Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

CONGRESS.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

[Reported for the Alexandria Gazette.]

FRIDAY, June 4.

Mr. Pitkin presented the petition of the Derby Fishing Company, praying a remission of certain forfeitures incurred by reason of the seizure of a vessel and cargo belonging to them, which touched at New Haven for instructions in the prosecution of her voyage from the West Indies to Lisbon, with West India produce on board, the proceeds of property shipped to the island of St Croix some time before. Referred to the committee of ways and means.

Mr Benson presented the petition of Mrs. Roosevelt, daughter of Mr. Miller, a revolutionary officer, praying compensation for revolutionary services. Referred to the committee of claims.

Mr. Stockton presented the petition of S R. Reading, a sergeant in the revolutionary army, praying arrearages of pay. Referred to the committee of claims.

Mr Kent, of Md presented two petitions for revolutionary claims. Referred to the committee of claims.

Also the petition of Mrs Johnson praying to be relieved from the payment of money claimed from her by the United States. Referred to the committee of Ways and Means.

Mr. Dawson presented the petition of a number of the inhabitants of Alexandria, praying the incorporation of a fire insurance company. Referred to the committee on the district of Columbia.

Mr. Jackson presented the memorial of Oliver Pollock, praying the settlement of a claim against the United States. Referred to the committee of Claims

Mr. Fisk from the committee of elections made a report on the petition of Wm. Kelly, contesting the election of Thomas K. Harris, which concluded with the following resolution :

Resolved. that until the be allowed to Thomas K. Harris, a member of this House to procure testimony relative to his election

Referred to a committee of the whole house for this day.

On motion of Mr. Fisk the petitioner was admitted to a seat on the floor of the house during the pendency of the contest.

Mr. offered the following: Resolved, that a committee be appointed to enquire what provisions ought to be made for the payment of the mounted riflemen, who were called into the service of the United States, from the State of Kentucky in the year 1812, and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise.

On motion of Mr. Grundy the resolution was amended, so as to refer it to the committee on military affairs.

Mr Goldsborough moved further to amend the resolution, by adding after the words 1812. " and also for the payment of the expenses of the militia called out, under the authority of the state governments, for the defence of the country against the incursions of the enemy" He thought it was proper the whole subject should be brought before the committee at the same time.

Mr. M'Kee opposed the amendment. He thought the two subjects had no affinity and therefore they should be taken up separate and distinct from each other In the one case, the men were engaged in defending a place remote from their residence, in the other they were defending their own homes and fire sides.

Mr. Wright advocated the amendment.

Mr Goldsborough replied to the observations of Mr. M'Kee.

The amendment was adopted.

On motion of Mr. Jennings the resolution was further amended so as to include the " territorial authority."

The resolution as amended was adopted.

Contested Election.

The house in committee of the whole Mr. Lewis in the chair, on the report of the committee of elections in the contested election between Wm. Kelly and Tho'. K Harris.

Mr. Fisk moved to fill the blank in the resolution with "the first Monday in the next session of congress," which will make the resolution read thus :-

" Resolved, that until the first Monday in the next session of congress be allowed to Tho'. K. Harris, a member of this house, to procure testimony relative to his election."

After some conversation on the proper time for limiting the taking of testimony, Mr. Fisk withdrew his motion and moved to fill the blank with the words " the tenth day of September next."

Mr. Kelly the petitioner made some observations in opposition to allowing Mr. Harris any time to procure testimony.

Mr Fisk withdrew his second motion and Mr. Grundy moved to amend the resolution by inserting " that three months be allowed to the parties to take testimony relative to the event of said election." Carried.

The question then was on agreeing to the resolution as amended.

Mr. Kelly stated his reasons at length why in his opinion time should not be given.

Mr. Harris replied and contended that time ought to be given.

After considerable debate, which lasted till near three o'clock, the committee rose, reported progress and had leave to sit again.

On motion, it was ordered, that when the house adjourn it adjourn to meet on Monday. Adjourned.