff; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

On motion by Mr. MERRICK, the petition aud papers of John Ireland, on file, were referred to the Committee on Claims; and

The papers of William Jones were referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

Mr. WHITE of Indiana presented the memorial of John G. Fleischmann, praying for a patent for an improved mode of manufacturing best sugar; which was referred to the Committee on Patents and the Patent Office.

Mr. PRENTISS presented the petition of James Glentworth; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. HENDERSON presented the petition of the officers of the Agricultural Bank of Mississippi; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. KING presented the petition of A. G. King and Henry Lucas; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. BENTON presented the petition of Wilson P. Hunt; which was referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

On motion by Mr. HUBBARD, the papers on file in the case of the owners of the ship Allezhany, were referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mr. FULTON presented the memorial of James Smith of Arkansas; which was referred to the Committee on the Public Lands.

Mr. KING, from the Committee on Commerce, to which was referred the memorial of George Sayler, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that it be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations; which was agreed to.

Mr. K. also, from the same committee, asked to be discharged from the further consideration of the memorial of Josias Sturgis and others, and that it be referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs; which was agreed to.

Mr. K. also, from the same committee, to which was referred the bill making appropriations for the removal of the raft in Red river, reported the same without amendment.

A message was received from the House of Representatives, announcing that the House had agreed to the joint resolution appointing a joint committee to superintend the appropriations for the library, and that they had, on their part, appointed Messrs. LEWIS, NAYLOR, and TILLINGHAST on that committee.

Also, that the House had passed a bill making partial appropriation for the expenditures of Government for the year 1840.

Mr. PRENTISS, from the Committee on Pensions, to which was referred the following bills, reported the same without amendment:

A bill to revive and continue in force an act entitled "An act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary war.

A bill for the relief of John McCloud.
A bill for the relief David Waller.

A bill for the relief of Margaret Barnes, widow of Elijah Barnes.

A bill for the relief of Lemuel White. A bill to authorize the payment of invalid sions in certain cases,

pen

Mr. WRIGHT, from the Committee on Finance, to which had been referred that part of the President's message relating to the finances of the country, and the annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the finances, reported a bill to provide for the collection, safekeeping, transfer and disbursement of the public revenue.

Mr. W. also, from the same committee, to which was referred the bill more effectually to secure the public money in the hands of officers and agents of the Government, and to punish public defaulters, reported the same with amendments; which was ordered to be printed.

Mr. W. said that he was directed by the committee to give notice that they would, on Monday next, ask for the consideration of these bills, in the order in which they were reported, and that they would feel it their duty to press their consideration after that date.

Mr. W. asked the unanimous consent of the Senate to take up the bill just received from the House, making partial appropriations for the support of the Government for the year 1840; which was agreed to.

The bill was then taken up, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr MERRICK presented the memorial of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Georgetown, praying for an extension of their charter; which was referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

Mr. M. in pursuance of notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill for the heirs of Francis Newman; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. CLAY of Kentucky, in pursuance of nctice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill in relation to copy rights; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. PIERCE, from the Committee on Pensions, to which was referred the following bills, reported the same without amendment:

A bill for the relief of John S. Billings.
A bill for the relief of Joseph Bassett.

Mr. WILLIAMS, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to which was referred the petition of William Easby, reported adversely to the same.

Mr. W. also, from the same committee, to which had been referred the report from the Secretary of the Navy, respecting the contingent fund of that Department, asked that the same might be printed; which was agreed to.

Mr. GRUNDY gave notice that he would, on tomorrow, ask leave to introduce a bill to authorize the State of Tennessee to issue grants and perfect titles to certain lands therein described, and to settle the claims to the vacant and unappropriated lands within the same.

Mr. BENTON, from the Committee on Finance, to which had been referred the bill providing for the summary collection of the notes of the banks in the District of Columbia, under the denomination of twenty dollars, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that it be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary; which was agreed to.

Mr. DAVIS, in pursuance of notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce the following bills:

A bill for the relief of the Steamboat Company of Nantucket; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

A bill for the relief of Thomas L. Winthrop and others; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

A bill for the relief of Josephine Nourse; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. WRIGHT, from the Committee on Finance, to which was referred the bill making partial appropriations for the support of the Government for the year 1840, reported the same with amendments, which were read and concurred in; and the bill was read a third time, and passed.

The resolutions submitted by Mr. BENTON some days since, relative to the assumption, by the General Government, of the debts of the States, were then taken up, and after some remarks

from Mr. BENTON, a portion of which will be found in this evening's paper,

The question being on the adoption of the resolution,

Mr. GRUNDY thought that the question should be taken on each proposition separately, and asked for the yeas and nays, which were ordered.

Mr. LUMPKIN expressed his concurrence in the object of the resolutions in some remarks which we will publish to-morrow, but would prefer that the resolutions might be permitted to lay on the table for the present; which was agreed to.

Mr. NORVELL offered the the following resolution, which was considered and agreed to:

Resolved, That the Committee on Pensions be instructed to inquire into the expediency of granting a pension to Louis Mitchell Rivard, of Wayne county, State of Michigan, in consequence of infirmities and disabilities contracted in the military service of his country.

Mr. NORVELL offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce inquire into the expediency of directing the Secretary of the Treasury to cause a steam cutter to be constructed for the revenue service on the Atlantic, another for that service in the Gulf of Mexico, and a third for the same service on Lake Erie and the Upper Lakes.

Mr. CLAY of Alabama submitted the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of enacting a law explanatory of the act of 8th May 1792, "to regulate the pay of non-commnissioned oflicers, musicians, and privates of the militia of the United States," so as to provide that field officers, commanding volunteer regiments or batta. lions, shall be allowed the same compensation for the use and risk of horses furnished by themselves as is paid to company and staff officers in such command; and that such additional sum shall be paid to field officers who have served in Florida during the late troubles with the Seminole Indians.

A message was received from the President of the United States, transmitting a report from the Secretary of the Treasury in relation to the employment of steam vessels in the revenue cutter service; and recommending the subject to the special and favorable consideration of Congress.

The CHAIR submitted a report from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting returns of the condition of the several banks in the District of Cclumbia; which was referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia, and order. dio be printed. ORDERS OF THE DAY.

The following bills were taken up on their third reading, read a third time, and passed:

A bill for the relief of John H. Jacocks. A bill to relinquish to the State of Mississippi the Two per cent. fund arising under her compact for admission into the Union.

A bill to prevent the counterfeiting of any foreign copper, gold, silver, or other coin, and to prevent the bringing into the United States, or uttering any counterfeit foreign copper, gold, silver, or

other coin.

The Senate then adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MONDAY, January 6, 1840. After the reading of the journal, Mr. W. B. CALHOUN of Massachusetts rose and submitted the following resolutions:

Resolved, That the House has heard with deep sensibility of the death of the Hon. C. ALVORD, a member elect of this House from the State of Massachusetts.

Resolved, That the members and officers of this House will testify their respect for the memory of the deceased by wearing crape on the left arm for thirty days.

The resolutions having been read,

Mr. CALHOUN said: I do not rise, Mr. Speak er, to give utterance to a labored euloginm upon the character of Mr. ALVORD. I rise simply to say that he was regularly elected a member of this Congress, and that he died several months anterior to the commencement of the present session. He