with amendments a bill entitled, "An Act respecting the hostile negres and mullitoes in the Seminole nation, and for other purposes,” which upon his motion was placed among the orders for to-day. Mr Berthelot from the Committee on Enrollments reported as correctly enrolled, "An Act to authorize and permit John M’Lemore, to build a bridge across the Suwannee river at the Gadsden Spring on said river." An Act to make permanent the county site of Hamil ton county." "An Act authorizing the sale of the real estate of Thon as Goff deceased" and “An Act to organize a regiment in Franklin county, to be called the Eleventh Regiment.” Mr. Blount from the Judiciary committee made the following report: The Judiciary Committee to whom was referred the bill to be entitled an act to establish a tribunal for the trial of slaves, fice negroes and mulattoes within this Territory," beg leave to report: That they had the same under consideration, and are unanimously of the opinion that the provisions of the bill are well adapted for the speedy trial of that class of persous, and that such a tribunal as that designed by the bill is greatly needed in this Territory. The acts of Congress organizing the Territoral Government, however, having confined the criminal jurisdiction in capital cases, exclusively to the superior courts, it is entirely beyond the power of this legislative council to pass any law giving to any other tribunal concurrent jurisdiction with the sid courts in capital criminal cases. The committee, therefore request to be discharged from the further consideration of the bill. All of which is respectfully submitted, THO. M. BLOUNT, Chairman. Which was concurred in by the hous, and said committee discharged from the further consideration of the bill therein named. An Engrossed bill-entitled, “ An Act to authorize the Governor of the Territory of Florida, to raise volunteers for the defence of the South East frontier," was read the third time, the yeas and nays being required on its passage by Messrs. Berthelst and Duval, were yeas Messrs. Blount, Burritt. Higginbotham, Hollaman, Hunter, Johnson, Keuan, M'Canis, Miles, Morton, Ramsey and Walker-12. Nays Mr. President, Messis. Berthelot. Brown, of Columbly Dennis, Duval, Mucon, M'Neil and Tubor -9. So said bill is passed; ordered, That the title be. as above stated. A bill entitled, "An Act to raise a regiment of volunteers in this Territory," was again taken up in committee of the whole; after some time spent therein the committee rose, and Mr. Morton therefrom, reported progress and asked leave to sit again which report was concurred in by the House. A bill entitled, "An Act respecting the hostile negroes and mulattoes in the Seminole nation, and for other purposes," was read the second time, when the House went into committee of the whole thereon, after some time spent therein, the committee rose, and Mr. Dennis therefrom reported said bill with sundry amendments, which report was concurred in by the House, and said bill was again read the second time, when alr. Burritt asked and obtained the unanimous consent of the House to add a section to said bill in the words following. Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That any person or persons owning slaves or other property, captured as aforesaid, shall have the right to reclaim the same, if the said claim be made within six months from the time of the capture thereof, upon paying to the person or persons so capturing the sum provided in the forgoing section; and any negro so owned as aforesaid shall not escheat to the Territory or be considered a prize of War; and if any slave shall voluntarily surrender him or herself, to his or her owner, or to any other person for said owner, such slave shall not be construed to come within the provisions of this act. On motion of Mr. Morton, the said bill was read the third time and passed, ordered that the title be, “An Act respecting the hostile negroes and inullattoes in the Seminole nation." The House then adjourned until to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock. Wednesday, January 20. The House me pursuant to adjomument, a quorum being present, the Journal of yesterday's proceedings was read. Mr. Blount pursuant to notice given on yesterday, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled, “An Act to authorize the guardian or tutor of the minor heirs of Jayem Fontenals and Ylla, to sell and dispose of the real estate of the said heirs within this Territory," which was read by the title, and on his motion referred to the Judiciary committee. The Mr. Brown of Columbia gave notice that he will after to-day introduce a bill to be entitled, "An Act to establish a regiment in the county of Columbia," Mr. Berthelot gave notice that he will, on some future day introduce a bill entitled, “An Act to incorporate the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Rail-Road Company." Also, a bill entitled, "An Act to alter and amend an act giving a lien to mechanics in certain cases." Mr. Morton asked and obtained leave without previous notice (the rule being waived for that purpose) to introduce a bill entitled, "Ar. Act to amend an act entitled an act to amend an act to organize and regulate the militia of the Territory of Florida, and to repeal an act passed the 1st day of February 1832 and for other purposes," which was read by the title and referred to the committee on the militia. Mr. Duval pursuant to previous notice asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill entitled, "An Act to prohibit the circulation of incendiary publications,” which was read and ordered for a second reading on to-morrow. Mr. Walker gave notice that he will on some future day ask leave to introduce a bill to be entitled, "An Act to change the place of holding the superior & county courts of Alachua county, and for other purposes." Mr. Burritt from the majority moved a reconsideration of a bill entitled, "An Act respecting the hostile negroes and mullattoes in the Seminole nation," with a view to of fer amendments to the same, which motion prevailed and said bill is placed among the orders for to-day. Mr. M'Cants presented the petition of the widow and executors of Thomas W. Seabrook, which on his notion was referred to the Judiciary committee. Mr. Blount presented the petition of Wm. P. Duval, praying the allowance of certain claims, which was referred to a select committee, Messrs. Blount, Hawkins and Burritt were appointed thereon. Mr. Duval from the committee on claims, made the following report: The committee on claims bég leave to submit the following report on sundry claims referred to them : 1. The claim of Richard Hayward assignee &c. for $285 with two years interest, in all $330. This claim was regularly audited and certified by the executive in 1834, under the law of the council of that year, and is for folding and stiching, in pamphlet form, the laws and journals of that year. It is equitable and just. They were rendered, and were necessary, and the amount was the saine allowed previously, and is considered reasonáble; Congress under (as the committee believe)a misunderstanding, annulled part of the compensation law bp 1694 including that allowance, and consequently it kas been refused payment at the United States Treasury. The correspondence between the executive and the secretary of the treasury has been called for and examined by the committee, and we coincide entirely in opinion and ap prove of the course taken by the former, and we deem it unjust in the United States to withhold payment of this account, as the secretary, however, refuses payment, those who have rendered the services and who received the account under the solemn fait of a law of this Territory should not therefore incur the loss, but the committee deem it equitable that the Territo y should pay the claim and demand it again, from the United States in the general appropriation bill and they report therefore a bill for that purpose. 2. The committee deem the clains of Richard Hayward and Philip W. Courtney for furnishing the council roon in 1835, just and proper. They amount to $ — and $-for the allowance of which the committee have inserted a section in said bill. In the appropriation bill of this session there three items should be included. 3. The bill of P. M'Cormick referred to the committee, has been deemed impolitic by it. The general law making allowances for slaves hung 'or murder on assessment of the jury, was repealed last session. Special allowances are much more objectionable than a general law. The reference to individuals to assess the amount (if any should be allowed) or at any rate the legal auditing offices,should ascertain it. The committee therefore report against the bill and beg leave to be discharged from the further consideration. SAMUEL H. DUVAL, Chair. Com. Whereupon Mr. Berthelot moved that the House, dɔ disagree to so much of said report as relates to the claim of Paul M'Cormick, which motion "prevailed. A bill entitled, "An Act for the settlement of certain claims therein stated," accompanying the forgoing report was read, and ord ·red for a second reading on to-anorrow. Mr. President laid before the House the following message, EXECUTIVE OFFICE, To the Legislative Council : } I have the honour to lay before you a Re port from the treasurer, concerning the donation of PubJie Lands to this Territory, agreeably to the provisions of a Resolution passed by the Council at their last session. JOHN H. EATON, Which was read, and with the accompanying documents referred to a select committee, Messrs. Blount, M'Cants Burritt, Miles and Duval were appointed on said commit tee. Mr. Hawkins from the committee on Enrollments, re ported as correctly Enrolled: "An Act to authorize the Governor of the Territory of Florida to raise volunteers for the defence of the South East Frontier." A resolution respecting a donation of Land for Public purposes to Washingtou county." "A resolution respecting the election of justices of the peace and county court judges," and "A resolution respecting the appropriation of Fines and Forfeitures collected of free persons of colour." Mr. Duval from the select committee, to whom the subject was referred, reported a bili entitled, "An Act to incorporate the city of Key-West," which was read and ordered for a second reading on to-morrow. A bill entitled, “An Act to raise a regiment of volunteers in this Territory," was again taken up in committee of the whole; after some time spent therein the committee rose, and Mr. Morton therefrom reported said bill with amendments. the yeas and nays being required on the House agreeing to the report of the committee, by Messrs. Duval and Blount, were yeas Messrs. Berthelot, Blount, Brown of Columbia, Higginbotham, Hunter, Johnson, Kenan, Macon, M'Neil, Miles, Morton, Ramsay, Tabor and Walker-14. Nays mr. President messrs. Barritt, Dennis, Duv J, Hawkins and M'Cants-6. So said report was agreed to, and said bill read a second time and ordered to be Engrossed for a third reading on to-morrow. The bill entitled, "An Act respecting the hostile negroes and mullattoes in the Seminole nation," was taken up in committee of the whole; after some time spent therein the committee rose ; and mr. Walker therefrom reported said bill to the House without amendment, which report was concurred in by the House, and said bill was read a third time and passed; ordered that the title be as above set forth. The House then adjourned until to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock. Thursday, January 21. The House met pursuant to adjournment, a quorum being present the journal of yesterday's proceedings was read. His Excellency the Governor transmitted to the House the following communication, |