The Council met.

His Excellency Benjamin Franklin, Esquire, President.

On motion,

Resolved, That to-morrow Council will proceed to the appointment of a Navel and other officers.

Charles Biddle, Esquire, appeared in Council, and took the oaths required by the Constitution to be taken previous to his entering upon the execution of the duties of his office of Secretary. On motion,

Resolved, That Mr. Maclay, Mr. Ross and Mr. Smilie, be appointed, a committee to prepare and report to Council for their consideration, some amendment to the resolution of the ninth of April last, respecting the annual appointment of certain officers.

The following draft of a message to the General Assembly was read and approved, vizt:

Since your resolution, of the thirty-first ult., was forwarded to Congress, Council having received information that the members remaining at New York, were not sufficient to form a representation of the United States.

As the danger to the State appears to be pressing, and the permission solicited from Congress cannot now be obtained, Council, therefore, recommend it to the General Assembly to adopt effectual measures for inforcing the laws of the State in the county of Luzerne, which they are of opinion cannot be done without a permanent force.

The expulsion of the Commissioners from Wyoming will occasion a delay in the execution of their duty under the late law. Council, therefore, recommend that a further time be given for compleating the services expected from them under their present appointment.

The case of Colonel Mentges, submitted to the committee of a former House, is recommended to the attention of the General Assembly, as he appears to have performed sundry services for which he has received no compensation.

The petition of Captain Woolpper is herewith transmitted, as the powers of Council do not extend to his case.

Considerable deficiencies have arisen in the collection of taxes, owing to the neglect of some of the Magistrates in not prosecuting delinquents after returns are furnished to them by the Collectors.

This abuse, in the opinion of Council, merits the attention of the General Assembly, either in removing the Magistrates guilty of such neglect, or subjecting them to some penalty that may compel them to a faithfull discharge of their duty.