Mr. Chamberlain offered the following preamble and resolution, which was read and laid on the table, to wit:

Whereas, the people of this State, by their representatives in Senate and Assembly convened, did, on the 6th day of May, 1836, enact as follows, viz:

"Si. The Canal Commissioners shall proceed with all reasonable diligence to construct and complete a navigable canal, from the Erie canal in the city of Rochester, through the valley of the Genesee river, to a point at or near Mt. Morris, and from thence by the most eligible route to the Allegany river, at or near Olean, and also a branch of the same, commencing at or near Mt. Morris, and extending up the Canaseraga creek to the village of Dansville."

And also in the same manner and form did, on the 19th day of April, 1836, enact as follows:

"S1. The Canal Commissioners shall proceed with all reasonable diligence to construct a navigable canal, from the High falls on the Black river, in the county of Lewis, by the most advantageous route, to the Erie canal at Rome, and also a navigable feeder from the Black river, to the summit level near the village of Boonville."

And whereas, the people of this State, by their agents, the Canal Commissioners, have proceeded under the several acts above specified, to the construction of the said canals, and have actually expended on the Genesee-Valley canal over three millions five hundred thousand dollars, and leaving only about one million of dollars to complete the same: and also, on the Black river canal, there has been expended one million five hundred thousand dollars, leaving to be expended to complete the same, about three hundred thousand dollars, showing that these works are more than three-fourths completed, and but a small portion brought into use. And whereas, vast amounts of property have changed hands, and large sums of money have been invested in view of the completion of said canals, and many other business arrangements have been made with the same view by a large and respectable portion of our fellowcitizens:

Therefore,

Resolved, That in the judgment of this Senate, the faith of the State is solemnly pledged to carry forward to completion these works, as soon as the finances of the State shall be in a condition to do the same and if not now in such condition, good economy requires that the works in progress should be protected and preserved.

Mr. Lester gave notice that he would at some future time ask leave to introduce a bill to authorize the Seneca Road Company to abandon a portion of their road.

Mr. Porter offered the following resolution,

Resolved, That the 27th standing rule of the Senate be amended by inserting after the words "religious societies" the following: "25. On retrenchment," and by striking out the figures "25" in the next line, and inserting "26."

Mr. President put the question on agreeing to the said resolution, and it was decided in the affirmative.

The ayes and nays having been moved and seconded were as follow:

Ordered, That the petition of Munson and Hart, with the accompanying papers, and the petition of Sayre and House, with the accompanying papers be taken from the files, and referred to the committee on claims, when appointed.

On motion of Mr. Jones,

Ordered, That the concurrent resolutions offered by him, as read in the Journal of yesterday relative to Oregon; also, the concurrent resolution offered by Mr. Porter yesterday, be committed to a committee of the whole.

On motion of Mr. Sedgwick,

Resolved, That a respectful message be transmitted to the Honorable the Assembly, with a request, that they transmit to the Senate the petition and other papers on file with them, in relation to the claim of Patrick Cooney.

Ordered, That the Clerk deliver a copy of said resolution to the Assembly.

On motion of Mr. Wright,

The Senate proceeded to the further consideration of the concurrent resolution heretofore offered by him, which was read as in the Journal of yesterday, relative to the joint library committee.

Mr. President put the question on agreeing to said resolution, and it was decided in the affirmative.

The Senate then proceeded to the further consideration of the concurrent resolution offered by Mr. Johnson, as read in the Journal of yesterday, relative to the joint rules.

Mr. President put the question on agreeing to said resolution, and it was decided in the affirmative.

Ordered, That the Clerk deliver a copy of said resolutions to the Assembly, and request their concurrence in the same respectively.

Mr. Porter asked for and by unanimous consent obtained leave to bring in a bill entitled "An act to repeal the third section of the act entitled 'Anact to provide for the public printing,' passed January 21, 1843, and to regulate the printing for the Senate and Assembly," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read a second time, and on motion of Mr. Porter, committed to a committee of the whole.

Ordered, That the usual number of copies of said bill be printed. Mr. Wright pursuant to notice asked for and obtained leave to bring in a bill entitled "An act to repeal the Act to increase the revenues of the State, by extending the market for salt, coal and lead, passed April 18, 1843,' and the act to amend the same, passed March 7, 1845," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read a second time, and referred to the committee on finance, when ap pointed.

Mr. Wright, pursuant to notice, asked for and obtained leave to bring in a bill entitled "An act to subject the rents reserved on certain leasehold estates to taxation," which was read the first time, and by unanimous consent was also read a second time and laid on the table.

On motion of Mr. Wright,

Ordered, That the usual number of copies of said bill be printed. Mr. Lester offered the following resolution,

Resolved, That the standing rules of the Senate be so amended as to authorize the appointment of a standing committee, to be denominated "the law committee."

Mr. President put the question on agreeing to the said resolution, and it was decided in the negative.

The ayes and nays having been moved and seconded were as follow:

Then the Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning.

15

THURSDAY, 11 O'CLOCK, A. M., JANUARY 8, 1846.

The Senate met pursuant to adjournment.

Prayer by the Rev. Dr. Wyckoff.

The minutes of yesterday having been read and approved,

The President announced the standing committees of the Senate. Thereupon,

Ordered, That Mr. Johnson, Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Emmons, be a committee on claims.

Ordered, That Mr. Porter, Mr. Hand and Mr. Spencer, be a committee on finance.

Ordered, That Mr. Lott, Mr. Putnam and Mr. Wright, be a committee on the judiciary.

Ordered, That Mr. Clark, Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Jones, be a committee on the militia.

Ordered, That Mr. Denniston, Mr. Scovil and Mr. Sanford, be a committee on canals.

Ordered, That Mr. Hard, Mr. Beekman and Mr. Williams, be a committee on railroads.

Ordered, That Mr. Burnham, Mr. Deyo and Mr. Mitchell, be a committee on roads and bridges.

Ordered, That Mr. Young, Mr. Sedgwick and Mr. Folsom, be a committee on literature.

Ordered, That Mr. Hand, Mr. Backus and Mr. S. Smith, be a committee on State prisons.

Ordered, That Mr. Lester. Mr. Talcott and Mr. Beers, be a committee on banks and insurance companies.

Ordered, That Mr. Jones, Mr. S. Smith and Mr. Wheeler, be a committee on the division of towns and counties.

Ordered, That Mr. J. B. Smith, Mr. Beekman and Mr. Emmons, be a committee on agriculture.

Ordered, That Mr. Putnam, Mr. Jones and Mr. Beers, be a committee on commerce and navigation.

Ordered, That Mr. Barlow, Mr. Clark and Mr. Van Schoonhoven, be a committee on manufactures.

Ordered, That Mr. Backus, Mr. Beekman and Mr. Barlow, be a committee on medical societies and medical colleges.

Ordered, That Mr. Deyo, Mr. Talcott and Mr. Sanford, be a committee on privileges and elections.

Ordered, That Mr. Lester, Mr. Folsom and Mr. Beers, be a committee on engrossed bills.

Ordered, That Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. Folsom and Mr. Emmons, be a committee on Indian affairs.

Ordered, That Mr. Emmons, Mr. J. B. Smith and Mr. Van Schoonhoven, be a committee on expiring laws.

Ordered, That Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Wright and Mr. Denniston, be a committee on public expenditures.

Ordered, That Mr. Beers, Mr. Lester and Mr. Hand, be a committee on the incorporation of cities and villages.

Ordered, That Mr. Scovil, Mr. Lott and Spencer, be a committee on public buildings.

Ordered, That Mr. Beekman, Mr. Sedgwick and Mr. Williams, be a committee on the poor laws.

Ordered, That Mr. Clark, Mr. Burnham and Mr. Emmons, be a committee on charitable and religious societies.

Ordered, That Mr. Sedgwick, Mr. Hard and Mr. Talcott, be a committee on printing.

Ordered, That Mr. Talcott, Mr. Porter and Mr. Mitchell, be a committee on retrenchment.

Ordered, That Mr. Jones, Mr. Folsom and Mr. Wright, be the joint library committee on the part of the Senate.

Mr. Sanford presented the memorial of inhabitants of the city of New-York, in communion of the Protestant Episcopal church, praying a repeal or amendment of the act entitled "An act to alter the name of the corporation of Trinity Church in New-York, and for other purposes," passed January 25, 1814, which was read and referred to the committee on charitable and religious societies.

Mr. Denniston presented the petition of the supervisors of Orange county, for the passage of a law making the district attorney of that county a salaried officer, which was read and referred to the committee on the judiciary.

On motion of Mr. Johnson,

Resolved, That there be added to the present standing committees of the Senate, a new committee to be called the committee on griev

ances.

The President announced, and

Thereupon,

Ordered, That Mr. Hand, Mr. Scovil and Mr. J. B. Smith, be a committee on grievances.

A copy of a preamble and resolutions was received from the Assembly, and read in the words following, to wit:

Whereas, in obedience to numerous petitions and other indications of a general public opinion, the last Congress of the United States passed a law materially reducing postage on letters, passing through the mail, below former rates; in the propriety of which reduction the people of this State have accorded with great unanimity; and many are of opinion there should be a still further reduction; and whereas, indications have been given that an attempt will be made in the present Congress to raise the charges on mail letters above the present rates.

Therefore,

J

Resolved, As the sense of this Legislature, (if the honorable Senate concur herein,) That the rates of letter postage are already sufficiently high, and should not be increased; that the present system has not yet been in operation sufficiently long to test its propriety or fully ascertain its results.

Resolved, That our Senators and Representatives in Congress be re