quire into the expediency of making some general provisions by law for similar cases, and report thereon. A message from the President of the United States, by Mr. Todd, his Secretary: Mr. President-The President of the United States on the 22d instant, approved and signed "An act, for the relief of Joseph Anderson." Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives accordingly. Mr. Chace from the committee appointed on the subject, reported a bill, to increase the pensions of Robert White, and Jacob Wrighter; and the bill was read. Ordered, That it pass to the second reading. After the consideration of executive business, the Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24th, 1816. The President communicated a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, on the petition of James Jewett, referred to him the 17th instant; and the report was read. On motion by Mr. Roberts, That it be printed for the use of the Senate, Mr. Williams presented the petition of Matthew W. M-Clellan, late second lieutenant in the 39th regiment, praying to be released from ac counting for four hundred and forty-eight dollars, alleged to have been stolen from him, as stated in the petition; which was read. On motion by Mr. Williams, Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on military affairs, to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise. Mr. Roberts, from the committee to whom was referred the petition of Joseph C. Morgan, attorney in fact of Xaverio Nandi, late consular agent of the United States at Tripoli, made a report, which was read. Mr. Roberts also reported a bill for the relief of Xaverio Nandi; and the bill was read. Ordered, That it pass to the second reading. Mr. Roberts from the committee, to whom the subject was referred, reported a bill for the relief of Edward Barry and George Hodge; and the bill was read. Ordered, That it pass to the second reading. The bill to increase the pensions of Robert White and Jacob Wrighter, was read the second time, and considered as in committee of the whole. On the question" Shall this bill be engrossed and read a third time ?" It was determined in the affirmative. The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the consideration of the bill entitled “An act, to authorize the discharge of James Jewett from his imprisonment," together with the amendment reported thereto by the select committee; and the amendment having been rejected, the President reported the bill to the House: and On the question-"Shall this bill be read a third time?" It was determined in the negative. Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives accordingly. 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. On motion by Mr. Bibb, Resolved, That it be referred to a select committee, to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise. Ordered, That Mr. Bibb, Mr. Mason, of Va. and Mr. Goldsborough, be the committee. On motion, The Senate adjourned to 11 o'clock to-morrow morning. THURSDAY, JANUARY 25th, 1816. The President communicated a report of the Secretary for the Department of War, comprehending contracts made by him in the year 1815, and those made by the purchasing and ordnance departments, for the same period, in compliance with "An act, concerning public contracts," passed the 21st April, 1808; and the report was read. The President also communicated a report of the Secretary of the Navy Department, in relation to the most convenient harbours in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, for the reception of ships of war, made in obedience to a resolution of the Senate of the 21st of December, 1815; and the report was read. Mr. Bibb submitted the following motion for consideration: Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representa tives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, That the following amendment to the Constitution of the United States be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, which, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the States, shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as a part of the said Constitution: The Senators of the United States shall be chosen for three years. Mr. Varnum presented the memorial of Thomas B. Wait, William S. Wait, and Silas L. Wait, of Boston, proposing to publish an improved edition of the state papers of the United States, and praying the patronage of Congress, as stated in the memorial; which was read. On motion by Mr. Varnum, Resolved, That it be referred to a select committee, with instructions to inquire into the expediency of publishing documents, which have heretofore been deemed confidential; and to report thereon, by bill or otherwise. Ordered, That Mr. King, Mr. Varnum, and Mr. Fromentin, be the committee. Mr. Tait presented the petition of David Geissinger, late of the United States' sloop of war the Wasp, now a lieutenant in the navy, praying that compensation may be granted to the officers and crew, and their legal representatives, of the late United States' sloop of war Wasp, in consideration of the distinguished and eminent services rendered to the country, by the late captain Blakely, his officers, and crew; as stated in the petition, which was read. On motion by Mr. Tait, Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on naval affairs; to consider and report thereon, by bill or otherwise. A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Dougherty, their Clerk: Mr. President-The House of Representatives have passed a bill, entitled "An act, to continue in force the act entitled 'An act, for imposing additional duties upon all goods, wares, and merchandise, imported from any foreign port or place, and for other purposes;" a bill entitled "An act, to continue in force an act entitled An act, laying a duty on imported salt, granting a bounty on pickled fish exported, and allowances to certain vessels employed in the fisheries;" a bill entitled "An act, to repeal so much of an act, passed un the 23d of December, 1814, as imposes additional duties on postage ;" also a bill entitled "An act, |