States; also, a bill, entitled "An act requiring the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House of Representatives, in the Congress of the United States, to give security for the faithful application and disbursement of the contingent funds of the Senate and House of Representatives;" in which bills they request the concurrence of the Senate. WEDNESDAY, February 15. On motion, by Mr. TAIT, the further consideration of the bill, entitled "An act making provision for subsisting the Army of the United States, by authorizing the appointment of commissaries of subsistence," was postponed to Monday next. The two bills brought up yesterday for concurrence were read, and passed to the second reading. The resolution for the appointment of a joint committee to inquire into the expediency of causing the chambers at present occupied by the two Houses of Congress, or others in the same building, to be altered and fitted up, for their better accommodation, was read the second time, and considered as in Committee of the Whole; and no amendment having been proposed thereto, on the question, Shall this resolution be engrossed and read a third time? it was determined in the affirmative. The Senate proceeded to consider the amendment of the House of Representatives to their amendments to the bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year 1815," and concurred therein. On motion, by Mr. SMITH, the further consideration of the bill to authorize a detachment from the militia of the United States was postponed to Monday next. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act in addition to an act regulating the Post Office Establishment." On motion, by Mr. TAYLOR, it was referred to the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year 1815," to consider and report thereon. Mr. MORROW presented the petition of Michael Jones and W. Bond, the Register and Receiver of Public Moneys for the district of Kaskaskia, praying additional compensation for their services; for reasons stated at large in the petition; which was read, and referred to the committee to whom was referred, the 21st September last, the memorial of the Legislature of the Indiana Territory, to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise. DEFENCE OF NEW ORLEANS. The resolutions expressive of the high sense entertained by Congress of the patriotism and good conduct of the people of Louisiana and of New Orleans, during the late military operations before that city, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, were read a third time as amended, and having been further amend SENATE. ed by unanimous consent, passed unanimously, as follows: Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress entertain a high sense of the patriotism, fidelity, zeal, and courage, with which the people of the State of Louisiana promptly and unanimously stepped forth, under circumstances of imminent danger from a powerful invading army, in defence of all the individual, social, and political rights, held dear by man. Congress declare and proclaim, that the brave Louisianians deserve well of the whole people of the United States. the generosity, benevolence, and humanity, displayed Resolved, That Congress entertain a high sense of by the people of New Orleans, in voluntarily affording the best accommodations in their power, and giving the kindest attentions to the wounded, not only of our own army, but also to the wounded prisoners of a vanquished foe. Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause the foregoing resolutions to be communicated to his Excellency the Governor of Louisiana, accompanied with a request that he cause the greatest possible publicity to be given to them for the information of the whole people of Louisiana. The resolutions expressive of the high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry and good conduct of Commodore D. T. Patterson and and marines under their command, in the defence Major D. Carinick, and of the officers, seamen, of New Orleans, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, were read a third time, and passed unanimously, as follows: Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress entertain a high sense of the valor and good conduct of Commodore D. T. Patterson, of the officers, petty officers, and seamen, attached to his command, for their prompt and efficient co-operation with General Jackson, in the late gallant and successful defence of the city of New Orleans, when assailed by a powerful British force. Resolved, That Congress entertain a high sense of the valor and good conduct of Major Daniel Carmick, of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and marines, under his command, in the defence of the said city, on the late memorable occasion. The resolutions expressive of the thanks of Congress to Major General Jackson, and the troops under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct in the defence of New Orleans, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, were read a third time as amended, and passed unanimously, as follows: tives of the United States of America in Congress asResolved, by the Senate and House of Representasembled, That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, given to Major General Jackson, and, through him, to the officers and soldiers of the regular army, of the militia, and of the volunteers under his immediate command, and to the officers and soldiers charged with the defence of Fort St. Philip, for their uniform gallantry and good conduct, conspicuously displayed against the enemy, from the time of his landing before New Orleans until his final expulsion from the State of Louisiana, and particularly for their valor, skill, and good conduct, on the 8th of January last, in repulsing, with great slaughter, a numerous British army of chosen veteran troops, when attempting, by a bold and daring attack, to storm and carry the works hastily thrown up for the defence of New Orleans, and thereby obtaining a most signal and complete victory over the enemy, with a disparity of loss, on his part, unexampled in military annals. Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be struck a gold medal, with devices emblematical of this splendid achievement, and presented to Major General Jackson, as a testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress, of his judicious and distinguished conduct on that memorable occasion. Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause the foregoing resolutions to be communicated to Major General Jackson, in such terms as he may deem best calculated to give effect to the objects thereof. When the above resolutions were under consideration, Mr. BROWN, of Louisiana, addressed the Chair, as follows: Mr. President: Having the honor to represent the State which has been the theatre of the events which it is the object of these resolutions to commemorate, it might be considered an evidence of great insensibility on my part, did I not rise for the purpose of expressing my most hearty approbation of them. The reflecting mind, in reviewing the eventful measures by which the people of Louisiana have been conducted from a position of extreme peril to a state of perfect security, is irresistibly led to acknowledge the protecting hand of an all-wise and beneficent Providence, whose dispensations it is our duty, in grateful humility, to revere. FEBRUARY, 1815. these, admonish me, that it is best to indulge in The citizens of Kentucky, since the commencement of our present struggle, have obtained a character so elevated for patriotism and devotion to the best interests of their country, that it can receive no additional lustre from any expressions I can employ. The State of Tennessee has exalted claims to the approbation of the nation. To that State we are indebted for the safety of our country when threatened by our savage neighbors, and the part which her citizens have acted on the late ever memorable occasion, will afford to their latest posterity a rich repast in the page of impartial history. Óne-third of the militia of this State, having no exposed frontier to protect, and threatened by no immediate danger, cheerfully left their friends and their families and flew to the assistance of Louisiana. Generous people! on behalf of those you have succored in the hour of peril, I thank you-from my heart I thank you! Reflect, Mr. President, on the rapid march of The richest reward which a nation can bestow General Coffee and his volunteers to Mobile, to on its distinguished benefactors, is to be found in Pensacola, to New Orleans, a distance of more the unanimous expression of a nation's gratitude. than one thousand miles. Consider the difficulOn no occasion has the united voice of national ties of the route, and you will admire the persefeeling been more distinctly heard, than on that verance of the commander, and the patience and which is the subject of our present deliberations. discipline of his troops, as much as you will apThe measures adopted by General Jackson for plaud the undaunted bravery they displayed on the protection of Louisiana, and their happy re- the memorable eighth of January. See the brave sults, have been succinctly detailed in his own and indefatigable Carroll descending the Mississimple, perspicuous, and modest narrative. It is sippi with an army of three thousand men, and not now necessary to recapitulate the facts. It is accomplishing his voyage in a space of time enough that we fix our admiring eyes on their considered too short to enable the greedy specufortunate results. If to disconcert the gigantic lator, in search of a market, to conduct a single plans of the enemy-to disappoint his extravagant ark to the same point of destination. It is to such expectations to humble his pride-to destroy a men, and to such exertions as these, that Louisigreat part of his hitherto invincible army-to ex-ana is indebted for her safety, and so long as gratpel them from our soil, and save a State to the Union, and to accomplish all with a comparative loss unexampled in military annals, can entitle a brave general and a gallant army to the thanksolutions now under consideration, as relate to the of a generous people, then are General Jackson and his followers entitled to the wreath prepared for them by these resolutions. I shall not follow the deliverer of Louisiana through the blaze of battle and the shouts of victory; I am not so weak as to believe that my feeble voice can add lustre to deeds like his "to deeds without a name." The tears of admiration and gratitude which moisten every eye whilst surveying scenes like itude shall be considered a virtue, shall these brave men be held in grateful remembrance. On so much of these resolutions, and other resmilitia and people of Louisiana, it would not, perhaps, become me to enlarge. Attached, as I feel myself, to the generous people of that State, by the recollection of a thousand proofs they have given me of their kindness and confidence, I could not profess to be their impartial eulogist. That their conduct on the late trying emergency has been such, as not only to fulfil the predictions of their friends, and efface the unfavorable prejudices of those who until now were strangers to their true character, but also to receive the approbation of the nation, is to me a source of inexpressible pleasure. Mr. President, I fondly hope that the dawn of peace is about to break upon our beloved country. Cheered by its benignant rays we look into futurity, and calculate the influence which the recent events at New Orleans may have upon the destinies of this nation. To foreign Powers, the lesson taught by them will be full of instruction. From the fate of a powerful army invading a portion of our country, hitherto considered the most assailable, they will learn that freemen, impressed with a sense of the value of their rights, and armed in defence of their own soil, are invincible. At home, the effects of these brilliant achievements will be salutary and beneficent. Should the inhabitants of any portion of this Union, from incorrect sources of information, have received impressions unfriendly to the character of the people of Louisiana, let them reflect on the events of the 8th of January, and those impressions will be completely obliterated. The ties of interest and of affection, which have long attached the Western States to Louisiana, have now become indissoluble. The purple stream of their best blood has united and mingled in the same channel, and has at once cemented their union and that of their country. Mr. FROMENTIN, of Louisiana, addressed the Chair, as follows Mr. President: The resolutions now under consideration seem to call for a few remarks from those who have the honor to represent on this floor the country upon whose inhabitants the mark of signal favor contemplated by the resolutions is now proposed to be conferred. It would ill become me on this occasion to affect a vain modesty, equally injurious to the virtues which have deserved, and to the generous discernment which is going to bestow approbation. SENATE. to the contemplation of the modest and saving virtues exhibited in the city of New Orleans. So far had the campaign in Florida been prolonged beyond the time contemplated at its beginning, that Winter was threatening, before the Tennessee militia, under General Coffee, hastily collected for a Summer expedition, were disbanded, to be recalled again under the banners of their country before they had reached their homes, in order to defend a distant State against the invasion of an enemy more numerous and more formidable than the enemy they had subdued. So ardent and so anxious was the zeal of our Tennessee and Kentucky brethren, headed by Carroll, Thomas, and Adair, that, regardless of the inclemencies of the approaching season, they listened to no voice but the voice of their invaded country; they were sensible of no want, but the want of meeting the enemy. Already had the Mississippi received the brave, who were destined to add such a celebrity to its fame; already had its rapid current brought them within a short distance of the spot polluted with the foot of an invading foe; a more terrible enemy than the one they were ready to encounter had nearly overcome them. Frost, threatened in his long enjoyed empire over the Northern Lakes of America, made an effort in December last to establish his empire over the mouth as it has usurped it over the head of the Mississippi.* Not far from the tropics the ruthless invader shook his icy bristles; for a few days the mouths of our creeks were sealed up by the tyrant; but assistance was at hand from above. This Winter, Mr. President, was fertile with prodigies. A genial sun had arisen in the West, whose powerful and revivifying rays soon expelled the monster, and compelled him to fly back to his uncontrolled patrimonial haunts in the caverns of the Lakes, and in the recesses of the wildernesses of Canada a forerunner, Mr. President, of the fate which in a few days was to befall his co-invader Mr. President, we have often been called upon, and British ally. Have I, Mr. President, in atsince the beginning of this war, to give thanks to tempting to give you an idea of a natural phethe intrepidity of our military leaders, and the un-nomenon in Louisiana, given you a true picture daunted bravery of their troops. We have just now, by a unanimous vote, awarded the same tribute to Jackson and to his followers. To Jackson-this name henceforth wants none of the meretricious epithets of courtesy-to Jackson, whose laurels on the ever memorable 8th of January will adorn the fairest page of American military history-to Jackson, whose unheard of achievements, having no precedents in the past, seem to bid defiance to the future. Through this beloved General we gave the same unanimous thanks to his followers. I will not, sir, give them the surname of invincibles; be it enough for their glory, that they have proved to the world that if, until they landed in Louisiana, the soldiers of Lord Wellington had been unconquered, they were not unconquerable. Sir, with heartfelt gratitude I joined in the vote just given in honor of those valiant men. Let us now pass from the review of the brilliant and exterminating virtues exhibited on the field of battle, I of the real scenes which, in the meantime, were acting on that interesting theatre ? Yet, during the temporary reign of the tyrant, our soldiers, for the reasons above stated, unprepared to withstand his attacks, were suffering severely. Are those brave men who have sacrificed everything to run to the relief of their distant friends, to be doomed to fall a victim to their own generosity? Forbid it humanity, forbid it patriotism, forbid it gratitude! I wish, Mr. President, I had it in my power to delineate with proper colors the interesting spectacle which New Orleans exhibited in those distressing days. Not a man unengaged in repelling the enemy, not a woman not affording the most *It is a fact, not less true than extraordinary, that, on the 23d December last, when the St. Lawrence and the Northern Lakes were quite free from ice, the Bayou St. John, behind the city of New Orleans, was frozen over. zealous assistance and co-operation in preparing clothing and every other necessary comfort for their protectors! Accompany me, Mr. President, within those walls, a few days ago the asylum of hundreds of young females, taught by the precepts and by the examples of their pious and respectable mistresses all the virtues and all the accomplishments, which are soon to be the ornaments of society. How changed is the scene! Those grates, never before opened but to Religion, are now thrown open for the reception of suffering, of bleeding humanity! Under the pious direction of their respectable religious chief, the nunnery of New Orleans is converted into an hospital for our sick and wounded! The holy flame spreads with rapidity! Every soldier in a distant land has found a brother! Every sick individual has found a family! FEBRUARY, 1815. mittee, to consist of five members, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise; and Messrs. BIBB, BARBOUR, SMITH, DAGGETT, and CHACE, were appointed the committee. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act for the relief of 'Uriah Coolidge and James Burnham," in which bill they request the concurrence of the Senate. The bill last mentioned was read, and passed to a second reading. Mr. BARBOUR, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of the legal representatives of David Darden," reported it without amendment. Mr. VARNUM presented the petition of William Malcom and others, owners of the privateer Washington, praying the United States to release their claim to certain prizes captured by them, as stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, to consider and report thereon by bill or otherwise.. On motion, by Mr. LACOCK, a committee was appointed to inquire into the expediency of increasing the salary of the Sergeant-at-Arms of the SenMr. President, I rejoice, that the resolution re-ate, with leave to report by bill or otherwise; and ported by the honorable Chairman of the Military Messrs. LACOCK, ANDERSON, and BARBOUR, were Committee embraces the cases I have briefly appointed the committee. alluded to. Sir: Valor is the natural growth of every clime of this extensive empire. Even in the very few actions during this war in which victory did not perch on our banners, as evinced by a late celebrated case connected with the capture of this city, scrutinizing justice has pronounced that examples of conspicuous individual bravery have not been wanting. I shall always The resolution for the appointment of a joint be proud of the opportunity afforded to pay to committee to inquire into the expediency of causcourage the just tribute due to it by a grateful ing the chambers at present occupied by the two people. But, when it is right thus to encourage Houses of Congress, or others in the same buildvalor, can it be wrong to encourage humanity? ing, to be altered and fitted up, for the better acValor, Humanity-Inseparable sisters! The commodation of the two Houses, was read a third first has delivered our country from an invading time, and passed. foe the second has healed the wounds of a bleeding friend, and of a bleeding enemy-since no longer with arms in their hands, to be treated as a friend. Both united will continue to secure to our arms the favor of an avenging and merciful God, and will wrest from a vanquished enemy, and obtain from an admiring world, the applause due to a conqueror terrible in battle-in victory merciful. THURSDAY, February 16. Mr. LACOCK from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Isaac Smith and Bratton Caldwell," reported it without amendment. Mr. MORROW, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act regulating the sale of certain reserved sections of land in the State of Ohio," reported it without amendment. Mr. KING, from the committee to whom was referred. the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Saltus, Son, and Company, merchants of the city of New York," reported it without_amendment; and the bill was considered as in Committee of the Whole, and passed to a third reading. Mr. BIBB presented the petition of Thomas Law and others, inhabitants of the City of Washington, praying the division and sale of certain open squares in said city, as stated in the petition; which was read, and referred to a select com Ordered, That Messrs. HORSEY, FROMENTIN, and GOLDSBOROUGH, be the committee on the part of the Senate. FRIDAY, February 17. Mr. GILES, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Jacob Shinnick, and Shoultz and Vogeler, of Christian Chapman, and the legal representative of John Calef, deceased," reported it without amendment. Mr. SMITH Submitted the following motion: Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to consider the propriety of reducing the Military Establishment of the United States, with au thority to report by bill or otherwise. On motion, by Mr. DANA, Resolved, That the committee to whom was referred so much of the President's Message as relates to naval affairs, be instructed to inquire what provision should be made by law for protecting the commerce and seamen of the United States against any of the Barbary Powers. Mr. LACOCK, from the committee to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill increasing the compensation allowed the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate; and the bill was read, and passed to the second reading. Mr. SMITH, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act to authorize the issuing of Treasury notes for the service of the year 1815," reported it with amendments, which were considered as in Committee of the Whole; and, on motion, by Mr. GILES, the further consideration thereof was postponed until to-morrow. The bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Saltus, Son, and Company, merchants, of the city of New York," was read a third time, and passed. The bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Uriah Coolidge and James Burnham, was read the second time, and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, to consider and report thereon. The bill, entitled "An act requiring the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House of Representatives, in the Congress of the United States, to give security for the faithful application and disbursement of the contingent funds of the Senate and House of Representatives," was read the second time. The biil, entitled "An act making provision for clothing the militia called into the service of the United States," was read the second time, and referred to the Committee on the Militia, to consider and report thereon. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of the legal representatives of David Darden." On the question, Shall this bill be read a third time? it was determined in the negative. So the bill was lost. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill to authorize the settlement and payment of certain claims for the services of the militia; and, no amendment having been proposed thereto, on the question, Shall this bill be engrossed and read a third time? it was determined in the affirmative. Mr. MORROW, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act giving the right of pre-emption in the purchase of lands to certain settlers in the Indiana Territory," reported it with amendments. Mr. KING, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act to amend the act, entitled 'An act to provide additional revenues for defraying the expenses of Government, and maintaining the public credit, by laying a direct tax upon the United States, and to provide for assessing and collecting the same, and the act entitled "An act to provide additional revenues for defraying the expenses of Government, and maintaining the public credit, by laying duties on household furniture, and on gold and silver watches," reported it with an additional amend ment. The Senate resumed, as in Committee of the Whole, the consideration of the bill, entitled "An act for the relief of Isaac Smith and Bratton Caldwell;" and, no amendment having been proposed, it passed to a third reading. Mr. DANA submitted the following motion: Resolved, That the committee to whom were referred certain Messages of the President of the United States concerning foreign relations, be instructed to SENATE. inquire into the expediency of making provision by Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire, whether the act for establishing tradinghouses with the Indian tribes, which will expire at the end of the present session of Congress, ought not to be continued in force for a further term. Ordered, That Messrs. MORROW, ANDERSON, and BARRY, be the committee. ILLEGAL SEIZURE OF A VESSEL. The PRESIDENT communicated the report of the Secretary for the Department of Treasury, on the petition of Gould Hoyt, referred to him by resolution of the Senate of the 9th instant; and the report was read. It is as follows: The Secretary of the Treasury, to whom the petition of Gould Hoyt was referred by a resolution of the Senate, passed the 9th of February, 1815, having considered the same, in obedience to that resolution, has the honor to report: That the petition contains various allegations which are not supported by any evidence that is either produced by the petitioner, or possessed by the Treasury Department and that it contains various complaints, which are either founded upon such imperfections of the judicial institutions of the United States as cannot constitute the peculiar grievance of the petitioner, or upon such conduct in the public officers of the district of New York as would, it is believed, receive from them a satisfactory explanation, were an opportunity afforded for that purpose. That, under these circumstances, the Secretary of the Treasury presumes that he shall best discharge his duty to the Senate by stating the facts of the case referred to him, according to the evidence which is in his own possession, without dwelling upon the allegations of the petition. That, in the year 1809, the United States and France were at peace. The island of St. Domingo, a colony of France, had declared itself independent; and, after successive changes in its form of Government, two rival chiefs, Christophe and Petion, claimed the sovereignty. But France, in constant and decisive terms, asserted her parent right to the colony; and the American Government, so far from recognising the independence of St. Domingo, had passed two laws prohibiting all intercourse with such parts of the island as were in possession of the revolted subjects of France. The violation of those laws, on several occasions, had been the cause of great inconvenience to the United States. That it was the policy of the American Government to avoid all participation in the conflict between France and her colony, as well as in the conflict between the and, therefore, whatever might be the indulgence native competitors for the sovereignty of St. Domingo; shown to a mere commercial intercourse with that island, after the expiration of the acts of Congress, which expressly prohibited it, the Government never ceased to watch with particular attention any equipments in the ports of the United States, which were |