The Speaker also laid before the House a letter from the Secre-
tary of War, transmitting reports, containing the information re-
quired by the resolution of the House of the 9th instant, in relation
to the progress made in determining the sites and plans of fortifica-
tions, the sites selected, the expense of completing the several works,
the number of troops necessary to garrison them in peace and in war,
the progress made in erecting the fortifications, &c.; which letter was
read, and so much of the subject as relates to the expenditures and
appropriations, was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means,
and the residue to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Newton, from the Committee on Commerce, reported a bill
to abolish certain ports of entry; to establish ports of delivery, and
for other purposes; which was read the first and second time, and
committed to the committee of the whole to which is committed the
bill further to establish the compensation of the offioers employed in
the -collection of the duties on imports anil tonnage.
Mr. Smith, of Maryland, from the Committee of Ways and Means,
reported a bill making appropriations for the naval service of the
United States for the year 1821; which was read the first and second
time, and committed to a committee of the whole House to-morrow.
Mr.. Anderson, from the Committee on the Public Lands, to which
was. referred the bill from the Senate, entitled " An act for the re-
lief of the purchasers of public lands prior to the first day of July,
1820/' reported the same without amendment.
