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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.

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Academy, (see military academy)

Accounts, committee of, appointed, (see committee)

provision for the prompt settlement of public 315
(see bills from the senate)

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247

8, 131

Accountability for public moneys, letter from the heads
of departments upon the subject of
Adjournment, daily hour of, fixed
African slave trade, further restrictions recommended
by the president to be imposed
on the

committee on. (see committee)

Agriculture, bill to establish a national board of

15

440

Alabama territory, the eastern part of the Mississippi
territory to be a separate territory, by the name of the 442
(see bills from the senate)

133

12

Alexandria, bill to erect a court house and jail in
Algiers, uncertain state of our relations with
Alien duties paid on British vessels, information of 335,355

Allison, Rev. Burgess, appointed a chaplain
Andre, Major, motion to have a painting 'executed il-
lustrating the capture of

(see bills)

31

488, 489

520

Appeal from the speaker's decision on a question of
order,

Appropriations, estimates of

bills making, (see the various bills)

PAGE.

145

Arms, a statement to be laid before the house, of the
contracts heretofore made for the supply of
report concerning a contract with Elias Earle for
the supply of

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454

496

108, 109, 194

Armoury near Newport, in Kentucky, notion to esta
blish an
Armouries, the secretary of war directed to report upon
the propriety of establishing national
Army, inquiry into the expediency of altering the pre-
sent system of supplying provisions for the
180, 404, 426, 430

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-
ing further provision for the

454

43

196

373

526, 532

Artillery, motion to place on a more equal footing, as
to promotion, the officers of
Assessors, emoluments of

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Attorney general, the president recommends an increase

of salary, and that further provision

be made for the accommodation of
the

bill concerning the

87

382

16

210, 226

247

letter from the heads of departments
respecting the office of

Attorneys, regulation of the fees of the district 412, 424

(see bills)

315

Auditors, provision for the appointment of five
(see bill from the senate, settlement of public accounts)

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Bank of the United States, (see national bank)
Bank notes not current, inquiry as to what amount re-
mains in the public treasury

Banks within the Dist. of Col. inquiry into the proprie-

ty of prohibiting the es
tablishment of addition-
al, &c.

sundry bills incorporating

258

35

several 92, 93, 97, 119, 330
bill from the senate to in-

corporate certain

(sce bills from the senate)

502

Bankruptcy, uniform system of, to be established, 66, 459
Barbary powers, motion to require the Secretary of
State to report the expense of intercourse with the
Barrack masters, further provision for

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-
thorizing vessels to clear out at New-Orleans depart-
ing from the town of

460

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