i,.
.,.
t_
l
i
‘ labor of the Departiiieut.
‘continuing unproductive ro‘i'it’es-, so as to les-
‘sen the expenditures $95,000. A ‘ '
There has been paid into the Treasury by this
Dep. since its organiza_tio'n, £1,089,837 £9.
The receipts ofthe department, it is expec-
ted, will be greater the ensuing year than the
present. An arrangement has been iuade_re—
specting the postage on newspapers, which
will probablyincrease the receipts nearly tliir-
ty thousand dollars.
The average amount received frcm this _ 7
'sourc'e,‘has been about ‘($6,800 dollars annual-
ly. There are more than 560 newspapers
printed in the Union. It has been estimated
‘that, on avreage, each newspaper ofiice sends
800 papers weekly, in the mail, one fourth
of which are rupposed to be sent out of
thestate or territory in which they are print-
ed. This would give an increase to the rev-
enue of the Department of nearly forty_ thori-
sand dollars. . .
Some cotrntry papers may not send weekly
in the mail,uiore than from fifty to a hundred
papers, brit some ofliees are known to send
from ten totwenty thousand. From the best
data, on which at calculation can be made,it is
believed that something near the estimated re-
sult may be produced. But, as 50 per cent.
of the postage on newsp'.ipers‘is paid to Post-
mastcrs for their coinpens_ation,orily one half
of the increased receipts frorn this item will
be added to the means of the Department.
The deficiencies in the receipts from this i-
tem, which are believed to exist, do not arise
from any want ofintegrity in Pcstinasters,but
rather from indulgences which they are in the
practice of extending for newspaper postage.
It is believed tliat_,_they generally render an
‘account of the amount rec_eiv'ed, brit they fail
to collect what might have been required in
advance. An arrangment will soon be made
to draw dafts on each Postmaster, quarterly
for the postage received. This will be done
by arranging the different P.Offices under the
numbers of the respective routes on which
they are situated, and requiring the receipts
of the offices on each route to be exhausted
by drafts to the contractor for the route,before
he is paid from any other source. If there
be a deficiency of funds on the route to pay
the contractor, he can be paid by drafts on
some other convenient offices, or by checks
on banks where funds of the Department may
be deposited. ..
If there be a surplus of funds on the route,
they can be drawn for in favorof sortie con-
tractor on a convenient route, or deposited
in some bank, as convenience may require.’-
The large offices will all be required to depos-
ite in banks. ‘ V‘ '
This arrangement willsupcrsedc‘ the prac-
' tice ofremittirig by mail, as heretofore, and it
will induce a riiuch greater punctuality of'pay-
merit, as Postniastcrs will always expect quar-
terly drafts, however small their receipts.
This plan will enable the Department to re-
alize, quarterly, the postage paid, more cer-
tainly it is believed,thaii any other mode which
can be adopted.
In making remittances to the Department,
about one tlicusand dollars have been lost an-
nually; and, as the same money is sent by
mail to‘ contractors, sometimes into the neigli-
borhood frotii whence it was remitted, the loss
in the transmission must at least be equal to
that of remitting by Pnstniasters. By the ar-
rangement proposed, the labor ofthe Depart-
ment will be lessened, and the monies appro-
priated will always appear by the transactions
of the oflice, without passing through the
hands of any one employed in the General
Post Office.
No check whatever, except the integrity of
the Postmasters, and of the receiving Clerk
in the Department, has heretofore existed,for
all the moneys which have been remitted. ll’
the Postmaster states that he has remitted ja-
ny ariiotrut,and will make afiidavit cftlie fact,
he obtains a credit, though the money has
never been received. Should the clerk who
receives the_qu:irrerly return, in which there-
mittance is usually enclosed, tzike the amount
and destroy the return, tliere-is nothing that
can lead to a discovery. The return is sup-
posed to have been lost in the conveyance.
Without entertaining any illiberal suspi-
cions against either Postmasters or Clerks-
such a system is considered as radically defec-
tive, anda change is deemed indispensable.
It is believed, that no change is preferable to
the one conteniplated,as it will give certainty,
and at the same time, simplify and lessen the
Before the coin-
tnenceiiieirtoftlie ensuing session of Congress,
copies of all contracts for the conveyance of
the mail, made prior to the 1st of July last,
will be depositedin the Treasury. After that
period, a duplicate of all contracts will be fi-
led in the Treasury Department. ‘
A statement from the Treasury, of the a-
mount of interest on the public debt receiva-
ble iii each state, of the dividends payable in
each by the Banks ofthe U. S.'ofthe amount
oftonnage and duties received in the respec-
tive ports for 1893, and lastly, cftlie amount
ofthe direct tax still due in each state to the
United States. ' '
fls to fhcfirst head-—tlie sum payable for in-
terest in I323 is $5,642,794, of which not one
cent is received beyond the mountains, or out
of the Atlantic states ;the principal payrntfiits
are, at Boston $1,178,857, at "New-York
$1,338,950, and at Pltiladelpliia $Q,4rl4,583—
tliislast sum includes probah|y,tlie greater por-
tion ofinterest paid to foreign stockholders.
./13 to the second head—the sum payable for
dividends by the Bank of the U. S. for 1823,
is $987,325, or about 2 1-9. per cent. on its"
whole capital; of this sum there is paid in
Boston $155,170, New-York $205,572, Penn-
sylvania Sl86,3-tfi, Maryland $188,339., S.
Carolina $137,495. The following portions
ofthe capital stock oftliifs eornpaiiy were thus
held, on the 7th ofJuly last ; -by the Batik it-
self38,‘239 shares, by foreigners 35,017, in
Massachusetts 37,837, iti New-York -10,989,
in Pennsylvania 37,269, in I\Iar_vl:in'cl Sit,-‘f-90,
Virginia 18,059, S. Caroliria'fl9,t;3;'i. The U.
S. still hold their o‘rigin:"i| 70,000 shares.‘
.03 to the third héad.——Tlie amount of duties
on tonnage and ‘import received’-during the
year ending Sept. 30th, 1823, is altogether
$~E!3,98°2,1t4—'—rif which there was collected in
Boston $4,587,726, in N.Yorti $9,958,119 ! I I’
in Philadelphia $3,594,69£-1, in Baltimore
$1,956,147, iniCharleston $786,392, in New-
Orleans $904,791. New-York therefore pays
moredtitiestliaril5oston,Pliiladelphia,Charles-
ton and New-Orleans together.
.43 to the fourth and last ltead—The amount
of the direct ‘taxes -unpaid by the different
states is 3178,9t€z—of which there .is due
and front New-York 810 ! l l
Such ever be the proud character of our
great state-elargest and most liberal in its re-
ceipts aiid _supplies——first and most exact in
its accouritabilities.--I/V‘. Y. ./Imericah.
nocuiui-:i\"r_s ACCOMPANYING THE 1u~:Po1t't‘
or THE SECRETARY or‘ THE NAVY.
Com. Porter to Com. Chauncey.
VVASIIINGTON CITY, Oct. 27,1828.
Sir: I have the honor to report to you my
arrival here, in the U. States galliot the Sea
Gull, from Thompson’s Island, in 43 days;
and froui which place I was driven with the
squadron, by ‘a pestilence-wli-icli made its ap-
pearance there, carrying of, in a short time,
for the want of the necessary medical aid on
the station, a great number of valuable offi-
cers and men., This circumstance induced
me to order the large vessels to Hampton
Roads, there to remain for a short tinie,where
medical assistance, if required by them on
their arrival, could be obtained. Butlam
happy to inform you that, with the exception
of some intermittents, contracted since their
arrival, they are perfectly healthy, as all the
small vessels were which were left on the sta-
tion. The vessels on the VVest India sta-
tion have never been more healthy than they
have been this season, the disease with which
we have been afllicted being altogether local,
and orginating in the decomposition of vege-
table substances, after the heavy rains, and
during the succeeding intense heat of the
weather. My experience convinces me that,
from the middle of July to the uiid'rlle of Oct.
the lee side of Thompson’s Island is an unfit
residence for man ; for the rest of the year,
no place within the tropics can be more
healthy. Those who have resided on the
weather side ofthe Island, have at -all times
been exempt from the sickness with which
those to the leeward have been afflicted. As
a place of deposit for our stores, and of repair
for otir ve§sels employed on the coast ofCuba,
no place can be better adapted ; but, while
the satire causes for disease exist, and they
must ever exist, it would not be prudent to
make it a pernianent station, where many
-men would be exposed t'o_,_,tlte baneful influ-
ence of the sickly season." As we are now
happily situated, with regard to the authori-
ties of Cuba, the inconvenience of an absence
of three or four months from Thompson’s Isl-
and would not be felt, and the excellent and
healthy harbor of Matanzas, where we enjoy
every facility and convenience from the local
authorities, will obviate all the inconvenien-
ces which might otherwise be experienced.
The short delay of receiving stores from on
board the ships from the Island, and the po-
sition they may take outside the harbor, free
from the influence of the poisonous vapor
which arises from the ponds, would render
them sccrire from its effects. Should it be
the design of the Government to keep a force
there, I had proposed to myselfthis arrange-
uicnt. -Under all circumstances, however, it
will be proper to have more medical men on
the station; and had the necessary number
been furnished this year, the squadron would
have been, no doubt, in a great measure sav-
ed from the deplorable consequences which
have resulted, as the disease, 'in the corti-
mencement, was completely under the control
of medicine: but I regretto say, that several
perished without receiving any medical aid
whatever and without ever seeing a physician.
The whole ofthe medical men, with scarcely
an exception, were, froui their great fatigue
and exposure, taken down with the disease,
and we were left to perish for want of that
assistance which we thought ourselves enti-
tled to. I arii well aware, however, of the
difficulties the Departnieiit has labored under
to make the surgeons do'their duty.
The Sea Grill will want coppering, and
scrne other repairs ; the rest of the vessels are
in general in good ‘order. Several of the of-
ficers of the squadron under my orders re-
quest leave of absence for a short time, and
many applications are daily made to uie on
points of duty relating to my comniaiid. I
beg to be informed by you, whether I am to
act on these matters as I have done hereto-
fore, or to leave them to the management of
the Navy Department.—-.—I shall hold myself,
and the vessels, ready to return to the station,
so soon as it can be done with safety to those
on board. I mustentreat of yoti, however, air
udditioiizrl supply of medical tiieii for the ves-
sels of the. squadron, and for the establish-
ment onshore. I have the honor to be, with
‘great respect,.your obedient servant, .
D. PORTE R.
Commodore Isxxc CIIAUNCEY, .
Senior member of the Board qfJV'uv_r/ Commis-
st'oncrs, and ./Icting Secretary of the JV'av_y.
[N 0.1.] Com. Rodgers to the Sec. of the .N'av_y.
U.S.Schr.Shark,lIamptonRoads,Nov.16.
Sir—In the prosecution ofyorir instructions
ofthe 29th Sept. last, you have already been
in formed of the time of my departure from ‘I.
York, in the U. States’ schooner Shark. ‘
I have now the honor to inform you that,
on the 23d of Oct. I reached Thompson’s Isl-
and, accompanied by surgeons Harris, VVasli-
ington, and Hoffman, ofthe Navy, after a pas-
sage of l7_ days, in which we experienced
much rough, disagreeable wea_ther, it raining
more or less every day but one for 13 days.
On reaching tlie-Island, and not finding any
of the public vessels of war except the Por-
pois_e_, the first objects to which I directed my
‘attention,were, to ascertain the state and cori-
ditionof the sick remaining on it ; and, as far
as practicable, the cause or causes which had
produced such disastrous consequences to the
health of the (¥fiC0l'S,- seamen, and marines
stationed on the Island, and on board of sev-
eral ofthe vessels, which had previously had
access to it as a rendezvous ; for this purpose,
I accordingly addressed a letter (ofwhich the
enclosed, No. I is a copy) to surgeons Harris,
Washington and Hoffman. By their answer,
(No. 2, herewith enclosed,) you will perceive
that they do not consider the disease attribu-
table entirely to any one_ cause, btit to a varie-
ty of causes, such as they have described.
That the reasons which they have assigned
are correct, there cart be little doubt; but to
which of them is to be attributed the most
powerful agency in producing; the disease is
still a matter of speculation, or, at least, very
’qnestionable.-—-—-The Island, it must be ad-
mitted, does contain. localities of a character
calculated, when assisted by other causes, and
perhaps only slight ones too, to generate bil-
ions, and probably malignant fevers ; yet I
inrist confess that 1 still entertain doubts
whether these causes have had, in the present
froin Penrisylvattiil 340.013, Maryland, 333,-
instiince, so decisive an agency in producing
000, Virginia $43,767, N. Carolina $19,9(i6,l the late fatdliimaladyliai ‘at first
view, seem to have bad. ‘From the little
experiencelhave had, my opinion---is,'that the
climate of Thompson’s _Island is similar to
that of the West India‘islandsgeiierally;that
its air is, perhaps, less salubrious than some,
but more so than others; and that," notwith-
standing the objections which may be urged
against it, on account of particular defects a-
rising from its small elevation above the level
of the sea, the urievenuess of its surface, arid-
the many salt and fresh water ponds which it
is said to contain, still, that it is, from the ex-
cellence of its harbor, and its peculiar station
on the map of this Western Hemisphere, too
important an object, in a political and corn-
niercial point of view, to be suffered to reuiain
unoccupied and unregarded ; for, admitting
its climate, in its present unimproved state, to
be as unfriendly to health as even that of the
colony of Stiriiiain, it is,"notwithstanding,sus-
ceptible ofbeing so improved, or, at least, the
dangers attending it so much diminished by
artificial means, (such as I will hereafter des-
cribe,) as to render the objections to it, ifnot
harmless, at least comparatively small.
Previous to leaving the Island, on the 3d
instant, I had sent,.by the advice of surgeons
Harris, \Vasliington, I-loffman, and lVilliam-
son, (as I have already informed you,) all the
sick, whose situations appeared to require a
remove, to a more northern climate. Those
who still remained at the Island at the time
of my depart_iire were all well, except some
convalescents, and a few with mild intermit-
tent fevers ; all" of wlioui, it was believed,
however, would be restored to health again
by the return of cooler weather; indeed, for
the last three days previous to our sailing, the
wind had prevailed with much force from the
north, and had rendered the air comparative-
ly much purer, cooler, and exhilarating than
it had been for some days before ; so much so,
as to induce a belief that the season oflrealtli
had commenced, and that its salutary effects
would iuirnediately be felt by those who have
suffered by long continuance oflieat.
Previous to leaving the Island, I made such
arrangements, and saw things placed upon
such a footing, as to warrant the riiost san-
guine anticlpations of favorable resrilts, and
such as might have been expected, had Com-
modore Porter’s health permitted liitii to cori-
tinue oti the station. ‘
For the few changes which I found it ite-
cessary to make in the disposition of the sev-
eral vessels left on the station, permit me to
refer you to the accompanying papers 1, .2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. With great respect, I have
the honor to be, Sir, your obedientservant,
JOHN RODGERS.
SAMUEL L. Sournxnn, Sec’y of the Navy.
Doctors Harris, Wr.rshz'nglon., and }[0fl‘,,,,m,
[No.2] to the Secretary of the Navy.
U. S. Sclir. SHARK, Tlionip. Isl. Oct.£9.
Sir.——lr1'comf0rniity with the instructions
contained in your coninitiuication ofthe 9.4th
inst. we have carefully inquired into, and de-
liberately considered, the {various points to
which you have directed our attention.
On examining this Island, we find that it is
ofa secondary calcareous formation, and is
thinly overspread with a lightvegetable mould.
The shores are somewhat elevated above the
interior grounds,by the stirfcoiitinually throw-
ing.'up pulverized shells, which give a concave
form to its superfices. It is thickly covered
with small trees and shrubbery, principally of
the mangrove variety, and grasses of several
species grow with great luxtiriance. Nearly
one halfof the Island is occupied by salt and
fresh water ponds. It has been ascertained
that the surfaces ofthese ponds are on a leve]
with the ocean, yet but one of them has any
connexion with it,- by reason of the natural
embankinents to whichiwe havejust alluded.
The purest water of the island is in some
degree brackish ;but has not, so far as we can
learn, produced any ill effect on the health of
those who have used it freely as a drink.
During the dry season,which continues from
about the middle of Sept. to the middle of
Jtirie, tnany of the ponds either dry up, or
shrink considerably within the boundaries to
which they are dilated during the rainyseason.
The surface being thus imperfectly over-
flowed, presents a mass of vegetable and air-
imal niatter, to which the climate adds every
other circumstance necessary to give miasnr
its most powerful effect oti -the human frame.
The gales and retiring tides frequently depos-
ite on the shores a quantity of sea weerl,which
undergoes a rapid decomposition, and thus
contribrites, in a limited extent, to vitiate the
atmosphere. To these niiasniatic causes of
disease were added others of equal, if not
greater magnitude. They have arisen,
1. Frorii the sudden exposure of northern
constitutions to a tropical climate, at a period
when the ordinary relaxing effects ofa change
from a cold to a‘warm season were aggravated
by a difference of 14 or 15 degrees ofsouthern
latitude. From this cause, they were, in the
space of9. or 3 weeks, operated upon by an in-
crease of temperature of at least 50 degrees.
‘ 2. From the great fatigue and exposure, by
day and night, of the officers and crews en-
gaged iu the boat service, and from tho watit
of comfortable quarters for those who had en-
camped on the island. 3. Froui irregular,
and frequently, iriteinperate habits. 4. From
being often deprived of fresh and wholesome
provisions. 5. Frruii the continued annoy-
ance of moschetoes and sand flies, which de-
prived the men oftlieir accristcnied rest. So
insupportable, indeed, becariie these trouble-
some insects, that the men were frequently 0.
bliged to retire to the beach, where they walk-
ed the greater part of the night. Others, we
have been inforinedby the oflicers of the sta-
tion,worild row off in boats some distance from
the shore, and tliris expose themselves either
to the heavy dews or drenching rains peculiar
to this climate. 6. From being operated up-
on by the depressing passions, arising from
apprehensions, awakened by the prevailing
epidemic, and by the obvious want of comfort
of those who were affected with disease.
These fruitful s-3tr’r'c'é-s‘ of fever will ‘abundant-
ly account for their extent and fatality. Ta-
king into consideratioii the great liability of
persons from the liigherzlatitudes, of disease,
when even slightly e_xposed to hardships in
the tropics, it ought not to be a subject of sur-
prise,that the severely arduous service in which
our officers and crews have been engaged,liave
occasioned so many sacrifices ofvaluable lives_.
The squadron under the command of com-
riiodorePorter sailed from Norfolk on the 14th
Feb. proceeded directly to the W.Iiidies,as far
south asSt.Domingo,and then,returning north
took possession of this Island the 3d of April.
l The first cases of fever that presented them-
"selves to the notice of Dr.Williamson,Surgeon
of the station, were of a bilious character,and
readily yielded to the agency of medicine.
On the 920th of April, a servant in the fain-
ily of Mr. ‘Symington was attacked with yel-
bilious fever continued the prevalent disease
until early in June, when it assumed in many
instances, a highly maligiiant form. This
disease now commenced on board the store-
sliip Decoy, which was rendered unliealthful
by the impurity of her hold. A qua_utity of
ballast was put aboard from this Island, con-
taining sliell-fish anti sea-weed, which, by the
heat ofa tropical climate, was thrown into a
state of putrefactive fermentation. Two of
the cases, lioivever, which occiirred on board
this veseel were contractedby imprudent ex-
posure to a noonday heat, in Havana.
About the latter end of July, the yellow fe-
ver prevailed with great malignancy at all the
establishments on the Island. From the va
rions causes already stated, the disease in ve-
ry many instances necessarily proved fatal.
The malignant fever continued epidemic
until about the first of October, when its type
again changed to an intermittent. We have
been unable to ascertain the precise number
ofdeatlis. It appears, from the report ofDr.
Williaiiisou, that 59 persons are now sick at
the different hospitals on the Island. \Ve have
visited these establishments, ‘and have found
the patients sinking under debility,jlesponden-
cy, and the ravages ofdisease. Such ofthem
as recover, commonly relapse in the course of
a day or two, after being restored to duty.-
As in relapses generally, each succeeding at-
tack becomes more uniiianageable.
It appears, then, that they cannot be resto-
red to perfect health in their present situation;
and being, in this state, only a burden to the
public service, we do, from motives of policy,
as well as ofliuinaiiity, recommend their im-
mediate removal to a more northern station.
VVe beg further to recommend, that the
large brig, now in the harbor, and which has
been already designated as a hospital, should
be suitably fitted up for the reception ofthese
who may hereafter be attacked. By anclior-
ing this vessel, the sick will inhale a pure at-
niospliere; will be protected in comfortable
quarters; and being without the reach of in-
sects, will enjoy niticli repose and tranquillity,
as are essential to the successful treatment of
their diseases. (Signed)
S CONGRESS.
ENATE, Thursday Dec. 18.
Mr. Hayne presented the meruorial ofsun-
dry citizens of Charleston, S. C. setting forth
the injurious operation of the 14th section of
the act incorporating tlieBank oftheU.States,
and praying that the same may be amended.
Referred to the committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Lloyd, of Mass. froui the committee on
Naval Affairs, submitted a report on the peti-
tion ofWni. and-‘Henry Gray, of Boston,ivlio
ask the interposition of government in their
favor, in the case of the capture of the brig
Otter, and her condemnation by the Spanish
authorities at Porto Rico. The; coinniittce,
after stating the facts_ in connection with the
case, recommended its referrence to the De-
partment of State, thatsucli measures may be.
taken thereon, as the rights of the citizens of
the U. States, and the interests and dignity of
the government, may appear to require.
_The bill for the _relief of Daniel D. Tomp-
kins was read a third time and passed.
House or I{EPRESEN'1‘A'l‘lVES, Dec. 18.
A resolution was adopted,‘ requesting the
President to communicate copies ofall coir-
tracts for cannon, cannon shot, muskets, and
other small arms, for the use of the U. States,
which have been entered into since the first
of'January, 1820, and that be state whether
notice for proposals was given for each cori-
tract in any newspaper, if so, in what paper,
and how long before the contract was conclu-
ded ; who are the persons with wlicm such
contracts were iuade, and whether there are
any persons beneficially interested tliereiu ;
ifso, who they are, and in what cases, so far
as he may be informed. [The correspondent
ofthe Spectator says, this resolution has an
‘evident sqninting toward the Secretary of
War, and a friend ofhis, said to be Mr.W**t.
Isuspcct it will issue in cannon smoke.]
The committee on Military Affairs was in-
structed to iriqtiire -as to the expediency ofau-
thorizing the President to direct sales to be
made, from time to time, of such arms, am-
niutiitioii,and military stores, as are not want-
cd, or are unfit forpublic service.
Mr. Stewart, from the Committee on the
Cumberland Road, reported ‘ A bill for the
continuation of the Cririiberlandlload,’ which
was tivice read and committed. Mr. Rankin
said, he was one oftliose persons who are dis-
posed to commit the whole strength and re-
sources ofthe nation on the subject of inter-
nal iuiproveuients. He believed also, that the
nation was prepared to go all lengths on that
sribject. But lieiwas unwilling to take up so
great system ofmeasrires, by small parts at a
tiriie. He hoped that,on that system,we should
either more as a nation,or not move at all.
Mr. Cook said he was decidedly opposed to
act upon this bill in its present state, and on
motion ofMr. Jeuniugs,. the bill was laid up-
on the table and ordered to be printed.
Senate, Dec. 19.—Tlie committee on Naval
Affairs, was instructed to inquire_into the ex-
pediency of prohibiting the public armed ves-
sels of the U. States from carrying gold, sil-
ver, or jewels. On motion of Mr. Lloyd,
of Massacliusetts,tlie bill was amended so as to
institute an inquiry into thepropriety ofper-
rnitting public vessels to cai'ry‘p;issengei's.
The repott of the committee on the petition
of Win. and H. G-ray, of Boston, reconiiiiend-
ing the reference ofthe subject to the Depart-
ment of State, was agreed to. ’
_ ' H otzse of Representatives, Dec. 19.-—On
motion of»Mr. \Villiarns, of N. _C. it was Re-
solved, That the President ofthe U.S. be re-
quested to lay before this House any informa-
tion he may have received,and which he may
not deem it improper to communicate, rela-
tirigto tlie.con_ditron and future prospects of
the Gre_eks. , _, , f
Mr. VVeb_ster» took this occasion to state to
the House that he should move for the consid-
eratiou, on this day-fortnight, ofthe resolution
which he sribmitted some days ago, proposing
to send a Mission to Greece.
Mr. Crowninsliield, from the Ccrnriiittee on
Naval Affairs, reported a bill further'extend-
ing the term oflialf pay pensions to the wid-
ows and children of ofiicers, seamen and ma-
rines, who have died in the public service;
which was twice read and ccinniitted.
Mr. C. also reported a bill making provis-
low fever. With the exception of this case .
ion for the support-_of Penelope‘Denny,moth-
er of James_De_nny, late..a quarter-gunner in
thefNavy ; which was twice readand c'omriiit-
led. [The-hill Proposes to grant her a pension
of $100 for 5 years frointlie 9th of No;y.13g2
Mr. Beecher, of Ohio, moved that the bill
for tliecoiitinuation of the Ctir'nberlaridI{oad
reported yesterday, he now taken up and con-,
sidered ; and the qriestioii being taken it w";;s
decided in the negative—-ayes 65, rice; 81 ' ‘
On motion of Mr. Call,‘ it was Resolved
That the Com. on naval affairs be instructed,
to inquire into the expediency of establishjn
a naval depot in the harbor ofPensacola. g
f Senate, .Monr_1ay, Dec. 2‘2.—’\’[r-, smith’ 0,-
ered the following resolutio_n, wbicli was read
and laid over for consideration: Resolved
that the Secretary of the Treasury be direct‘:
ed to lay before the Senate a statement shew-
mg the exact amount which will be due and
payable to the Conitirissioners of the Sinkiurri‘
Fund on the 1st day ofJanuary, _|'39_5_ °.
Pellllmls were presentt-d from the Del
ware Canal Company,‘for pecuuiar’ aid. (1,;
from merchants of Philadelphia, foryfconi’ abili-
satioii for spoliations by the French, in 17ii)6_ .
H W86 Qf Represeritalives, Dec 22 ._.A[‘
the presenting ofpetitions, Mn Maj)",-;.ie 1. I”
the committee to whom was referred the; mm‘
sideration of the expediency of recommcog" ’
ing to the several states ihe adoption ofe" .
tain ameiidmeiitsto the Constitution iiiadregr.‘ .
r-eport, accouipanied by ajoiiit resoliition 0*},
which the substance is, that each of me’,-,.
spective states shall be divided into as tirih":
districts as it sends members ;_ that each 2“:
trict shall choose an elector ; that those ele‘
tors shall choose the two corresponding ,0 “$7.
Senators, and have power likewise to fill ue
their owti iiurriber ; that they shall vote for.;
President and Vice President, and transmit
lists oftlieir votes to the President ofthe Q5"
ate, who thereupon shall convene both Hon:
ses of Congress in joint meeting in which h
shall preside, and open in tlieir?pr'eseiice {I}:
lists ofvotes. Ifthere be no election tliePresi-
dent ofthe Senate is to notify the fadt. by proc-
lamation,wlieii the electors shall arrairi meet in
their respective states, and prcdiaed to vote
for one ofthe two highest on the previous listsi “
which votes are to be transmitted aritl couti:
ted in like manner with the first; and if on
counting them, it be found that there is do e-
lectioii, then the members ofthe Senate and
House of Representatives, without separafinn
or voting individually, shall choose the Presi:
dent. The choice of Vice President to be
regulated in the same riianiier, except that, iii’
the last resort, he is to be chosen by the Sen".
ate alone. Mr. M’Duffie also reported am
resolution in favorofestablishiug‘districtsfor
the choice of members of Congress throuvh-
out the several states. These resolutions wiare
twice read and committed.
Resolutions were submitted by.Mr.Livingg.
ton, ofLou. calling for a statemciit.of the pro-
gress made in erecting light houses 0,, ",3
‘Dry Tortugas, and whether furtlier light lion-
ses and beacons are not required for the navi- .
gation between Florida and the Bahamas’, and
proposing a negociatron with Great Britaiii’
for a cession oflaridori Abaco or the Hole in"
the Wall for the purpose of erecting the ne-
cessary liglits. Also, whether the rocks call-
ed the Double Headed Shot Keys, or any om-
er ofthe rocks or desert islets near the Baha-.
ma Banks, but separated therefrom by a deep ‘ ‘
channel, and on which the security ofii:rvig:i-
tion of the GulfofFlorida requires thar1iu|,[_-
houses or beacons should be placed, are writh-
in the dominion of any, and what, foreign
kingdom or‘ state, or whether they are not
now subject to be appr'opriated by the right of
occupancy.‘ , - ‘
Mr. Breck offered for consideration, a reg.
olrition calling for a stateiiietit of our trade
with Greece, Asia Minor, and Egypt, in the
years l3Q.0,E’.l,.aiitl 22. ,
Bills for the reliefofJerenii:ili Manning of
N. J. and the Postniasterof Charleston, S. C.
were ordered to a third reading.—Passed_
The House went into coniniittee of the ‘
whole, (Mr. Sharpe in the cliair,) on the bill '
for the relief ofJacob Sliaeffer, (a corporal in '
the arniy,) who obtained his discharge after’
[‘Vt‘l1lyll10l')l.l)’S service, and now asks for the
bounty in land; and the reportof the Com-
niittee on Private Latid Claims, on the per}-
tion having been read, Mr. Sterling, of Con-
necticut, inoved to strike out the enacting
clause of the bill, for the purpose of destroy-5* ‘
ing it. This motion gave rise toa debate of
sonietliiizg like an hour. "It wassupported bv 5 »
Mr. Sterling, and opposed-by Mr. Vt/_ Smim,
ofVirg. and Mr. C:impbell,ofOhio, the chair-
man ofthe committee which reported it. .‘ Fi-
nally, the motion was negatived, and the bill
being reported tothe House, was, after a few
observatioiis, ordered to be engrossed for it
third reading. «
Senate, Dec. 2B.—A resolution was adopt-
ed callcd for a statement of the exact amount
that will be due and payable to the Commis-.
sioners of the Sinking Fund on the lstof "
January 182’. -Mr. Smith, the mover, said
the President “had stated that there would be '
nine million of dollars in the treasury at that
time, brit he believed a considerable partofit
would fall due to this Fund. " ‘ I A‘
House of-Representatives, Dec. l23.—-Tlief. if
bill suppleiiieiitfary to the_ act for the relief of
persons imprisoned for debt, was amended,
and ordered to_a third -reading. , ~ _
The proposition calling for a statement of
the light houses and beacons on the Bahama.
Banks and Florida Coast, was agreed to.
The propositiori of Mr. Breck,,calling for a
statement ofour trade, with Greece, Asia Mi-
nor and Egypt, was called tip, and after some
debate tliereou, _was laid on the table. The
callwas thought to be unnecessary. Mr._C:iiii-
breleng stated that with Greece Proper, we
never had any direct trade at all, and that all. '
the articles we obtained from thence, came
tlirough Srjiyrna and Trieste.
5071038, D6’-3 924.—_—Mr. Suiitli introduced a
bill to revive and continue in for'ce sundrv
acts relative to discriminating duties on inf-
ports and tonnage. ‘ ~
Mr. Van Btrren gave notice that, on Mon.
day next, he should ask leave to introduce a
joint resolution, proposing an amendment to
the Constitution ofthe -U. S. in reluticii to the
election "of President and Vice President,
House IfRepre.ren¢.7tives, Dec. 9.4,.-—A res-
olution yesterday offered by Mr. ‘r‘«.lallary,call- '
ing on the President for tiny information, he
-iiiay possess, (and wliir-.h may be disclosed
witliout injury to the public good,) relative to.
the deterinrriatioii ofany Sovereign or Song.
reigns to aid Spain in regaining her American
Colonies; and the disp.ositio.n of any other
Norwalk Chronicler