tional copies be printed, making five thousand in all, which would enable each Senator to circulate seventy copies of this important and interesting do

cament.

The motion was unanimously agreed to. Mr. WRIGHT, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill for the relief of William H. Robertson, Samuel H. GarTOW, and J. W. Simonton; which was read twice, and, with additional papers, referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Also, a bill for the relief of William A. Whitehead, late a collector of customs at the port of Key West; which was read twice, and, with additional papers, referred to the Committee on Finance.

Also, a bill more effectually to secure the public money in the hands of officers and agents of the Government, and to punish public defaulters; which was read twice, and referred to the Commit. tee on Financ, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. WALKER, agreeably to notice given, asked and obtained leave to bring in the following bills:

1. A bill to provide for a standing and permanent pre emption system, with sales, also, to actual settlers at reduced prices.

2. A bill to relinquish to the State of Mississippi the two per cent. fund arising under her compact for admission into the Union.

3. A bill to cede to the State of Mississippi a quantity of public land equal to that heretofore granted to the State of Ohio for the purposes of internal improvement.

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

5. A bill in relation to certain railways and rivers in the State of Mississippi.

Which were severally read twice, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. WALL, agreeably to notice given, asked and obtained leave to bring in the following bills: 1. A bill to amend an act entitled "An act more effectually to provide for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States, and for other purposes

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

Which were severally read twice, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. CLAY of Alabama, agreeably to previous not ce, asked and obtained leave to bring in the following bills:

1. A bill providing for the reduction and gradua tion of the price of the public lands.

2. A til to relinquish to the State of Alabama the two per cent. fund reserved by the act for her admission into the Union, to be applied to the making of a road, or roads, leading to said State.

3. A bill to establish an additional land district in the State of Alabama.

4. A bill supplemental to the act, entitled "An act to grant pre-emption rights to setlers on the public lands," approved June 22, 1838.

Which were severally read twice, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Mr. PRENTISS, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill to provide for the establishment of a Board of Commissioners to bear and determine claims against the United States; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Claims.

Also, a bill granting a pension to Lemuel White; and

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

Which were severally read twice, and referred to the Committee on Fensions.

Mr. PRESTON, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill for the relief of General Croghan and General Wool; which was read twice, and referred to the Commitlee on Military Affairs.

Mr. PIERCE moved the reference of the petition of David Green, on the files of the Senate, with

the accompanying papers, to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. P. also gave notice that he would, on to-morrow, ask leave to introduce the following bills:

A bi'l for the relief of Joseph Basset. A bill for the relief of Samuel Collins. A bill for the relief of John S. Billings. A bill for the relief of Hannah Leighton. Mr. P. also offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be ins ructed to report, as soon as may be convenient, ab for 'he equalization of the pay of the officers of the line and the staff of the army.

Mr. DAVIS, in pursuance of previous notice, asked and obtained notice to bring in a bill to remt such duties, and to cancel such bonds, as have been required of persons engaged in the whale fishery, to restrain all future exactions of duties of such vessels and their cargoes; which was read tw ce and referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. HUBBARD, in pursuance of previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce the following bills:

A bill for the relief of Walter Loomis and Abel Gay; which was read twice, and referred to the Commitiee on Claims.

A bill for the relief of Samuel White; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. H. also presented the memorial of Isaac Bronson; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

Mr. CRITTENDEN, in pursuance of notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill to authorize the purchase of the private stock in the Louisville and Portland Canal by the United States; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

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

A bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Col. Francis Vigo; which was read twice, and, with accompanying documents, was referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

A bill to authorize the New Albany and Mount Carmel Railroad Company to enter, on a credit, a quantity of land, to aid the company in the construction of a railroad from New Albany to Mount Carmel, Illinois; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals

Mr. SMITH also offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Committee on Roads and Canals be instructed to inquire into the expediency of making an appropriation to continue the construction of the Cumberland road in the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, the ensuing year; and that said committee a'so inquire in the expediency of appropriating a sum of money sufficient to comple e said road to Jefferson city, Missouri, to be paid over to the several States, within whose limits the road is to be constructed, in annual instalments, as the same may be required to sure an economical, energeuc, and speedy completion of the work: Provided, The States will agree to accept the appropriation, and apply it to the object intendel, and discharge the Genera! Government from any further appropriations; And provided, also, That the States have authority to lay and collect toll on said road, sufficient to keep it in repair after i's construction; and shall allow the arms and munitions of war of the General Government to pass on the same toll free,

en

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

A bill for the relief of Benjamin Murphy; and A bill for the relief of Richard T. Banks; Which were severally read twice, and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. On motion, the Senate then adjourned until Friday next.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
TUESDAY, December 24, 1839.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

A message was received from the President of

the United States, by the hands of ABRAHAM VAN BUREN, his private secretary. [See Appendix.] ceedings.]

After the reading of the message,

Mr. PETRIKIN moved that the message be laid on the table and 10,000 copies printed.

Mr. VANDERPOEL hoped the gentleman would not make the motion to print until a Printer was elected.

Mr. PETRIKIN then withdrew his motion. Mr. WILLIAMS of North Carolina renewed the motion to lay on the table and print.

Mr. VANDERPOEL objected to this motion be. ing made until a Printer was elected.

Mr. WISE desired to have the message printed, and cared not by whom it was done.

Mr. VANDERPOEL had no doubt, if a motion was entertained to print the message, a discussion would spring up on it which would interfere with the election of Printer.

Mr. WISE then moved to lay the message on the table and print 5,000 copies, with accompanying documents, and 15,000 copies without docu

ments.

Mr. VANDERPOEL called for a division of the question, so as to take the question on the motion to lay on the table first.

Mr. BRIGGS moved to amend, "and that the message, without the documeats, be printed within four days from this time."

Mr. WISE acc pted this as a modification.

Mr. SMITH of Maine moved to amend by adding, "and that the Message be printed under the direction of the Clerk "

Mr. STANLY moved to strike out 20,000 and insert 6,000. A great deal had been said by gentlemen about economy in the expenditures, and the President had specially recommended it in his mes. sage. Then let the gentlemen tegin a system of (conomy at the threshold.

The motion to lay the message on the table was then agreed to.

Mr. TURNEY then moved to lay the mo'ion to print on the table, with a view of proceeding to execute the order of the House; which mot on was agreed to.

The SPEAKER then laid before the House the Report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the finances, which was laid on the table. He also s'aled that he had upon his table various other reports and communications from the Departments.

Mr. PETRIKIN proposed a resolution for the appointment of the sanding commi tees; but the SPEAKER deci led that it was not then in order.

The CHAIR then announce the order of business to be the election of a Printer.

Mr. GIDDINGS then moved to suspend the order of business for the purpose of offering the following resolu ion:

Resolved, That it is expressly understood that the e'ection of Printer shall give to the persons elected no right to do the public printing for a longer time than the Honse shall hereafter deem compatible with the public interest.

The CHAIR said the moin to postpone would be in order, but the resolution of the gentleman would not be in order, because it was contrary to the act of 1819, which specified the duties of the Printer and the time he was to serve.

Mr. FILLMORE inquired if the election of Printer was to take place by ballot, under the law of 1819, or viva voce, under the rule adopted by the House.

Mr. DROMGOOLE said it wou'd be time enough to decide that question when it arose.

Mr. FILLMORE said they were now about to execute the order, and it was time it was known how it was to be executed.

The CHAIR said he had had some difficulty on this subjec', but his cpnion was that the mode prescribed by the law of 1819-namely, the election by ballot-was the mode to be pursued by the House.

Mr. MCKAY said he would stat, for the information of the CHAIR and the House, what had taken place in the Senate on this subject. The resolution of 1819 not only said that the Printer should be elected by ballot, but it went on to declare that the person having the greatest number of

vetes should be declared duly elected. This elected a Printer by a plurality of votes; yet, in 1827, a resolution was introduced in the Senate by one of the most distinguished lawyers in the country, [Mr. CLAYTON of Delaware,] and passed, declaring that no person should be elected, except by a majority of the votes of the members present. This, then, was an alteration of the resolution of 1819 by one body. Again: the resolution of 1819 provided that the election of Printer should take place near the close of a Congress, thus giving one Congress the power of electing officers for the next.

In his opinion, this resolution of 1819 was, in some respects, unconstitutional; for if the Printer was an officer of the Government, as some gentlemen contended, the Executive must have the appointment of that officer under the Constitution But if the Printer was an officer of the two Houses, then each House had it in the r power to e'ect or appoint them in such manner as they thought proper.

Mr. FILLMORE replied to the remarks of Mr. MCKAY, and went into an examination of the various modes adopted for appointing public Printer, and went into an argument at some length to show that the Printer of Congress was not an officer of that body.

Mr. DAWSON next followed, and urged a postponement of the e'ection of Printer for the present, for the purpose of a certaining what plan could be adopted of reducing the expenditure for that Pranch of the public service. He spoke of the high prices paid for the public printing, and sa d that the sums paid the les year were so enormous, that Mr. Alien, the Printer of the House, sold the work to Gales and Seaton, the former Printers of the House, and made a fortune by it. Mr. D. referred to the information he had received from a memt er from Massachusetts relative to the printing done for the Lesislature of that State, which he sad was d ne fo.ty-five per cent. chraper, an i much letter work. He urged upon the House the propriety of abolishing the old plan of executing the public print ng, and of substituting a more economical one.

Mr. VANDERPOEL, to whom Mr. DAWSON alluded in his sp.ech, explainel the language he used yesterday. Mr. V. yesterday asked why, and he now included the gent eman from Georgia to-why did they sit wih ams folded for two years, after the last Printer was elected, and not propose some measure to reduce the price of the public printing.

Mr. DAWSON, on concluding his remarks, presented the following res lution, which was read:

Resolved, That the order of this House, in relation to the election of a Printer, be postponed until the 1st day of February next.

Resolved, further, That the Clerk of this House be authorized to employ some suitable person or persons to execute the necessary printing of this House, in the manner prescribed by the joint reso. lution of 1819, until further ordered by this House.

Resolved, further, That a select committee be appointed to inquire whether the public printing of this House cannot be better and cheaper done by contract than by the existing mole.

The SPEAKER said his opinion was that the mot on was not now in order, but if the gen leman would modify his motion, so as to make the p stpozem nt to a day certain, it would be in order.

Mr. DAWSON m dified his resolution, so as t make the postponement until the first of February.

Mr. VANDERPOEL said the point he made yesterday, and from which the gentleman from Georgia could not escape, was, that this fit of patriotism, which had all at once seized upon certain members of this House, came rather la'e; and now, by way of eluding the force of that post on, the gentleman from Georgia said that the Administration party, almost to a man, voted against Mr. PICKENS's proposition. But gentlemen knew that this and various other propositions, were ma 'e for the purpose of staving off the election of Irner, when it was approaching, and that the Admin st ation party voted as they did now, against what they conceived to be mere obstacles thrown in the way, at the same s age of its proceedings. But by the aid of the Conservatives, the Opposition succeeded

in electing their Printer, after which they were silent for two years, and made no propositions for a reduction of this branch of the public expendi

ture. He would ask gentlemen if their short lived notions of economy were not at a time when they supposed the Administration had a majority, which was the fact, as elected by the people; and when, by the aid of a little squad of Conservatives, they had elected an Opposition Printer, if their propositions for economy did not ceas? They sup posed the game was in their own hands, and acted accordingly. Why did they sit silent for two years, and not move in this matter? The Opposi ion had their printers (Gales and Seaton) in the name of Allen. The game was in their own hands, and therefore, they made no propositions for two years for economy in the public printing

Mr. MASON of Ohio addressed the House, urging the necessity of carrying out the system of economical expenditure recommended in the message of the President just received, and he called upon the friends of the Administration to join with the Opposition in commencing this economy with the public pri ing. Mr. M. charged the party of the Administration with making hypocritical professions of attachment to retrenchment and reform, which they never reduced to pract ce,and congratulated the party with which he acted upon the prospect of soon having an Executive in power who would be sncere in his professions. He saw, in the recommendations of economy found in the President's message, evidence that his power was about to be taken from him, and it was therefore that he recurred to the principles which brought him into office. Mr. M. after speaking of the expenses incurred by the House for printing during Mr. Adams's administration, which, he said, were less than the expenses during Mr. Van Buren's, went on to refer to the necessary expenditures of the Government since the Democratic party came into power. He went into an argument to show that the most economical plan of executing the public printing would be to let it out on contract to the lowest bidder.

Mr. DAVIS contended that there was nothing in the resolution of 1819 which made it incumbent on the House to proceed to the election of a public Prin er at this time. He thought the resolution of 1819, referred only to the election of a public Printer "for the ensuing Congress" following the session when t' at resolution was adopted; and that the election ought now to be postponed to take into considerat on the expenditure that might be saved by graduating the prices in proportion to the cheapness of materials, the facilities afforded by mproved machinery, and the reduced prices of labor. Replying to Mr. VANDERPOEL, he charged the Administration with extravagance and with making professions of economy which they were unwilling to practise.

Mr BOND replied at length to the remarks of Mr. VANDERFOEL, commenting on the proceedings of the House at the se-sion of 1837, when the public Printer was e ected.

Mr. BYNUM addressed the House at some length, in reply to the remarks of Messrs. DAWSON and BOND, showing that they had acted incon‹istently in regard to this question. [A report of his remarks will be published as soon as they can be prepared by the reporter.}

Mr. CAMPBELL moved that when the House adjourn, it adjourn to meet on Friday next.

Mr. TURNEY called for the yeas and nays, and this question being put, it was decided in the affirmative-yeas 83, nays 86.

Mr. CAVE JOHNSON then rose to a point of order. Le submitted to the CHAIR, whether the motion for the House to adjourn over until Friday was in order, while another subject was pending, and not decided on. It required a vote of twothirds, he said, by the rules of the House, to put this question.

The CHAIR said it was too late to raise that question now.

Mr. GIDDINGS then moved that the House do now adj urn; and the yeas and nays being called for by Mr. BYNUM and several others, the question was taken in this way, and decided in the affirmative-yeas 86, nays 79.

CORRECTION: Our reporter misunderstood the remarks of Mr. SHERROD WILLIAMS on moving an adjournment last evening. Instead of saying, "it had been generally understood, that if they had postponed the election of a Speaker until after the President's message was received, the Opposition could have e'ected the r Speaker," as reported in the Globe, Mr. WILLIAMS said it was generally understood at the commencement of the 25th Congress, that if the President's message had been sent in before the election of Speaker, the Opposition could have defeated Speaker Polk.

IN SENATE,

FRIDAY, December 27, 1839.

The Hon R. M. JOHNSON, Vice President of the United States, took the Chair as President of the Senate this morning.

A message was received from the President of th Un ted States, by M. VAN BUREN, esq. his Private Secretary.

The CHAIR laid before the Senate the follow. ing documents:

A message from the President of the United States, concerning the description of papers deemed necessary to be provided by law for the use and protection of American vessels engaged in the whale fisheries; which was referred to the Committce on Commerce, and ordered to be printed.

A message from the President of the Unitel States, in relation to the law providing for the taking of the six h censu; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and ordered to be printed.

A message from the President of the United States, in relation to the transfers of appropriations in the War Department; which was referred to the Committee on Finance, and ordered to be printed.

A message from the President of the United States, in relation to the transfers of appropriatons in the Navy Department; which was referred to the Committee on Finance, and ordered to be printed.

A report from the S cretary of the Treasury, in compliance with a reso ution of the Senate in relation to the execution of the 13 h and 14th sections of the act to regulate the deposites of the public money, approved June 23, 1836; which was referred to the Committee on Finance, and ordered to be printed.

A report from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting the rep rt of F. R. Hassler, as superintendent of the survey of the coast and of the construction of standards of weights and measures; which was referred to the Cemmittee on Commerce, and 500 additional copies ordered to be printed.

A report from the Secretary of State in relation to the expenditure of the contingent fund of that Department; which was referred to the Committee cn Finance.

A report from the Secretary of the Navy, in relation to the expenditure of the contingent fund of that Department; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

A letter from the Commissioner of the Pub'ic Buildings, reporting the manner in which all appropriations for the public buildings and grounds have been applied; which was referred to the Committee on Public Buildings.

A letter from the Librarian of Congress, in obedience with the res lution of the Senate of February 15, 1839, directing him to make out and report to the Senate, at the commencement of the first session of the next Congress, a catalogue of all the laws, and of all the legislative and executive journals and documents of the several States and Territories, now in the Library; which was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.

On motion by Mr. HUBBARD, the papers on file in relation to the case of Isaac Brorson were referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

Mr. HUBBARD presented the pet t on of John Burke; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. H. al o presented the petition of David Stone; which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. TAPPAN presented the petition of Jona.

26TH CONG.........1ST SESS.

BY BLAIR & RIVES.

(Continued from No. 5.)

than H. Wallace; which was referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

On motion of Mr. CLAY of Alabama, the pettion of James McCrary of Alabama was taken from the files of the Senate, and referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

Also, on his motion, the petition and documents of William Barclay, of Marshall coun'y, Alabama, praying a grant of land, was taken from the files, and referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

Mr. CLAY of Alabama also presented the memorial of a large number of the citizens of the country lately ceded by the Cherokees in Alabama, praying the extension of the benefi s of the late preemption law to those who occupied and cultivated sixteenth sections appropriated for schools; which was referred to the Committee on the Public Lands.

Mr. C. also presented the petition of Thomas L. Bone, of Jackson county, Alabama, praying to be paid three hundred dollars for that amount in Treasury notes, which were consumed and lost by the burning of his dwelling house: referred to the Committee on Cla'ms.

# Mr. ROBINSON presented a memorial from inhabitan's of the town of Albion, Illino s, praying for an appropriation in ait of the New Albany and Mount Carmel Railroad Company; which was 1 1eferred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

Mr. R. also presented the petition of Hezekiah Cunningham, asking compensation for transportation of the mail; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

On motion of Mr. SMITH of Connecticut, the papers on file in relation to the claim of Daniel Root, the claim of John S. Billings, and the claim of Nathan Kingsley, were severally ordered to be referred to the Committee on Claims.

Mr. SMITH then asked that Jabez L. White have leave to withdraw certain papers in relation to a mail contract, in order that they might be presented in the House; which, after some remarks from Messrs. LINN, WALL, DAVIS, HUBBARD, and SMITH of Connecticut, was unanimously agreed to.

Mr. SMITH also presented the petition of Margaret Leech; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. BUCHANAN presented the petition of Daniel Palmer, praying for an increase of pension; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions. Mr. B. also presented the memorial of the members of the bar of the city of Pittsburg, asking that the compensation of the Judge of the Western District of Pennsylvania may be increased; which was referred to the Commitee on the Judiciary.

Mr. B. also presented a memorial from citizens of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, asking for the establishment of a post route; which was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. B. also presented the petition of Abraham Coote, praying an increase of pension; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. DAVIS presented the petition of Maj. Thomas Halstead, asking for an increase of pension; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. D. also presented the memorial of Paul J. Clifford, asking for a giant of land for services rendered; which was laid on the tab'e and ordered to be printed.

Mr. ROANE presented the petition of William R. Johnson, executor of George Evans;

The memorial of William Teas;
The memorial of Richard Taliaferro;

The memorial of Capt. William Megginson;

The memorial of George Gilmer;

The memorial of John Spitfathom, and

The memorial of the executors of Thomas Griffin; Which were severally referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims,

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1840.

-WEEKLY

Mr. R. also presented the petition of Archibald S. Campbell; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. R. also presented the petition of Elizabeth Monroe; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. WILLIAMS presented the petition of Andrew Forrest; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

On motion by Mr. WILLIAMS, the petition and papers of Henry Fry were taken from the files and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

On motion by Mr. WALL, the papers on file in relation to the claim of Moses Elmer, were referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

On motion by Mr. RUGGLES, the papers on file in relation to the case of John H. Hall, were referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Mr. MERRICK presented the memorial of officers of the line of the army, a king for an equalization of pay with the staff; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Also, the memorial of Dr. Samuel Correy; which, after some explanatory remarks from Mr. M. was referred to a select committee of three, and the memorial was ordered to be printed.

Mr. MERRICK then moved that when the Senate adjourn, it adjourn to meet on Monday next; which was agreed to.

On motion by Mr. CALHOUN, the papers on file in relation to the claim of Edward Wade, were referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims.

Mr. HUBBARD gave notice that to-morrow he would ask leave to introduce the following bills: A bill for the relief of Philip Wiedman. A bill for the relief of John J. Bulow, jr. A bill for the relief of Malachi Hagan. A bill for the relief of Joseph Hernandez.

Mr. HUBBARD, from the Committee on Claims, to which had been referred the bill to provide for the establishment of a Board of Commissioners to hear and determine claims against the United States, reported the same without amendment, and recommended its passage.

Mr. H. also, from the same committee, to which had been referred the bill for the relief of Walter Loomis and Abel Gay, reported in favor of its passage, and moved that the report be printed; which was agreed to.

Mr. NORVELL, in pursuance of notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce

A joint resolution, authorizing certain surveys to be made; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Also, a bill making grants of land to certain States for the purposes of internal improvements; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

Also, a bill for the relief of certain companies of Michigan militia; which was read twice and referred to the Committe on Military Affairs.

Also, a bill making appropriations to complete certain roads commenced by the United States in the State of Michigan; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

Mr. BUCHANAN gave notice that, on to-morrow, he would ask leave to in reduce a bill for the relief of Samuel R. Slaymaker.

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

A bil for the relief of John McCarty: read twice, and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

A bill for the relief of William Jones: read twice, and referred to the Committee on Public Lands.

A bill for the relief of Captain Snodgrass's company of mounted volunteers: read twice, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

A bill for the relief of Richard Robertson: read twice, and referred to the Committee on Claims,

VOLUME 8.........No. 6.

PRICE $1 PER SESSION.

On motion of Mr. C. the papers connected with the above bills were respectively referred to the same committees.

Mr. PRENTISS, agreeably to notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill authorizing the payment of invalid pensions in certain cases; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Also, a bill granting a pension to David Waller: referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. KNIGHT, agreeably to notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill for the relief of Samuel Warner: read twice, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

Mr. WALL, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to which had been referred

A bill to amend an act entitled "An act more effectually to provide for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States, and for other pur

poses; and

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

Reported the same without amendment, and recommended their passage.

Mr. LINN, in pursuance of previous netice, asked and obtained leave to introduce the following bills:

A bill for the relief of John E. Metcalfe and others.

A bill to confirm the title to a certain tract of land in the county of Mobile.

A bill to confirm certain land claims in the Greensburg land district, State of Louisiana.

A bill authorizing a patent to be issued to Joseph Campan, for a certain tract of land in the State of Michigan.

A bill for the relief of the heirs of Madam de Lusser.

A bill for the relief of Pierre Balin.

A bill for the relief of the heirs and legal representatives of William Conway.

A bill for the relief of Daniel Marsaque.
A bill for the relief of Alvarez Fisk.

A bill for the relief of Juan Belgar.

A bill for the relief of Francis Laventure, Ebenezer Childs, and Linas Thompson.

A bill for the relief of Joseph Bogy.

A bill for the relief of Joseph Cochran.

A bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Phil. Barbour, deceased.

A bill for the relief of Charles Morgan of Louisiana.

A bill for the relief of Charles Morgan.

A bill for the relief of Jean Baptiste Granger. A bill for the reliet of Sebastian Butcher and heirs and legal representatives of Bartholomew Butcher, Michael Butcher, and Peter Bloom. A bill for the relief of Obed P. Lacey.

A bill to continue in force the act for the final adjustment of private land claims in Missouri.

A bill to transfer to the citizens of the parish of Concordia, in the State of Louisiana, the interest of the United States to a certain tract of land.

A bill to authorize the issuing of a patent to the heirs or legal representatives of Francis Rivard, deceased.

A bill confirming certain land claims in Missouri.

A bill to confirm certain land claims in the Ouachita land district, in the Sta'e of Louisiana. A bill to confirm land claims in the district between the Rio Hondo and Sabine rivers.

A bill to settle the title to certain tracts of land in the State of Arkansas.

A bill to amend an act confirming certain land cla ms in the State of Michigan.

A bill supplementary to an act entitled "An act to amend an act for the appointment of commissioners to adjust the claims to reservations of land under the 14th article of the treaty of 1830, with the Choctaw Indians."

Which were severally read twice, and referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.

On motion by Mr. LINN, all the papers on file in relation to the above bills, were referred to the same committee.

Mr. L. also, on leave, introduced a bill for creating a new land district in the State of Missouri, and for changing the boundaries of the southwestern and western land district in said State; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on the Public Lands.

Mr. L. on leave, and in pursuance of previous notice, introduced a bill to authorize payment to be made to certain Missouri volunteers, for services in the years 1829 and 1830; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

Also, a bill for the relief of Pierre Menard and others; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Mr. FULTON, in pursuance of notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce the following bills: A bill for the relief of sundry citizens of Arkansas, who lost their improvements in consequence of a treaty between the United States and Choctaw Indians.

A bill to settle the title to ce. tain tracts of land in the St.te of Arkansas.

A bill to authorize the inhabitants of township eight north, range thirty-two west, in the State of Arkansas, to enter a section of land in lieu of the sixteenth section in said township, upon condition that the same is surrendered to the United States for military purposes.

A bill to revive an act authorizing certain soldiers in the late war to surrender the bounty lands drawn by them, and to locate other in lieu thereof, and for other purposes;

Which were severally read twice, and referred to the Committee on the Public Lands.

Also, a bill making appropriations to complete certain military roads in the State of Arkansas; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Roads and Canals.

Mr. ROBINSON, in pursuance of notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill for the relief of A. G. S. White; which was read twice and 1eferred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. TAPPAN gave notice that he would tomorrow ask leave to introduce a joint resolution to amend the Constitution of the United States so as to limit the term of service of judges in the Federal courts.

Mr. SEVIER gave notice that he would tomorrow ask leave to introduce a bill making an appropriation for the removal of the raft in Red

river.

ported salt, granting a bounty on pickled fish exported, and allowances to ceriain vessels employed in the fisheries," approved July 29, 1813, and to repeal all acts in continuation or amendment of the same; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. ROANE, agreeably to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to bring in a bill giving the assent of Congress to an act of the General As. sembly of the State of Virginia incorporating the Falmouth and Alexandria Railroad Company; which was read twice, and referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

Mr. BENTON offered the following resolution, which lays over:

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to communicate to the Senate all the information which it is in the power of the Department to obtain as to the value of the different State bonds in the London market. Also, the value of the different railroad and canal stocks of the respective States in the home market.

Mr. B. also offered the following resolution, which lays over:

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to obtain from the constituted authorities in Florida, a statement of all the Territorial bonds issued, and authorized to be issued, in that Territory, with copies from the journals of the Council, showing any thing that was done in authorizing the issue of such bonds, with the names of the members of the Council at that time, their votes in each case, the names of the Governors who may have approved laws for the issuing of Territorial bonds, or who may have signed or endorsed the said bonds; also, the purposes for which said bonds were issued, and when issued in favor of corporations, the names of the corporations, and the corporators and their officers, and the use made of aid bonds, and the present value of said bonds in the American and European markets, with the condition of the corporations which have had the use of said bonds, and how far they are fulfilling the purposes for which they were created. Also, a statement of all the acts of incorporation which have been passed by the said Legislative Council of Florida, since the 3d of March, 1823, and the acts in amendment thereof, and when, and how said acts were reported to the President of the United States, to be laid before Congress.

Mr. B. also offered the following resolution, which lays over:

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause the proper inquiries to be made of all disbursing officers and agents, and all contractors, (the Post Office Department inclusive,) to ascertain from them whether they have sold or exchanged Government drafts or other Government funds, or their own drafs on the Government, during the years 1838 and 1839, for paper money of the following descriptions:

1. Bank notes of the State banks of the United States, and especially notes of a less denomination than twenty dollars.

2. Bank notes of the present Bank of the United States, and especially notes of a less denomination than twenty dollars.

3. Post notes of the present Bank of the United States, and especially any of such notes of a less denomination than one hundred dollars; also, of a less denomimation than twenty dollars, and which had been made payable at more than sixty days after date, or which were not due, or which had been altered by the pen; and if so, that they report the times and places of such sales or exchanges, and with whom made, and the amounts so sold or exchanged.

Also, that the President communicate to the Senate the name of any disbursing officer, agent, or contractor, who shall fail to answer the foregoing inquiries in a reasonable time. Also, that he communicate a list of such Treasury or Post Office drafts in favor of disbursing officers, agents, and contractors, for the years 1838 and 1839, as shall appear to have been sold, with the names of the endorsers, and to whom paid; that the Secretary of the Treasury cause inquiries to be made of the deposite banks, since the general resumption of

specie paymen's in 1838, whether the Government drafts which have been sold by disbursing officers, agents, and contractors, have been usually paid in specie; and if so, all the particulars as to the several sums and total amounts paid, and to whom paid, and where, as nearly as can be stated.

Mr. BENTON also offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That there is nothing in the Constitution of the United States which can authorize the Legislative power of the Union to assume the debts of the States which have been contracted for local objects and State purposes.

2. That the assumption of such debts, either openly, by a direct promise to pay them, or disguisedly, by going security for their payment, or 37 creating surplus revenue, or applying the nationa funds to pay them, would be a gross and flagrant violation of the Constitution, wholly unwarranted by the letter or spirit of that instrument, and utterly regugnant to all the objects and purposes for which the Federal Union was formed.

3. That besides its flagrant unconstitutionality, such assumption would be unjust, unwise, impopolitic and dangerous, compelling the non-indebted States to incur burdens for others which they have refused to incur for themselves-diverting the national funds from national objects to State objects and thereby creating a necessity for loans or taxes, or issues of Federal paper money, to supply the place of the funds so diverted-prostrating the barriers of economy, mode. ration, and safety, in the creation of S ate debts, by separating the function of contractor from that of payer of the deb'-extinguishing the sense of responsibility in the contractor, and making the Federal Government the ultimate payer of all the obligations contracted by the States for their own purposes-establishing a dangerous precedent, which must soon be followed up by new debts on the part of the States, and new assumptions on the part of the Federal Government-invading the rights and mortgaging the property of posterity, and loading unborn generations with debts not their own-creating a new national debt of large amount at the s'art, and of a nature to perpetuate its own existence-begetting a spirit in Congress, which must constantly cater for distributions, by preventing necessary appropriations, and keeping up unnecessary taxes-laying the foundation for a new and excessive tariff of duties on foreign imports, to fall unequally on different parts of the Union, and most heavily on the planting, grain growing, and provision raising States, to their manifest injury, and probable great discontent-involving disastrous consequences, either to the Union itself, or to its members, as tending to the consolidation of the States, and their ultimate abject dependence on the Federal head as the fountain of their suppl es or tending to the annihilation of the Federal head itself, by stripping it of all its means of natural; defence and self support, and reducing it to the helple s imbecility of the old Confederation-giving a new impulse to the de'usive career of the paper system, already in a state of dangerous overaction-insuring the establishment of another National Bank-and, finally, begetting a passion for periodical distributions of lands and money, and extensions of Federal credit, which could find no limit to its demands until the national domain was exhausted, the Federal Treasury emptied, and the credit of the Union reduced to contempt.

4 That the deb's of the States, being now chiefly held by foreigners, and constituting a stock in fo reign markets, now greatly depreciated, any legis lative attempt to obtain the assumption or securityship of the United States for their payment, or to provide for their payment out of the national funds, must have the effect of enhancing the value of that stock to the amount of a great many millions of dollars, to the enormous and undue advantage of foreign capitalists, and of jobbers and gamblers in stocks; thereby holding out inducements to foreigners to interfere in our affairs, and to bring all the influences of a moneyed power to operate upon public opinion, upon our elections, and upon State and Federal legislation, to produce a consummation so tempting to their cupidity, and so profitable to their interest.

5. That foreign interference and foreign infuence, in afl ages, has been the bane and curse of free Governments, and that such interference and influence is far more dangerous in the insidious intervention of the moneyed power, than in the forcible invasions of fleets and armies.

6. That to close the door at once against all applications for such assumption, and to arrest at their source the vast tide of evils which would flow from it, it is necessary that the const tuted authorities, without delay, shall RESOLVE and DECLARE their utter opposition to the proposal contained in the late London Bankers' Circular in relation to State debts, contract d for local and State purposes, and recommending to the Congress of the United States to assume, or guaranty, or provide for, the ultimate payment of said debts.

The resolution, on motion of Mr. B. was laid on

the table, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. TAPPAN offered the following resolution, which lays over:

Resolved, That a committee of three members be =appointed, who, together with a like number to be appointed by the House of Representatives, shall direct the expenditures of all moneys appropriated to purchase books for the Library of Congress.

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

Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce be instructed to inquire into the expediency of esta=blishing ports of entry on the western border of the State of Arkansas, to be located on Red river and Arkansas river; and also of entitling all foreign merchandise exported over land from those perts into Mexico, to drawback.

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

Resolved, That the Committee on Pensions be in structed to inquire into the expediency of amending the acts of Congress granting pensions for disabilities incurred during the last war, so as to have the pensions of such invalids commence at the time this disability was received.

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

Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce be instructed to inquire into the expediency of of establishing a port of entry and delivery at the city of Cairo, in the State of Illinois.

The following resolution, submitted some time since, by Mr. TAPPAN, was considered and agreed to:

Resolved, Tha' the Secretary of War be directed to report to the Senate:

1. What would be the effect upon the military service of the country, of a regulation by which all officers of the army, on arriving at sixty years of age, should be permitted to retire from service upon half pay.

2. What would be the probable annual charge upon the Treasury of such a regulation.

The following resolution, submitted some time since by Mr. DAVIS, was considered and agreed to: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be instructed to inform the Senate

1. Whether duties have been exacted of any vessels of the United States employed in the whale fishery, for tonnage, or the produce of such fisheries, and if so, under what authority.

2. What papers were furnished to such vessels before they cleared, and were they such as have at all times been granted to vessels thus employed.

3. What amount of duties and charges have been paid, what amount bonded, and are the bonds now in force, and unpaid.

4. Are duties now exacted of all such vessels as they arrive, and what amount of fees, if any, have accrued to officers of the customs from this source, and at what places.

On motion by Mr. BUCHANAN, so much of the Fresident's message as relates to our foreign relations was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

On motion by Mr. WRIGHT, so much of the President's message as relates to the fiscal affairs of the country was referred to the Committee on Finance.

On motion by Mr. BENTON, so much of the the President's message as relates to military af

fairs was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.

On motion by Mr. WALL, so much of the President's message as relates to the judiciary was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

On motion by Mr. CLAY of Alabama, so much of the President's message as relates to the militia and the report of the Secretary of Wat was referred to the Committee on the Militia.

On motion by Mr. NORVELL, so much of the President's message as relates to commerce was referred to the Committee on Commerce.

On motion by Mr. ROBINSON, so much of the President's message as relates to the post offices and post roads was referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

On metion by Mr. WILLIAMS, so much of the President's message as relates to naval affairs was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

On motion by Mr. FULTON, so much of the Fresident's message as relates to the public lands was referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. On motion,

The Senate adjourned till Monday next.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
FRIDAY, December 27, 1839.

The SPEAKER laid bef re the House a letter from Hon. CHARLES FENTON MERCER, stating that he had resigned his seat in the House; which was laid on the table.

The SPEAKER then laid before the House the following message from the President of the United State; which was laid on the table:

To the House of Representatives of the United States:

I herewith communicate to Congress copies of a letter from the Governor of Iowa to the Secretary of State, and of the documents transmitted with it, on the subj ct of a dispue respecting the boundary line of Missouri. The disagreement as to the extent of their respective jurisdictions has produced a state of such great excitement, that I think it necessary to invite your early attention to the report of the commissioner appointed to run the line in question under the act of the 18th June, which was sent to both Houses of Congress by the Secretary of State on the 30th of January last.

M. VAN BUREN.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 1839.

The resolution from the Senate providing for the election of two Chaplains of different denominations for the two Houses, was taken up and concurred in.

Mr. HOFFMAN then submitted a resolution to continue the rules and orders of the House in force until the 10th of January; which was considered and adopted.

Mr. WISE submitted a resolution that the standing committees of the House be now appointed by the SPEAKER. Mr. W. explained that he used the word now, in the resolution, but it was understood that the committe's would not be announced until Monday. He wished further to say, through the SPEAKER, to his constituents, and he spoke to them especially, that he did not desire, during this session of Congress, to be placed on any of the standing commitees of the House; and he requested that the SPEAKER might not place him on any of those committees. He hoped the SPEAKER and the House would indulge him in this request for private reasons, which it was not necessary for him to divulge to the Hous. Mr. W's resolution was then considered and adopted.

M. BRIGGS then moved that when the House adjourn, it adjoura to meet again on Monday; which motion was considered and adopted.

ELECTION OF PRINTER.

The CHAIR announced the next business in order to be to dispose of the resolution with regard to the election of Printer.

The question pending was on three resolutions submitted by Mr. DAWSON: the first to postpone the election of Printer to the 1st of February; the second to authorize the Clerk to employ a printer in the mean time; and the third to appoint a committee to inquire whether the printing could not be done in a better and cheaper manner than at present,

Mr. GIDDINGS was entitled to the floor upon this question.

Mr. THOMAS said as there appeared to be a number of members absent at the present time, there had been some interchange of opinions on this subject, and there appeared to be a general disposition to adjourn this subject over until the second of January, when there would probably be a full attendance of members.

Mr. DAWSON gave notice to the House that he would, when the subject comes up for consideration, offer a resolution as a substitute for the last resolution, which, in substance, proposes to separate the public printing from political journals.

After some little conversation between Messrs. DAWSON, STANLY, BRIGGS, THOMAS, and GIDDINGS,

Mr. DAWSON modified his first two resolutions, as follows; and, thus modified, they were adopted by the Hous:

Resolved, That the order of the House in relation to the election of a Printer, be postponed until the 10th day of January next.

Resolvd, further, That the Clerk of this House be authorized, in the mean time, to supply some suitable person or persons to execute the necessary printing of this House, in the manner prescribed by the joint resolut on cf 1819, until said 10th day of January next.

The third resolution, which was in the following werds, was then postponed until the 10th of January:

Resolved, further, That a select committee be appointed, to inquire whether the public printing of th's House cannot be better and cheaper done by contract than by the existing mode.

Mr. CRABB then, at the request of the gentleman from Georgia, [Mr. COOPER,] moved to reconsider the vo e by which the resolution of the Senate relative to the appointment of Chaplains, was concurred in.

Mr. COOPER of Georgia said he should not have troubled the House on this subject if it had not been for the hasty manner in which this question had been gotten up and disposed of. He had long determined that, on a proper occasion, he would present his views to the House on this subject which had just carried, and hence it was that he had asked a friend to move a reconsideration, and he would now briefly state a few points of objection, to which he would ask the serious consideration of the House. He believed the prospective interests of the country demanded that this subject should be thrown beyond the reach of this House. He believed the House had proceeded in this matter without just and proper authority. He believed that all the objects held in contemplation by the resolution for the appointment of a chaplain, from time to time, had ia led in practice. He be1eved the effect of the r employment to be evil; he believed that this was not the season to enter up n such a duty, and that this was not the place for it. What was the proposit on which had been adopted? It was for the appointment of a chap'ain for this House. Who is he? Is he an officer of this House? By what authority do you appoint him? If there was an authority, he wished to be pointed to it. By looking to the history of our legislation, he found that in 1789, and again in 1816, a resolution had been passed fixing the compensation of officers Here is the only authority. Now he cont nded that the objects of this appointment had entirely failed. What is the objec? To spread abroad through the members of this House a wholesome moral influence. He appealed to gentlemen whether it did have this effect The object was doubtless to spread this beneficial influence over this great country. But, according to his observation, the reflection of the religious and moral part of the community where he resided were against the wholesome, moral effect of this arpointment. Then, as he had said before, the object of h's appointment failed. What are the effec's of i? They seemed to be evil. The moral and political effec's of this appointment, he contended, must be continually evil. The resolution, to be sure, proposed to elect two chaplains of dif ferent denominat ons, but notwithstanding this, he objected to it, because this matter of religious de