On the qestion" Shall this bill be engrossed, and read a third time ?"

It was determined in the affirmative.

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, to increase the pensions of Robert White, Jacob Wrighter, John Young, and John Crampersey."

Ordered, That the Secretary notify the House of Representatives accordingly.

The Senate resumed, as in committee of the whole, the consideration of the bill, for the relief of Jacob Babbit and John Dennis.

On the question-"Shall this bill be engrossed, and read a third time ?"

It was determined in the affirmative,

Mr. Tait gave notice, that to-morrow he should ask leave to bring in a bill, to increase the pension of William Munday.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the resolution for a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States, for choosing the Senators thereof.

On motion by Mr. Wilson,

Ordered, That the consideration thereof be further postponed to, and made the order of the day for to-morrow.

Mr, Horsey, submitted the following motion for consideration:

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire whether it would be expedient and proper to prohibit by law the formation of private banking associations, in future, within the District of Columbia; and also to consider and inquire whether it would be expedient and proper to prohibit by law the emission and circulation of the notes of all unchartered banks within the said District, which shall not have obtained charters on or before the day of next.

A message from the House of Representatives by Mr. Dougherty, their Clerk:

Mr. President-The House of Representatives have concurred in the report of the committee of conference, on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses, upon the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives, to the bill entitled " An act, concerning the convention to regulate the commerce between the territories of the United States, and his britannic majesty;" and that the bill be amended accordingly.

They have passed a bill, entitled "An act, making further provision for military services, during the late war, and for other purposes;" in which they request the concurrence of the Se-: nate. And he withdrew.

The bill last mentioned, 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.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1816.

Mr. Varnum laid before the Senate, the instructions of the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to their Senators in Congress, to endeavour to obtain an amendment to the Constitution of the United States;

Whereupon,

Mr. Varnum submitted the following resolution for consideration; which was read and passed to the second reading:

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, That the following be proposed to the legislatures of the several States, as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States; which, when ratified by three fourths of the said legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution, viz:

"That for the purpose of choosing Representatives in the Congress of the United States, each State shall, by its legislature, be divided into a number of districts equal to the number of Representatives to which such State may be entitled.

Those districts shall be formed of contiguous territory, and contain, as nearly as may be, an equal number of inhabitants entitled, by the Constitution, to be represented. In each district the qualified voters shall elect one Representative and

no more.

That for the purpose of appointing electors of President and Vice President of the United States, each State shall, by its legislature, be divided into a number of districts, equal to the number of electors to which such State may be entitled. Those districts shall be composed of contiguous territory, and contain, as nearly as may be, an equal number of inhabitants entitled, by the Constitution, to representation. In each district the persons qualified to vote for Representatives shall appoint one elector and no more. The electors, when convened, shall have power, in case any of those appointed as above prescribed shall fail to attend for the purposes of their said appointment, on the day prescribed for giving their votes for President and Vice-President of the United States, to appoint another or others to act in the place of him or them so failing to attend.

Neither the districts for choosing Representatives nor those for appointing electors shall be altered in any State until a census and apportionment of Representatives under it, subsequent to a division of the State into districts, shall be made. The division of States into districts, hereby provided for, shall take place immediately after this amendment shall be adopted and ratified, as a part of the Constitution of the United States; and successively, immediately afterwards, whenever a census and apportionment of Representatives under it, shall be made. The division of such State into districts for the purposes both of choosing Representatives

and of appointing electors, shall be altered agreeable to the provisions of this amendment, and on no other occasion."

The President communicated a letter from the Secretary of the Navy Department, transmitting the information required by the resolution of the Senate of the 8th instant, relative to the ship Cyane, &c.; and the letter and accompanying documents were read.

Mr. Varnum, from the committee on the militia of the United States, reported, in part, a bill for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrection, and repel invasion, and to repeal the laws heretofore passed for those purposes; and the bill was read.

Ordered, That it pass to the second reading.

The bill entitled "An act making further provision for military services during the late war, and for other purposes," was read the second time.

On motion by Mr. Varnum,

Ordered, That it be referred to the committee on military affairs, to consider and report thereon. The bill dividing the State of Pennsylvania into two judicial districts, was read the second time.

The bill for the relief of Edward Wilson was read the second time.

The Senate resumed the motion made the 26th instant, relative to unchartered banks within the District of Columbia.

On motion by Mr. Horsey,