Ordered, That they lie for consideration. Mr. Gregg presented the petition of William Levis and Hugh Maxwell, stating that they have on hand a number of the journals of Congress, under the Confederation, of Folwell's edition, which they will dispose of for the use of Congress, at the price heretofore stipulated by government; and the petition was read. Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. Gregg, Howland, and Bradley, to consider and report thereon. The Senate resumed the motion made on the 28th October, "That the part of the President's message which relates to the defence of our seaport towns and harbors, and the further provisions to be made for their security, be referred to a select committee, with leave to report by bill or otherwise;" and the motion was adopted; and Ordered, That Messrs. Mitchill, Adams, Sumter, Milledge, and Robinson, be the committee. The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1807. The President communicated a letter from the Honorable James Fenner, stating the resignation of his seat in the Senate. On request, Mr. Reed obtained leave of absence. The Senate took into consideration the report of the committee to whom was referred, on the 7th instant, the resolutions of the legislative council and house of representatives of the Indiana territory, on the propriety of suspending the 6th article of compact contained in the ordinance for the government of the North Western territory, and agreed thereto; and Resolved, That it is not expedient, at this time, to suspend the 6th article of compact for the government of the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio. On motion, Ordered, That the Secretary transmit the following papers, to be filed in the office of the Secretary of State: An authenticated copy of the cession of North Carolina of certain western territory to the United States: An act of cession by the state of Delaware to the United States of a light-house and piers, and A deed of cession of the same: An act of cession of the state of Georgia to the United States of the light-house on Tybee island: A deed of cession by the state of Georgia to the United States of a light-house on Tybee island: also, A deed of cession by the state of Connecticut to the United States of certain territory called the "Western Reserve of Connecticut." The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the second reading of the bill, entitled "An act making further appropriations for the support of the navy of the United States during the year 1807;" and the bill was reported to the house without amendment. On the question, Shall this bill be read the third time? Mr. Tiffin submitted the following motion for consideration: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire whether any and what alterations are necessary to be made in the "Act for establishing circuit courts, and abridg ing the jurisdiction of the district courts, in the districts of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio;" with leave to report by bill or otherwise." The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1807. Mr. Maclay presented the memorial of Archibald M'Call, of the city of Philadelphia, stating that he united with several of his fellow-citizens in representing to Congress, at the last session, the general hardships to which they had been exposed by a rigorous enforcement of the ten days limitation allowed for signing bonds, in order to secure the benefit of drawback, and that he is debarred the drawback on certain teas imported into the port of Philadelphia; and praying relief, for reasons stated at large in his memorial; which was read. Ordered, That it lie on the table. The motion made yesterday by Mr. Tiffin was considered and adopted; and The bill, entitled "An act making further appropriations for the support of the navy of the United States during the year 1807," was read the third time. Resolved, That this bill pass. Ordered, That the Secretary acquaint the House of Representatives with the concurrence of the Senate in this bill. After the consideration of the Executive business, The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1807. The credentials of the Honorable Elisha Mathewson, appointed a Senator by the legislature of the state of Rhode Island, in the place of James Fenner, Esq. elected governor, were read. The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1807. Mr. Mathewson, from the state of Rhode Island, took his seat in the Senate, and the oath prescribed by law was administered to him. Mr. Mitchell, from the committee to whom was referred that part of the message of the President of the United States which relates to the defence of the seaport towns and harbors of the United States, reported, in part, a letter from the Secretary of the Navy; also, a bill to appropriate money for the construction of an additional number of gun-boats; and the bill was read. Ordered, That it pass to the second reading. The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock on Monday morning. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1807. The following written message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Coles, his Secretary: To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: Agreeably to the assurance given in my message at the opening of the present session of Congress, I now lay before you a copy of the proceedings and of the evidence exhibited on the arraignment of Aaron Burr and others, before the circuit court of the United States, held in Virginia in the course of the present year, in as authentic form as their several parts have admitted. November 23, 1807. The message and documents therein referred to were read. TH. JEFFERSON. Mr. Robinson reported, from the committee, that they had examined and found duly enrolled the bill, entitled "An act making further appropriations for the support of the navy of the United States during the year one thousand eight hundred and seven." A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Magruder, their Clerk: Mr. President: The Speaker of the House of Representatives having signed an enrolled bill, I am directed to bring it to the Senate for the signature of their President. And he withdrew. The President signed the enrolled bill last reported to have been examined, and it was delivered to the committee, to be laid before the President of the United States. The bill to appropriate money for the construction of an additional number of gunboats was read the second time as in committee of the whole. Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until Wednesday next. A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Magruder, their Clerk: Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed a bill, entitled "An act allowing an additional compensation to the secretaries of the Mississippi, Indiana, Louisiana, and Michigan territories," in which they request the concurrence of the Senate. And he withdrew. The bill was read. Ordered, That it pass to the second reading. After the consideration of the Executive business, The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1807. Mr. Adams, from the committee to whom was referred "so much of the message of the President of the United States as relates to the recent outrages committed by British armed vessels within the jurisdiction and within the waters of the United States, and to the legislative provisions which may be expedient as resulting from them; with instructions to inquire whether any and what further and more effectual provisions are necessary in addition to the act, entitled "An act for the more effectual preservation of peace in the ports and harbors of the United States, and the waters under their jurisdiction," reported a bill for the preservation of peace and maintenance of the authority of the United States in the ports, harbors, and waters, under their jurisdiction; and the bill was read. Ordered, That it pass to the second reading. The bill, entitled " An act allowing an additional compensation to the secretaries of the Mississippi, Indiana, Louisiana, and Michigan territories," was read the second time. Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. Smith, of Maryland, Pope, and Smith, of Tennessee, to consider and report thereon. Mr. Robinson reported, from the committee, that they yesterday laid before the President of the United States the enrolled bill, entitled "An act making further appropriations for the support of the navy of the United States during the year one thousand eight hundred and seven." The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1807. The bill for the preservation of peace and maintenance of the authority of the United States in the ports, harbors, and waters, under their jurisdiction, was read the second time as in committee of the whole. Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be postponed until to-morrow. The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the second reading of the bill to appropriate money for the construction of an additional number of gun-boats; and, after debate, It was agreed that the further consideration thereof be the order of the day for Monday next. A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Magruder, their Clerk: Mr. President: The House of Representatives have passed a bill, entitled "An act authorizing the purchase of certain copies of the journals of Congress;" also, a bill, entitled "An act to incorporate the trustees of the Baptist Church, in the City of Washington;" in which bills they request the concurrence of the Senate. And he withdrew. The bills last mentioned were read. Ordered, That they severally pass to the second reading. Mr. Adams submitted the following motion for consideration: Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be laid before the Senate a return of the number of American seamen impressed or detained by British armed vessels, whose names have been reported to the Department of State since the last statement made to Congress; mentioning the names of the persons impressed, the time and place of their impressment, the names of the ships, and, as far as may be known, of the officers by whom they were impressed, together with any material facts or circumstances in relation to the same; stating, also, the whole number of seamen impressed since the commencement of the present war, what number of the persons impressed, according to the last statement of the Secretary of State, has since been restored, and the numbers still detained by the British, since demand of their restoration made; with the reasons assigned for their detention. On motion, by Mr. Pope, Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and, if any, what, additional force is necessary to the military establishment of the United States; and Ordered, That Messrs. Pope, Smith, of Maryland, and Bradley, be the committee. The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1807. Mr. Smith, of Maryland, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act allowing an additional compensation to the secretaries of the Mississippi, Indiana, Louisiana, and Michigan territories," reported the bill without amendment. Mr. Pope presented the petition of William Wells, stating that he had resided on and occupied, for many years, a tract of land situate at Fort Wayne, in the Indiana territory, at the confluence of the rivers St. Joseph's and St. Mary's, which form the Miami of the Lake, on which he has made many improvements, at a considerable expense; that he has made application to the proper officers of the United States to purchase said tract, but has not been able to succeed; and therefore prays that Congress would in their wisdom pass a law granting him the right of pre-emption to a tract of twelve hundred and eighty acres, to include his improvements, at the confluence of the rivers aforesaid, for reasons stated in his petition; which was read. Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. Pope, Tiffin, and Gregg, to consider and report thereon. The bill, entitled "An act authorizing the purchase of certain copies of the journals of Congress," was read the second time. Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. Gregg, Howland, and Bradley, the committee who have under consideration the petition of William Levis and Hugh Maxwell on this subject, to consider and report thereon. A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Magruder, their Clerk: Mr. President: The President of the United States, on the 24th instant, approved and signed the "Act making further appropriations for the support of the navy of the United States during the year one thousand eight hundred and seven." And he withdrew. The bill, entitled "An act to incorporate the trustees of the Baptist Church in the City of Washington," was read the second time. Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. Bradley, Franklin, and Maclay, to consider and report thereon. The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the second reading of the bill * for the preservation of peace and maintenance of the authority of the United States in the ports, harbors, and waters, under their jurisdiction; and, after progress, Adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1807. The Honorable Chauncey Goodrich, appointed a Senator by the legislature of the state of Connecticut, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of the late Honorable Uriah Tracy, attended, and his credentials were read; and the oath prescribed by law was administered to him. The Honorable John Smith, from the state of Ohio, attended. On motion The following resolution, having been amended, was agreed to: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire whether it be compatible with the honor and privileges of this house that John Smith, a Senator from the state of Ohio, against whom bills of indictment were found at the circuit court of Virginia, held at Richmond in August last, for treason and misdemeanor, should be permitted any longer to have a seat therein; and that the committee do inquire into all the facts regarding the conduct of Mr. Smith as an alleged associate of Aaron Burr, and report the same to the Senate; and Ordered, That Messrs. Adams, Maclay, Franklin, Smith, of Maryland, Pope, Thruston, and Anderson, be the committee. During the discussion of the preceding resolution, Mr. Tiffin, by permission, read in his place a letter from Mr. Smith, as follows: WASHINGTON, November 27, 1807. DEAR SIR: Just having heard that a motion is pending in the Senate to appoint a committee to inquire into certain charges exhibited against me at Richmond, by the late grand jury, I beg you, sir, to assure the Senate, in my name, that nothing will afford me more pleasure than to have a public investigation of the said charges, and an opportunity to vindicate my innocence; and I beg you, from your seat, to make this state ment. I am, dear sir, respectfully, yours, &c. Honorable Mr. TIFFIN. JOHN SMITH. Mr. Maclay presented the petition of a number of merchants of the city of Philadel phia, praying the repeal of the "Act to prohibit the importation of certain goods, wares, and merchandise, passed the 18th day of April, 1806," for reasons mentioned in the petition; which was read. The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock on Monday morning, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1807. The Senate resumed the motion made on the 25th instant, on the subject of impressed seamen; and Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be laid before the Senate a return of the number of American seamen impressed or detained by British armed vessels, whose names have been reported to the Department of State since the last statement made to Congress; mentioning the names of the persons impressed, the time and place of their impressment, the names of the ships, and, as far as may be known, of the officers by whom they were impressed, together with any ma terial facts or circumstances in relation to the same; stating, also, the whole number of seamen impressed since the commencement of the present war; what number of the persons impressed, according to the last statement of the Secretary of State, has since been restored, and the numbers still detained by the British since demand of their restoration made; with the reasons assigned for their detention. Ordered, That the Secretary lay this resolution before the President of the United States. Mr. Adams stated that he was instructed, by the committee appointed on the 27th instant, to inquire into the conduct of John Smith, a Senator from the state of Ohio, to submit to the Senate the following resolution; which was read and agreed to: Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be laid before the Senate such information as may be in his possession in relation to the conduct of John Smith, a Senator from the state of Ohio, as an alleged associate of Aaron Burr. Ordered, That the Secretary lay this resolution before the President of the United States. Mr. Adams, from the same committee, also stated, that he was instructed to submit to the Senate the following resolution; which was read and agreed to: Resolved, That the committee appointed on the 27th instant to inquire and report the facts respecting the conduct of John Smith, a Senator from the state of Ohio, as an alleged associate of Aaron Burr, be authorized to extend their inquiries to any other facts which, in their opinion, would be incompatible with his duty as a Senator of the United States; and that they be authorized to send for persons, papers, and records. Agreeably to the order of the day, the Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the second reading of the bill to appropriate money for the construction of an additional number of gun-boats; and Ordered, That the further consideration of this bill be postponed. The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the second reading of the bill, entitled "An act allowing an additional compensation to the secretaries of the Mississippi, Indiana, Louisiana, and Michigan territories;" and the bill having been reported to the House without amendment On the question, Shall this bill be read the third time? It was determined in the affirmative. The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the second reading of the bill for the preservation of peace and maintenance of the authority of the United States in the ports, harbors, and waters, under their jurisdiction; and, after progress, Adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1807. The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the second reading of the bill for the preservation of peace and maintenance of the authority of the United States in the ports, harbors, and waters, under their jurisdiction; and the President reported the bill amended. On motion, It was agreed to strike out the 15th section. On motion, to strike out the 5th section, as follows: "And whereas, the commanders of certain British armed vessels have committed repeated acts of insubordination to the laws, violence to the persons, and trespasses on the property of the citizens within the ports and harbors of the United States, and by continued acts of outrage and aggression have forfeited all claim to hospitality; and when required by the President of the United States, in pursuance of the authority given him by law, immediately to depart from the harbors and waters of the United States, have, in open defiance of the laws and government thereof, refused to depart, and, in violation of the laws of nations, have maintained themselves in hostile array within the harbors and waters under the jurisdiction of the United States, and against the |
