of St. Mary's, Georgia, asking pay for supplies furnished, taken, and used by the officers and soldiers of the General Government belonging to Gen. Chinch during the Florida campaign: referred, with the accompanying evidence, to the Committee of Claims. One from John M. Kennie of the city of Augusta, Georgia, praying compensation for securing a certain debt due the United States: referred to the Committee of Claims. One from certain citizens of the county of Gilmer and other Counties in Georgia, asking the establishment of a Ine of stages between Ashville, in North Carolina, aid Cassville, in Georgia: referred to the Committe on the Post Office and Post Roads. One from cetain citizens in Washington coun'y, asking Con. gress to establish a post office at Buffalo, in said ! comty, and a mail route from that place to Milledgwille, Georgia: referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. A letter from Jame Edmondson, postmaster at Cohuttah Spring, in Murray county, Georgia. in relation to a mailoute between Spring Piace, in said county, and Cleveland, in East Tennessee: referred to the Commitee on the Post Office and Post Roads. A letter from P. Le Chartier, chairman of the Board of the Commissioners of Pilotage, asking that the city of Dajen, in the State of Georgia, be made a port of enty, &c. referred to the Committee on Commerce. A resolution of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia, asking that a stage route be establishe from Clarkesville, Habersham countv, Georgia, Ashville, Buncombe county, North Carolina, by te way of Clayton and Franklin; also, that a wekly mail be carried upon horseback from Lafayette, in the county of Walker, to Salem, in the county of Dade, in the State of Georgia: referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. A petitio from John Dennis, a superannuated officer of h custom-house, in the city of Savannah, asking aditional pay for his services: referred to the Committee on Commerce. from Wm. Mosely ad others, in Henry county, Georgia, asking the eablishment of a post route, &c. referred to the Committee on the Post Office anl Post Roads.]

One

By Messrs. GRAVE, ANDERSON, TRIPLEIT, UNDERWOOD GREEN, ANDREWS, BOYD, BUTLER, and AVIS, of Kentucky.

By Messrs. CAVE JOINSON, JAS. L. WILLIAMS, CARTER, BEL, C. H. WILLIAMS, CAMPBELL, TURNEYand MCCLELLAN, of Tennessee.

[Mr. MCCLELLAN presen 1 the petition of Mrs. Ankey Godsey, of Sulliva county, Tennessee, widow of Wm. Godsey, decused, a Revolutionary soldier, praying to be allow a pension; upou his motion was referred to the Committe on Revolutionary Pensions. Of Mrs. ally Pratt, widow of Thos. Pratt, deceased, a Revutionary soldier of Hawkins county, Tennessee, Pying to be allowed a pension: referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions. Of James Wight, jr. of Sullivan county, Tennessee, prayingo be allowed an invalid pension: referred to the Comitee on Invalid Pensions. Of David Childressa Revolutionary soldier of Sullivan county, Tenneve, praying for arrearages of pay and bounty lang referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensis.]

[Mr. CAVE JOHNSON presented petitions of George Mayfield of Williamson couly, Tennesses, asking to be placed on the roll invalid pensioners, on account of wounds receiv in the service of the United States: referred to be Committee on Invalid Pensions. Of Georg Mayfield of Williamson county, Tennessee, askin the confirmat on of a title to a tract of land allow and conveyed to him by the Creek Indians at Fo Jackson: referred to the committee on Private La Claims. Of John Hagie, a soldier of the Revoluon, who came to the United States with Lafayette, king to be placed on the pension roll: referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions. Offeorge W. Farmer, asking compensation for services rendered in opening the road from Reynoldsburg, Tennessee, to the Chickasaw Old Towns in 16: referred to the Commi tee of Claims. Of Wm. D. Willey, asking compensation for a horse lost in the Florida war: referred to the Committee of Claims. Of the citizens resident on the Salt Lick

Reservation, in Tennessee, asking the right of pre-emption to be extended to those who settled prior to 1838. Ten petitions, signed by various officers of the infantry and artillery, complaining of the inequality produced by the act of the 5th of July, 1838, between the officers of the line and the staff officers, and praying that this inequality be removed: referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Of the Rev. A. A. Muller, claiming commulation and bounty land, as the sole heir and representative of Majr Mulier, the aid-de-camp of General Marion: which was referred to a select committee of seven members.]

By Messrs. STARKWEATHER, RIDGWAY, MASON, BOND, WELLER, DOANE, TAYLOR, HASTINGS, PARISH, DUNCAN, SWEENY, GIDDINGS, and GOODE, of Ohio. By Messrs. CHINN, R. GARLAND, and WHITE, of Louisiana.

By Messrs. DAVIS, RARIDEN, WICK, T. SMITH, CARR, HOWARD, and PROFFIT, of Indiana.

[Mr. DAVIS of Indiana presented the petion of the Bishop of Vincennes, asking a repeal of duty on a church bell. Of sundry citizens of Indiana, asking a pension for Ambrose Manes, accompanied by testimony. For a mail route from Washington to Petersburg, Indiana. Also, the memoriál of the National Road Convention, held at Terre Haute, Indiana, in July, 1839 ]

Mr. DAVIS moved that it be referred to the Committee of Ways and Means.

Mr. CASEY moved to amend the motion to refer, by adding the following: "And that said committee be instructed to report a bil, making an appropriation of one hundred and fifty thousand dol lars for each of the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, to be expended on the national road in said States, in the year 1849, under the direction of the War Department; said appropriation to be subject to all the restrictions and conditions of former appropriations on said road.

This motion having been objected to as out of order at that time,

Mr. CASEY maintained that it was in order, and hat it was perfectly competent at any time to move instructions to a committee on any subject committed to its charge.

This motion having elicited debate, under the rule, les over one day. The petition, however, was ordered to be printed.

[Mr. CARR presented the petition of Wm. H. Swan, and 129 others, who represent that, in the surveying and laying off Congress onal township wo, nor h of range nine cast, of the Jeffersonville Indiana land district, into sections and quarter sections, two parallel lines east and west seem to have been run, and all the entries have been made by the south line, the numbers being on that line, but by the field notes the corners are some on the north and some on the south parallel lines; accompanying which petition is the plot or map of said Township, made by the county surveyor of Jefferson county-petitioners ask Congress, if it be proper, to declare and provide that the south of the two parallel lines be deemed and taken as the true and

correct division line A remonstrance, signed by A. H. Harris, and 14 others, objecting to all interference on the part of Congress in regard to the survey lines and field notes of Congressional township two north, of range nine east; accompanying said remonstrance is a certificate of the county surveyor of Clark county, coinciding with the views set forth in the remonstrance: all of which, the perition, remonstrance, and accompanying papers, vere referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The petition of Davis Shockly, praying for a pension: which was, upon his motion, referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions. Of James Smallwood, of Indiana, praying to be placed on the invalid pension roll: which, on his motion, was referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. The papers of Zalmon Burrett, asking a pension: which, on his motion, was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions. Oa motion of Mr. C., the petition of Indian Robin, or Robin oyd, praying a pension, was referred to the ComIttee on Revolutionary pensions. Mr. C. also preseed the memorial and joint resolution of the Ge

neral Assembly of the State of Indiana, on the subject of constructing a canal around the falls of the Onio river, on the Indiana side, sufficient for the passage of the largest class of steamboats: which was referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals. He also presented the petition of Almon Baldwin, and 350 others, on the same subject: which was referred to the same committee.]

By Messrs. BROWN and THOMPSON, of Mississppi.

By Messrs. CASEY, REYNOLDS, and STEWART, of Illinois.

[Mr. REYNOLDS presented the following petitions and memorials, to wit: A petit on for a mail route from the city of Cairo, Unity, Jonesboro, Brownsville, Pinckneyville, Nashville, and Belleville, in Illinois, to St. Louis, Missouri. The claim of Lesieur to land in Missouri. The claim of the heirs of Wm. Arundel, for horses taken by the Indians. Of Jacob Waggoner to correct a mistake in the entry of land. The inhabitants of St. Clair county, Illinois, for a section of land for the township of Cahokia, for school purposes. The claim of the ciuzens of Cahokia, Illinois, for land heretofore granted to the church of Cahokia. The claim of Messrs. Steel and Mitchell, for property lost in the war of 1812. The claim of Mr. Wilcox, for damages done by the United States army in 1832. Tha claim of Mr. Underhill, for a pre-emption in the State of Missouri. The claim of Vanruff, for damages done by the United States army in 1812. The claim of Mr. Pulhain to land. The petition of John Jordon to locate land warrant for military services in 1812. Also, the claims of the heirs of Larkin Rutherford, Shadrack Bond, James Head, George Lundford, Joseph Curry, Joseph Godare, Mr. Gesdro, Mr. Dane, Capt. Francis Charleville, Mr. Levea, Mr. Cosart, Mr. Cheney, and John Doyle, deceased, to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, for services done in the Revolution. The ancestors of these claimants were in the military service in the "Illinois regiment," under the command of Col. George Rogers Clark, and performed said service in the year 1779, in capturing the British posts of Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and St. Vincennes, in the Illinois county. Capt. Charleville raised a company of volunteers in Kaskaskia, and marched with them, with Col. Clark, to capture the post at St. Vincennes, in February, 1779. This regiment was in the Virginia line, and the above members have not received any remuneration for their services.]

By Messrs. DILLETT, LEWIS, CHAPMAN, and CRABB of Alabama.

[Mr. CHAPMAN presented the following petitions: The petition of citize as in favor of a pre-emption to John H. Heckman, Mar hall county, Alabama. Of John P. Naylor and others, in favor of a quarter section of land for a seat of justice for De Kalb co. Alabama. Papers relating to the unsettled claims of McNairy Harris, Jackson county, as quartermaster in Florida. Papers relating to the claim of Capt. Thomas Snod: rass's company, Jackson co. for services in Cherck-e emigration. Memorial of certain field officers, Jackson county, Alabama, who commanded volunteers in Floriia, asking an explanatory law as respects the allowance for use and risk of horses. Claim of R J. Stockton, Jackson county, for horse lost in Florida. Petition of cit zens of Marshall and DeKalb counties, for a mail ronte from Huntsville to Lebanon. Of citizens of DeK 1b, Cherokee, and Jackson cos. for a grant of land to Samuel Findley of DeKalb county. Of citizens of Beaton county, asking that the Cherokee country may be annexed to the Coosa land district, and that the Coosa land office may be removed to Ladiga. Of Spartan Allen, Benton county, for payment of a horse lost in the Cherokee emigrating service. Of Rufus King Love, for a horse lost in same service. Of John Parnell of Beaton county, praying a pension on account of diseases incurred in the United States s'rvice. Of G. C. Woodward, for mail route from Bountsville to Aurora. Memorial of the Genc.al Assem bly of Alabima, asking the establishment of a new Jand district in the country acquired from the Cherokces, and to reduce the price of the public lands. Petition of John A. Baird, that claims for lost

horses in the United States service, purchased by him, be paid. Of citizens of St. Clair county, Alabama, for a mail route from Elyton to Ashville, Alabama. Of John H. Robinson and others, for pre empion. Of Nathaniel Coates, late quartermaster of Alabama volunteers in Florida, for payment of certain items in his sccount, not settled by accounting officers. Mr. C. also presented the following memorials and petitions that have been heretofore presented: Memorial of the General Assembly of Alabamn for a a cession of the Muscle Shoals Canal to that State, and the reports of the Muscle Shoals Canal. Petition of certain citizens of Benton county, Ala. asking a right of pre-emption in lieu of those of which they were deprived under the act of 1834, by the improper location of Creek Indian reservations. Memorial of the Selma and Tennessee Railroad Company, asking the right of way and a grant of land to aid in the work. Petition of citizens of the Cherokee country, praying an extension of the preemption act of 1838; and a memorial of the Legislature of Alabama on the same subject. Memcrial of many citizens of Benton and Cherokee counties, Ala. praying that the Cherokee territory may be annexed to the Coosa land district, and the land office removed to Jacksonville. Petition of citizens of Benton county asking the same. Petition of citizens the of Cherokee country praying the eo ablishment of a new land district in that territory, and the location of the land office in Cherokee county. Memorial of the Legislature of Alabama asking a new land office to be established in the Cherokee country. Petition of citizens of Jackson county, and many citizens of the Cherokee country, asking the es'ablishment of a new land district, and the boration of the office at Bellefonte, in Jackson county, Ala. Petition of Isaac Morson, asking a pre-emption right to a quarter section of land in lieu of that of which he was deprived under the act of 1830. Fetition of Elisha Morland and others, now on the files of this House, praying a grant of pre-emptions in lieu of those of which they were improperly deprived under the act of 1830]

By Messrs. MILLER and JAMESON, of Missouri.

[Mr. JAMESON presented the following preamble and resolutions in relation to slavery: bot received under the rule of the House. A memorial of the Legislature of Missouri requesting a grant of land for a railroad from Jefferson city by Massies's iron works and the iron mountains to the Missippi river: referred to the Committee on Roads and Canal. A memorial of the same, asking an appropriation for the improvement of the Demoines river near its mouth: referred to the same committee. A memorial of the same in relation to common schools, asking that all the lands within the State that have been in market twenty years and not sold, be ceded to the State for that purpose: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. A memorial of the same on the subject of The Santafe trade: referred to the Committee on Commerce. A series of resolutions of the same on the subject of the extension of, the Cumberland read to the seat of Government of Missouri: eferred to the Commit ee on Roads and Cana's. A series of resolutions of the same in relation to the public lands: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. A memorial of the same in relation to a deaf and dumb asylum: referred to the C mmittee on Public Expenditures. A petition of sundry chizens of Missouri, in relation to the Oregon Territory: 1eferred to the Committee of Foreign Affairs. A petition of J. hn Gibson, asking a donation of certain land: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. A petition of Joseph Au!, asking permission to change an entry erroneously male: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. A petition of James Dickerson and cthers, praying that a mail route be established from Bolivar, in Pulk county, by William Suadens, in Barry county, to Sarcoxie, in Newton county, and that a post office be established at said Snaden's: referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. The claim of Jacob Ford to a pension: referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Persions. memorial for the establishment of a harbor at Racine, Wistonsin Territory: referred to the Commit

A

lee on Commerce. A petition for a mail route from Jefferson city to Springfield, Missouri: referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. A petition of a respectable portion of the bar of Missouri, praying that the district judge of that State shall have the same jurisdiction over causes at the October t rm (with the exception of appeals, &c.) as the circuit court has, and also that the salary of the district judge be increased: referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. A petition for a mail route from Florida, by Mexico and Fulton, to Jefferson city: referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. A petition of Presley Scott, showing a claim against the Government for piles furnished for the harbor at St. Louis, under a contract made with R. E. Lee, the eng neer: referred to the Committee of Claims. And the claim of Shropshire and Ros, against the Government, for provisions furnished during the Black Hawk war, with the accompanying evidence to support the same: Leferred to the Committee of Claims]

[Mr. MILLER presented the following joint memorials and resolutions of the Legislature of Missouri, viz: A memorial on the subject of pre-emptions, asking that right to be extended tɔ gil persons who shall settle on the public lands, and cultivate the same for two years after such settlement. A memorial on the subject of patents, asking that an endorsement be made, by the Commissioner of the General Land Office, on all patents hereaf er is. sued, of the plot of the section in which such lands may lie. A memorial on the subject of 16th sections, asking authority to select other lands, in Teu thereof, where they are unfit for cultivation, or where they have been diminished or lost by the filling in of the lands situate or the banks of rivers. A memorial requesting that certain unsold lands in the State of Missouri may be brought into market. Also, the following petitions, viz. Of John B. Fisher, and others, asking the establishment of a post road from Jefferson city, Missouri, by the way of California, Round Hill Post Office, to Georgetown, in said State: referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Οι Daniel Droper of Missouri, asking the passage of a special act, graning to him the right of pre emp. tion to a certain tract of land therein mentioned and described: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. Of James Maguire of Missouri, asking additional compensation for services performed by him as a clerk, in the Quartermaster General's Office, at Washington City: referred to the Committee of Claims. Of Uriel' Sebuce, receiver of public moneys at Fayette, asking the passage of an act authorizing the proper accounting officer of the Treasury Depatment to place to his credit the sum of $200, for reasons set forth in said petition: referred to the Commitee of Claims. Of J. A. Hadwin, John Ward, and W. D. Paisons, of Roch port, Missouri, asking the passage of a law authorizing them to import, duty free, the iron necessary to enable them to construct two iron steamboats, to be run or used on the Missouri river: referred to the Committee on Commerce. The petition and papers of Chauncey Durkee of Missouri, esking the passage of a law granting him the right of pre-emption to a certain tract of land therein described: referred to the Committee on the Patlic Lands. Of William Harden of Missouri, asking that the sum of $706 be refonded to him by the Government of United States, of which sum he was robbed by the Sac and Fox Ind ans, in the year 1813: referred to the Committee of Claims. Of Wm. and C. Ewing, asking compensation for two horses lost by them while in the service of the United States, in the year 1813: referrel to the Committee of Claims. Of William Steel of Missouri, a king a pension for his services as a soldier duting the Revolutionary war: referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions.]

By Mr. CROSS of Arkansas.
By Mr. CRARY of Michigan.
By Mr. DOWNING of Florida.

[Mr. DOWNING presented the memorial of a con vention of the citizens of Flo ida, demanding a mission into the Union as one of the soverein States thereof, together with a Constitution adoped by said convention, submitted to the people nd approved by them. He then presented the foow

ing memorials, petitions, &c.: From the citizens of East Florida for a land office at Newnansville. From a committee of St. Joseph as-ing an ap. propriation for a court-house. From the cit zens of East Florida for a div.sion of that Territory. Of the citizens of Duval county for a division of Florida. Of sundry citizens of East Florida for a division of that Territory. Presentment of the grand jury of Franklin county. Presentment of the grand jury of Duval and Na sau counties. Of F. Pellicer, and others, praying relief from an award of the Secretary of the Treasury, under the law of 1834, for the loses sustained by the operations of the Un ted Sales troops in Florida. Of John P. Baldwin, of Key West, praying compensation for property lost by order of commanding officer, to preven said property, being mostly lead, from falling into the hands of the Indians. Of Capt. J.Y. Smith, praying compensation for loss of steamboat Hyperion. Claim of Dr. Weeden, for property taken by mili tia in the service of the United States. Of Dr. Weeden, for medicine furnished by Fewlitt, as assistant surgeon, and for medical services of the United States? Of Mr. McDonald, for a horse. Of J. E'zuardi, asking remuneration r, a slave taken by the United States as India interpreter, and sent to Arkansas. Of Dr. Turne, for a horse. Of Win. McNaught, for corn soldto the United States troops. Of William G. Saunders, for property destroyed by the nited States army. Petition of J. Croskes and others. Claim of the heirs of Manuel Domingues to a tract of land. Memorial from te citizens of Ex cambia county for an appropiation to build a curt-house and jail. From the t zens of Jeffer son county for money to repaira road from Montcello to the navigable parts of the river S. Marks. Petition of sundry inhabitans of East Florida for a road from Jacksonville t Fort White, on the Santafee. From the citizes of Nassau and Deval counties for money to rpair a road from Jacksonville to Camp Pinckney on S. Mary's river. From the citizeus of Florda for money to cut a canal from Sx Mile crek to the St. Sebastian. Of the Lake Wimico nd St. Joseph Canal and Railroad Company. f the citizens of Nassau cou ty, praying an apropriation for a road. Of the citizens of East Fida for a road from Pablo to Jacksonville. Of he Alachua Grantces, pray. ing an appropriatio for a road. Of the citi zens of St. Josep, Iola, and Chattahoochie. praying an approprition of $5,000 to repair a road from Marianna to ola, and an appropriation of $5,000 to repair 2 ad from Iola to Chataho: chie. From cit zens of Olumbia and Alachua counties, praying an approviation for a road from the Lower Suwanee sprigs to Newnansville. Clam of Capt. T. C. Rukelph. Of Capt. Clarke, and accompanying parts. Of Capt. Peters, and accom panying papers Petition of Capt J. Houseman. for pay for itary services and expenditures. Claim of Dr. Clark and Dr. Forry, vs. Un tel States, for mdical services. Of Dr. Worrell 75. United Statesfor medical services.]

By Mr. DY of Wisconsin.

[Mr. Do presented the following petitions: Three peti ns of citizens of Wisconsin, for an appropriati for the improvement of the harbor at the mouth f Root river, Racise. Three petitions of citizens of Wisconsin, for an appropriation for a harbor at Milwaukie. Petition of c tizens of Wiscons, that Milwaukie be declared a port of entry. bur petitions of ci izens of Wi consin, for a confiration of the titles of Francois Laventure, Ebenez Childs, and Linus Thompson, to land at Milwasie. Petition of citizens of Racine county, Wiscosin, for an appropriation for opening the harbe at the south mou h of Pike creek, at Southport. Petition of citizens of Southport, for an ap propiation for the above purpose. Four petitions of cizens of Wisconsin, praying a separation of the offices of Governor and Superintendent of Indan Affairs; that the citizens of the Territory have leave to elect the Governor, and that the Superintendent be stationed in the Indian country. Peti tion of citizens of Racine county, for an appropri ation for a road from Southport to Beloit. Of c zens of Milwaukie county, praying for an appro

priation for a railroad from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi, in Wisconsin.

Of citizens of Oak creek, for the same object. Of citizens of Sinipee, for the same object. Of citizens of Mineral Point, for the same object. Of citizens of Mishawaka, ladiana, for the same object. Of citizens of Wiconsin, for the same object. For a post route from Madison, by Sugar river, Diggings, Monroe, Vanvobrah's settlement, to intersect the route from Chicago to Galena. For a post route from Springfield, Milwaukie co. to Madison, the seat of Government of Wisconsin. Two petitions of masters, owners, and consignees of steamboats and vessels on Lake Michigan, and for an appropriation to improve the harbor of Racine. Of citizens of Wiscoasin, for an appropriation for a road from Milwank e to Beloit. Of the Stockbridge nation of Indans, in Wisconsin, for remuneration for the expenses of their removal from New York, and that the title to their lands be guarantied to them by the United States. For the sale of the mineral lands in Wisconsin, and for an act declaring voil all entries heretofore made in consequence of false swearing, etc. Of Enos Soper, praying remuneration for services rendered the United States during the war of 1812.

[Oa motion of Mr. Dory, it was

Resolved,, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to furnish to this House a s'atement of all sums paid for the support of the Government of Wisconsin, including all of the expenses of the Legislative Assembly, during the years 1837, 1938, and 1839, exhibiting the items for which, and by, and to whom, payments have been made, and the authority therefor, and whether the loans which have been made on the faith of the Territory, have been sanctioned and paid by him] By Mr. CHAPMAN of Iowa.

[Mr. CHAPMAN presented the memorial of the Assembly of Iowa, praying Congress to confirm. an entry of land made by the county of Henry: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. A memorial from the Assembly of Iowa, praying Congress to amend the organic law: referred to the Committee on the Territories. A memorial upon the subject of post roads: referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. A memorial praying school land for half biced tract: rereferred to the Committee on the Public Lands. A memorial for arms, &c. referred to the Committee on Military Adairs. A memorial in favor of settlers on sixteenth sections: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. A joint resolution relating to reports: refered to the Committee on the Territories. A memorial for pre-emption to miners: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands, A memorial for the survey of lands. A memorial for the improvement of Iowa and Cedar rivers: referred to the Committee on Commerce. Memorial for the survey of Skunk river: referred to the Committee on Commerce. A memorial for additional appropriation for completion of penitentiary: referred to the Committee on the Territories. Memoial for completion of Dubuque and Missouri roads: referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals. Memorial for survey and improvement of Dubuque harbor: referred to the Committee on Commerce. Petition of inhabitants of Warren county,

Illinois, for improvement of Desmoines Rapids: -1 ferred to the Committee on Commerce. Of inhabitants of Fort Madison for donat on of land for Seminary of learning: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. Of James Anderson and cthers for the sale of 16th section: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. Act of Iowa Assembly: referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Memorial for land for literary purposes: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. Memorial in favor of Jeremiah Smith: referred to the Committee on the Territories. Preamble and joint resolution for improvement of Desmoines river: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. Petition for post route from Iowa city to Burtonsport: referred to the Committee on the Fost Office and Post Roads. Or John Morgan for a pension: referred to the Committee on Pensions. Of Alfred Cart-r and others, praying Congress to be permitted to purchase 16h section: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. Of A. John

son for pension: referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions Of F. Dinon for grant of lands for services to the country: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. Of Jacob Wiley for pension: referred to the Committee on Revolu tionary Pensions. Of the inhabitants of Iowa for road from mouth of Iowa to Iowa city: referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals. Of the inhabitants of Keosauqua for mail route from Burling oa to that place: referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads. Of the inhabitants of Iowa for a mail route from Peru, in Illinois, to Iowa city: referred to the Committee on the Fost Office and Post Roads. Of the inhabitants of Mount Pleasant for land for seminary of learning: referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. Of Martin Godard for mail route from Davenport to the county seat of Linn: referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Reads. Of inhabitants of Scott county for mail route from Da. venport to Linn, the county seat: referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.] By Mr. PARRIS of Maine.

By Mr. T. W. WILLIAMS of Connecticut. [Mr. THOS. W. WILLIAMS presented the p.t tion of the children and other heirs of Lieut. Daniel Starr, asking for pay for their father's servie's as a lieutenant on board of the United States ship Trumbull. Of Griswold Avery, asking for a pens'on for Revolutionary services. Of Mrs. Esther Culver, late the widow of Moses Jones, for a pension. Of the heirs of Lient. Nathani 1 Fanning, deceased, asking that a medal be given for his act of bravery on board the "Good Man Reh ̈rd,” under Com. John Paul Jones, and for prize money arising from said services. Of Jas. Wiliams, for compensation for services and expenses in arresting a deserter from the United States army in 1834. Of Nathan Smith and cthers for allowance of bounty on a fishing voyage to the Straits of Belle Isle. Of Oliver J. Day and others, of Lyme, Connecticut, manufacturers of wool, asking Congress to revise the laws for the collection of duties, in order to prevent frauds to the prejudice of the manufacturer ]

A motion was made to adjourn, at half-past 5 o'clock; the yeas and nays were demanded; when, the roll being called, there were-yeas 21, nays 27. So the House refused to adjourn..

Mr. DROMGOOLE moved a call of the House. When, on motion of Mr. HOFFMAN, he House adjourned.

IN SENATE,

FRIDAY, February 7, 1840.

Mr. NORVELL presented the credentials of the Hon. AUGUSTUS S. PORTER, elected by the Legislature of Michigan a Senator from that State for six years from the 4th of March last.

The usual oath was then administered to Mr. PORTER, and he took his seat.

The CHAIR submitted a message from the President of the United States tran mitting the eleventh annual report of the Board of Inspectors of the Penitentiary of the District of Columbia; which was laid on the table.

Mr. PRESTON presented the memorial of Sarah Ralston; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

On motion of Mr. GRUNDY, the petition of Joseph Whipple, now on file, was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. WRIGHT present d the petiton of M. M. Quackenboss, B. Birdsall, an! Charles L. Livingston, praying the passng of an act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to compromise and compound the claims of the Government against them as sureties of Samuel Swartwout, late collector of the port of New York; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. CLAY of Alabama submited documents in relation to the claims of Adam Hall for remuneration for horses lost while in the public service; which was ref rred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. BUCHANAN presented the memorial of a number of the citizens of the State of Pennsylvania, praying an increase of duties on foreign silks; which was referred to the Committee on Finance. Mr, HUBBARD, from the Committee on

Claims, made an unfavorable report on the petition of William Hawkins.

Mr. FULTON, from the Committee on the Pub. lic Lands, to which the subject was referred, reported a bill concerning a seminary of learning in the Territory of Iowa; which was read, and ordered to a second reading.

Mr. WALL, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported a bill for the relief of John H. Sheppard, administrator of Abiel Wood; which was read, and ordered to a second reading.

Mr. W. in pursuance of notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill for the relief of John E. Bispham; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. TAPPAN, in pursuance of notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in the following bill, which was ordered to be printed:

A BILL

To regulate the issuing and circulating of bank paper in the district of Columbia.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representalives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the passage of this act, if any person or persons shall establish or continue any bank in the District of Columbia, such person or persons shall first deposite in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for the county in which such bank may be established, a schedule, in writing. containing the names and places of residence of each and every stockholder in such bank, with the number and value of the shares by him or her held, and shall cause the same to be recorded with the record of dee is in the office, and shall also publish said schedule in two of the newspapers having the most general circulation in the District, three calendar month; and every sale or transfer of stock in such bank, within ten days after such transfer shall have been made, shall be placed upon record and published in like manner, by such person cr persons so establishing or continuing such bank.

SEC 2 And be it further enacted, That it shall be unlawful for any individual banker or banking company, or for any other person or company, to is ue any bank notes of a less denomination than twenty dollars, by any art, shift, or device, to issue and put in circulation any paper, certificate, check, order, or note whatsoever, to circulate as currency, of a less denomination thau twenty dollars; and any person or persons offending herein, shall for.et and pay not less than five hundred dollars, nor more than one thousand dollars, for each and every note, order, check, cr certificate, so issued and put in ci culation as aforesaid; one half of the same to be for the use of the person prosecuting therefor, and the residue for the use of the county where the banking house of such individual bauker or banking company shall be located, to be recovered by action of debt in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That if at any time, in usual banking hours, the paper of sach individual or company shall be presen ed to such individual or company, or any officer by him or them employed, at their banking house or office, and payment demanded of the same, and payment thereof in gold or silver shall be refused, or unieasonably delayed, the holder of such note may make affidavit of such demand and refusal or delay, before any justice of the peace of the 'proper county, whereupon, the said justice shall issue his summons against such ind vidual, or any officer or partner in such company, to be and appear be ore him, or some other justice of the peace, at a time to be stated in said summons, which time shall be w thin twenty-four hours from and after the same shall have been issued, then and there to show cause why judgment shou'd not be entered against such individual, officer, or partner, for the amount of said note; and unless the party defendant in said writ shall appear, and plead that the note upon which suit is brought is not the note of such individual or company, or that legal and proper demand of payment has not been made, and verify such plea by the cath of the said defendant, or his agent or attorney, it shall be the duty of the justice to enter up a judgment against such defendant for the amount of such note, with costs of suit, and to issue his execution, as in other cases therefor,

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall, after the taking effect of this act, pass, or offer to pass, any bank note of a less deno. mination than twenty dollars, otherwise than in payment to a bank or banking company, such person shall forfeit and pay double the amount of such note, for the use of the person sueing for the same, to be recovered by action of debt before any magistrate having jurisdiction thereof.

The resolution submitted some days since by Mr. PRESTON, in relation to the Cumberland road, was taken up, and after a long debate, in which it was supported by Messts. PRESTON, WEBSTER, SMITH of Indiana, and MERRICK, and opposed by Messrs. BENTON, ALLEN, TAPPAN, KING, HUBBARD, and CLAY of Alabama, and after being modified, on the question of its adoption, the vote was-aycs 4, nces 39. So it was not adopted. Adjourned until Monday.

HOUSE OF REPREESNTATIVES,
FRIDAY, January 7, 1840.

Mr. J. W. JONES, chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, asked that the Honse would resolve itself Committee of the Whole to consider the bill making appropriations for Revolutionary and other pensioners. The pensions are payable half-yearly, on 4th of March and September, and unless the House would take some immediate action on this bill, it would be impossible for the Secretary of the Treasury to place the funds in the hands of disbursing agents at the various sections of the country where payment is made to the pensioners. The House would see the troubles and difficulties in which these old pensioners would be placed if the necessary funds were not in the hands of the agents to pay them, after they had made long journeys, with the expectation of receiving payment at the time specified by law. He hoped there would be no objection.

Mr. PICKENS suggested to the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means the propriety of receiving reports till the hour of one o'clock; and, at that time, go into committee on this bill. There were very many important reports to be made from committees, which he hoped would be received.

Mr. EVANS objected to any departure from the rules. Such departures, experience taught him, had always embarrassed rather than facilitated the business of the House. He would, for that reason vole against all motions to suspend the rules. He hoped they would be adhered to, and that the States would be called for petitions.

Mr. PICKENS said peti ions had been called from the States for two days past; and if they go 01 to receive them again to-day, he feared discussion might arise which would prevent the committecs from having any opportunity to make reports. He hoped the House would agree to receive reports; and that the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means would yield to this suggestion, to go int committee at 1 o'clock.

Mr. JONES said the bill required the speedy ac tion of the House; but he was willing to yield to the suggestion of the gentleman from South Carolina, [Mr. PICKENS.] Mr. J. was proceeding in his remarks, when

Mr. R. GARLAND called him to order.

Mr. JONES modified his motion, so that the House at 1 o'clock proceed to the consideration of the bill in committee.

Mr. DAWSON inquired of the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means whether the funds to meet these pensioners were not appropriated one year in advance, and whether there was not a sufficient sum of the old appropriations in the hands of disbursing agents, to meet the payments necessary to be made in March.

Mr. PETRIKIN objected to his answering the que-tion, or any debate, as it was entirely out of order.

Mr. JONES said he wou'd answer the gentle. man's question; when he was again called to order, He then moved a suspension of the rules, and demanded the yeas and nays on that motion.

Mr. BILL hoped the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. JONES] would be permitted to answer the interrogatory put to him by the gentleman from

Georgia [Mr. DAWSON.]

It had been the invariab'e practice of the House for such questions to be put and answered; and in fact the public business could not be transacted without it.

The SPEAKER said such had been the usual practice of the House, and was no doubt a convenient one; strictly speaking, however, debate was not in order.

Mr. PETRIKIN said his only objection arose from the fact of debates being permitted in one case, and not in another. It one gentleman was permitted to speak out of order, the same liberty might be claimed by all, and thus entirely obstruct the regular business of the House.

Mr. JONES, in answer to the question of the gentleman from Georgia, said he believed that it was the usual practice of the Department to forward these funds in advance, but how far, as to time, he was not advised. From looking, however, at the amount of unexpended balances, as shown by the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, he inferred that it was not possible that funds to provide for all the accruing pensions could be at the points where they are to be paid; for, if every dollar of these unexpended balances were there, there would still not be more than half what was necessary. There were unexpended balances at some of the points, but to meet the payments at all of them in time, it was necessary that this appropriation should be peedily passed.

The yeas and nays having been ordered on the question of suspension, were-yeas 119, nays 40.

Mr. JONES then moved that the House go into the Committee of the Whole at one o'clock, for the purpose of taking up the bill making appropriations for the payment of the Revolutionary and other pensioners of the United S ates.

Mr. GARLAND of Louisiana called for the reading of the s'atement made by the Commissioner of Fensions,in order to show the amount of the unexpended balances

Mr. JONES said he stated to the Ionse that there was a large amount of unexpended balances under one head of appropriations, but that the amount would rot pay much more than one-half of the pensions acording.

Mr. GARLAND said, if the gent man would look at the documents, he would find that the pension agents were most generally banking institu tions and favorites of the Government; and that they had in their hands about one milion four hundred thousand dollars to apply to the payment of these pensions.

Mr. TURNEY called for the previous question, but the call was not seconded.

Mr. GARLAND of Louisiana then read a report of the Commissioner of Pensions, and said that from this report, it appeared that there was now one million four hundred thousar d dollars in the hands of the agents, while one million only was wanted for each quarter's payment. Now the effort was made to set aside the regular basiness of the House, for the purpose of placing money in the hands of these agents in advance. It was notorions that these agents were banks and political favorites who had the use of the public money for months before it was wan'cd.

Mr. JONES of Virginia rose to correct the errors into which the gentleman from Louisiana had fallen. The gentleman supposed that these pensions were payable quarterly, which was not the fact. They were payable half yearly, one payment becoming due in March, and the other in September. Further, the amount of one milli n four hundred thonsand dollars, now in the hands of the pension agent, was not enough to pay the pensions becoming due in March, while there was the payment coming due in Sep ember, that was necessary now to be provided for. Mr. J. then went into an estimate of the different heads under which pensions are to be paid, and the sums that will be required for them. But the gentleman's principal objection was, that this money would go into the hands of the banks and political favorites of the Government. This was the first time he had ever heard that the banks were the peculiar favorites of this Government, and an assertion like this, coming from a gentleman standing in the political relation the gentleman from Louisiana did to the Administra

tion, was a little extraordinary. He did not know how the gentleman made out that the individuals who acted as pension agents were the favorites of the Administration, but if the gentleman would look at the list of agencies, he would find that the banks were a large proportion of them, and there fore it was the favorites of the gentleman and his party, and not of the Administration, that derived any benefits from these agencies.

Mr. SMITH of Maine wished to make one sin gle statement in reply to the gentleman from Log` siana. The gentleman said that those who disbursed these pensions were either banks or the especial favorites of the Administration. Now he begged leave to inform him that the pension agent in the State of Maine was a thoroughgoing Hartford Con vention Federalist.

Mr. PETRIKIN here called for the previous question; and the call being seconded by the Honse, the main question was put, and carried without a. division.

Mr. PICKENS, from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, reported the following resolutions, which were agreed to:

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested, if in his opinion it be not incompati ble with the public interests so to do, to communi cate to this House any information in his possessor respecting the condition of the citizens of the United States doing business during the past year in China the state of the American trade in that country, and the interests of the people and commerce of the United States, as affected by the recent measures of the Chinese Government for the suppression of the contraband or forcible introduction of opium into China. Also, whether the British Government has given notice to that of the United States of a pur pose to blockade the ports of China, or of other hostile in eations towards that Government, and any other information possessed by the Executive in relation to the above matters.

Resolved, That the Secre,ary of the Treasury be directed to transmit to this House a statement of the commerce and navigation between the United States and China, from 1821 to 1839 inclusive, exibiting for each year the amount of specie, the value and description of manufactured articles, he value and description of other merchandise, and the total amount exported; the quantity and value of teas, the value of silk goods, the value of other merchandise, and the total amount imported; the number of ships, the amount of tonnage, and the Iumber of seamen employed.

On motion of Mr. CURTIS, Senate bill, entityd "An act to cancel the bonds given to secure duties upen verse's and their cargoes employed in the whale fi heries, and to make registers lawful papers for such vessels," was referred to the Commitee on Commerce.

The hour of one o'clock having arrived, the House then resolved itself into Committee of the Whole, (Mr. LINCOLN in the chair,) and took up for consideration the bill making appropriation fr the payment of Revolutionary and other pension for the year 1840.

Mr. R. GARLAND then went on to reply to some remarks made by Mr. SMITH of Maine, in which that gentleman had contradicted the asser· tion he made, that the pension agen's were prese dents of banks, or friends and partisans of the present Administration. In proof that his assertions. were correct, he referred to the names of many ag nis, among the res', that of Mr. Van Ness, president of the Bank of the Metropol's, and of Dr. Brockenbrough, presideat of the Bank of Vir ginia, and Philemon Dickerson, ore of the cla.mants for a seat from the State of New Jersey.

Mr. RANDOLPH said the gentleman froin Louisiana was mistaken. The pension azert was a different icdividual, and not the gentleman claiming a seat from that State.

Mr. GARLAND, after referring to the names c ether agents, inquired of the chairisan of the Cor mitee of Ways and Means whether it was r posel to place the whole amount in the bill in o the hands of the agents immediat ly.

Mr. J. W. JONES said he had supposed that the explanations he had already made would have satisfied all gentlemen. He was not very conver

sint as to the usage of the Department in that respect, nor did he know to what amount the agents were entitled for disbursing these funds. He had information to enable him to state positively at what time this money was transmitted to the agents; but he presumed when appropriations were made by Congress, it was sent to thein in time to the Government. meet the obligations of It might be sx months or less. The amount of balances on hand, according to the gentleman's own showing, was not sufficient by several hun. dred thousand dollars, even if the appropriations under the different heads should be aggregated, to pay the amount becoming due on the 4th of March. These balances are from appropriations under the several pension laws, to be specifically applied to the different classes, and he did not sce, by existng laws, how the appropriations under one head could be applied to other objects. The estimates had been furnished and laid before the House, showing what was necessary to be done to meet the obligations of the Government. Mr. J. then went on to examine those estimates, and show that the balances on hand were not sufficient for that Jurpose.

Mr. BANKS rose to trouble the committe with a very few remarks. He understood that when a bill was referred to the Committee of the Whole House, the object was to render open for such amendments as might be necessary. He did not suppose, however, that any amendments would be offered, but that the committee would at once rise, and report the bill to the House. But before this was done, he wished to reply to an allusion that had been made by the gentleman from Louisiana, [Mr. GARLAND,] to a distinguished citizen of his Stale, who is the president of one of i's banks. The gentleman said that Dr. Brockenbrough was the agent for paying pensions in Virginia, and derived certain advantages from the agency. Now the fact was, Dr. B. as an individual, had no more to do with it than the gentleman himself. The money was deposited in the bank of which he is president, and as president of the bank only has he any agency. When the agent for the purpose examined the claim of aRevolui nary pensioner, the agen', if the claim was passed, gave a check to the claimant or his constituted attorney for the amount due him, which check being presented, was paid at the counter of the bank, of which Dr. Brockenbrough was the president "

The debate was further. continued by Messrs. MARVIN, HOLLEMAN, REED, and PETRIKIN, when

Mr. GARLAND of Louisiana submitted the following amendment:

"Be it further enacted, That no money appropri aled by this act shall be placed in the hands of pension agents more than one month before the day for the semi-annual payment of pensions."

After a further debate, in which Messrs. CRAIG, BEATTY, and SERGEANT, took part,

Mr. UNDERWOOD, after some remarks, submitted the following amendment to the amendment of Mr. GARLAND: to strike out and insert:

Each pension agent shall be allowed as compensation for his services per cent. on the amount

of money disbursed by him: Provided, That ro pension agent shall receive as compensation more than 1,500 dollars per annum.

Be it further enacted, That it shall be unlawful for any pension agent to use or apply to his own purposes, or to lend to any person or persons, or to suffer any person or persons to use, any part of the public moneys placed in his hands or subject to his control; and, if any pension agent shall violate the foregoing provisions of this section, he shall, upon conviction thereof before any court of competent jurisdiction, undergo and suffer imprisonment for a period of time not less than one nor more than five years, at the discretion of the jury convicting the offender.

After a further debate, in which Messrs. LEET, THOMPSON of South Carolina, JONES of Virgin'a, BEATTY, RAMSEY, SERGEANT, BELL, CURTIS, and WHITE, took part,

The committee, without having taken any question, rose and reported progress; when, The House adjourned.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
SATURDAY, January 8, 1840.

Several petitions, heretofore laid over under the rule, because of debate arising thereon, were disposed of.

The CHAIR announced that the first thing in order was the memorial presented by the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. DAVIS] of the National Road Convention, held at Terre Haute, Indiana, in July, 1839, the question being on his motion to refer the same to the Commitee on Ways and Means; and the amendment thereto by Mr. CASEY, with the following instructions:

"And that said committee be instructed to report a bill, making an appropriation of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for each of the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, to be expended on the national road in said States, in the year 1840, under the direction of the War Department; said ap propriation to be subject to all the restrictions and conditions of former appropriations on said road."

Mr. LINCOLN suggested that this being one of the days allotted for the reception of petitions, this particular petition cou'd not come up. The rule provided that when petitions were laid over on account of debate arising on them, they must be taken up on some day that petitions were not in order.

The SPEAKER replied that the practice of the House had not been to apply this rule during the thirty days allowed for petitions in the beginning of the session; but only applied to such petitions as were laid over on account of debate, after the thirty days had expired.

Mr. RARIDEN said it was not his object to occupy the time of the House in any explanation in regard to the merits of these instructions, so often a matter of discussion. His object was to save the time of the House. In looking over the estimates before the Ways and Meins Commitice, he found that the Cumberland Road had been entirely omitted. It has not been recognised by the Secretary of the Treasury as one of the objects which should claim the attention of Congress. These instructions, he thought, placed this matter in a very unfavorable position, though he was in favor of any thing which would reach the subject. It was important to the people of the West to know the cause why it was omitted from the estimates. Whether it was a temporary abandonment, or was only because of the embar rassments of the Treasury at this time. It would be remembered by the House that no appropriation was made last year to carry on this road, and the consequence is, that the materials already purchased are being wasted and going to decay; and even parts of the road, which were partially completed, are in a condition to incur a total waste of the moneys expended, if something be not done to arrest the decay. It was important to know whether it was to progress; and it was for that reason that the friends of the measure took this course to bring the matter before the Committee of Ways and Means, inasmuch as there was no recommendatery expressions to Congress by the Executive, to show the importance of taking some action on the subject. He did not consider it proper, then, to go into the merits of the question, or discuss the subject, unless something more tangible should be presented.

Mr. PICKENS said, if he understood the resolutions now brought up, they proposed instructions to the Committee of Ways and Means with regard to the Cumberland road. The object of the gentleman from Illinois, [Mr. CASEY,] in moving these instructions, was, in a manner, to obtain the expression of an opinion on the part of this House in favor of an appropriation for that road. Now he would submit to the House if it was fit and proper, at this early period of the session, to bring up a discussion on this subject. A vote in favor of these resolutions would be equivalent to a passage of the Cumberland road bill; and was the House prepared to march up to this question at this early period of the session? The gentleman from Indana, [Mr. RARIDEN,] was too skilful a parliamentarian not to know the effect of the passage of this resolution at this period of the session. He would submit to the House whether it would not be proper

to wait for the coming up of this Cumberland road bill in the regular way, instead of bringing it up in this manner for discussion in advance; and he would also submit whether it was not fit and proper to let the Committee of Ways and Means pursue the regular routine of the high and responsible duties committed to them, without being embarrass. ed by instructions like these. That committee was the peculiar guardian of the public treasure: it was not constituted for this or that particular measure, but for the general interests of the whole country. If this resolution should be adopted, gentlemen would get up resolutions to bring forward another favorite measure, and thus the committee, as well as the House, would be embarrassed by the consideration of measures in advance. He protested against embarrassing the committee with these collateral questions. Let us wait until we know what are the resources of the country, before we commit ourselves to an appropriation for this or that particular measure. Was this Cumberland road of more importance than the civil and diplomatic appropriations, or the appropriations for the army and navy? Why, then, should this matter be discussed in advance? It was unwise, impolitic, and unjust, thus to override the important business of the country. He looked upon the resolution as inexpedient and unnecessary, and plunging the House into embarrassment and difficulty, and as nothing less than prematurely voting on the passage of the Cumberland road bill. Mr. P. concluded by moving to lay the resolution on the table.

Mr. CASEY moved a call of the House. He wished to have a decisive expression of the opinions of the House on a question of this importance.

The motion having been agreed to,

The roll was called, when it appeared that 170 members answered to their names; and after calling the absentees, and excusing these who were absent in consequence of sickness,

Mr. BANKS moved that all further proceedings under the call be dispensed with; which motion was agreed to.

Mr. WICK rose for the purpose of asking Mr. PICKENS to withdraw his motion to lay the resolu tion on the table, to enable him to make an explanation personally interesting himself. He appealed to the gentleman, he said, to withdraw his motion even on the hard terms of his (Mr. W's) pledging himself to renew it on concluding what he wished to say.

Mr. PICKENS then withdrew his motion, saying that he only did so because the gentleman from Indiana wished to make a personal explanation, and on the condition that he would renew it.

Mr. BIDDLE rose to a point of order, whether the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. PICKENS] could withdraw his motion, on condition that the gentleman from Indiana would receive it. He wished to put the question distinctly to the House, whether it would tolerate such compacts.

The SPEAKER was of opinion that the gentleman from South Carolina could wi hdraw his motion, but the CHAIR could have nothing to do with the gentleman's motives for so doing.

Mr. BIDDLE. Can he withdraw it on a pledge? The SPEAKER replied that he could not undertake to say whether there was a pledge or not. That was a matter with which the CHAIR had nothing to do. He could only consider the fact whether the motion was withdrawn or not.

Mr. BIDDLE appealed from the decision of the CHAIR.

Mr. PICKENS then said that the gentleman from Indiana would see the difficulty occasioned by his request for him to withdraw his motion; and he hoped the gentleman would, therefore, excuse him for retracing his promise, and saying, as he now reluctantly did, that he could not withdraw his motion.

The CHAIR was about putting the question on Mr. BIDDLE'S appeal, when that gentleman, having understood from Mr. WICK that the explanation he wished to make was a personal matter, withdrew the appeal.

Mr. WICK then said, that the reasons why he had asked for and obtained the withdrawal of the