the legislative business before them, are now ready to adjourn. An adjournment being moved and seconded, Mr. Speaker arose and addressed the House as follows: Gentlemen, Before I perform the last duty of the presiding officer of the House, I will avail myself of the occasion to make my respectful acknowledgments for the flattering expression of favourable opinion which has been recently made, and which was rendered more interesting by the quarter from which it proceeded. Next to the approbation of one's own conscience, and one's country, that of the immediate representatives of the people must ever be most acceptable. But I feel, that in the instance of that just bestowed on me, I am more indebted to the kindness than to the justice of the House. For I am quite sensible, that in the course of my administration of the duties of the chair, called upon, as I frequently was, promptly to decide complicated and embar rassing questions, as they suddenly arose, I must have committed many errors. And if I have been able, in any degree, to satisfy the just expectations of the House, it is owing to that liberal support which has been, on all sides, generously accorded me. In legislation there are three periods of extraordinary dif ficulty, and requiring great fortitude. The first is that which immediately precedes a war, and in which preparation is made for the event. The second, that which accompanies the war; and the third that which immediately follows the war. During the two first, however, there were animating circumstances always existing, which invigorated the legis lative function. During the last, the stimulus is gone, and being replaced by relaxation, the legislator needs more fortitude. He has to survey the whole fabric of the State; to accommodate it to the new circumstances in which it is placed; to provide a revenue for redeeming the debt of the war; to retrench, and, by the reduction of the establishments, to dismiss from the service of the country many of those who have nobly contributed to sustain its glory. It has been your lot, gentlemen, to be cast in the last of the three periods mentioned. And I take great pleasure, regardless of the motives which may be ascribed to me, in testifying to the patience, the diligence, and the zeal which you have manifested in the public service. I am greatly deceived if, as the result of your labours, at no distant day, there will not be acknowledged to have been laid by you, the deepest foundations of the national prosperity. That you may long continue to live to witness and to participate in that prosperity; and that you may experience, on your return to your respective homes, every blessing of which our nature is susceptible, is the ardent wish of one, who, wherever he may be, will never cease to cherish of all of you, the most agreeable and affectionate recollections. It remains for me only to announce, that this House stands adjourned sine die. Academy, (see military academy) Accounts, committee of, appointed, (see committee) provision for the prompt settlement of public 315 247 8, 131 Accountability for public moneys, letter from the heads committee on. (see committee) Agriculture, bill to establish a national board of 15 440 Alabama territory, the eastern part of the Mississippi 133 12 Alexandria, bill to erect a court house and jail in Allison, Rev. Burgess, appointed a chaplain (see bills) 31 488, 489 520 Appeal from the speaker's decision on a question of Appropriations, estimates of bills making, (see the various bills) PAGE. 145 Arms, a statement to be laid before the house, of the 454 496 108, 109, 194 Armoury near Newport, in Kentucky, notion to esta motion to reduce the strength of the regulation of the pay, &c. of the medical staff of the better organization of the general staff, and inak- 454 43 196 373 526, 532 Artillery, motion to place on a more equal footing, as Attorney general, the president recommends an increase of salary, and that further provision be made for the accommodation of bill concerning the 87 382 16 210, 226 247 letter from the heads of departments Attorneys, regulation of the fees of the district 412, 424 (see bills) 315 Auditors, provision for the appointment of five Bank of the United States, (see national bank) Banks within the Dist. of Col. inquiry into the proprie- ty of prohibiting the es sundry bills incorporating 258 35 several 92, 93, 97, 119, 330 corporate certain (sce bills from the senate) 502 Bankruptcy, uniform system of, to be established, 66, 459 552 185 (see bill making further provision for military services) Barron, James, extra pay allowed to 558 Bayou St. John and the Canal de Carondelet, bill au- 460 |