2. • Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be directed to inform
this House what sums of money will be requisite to complete existing
contracts, made in pursuance of the act for the gradual iitcrefcse of
the navy*

On motion of -Mr. Fuller,

Ordered, That the message from the President of the United
States, received the £d instant, communicating information in rela-
tion to the protection afforded to the commerce of the United States
in the West Indies, &c. be referred to the Committee on Naval Af-
fairs.
The House again resolved itself into a committee of the whole on
the state of the Union; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker
resumed the chair, and Mr. Whitman reported that the committee



Digitized by LjOOQ IC



Jan. «.] OF BEPiyBSENTATIVBS. Ill

had, according to order, again had the state of the Union Under con-
sideration, and come to no resolution thereon.
Two messages, in writing, were received from the President of the
United States, by Mr* Gouverneur, his Secretary, which he deliver-
ed in at the Speaker's table.
The first of the said messages was re^d, and is as follows;

To the House of Rkpresmtatives:

I communicate to the House of Representatives a report from the
Secretary of State, which, with the papers accompanying it, contain
all. the information in the possession of the Executive, requested by
a resolution of the House of the 4th December last, on the subject of
the African slave trade.
JAMES MONROE.
Washington, January 4, 1821.
Ordered, That the said message and documents be referred to the
Committee on the subject of the African Slave Trade.
