which, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the said States, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as a part of the said constitu

tion:

For the purpose of choosing Representatives, in the Congress of the United States, each State shall be divided by its legislature into a number of districts equal to the number of Representatives, to which the State may be entitled.

Each district shall contain as nearly as may be equal numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons.

In each district the qualified voters shall elect one Representative.

For the purpose of choosing electors, of President, and Vice-President of the United States, each State shall be divided by its legislature, into a number of districts equal to the number of elec tors, to which the State may be entitled. Each district shall contain, as nearly as may be, equal numbers; which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to serve for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons. In each district the persons qualified to vote for Representatives in the Congress of the United States, shall choose one elector; the legislature of each State, shall have power to regulate the manner of holding elections, and making returns of the electors chosen. In case all the electors shall not meet, at the time and place appointed for giving their votes, a majority of the electors met shall have power and forthwith shall proceed to supply the vacancy.

A division of the States into districts, for choosing Representatives in the Congress of the United States, and into districts for choosing electors of President, and Vice-President, of the United States, shall take place as soon as conveniently may be, after each enumeration and apportionment of Representatives shall be made, which districts shall remain unaltered, until after the succeeding enumeration and apportionment of Representatives. On motion of Mr. Goldsborough,

Resolved, That the committee on Naval Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of passing a supplement to the law passed at the last session of Congress, entitled "An act authorizing the payment of a suin of money to Joseph Stewart and others," for the purpose of authorizing the payment of the sum of money mentioned in the first section of the said act to the said Joseph Stewart, his attorney or assignee, for the benefit of himself and his associates; and also for the purpose of correcting a misnomer in the third section of the said act.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from Wm. Mayraut, informing that he had transmitted to the governor of South-Carolina a resignation of his scat as one of the members of this House for that State. Which was ordered to lie on the table.

On motion of Mr. Scott,

Resolved, That the committee on Public Lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of making further provision, by law, for the final adjustment of land claims in the Missouri Territory, and of transferring the final settlement of those claims to the register and receiver of said territory, together with some third person, to act as a board of commissioners for the same.

On motion of Mr. Hugh Nelson,

Resolved, That the Military committee be instructed to inquire into the expediency of making provision for the widows and orphans of those of the militia, who, after returning home to their places of residence, may have died of diseases contracted whilst in the service of the United States. Mr. Taul, from the committee for Enrolled Bills, reported that the committee had examined an enrolled resolution, "authorizing the admission of the State of Indiana into the Union," and had found the same to be truly enrolled: When

The Speaker signed the said resolution.

Ordered, That the Clerk acquaint the Senate therewith.

Mr. Hopkinson moved "that the House excuse John Sargeant, one of the Representatives for the State of Pennsylvania, for non-attendance on his duties in this House during the present session." And the question being taken to agree to this motion,

It was determined in the negative.

Mr. Forsyth moved the House to take into consideration the second resolution submitted by him on the 4th instant.

And on the question, "Will the House now consider the said resolution ?"

It was determined in the negative.

The House resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill for the relief of Nathaniel Williams; and after some time spent thereon. Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Breckenridge reported the same without amendment.

Ordered, That the said bill be engrossed and read a third time to-morrow.

And then the House adjourned until 12 o'clock

to-morrow.

THURSDAY, Dccember 12, 1816.

Three other members, to wit: from New-York, Westel Willoughby, jun. from Virginia, John Randolph, and from South-Carolina, Thomas Moore, appeared and took their seats.

Mr. Ruggles presented a petition of Adam Kinsley, and Thomas French, late contractors for supplying arms, for the army of the United States, stating the insufficiency of the price at which they contracted to deliver the said arms, and praying for an additional allowance.

Mr. Wright, presented a petition of Greenbury Griffin, praying compensation for his vessel called "the Jefferson," which was captured by the British forces during the late war, and while she was in the public employ.

Mr. Peter, presented a petition of Daniel Renner, and Nathaniel H. Heath, praying to be paid for a quantity of private property destroyed, by the British forces, during their invasion of the City of Washington, in the month of August 1814, and which they were prevented from securing, because of the impressment of their means of transportation into the service, of the United States.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Committee of Claims.

On motion of Mr. Wendover,

Ordered, That the petition of Caze & Richaud. presented on the 16th January, 1816, be referred to the same committee.

On motion of Mr. Hopkinson,

Ordered, That the petition of Daniel Pettibone, presented on the 12th January, 1816, be also referred to the same committee.

On motion of Mr. Lew;

Ordered, That the petition of Ann Welsh, pre

sented on the 6th January, 1807, be referred to the Committee on Pensions and Revolutionary Claims.

Mr. Langdon, presented a petition of Harvey Gibbs, praying for a pension.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the committee on Pensions and Revolutionary Claims.

Mr. Hopkinson, presented a petition of John Cook, and William Renshaw, assignees of Kennedy, Lampas, & Co., distillers, of Philadelphia, praying for a remission of the duties imposed on the distillery of the said Kennedy, Lampas, & Co. for that part of the year in which the same was not employed.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the committee of Ways and Means.

On motion of Mr. Grosvenor,

Ordered, That the petition of Henry Malcolm, presented on the 17th January, 1816, be referred to the same committee.

On motion of Mr. Wright,

Ordered, That the petition of the President and Directors of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Company, presented on the 12th December, 1813, be referred to the committee on Roads and Canals.

Mr. Herbert, presented a petition of Robert Sewall, praying compensation for this house and furniture, destroyed by the British forces in the month of August, 1814, at their entrance into the City of Washington, in consequence of the occupancy of the said house, by a small detachment of American forces for purposes of defence.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Secretary of War.

On motion of Mr. Lewis,