MARCH 1, 1825.] Suppression of Piracy. ed there was no necessity for particularizing the purposes for which we build vessels. The true course was for the Executive to state what he needs, whether in men, ships, or money; and if we conclude to grant it, we are to leave him to use it on his own responsibility. For his own part, he believed that sloops of war would be necessary in times of peace as well as war. and after piracy should be suppressed as at the present. The motion prevailed, and the words were stricken out. [H. of R. as the Department asks. But this surely is not a compulsory matter. The Department may ask one thing and we may give another. The Secretary of the Navy asks for frigates, we do not give them-but, instead, we give more sloops of war. These will be of important service on our Eastern frontier, where the British vessels, to say the least, had committed very great mistakes about the bounds of our fisheries. The same observations would apply to the Mediterranean. In the British Navy this class of vessels were in constant use. That government had 80 or 100 sloops of war, all actively employed in various species of service, which do not require as to build ten of these vessels? A similar measure had been recommended at the last session. We are told that the Executive is to be held bound to do all he can do without further Legislation. Let us then pass the bill as it is. Mr. FULLER proposed to add a section to the bill, empowering the President to dispose of the schooners and other vessels at present in use, and which were in aa great array of power. Why should we not go so far state of decay. Mr. CROWNINSHIELD offered a section of somewhat greater extent, and suggested to Mr. FULLER to accept it instead of that proposed by him. Mr. FULLER consented, and the section was adopted. Mr. FOOT, of Connecticut, offered an amendment, fixing the rate of freight for the transportation of specie. He observed that some difficulty existed on the subject. That the Navy Department had never yet fixed any rate. In the British navy the price was fixed by an order in council. Mr. WEBSTER observed, that he had no objection to regulate the subject by law, but thought it had no immediate connection with the present bill. Mr. FOOT replied, that, by the alterations which had been made, the bill had now become a general one, and this might as well be admitted as other sections. Complaints on the subject were daily increasing especially on South American Stations, and it was very desirable that the matter should be regulated in some way. The amendment was rejected. Mr. BUCHANAN then moved to amend the bill, by reducing the number of sloops of war from ten to five, and the sum appropriated from $500,000, to $425,000. In support of his motion, Mr. B. observed, that the present was a bill for the suppression of piracy, and not for the increase of the Navy. He thought that if Congress gave the Executive all he asked, they certainly did all that was needed. The Secretary of the Navy asked only for four sloops of war; he was willing to give him five. (Here Mr. B. quoted the letter of the Secretary.) He thought it was wisest in Congress to keep the power in their own hands. I was manifest, that only 5 sloops could be built, for the $500,000 would build no more-$425,000 was sufficient for this purpose, and he therefore proposed that sum. He did not wish to be understood as holding the opinion that it was not proper to increase the Navy, but he did not think it proper to authorize so large an increase of it at the present time. Mr. WEBSTER hoped that this motion would not prevail. He called the attention of the committee to the situation of the United States, and hoped that while they considered the expense, they would also consider the mode in which it is to be applied. He thought there was much pertinency in a remark made by the gentleman from New Hampshire; (Mr. BARTLETT,) the nation came out of the late war, under a strong excitement in favor of the Navy. The Navy had crowned the nation with glory, and that glory had been won by the use of large ships. Many such were accordingly ordered. But ships of a large size, put at hazard great sums of money. They are often employed for service which might be equally well done by smaller vessels, which would cost, and which would hazard less But we have no such smaller vessels. If we looked at the naval service in other nations, we should see what a great disproportion existed between the number of our large and our smaller vessels. The service in the West Indies, and the service beyond Cape Horn, did not require such heavy ships vessels of a smaller class would answer every purpose, at a far less expense. The gentleman from Pennsylva nia, (Mr. BUCHANAN,) says it is enough if we give as fast Mr. BUCHANAN observed, in reply, that he was sorry at this late hour to come in collision with the gentleman from Massachusetts. He could not but notice, however, that that gentleman had not thought fit to reply to what he had advanced as a principal argument in favor of the amendment he proposed, that only 500,000 dollars were appropriated, and five sloops of war would cost $425,000. Could we not repose confidence in the next Congress; could we not leave them to judge, since only five ships could be built this year, whether five more would be wanting next year? It was vain to say that a number of ships should be built, not exceeding ten, and then to give means only for five. If ten were intended to be given, they would cost $850,000. Perhaps it was not held politic to spread such an amount before the people. The Senate had passed a bill for ten sloops of war in the early part of last session. But, during all of last session, and all of the present, until now, the House had refused to take up that bill. Was it proper, at this late moment, to enter into a discussion about the increase of the Navy? We had already spent eight millions on the Navy-he wanted to know how this had been spent; and whether the ships which had been built corresponded with the law. He wanted to know whether the ancient discipline was still continued. He doubted the propriety of incorporating in a bill for the suppression of piracy, provisions which went, in fact, to increasing the Navy. Mr. TRIMBLE, of Kentucky, observed, that he should vote for the provisions of the bill, because he believed that their tendency in practice would be to diminish the expense of the Navy, and to improve its discipline. The complaints which exist, had arisen from the employment of too many large vessels. There would be no need to put all our large vessels in commission, if we should build small ones. This would be a saving of expense, for we are now driven to use the large, because we have no small. Look at the disproportion in the different branches of our service. The whole amount of our commerce to the Mediterranean, is about one million of dollars, and it has one hundred and ninety guns to protect it. Our trade to Cuba amounts to six or seven mi!lions, and it is protected by only one hundred and fiftyeight guns. This irregularity was occasioned chiefly by want of small vessels. Mr. FULLER observed, in reply to Mr. BUCHANAN, that it was true that $500,000 were insufficient to complete the ten sloops of war. But the Senate, in passing their bill on this subject, adopted the principle that ten ought to be built, but only half the money appropriated at first, because, the whole could not be used at once.Many advantages and much economy would arise from such an arrangement. Contracts could at once be made for the whole of the timber, and materials could thus be more cheaply obtained. Mr. M'COY observed, that the bill was now broken down, to what he had at first expected. He thought there was rather an unnecessary agitation about the pirates. He believed that the President had force enough now. But five sloops of war at once was surely enough. Let us leave some to be provided by our suc cessors. The question was then put on Mr. BUCHANAN'S amendment, and carried-ayes 78, noes 57. The committee then rose, and reported the bill as amended. The House concurred in all the amendments of the Committee, saving the last, viz: that reducing the num ber of sloops, and the sum to be appropriated. Mr. CAMBRELENG opposed the adoption of the amendment. The gentleman from Pennsylvania had given the House an eulogy on the ancient discipline of our navy. But if he wished to preserve or restore this, his own motion is fatal to the object. We have, at this moment,twenty-nine Masters Commandant, and only five ships of the class requisite to instruct them. It was on this description of officers, that the nation must rely in case of war; their instruction and improvement was an object all important to our naval power and reputation; and I appeal to that gentleman, whether, under such circumstances, the number of ships now proposed, is too great. He had hoped that the gentleman would at least have left the first section of the bill, if it were only for the sake of the impression which our measures are likely to make at Cuba. We began with a dreadful note of preparation; he hoped that our threats would have led to some more formidable measures; he called for the yeas and nays on the amendment. He did think that, when the pirates of Cuba called for American blood, that Congress was bound to respond to such a call. [MARCH 1, 1825. Mr. FOOT, of Connecticut, observed, that the gentleman from Pennsylvania, (Mr. BuchANAN,) asks—Why need ten of these ships to be built? Let the gentleman look at the accounts daily received from the Pacific.He will there perceive that the difficulties of our commerce are daily increasing; that our force on that sta tion is not sufficient. Our naval commanders have been forced to take our vessels under their protection, and have been scarce able to accomplish the object. The ships would be needed if no piracy existed whatever. Mr. BUCHANAN observed, in reply to Mr. WEBSTER, that that gentleman had begun his speech in a manner he did not expect from him, and had expressed himself as much amazed that he (Mr. B.) should not be able to comprehend how the money appropriated is spent. He must have been very stupid indeed, to doubt for a mo ment that any sum that we may appropriate would be spent by the Navy Department. But he knew that tim ber was already bought, and he did not see the neces sity of appropriating money to buy it. He, too, was for beginning before we end. He would begin now with five ships, and end next Congress with five more. He was sorry to repeat an argument he had already more than once employed: but he could not comprehend why there should be so much tenacity manifested for building ten ships, when the 500,000 appropriated, would not build them. But he presumed the plan was now, to get the House to say, that the ships shall be built, and then to say, that next session the money required must be ap propriated. He was opposed to this proceeding. Why should not the House retain its discretion, as to granting or not granting the means to build the other five, if at next session we should deem them necessary? The yeas and nays were ordered accordingly. Mr. WEBSTER answered, that there was no conceal Mr. BUCHANAN, in reply, said the gentleman ap-ed purpose on the part of the friends of the bill. Every peals to me but I can assure him he appeals in vain.-body knew that the ships would cost, not $500,000, but He, however, has been chosen a member of the next $800,000. Whoever voted for the building of them, Congress - I also have; and if he shall then make to me would vote with this understanding. But only $500,000 the same appeal, I promise him that appeal shall not be were now to be appropriated, because no more would be wanted the present year. The building of the whole could not be accomplished in one year, but if the building of the whole shall be authorized, the requisite preparations may be made to the best advantage, and thus public economy be consulted. made in vain. Mr. WEBSTER observed, that it was not his habit to war against what appeared to be the will of the House; but, in the present case, he thought the answer to the objections urged was obvious and easy; and he felt great surprise that the gentleman should argue so strenDously from the sum being less than is needed for the ships. This House always appropriate, during any current year, less than the whole expense of any great object, requiring much time for its completion, because the whole sum cannot be used, and is not, therefore, needed in one year. Some of the proposed ships may be built out of timber already in the Navy Yards. The residue of the money may go to buy more timber. It is by no means necessary that the very materials purchased by the appropriation must be applied to this particular object. They may be taken from any stock of materials in possession of the Government, which will best answer the purpose, provided that stock is again replaced. The object of the bill he thought to be obvious; if the President orders ten keels to be laid, it can be done : Mr. LIVINGSTON rose for the purpose of informing the House that it had been ascertained by the Board of Naval Commissioners that six of these vessels can be built in the course of the present year, out of materials now on hand. The present appropriation will, there fore, be sufficient to complete the whole. The question was then taken on Mr. BUCHANAN'S amendment, (reducing the number of vessels to five, and the appropriation to $425,000,) and decided by yeas and nays, in the negative-yeas 72, nays 76. The bill was then ordered to a third reading. ON THE SAME DAY— The bill having received its third reading, and the question being on its final passage, Mr. ROSS, of Ohio, spoke in earnest opposition to it. that's not to say, that all ten of the vessels must be fin- The question had now become this: Whether we will ished this year; we must begin before we end. Many increase the navy of the United States? The bill was public works were, from their nature, gradually progres- no longer a provision against piracy, but a bill for the sive. When we contemplate a fortfication, for instance, increase of the navy. If vessels of the kind proposed we assign for its completi in a much larger sum than we were needed, he thought we had enough of them algrant for it in any one year. We take time by the fore-ready. We had twelve or thirteen schooners, a kind of lock. We avail ourselves of advantages in contracts and vessel very similar to those now to be built, as well cal purchases, and thus consult the public economy. This culated for the purpose intended as these sloops of war year we appropriate towards these vessels only half a and the debate came back to the simple question, whe million The remaining $300,000 we appropriate next ther this House will grant an appropriation for the ge year. They are designed for a most useful and needful neral increase of the navy? and not for any specific pur service; they are, in fact, indispensable to complete our pose. He wished to turn the attention of the House to naval establishment. They ought to be built, if only on the expense unavoidably attendant on such a meander principles of economy; and the policy which dictates the He thought that, when that expense was duly consider present bill, is a wise forseeing and provident policy, ed, gentlemen would feel inclined to pause, and othe I endeavor to be better satisfied of the necessity of the and as such ought to be pursued. MARCH 1, 1825.] Suppression of Piracy. [H. of R. expense before they passed this bill. It was not to be sels in time of peace. Mr. COOK, of Illinois, followed on the opposite side. He said it might be thought, that as he represented that state, which was the furthest of any from the ocean, he neither knew nor cared much about a bill which related wholly to naval affairs; but if any gentleman had drawn that conclusion, they had misunderstood him, and misunderstood the West. The Western country knows and feels that it is dependant for its prosperity, to a very great extent, on the owners of our shipping. It is through them that the trade of the interior gets an outlet to the ocean, and it has experienced the vast advan tage which has been conferred by the navy on the secu rity and advancement of the commerce of the country. The West has an extensive interest in enjoying a market for its product. In the present state of the country, the only market for a very large portion of the interior, is found at New Orleans; and the Western states have, therefore, a direct concern in the protection of the trade in the Gulf of Mexico, from those vile marauders, who have so long vexed and harassed it. He thought that the whole country had a common interest in hunting those murderers from their lurking places, and executing upon them the punishment they deserved. The existence of piracy was a disgrace, as well as an injury to the country, and it was the interest of those on the land, equally with those on the sea, that it should be promptly and effectually put down. Gentlemen ought all to endeavor to bring home to their own bosoms the injuries and sufferings of their fellow citizens exposed to these merciless monsters. He hoped there would be no reluctance manifested. He hoped, especially, that the West would not hesitate, but that those members who came from the remotest parts of the interior would vie with those on the sea-board in exertions for the common protection. Mr. WOOD, of New York, observed, in reply to Mr. Ross, that that gentleman was mistaken in supposing that this bill was at war with the principles of economy. On the contrary, experience had proved, that there was no class of vessels so cheap as that now proposed; the plan of the bill was eminently an economical plan. The expense of a 74 gun ship was five times as great as that of a sloop of war. Allowing one of the latter to cost $70,000, five of them will cost $350,000, but one 74 costs $370 000. These sloops, while costing less than a 74, employ at the same time, 200 more men. There was no comparison as to the efficiency of the two kinds of ves Mr. NEWTON, of Va. supported the bill. If the House should now reject it, it was too late to originate a new one, and the commerce of the country would be left to the depredation of the pirates to the next session. A state of things which would cost the nation fifty times as much as the whole amount of the bill. Gentlemen ought to consider that all the necessaries of life are exported to the West Indies, and that the West and the South are equally interested in the market with the North and East. The whole nation had an interest in supporting this trade. The West Indies, in fact, presented our best market; there we sent our food; there we sent our manufactures. There was no member on the floor more ready to meet responsibility than he was. But the responsibility of destroying this bill, and exposing our West India commerce, was one from which he must shrink. He held it to be the great duty and interest of the nation to keep up our navy; we are the solitary republic towards whom all look who are struggling for freedom in the old world or the new. If you reject this bill, it will have a most injurious impression in Mexico, and throughout all the Gulf. He thought the interest at stake too important thus to be put by. The question was then taken on the passage of the bill, and carried by a large majority; its title was amended, so as to read, " An act to authorize the building of ten sloops of war, and for other purposes," and it was then sent to the Senate for concurrence. [The Senate subsequently concurred in all the amendments made to the House by this bill.] Mr. STORRS offered the following: Resolved, That the Postmaster General be directed to communicate to this House, annually, at each session of Congress, a statement of the amount of postage accruing in the preceding year, at each of the post offices in the several states and territories of the United States, classifying the said accounts of postage so accruing, by states and territories. Mr. COOK, of Illinois, offered the following resolu tion, which lies on the table: Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to prepare and report to this House, at the Sen. & H. of R.] Massachusetts Claims, &c. next session of Congress, such a system as he may deem best calculated to produce all the effects designed by the infliction of imprisonment and hard labor for offences against the laws of the United States. There being no quorum, an adjournment was moved and negatived. On motion of Mr. SCOTT, the House went into committee of the whole, Mr. HERRICK in the chair, on the bill authorizing the President of the United States to cause a road to be marked out from Missouri to the confines of New Mexico; it was reported without amend ment. Mr. M‘DUFFIE objected to the bill, as being for External Improvement, and moved that it lie on the table. The motion was carried-Ayes 68, Noes 48. IN SENATE-WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1825. The committee appointed to make such arrangements as may be necessary for the reception of the President of the United States, on the occasion of his inauguration, reported, in part, the following resolution: "Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate inform the House of Representatives, that the President Elect of the United States, on Friday next, at 12 o'clock, will take the oath of office required by the Constitution, in the chamber of the House of Representatives; and that he also inform the President Elect, that the Senate will be in session at that time." HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES-SAME DAY. MASSACHUSETTS CLAIMS. Mr. HAMILTON, in moving that the Committee on Military Affairs be discharged from the further consider ation of the President's late message, urging on Congress the immediate adjustment of the claim of Massachusetts for militia services during the late war, said he was au thorized to say, that the Committee, participating in the desire felt by the President for the settlement of the claim in question, had submitted to the joint delegations from Massachusetts and Maine, a proposition to report immediately a short bill for the payment of so much of the claims as might be free from all constitutional objection; but these gentlemen, deeming such a course inexpedient, and that, from the indications of the House, it was not intended this session to discuss the subject, (from, he believed, an entire misapprehension on the part of the House, that the topic involved a long and perhaps unpleasant discussion,) had declined accepting this partial measure, under a belief that it might ultimately be prejudicial, if any hope could have been entertained, that it would, within the last ten days, have been consider ed by the House. This state of things left the committee no other course than to move that they be discharged from the further consideration of the recent message of the President, on the claims of Massachusetts for certain militia services rendered during the late war. The Committee were then discharged, agreeably to the motion of Mr. H. The resolution yesterday laid on the table by Mr. TRIMBLE, calling on the Secretary of the Treasury to state his opinion of the probable effect of the warehousing system on the revenue, was taken up and agreed to. Mr. CAMBRELENG offered the following resolution, which lies one day: "Resolved, That the Secretary of State be directed to communicate to Congress, at its next session, if compatible with the public interest, such correspondence as may have taken place with Great Britain, relating to the na vigation of the St. Lawrence." Mr. TUCKER offered the following, which lies on the table: [MARCH 2, 1825. to ascertain the probable expense of extinguishing the Indian title to a portion of the country lying west of the Rocky Mountains, that may be suitable for colonizing the free people of color, the best known route across the said mountains, and the probable cost of a road and military posts necessary to a safe communication with such colony, and to report thereon to the House at the next session of Congress." Mr. HAMILTON, of South Carolina, said he wished the gentleman would withdraw his motion, to give him an opportunity of expressing his sentiments on so extra. ordinary a proposition, on which there prevailed a distempered enthusiasm, which ought, for the interest of the country, to be repressed. The motion was not withdrawn, but, after some further remarks, the resolve was ordered to lie on the table. Mr. MERCER called up the consideration of the resolution reported by the Committee on the Slave Trade, requesting the Executive to continue_negotiations with foreign powers, for the purpose of its final suppression. ed in the negative. So the House refused now to consi The question of consideration being put, it was decid der the resolution. The House then went into committee of the whole, on the bill concerning the Copper Mines on the South side of Lake Superior. Mr. COCKE inquired for farther information; and a letter from Mr. Schoolcraft, the Mineralogist, was read. Mr. OWEN moved to strike out all of the bill after the enacting clause, and substitute the body of another bill for adjusting certain land claims. The Chair pronounced the motion out of order. Mr. COCKE then stated that he had just received information from the Delegate from Michigan, which induced him to believe the Copper Mines in question were of great value-and that the longer the purchase was deferred, the more its price would be enhanced. Mr. ELLIS opposed the bill. It was beneath the dig nity of the government, be said, to seize upon a feature of value in the Indian country the moment it was heard of, &c. Mr. RANKIN deprecated the interference of the Unit ed States in mining property. The experience of the government, in relation to lead mines and sait springs, t afforded a warning on the subject. He moved to strike out the enacting clause. Mr. RICHARD, Delegate from Michigan, stated the facts of the case. One vein of very pure ore had been discovered, of six feet in thickness, he said, and of great, and at present, unknown length. The value of this mine made it very important to legislate on the subject, &c. Mr. CONWAY, the Delegate from Arkansas, corrobo rated this statement. Masses of Copper had been found there, he said, weighing several hundred pounds. He replied to the remarks of Mr. RANKIN. The bill only looks to the extinguishment of Indian title to a small tract of country embracing the mine, which, if not worked by the Government, might be sold to great vantage. ad Mr. WHIPPLE opposed the bill. He did not doubt the existence of quantities of copper there-but the transportation, &c. would make it cost more than that imported. Mr. STRONG advocated the object of the bill. Its object was not to extinguish the Indian title to the tract but to have the country thoroughly explored, and, if copper exists, as is represented, to get the right over it for the United States, by purchase. Mr. McCOY opposed the bill. Mines were the last property, he said, for which he would vote away the public money. Mr. WOOD stated facts, and quoted Long's Expedi tion, to show that the mine would be of no value till lo Resolved, That the Secretary of War be required cal commerce required copper in that neighborhood. MARCH 2, 3, 1825.] Suppression of Piracy. [H. of R. & Sen. The question being put, the enacting clause of the bill Mr. COCKE. It was carried. The bill was then rewas stricken out. en up. Mr. McCOY moved to lay it again on the table. The motion was negatived-yeas 49, noes 79. The bill was ordered to a third reading, read a third time, passed, and returned to the Senate. The House then went into committee of the whole, Mr. ARCHER in the chair on the bill to provide for the security of public money in the hands of Clerks of Courts, Marshals, and Attorneys; which was reported. Mr. WEBSTER stated reasons which induced the Committee on the Judiciary to think the bill unnecessary, the case being already provided for by law; and he moved to lay it on the table. The motion was negatived, and the bill was then passed, and sent to the Senate. The House then took up the bill to secure the ac. countability of public officers; (which bill lay on the table.) On motion of Mr. COCKE, it was slightly amend. ed, when Mr. WEBSTER moved that it lie on the table. The motion was lost. Mr. WEBSTER objected to passing the bill without some statements from the Committee who reported it; the bill contained important provisions, and some of which, as at present informed, he thought of doubtful expediency. Mr. BUCHANAN expressed a similar sentiment, and thought it improper to legislate without farther light. Mr. WHIPPLE explained the objects of the bill, and contended for its justice and propriety. Mr. WEBSTER enforced his objections. The bill stopped the salary or other dues of sureties from go. vernment, before any judgment was obtained against the persons for whom they became security. Mr. WHIPPLE replied-the surety was entitled to have a suit in sixty days, and the suit would not, in com. mon cases, occupy a long time, &c. Mr. BUCHANAN, wishing the bill to be better understood, moved its indefinite postponement. Mr. INGHAM gave some explanation of the bill as originally reported, but objected to the amendment, which had been incorporated with it. The question being taken on indefinite postponement, Mr. FORSYTH demanded the Yeas and Nays; which were ordered. Mr. LITTLE then moved to recommit the bill to a committee of the whole, and make it the order of the day for to-day; which motion was agreed to. [The bill was thus finally disposed of, not being afterwards taken up.j The House again went into committee of the whole, Mr. CAMPBELL, of Ohio, in the chair, on the bill to secure the accountability of public officers. Mr. M'LANE stated that it had not been the intention of the Committee of Ways and Means to call up the bill, and he did not hold himself prepared to act upon it. The object of the bill had substantially been obtained by a section of another act passed at the present session. The clause before moved by Mr. COCKE, (extending the operation of the bill to sureties as well as principals) was striken out. Mr. DURFEE moved to strike out the third section, forbidding the appointment to office, by the President and Senate, or any one who is indebted to the Government. The motion was supported by the mover, by Mr. WEBSTER, Mr. M'LANE, of Delaware, and opposed by VOL. I.-47 ported as amended. Mr. STRONG moved to lay it on the table. For this motion there were, ayes 57, noes 41. This not being a quorum, on motion of Mr. LITTLE, the House went into recess till 6 o'clock. EVENING SESSION-6 O'CLOCK. The bill to secure the accountability of public officers, pending on the adjournment to-day, was ordered to lie on the table (rejected.) Mr. CALL moved to take up the bill establishing a navy yard at or near Pensacola. The motion was agreed to-ayes 66, noes 44. The House accordingly went into committee of the whole, Mr. TOMLINSON in the chair, on that bill. A debate arose upon this bill, of considerable interest, in which Mr. CALL, WOOD, of N. Y., CLAY, and TATTNALL, took part, in which the bill was supported with great earnestness by Mr. CALL and Mr. TATTNALL, and opposed by Mr. BARTLETT. On motion of Mr. WEBSTER, the bill was modified by an amend. ment, so as to authorize the Secretary of the Navy to locate the navy yard on any point in the Gulf of Mexico. In this form it was advocated by Mr. WOO1) and Mr. CLAY, and having been reported, it was ordered to a third reading-and was subsequently read a third time, passed, and returned to the Senate for concurrence in the amendment. IN SENATE.-THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1825. The Senate having finished the business of the session, Mr. SMITH offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That the thanks of the Senate be presented to the Hon. JoN GAILLARD, President of the Senate pro tempore, for the ability, impartiality, and integrity, he has evinced in discharging the arduous and important duties of his station. Whereupon, Mr. GAILLARD rose, and delivered the following address: Gentlemen: The standing of this Body in public estimation, and the character it has to sustain, can never fail to ensure to your Presiding Officers an exemption from much of those difficulties and embarrassments that are sometimes to be encountered by those who are called upon to preside over deliberative assemblies; and the experience which I have had of your liberality, furnishes abundant proof that they may always rely on your patient endurance and indulgent support. Actuated by an anxious desire to endeavor to meet your reasonable expectations, however I might fail in the attempt; and infiuenced, I trust, by no other considerations than such as would lead to a faithful and impartial discharge of the duties confided to me; the gratification I derive from this assurance of your satisfaction, is only to be surpassed by the profound respect and gratitude with which it is received. In the hope and expectation that most of us may again be assembled together at this place, under the same kind and friendly feelings which have heretofore prevailed within these walls; and with the prospect before us of soon being permitted to return to our homes, families, and friends, and the associations connected with objects so dear and so interesting; the pleasure arising from the termination of our session would have been with. out alloy-but, for the recollection that we shall then have to separate, and, from the vicissitudes attendant on human life and human affairs, perhaps forever, from many valued associates, esteemed for their worth, respected for their virtues, endeared to us by long, social, and friendly intercourse, and who will, I am persuaded, carry with them to their retirement our respect, esteem, and regard. I avail myself of this occasion to express to them and |