Gazette Of The United States

CONGRESS.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23.

The bill to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes was brought in engrossed, the blanks were filled up.—A motion was then made to re-commit the bill for the purpose of striking out the 9th section. After some debate the question was taken, and negatived.

The bill was then passed.

Mr. Seney reported a bill to satisfy the claims of the representatives of David Gold, deceased, against the United States.

Mr. Gerry in behalf of the committee appointed to report a catalogue of books necessary for the use of Congress, together with the expense thereof, submitted the following report:

That, as far as the nature of the case will admit, they have in the schedule annexed, complied with the order of the house, having due regard to the state of the treasury.

That the committee have confined themselves, in a great measure, to books necessary for the use of the legislative and executive departments, and not often to be found in private or in circulating libraries.

That, nevertheless, without farther provision of books on laws and government, to which reference is often necessary, members of the legislature and other officers of government may be either deprived of the use of such books when necessary, or be obliged at every session, to transport to the seat of the general government a considerable part of their libraries; it seldom happening that they can otherwise command such books when requisite, without trespassing too much on the indulgence of their friends.

The committee are therefore of opinion, that a sum not exceeding 1000 dollars, be appropriated in the present session, and that the sum of 500 dollars be hereafter annually appropriated to the purchase of books for a public library, and applied to the purpose by the Vice-President, Chief Justice, and Secretary of State of the United States, without confining them to the catalogue reported until, in the opinion of Congress, the books provided shall be adequate to the purpose.

The books reported were of the following description, viz.

Laws of the several States.

Laws relating to the trade and navigation of the several nations of Europe with whom the United States may have treaties.

Laws of Ireland and Scotland.

Laws of Canada.

British statutes at large.

Militia system of Switzerland.

The Russian and Frederickian Codes.

Sundry authors on the laws of nature and nations.

Sundry authors on the privilege and duties of diplomatic bodies.

A collection of Treaties and Alliances from the earliest periods.

A collection of parliamentary books.

Sundry books on the civil and common law, &c. &c.

A message was received from the President of the United States, informing that he had approved of, and signed 'an act for extending to Rhode-Island the judiciary system of the United States.'

The House went into a committee of the whole on the Tonnage Bill.

On motion of Mr. Vining the second section was amended, so as to exempt vessels belonging to citizens of the United States, from paying tonnage, in a port on the sea coast, or a navigable river, adjoining the State from whence they came. The Committee having gone through the bill, rose and reported the same. The bill was then ordered to be engrossed.

A message was received from the Senate informing, that they had receded from their former amendments to the bill for providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations and had proposed other amendments.

A report from the Secretary at War on several petitions referred to him, was read.

The report of a committee on the petition of sundry inhabitants of Long-Island, praying to be paid for supporting Americans who were prisoners in the late war, was referred to the Secretary of the Treasury.—Adjourned.

THURSDAY, June 24.

The engrossed bill imposing duties on Ships or vessels was read, and passed.—

The engrossed bill for satisfying the claims of the Representatives of David Gould deceased, was read the second time and ordered to be engrossed.

On motion of Mr. Hartley the report of the committee on the memorial of the officers of the navy was taken into consideration by the committee of the whole—this report is as follows

The committee report that they do not find any reason sufficient to justify the difference that has been made in the compensation of the Officers of the army and of the navy of the United States, and are therefore of opinion, that a law ought to pass for granting five years pay equal to the commutation of half pay, and also a bounty of land to the officers of the navy upon the same principles and in the same manner as has been granted to the Officers of the army of the United States.

A motion to agree to this report occasioned a lengthy debate in the committee—the question being taken it passed in the negative 29 to 20—the committee then rose, and the chairman reported accordingly.

It was moved that the report should be recommitted, this motion was negatived, 31 to 22—a motion for the report's lying on the table was also negatived—and on the question whether the house would accept the report of the committee of the whole house, it passed in the affirmative 31, to 22.

Mr. Steele presented the petition of John Bradlee which was read and referred to the Secretary of the Treasury.

Mr. Gerry of the committee of conference on the bill providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations presented a report, which was read; this report proposes certain amendments to the bill; some opposition being made to agreeing to them, and it being past the usual time of adjournment, the further consideration of the same was postponed till to-morrow.—Adjourned.

FRIDAY, JUNE 25.

The report of the committee of conference on the amendments to the bill providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations, was taken into consideration.—The first amendment was to strike out 30 thousand, and to insert 40 thousand dollars.

It was moved that the house should agree to this amendment; this motion was opposed.

It was said that the committee had exceeded their commission in proposing this alteration in the bill, as both houses had agreed in the sum of 30,000 dollars—it was further said that more than one minister plenipotentiary was unnecessary—that the court of Great-Britain had sent only a Consul to this country —and that from the present appearances, no advantages could be expected to arise from sending a minister, equivalent to the expense; the necessity contended for is merely conjectural—and by that rule the ministers plenipotentiary may be increased, and one sent to Spain and another to Portugal; if only one minister is sent to Europe, the first sum will be sufficient. with respect to the Court of London, a Chargé des affaires will probably answer every purpose.

In support of the motion it was urged that the President of the United States is by the Constitution vested with the power of appointing such foreign officers as he may think necessary, and it must devolve upon the legislature to make provision for defraying the expense. The Committee of conference did not rely on their own judgment—they consulted the Secretary of foreign affairs ; his opinion was that in the present situation of this country with respect to foreign nations, two ministers and two Chargé des Affaires were necessary; a minister at the Court of Versailles is generally conceded to be requisite ; the peculiar situation of this country with respect to the posts. the Northern and Eastern frontiers and the state of our commerce in respect to Great-Britain, can scarcely leave a doubt of the necessity and importance of sending a minister to that country; this being the State of affairs a less sum than that proposed it is demonstrably evident, will not be found adequate,

The question on concurring in this amendment was carried in the affirmative.

The other amendments were agreed to, with amendments.

The House then took up the bill providing for the government and regulation of seamen in the Merchant's service. This bill had been committed to a select committee, who reported on the blanks, also sundry amendments to the bill. These were severally read and agreed to. Other amendments were added—and the bill was ordered to be engrossed.

In Committee of the whole House on the bill concerning the trade and navigation of the United States.

This bill contains the discrimination in the duty on tonnage, between vessels belonging to nations in treaty with the United States, and those of nations with whom no treaty exists.

A motion to postpone the bill occasioned a lengthy debate, which was not determined at 3 o'clock, when a motion was made that the Committee should rise, and ask leave to sit again—this was carried in the affirmative.

A message was received from the Senate, informing the House that they have concurred in the amendments proposed to the bill providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations. Also, that they have passed the bill for the relief of Nathaniel Twining.

The Speaker communicated a letter from Samuel Meredith, Esq. Treasurer of the United States, which enclosed the Treasury accounts for the last quarter.

Adjourned.