fact from the chief justice, shall, by his proclamation, order and direct the whole number of associate justices to attend at the next term of the Supreme Court, to hear and decide said question; and which shall be placed on the docket first in order for consideration." Mr. RUGGLES stated his objections to the proposition of Mr. EATON, and also to the discrimination proposed by the amendment of Mr. TAZEWELL, which he deemed highly unjust and injurious to the Western states, and one which ought not to be attempted. Mr. R. also urged the necessity of providing a remedy, without delay, for the inconvenience experienced in that large portion of the Union, by the defect of the judicial system; and hoped the question would be met fairly, and not embarrassed by endless propositions for modification or recommitment. Mr. HOLMES, of Maine, made some remarks to shew the impracticable nature of the scheme proposed by Mr. ΕΑΤΟΝ. Mr. KING, of N. Y. considering that it became more and more apparent that the subject could not be effectually acted on at the present session, moved that the bill and amendments be indefinitely postponed. The motion was decided in the negative by Yeas and Nays, as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Barbour, Barton, Branch, Clayton, Cobb, D'Wolt, Edwards, Elliott, Findlay, Hayne, King, of N. Y. Lanman, McIlvaine, Macon, Mills, Taylor, Tazewell, Van Buren, Van Dyke-19. NAYS.-Messrs. Bell, Benton, Bouligny, Brown, Chandler, Dickerson, Eaton, Gaillard, Holmes, of Me. Holmes, of Miss. Jackson, Johnson, of Ken. Johnston, of Lou. Kelly, King, of Alab. Kaight, Lloyd, of Mass. Mc Lean, Noble, Palmer, Parrott. Ruggles, Seymour, Smith, Talbot, Thomas, Williams-27. Mr. EATON then, at the suggestion of several members, withdrew his amendment, with the intention of of fering it hereafter, if the question on the recommitment prevailed. The question was then put on the recommitment, and negatived by the following vote : YEAS.-Messrs. Barbour, Barton, Benton, Bouligny, Branch, Clayton, Cobb, D'Wolf, Edwards, Elliott, Find lay, Hayne, King, of N. Y. Knight, McIlvaine, Mills, Taylor, Tazewell, Van Buren, Van Dyke, Williams-21. NAYS.-Messrs. Bell, Brown, Chandler, Dickerson, Eaton, Gaillard, Holmes, of Mr. Holmes, of Miss. Jack son, Johnson, of Ken. Johnston, of Louis. Kelly, King, of Alab. Lanman, Lloyd, of Mass. McLean, Macon, Noble, Palmer, Parrott, Ruggles, Seymour, Smith, Talbot, Thomas-25. The question was then taken, without further debate, on Mr. TAZEWELL'S motion so to amend the bill that the additional circuit judges shall not be justices of the Supreme Court, and was decided in the negative by the following vote: YEAS.-Messrs. Branch, Clayton, Cobb, D'Wolf, Flott, Tazewell-6. NAYS.-Messrs. Barbour, Barton, Bell, Benton, Bouligny, Brown, Chandler, Dickerson, Eaton, Edwards, Findlay, Gaillard, Hayne, Holmes, of Maine, Holmes of Miss. Jackson, Johnson, of Ken, Johnston, of Louisiana, Kelly, King, of Alab. King, of New York, Knight, Lanman, Lloyd, of Mass. M'Ilvaine, M'Lean, Macon, Mills, Noble, Palmer, Parrott, Ruggles, Seymour, Smith, Talbot, Taylor, Thomas, Van Buren, Van Dyke, Wil liams-40. Mr. VAN BUREN thought it apparent, from the votes of to-day, that the Senate was not only determined on acting on this subject, but was decidedly in favor of the principle contained in the bill: that is, the appointment of additional circuit judges, who should be also Judges of the Supreme Court. For himself, he preferred the plan that had been offered by Mr. BARBOUR; the separation of the Supreme Court from circuit duties; but, as [FEB. 17, 1825. the Senate favored the plan proposed by the bill, he rose to move a single amendment, which was to reduce the additional number of Circuit Judges to be provided for by the bill to two, so that there should be (with the present one in the Western states,) three Circuit Judges in that section of the Union. This motion was supported by Mr. VAN BUREN and was opposed by Messrs. TALBOT and HOLMES, of Maine; when The question was taken on the amendment, by yeas and nays, and decided in the affirmative, as follows: YEAS.-Messrs. Barbour, Barton, Bell, Branch Chandler, Clayton, Cobb, D’Wolf, Eaton, Edwards, Elliott, Findlay, Hayne, King, of Alab. King, of New York, Knight, Lanman, Lloyd, of Mass. M'Ilvaine, Macon, Mills, Parrott, Seymour, Smith, Taylor, Tazewell, Van Buren, and Van Dyke-28. NAYS.-Messrs. Benton, Bouligny, Brown, Dicker son, Gaillard, Holmes, of Maine, Holmes, of Mississippi, Jackson, Johnson, of Kentucky, Johnston, of Louisiana, Kelly, M'Lean, Noble, Ruggles, Talbot, Thomas, and Williams-17. The bill was then recommitted to the Judiciary Com mittee, (for the arrangement of the circuits, &c.) The Senate took up their amendments to the appro priation bills, which had been disagreed to by the other House, and receded from each of them, except that which strikes out the appropriation of 12,000 dollars for the compensation of the Florida Land Commis sioners. On the question of receding from their disagreement to this appropriation, a debate of considerable length ensued. It was urged against the appropriation, that the commission had expired by its limitation; and that, if its continuance was necessary, it ought to be renewed by law, and not continued by an appropriation. That it was in principle wrong to appropriate money for objects not previously authorized by law, &c. On the other hand, it was urged, that the commissioners had not com pleted their duties; that it was all important to the peo ple of Florida that their land titles should be examined and adjusted; that great evils would arise from leaving the business unfinished, &c. &c. The question being then taken on receding from the amendment, it was negatived by a vote of 22 to 11; and the Senate insisted on striking out the appropriation. The President communicated to the Senate the fol lowing letter from the Secretary of the Treasury: TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 16th February, 1825. SIR: In conformity with the provisions of the act of the 10th February, 1820, entitled "An act to provide for obtaining accurate statements of the Foreign Commerce of the United States," I have the honor to transmit, herewith, the following statements of the Commerce and Navigation of the United States dur ing the year ending on the 30th day of September, 1824, viz: 1st. A. A general statement of the quantity and value of merchandise imported into the United States from the 1st October, 1823, to the 30th June, 1824. 1st. B. Do. do. from 1st July, to 30th Sept. 1824. 2d. A summary statement of the same. 3d. A general statement of the quantity and value of Domestic Articles exported. 4th. A general statement of the quantity and value of Foreign Articles exported. 5th and 6th. Summary statements of the value of Domestic and Foreign Articles exported. 7th. A general statement of the amount of American and Foreign Tonnage employed in the Foreign Trade of the United States. 8th. A general statistical view of the Commerce and Navigation of the United States. FEB. 17, 1825.] Deposites in Public Stores-Illinois Canal. 9th. A statement of the Commerce and Navigation of each State and Territory. From these statements, it appears that the imports during the year ending on the 30th September, 1824, have amounted to $80,549,007, of which amount $75.265,054 were imported in American vessels, and $5,283,953 in foreign vessels; that the exports have, during the same period, amounted to $75,986,657, of which, $50,649,500 were domestic, and $25,337,157 were foreign articles; that, of the domestic articles, $43,444,619 were exported in American vessels, and $7,204,881 in foreign vessels; and of the foreign articles, $23,967,087 were exported in American vessels, and $1,370,070 in foreign vessels; that 850,033 tons of American shipping entered, and 919,278 cleared from the ports of the United States; and that 102,367 tons of foreign shipping entered, and 102,552 cleared from the ports of the United States during the same period. I have the honor to be, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant, WM. H. CRAWFORD. Hon. President of the Senate pro tem. Os motion of Mr. LLOYD, of Mass. it was ordered, that 1000 copies thereof, with the documents accompanying it, he printed for the use of the Senate. After some other business, The Senate adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES-SAME DAY. DEPOSITES IN PUBLIC STORES. Mr. M'KIM renewed a motion he made yesterday to take up the bill to extend the right of deposite in public or other stores, on certain conditions, and with certain privileges to other goods, besides wines, teas, and disülled spirits. The House accordingly went into committee of the whole on that bill, Mr. FOOT, of Connecticut, in the chair; it was read by sections. Mr. M'KIM briefly explained the object of the bill, which is to introduce the policy lately adopted by European powers in respect to depots for goods, (in order to save to the merchant the 24 per cent. now reserved on drawbacks.) The blank for the time in which the bill is to commence its effect was filled with the first day of July next The blank directing the sum to be retained out of the duties, was filled with one half of one per cent. The blank for the duration of the act was filled with three years. The bill was then reported as amended. Mr. CAMBRELENG professed himself decidedly friendly to the bill; but, from the conversation of gentlemen near him, he feared that the House were not prepared to act finally upon so important a measure. It certainly would be very useful to the commerce of the country, and he should very much regret to see it rejected from a misapprehension of its advantages. In order not to press the measure at so late a period of the session, and with a view to secure its adoption after it may have been more deliberately considered by the House, be would move to lay it upon the table. Mr. M'KIM having expressed mach surprise at the opposition of the gentleman from New York Mr. CAMBRELENG explained. He hoped the gentleman from Maryland would not understand him as in any manner hostile to the measure proposed-his chief and only object was to ensure its success. He had made the motion at the suggestion of gentlemen near him, who, although not unfriendly, were not yet prepared to act upon a measure so important. The bill proposed to introduce the system of deposite practised in England, where it had been found useful, and where there were Government warehouses; here, we were not so well [H. of R. prepared for the system. He had no doubt the House would adopt the measure, whenever they should have full time to deliberate upon it, and to understand it. He thought there were at this moment measures more interesting to the commercial interest, which ought now to command the attention of Congress. He referred to the piracy bill, &c. If, however, the House were prepared to pass the bill, after the slight consideration given it, he should be gratified. Mr. MALLARY advocated the passage of the bill to a third reading. Mr. RANKIN suggested some danger of storing the goods in private warehouses, of which the owner of the goods possessed the key. Mr. M'KIM explained. There were two locks; the key of one of which was held by the collector, the other by the proprietor. No need at present existed for very extensive warehouses. Mr. OWEN opposed any delay in passing the bill to a third reading. If objections existed, they could be urged afterwards, on the question of its final passage. Mr. WOOD apprehended danger of fraud, and objected to any extension of credit on duties. Mr. M'KIM replied-stated the guards of the bill, and denied that it granted the least extension of credit. The whole effect of the bill would be, to give twelve months longer for re-exportation, with benefit of drawback, and save to the merchant two per cent, of the duties paid on goods to be re-exported. Mr. CAMBRELENG was pleased to find that the sentiment of gentlemen near him did not appear to accord with the sentiment of the House-and presuming from what had been said, that gentlemen were prepared, without further deliberation, to act upon the bill-he withdrew his motion to lay it upon the table, and then moved that it be engrossed, and read a third time on Monday next. The bill was ordered, accordingly, to be engrossed and read a third time. ILLINOIS CANAL. Mr. COOK moved to take up the bill granting a certain quantity of land to the state of Illinois for the purpose of aiding in opening a canal to connect the waters of the river Illinois with those of Lake Michigan. The motion was carried-ayes 65, noes 63. The House accordingly went into committee of the whole, Mr. CONDICT in the chair, on that bill; Which was amended by the insertion, at the end of the third section, of a proviso, that no titles to the lands granted should be valid against the United States until the canal should have been completed. A fourth section was added, which applies the residue of the proceeds of these lands, after the whole expense of the canal should have been defrayed, to the promotion of learning within the state of Illinois. The same committee of the whole then, on motion of Mr. CALL, (the delegate from Florida) took up the bill granting certain lots of land to the corporations of St. Augustine and Pensacola. Mr. CALL having explained, at considerable length, the circumstances of the case to which this bill was intended to apply, and having defended the expediency of the bill on various grounds Mr. RANKIN, (Chairman of the Land Committee,) stated, very fully, his objections to the object and principle of the bill. Mr. M'COY inquired whether there were not private claims to the lots proposed by the bill to be granted. Mr. CALL explained. Mr. SHARPE inquired as to the value of the lots. Mr. CALL replied to this inquiry, and referred to Mr. SCOTT, of Missouri, for what had been done in that state. Mr. SCOTT made a brief statement in reply. H. of R. & Sen.] Illinois Canal-Peale's Portrait of Washington. To the House of Representatives of the U. S. I invite the attention of Congress to the peculiar situation of this District, in regard to the exposure of its inhabitants, to contagious diseases from abroad, against which it is thought, that adequate provision should now be made. The exposure being common to the whole District, the regulation should apply to the whole; to make which, Congress alone possesses the adequate power. That the regulation should be made by Congress, is the more necessary, from the consideration, that this being the seat of Government, its protection against such diseases must form one of its principal objects. Washington, Feb. 17, 1825. JAMES MONROE. [FEB. 17, 18, 1825. be, for the time being, Justices of the Supreme Court; providing, that this provision shall not take effect during the continuance in office of the present associate jus tices; and providing that, where the constitutionality of any state law shall be pending in the Supreme Court, on any question affecting the right of any state, that the Chief Justice shall certify the same to the President of the United States, who, thereupon, on proclamation, shall convene the whole number of Associate Justices, at Washington, to hear and determine the said cases. A message was received from the President of the United States, (the same that was yesterday received by the House of Representatives,) respecting the preven tion of the importation of contagious diseases into the District of Columbia. The Senate took up the joint resolution directing the purchase and distribution of 630 copies, four volumes each, of Way and Gideon's edition of the Journals of the Congress of the Confederation. This resolution gave rise to considerable debate, in which it was advocated by Messrs. TALBOT, and JOHNSON, of Kentucky; and it was opposed by Messrs. COBB, BENTON, and DICKERSON. The question, finally, being taken on the third reading of the resolution, it was negatived by the following vote : YEAS.-Messrs. Brown, Edwards, Findlay, Kelly, Knight, Lanman, Noble, Parrott, Ruggles, Seymour, Talbot, Van Buren, Johnson, of Ken.-13. NAYS,-Messrs. Barbour, Barton, Benton, Bouligny, Chandler, Clayton, Cobb, D'Wolf, Lickerson, Elliott, Gaillard, Hayne, Holmes, of Miss. Holmes, of Me, Jackson, Johnston, of La. King, of Ala.King, of N. Y. Low. rie, M'Ilvaine, M'Lane, Macon, Mills, Smith, Taylor, Tazewell, Thomas, Van Dyke, Williams.-29. The resolution was of course rejected. The Senate next took up the bill making an appro priation of 6,000 dollars for the purchase of Mr. R mbracing an equestrian portrait of General Washington, brandt Peale's picture, (exhibited in the rotunda,) em and equestrian portraits of General Lafayette, General Hamilton, and other officers. IN SENATE-FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1825. Mr. KING, of New York, rose, and said, in offering the resolation he was about to submit, though it was a subject of great national importance, he did not desire to debate it, nor did he offer it with a view to the present consideration. He submitted it as a matter for the future consideration of the Senate, and hoped it would be received, by all parts of the House, as one entitled to its Senate the reasons which induced the committee to reMr. MILLS, chairman of the committee, stated to the serious attention. He then laid on the table the follow-port the bill. Its object was to make a suitable appro ing resolution : Resolved by the Senate of the United States of America, correct and perfect likeness of Washington, the man priation for the purchase and preservation of the most That, as soon as the portion of the existing funded debt who was so dear to his country. The committee had of the United States, for the payment of which the pub- taken great pains to ascertain the correctness of the relic land of the United States is pledged, shall have been semblance, and they were satisfied not only of that, but paid off, then, and thenceforth, the whole of the public that the whole work was executed with great taste and land of the United States, with the nett proceeds of all skill. This opinion was not founded on their own criti future sales thereof, shall constitute and form a fund, cal powers, but on the judgment of those who were most which is hereby appropriated, and the faith of the United States is pledged, that the said fund shall be inviola competent to form an opinion. If it were desirable for bly applied to aid the emancipation of such slaves, with the one of all others most desirable. It was not merely Congress to possess any work of this character, this was in any of the United States, and to aid the removal of a portrait of Washington-it combined incidents of an such slaves, and the removal of such free persons of co-historical character was commemorative of an event of lor, in any of the said states, as by the laws of the states, the utmost interest and importance during the Revolu respectively, may be allowed to be emancipated, or re- tionary war. It shadowed forth the alliance which exmoved, to any territory or country without the limits of isted between our country and France, by the represen the United States of America. were desirable for Congress to possess any thing of this tation of General Lafayette. Mr. M repeated, that if it kind, no picture could be presented more worthy of the committee, in fixing the sum to be appropriated at consideration of Congress. He explained the views of $6,000, and remarked that the committee were of opia ion that this picture was not second to any of Colonel Trumbull's, in its scenes and execution, for each of whose paintings $8,000 had been appropriated. The resolution was read, and on motion of Mr. BENTON, ordered to be printed. Mr. EATON submitted the following resolution : Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary, to whom the Judiciary Bill of the Senate has been referred, inquire into the expediency of dividing the United States into four divisions; each division to be arranged into three circuits, so that each circuit shall contain not less than one, nor more than three states; and to appoint additional justices; that they inquire into the expe-ed diency of authorizing the judges, in their respective divisions, once in years, to appoint one of their number, who, when appointed, shall, with the Chief Justice, --- to know what was an adequate compensation for the Mr. HOLMES, of Maine, said that he should be pleas work in question. equal to the annual salary of your Secretary of State, The sum you propose to give, is superior to that of your Chief Justice of the Supreme FEB. 18, 1825.] Purchase of Paintings.—On the Slave Trade. [Sen. & H of R. Mr. WAYNE said, that the report was a very important one, embracing what had been done by our own Government in regard to the Slave Trade, and also all that had been done in foreign countries in regard to it.There was a certain class of people who seldom investigate public affairs extensively, who would be extremely gratified to know that this Government has taken so deep an interest in this matter. He trusted that this indulgence would be allowed to them, by the printing of a sufficient number of copies to enable their Representa. tives to supply them with this information. Court. He asked whether this work was a year's labor?referred to in the resolution, but was answered that the He thought that the rule adopted by the committee report was at the printers. would not have much weight with the Senate, as, in his opinion, in the purchase of Trumbull's paintings, they had been abominably taken in. Those paintings, which cost $32,000, were not worth 32 cents. Mr. H. said he did not pretend to be a critic in painting, but he would say, that Trumbull's last painting, commemorative of the resignation of General Washington, was a piece of the most solemn daubing he ever saw. The event it was intended to commemorate was one of the most sublime incidents that ever took place in the country. But what do you see in the picture? Why, a man looking like a little ensign, with a roll of paper in his hand, like an old newspaper, appearing as if he was saying, "Here, take it-I don't want to give it up." He concluded with moving to strike out 6000, and insert 4000. Mr. MILLS replied, and entered into a further explanation of the views of the committee in reporting this sum. He thought it not proper for any gentleman to speak of Col. Trumbull's paintings as the gentleman from Maine had done; much less so to criticise a work performed by a gentleman who had borne a conspicuous part in the events of those days. Mr. CHANDLER called for a division of the question; and the question was first taken on striking out 6000; which was carried in the affirmative.-Ayes, 20; Noes, 14. Mr. TALBOT said a few words, when Mr. FORSYTH said, that this report concludes with no resolution, proposing no act on the part of this House; that it is a mere statement of opinion of a committee; that it looks to no resolution, and recommends nothing; that it looks at least to no step on the part of this House. The proposed multiplication of copies was the less necessary, as it would doubtless be published in the newspapers. On this subject, Mr. F. said, he would remark, that there appeared to be a strange misconception, both in and out of the House, of the value of reports of committees. Those reports are nothing, until acted upon by the House, but the opinions of so many mem bers of the House, who approve them. He recollected that, at this session, a correspondence had been laid before this House which had taken place between this Government and the British Government, in which an argument was founded on certain expressions in a report of a committee of this House. Now, for one, said Mr. F. as a member of this House, I protest aga nst the opinion of a committee of this House being taken as an expression of the will of the House, unless first sanctioned by a vote of the House. There is scarcely any YEAS-Messrs. Barbour, Benton, Bouligny, Cobb, principle, however absurd, touching either our foreign Eaton, Findlay, Gaillard, Hayne, Holmes, of Miss., Jack-or domestic relations, which may not be culled out of son, Johnson, of Ken. Johnston, of Lou., Kelly, Lowrie, reports of committees made in one or the other House of Mills, Parrott, Seymour, Smith, Talbot, Van Buren.-20. Congress. It is a monstrous supposition, that the senti NAYS.-Messrs, Barton, Branch, Brown, Chandler,ments contained in a report of a committee are to have Clayton, D'Wolf, Dickerson, Edwards, Holmes, of Me., King, of Ala., King, of N. Y. Knight, Lanman, McIlvaine, McLean, Macon, Ruggles, Taylor, Tazewell, Thomas, Van Dyke, Williams.-22. Mr. HOLMES moved to fill the blank with 4000 dollars. Mr. HAYNE moved 5000, and stated as a reason, that he was well satisfied that the artist would not take 4000 dollars. The question on inserting 5000 was decided in the negative, by yeas and nays, as follows: Mr. HOLMES, of Me. then moved to fill the blank with $4,500, but, before the question on this sum was put, The bill was, on motion of Mr. MILLS, ordered to be laid on the table. The Senate then took up the bill extending to the companies of Mounted Rangers, commanded by Captains Boyle and M'Girth, the provisions of the act for the relief of the persons engaged in the Seminole campaign. This bill gave rise to considerable discussion, in which Messrs. JOHNSON, of Ken. EATON, JACKSON, BENTON, and CHANDLER, took part; and, after making some amendments to the provisions of the bill, it was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. A motion to adjourn to Monday gave rise to some discussion; and, after modifying it, on motion of Mr. BENTON, so as to change the hour of meeting from 12 to 11 o'clock, the motion prevailed-Ayes 22, Noes 19; and The Senate adjourned to Monday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.-SAME DAY. Mr. WAYNE, of Pennsylvania, submitted the following resolve: Resolved, That 3000 copies of the report of the Mr. FORSYTH called for the reading of the report to any influence on this Government, unless adopted by one Mr. F. concluded his remarks, by moving to lay the resolution on the table. Mr. MERCER said, that he should not have risen to address the House on this subject, but for the remarks of the honorable member from Georgia, on the negotiation between this Government and Great Britain, on the subject of the slave trade. That negotiation did not, said Mr. M. carry the almost unanimous resolution of this House as far as the object of the resolution required. It limited that search which the denunciation of the slave trade, as piracy, implied, as the means of detecting the pirate, and it limited the power of trying and punishing him, when taken, to particular tri bunals. The question was taken on ordering the resolution to lie on the table, and decided in the negative, 67 votes to 59. Mr CULPEPER said, that in ordering the report of the committee to be printed, he did not suppose that the H. of R.] Suppression of the Slave Trade-Canal Boats, &c. [FEB. 18, 1825. by a committee of the whole on the State of the Union. That committee would decide what to do with this re port, and perhaps they might, after examination of it, think a diffusion of it among the people desirable. At present, he thought the motion for printing it prema Ilouse sanctioned whatever was contained in it. But, The question was then taken on the motion for print. ing extra copies, and decided in the affirmative, 73 votes to 57. CANAL BOATS, &c. Mr. NEWTON moved to discharge the committee of the whole from the consideration of the bill concerning canal vessels and boats. The motion was carried, ayes 72. The bill was then taken up and read. Mr. FORSYTH said that the gentleman from Virginia had risen to correct a misstatement of fact, but he had not, in Mr. F's opinion, fulfilled his purpose. The gentleman had said, that the acts of the Executive in regard to the measures for suppressing the Slave Trade were not so full as the resolution on the subject which some Mr. NEWTON, (Chairman of the Committee on Com sessions ago passed this House. I (said Mr. F.) think merce,) stated the circumstances which had led to the the acts of the Executive have been fuller than the re-introduction of the bill, and explained its provisions at solution of this House. I think that, in the negotiations considerable length. on the subject, the Executive has looked beyond the resolution, even to expressions in a report of a committee of this House on the subject, made at a preceding session, and not acted upon. Mr. MERCER explained. He supposed, he said, that the gentleman from Georgia adverted to a cotemporary misconstruction of the resolution to which he referred, that had arisen from an application of the previous question to the debate which it had occasioned. It had been erroneously stated, that the House rejected an amendment proposed to the resolution by a gentleman from Maryland, no longer a member of this House. It was absurd, Mr. M. contended, to introduce the principle into the public law of nations-that the slave trade shall be deemed piratical, and yet to deny the consequential power of detecting, condemning, and punishing the pirates. Such was not the intention of the former Congress. Mr. FULLER said he was in favor of printing the report, as contemplated by the resolution. The suppression of the slave trade had attracted great attention, and was, in fact an object of great interest to the country. He did not agree with the gentleman from Georgia, (Mr. FORSYTH,) that it ought not to be printed, because the committee had proposed no resolution, no legislative measure to grow out of it. His wish was, to make known to the nation the measures adopted by the Government, the course it had pursued for the purpose of putting an end to the slave trade. He thought the nation had a right to know what had been done. If the Government had discharged its duty, or if it had not done so, it was equally desirable that the facts should be known. Besides, Mr. F. said, it was well known that our conduct on this subject, had attracted the attention of foreign nations, and it was incumbent on us to show that we had performed whatever we were able to perform, with sincerity and good faith. That we were neither hypocritical nor indifferent in our professions. The objection that the report had proposed no legislative measure, had, in his, Mr. F's mind, no weight against the printing. The same objection might be made against printing the President's message at the opening of the session, and the accompanying documents; the report of the Secretary of the Treasury on our commerce, and many other documents which we were constantly in the habit of printing for the information of our constituents. As no resolution was offered by the report, it could not even be pretended that the House adopted the reasoning which it presented. He, therefore, hoped the resolution would prevail. Mr. TEST said, he understood that the object of printing the report, as proposed, was, to let the people know the sense of this House on the subject of the measures for the suppression of the slave trade. At present, said he, we only know that such a report has been made Mr. STORRS, of New York, objected to the bill on constitutional grounds, because it speaks of the remission of the tonnage duty on canal boats, as a thing granted by Congress, whereas, he held that Congress had no right to impose such a duty on boats navigating a canal lying wholly within the limits of a single state; and he moved the following amendment, viz: To strike out the first section, after the enacting words, and substitute the following: "That the several acts regulating the commerce of the United States, and imposing duties on tonnage, and the acts supplementary and amendatory of the same, shall not be construed to extend to boats employed exclusively in navigating the canals within the respective states." Mr. NEWTON spoke in reply to Mr. STORRS, and in defence of the bill as reported, contending that Congress possessed the right in its fullest extent, but were willing to waive it in the present instance, provided, that suitable guards were introduced to prevent smug. gling. Mr. STORRS again rose and spoke at some length in support of his former proposition. Mr. TOMLINSON, of Connecticut, supported the principles of the bill, in a speech of considerable interest and length. Mr. CAMBRELENG maintained there was but little substantial difference between the original provision and the amendment. He did not think the constitutions! principle was involved by either, but rather preferred the amendment to the bill. Mr. WEBSTER made some observations on the bill. He did not consider it as involving any dangerous prin. ciple. Mr. P. P. BARBOUR coincided with Mr. STORRS in his constitutional objection, maintaining that the amendment, though it reached the same end as the bill, was widely different, inasmuch as it involved in it no claim on the part of Congress to impose the duty on canal boats, but was merely declaratory form, &c. its Mr. OWEN, of Alabama, moved to lay the bill and amendment on the table; but the motion was negatived. Mr. M'LANE suggested to Mr. STORRS the propriety of omitting that clause of his amendment which extends the exemption, not only to boats navigating the caval, itself, but, also, the artificial works connected therewith. One of these works was a basin in Lake Erie, and the words of the amendment would exclude all the naviga tion of Eake Erie which entered that basin, from tonnage duty. Mr. STORRS accepted the modification proposed by Mr. M’LANE. Mr. FOOT, of Connecticut, and Mr. MARVIN of New York, opposed this amendment, as thus modified, which rendered the bill itself nugatory; for all the boats on the |