H. OF R.] Ohio Canals-National Paintings-Retrenchment-Close of the Session. Mr. A. being then out of his seat, did not respond to the Chair; and the vote was about to be taken ; when Mr. ARMSTRONG rose, and commenced some prefatory remarks of the same general tenure as before. He was again called to order by Mr. CAMBRELENG. Many members now rose at once to address the Chair, but Mr. VINTON succeeded in obtaining the floor, contended that the former motion of Mr. ARMSTRONG, not having been withdrawn, but only superseded for a time by the vote to adjourn, was still, in course before the House and did not need to be formally renewed. The CHAIRMAN now explained; recapitulated the several stages of the debate, and decided that it would be in order for Mr. ARMSTRONG to renew his motion. He having renewed it, accordingly, Mr. WILDE demanded the yeas and nays, which, being taken, stood: Yeas 51; Nays 101. So the House refused to lay the resolution upon the table. The main question was then, at length, taken, by yeas and nays Yeas 111; Nays 28. So the resolution of thanks to the SPEAKER was adopted. Mr. HAMILTON preceiving, as he said, that magnanimity and forbearance, at certain particuiar crises of political affairs, were regarded as bad commodities to bring to market, asked of the Chair whether it would be in or der at this time to move for a reconsideration of the vote of thanks given to the Speaker at the close of the last Congress? The CHAIR replied in the negative. The House then, having returned to a state of comparative calmness, proceeded with the bills from the Senate. The Speaker returned and took his seat. OHIO CANALS. The House proceeded to the consideration of the amendments of the Senate to the bill to aid the State of Ohio in extending the Miami Canal from Dayton to Lake Erie. The amendments were read, and consist of two parts. The first is to grant to the State of Ohio 500,000 acres of land to aid in making the Sciota, or Grand Canal, in that State, in addition to the land granted by the bill itself, and is the same in substance as the bill rejected by the House some days ago. The second part of the amendments to the bill provides for the confirmation of land claims in Arkansas. Mr. WILLIAMS and Mr. McCOY opposed the amendments; and they were warmly advocated by Mr. KRE. MER, and at considerable length, by Mr. FINDLAY, who gave a full statement of the origin, state, and value, of the present canals in Ohio, and explained the necessity for the aid of Government in completing them. Mr. WRIGHT, of Ohio, called for the reading of the 8th and 9th sections of the bill, being part of the amend ment of the Senate, (which being read) he said, it was not his object to consume the time of the House in debate at this late hour, however much he might be disposed to object to the provisions of that part of the amendment just read, if they stood alone yet, as the objections rested on matters of expediency only, not affecting principle, as they were connected with a sub. ject of deep interest to the State he, in part, represent. ed, his object was merely to express a hope that the entire amendment of the Senate would be agreed to, rather than to jeopard the bill, by returning it again to the Senate The Joint Committee for enrolled bills having reported the examination of all bills which had passed the two Houses, and the presentation thereof to the President of the United States, (then attending in a neighboring apartment.) [MAY 26, 1828. The House adjourned at half past 12 o'clock, to meet again at 6 o' clock on Monday morning. MONDAY, MAY 26, 1828. NATIONAL PAINTINGS. Mr. EVERETT submitted the following resolution. Resolved, That the Commissioner of the Public Build. ings be, and he is hereby authorised to cause the proper measures to be taken to secure the paintings in the Ro tundo from the effects of dampness, under the direction of John Trumbull, and to allow the said John Trumbull a reasonable compensation for the same. Mr. HAYNES moved to amend the resolution, by striking out that part of it which directed this work to be performed under the superintendence of Mr. Trumbull. After some conversation between Messrs. EVERETT, of employing an experienced artist in this operation, the HAYNES, WEEMS, and S. WOOD, on the propriety amendment was rejected. Ayes 52, Noes 58. The resolution was then adopted. RETRENCHMENT. On motion of Mr. HAMILTON, the House proceeded to the consideration of the resolution reported by Mr. WICKLIFFE, on the 22d instant, from the Committee on Retrenchment, directing an examination of the printing accounts of Gales & Seaton, with a view to the correction of errors in the same. A motion was made by Mr. HAMILTON to amend the first resolution, by inserting, at the end of the same, these words: "And that he [the Clerk] report the same to this House at the next session of Congress." And further, by striking out the second resolution altogether. Mr. BARTLETT inquired the reason for requiring an account of only a particular part of the printing exe cuted by Gales & Seaton? Why was not the account to embrace the whole? Mr. HAMILTON replied that the part designated was all of which the Committee on Retrenchment had to complain. Mr. BARTLETT, after a few prefatory remarks, moved to strike out so much of the resolution as goes to classify the printing and to require the account only of a particular branch of it, so as to make the resolution embrace the whole. Mr. HAMILTON said, that, rather than have any dif ficulty, he would, if desired, submit a motion to lay the resolution upon the table, so that it might be taken up. at the next session. Mr. STORRS thereupon moved to lay the resolution upon the table, which was agreed to. Mr. JOHN S. BARBOUR asked permission to address the House on the subject of a resolution offered by him some months ago in relation to removing from the Executive the appointment of the Disbursing Officers of the Treasury, but the House refused its permission, by assenting to a motion of Mr. WRIGHT, of Ohio, that the motion of Mr. BARBOUR be laid upon the table. CLOSE OF THE SESSION. A message was received from the Senate informing the House that the Senate had passed a resolution for the appointment of a Joint Committee, to wait on the President of the United States, and notify him that Congress were about to adjourn, unless he had further communi. cations to make. On motion of Mr. WRIGHT, of Ohio, The House concurred in the resolution of the Senate, and Mr. WRIGHT, of Ohio, and Mr. DICKINSON, were appointed of the Committee on the part of the House, MAY 24, 1828.] Close of the Session. [H. OF R. Mr. WRIGHT, of Ohio, from the Joint Committee | own honor. Your kind and flattering vote of approba appointed for the purpose, reported that the Committee waited on the President of the United States, and informed him that the two Houses were about to close the present Session, by adjournment, unless he had further communications to make to Congress; and that the committee received for answer, that he had no further communications to make. The SPEAKER then rose, and addressed the House, nearly in the following words: tion assures me, that my efforts have not been wholly unavailing ; and candor requires me to say, that, amidst all the difficulties and embarrassments of the Chair, it has experienced, in an unexampled manner, your kindness, confidence, and support. If, gentlemen, in the course of this long and laborious session, the peace and harmony of our deliberations have been threatened, and our councils divided, under the influence of momentary excitements of passion or party, I trust they have now, "GENTLEMEN : I avail myself of the moment of sepa- happily, passed away, and that we shall separate in the ration, to express my deep sense of gratitude and obli- spirit of peace and good will. Here, or elsewhere, it is gation to those who have kindly borne such distinguish to be hoped, that all have but one object at heart-the ed testimony to my official conduct as the presiding offi- good of our common country. Let me admonish you, cer of this House; and I should be unworthy of it, if I gentlemen, that that country now stands as a mighty did not frankly acknowledge that I feel both gratified land and sea mark in the map of the world. It is a beaand flattered at the manner and circumstances under con on the margin of the main, which serves `as an examwhich it has been done. Next to the consciousness of ple to other nations, whilst it denotes the proud prean upright discharge of my official duties, and the con-eminence of our own. Its future destinies, and the blesfidence of my country, is the esteem and approbation of sings we enjoy, must vitally depend on the character and this House; and I hope I may be permitted to say, with- deliberations of this House. The surest means of preout vanity, that I have endeavored to merit it, by un- serving these blessings and our union unimpaired, is in a wearied zeal and assiduity, and a devotion of my time sacred and inviolate regard to the charter of our liberties, and talents to its service. This station, high and exalt- and a system of legislation founded on the principles of ed as it is, has, at no time, been without its embarrass- an honest policy, and dictated by the spirit of an enlightments, and trials. Throughout this long and protracted ened and diffusive patriotism. Let us do nothing, then, session, it has been one continued scene of severe re- which shall shake these solid foundations of our union sponsibility and unexampled labor. Aware of the dif- and liberty, or impair the confidence of the People in ficulty, perhaps of the temerity, of attempting to please our free institutions, but let our proceedings be marked every one, I determined to pursue, fearlessly, what I by mutual forbearance, moderation, and wisdom. You believed to be the path of duty, regardless of conse- will carry with you, in your retirement, gentlemen, my best wishes for your health and happiness; and I ardently pray to Almighty God, that, when we again assemble, we may find our country flourishing, united, and happy. quences. "I came to this chair to gratify no private friendships, to indulge no personal or political antipathies, and I feel proudly conscious, that its arduous duties have been discharged with a single eye to the interests of the nation, the character and dignity of the House, and my "In performing the last act of duty, by declaring this House adjourned to the first Monday in December, I bid you all an affectionate farewell," VOL. IV.-174 APPENDIX TO THE REGISTER OF DEBATES IN CONGRESS. TWENTIETH CONGRESS-FIRST SESSION, List of Members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States. MAINE-John Chandler, Albion K. Parris. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MAINE-John Anderson, Samuel Butman, Rufus M'Intire, Jeremiah O'Brien, James W. Ripley, Peleg Sprague, Joseph F. Wingate-7. NEW HAMPSHIRE-Ichabod Bartlett, David Barker, jr. Titus Brown, Joseph Healy, Jonathan Harvey, Thomas Whip. ple, jr.-6. MASSACHUSETTS-Samuel C. Allen, John Bailey, Isaac C. Bates, B. W. Crowninshield, John Davis, Henry W. Dwight, Edward Everett, Benjamin Gorham, James L. Hodges, John Locke, John Reed, Joseph Richardson, John Varnum, -13. RHODE ISLAND-Tristam Burges, Dutee J. Pearce-2. CONNECTICUT—John Baldwin, Noyes Barber, Ralph J. Ingersoll, Orange Merwin, Elisha Phelps, David Plant-6. VERMONT-Daniel A. A. Buck, Jona han Hunt, Rollin C. Mallary, Benjamin Swift, George E. Wales-5. NEW YORK-Daniel D. Barnard, George O. Belden, Rudolph Banner, C. C. Cambreleng, Samuel Chase, John C. Clark, John D. Dickinson, Jonas Earll, jr. Daniel G. Garnsey, Nathaniel Garrow, John 1 De Graff, John Hallock, jr. Selah R. Hobbie, Michael Hoffman, Jeromus Johnson, Richard Keese, Henry Markell, H. C. Martindale, Dudley Marvin, John Magee, John Maynard, Thomas J. Oakley, S. Van Rensselaer, Henry R. Storrs, James Strong, John G. Stower, Phineas L. Tracy, John W. Taylor, G. C. Verplanck, Aaron Ward, John J. Wood, Silas Wood, David Woodcock, Silas Wright, jr.-34 NEW JERSEY-Lewis Condiet, George Holcombe, Isaac Pierson, Samuel Swan, Helge Thompson, Ebenezer Tucker. -6. PENNSYLVANIA-William Addams, Samuel Anderson, Stephen Barlow, James Buchanan, Richard Coulter, Chauncey Forward, Joseph Fry, jr. Innes Green, Samuel D. Inghan George Kremer, Adam King, Joseph Lawrence, Daniel Ha Miller, Charles Miner, John Mitchell, Samuel M'Kean, Robert Orr, jr. William Ramsay, John Sergeant, James S. Stevenson, John B. Sterigere, Andrew Stewart, Joel B. Sutherland, Espy Van Horn, James Wilson, George Wolf-26. DELAWARE-Kensey Johns, jr.-1. MARYLAND-John Barney, Clement Dorsey, Levin Gale, John Leeds Kerr, Peter Little, Michael C. Sprigg, G. C. Washington, John C. Weems, Ephraim K. Wilson-9. VIRGINIA-Mark Alexander, Robert Allen, Wm. S. Archer, Wm. Armstrong, jr. John S. Barbour, Philip P. Barbour, Burwell Bassett, N.H. Claiborne, Thomas Davenport, John Floyd, Isaac Leffler, Lewis Maxwell, Charles F. Mercer, William M'Coy, Thomas Newton, John Randolph, William C. Rives, John Roane, Alexander Smyth, A. Stevenson, John Taliaferro, James Trezvant-22. NORTH CAROLINA-Willis Alston, Dan'l L. Barringer, John H. Bryan, Samuel P Carson, Henry W. Conner, John Culpeper, Thomas H. Hall, Gabriel Holmes, John Long, Lemuel Sawyer, A. H. Shepperd, Daniel Turner, Lewis Williams-18. SOUTH CAROLINA—John Carter, Warren R. Davis, William Drayton, James Hamilton, jr. George M'Duffie, Wiliam D. Martin, Thomas R. Mitchell, Wm. T. Nuckolls, Starling Tucker-9. GEORGIA-John Floyd, Tomlinson Fort, Charles E. Haynes, George R. Gilmer, Wilson Lumpkin, Wiley Thomp son, Richard H. Wilde-7. KENTUCKY-Rich'd A. Buckner, James Clark, Henry Daniel, Joseph Lecompte, Robert P. Letcher, Chittenden Lyon, Thomas Metcalfe, Robert M'Hatton, Thomas P. Moore, Cha's A. Wickliffe, Joel Yancey, Thomas Chilton-19. TENNESSEE-John Bell, John Blair, David Crockett, Robert Desha, Jacob C. Isacks, Pryor Lea, John H. Marable, James C. Mitchell, James K. Polk-9. OHIO-Mordecai Bartley, Philemon Beecher, William Creighton, jr. John Davenport, James Findlay, Wm. M'Lean, William Russell, John Sloane, William Stanbrey, Joseph Vance, Samuel F. Vinton, Elisha Whittlesey, John Woods, John C. Wright-14. LOUISIANA-William L. Brent, Henry H. Gurley, Edward Livingston-3. INDIANA-Thomas H. Blake, Jonathan Jennings, Oliver H. Smith-3 MISSISSIPPI-William Haile-1. ALABAMA-Gabriel Moore, John M'Kee, George W. Owen-3. MISSOURI-Edward Bates-1. DELEGATES. ARKANSAS TERRITORY-A. H. Sevier. MICHIGAN TERRITORY—Austin E. Wing, FLORIDA TERRITORY-Joseph M. White. 20th CONGRESS, 1st SESSION. Message of the President, at the opening of the Session. MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT, TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS, [Sen. and H. of R. been duly received, and the commission instituted con. formably to the act of Congress of the second of March last, for the distribution of the indemnity to the persons At the commencement of the First Session of the entitled to receive it, are now in session, and approaching Twentieth Congress. DECEMBER 4, 1827. Fellow Citizens of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: the consummation of their labors. This final disposal of one of the most painful topics of collision between the United States and Great Britain, not only affords an occasion of gratulation to ourselves, but has had the happiest effect in promoting a friendly disposition, and in softening asperities upon other objects of discussion. Nor ought A REVOLUTION of the seasons has nearly been com-it to pass without the tribute of a frank and cordial acpleted since the representatives of the People and States knowledgment of the magnanimity with which an honof this Union were last assembled at this place, to delib.orable nation, by the reparation of their own wrongs, erate and to act upon the common important interests of achieves a triumph more glorious than any field of blood their constituents. In that interval, the never-slumbering can ever bestow. eye of a wise and beneficent Providence has continued its The Conventions of 3d July, 1815, and of 20th of Octoguardian care over the welfare of our beloved country. ber, 1818, will expire by their own limitation on the 20th The blessing of health has continued generally to prevail of October, 1828. These have regulated the direct com throughout the land. The blessing of peace with our mercial intercourse between the United States and Great brethren of the human race, has been enjoyed without Britain, upon terms of the most perfect reciprocity; and interruption; internal quiet has left our fellow citizens in they effected a temporary compromise of the respective the full enjoyment of all their rights, and in the free ex-rights and claims to territory west ward of the Rocky Moun ercise of all their faculties to pursue the impulse of their tains. These arrangements have been continued for an nature, and the obligation of their duty, in the improve- indefinite period of time, after the expiration of the ment of their own condition. The productions of the above mentioned Conventions, leaving each party the soil, the exchanges of commerce, the vivifying labors of liberty of terminating them, by giving twelve months nohuman industry have combined to mingle in our cup a tice to the other. The radical principle of all commer portion of enjoyment as large and liberal as the indul- cial intercourse between independent nations, is the mu gence of heaven has perhaps ever granted to the imper- tual interest of both parties. It is the vital spirit of trade fect state of man upon earth; and as the purest of human itself; nor can it be reconciled to the nature of man, op felicity consists in its participation with others, it is no to the primary laws of human society, that any traffic small addition to the sum of our national happiness, at should long be willingly pursued, of which all the advan this time, that peace and prosperity prevail to a degree tages are on one side, and all the burdens on the other. seldom experienced over the whole habitable globe; pre-Treaties of Commerce have been found, by experience, senting, though as yet with painful exceptions, a foretaste to be among the most effective instruments for promoting of that blessed period of promise, when the lion shall peace and harmony between nations whose interests, exlie down with the lamb, and wars shall be no more. To clusively considered on either side, are brought into fre preserve, to improve, and to perpetuate the sources, and quent collisions by competition. In framing such treaties, to direct, in their most effective channels, the streams it is the duty of each party, not simply to urge with unwhich contribute to the public weal, is the purpose for yielding pertinacity that which suits its own interest, but which government was instituted. Objects of deep im-to concede liberally to that which is adapted to the inteportance to the welfare of the Union are constantly re-rest of the other. To accomplish this, little more is curring, to demand the attention of the Federal Legislature; and they call with accumulated interest, at the first meeting of the two Houses, after their periodical renovation. To present to their consideration, from time to time, subjects in which the interests of the nation are most deeply involved, and for the regulation of which the legislative will is alone competent, is a duty prescribed by the Constitution, to the performance of which the first meeting of the new Congress is a period eminently appropriate, and which it is now my purpose to discharge. Our relations of friendship with the other nations of the earth, political and commercial, have been preserved unimpaired, and the opportunities to improve them have been cultivated with anxious and unremitting attention. A negotiation upon subjects of high and delicate interest with the government of Great Britain, has terminated in the adjustment of some of the questions at issue upon satisfactory terms, and the postponement of others for future discussion and agreement. The purposes of the Convention concluded at St. Petersburg, on the 12th day of July, 1822, under the mediation of the late Emperor Alexander, have been carried into effect, by a subsequent Convention concluded at London on the 13th of November, 1826, the ratifications of which were ex-ing them. changed at that place on the 6th day of February last In the execution of the Treatics of Peace, of Novem A copy of the proclamation issued on the nineteenth day ber, 1782, and September, 1783, between the United of March last, publishing this Convention, is herewith States and Great Britain, and which terminated the War communicated to Congress. The sum of twelve hun- of our Independence, a line of boundary was drawn as dred and four thousand nine hundred and sixty dollars, the demarcation of territory between the two countries, therein stipulated to be paid to the claimants of indem extending over near twenty degrees of latitude, and rang nity under the first article of the Treaty of Ghent, hasing over seas, lakes, and mountains, then very imperfect generally required than a simple observance of the rule of reciprocity; and were it possible for the statesmen of one nation, by stratagem and management, to obtain from the weakness or ignorance of another, an overreaching treaty, such a compact would prove an incentive to war rather than a bond of peace. Our conventions with Great Britain are founded upon the principles of reci procity. The commercial intercourse between the two countries is greater in magnitude and amount than be tween any two other nations on the globe. It is, for all purposes of benefit or advantage to both, as precious, and in all probability far more extensive than if the par ties were still constituent parts of one and the same na. tion. Treaties between such States, regulating the intercourse of peace between them, and adjusting interests of such transcendant importance to both, which have been found, in a long experience of years, mutually advantageous, should not be lightly cancelled or discon tinued. Two conventions for continuing in force those above mentioned have been concluded between the Plenipotentiaries of the two Governments, on the sixth of August last, and will be forthwith laid before the Senate for the exercise of their constitutional authority concern |