Daily National Intelligencer

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MONDAY, JANUARY 30.

Mr. Stockton of N.J. presented the petition of Benj Smith, praying compensation for property taken from him during the revolutionary war; which was referred to the committee on that subject.

Mr. Pleasants of Va. from the committee on Naval Affairs, made a report on the petition of Joseph Roberts, a surgeon in the navy, praying the allowance of a part of the prize money arising from the capture of the enemy's squadron on Lake Erie, from the apportionment of which he has been excluded, in consequence of his having been stationed at a hospital on shore. The report is adverse to the prayer of the petition. Ordered to lie on the table.

On motion of Mr. Cannon of Ten.

Resolved, That the committee on that part of the president's message which relates to the militia, be instructed to enquire into the expediency of amending the act supplementary to an act entitled "An act to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions," and to repeal the act now in force for those purposes, and to increase the pay of volunteers and militia corps, passed February 23d, 1813, so as to allow to the militia (in addition to the pay and emoluments allowed by the before recited act,) who now are or may hereafter be in the service of the United States, the same amount in clothing in proportion to the time they are in said service, as is allowed to the regular army. And in all cases when the said militia shall furnish themselves with clothing while in service as aforesaid, to allow them the amount of the United States' price in lieu thereof.

Mr. Jackson of Va. moved the following resolution:

"Resolved, That this House will proceed on at o'clock, to the appointment of a Clerk in the room of Patrick Magruder, who has resigned that office."

The question on filling the first blank with the word to-morrow, was decided in the negative, 60 to 55.

Mr. Pearson then moved, to lay the resolution on the table, with a view to introduce a motion to postpone the appointment of a Clerk until the next session, and in the mean time to appoint a Clerk temporarily. He desired time to make a selection from such candidates as should present themselves for this important office.

To this it was objected, that the office of Clerk was in itself temporary, and would require re-election at the commencement of next session, &c.

The motion to lay the resolution on the table, was decided in the negative.

Mr. Fisk of Vt. moved to fill the blank with the word Wednesday; which was negatived, ayes 43,

The blanks were then filled with the words, This day, at two o'clock.

The motion as amended, was then agreed to.

Mr. Kilbourn of Ohio submitted for consideration the following motion:

Resolved, That provision ought to be made by law for payment to the mounted volunteers, and drafted militia, who have served in the North Western Army, and under the command of Gens. Jackson and Floyd, of the value of the horses lost by them, in the service of the United States, in either of their several expeditions; in consequence of the men being dismounted and separated from their horses, by orders of their respective commanding officers, and without the fault or neglect of the owner, or in consequence of the rider or riders being killed, or wounded in battle; and that the committee of Claims, be instructed to prepare and report to this House a bill accordingly.

The house refused to consider the resolution, ayes 43.

Mr. Ruggles of Mass. offered for consideration the following resolution:

"Resolved, That the committee of Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reducing the tax laid on stills or boilers used solely in the rectification of spirituous liquors, or on spirits rectified therein."

The house agreed to consider this resolution, 54 votes to 52.

Mr. Ruggles stated his reasons for this motion, viz. that the duty was now so high as to effectually suppress such distillation, as he was informed by letters from his district.

The question was then taken on the adoption of the resolution, and decided in the negative, ayes 45.

On motion of Mr. M'Kee

Resolved, That the committee of Accounts be instructed to enquire into the expediency of compelling the clerk of this House to give bond for the faithful application and disbursement of the contingent fund of this House."

Several reports were received from the Departments on petitions, &c--

Among them was a list of patents granted, up to this date.

The bill from the Senate "concerning field officers of the militia," was read a second time and referred to a committee of the whole,

The engrossed bill giving a right of preemption in the purchase of public lands, to certain settlers in the Indiana Territory, was read a third time, passed, and sent to the Senate.

The engrossed bill to authorize payment for property lost, captured or destroyed, whilst in the military service of the United States, was read a third time, passed and sent to the Senate.

The bill authorize the President of the United States to receive into the service of the United States certain corps which may be raised and organized in any state to serve in lieu of the militia thereof, passed through a committee of the whole house, Mr. King of N.C. in the chair, and was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

Mr. Lewis called up the bill for repairing or rebuilding the public buildings in this city, which the house refused to take up, 60 to 49; and also the bill to incorporate the Farmer's and Mechanics' bank of Georgetown, and also the bill establishing the Bank of the Metropolis; all which the house refused to take up.

The bill for the regulation of courts of justice in the Territory of Indiana was then taken up in committee of the whole, Mr. Lewis in the chair, on the motion of Mr. Jennings.

After some discussion on this bill, it was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

The House afterwards proceeded to ballot for a Clerk, Messrs. Thomas Dougherty, Thomas L. M'Kenney, O. B. Brown, Saml. Burch and N. B. Van Zandt were severally nominated. On the first balloting there were

For Mr

On the second ballot, Mr. Dougherty had 83 votes, and Mr. M'Kenney 3, and four scattering; so Mr. Dougherty was elected

And the House adjourned.

Dougherty	80
M'Kenney	35
Burch	19
Brown	18
Van Zandt	4
Scattering	6