William Garrard," was read the second time by unanimous consent; and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. POPE, TAIT, and CONDIT, were appointed the committee. THURSDAY, May 28. The PRESIDENT Communicated the report of the Secretary of the Navy, made in obedience to the provision of the fourth section of the act, entitled "An act establishing Navy hospitals," passed the 26th of February, 1811; and the re port was read. The bill to revive and continue in force, for a limited time, an act, entitled "An act further to provide for the refugees from the British provinces of Canada and Nova Scotia, and for other purposes," passed the 24th of February, 1810, was read the second time, and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. GERMAN, GOODRICH, and GREGG, were appointed the committee. The bill, entitled "An act to extend the time for exporting, with privilege of drawback, goods, wares, and merchandise, entitled thereto by law, was read the second time, and considered as in Committee of the Whole; and no amendments having been offered, it was ordered to the third reading. On motion, by Mr. TAYLOR, the further consideration of the bill, entitled "An act conferring certain powers on the Levy Court for the county of Washington, in the District of Columbia," was postponed until Monday next. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act for the more perfect organization of the infantry of the Army of the United States;" a bill, entitled "An act authorizing the President of the United States to lease, for a term of years, one of the public reservations of ground in the City of Washington;" also, a bill, entitled "An act to amend the laws within the District of Columbia;" in which bills they request the concurrence of the Senate. The three bills last mentioned were read, and passed to the second reading. The bill, entitled "An act for the more perfect organization of the infantry of the Army of the United States," was, by unanimous consent, read the second time, and referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. SMITH, of Maryland, ANDERSON, and VARNUM, were appointed the committee. Mr. SMITH, of New York, from the committee to whom the memorials of Peter Landais were referred, made a report; which was read. MONDAY, June 1. The PRESIDENT communicated a report of the Secretary for the Department of War, on the number of men required by each State under the act, entitled "An act to authorize a detachment from the militia of the United States;" made in obedience to á resolution of the Senate of the 27th JUNE, 1812. of May last; and the report was read, and referred to a select committee, to consist of five members, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise; and Messrs. SMITH, of Maryland, VARNUM, CONDIT, GILMAN, and GREGG, were appointed the committee. The Senate resumed the consideration of the amendment of the House of Representatives to the bill, entitled "An act supplementary to the act, entitled An act to establish an Executive Department, to be denominated the Department of War," and on motion, by Mr. GREGG, the further consideration of the bill and amendment was postponed until Monday next. The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee on the memorial of Peter Landais. Whereupon, it was ordered that the claim of Peter Landais ought not to be granted. The bill, entitled "An act authorizing the President of the United States to lease, for a term of years, one of the public reservations of ground in the City of Washington," was read the second time. The bill, entitled "An act to amend the laws within the District of Columbia," was read the second time. The bill, entitled "An act to extend the time for exporting, with privilege of drawback, goods, wares, and merchandise, entitled thereto by law," was read a third time, and passed. The bill authorizing an increase of the capital stock of the Bank of Washington, was resumed; and, on motion, by Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, the further consideration thereof was postponed until Thursday next. informed the Senate that the House disagree to A message from the House of Representatives the amendments of the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act concerning the Levy Court of the county of Washington, in the District of Columbia;" they also disagree to the amendments to the bill, entitled "An act to ascertain and establish the western boundary of the tract reserved for satisfying the military bounties allowed to the officers and soldiers of the Virginia line on continental establishment." They have passed a bill, entitled "An act supplemental to an act, entitled An act for dividing the Indiana Territory into two separate governments," in which bill they request the concurrence of the Senate. The bill last mentioned was read, and passed to the second reading. Mr. Pope, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of William Garrard," reported it without amendment; and it was ordered to a third reading. The Senate proceeded to consider their amendments to the bill, entitled "An act concerning the Levy Court of the county of Washington, in the District of Columbia," disagreed to by the House of Representatives; and the further consideration thereof was postponed until Wednesday next. The Senate proceeded to consider their amendments to the bill, entitled "An act to ascertain and establish the western boundary of the tract reserved for satisfying the military bounties allowed to the officers and soldiers of the Virginia line on continental establishment," disagreed to by the House of Representatives; and on motion, by Mr. WORTHINGTON, resolved to insist on said amend ments. Mr. VARNUM, from the committee to whom was referred the bill supplementary to an act, entitled "An act more effectually to provide for the organization of the militia of the District of Columbia," reported it amended. A confidential Message was received from the President of the United States; and, on motion, the galleries were cleared and the doors of the Senate Chamber were closed. TUESDAY, June 2. The bill, entitled "An act supplemental to an act, entitled 'An act for dividing the Indiana Territory into two separate governments," was read the second time. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act conferring certain powers on the Levy Court of the county of Washington, in the District of Columbia;" and on motion, by Mr. BAYARD, it was referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon; and Messrs. BAYARD, BRENT, and DANA, were appointed the committee. On motion, by Mr. WORTHINGTON, the bill, entitled "An act to amend the laws within the District of Columbia, was referred to the committee last mentioned, to consider and report thereon. On motion, by Mr. REED, the bill, entitled "An act authorizing the President of the United States to lease, for a term of years, one of the public reservations of ground in the City of Washington," was referred to the committee to whom was referred, on the 13th April, the bill, which originated in the Senate, on the subject, to consider and report thereon. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill supplementary to an act, entitled "An act more effectually to provide for the organization of the militia of the District of Columbia," together with the amendments reported thereto by the select committee; and having agreed to the amendments, the President reported the bill to the House accordingly. WEDNESDAY, June 3. Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, from the committee to whom was referred the "Act supplementary to the act, entitled 'An act providing for a Naval Peace Establishment, and for other purposes," reported that, the session drawing to a close, it was not expedient at this time to consider the subject. Whereupon, the committee were discharged from the further consideration thereof. The Senate resumed the consideration of the amendments to the bill, entitled "An act concerning the Levy Court of the county of Washington, in the District of Columbia," disagreed to by the House of Representatives. And on motion they were referred to the committee to whom was refer SENATE. red, yesterday, the bill entitled "An act conferring certain powers on the Levy Court of the county of Washington, in the District of Columbia," to consider and report thereon. The bill, entitled "An act supplemental to an act, entitled 'An act for dividing the Indiana Territory into two separate governments," was resumed, and ordered to a third reading. The Senate resumed the bill supplementary to an act, entitled "An act more effectually to provide for the organization of the militia of the District of Columbia." On the question, Shall this bill be engrossed and read a third time as amended? it was determined in the affirmative. The bill, entitled "An act for the relief of William Garrard," was read a third time, and passed. Mr. VARNUM, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act making further provision for settling the claims to land in the Territory of Louisiana," reported it amended. Mr. GREGG, from the committee to whom was referred the memorial of James Wilkinson, reported a statement of his account with the United States. The PRESIDENT communicated the resolutions of the citizens and inhabitants of Richmond, Manchester, and their vicinities, on the subject of our relations with Great Britain and France; which were read. THURSDAY, June 4. The bill authorizing an increase of the capital stock of the Bank of Washington was resumed; and on motion, by Mr. SMITH of Maryland, the further consideration thereof was postponed to the first Monday in October next. The bill supplementary to an act, entitled "An act more effectually to provide for the organization of the militia of the District of Columbia," having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, on motion, by Mr. BRENT, that it be recommitted for further amendment, it was determined in the negative; and the bill was read a third time, and passed. The bill, entitled "An act supplemental to an act, entitled 'An act for dividing the Indiana Territory into two separate governments," was read a third time, and passed. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill, entitled "An act making further provision for settling the claims to land in the Territory of Louisiana," together with the amendments reported thereto by the select committee; and, having agreed to the amendments, the President reported the bill to the House accordingly. On the question, Shall this bill be read a third time as amended? it was determined in the affir mative. Mr. HORSEY, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act authorizing the cutting and making a canal from the river Potomac around the west end of the dam or causeway from Mason's Island, and for other purposes," reported it amended. SENATE. FRIDAY, June 5. Rhode Island Resolutions. The amendments to the bill, entitled "An act making further provision for settling the claims to land in the Territory of Louisiana," having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, the bill was read a third time as amended, and the title having been amended, the bill was passed, with amendments. The report of the committee on the memorial of James Wilkinson was resumed. Mr. SMITH, of Maryland, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act for the more perfect organization of the infantry of the Army of the United States,' 'reported it with amendments. 1 JUNE, 1812. The bill for the more perfect organization of the infantry of the Army of the United States was considered as in Committee of the Whole, and the amendments reported by the select committee were agreed to, and the bill was further amended, and the President reported it to the House accordingly; and the further consideration thereof was postponed until to-morrow. TUESDAY, June 9. The amendments to the bill, entitled "An act authorizing the cutting and making a canal from the river Potomac, around the west end of the dam or causeway from Mason's Island, and for correctly engrossed. other purposes," were reported by the committee Mr. GERMAN, from the committee to whom was referred the bill to revive and continue in force, The bill, entitled "An act for the more perfect for a limited time, an act, entitled "An act to organization of the infantry of the Army of the provide for the refugees from the British pro- United States," was resumed, and having been vinces of Canada and Nova Scotia, and for other further amended, on the question, Shall this bill purposes," passed the 24th of February, 1810, re-be read a third time as amended? it was deterported it with amendments. mined in the affirmative. Mr. BRENT presented the memorial of William Gamble, praying compensation for services rendered the United States.-Referred to the Secretary for the Department of Treasury, to consider and report thereon. The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: I transmit, for the information of Congress, copies of a correspondence of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain, with the Secretary of State. JAMES MADISON. JUNE 4, 1812. The Message and copies therein referred to were read, and referred to the committee appointed the first instant on the confidential Message of the President of the United States of that date. MONDAY, June 8. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act authorizing the cutting and making a canal from the river Potomac, around the west end of the dam or causeway from Mason's Island, and for other purposes," together with the amend ments reported thereto by the select committee; and, having agreed to the amendments, the President reported the bill to the House accordingly. On the question, Shall this bill be read the third time as amended? it was determined in the affirmative. The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: I lay, before Congress, copies of letters which have JUNE 8, 1812. Mr. REED presented sundry resolutions, signed Richard Ridgely, chairman, the result of a meeting of a number of citizens of Ann Arundel county, in the State of Maryland, recommending the adoption of such measures as may place our country in a state of maritime defence, and procure a redress of wrongs from the belligerent nations; and the resolutions were read, and ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that they insist on their disagreement to the amendments to the bill, entitled "An act to ascertain and establish the western boundary of the tract reserved for satisfying the military bounties allowed to the officers and soldiers of the Virginia line on continental establishment," insisted on by the Senate; they ask a conference on the subject, and have appointed managers on their part. They have passed a resolution requesting the State of Georgia to assent to the formation of two States of the Mississippi Territory," in which they ask the concurrence of the Senate. They have passed a bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Colonel Jonathan Williams;" a bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Lieutenant Colonel William D. Beall;" a bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Clement B. Penrose ;" a bill, entitled "An act authorizing the discharge of William Peck from his imprisonment;" a bill, entitled "An act confirming claims to lands in the Mississippi Territory, founded on warrants of survey granted by the Spanish Government;" also, a bill, entitled "An act authorizing the remission of forfeited recognisances within the District of Columbia;" in which bills they request the concurrence of the Senate. RHODE ISLAND RESOLUTIONS. Mr. HUNTER presented the resolutions of the Legislature of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, instructing their Senators and Representatives in Congress, to use their endeavors to avert the evils of war, to put our mari time frontier in a state of defence, and for the re- SENATE. be brought forward tending to involve the country in war. Resolved, That, if these desirable objects cannot be obtained, and war shall appear to be unavoidable, our Senators and Representatives be instructed to repre-sent to Congress, and to the Executive, the exposed In General Assembly, May, 1812. and defenceless situation of this State, the want of Whereas, from the aspect of our foreign relations, arms for our militia, and the importance of our harbors and more especially from the character of the measures and seaports to the United States; and to urge upon adopted, and proposed to be adopted, by Congress, Government the propriety, necessity, and practicabilduring their present session, it is seriously to be appre-ity, of their defence, and to solicit and claim from them hended that our country will soon be plunged into a adequate and timely means of defence and security ruinous war, unless a clear expression of the public against those imminent dangers and perils to which opinion shall correct the dangerous and erroneous im- we are to be unwillingly exposed. pression, which appears to have been made on the General Government, that the people are desirous of war, and do approve of the measures calculated to produce it; and, whereas, it is both the right and duty of the people, either immediately or by their Representatives, upon occasions so important, and in times so alarming as the present, to express their sentiments upon public affairs, and also the privilege of rulers to be informed of those sentiments: Resolved, That, for ourselves individually, and as Representatives of the freemen of this State, we deprecate at all times, and especially at a time when the pecuniary resources of the country have been exhausted and cut off, both by the depredations and sequestrations of foreign Powers, and by our own ruinous commercial restrictions; when, by the raising of a large military force, for the purpose of territorial conquests, great expenses will be incurred, and heavy burdens imposed, while, from the very limited appropriations made for the protection of commerce and the defence of our seaports, the former will be exposed to certain capture, and the latter to invasion and pillage, thereby leaving the burdens to be borne almost entirely by the agricultural interest. Resolved, That, from the extent of our commerce, the immediate and important interest which the whole community have in its encouragement, and the entire dependence of many of our citizens for support upon the employment it affords, the legislative restrictions upon trade operate with peculiar severity upon this State; that, from our inability to sustain the increasing burdens of war, destitute of public funds and of public lands, and depending, in time of peace, upon direct taxes for the support of our State government, the proposed land tax and internal taxes of the United States will be exceedingly oppressive upon our citizens; and that the accessible situation and defenceless state of our harbors and seaports, and their superior eligibility, as a naval resort, for the cruisers of an enemy, rendering them exposed to invasion and liable to capture, will cause war, under such circumstances, to be ruinous to many of our towns, and eminently injurious to the whole State. Resolved, That, when the unequalled privations, sufferings, and exertions, of the citizens of this State during the Revolutionary war, are considered, it cannot be doubted that, whenever the country shall necessarily be involved in war, they will again exhibit the same patience, fortitude, and patriotism. Resolved, That the Senators from this State, in Congress, be instructed, and the Representatives requested, to use their utmost endeavors to cause the legislative restrictions on our commerce to be removed; to prevent the passing of the proposed laws for imposing direct taxes; and also to oppose all measures which may Resolved, That His Excellency, the Governor, be requested to transmit copies of the preceding resolutions to the Senators and Representatives from this State in the Congress of the United States. NEW YORK MEMORIAL. Mr. SMITH, of New York, presented the following petition of sundry inhabitants, merchants, and others, of the city of New York, praying that the embargo and non-importation laws be continued as a substitute for war against Great Britain: To the honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, the memorial of the subscribers, merchants, and others, inhabitants of the city of New York, respectfully showeth: That your memorialists feel, in common with the rest of their fellow citizens, an anxious solicitude for the honor and interest of their country, and an equal determination to assert and maintain them. war. That your memorialists believe that a continuation of the restrictive measures now in operation will produce all the benefits while it prevents the calamities of That when the British Ministry become convinced that a trade with the United States cannot be renewed, but by the repeal of the Orders in Council, the distress of their merchants and manufacturers, &c. their inability to support their armies in Spain and Portugal, will probably compel them to that measure. Your memorialists beg leave to remark, that such effects are even now visible; and it may be reasonably hoped that a continuance of the embargo and non-importation laws a few months beyond the fourth day of July next, will effect a complete and bloodless triumph of our rights. Your memorialists therefore respectfully solicit of your honorable body the passage of a law continuing the embargo and giving to the President of the United States power to discontinue the whole of the restrictive system on the rescinding of the British Orders in Council.' The conduct of France in burning our ships, in sequestrating our property entering her ports, expecting protection in consequence of the promised repeal of the Berlin and Milan decrees, and the delay in completing a treaty with the American Minister, has excited great sensation, and we hope and trust will call forth from your honorable body such retaliatory measures as may be best calculated to procure justice. SENATE. John Slidell John K. Townsend Andrew Ogden & Co. Thomas Storm Amos Butler Ebenezer Burrill Isaac Heyer John T. Lawrence Lewis Hartman George Bement S. A. Rich New York Memorial. Samuel Stillwell John Hone John Kane Amasa Jackson Abraham S. Hallet JUNE, 1812. tempted to stamp upon the majority in Congress the foul and unjust censure of being enemies to commerce. That, however unfashionable and obstinate it might appear, he still believed that the embargo and non-importation laws, if faithfully executed, were capable of reaching farther than our cannon. We were at this very time tendering an urgent argument, to be felt by each city, village and hamlet in England. This touching to the quick the vital interests of that empire, would demonstrate to the people at least the folly and absurdity of the Orders in Council. The ordeal of the twenty weeks of scarcity, which the people of that unhappy country are undergoing, to relieve which, but for the madness and folly of their rulers, every yard of American canvass would be spread to the gales: The thousands of starving manufacturers thrown out of employ for want of our custom, which custom, but for the injustice of their masters, we were willing to give, now feel the efficiency of the restrictive After the memorial had been read, system. These matter-of-fact arguments want no Mr. TAYLOR said, that the respectability of the sophistry nor long speeches to give them weight. subscribers to a petition presented to this body, But Great Britain is proud, and will never yield and the importance of the matter therein con- to this sort of pressure. Hunger has no law. tained, had, on various occasions, been used as in- Where was her pride during the last year when ducements to us to give such petition a respectful she exported to her enemy on the Continent more disposition in the course of our proceedings. He than eleven millions of pounds sterling for prorecollected a case in point. It was the case of the visions; and meanly truckling to her enemy, conpetition of an eminent merchant of Massachu- sented to buy the privilege of laying out her guinsetts, presented by an honorable Senator from that eas for bread; and actually submitted on the comState, and which at the suggestion of that honor- pulsion of Napoleon to buy the wines, brandies, able gentleman was, by the Senate, ordered to be and silks of France, which she did not want! printed. He was of opinion that the petition just This restrictive system, when commenced under read ought not to be treated with less attention. the former embargo law, encountered every oppoThat he had seen the petition, and had inquired into sition among ourselves, which selfish avarice, the character of its subscribers-and had been in which passion and party rage could suggest; and formed that the fifty-eight signers to it were among so successful were its assailants that while it was the most respectable, wealthy, and intelligent mer-operating with its fullest effects, (which the prices chants of the city of New York. There are to current of that day will show,) some of its greatest be found in that list the names of two presidents champions in the National Legislature abandoned of banks; three presidents of insurance compa-it-yes, sir, in the tide of victory they threw down nies; thirteen directors of banks; besides other their arms. How were the mighty fallen, and names of pre-eminent standing in the mercantile the shield of the mighty vilely cast away! The world. They had all united in the sentiments disavowal of Erskine's arrangement was the concontained in the petition, notwithstanding that sequence of this retreat. But it may be said that there existed among them a difference in political the sentiments in their petition were extorted by opinions for he understood that of the petition- the apprehension of a greater evil-war. In all ers forty-two were federal and sixteen republican. our trials, those who had not predetermined to Mr. T. added, that he considered some of the sen- submit to Great Britain must have anticipated timents contained in the petition as of the high- this alternative. Let those who by their acrimony, est importance. He hailed it as an auspicious oc- sneers, and scoffs, have thrown away this chief decurrence, that these honorable merchants, in pray- fence of our nation, be held responsible for the ing that the evils of war might be averted from compulsion they have imposed on us to take this them and from the nation, had nevertheless held dire alternative. He said that although he was fast to the principle of resistance to the aggres- unwilling to abate a single pang which we might sions and unhallowed conduct of Great Britain legally inflict upon our enemy, and might at the towards our nation-and had exercised the can- proper time oppose anything like the swap propodor and firmness to bear testimony to the efficien- posed of one system for another, when we had the cy of the restrictive system for obtaining a re- power and the right to impose upon our enemy dress of our wrongs, and of course to the integri- both the one and the other, he nevertheless thought ty and honor of those who had imposed this sys- the petition was deserving of the attention which tem for that purpose. He hoped that the exam- he now moved it should receive. He moved that ple of these petitioners would tend to counteract the petition should be printed. those strenuous and unremitting exertions of passion, prejudice, and party feeling, which had at The motion was agreed to; and the Senate then adjourned. |