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ing the motives of the CHAIR. He asked for information, whether a gentleman who had the floor on a proposition he had submitted, could alicw another to offer an amendment to it without its being stated to the House, and thus cut off all other amendmen's.

Mr. CRAIG made a few observations which were not distinctly heard-but he was understood to contend that the amendment of the gentleman from Louisiana was not and could not be before the House-it having been offered while a gentleman was addressing the House, by his yielding the floor, and it not having been propounded by the CHAIR. He said that it was competent for the gentleman from Kentucky to receive the proposit on of the gentleman from Louisiana as a modification, and make it part of his prop: sition. It would then, being part of the original proposition, be subject to an amendment.

Mr. DAVIS of Indiana contended that the gen tleman from Kentucky had no right to yield the flcor to the gentleman from Louisiana to offer an amendment, and then immediately go on with his remarks. The gentleman could not in this way offer an amendment, without the consent of the House, and the amendment was not propounded to the House by the Chair. If this decision was sustained, the House would perceive that any two gentlemen could combine together, and, in this way, cut off all amendments. It was known, Mr. D. said, that he was about to offer an amendment from the fact of his having moved the reconsideration; and this amendment of the gentleman from Louisiana, if it was sustained by the Chair, precluded him from doing it.

Mr. BRIGGS suggested that the proposition of the gentleman from Kentucky was, of itself, an amendment to an amendment; and therefore, it was not competent either for the gentleman from Louisiana or the gei tleman from Indiana to move to amend it.

The

Mr. DAVIS aprehended that the gentleman from Massachusetts, with all his acknowledged knowledge of parliamentary law, was in an error. House had adopted a certain rule, and no matter whether it had been amended or not, before its adoption, it stood on the record as a rule of the House. He had moved a reconsideration, and that motion prevailing, the whole rule and not the amendment came up for for reconsideration.

Mr. WISE understood the facts to be these: There was a substantive proposition adopted in relation to the public printing. The gentleman from Indiana [Mr. DAVIS] voted in the affirmative, and yesterday moved a reconsideration of the vote adopting it, which reconsideration prevailed. What, then, was the substantive proposition before the House? Why it was the proposition of the gentleman from Ohio that was adopted as an amendment. When, therefore, the gentleman from Kentucky introduced his proposition, he introduced it as an amendment to an amendment, and, therefore, neither the gentleman from Louisiana, nor the gentleman from Indiana could move to amend it.

Mr. VANDERPOEL said the matter struck him differently. It was a resolution of the gentleman from Virginia, in which was incorporated an amendment that was offered by the gentleman from Ohio, [Mr. GIDDINGS,] that was adopted; and the motion of the gentleman from Indiana was a proposition to reconsider that resolution as a whole, and not a part of it. It was clear that this was the understanding of both the gentlemen from Kentucky and Louisiana.

Mr. DAVIS. In order to set that matter right, I ask if it be in order to amend the proposition of the gentleman from Kentucky.

The SPEAKER said it was not. The amendment offered by the gentleman from Louisiana, [Mr. GARLAND, had precedence.

Mr. VANDERPOEL appealed from the decision of the CHAIR.

Mr. WADDY THOMPSON said he objected to the gentleman's making a point of order without reducing it to writing.

Mr. VANDERPOEL. It is not a point of order, but an appeal from the decision of the CHAIR; and I ask the gentleman from South Carolina if he can find any authority in parliamentary law, or the

rules of the House, for requiring a member to reduce an appeal to writing. Mr. V. then stated the grounds on which he took the appeal.

[Here several voices were heard saying it is too late now to appeal.]

Mr. VANDERPOEL said the objection was made the very first opportunity that occurred. He did not wish to interrupt the gentleman from Kentucky while he was speaking, though he knew it was out of order for him to yield the floor merely for the purpose of having an amendment offered, but he made the objection as soon as that gentleman had concluded. He contended that the objection was made in time, and that it was not in the power of one gentleman to bargain away the rights of others to his favorites. The abuses to which this practice would lead were obvious. One gentleman, in the midst of his speech, yields the floor to another, who requests him to do so; that member offers his amendment, makes a long speech, and, in his turn, yields the floor to the friend who had so kindly accommodated him. Thus, (said Mr. V.) by the bland courtesy of two gentlemen towards each other, they might control the business of the House. Now, he would put it to the common sense of the House whether this practice was to be tolerated? What were the rules of the House founded on, if not on reason and common sense? and he would ask if this dangerous practice was consistent with either? He denied the right of the gentleman from Kentucky to yield the floor to another. for the purpose of letting in an amendment. If the gentleman had yielded the floor, and accepted the proposition of the gentleman from Louisiana as a mo

dification, and he begged the House to mark the distinction, it would have been in order, and consistent with the usual custom of the House; for a proposition accepted as a modification, becomes part of the primitive proposition, and is susceptible of amendment; but an amendiment let in in this irregular way, without the consent of the House, cut off all amendments that others might wish to offer.

Mr. R. GARLAND con'ended that it was perfectly in order for him to move the amendment by the permission of the gentleman from Kentucky who was enti led to the floor. He denied that the gentleman from Indiana had a right to complain as if he had not offered the amendment, any other gentleman might have risen and ob ained the floor before him, and thus cut off his amendment.

If gentlemen did not like his amendment, all they had to do was to vote it down.

Mr. THOMPSON, of South Carolina, was not surprised that a young member like the member from Indiana, [Mr. DAVIS,] should have objected to the decision of the CHAIR, but he confessed that he was much astonished that an old member, of the intelligence of the gentleman from New York, and who was one of the leaders of his party, should risk his high reputation by such an absurdity as taking an appeal from it. What was the gentleman's proposition? Not that the amendment was not in order, but that it was moved by a sort of concert between the gentleman from Kentucky and the gentleman from Louisiana. The gentleman complained of the arrangement. Why, did not the gentleman know that no such an arrangement was binding on the House, and that when a gentleman yielded the floor, for the purpose of offering an amendment, any gentleman who could get up before him had the right to claim it.

Mr. SMITH, of Maine, observed that the gen. leman from South Carolina [Mr. THOMPSON] expressed himself as perfectly astounded that an old member of the intelligence and stand ng of the gentleman from New York, should be willing to risk his reputation by committing such an absurdity as appealing from the decision of the Chair, which was under consideration.

Mr. THOMPSON, of South Carolina, rose to explain. He was surprised that a gentleman of the intelligence of the gentleman from New York, should have taken the appeal, but he would not have been surprised if the gentleman from Maine had done it.

Mr. SMITH, of Maine, continued. The gentleman from South Carolina, he said, had not

added to the point of his remarks, and his attempt at wit was perfectly lost on him, (Mr. S) The gen tleman would not have been surprised had the appeal been made by a young member like the gentle. man from Ind ana, but was surprised and astounded that it should have been made by a gentleman of the experience and intelligence of the gentleman from New York. Now (said Mr. S.) this young member from Indiana is jan older member, on this floor, than the chivalrous gentleman from South Carolina.

Mr. THOMPSON here called the gentleman from Maine to order.

Mr. SMITH, of Maine., The gentleman will put his point of order in writing. Mr. THOMPSON then reduced his point of order 1 to writing, as follows:

"The member from South Carolina calls the member from Maine to order, because no member has a right to allude to another by name, or to speak of him otherwise than as the honorable gentleman. The member from South Carolina objects to the term 'chivalrous' being applied to him, and especially by the gentleman from Maine."

The SPEAKER said that the point raised by the gentleman from South Carolina was no point of order, and that the gentleman from Maine, therefore, was not out of order.

Mr. SMITH, of Maine, asked that the point of I order made by the gentleman might be read; and it was then read accordingly.

Mr. S. continuel. He did not expect, he said, so high a compliment from the gentleman as that he should have objected to his calling him the chivalrous gentleman. Now would not the gentle. man have objected to his applying to him the term "unchivalrous?" If he had done so, he did not know what might have been the consequence. The gentleman would perhaps have started up, armed with pistols, bowie knives, and other mortal wea

p.ns.

If the gentleman objected to his alluding to him in so complimentary a manner, he hardly. knew how he could please him; but if he would only tell him how to designate him in future, le would do so with pleasure.

If the gentleman was surprised, astounded, and astonished that the gentleman from New York should make this appeal, he confessed that he was surprised that the gentleman, whose knowledge of the rules of order was not inferior to that of any one in the House, should be so perfecily obtuse in his understanding, as not to see that this decision of the CHAIR was made in violation of the eslablished laws of parliamentary bodies, and would establish a dangerous and inconvenient precedent. Did he not see that, if sustained, it would be in the power of any two gentlemen to submit a proposi tion, and to shape, and mould it, so as to suit their purposes, in opposition to the will of the House If the gentleman from South Carolina was so asto nished at the appeal taken by the gentleman from New York, he would be equally so when the votes Were all of two members reversed the deci ion. those who opposed this decision, so very s uped as to be wholly ignorant of the rules that governed parliamentary bodies, while the gentleman him. self and his party only were enlightened? Are we all, a ked Mr. S. so very stupid as to be enti tled to the contempt of the gentleman? No, sir: it appears to me that this decision is a violation of all the rules, as well of common sense as of parlia mentary bodies. To permit a practice of ti is kind, would be to permit any two gentlemen to manage the legislation of the House as they pleased. He did not believe it was right for one gentleman to transfer his right to the floor to another, as was too often done. Mr. S. said he had a word to say on the main question, which he hoped he would have an opportunity of submitting to the House.

Mr. WISE rose to put an end to this debate, and to appeal to honorable gentlemen on all sides in behalf of the SPEAKER. He had witnessed (he said) more vexations points of order and appeal in this session, than he had ever known in the course of the seven years he had been in tha House. He did think, when they elected a Speaker at the beginning of the session, after much d fficulty, and in a manner in which both parties had united, that the members would have sustained

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him in preserving the order and business of the House. He hoped, therefore, gentlemen on all sides would sustain the SPEAKER, and show their disapprobation of these continual appeals and points of order. Mr. W. concluded by moving the previous question.

Mr. BANKS asked his colleague [Mr. WiSE] to withdraw his motion, in order to enable him to explain his reasons for voting to sustain the decision of the CHAIR.

Mr. WISE declined. He had already been applied to by other gentlemen, and had been com. pelled, from a sense of duty, to refuse.

The previous question having been seconded by the House, and the preliminary question having been carried,

The main question was taken, and resulted in sustaining the decision of the CHAIR-yeas 126, nays 71.

The House then adjourned.

IN SENATE,

THURSDAY, January 30, 1840.

Mr. PHELPS presented resolutions of the Legislature of Vermont, in favor of a distribution of the proceeds of the sales of the public lands; which were referred to the Committee on the Public Lands, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. WEBSTER presented a memorial from citizens of Boston, praying for the allowance of drawback on foreign coal consumed in steampackets: which was laid on the table.

Mr. DAVIS presented a petition of citizens of St. Josephs, Florida, praying for a division of the collection district; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Also, a petition of citizens of Apalachicola, praying for the erection of a light-house at Cape San Blas; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. CLAY, of Alabama, presented a petition of cit zens of that State for a change of mail route; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. C. also presented the memorial of William Morrow, praying remuneration for the violation of a contract; which was referred to the Committee on Clains.

Mr. WILLIAMS presented the petition of citizens of Maine, praying for a reduction in the rates of postage; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. MERRICK presented the petition of the legal representatives of John G. Mackall; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. FULTON presented the petition of citizens of Arkansas, praying for the improvement of the navigation of Bayou Bartholomew; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. STURGEON presented the petition of John Child, Daniel L. Miller, and other citizens of Philadelphia.

The motion to receive was,

On motion of Mr. KING, laid on the table. Mr. S. also presented the petition of citizens of Pennsylvania, on the subject of the transfer of American vessels to foreigners, and praying for the adoption of measures to suppress the slave trade; which was referred to the Committee on Com

merce.

Mr. STRANGE presented the petition of the sureties of Archibald H. Sneed; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. SEVIER, from the Committee on Indian Affairs, to which was referred the petion of Robert Grignon, made an adverse report thereon.

Mr. PIERCE, from the Committee on Pensions, to which was referred

The petition of Louis M. Rivard;

The petition of Mary Blakesle and Unis Starr; The petition of Eliza Delacour; and The petition of Betsey Booth; made adverse reports thereon; which were ordered to be printed.

Mr. P. also, from the same committee, asked to be discharged from the further consideration of the petition of Will am Tracy, and that it be referred to the Committee on Public Lands; which was agreed to..

ASSUMPTION OF STATE DEBTS.

Mr. GRUNDY, from the Select Committee, to which was referred the resolution submitted some time since by Mr. BENTON, in opposition to the as sumption of the debts of the States by the General Government, said he was directed to make a report thereon. It would be proper for him to the committee were divided on the adoption of the report, five being in favor of it, and two-the Senater from Maryland [Mr. MERRICK] and the Senator from Indiana [Mr. SMITH]-being opposed

to it.

say

The report was then read. It argued at length, and with great ability, the unconstitutionality and inexpediency of the assumption of State debts by the General Government, and concluded with resolutions of the same tenor.

After a debate in which Messrs. GRUNDY, BENTON, and BROWN advocated and sustained the doctrines of the report, and Messrs. CRITTENDEN, WEBSTER, SOUTHARD, and PRESTON, opposed them,

On motion of Mr. KING,

It was recommitted to the select committee,
And the Senate adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
THURSDAY, January 30, 1840.

The SPEAKER announced the first business in order to be the amendment of the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. GARLAND] to the amendment of the gentleman from Kentucky, [Mr. GRAVES,] on the subject of the public printing.

Mr. DAVIS of Indiana rose, and said it was well known to the House, that all his acts, since he had the honor of a seat here, had been of that character that would conduce most to the expediting of the public business; and therefore, though he had intended to have replied, and, in justice to himself, should have replied to the remarks of the gentle man from Kentucky, yet he would forego this sense of duty, and make another effort to bring about a vote of the House on the proposition be submitted the day before yesterday, and for which he moved the reconsideration. He should, on this occasion, make an effort to lay the proposition now before the House on the table, with a view to present the resolution which he propos d one or two days before; and, in order that he might understand his own position, he would ask of the CHAIR if it would be in order for him to move to lay the amendment of the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. GARLAND] on the table, without taking with it the proposition of the gentleman from Kentucky, [Mr. GRAVES.]

The SPEAKER replied that a vote to lay the amendment of the gentleman from Louisiana on the table, would necessarily carry with it the other amendment and the resolution itself.

Mr. DAVIS. Well, sir, in order that we may get as soon as possible to the transaction of the business of the country, which, I am almonished on all hands, that we ought to do, I will forego the duty which seems to devolve on me of justifying myself by a few remarks in reply to the gentleman from Kentucky, and submit a proposition which will enable us to proceed to that business in a constitutional form, acting under the existing laws which prescribed the manner in which the public printing shall be done, and acting also under the resolution that was a lopted some days since, that we should go into the election of a public printer. Mr. D. then said he would move to lay the amendments on the table, for the purpose of taking up the proposition which he would now submit.

The SPEAKER said the gentleman could not move to lay one proposition on the table, and designate the one that was to be taken up.

Mr. DAVIS. Well, sir, I will take another course. I will move to lay the propositions now before the House on the table, with a view of offering the proposition that I now send to the CHAIR as a substitute, and I hope gentlemen will all vote with a full understanding of the proposition that is to be offered.

Mr. BLACK, with the permission of the gentleman who was entitled to the floor, said he would send to the CHAIR a proposition which he intended

to offer in case the motion of the gentleman to lay the amendments on the table should prevail. Mr. B. then sent his proposition to the CHAIR, and desired that it might be read for the information of the House.

Mr. DAVIS of Indiana requested that his proposition might be read, and the CLERK read it as follows:

Resolved, That this House will now proceed to the election of a public Printer, who shall proceed to execute the printing of this House agreeably to the requirements and compensation of existing laws, until such laws are modified by the legislation of Congress; and in the mean time, a committee of seven members shall be appointed by the CHAIR, who shall, within twenty-one legislative days from the date of their appointment, report to this House what amendments, if any, are necessary to the more prompt, perfect, and economical execution of the printing of Congress; whether the same should be let out to contract, or whether it would be more expedient to execute the same by a Congressional Printing House, press and type belonging to Congre's, and subject to its superintendence.

Mr. BLACK'S resolution was then read as follows:

Resolved, That the House proceed instanter to the election of a Printer, and that as soon as the election shall have taken place, a committee of five members be elected viva voce by the House, to consider and investigate the subject of the public printing, and report to this House within ten days after their election, what price ought to be paid as a just and reasonable compensation to the Printer elect, for services by him to be performed, having due regard in their estimate to the quantity, quality, and due execution of the work.

Resolved, further, That the Printer shall be elected with the express understanding that he is to well and truly do and execute all the printing ordered from and after his election upon the terms, in the manner, and at the rates and prices which shall be prescribed by this House, upon the reception of the report of the said Committee of Investigat on; and that said committee be instructed to inquire and report upon the propriety and expediency of entirely separating the patronage of the Government from the newspaper or public press of the country; and that sail report, when made, shall be the special order of the day, and have precedence over all other business until the subject shall be finally disposed of.

Mr. BLACK then said, I give notice that I shall, at a proper time, move the adoption of the resolution which has been just read.

Mr. moved a call of the House; which motion was carried by yeas 170, nays 14.

The roll was then called over, when it appeared that 218 members auswered to their names; and after calling the absentces and excusing some of the members who were abs nt from indisposition, several others attended.

Mr. BLACK moved that all further proceedings under the call be dispensed with.

Mr. GRAVES called for the yeas and nays on that motion; which having been ordered, the question resulted in yeas 120, nays 87.

Mr. BLACK then inquired if the motion to lay the amendments on the table prevailed, whether it would be in order to submit any other proposition in relation to the matter?

The SPEAKER said that another proposition would not be in order, if there should be any business having priority over it.

Mr. RAMSEY inquired whether, if the amendments were laid on the table, it would require a vote of two-thirds to go into the election of Printer.

Mr. WISE protested against the CHAIR's answering these preliminary questions.

The SPEAKER said it certain y would not require a vote of two-thirds to proceed to the election of Printer.

The question was then taken on the motion of Mr. DAVIS, of Indiana, which was decided in the affirmative-yeas 115, nays 108, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. J. Allen, Hugh J. Anderson, Atherton, Banks, Beatty, Beirne, Black, Blackwell, Boyd, Brewster, Aaron V. Brown, Albert G. Brown, Burke, William O, Buder

Wagner, Warren, John White, T. W. Williams, Lewis Williams. Joseph L. Williams, Sherrod Williams, and Wise-108. Mr, DAVIS, of Indiana, then submitted his resolution.

Mr. BLACK asked the gentleman to give way, in order that he might offer his resolution as a substitate.

Mr. DAVIS asked the gentleman to read his resolution, in order that he might judge whether he would accept it or not; but he was interrupted by Mr. GARLAND, of Louisiana, whe contended that the motion of the gentleman from Indiana was not in order, and that no gentleman could, at that period of the day, offer any resolution or proposition of any nature, to take precedence of the general orders.

Mr. RAMSEY called on the gentleman to reduce this point of order to writing, and the SPEAKER requiring it

Mr. GARLAND of Louisiana reduced his point of order to writing, and it was read.

The SPEAKER then decided that the resolution of the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Davis] was not then in order, because there was business on the calendar having precedence over it, and that that business was the unexecuted order that the House would proceed to the election of a Printer.

Mr. DAVIS of Indiana said he now moved that the House proceed to the election of a public Printer; and that on that motion he moved the previous question.

Great confusion and disorder prevailed, and amid repeated calls to order,

Mr. BRIGGS rose, and said he understood the SPEAKER to declare that the first business in order was the election of Printer. Now, to reach that order, was it not necessary that a motion should be made to proceed to the election? Mr. B. made some other remarks, which the Reporter was unable to hear; but concluded with asking the SPEAKER, in order that he might fully understand his decision, what was the business first in order before the House.

The SPEAKER said it was the unexecuted order for the election of Printer.

Mr. BRIGGS inquired if the resolution of the gentleman from Georgia, for postponing the election, and referring the whole matter to a committee, together with the other resolutions that had been submitted on the subject, did not come up with it?

The SPEAKER replied in the negative. Mr. DAVIS, of Indiana. I understand that the SPEAKER bas decided that the first business in order is the election of Printer.

The SPEAKER. That is the understanding of the CHAIR.

Mr. DAVIS. Then I move that the House procerd to the election of Printer, and on that motion I call for the previous question. Mr. D. also said that be nominated BLAIR and RIVES for the office. Mr. HOLLEMAN also nominated BLAIR and RIVES.

Mr. SMITH. I have already nominated BLAIR and RIVES Some days ago, and that nomination stands.

Mr. GARLAND of La. appealed from the deci sion of the CHAIR, and addressed the House at some length in support of the appeal.

Mr. BANKS observed that he did not rise for the purpose of raising questions of order, or in any way retarding the business of the House. He had concurred with the SPEAKER in the decisions which he had given with n the two last days, and from which appeals had been taken, and notwithstanding the array of parliamentary rules which the gentleman from Louisiana, [Mr. GARLAND] had brought forward, he entirely concurred with him now. He thought he should be able to show that the decision of the SPEAKER was in strict conformity with parliamentary law, and that the rules quoted by the gentleman had no application in this case. This was not a resolution, such as are ordinarily offered for the consideration of the House, and within the contemplation of the rules the gentleman referred to; but it was a resolution for the purpose of carrying into effect a law of the land. It was a resolution, in fact, to complete the organization of the House, and absolutely recessary for a correct discharge of the public business.

Bynum, Carr, Carroll, Chapman, Clifford, Coles, Colquitt Conner, Mark A. Cooper, Craig, Crary, Cross, Dana, Davee, John Davis, John W. Davis, Doan, Doig, Dromgoole, Dun can, Earl, Eastman, Ely, Fine, Fisher, Fletcher, Floyd, Fornance, Gerry, Grithio, Habersham, Hammond, Hand, John Hastings, Hawkins, John Hill of North Carolina, Holleman, Holmes, Hook, Howard, Hubbard, Jackson, Jameson, Joseph Johnson Nathaniel Jones, John W. Jones, Keim, Kemble, Leadbetter, Leet, Leonard, Lewis, Lowell, Lucas, McClellan, McCulloh, Mallory, Marchand, Medill, Miller, Montanya, Montgomery, Samuel W. Morris, Newhard, Nisbet, Parish, Parmenter, Parris, Paynter, Petrikin, Pickins, Prentiss, Ram sey, Reynolds, Rhett, Rives, Robinson, Edward Rogers, James Rogers, Samuels, Shaw, Shepard, Albert Smith, John Smith, Thomas Smith, Starkweather, Steenrod, Strong, Sumter, Sweeny, Taylor, Philip F. Thomas, Jacob Thompson, Turney, Vanderpoel, David D. Wagener, Watterson, Weller, Wick, Jared W. Williams, Henry Williams and Worthington-115. NAYS-Messrs. Adams, Alford, John W. Allen, Simeon H. Anderson, Andrews, Baker, Barnard, Bell, Biddle, Bond, Botts, Briggs, Brockway, Anson Brown, Calhoun, Wilham B. Campbell, Carter, Casey, Chittenden, James Cooper, Corwin, Crabb, Cranston, Crockett, Curtis, Cushing, Davies, Garret Davia, Dawson, Deberry, Dillett, Edwards, Evans, Everett, Fillmore, James Garland, Rice Garland, Gates, Gentry, Giddings, Goggin, Goode, Graham. Granger, Graves, Green, Grinnell, Hall, Wm. S. Hastings, Hawes, Henry, John Hill of Virginia, Hoffman, Hopkins, Hunt, James, Jenifer, Charles Johaston, William Cost Johnson, Kempshall, Lawrence, Lincoln, McCarty, Marvin. Mason. Mitchell, Monroe, Morgan, Calvary Morris, Naylor, Ogle, Osborne, Palen, Peck, Pope, Proffit, Randall, Randolph, Rariden, Rayner, Reed, Ridgway, Russell, Saltonstall, Sergeant, Simonton, Slade. Truman Smith, Stanly, Storrs, Stuart, Taliferro, Waddy Thompson, Tillinghast, Toland, Triplett Trumbull, Underwood, Peter J. It was, therefore, of the same importance on the calendar as a bill. Can you then (said Mr. B) to set aside this resolution, violate the laws of the land? What stood the first in order in the calendar? It was a resolution adopted by the House that it would forthwith proceed to the election of a public Printer-and that order, instead of having been executed, was arrested by a postponement till the 10th of the present month. The order, therefore, was now before the House, the day to which it was postponed having expired. Suppose the House had postponed a bill until the 10th day of the month, and that day had passed by, would it not then come up in is regular order on the calendar, and take precedence in its turn? And was not this order for the election of a Printer on the calendar, in the same standing as if it were a bill? Surely I was, and the decision of the SPEAKER was in str ct conformity with parliamentary law, and this election ought to have been gone into long ago. When that was done, it would be competent for the Hous? to raise a committee for the purpose of examining into the prices paid for public printing, and to reduce them if found to be too high. In that mater he would go as far as him who went farthest; but the business now was that which was first on the calendar, and it could not be set aside by any point of order. We are bound, said Mr. B. to act on that order, to execute or rescind it as the House may determine, but it cannot be set aside. The gentleman from Louisiana, [Mr. GARLARD.] had addressed the House twice on the subject of his appeal, and as he was not disposed to occupy the time of the House, he would call for the previous question on the appeal.

Mr. LOWELL called for the yeas and nays, which were ordered.

The two preliminary questions were then put, and carried, after which

The main question was put, and decided in the affirmative-yeas 135, nays 64.

So the House sustained the decision of the CHAIR.

Mr. DAVIS, of Indiana, here withdrew his mo. tion for the previous question, at the request of Mr. BLACK, who asked if it was in order to amend the the resolution unter which the House He was unwilling he said to go was now acting. into the election of Printer, without showing to the world the grounds on which he acted.

The CHAIR was of opinion that the resolution could not be amended, but that the gentleman could move to postpone it.

Mr. BLACK said he did not wish to interfere with the order of doing business in the House, but he would submit to gentlemen on all sides of the House whether it would not be better, before they went into the election of Printer, to adopt the resolution he had submitted. He hoped they would agree, by universal consent, to accept his proposition, in order that they might throw around the person or persons they should elect those restrictions, which were necessary for the

protection of the public interests. If gentlemen on either side of the House wished to carry out ther professions of economy and watchful regard of the public interests, now was the time for them to come forward.

Mr. WISE wished to state to the gentleman from Georgia one objection he had to his resolution, which, if removed, he would give his consent to its introduction. He had made a resolution never, as long as he lived, to vote for any man as Printer of the House, who was editor of a political paper. To separate the public printing from the political press, was a reform which the country loudly called for; and as no party could expect long to retain the ascendency, it would be for the interest of both parties to seize this favorable opportunity for making the separation. The resolution, if adopted, might justify the gentleman in voting for BLAIR and RIVES, or it might promote the election of GALES and SEATON. For his part, he would vote for neither; and he hoped the House would direct the CLERK to put out its printing to the lowest bidder, until they could get a report of a committee, and until they could adopt this great reform that he had suggested.

Mr. BLACK said he understood the gentleman from Virginia as objecting to the reception of his resolution; and if it could not be received by general consent, he should not consider it necessary for him to press it at this time, and he would therefore withdraw it.

Mr. STANLY then moved to postpone the further execution of the order until the 10th day of February next, for the purpose of offering another proposition, and addressed the House for a short time in support of his motion; when

Mr. CRARY rose to the following point of or der, which, at the request of the CHAIR, he reduced to writing:

"That the question before the House not being debatable, a nomination for the election of Printer having been made, the motion to postpone, of the member from North Carolina, is not in order."

After a few remarks from Mr. TILLING. HAST,

The CHAIR decided that the motion for postponement was in order.

Mr. CRAIG said he would appeal from that decision; and in support of that appeal, argued that the House, having determined forthwith to proceed to the election of Printer, no other motion could be entertaire 1. Without looking to parliamentary law as to the propriety of admitting the motion for postponement, common sense itself, he thought, would dictate the inadmissibility of it. The House having determined forthwith to do a certain thing, a mo'ion to postpone would pre ent in itself a perfect absurdity. There was but one single individual who objected to the execution of the order, and he put it to the House whether it would give it into the power of that individual to defeat its legislation. Mr. C. after a few more remarks, moved the pie vious question on the appeal.

The call for the previous question having been seconded by the House, and the preliminary question, "Shall the main question be now put?" having leer. put and carried,

Mr. DUNCAN inquired if, when the resolution for the election of Printer was up, it was not so far executed that a nomination was made.

The SPEAKER said that there was a nomina

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The question was then taken on the appeal, and it resulted in sustaining the decision of the CHAIRyeas 126, nays $9.

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Mr. STANLY then resumed the floor, and, in continuation of his argument, read an article from the Democratic Review, highly compl men ary of Mr. GARLAND, the Clerk of the House, which be endeavored, by ironical comments, to tura into ridi

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cule. While in the progress of reading the article, however,

Mr. PETRIKIN and several others called the gentleman to order, for reading a matter foreign to the business before the House.

Mr. SMITH, of Maine, hoped the gentleman might be permitted to proceed with the reading. Compliments, said he, so well deserved are very acceptable to us.

Mr. STANLY said that he should blush to receive a compliment from the gentleman from Maine.

Mr. CRARY called the gentleman to order, and, des being called upon to reduce his point of order to wring, presented it as follows:

"Mr. C. called Mr. STANLY to order for using the words 'he should blush to receive a compliment from the gentleman from Maine,' (addressing himself to Mr. SMITH.")

Mr. STANLY took his seat, observing that the gentleman need not have made his point of order, Eas he had concluded his remarks.

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The point of order having been read,

Mr. SMITH, of Maine, said: I did not at the time hear the remark of the gentleman from North Carolina, but I beg the House to understand that nothing that that gentleman can say would make me blush.

The SPEAKER decided that Mr. STANLY'S words were not in order, and that he could not proceed without leave of the House.

Mr. BANKS then obtained the floor, and after a few observations, moved the previous question on Mr. STANLY's motion to postpone the e'ection. Messrs. GARLAND of La. and UNDERWOOD, both rose and moved an adjournment.

Mr. WELLER called for the yeas and nays, which were ordered, and the question having been taken, the motion to adjourn was decided in the negative-yeas 90, nays 112.

Mr. JENIFER then rose to a point of order, which he reduced to writing, as follows:

"Mr. STANLY was called to order by Mr. CRARY, for saying to Mr. SMITH, of Maine, 'I blush to receive a compliment from that gentleman.' Before Mr. CRARY reduced these words to writing, Mr. STANLY said he 'cheerfully retracted them, as he had misunderstood the gentleman from Maine.' The SPEAKER had decided these words to be out of order, and that Mr. STANLY must take his seat. Mr. STANLY did explain according to the 28th rule, before he was told by the SPEAKER to take his seat." Mr. STANLY said that he had retracted the words he used in reference to Mr. SMITH, of Maine, while the gentleman from Michigan was writing his point of order, and before it was read from the CHAIR; and made every explanation that was necessary.

Mr. CRARY. I had the floor after calling the gentleman to order, until I could write out my point, and hand it to the CHAIR, and the gentle. man was bound by the rules of the House to keep his seat in the mean time. It was not, therefore, in the power of the gentleman to make any explanation until the point was decided on by the CHAIR.

The SPEAKER said he understood the gentleman from North Carolina to say that he would not ask the leave of the House to proceed, when he was called to order by the gentleman from Michigan, for he had concluded his remarks. On the point raised by the gentleman from Maryland, the CHAIR quoted the rule of the House applicable to the case, the substance of which is: that when a member is called to order, he must take his seat until the point of order is reduced to writingwhen, if the CHAIR decides that he is out of order, he cannot proceed with his remarks, if one member objects, without leave of the House. In this case, the member from North Carolina was decided by the CHAIR to have been out of order, and no leave was given by the House or asked of it for him to proceed.

Mr. SMITH, of Maine, said that so far as he was concerned, he hoped the member from North Carolina might be permitted to proceed.

Mr. LEWIS WILLIAMS moved a call of the House.

Mr. WISE made some remarks to show that the member from North Carolina ought to be permitted

to proceed, and concluded by a motion to that effect.

The SPEAKER said it was not now in order, a call of the House having been ordered.

The question was then taken on Mr. WILLIAMS'S motion for a call of the House, and it was decided in the negative without a division.

Mr. JOHNSON, of Maryland, then moved an adjournment.

Mr. PETRIKIN called for the yeas and nays, which having been ordered, the question was taken and rejected-yeas 89, nays 109.

The previous question on Mr. STANLY'S motion to postpone, coming up, the call was seconded by the House, and the question being put, it was decided in the affirmative, yeas 91, nays 107, as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Adams, Alford, S. II. Anderson, Andrews, Baker, Barnard, Bell, Bond, Botts, Briggs, Brockway, Calhoun, W. B. Campbell, Carter, Chittenden, J. Cooper, Corwin, Crabb, Cranston, Crockett, Curtis, Cushing, Davies, Garret Davis, Dawson, Deberry, Dillett. Edwards, Evans, Everett, J. Garland, R. Garland, Gentry, Goggin, Goode, Graham, Granger, Graves, Green, Grinnell, Habersham, Hall, Henry, Hill of Virginia, Hoffman, Hunt, James, Jenifer, Chas. Johnston, W C. Johnson, Kempshall, Lawrence, Lincoln, Mason, Mitchell, Monroe, Morgan, Naylor, Nisbet, Ogle, Osborne, Palen, Peck, Pope, Proffit, Randall, Randolph, Rariden, Rayner, Reed, Ridgway, Russell, Sergeant, Simonton, Slade, Stanly, Storrs, Stuart, Taliaferro, Tillinghast, Toland, Triplett, Trumbull, Underwood, P. J. Wagner, Warren, John White, T. W. Williams, Lewis Williams, Joseph L. Williams, and Wise-91.

NAYS-Messrs. Judson Allen, Hugh J. Anderson, Atherton, Banks, Beatty, Beirne, Black, Boyd, Brewster, A. V. Brown, A. G. Brown, Burke, S. H. Butler, W. O. Butler, Bynum, Carr, Carroll, Casey, Chapman, Clifford, Coles, Conner, Mark A. Cooper, Craig, Crary, Cross, Davee, J. Davis, J. W. Da. vis, Doan, Doig, Dromgoole, Earl. Eastman, Ely, Fine, Fisher, Floyd, Fornance, Gates, Gerry, Griffin, Hammond, Hand, J. Hastings, Hawkins, Hill of North Carolina, Holle man, Holmes, Hook, Hopkins, Howard, Thomas B. Jackson, Jameson, J. Johnson, N. Jones, J W. Jones, Keim, Kemble, Leadbetter, Leet, Leonard, Lewis, Lowell, Lucas, McClel lan, McCulloh, Mallory, Medill, Miller, Montanya, Montgo mery, S. W. Morris, Newhard, Parish, Parmenter, Parris, Paynter, Petrikin, Pickens, Ramsey, Reynolds, Rhett, Rives, Robinson, Edward Rogers, Samuels, Shaw, Albert Smith, Thomas Smith, Steenrod, Strong, Sumter, Sweeny, Taylor, P. F. Thomas, Jacob Thompson, Turney, Vanderpoel, Watterson, Weller, Wick, Jared W. Williams, Henry Williams, Sherrod Williams, and Worthington-107.

Mr. BLACK here moved a suspension of the rules to enable him to offer his resolution; and after a few remarks, moved the previous question;

And the resolution having been again read, After some remarks from Messrs. GARLAND, THOMPSON of Mississippi, CHAPMAN, WISE and BLACK,

The question was taken and decided in the affirmative-yeas 158, nays 30.

So there being a vote of two-thirds, the rules were suspended, and

Mr. BLACK, after some remarks, again submitted his resolution, and moved the previous question on it; after which it was read.

Mr. WISE called for a division of the question, which was ordered; and the questions having been taken on the first and second branches successively, they were both carried.

Mr. CURTIS then moved an adjournment; but Mr. SMITH of Maine calling for the yeas and nays,

Mr. CURTIS withdrew his moti n.

The SPEAKER then said: The House will now proceed to the election of Printer.

Mr. WISE inquired if it would be in order for him to vote for the United States of America to be their own Printers; if not, he said he would go home and go to bed.

Mr. VANDERPOEL nominated BLAIR and RIVES.

Mr. FILLMORE asked if the election was to be by ballot or viva voce; and made some remarks to show that it ought to be by ballot.

The SPEAKER was of opinion that the election must be by ballot.

Mr. VANDERPOEL was really very much surprised at the point raised now. The rules of the House he considered imperative with regard to elections of its officers, and that they must be made viva voce. If the SPEAKER adhered to his decision, he should be obliged to appeal. He was here in 1836, when the same question was agitated, and when the matter was definitively settled by the House.

The SPEAKER was of opinion that the joint resolution, which prescribed the ballot system of election, could not be set aside by the rules of the House.

Mr.VANDERPOEL begged the SPEAKER and the House to consider the dilemma into which this decision, if adhered to, would place them. If the CHAIR was right, the resolution of the gentleman from Georgia, [Mr. BLACK,] which they had just adopted was void, and all they had done under it was perfectly nugatory. If the CHAIR would take the pains to refer to the resolution of 1819, he would find, that so far as relates to the manner of electing, it was void. He would, however, take another course, and without taking an appeal, ask if it would be in order for him to move that the election should be viva voce.

The SPEAKER replied that that motion would be in order,

Mr. VANDERPOEL then moved that the House proceed to the election viva voce, and called for the previous question on his motion.

This motion having been carried,

The SPEAKER appointed Messrs. VANDER. POEL, BLACK, SMITH, of Maine, and Davis, of Pennsylvania tellers; when

Mr. RAYNER said that, for the purpose of giving those who would vote for BLAIR and RIVES an opportunity to sleep and meditate upon the enormity of their intentions, he would move that the House do now adjourn.

The yeas and nays having been called for,
Mr. RAYNER withdrew his motion.

Mr. CURTIS renewed the motion, but also withdrew it.

The House then proceeded to the election viva voce, and the roll having been called through, Mr. VANDERPOEL, on the part of the teliers, reported that there were 207 votes given, of which 104 were necessary to a choice; and that BLAIR and RIVES received GALES and SEATON TH. W. WHITE JACOB GIDEON S. STAMBAUGH DUFF GREEN

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Vote as taken, was as follows:

110

92

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207

FOR BLAIR AND RIVES.-Messrs. J. Allen, H. J. Anderson, Atherton, Banks, Beauty, Beirne, Black, Blackwell, Boyd, Brewster, A. V. Brown, A. G. Brown, Burke, S. H. Butler, W. O. Butler, Bynum, Carr, Carroll, Casey, Chapman, Clifford, Coles, Connor, M. A. Cooper, Craig, Crary, Cress, Th. Davee, John Davis, J. W. Davis, Doan, Doig, Dromgoole, Duncan, Earl, Eastman, Ely, Fine, Fisher, Fletcher, Floyd, Fornance, Gerry, Griffin, Hammond, Hand, John Hastings, Hawkins, Hill of North Carolina, Holleman, Holmes, Hook, Howard, Jackson, Jameson, Jos. Johnson, N. Jones, J. W. Jones, Keim, Kemble, Leadbetter, Leet, Leonard, Lewis, Lowell, Lucas, McClellan, McCulloh, Marchand, Medill, Miller, Montanya, Montgomery, S. W. Morris, Newhard, Parrish, Parmenter, Parris, Payner, Petrikin, Pickens, Prentiss, Ramsey, Reynolds, Rhett, Rives, Robinson, E. Rogers, Samuels, Shaw, A. Smith, Tho. Smith, Steenrod, Strong, Sumpter, Sweeny, Taylor, F. Thomas, P. F. Thomas, Jac. Thompson, Turney, Vanderpoel, D. D. Wagener, Watterson, Weller, Wick, J. W. Williams, Hen. Williams, Worthington, and Mallory-110.

FOR GALES AND SEATON.-MES'rs. Adams, Alford, S. H. Anderson, Andrews, Baker, Barnard, Bell, Bond, Bolts, Briggs, Brockway, Calhoun, W. B. Campbell, Carter, Chittenden, Jas. Cooper, Corwin, Crabb, Cranston, Crockett, Curtis, Cushing, E. Davies, Gar. Davis, Dawson, Deberry, Dillet, Edwards, Evans, Fillmore, R. Garland, Gentry, Giddings, Goggin, Goode, Graham, Granger, Graves, Green, Grinnell, Habersham, Hall, W. S. Hastings, Henry, Hill of Virginia, Hoffman, Hunt, James, Jenifer, Chs. Johnson, W. C. Johnson, Kempshall, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marvin, Monroe, Morgan, Naylor, Nisbet, Ogle, Osborne, Palen, Peck, Pope, Proffit, Randall, Randolph, Rariden, Rayner, Reed, Ridgway, Russell, Sergeant, Simonton, Slade, Truman Smith, Stanly, Storrs, Stuart, W. Thompson, Tillinghast, Toland, Triplett, Trumbull, Underwood, P. J. Wagner, Warren, John White, Th. W. Williams, Lewis

Williams, Jos. L. Williams, and Sherrod Williams-92.

FOR TH. W. WHITE.-Messrs. Wise, and Huner, Speaker.

FOR JACOB GIDEON.-Mr. Jas. Garland-1.
FOR S. STAMBAUGH.-Mr. Hopkins-1.
FOR DUFF GREEN.-Mr. Mitchel-1.

The SPEAKER then announced that BLAIR and
RIVES were duly elected Printers of the House.
On motion by Mr. SMITH, of Maine,
The House adjourned.

IN SENATE,

FRIDAY, Jan. 31, 1840.

The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of War, made in obedience to a resolution of the Senate of the 15th inst. n relation to internal improvements in the Territory of Wisconsin; which was read, and ordered to be printed.

Also, a representation from Jehiel Brooke, late Indian agent; which was referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

Mr. CLAY, of Alabama, presented the petition of Williamson Smith, praying remuneration for expenses incurred and services performed by him, under a contract with a Government agent, for the removal of the Cherokee Indians; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. CLAY, of Kentucky, presented the petition of a number of citizens of Thiladelphia, Pa. and of citizens of the State of Maine, for a Congress of Nations; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

Mr. LINN presented the petition of the heirs of Joseph Thompson, deceased, praying the confirma tion of their title to a tract of land; which was referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

ASSUMPTION OF STATE DEBTS. Mr. GRUNDY, from the Select Committee, to which was recommitted the report submitted yesterday on the resolution offered some time since by Mr. BENTON, in opposition to the assumption of the debts of the S'a'es by the General Government, reported it, with some modifications; which were read,

A discussion ensued, in which Messrs. GRUNDY, HUBBARD, and WRIGHT, sustained and advocated the report, and Messrs. PRESTON, SOUTHARD, and MERRICK opposed it; when it was informally passed over.

The Senate went into Executive business; and then

Adjourned until Monday.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
FRIDAY, January 31, 1840.

The first thing in order was the execution of the resolution of Mr. BLACK, to elect a committee of five, viva voce, to inquire into the propriety of reducing the present tariff of prices for executing the public printing, or of having the same done in a national office, to be established for that purpose.

The SPEAKER suggested that if the House would proceed to the election of the committee, and vote for one member at a time, it would soon ascertain the practicability of the plan. He thought it would take but a short time, should that mode be adopted.

Mr. GRAVES inqaired, why not vote for all at the same time. He thought the resolution required it. Mr. G. then moved that there be a cail of the House.

The CHAIR said the resolution required that the whole five should be voted for at the same time; and as objection had been made to the mode sugge ted, the House would proceed in accordance with the resolution.

Mr. HOFFMAN demanded the yeas and nays the call; which were ordered, and wereyeas 140, nays 44.

So a call of the House was ordered, and was proceeded in until 208 memb rs answered to their names; when

Mr. ADAMS said it was customary, when commuttees had leave to sit during the sittings of the House, to permit the members thereof to vote at any time; and on a call of the House, were al

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Mr. TURNEY moved that the House now proceed to elect the committee, by voting for one member at a time.

Mr. R. GARLAND demanded the yeas and nays on that motion; which were ordered, and were-yeas 54, nays 132.

The SPEAKER then said that each gentleman, when his name was called, would vote for the five members to compose the committee. He then appointed Messrs. BRIGGS, BURKE, FLOYD, and JAMES GARLAND, as tellets.

Mr. HOPKINS asked to be excused from voting, and gave his reasous therefor; but the House refased said request.

The House then proceeded to the vote, viva voce, and the roll was gone through with; but before the result was announced,

Mr. POPE moved that when the House adjourn, it would adjourn till Monday next.

Mr. BANKS said it was clearly out of order to submit such a motion in the then condition of the House, it being divided upon a vote.

The CHAIR (Mr. LINCOLN) decided that it was in order.

Mr. PETRIKIN. Was there ever such a thing heard of? Was ever the like known-that the CHAIR had en'ertained such a motion when the House was divided upon a vote? I appeal from that decision.

The CHAIR said it had been done at the last session, under similar circumstances, when the House was in the act of electing a committee.

Mr. GRIFFIN called for the previous question on the appeal; which was seconded, and the main questioned was ordered-which main question was, "Shall the decision of the CHAIR stand as the judgment of the House?"

Mr. PETRIKIN demanded the yeas and nays; but they were not ordered.

The question was then taken, and the decision of the CHAIR was sustained.

The question then recurred on the motion to adjourn i II Monday next; and the yeas and nays having been ordered upon the same,

Mr. POPE withdrew his motion.

Mr. DAVEE renewed the motion; but the yeas and nays having been ordered upon it, he also withdrew it.

Mr. EVANS again renewed the motion. Mr. LEWIS demanded the yeas and nays; which were not ordered.

The question was then taken on said motion, by count, and carried in the affirmative-ayes 89, nays 44.

The House having determined that when it adjourns, it would adjourn till Monday next,

Mr. S. WILLIAMS moved that it now adjourn. Mr. PETRIKIN demanded the yeas and nays; but they were not ordered.

The question was then taken, and decided in the affirmative; and

The House adjourned till Monday next.

IN SENATE,
MONDAY, February 3, 1840.

The CHAIR submitted a report from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting statements showing the contracts made in that Department during the year 1839, and the expenditures from the Marine Hospital Fund during the year 1838; which was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.

Alo, a message from the President of the United States, communicating a report from the Director of the Mint, showing the operations of that institution during the year 1839; which was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. SMITH of Indiana presented several peritions of male and female citizens of Jefferson county, Indiana, against slavery in different forms.

On motion by Mr. SEVIER, the question of reception was laid on the table.

Mr. BUCHANAN presented a memorial of citizens of Adams county, and a memorial of citizens of York county, Pennsylvania, praying for the imposition of a moderate duty on imported silks; which was referred to the Committee on Fi

nance.

Mr. B. also presented a memorial which he was informed was signed by every firm connected with the silk business in Philadelphia, praying for the same object as the above; which was referred to the same committee.

Mr. B also presented a memorial of coach lace weavers of Newark, N. J. which stated that by the construction given to the law by the revenue offi cer, German silk lace was imported free of du'y, and sold at prices cheaper than the domestic manufacturer could sell the common worsted lace, and praying for relief; which was referred to the Committee on Finance, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. B. also presented the memorial of Britton Evans, praying remuneration for property lost in the service of the United States; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. B. also presented the memorial of inhabitants of the city and county of Philadelphia, praying for the construction of a steam revenue culter in Delaware bay; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. B. also presented a memorial of Thomas Cooper and twenty-four other c.tizens of Philadel phia;

And a memorial of William H. Ashford and seventy-six other citizens of Germantown, Phila delphia county, severally praying for an alteration in the laws which relate to the sale and transter of American vessels while abroad; and for the aboli. tion of the slave trade throughout the world; which were referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Mr. B. also presented the petition of Thomas B. Longstreth and 74 other inhabitants of the county of Philadelphia; and

The petition of Jacob M. Ellis and 21 other citizens of Philadelphia county, praying for an alteration of the Constitution, so as to abolish slavery in the United States;

Also, the petition of David Paul Brown and 24 other legal voters of the city and county of Philadelphia;

The petition of Sarah T. Naylor and 27 other women of Philadelphia county; and

The petition of Elizabeth Drake and 63 other women of Bucks county; severally praying for the abolition of slavery and the slave trade in the District of Columbia. The motion to receive the above was, On motion of Mr. KING, laid on the table. Mr. CRITTENDEN presented the petition of Abraham Williamson; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. MOUTON presented the memorial of John ̧ Compton; which was referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

Mr. CLAY of Kentucky presented a memorial from the Chamber of Commerce of Louisville, complaining of the great burthen imposed by the tolls of the Louisville and Portland Canal on the commerce of the West, and praying that the Go vernment would purchase the individual stock

thereof.

In connection with this subject, he said he had received a letter from a very experienced pilot, who stated his impression that for the trifling sum of $150,000 the obstruction of the navigation now existing at the falls, might be removed, and the natural channel of the river made navigable, rendering unnecessary the purchase of the canal stock. He thought it would be a proper subject for the commitice to inquire into the propriety of au thorizing an appropriation for a survey of the falls, and the probable expense of clearing out the o structions in the natural channel of the river. He asked that the memorial might be referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

Mr. SMITH of Indiana said, that in the absence of the chairman of the Committee on Roads and Canals, he would say that the committee had this subject under consideration. His individual opi

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