it passed, and was laid before the Secretary. He was earnestly desired to give the matter an early consideration and to hasten the business with all reasonable despatch. He said there should be as little delay as possible, and he would give me notice when he was prepared take the claim up. I had subsequent to this repeated interviews with him, and he often expressed his regret that the pressure of business was such during the session thus far that he had no time to devote to this matter nor could he find any until the session closed. A few days before this period, having learnt that he was about leaveing the city I called on him again to ascertain what arrangements he had made, and he observed that he hoped hereafter to be more at leasure, that he must visit Detroit, and when he returned and was able to go into the investigation, he would inform me by letter. Congress adjourned on the 16th of July, and owing probably to the severe and afflicting sickness which prevailed in this city, the Secretary did not return as I remember, until October. I then made known my readiness and anxiety to repair hither and enter upon the duties of my agency and was informed that as soon as the Secretary resumed business and could take this in hand he would give me information. I however received no intelligence until my arrival here on the 1st of December, Since that time I have had repeated interviews and earnestly desired that the resolution might be taken up and its provisions complied with. Some ten days since it was taken up and the Secretary concluded that the claim must undergo revision and that he must as this revision advanced and questions arose for his adjudication, decide them and that written instructions, the purport of which were stated, must be given to the Third Auditor. He assured me they should be immediately made out and a copy sent to me, but I have not yet received the copy, nor have the instructions been made, as I have been twice to the office, and have also written twice since for informa tion. This delay is doubtless occasioned by a heavy press of business, but I was assured to-day that these instructions would be made in the course of it. I have delayed making this communication with a view to send you a copy of them, but as the session of the Legislature is so near at hand I dare not postpone it any longer. I ought perhaps to observe that the resolution necessarily involves a revision and examination of all the accounts and of nearly every item in them for more or less charges in almost every voucher are rejected or abated or suspended for evidence or for the decision of the Secretary upon the circumstances attending the expenditure incurred. This will be a labor calling for time and patience, for the mass of papers is very great.It is impossible for me to conjecture how much time will be required, though I fear it will be longer than any one who is not well acquainted with the business, is prepared to believe is necessary. I have the honor to be, With great respect, Your Excellency's ob't. servant, J. DAVIS. SENATE......No. 5. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. IN SENATE, JANUARY 12th, 1833. The Committee on Rail-Ways and Canals, to whom was referred the petition of Francis B. Fay and others, beg leave to report a Bill, C. HUDSON, Chairman. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Three. AN ACT To incorporate the Proprietors of the Winnisimmet Ferry. 1 SEC. 1. BE it enacted by the Senate and House of 2 Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the 3 authority of the same, That Francis B. Fay, Thomas 4 H. Perkins, William H. Gardiner, and Washington P. 5 Gragg, their associates, successors and assigns, be 6 and they hereby are constituted a Corporation under 7 the name of the Winnisimmet Company, with the 8 usual powers and privileges of bodies corporate; and |