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Domestic News
May 11, 1812
Virginia Argus
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
U.S. Congress proceedings: Senate on May 1 passed bills for Tennessee land grants and Arthur St. Clair's annuity, considered petitions and post roads; adjourned May 4. House on May 4 handled memorials, bills on military, territories, Venezuela relief ($50,000), Maryland canal, Ohio road, army provisions, and colleges.
Merged-components note: Continuation of Congress proceedings across pages, same topic and sequential reading order.
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[4 dollars per annum.]
CONGRESS.
IN SENATE.
Friday, May 1.
The engrossed bill, authorising the state of Tennessee to issue grants and perfect titles on certain entries and sections of land therein mentioned, was read a third time and passed. yeas 18; nays 6.
YEAS.--Messrs. Anderson, Bayard, Campbell, Giles of Va. Condit, Cutts, Gaillard, Gilman, Goodrich, Horsey, Howard, Hunter, Lambert, Lloyd, Robinson, Smith of Md. Smith of New-York. Tait, Varnum.
NAYS--Messrs. Bibb, Crawford, Dana, German, Taylor, Turner.
Mr. Smith of Md. reported the bill for the relief of John Thompson, without amendment.
Mr. Turner reported the bill, entitled "an act to establish certain post roads," without amendment.
Mr. Leib presented the petition of Ninian Pinkney, now a captain in the army of the U. S. stating that on the 20th of August, 1808, he was appointed brigade inspector pro tem. and performed the duties thereof, at New Orleans, and received the emoluments attached to said office up to the 31st May, 1810.--but that on his arrival at the seat of government, he was required by the department of war to refund the same, on the plea that the appointment was inadmissible: and praying relief. The petition was referred to Messrs. Leib, Howell, and Smith of Maryland.
The bill allowing an annuity to Arthur St. Clair, was read a third time, and the blank for the annuity having been, on motion of Mr. Leib, filled with 450 dollars, the bill was passed by yeas and nays as follow:
YEAS.--Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Bayard, Crawford, Dana, German, Gilman, Goodrich, Gregg, Horsey, Howell, Hunter, Lambert, Leib, Lloyd, Smith of Md, Worthington--17.
NAYS.--Messrs. Condit, Cutts, Gaillard, Robinson, Smith of New-York, Tait, Taylor, Turner, Varnum.--9.
Mr. Gregg, from the committee to whom was referred a petition on the subject, reported a bill to admit the entry of vessels of the U. S. on certain conditions. [This bill embraces cases of vessels "which may have been laden in any of the ports of India, and whose master, supercargo, or owner, may have been compelled to give bond under some penalty that their respective cargoes shall be landed in some port of the U. States" --provided the duties be paid, and the goods stored in the public stores under the care of the collectors, subject to the future disposition of the government.] The bill was passed to a second reading.
On motion of Mr. Bayard, the bill to discharge from imprisonment the persons therein mentioned, was recommitted, viz. to Messrs. Bayard, Smith of N. Y. and German.
The bill making additional appropriations for the support of government, was passed to a third reading.
Mr. Gregg presented the memorial of James Wilkinson, stating that he has been stigmatised as a public defaulter, but that so far from deserving that charge, he can make it appear that the public are indebted to him, and praying an enquiry into his case may be instituted, and such decision had thereon as may be compatible with justice and equity.
Referred to Messrs. Gregg, Smith of Md, Taylor, Varnum and Anderson.
Monday, May 4.
A bare quorum appearing, the Senate, without proceeding to business, adjourned to to-morrow.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Monday, May 4.
Mr. Lacock presented the memorial of Wm. Gamble, stating that he has invented a new species of harbor defence, and requesting Congress to take the same into consideration. Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
The Speaker laid before the House a packet which he had received from Detroit in Michigan territory, inclosing a number of papers, amongst which is a presentment of a Grand Jury to the Superior Court in Sept. 1811, complaining of the non-execution of a law, and of alleged misconduct on the part of one of the Judges (A. B. Woodward, Esq) and sundry papers illustrative of these complaints, together with a letter from the Judge whose conduct is complained of, all addressed to the Speaker of the House. This packet, which is very voluminous, and of rather unimportant contents, was ordered to lie on the table.
The bill from the Senate allowing a pension to Arthur St. Clair; and the bill authorising the state of Tennessee to issue grants in certain cases, were severally read twice and committed.
The engrossed bill for the better regulation of the ordnance, was read a third time and passed.
The engrossed bill to annex to the Mississippi territory that part of West-Florida east of Pearl river, was read a third time.
Mr. Pitkin asked for information as to the intention in relation to the future state of this territory; whether it was to be held subject to future negociation, &c. and in what light that part of the territory near Mobile, now in the occupation of a Spanish garrison, was to be considered, &c.
Mr. Grundy moved, as the gentleman who reported the bill was not in his seat at present, that the bill should lie on the table.
After a few remarks from Mr. Alston in favor of the bill, it was ordered to lie on the table.
On motion of Mr. Calhoun, the House again resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill supplementary to the acts for establishing a Quarter-master's Department. &c.
The question pending, when the subject was last under consideration, to strike out the third section of the bill, was again put. This section proposes to render less rigid some restrictions imposed by the act of the last session on the commanding general in relation to contracts for transportation, &c.
The restrictions on the Quartermaster and Commissary-general. Some debate took place on this question, in which Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Grundy supported the section, and Messrs. Wright, Tallmadge and Pitkin supported the motion to strike it out. On the one hand, it was said that the restrictions were so rigid that no competent men would accept the offices; and on the other hand that the restrictions were necessary, usual and moderate, and therefore ought not to be dispensed with to gratify any particular person or persons who might be candidates for office.
The motion to strike out the 3d section, was negatived, 38 to 35.
Some further amendment was made to the bill, and the committee rose and reported it to the House.
The amendments made in committee were concurred in.
Mr. Lacock renewed the motion which had been negatived in committee, to strike out the 3d section of the bill: and Mr. Nelson spoke in support of it.
On motion of Mr. Burwell, the bill was ordered to lie on the table, to give further time to reflect on the provisions thereof.
On motion of Mr. Newton, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole. Mr. Nelson in the chair, on the bill for the relief of the inhabitants of Venezuela.
[The bill authorises the President to cause to be exported such quantity of provisions as he may think proper, for the relief of the inhabitants of Venezuela, suffering by the effects of an earthquake.]
Mr. Newton proposed to fill the blank for the appropriation with the sum of 30,000 dollars.
Mr. Pitkin enquired for the official information, which might have been laid before the committee, on the subject of the distress existing at Caracas.
Mr. Newton in reply said that there were many private letters in confirmation of the facts, and also a letter from our consul, &c. Some of which were read.
Mr. Calhoun moved to fill the blank with fifty thousand dollars, which he thought would be little enough to effect the object in view.
The question on the latter motion was decided in the affirmative, 45 to 29.
The committee rose and reported the bill; which was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading this day.
The house then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Stanford in the chair, on a bill declaring the assent of Congress to an act of the state of Maryland.
[This bill proposes to revive an act passed in 1795, authorising the sum of fifty two thousand five hundred dollars to be raised by way of lottery for the purpose of finishing the canal which runs through the city of Washington, and vests the necessary authority in the Canal Company.]
Mr. Bassett, with a view to try the principle, moved to strike out the first section of the bill.
Mr. Lewis and Mr. Burwell opposed the motion, and pointed out the advantages which might be expected from the passage of the bill.
The motion was negatived, 51 to 24.
The committee rose and reported the bill, which was then ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.
On motion of Mr. Ringgold, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill supplementary to the act for regulating and laying out a road from Cumberland in Maryland to the state of Ohio.
[The bill authorizes an additional appropriation, for this object, of 30,000 dollars.]
No objection being made to the bill, the committee rose and Mr. Lacock reported the bill; which was ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.
The House then took up, in committee, the bill making further provision for the army of the U. States. No objection was made to the bill, which in its present form merely relates to some minor details of the army; and Mr. Lewis reported the bill, which was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
The House resumed the consideration of the bill to incorporate the Trustees of Washington College in Washington City.
The verbal amendments reported thereto by the select committee were agreed to; and the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading to-morrow.
On motion of Mr. Jennings, the House went into a committee of the whole on the bill to authorize the election of Sheriffs in the territory of Indiana, and for other purposes; which being gone through, Mr. Wright reported it to the House, and it was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
CONGRESS.
IN SENATE.
Friday, May 1.
The engrossed bill, authorising the state of Tennessee to issue grants and perfect titles on certain entries and sections of land therein mentioned, was read a third time and passed. yeas 18; nays 6.
YEAS.--Messrs. Anderson, Bayard, Campbell, Giles of Va. Condit, Cutts, Gaillard, Gilman, Goodrich, Horsey, Howard, Hunter, Lambert, Lloyd, Robinson, Smith of Md. Smith of New-York. Tait, Varnum.
NAYS--Messrs. Bibb, Crawford, Dana, German, Taylor, Turner.
Mr. Smith of Md. reported the bill for the relief of John Thompson, without amendment.
Mr. Turner reported the bill, entitled "an act to establish certain post roads," without amendment.
Mr. Leib presented the petition of Ninian Pinkney, now a captain in the army of the U. S. stating that on the 20th of August, 1808, he was appointed brigade inspector pro tem. and performed the duties thereof, at New Orleans, and received the emoluments attached to said office up to the 31st May, 1810.--but that on his arrival at the seat of government, he was required by the department of war to refund the same, on the plea that the appointment was inadmissible: and praying relief. The petition was referred to Messrs. Leib, Howell, and Smith of Maryland.
The bill allowing an annuity to Arthur St. Clair, was read a third time, and the blank for the annuity having been, on motion of Mr. Leib, filled with 450 dollars, the bill was passed by yeas and nays as follow:
YEAS.--Messrs. Anderson, Bibb, Bayard, Crawford, Dana, German, Gilman, Goodrich, Gregg, Horsey, Howell, Hunter, Lambert, Leib, Lloyd, Smith of Md, Worthington--17.
NAYS.--Messrs. Condit, Cutts, Gaillard, Robinson, Smith of New-York, Tait, Taylor, Turner, Varnum.--9.
Mr. Gregg, from the committee to whom was referred a petition on the subject, reported a bill to admit the entry of vessels of the U. S. on certain conditions. [This bill embraces cases of vessels "which may have been laden in any of the ports of India, and whose master, supercargo, or owner, may have been compelled to give bond under some penalty that their respective cargoes shall be landed in some port of the U. States" --provided the duties be paid, and the goods stored in the public stores under the care of the collectors, subject to the future disposition of the government.] The bill was passed to a second reading.
On motion of Mr. Bayard, the bill to discharge from imprisonment the persons therein mentioned, was recommitted, viz. to Messrs. Bayard, Smith of N. Y. and German.
The bill making additional appropriations for the support of government, was passed to a third reading.
Mr. Gregg presented the memorial of James Wilkinson, stating that he has been stigmatised as a public defaulter, but that so far from deserving that charge, he can make it appear that the public are indebted to him, and praying an enquiry into his case may be instituted, and such decision had thereon as may be compatible with justice and equity.
Referred to Messrs. Gregg, Smith of Md, Taylor, Varnum and Anderson.
Monday, May 4.
A bare quorum appearing, the Senate, without proceeding to business, adjourned to to-morrow.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Monday, May 4.
Mr. Lacock presented the memorial of Wm. Gamble, stating that he has invented a new species of harbor defence, and requesting Congress to take the same into consideration. Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
The Speaker laid before the House a packet which he had received from Detroit in Michigan territory, inclosing a number of papers, amongst which is a presentment of a Grand Jury to the Superior Court in Sept. 1811, complaining of the non-execution of a law, and of alleged misconduct on the part of one of the Judges (A. B. Woodward, Esq) and sundry papers illustrative of these complaints, together with a letter from the Judge whose conduct is complained of, all addressed to the Speaker of the House. This packet, which is very voluminous, and of rather unimportant contents, was ordered to lie on the table.
The bill from the Senate allowing a pension to Arthur St. Clair; and the bill authorising the state of Tennessee to issue grants in certain cases, were severally read twice and committed.
The engrossed bill for the better regulation of the ordnance, was read a third time and passed.
The engrossed bill to annex to the Mississippi territory that part of West-Florida east of Pearl river, was read a third time.
Mr. Pitkin asked for information as to the intention in relation to the future state of this territory; whether it was to be held subject to future negociation, &c. and in what light that part of the territory near Mobile, now in the occupation of a Spanish garrison, was to be considered, &c.
Mr. Grundy moved, as the gentleman who reported the bill was not in his seat at present, that the bill should lie on the table.
After a few remarks from Mr. Alston in favor of the bill, it was ordered to lie on the table.
On motion of Mr. Calhoun, the House again resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill supplementary to the acts for establishing a Quarter-master's Department. &c.
The question pending, when the subject was last under consideration, to strike out the third section of the bill, was again put. This section proposes to render less rigid some restrictions imposed by the act of the last session on the commanding general in relation to contracts for transportation, &c.
The restrictions on the Quartermaster and Commissary-general. Some debate took place on this question, in which Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Grundy supported the section, and Messrs. Wright, Tallmadge and Pitkin supported the motion to strike it out. On the one hand, it was said that the restrictions were so rigid that no competent men would accept the offices; and on the other hand that the restrictions were necessary, usual and moderate, and therefore ought not to be dispensed with to gratify any particular person or persons who might be candidates for office.
The motion to strike out the 3d section, was negatived, 38 to 35.
Some further amendment was made to the bill, and the committee rose and reported it to the House.
The amendments made in committee were concurred in.
Mr. Lacock renewed the motion which had been negatived in committee, to strike out the 3d section of the bill: and Mr. Nelson spoke in support of it.
On motion of Mr. Burwell, the bill was ordered to lie on the table, to give further time to reflect on the provisions thereof.
On motion of Mr. Newton, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole. Mr. Nelson in the chair, on the bill for the relief of the inhabitants of Venezuela.
[The bill authorises the President to cause to be exported such quantity of provisions as he may think proper, for the relief of the inhabitants of Venezuela, suffering by the effects of an earthquake.]
Mr. Newton proposed to fill the blank for the appropriation with the sum of 30,000 dollars.
Mr. Pitkin enquired for the official information, which might have been laid before the committee, on the subject of the distress existing at Caracas.
Mr. Newton in reply said that there were many private letters in confirmation of the facts, and also a letter from our consul, &c. Some of which were read.
Mr. Calhoun moved to fill the blank with fifty thousand dollars, which he thought would be little enough to effect the object in view.
The question on the latter motion was decided in the affirmative, 45 to 29.
The committee rose and reported the bill; which was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading this day.
The house then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Stanford in the chair, on a bill declaring the assent of Congress to an act of the state of Maryland.
[This bill proposes to revive an act passed in 1795, authorising the sum of fifty two thousand five hundred dollars to be raised by way of lottery for the purpose of finishing the canal which runs through the city of Washington, and vests the necessary authority in the Canal Company.]
Mr. Bassett, with a view to try the principle, moved to strike out the first section of the bill.
Mr. Lewis and Mr. Burwell opposed the motion, and pointed out the advantages which might be expected from the passage of the bill.
The motion was negatived, 51 to 24.
The committee rose and reported the bill, which was then ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.
On motion of Mr. Ringgold, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill supplementary to the act for regulating and laying out a road from Cumberland in Maryland to the state of Ohio.
[The bill authorizes an additional appropriation, for this object, of 30,000 dollars.]
No objection being made to the bill, the committee rose and Mr. Lacock reported the bill; which was ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.
The House then took up, in committee, the bill making further provision for the army of the U. States. No objection was made to the bill, which in its present form merely relates to some minor details of the army; and Mr. Lewis reported the bill, which was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
The House resumed the consideration of the bill to incorporate the Trustees of Washington College in Washington City.
The verbal amendments reported thereto by the select committee were agreed to; and the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading to-morrow.
On motion of Mr. Jennings, the House went into a committee of the whole on the bill to authorize the election of Sheriffs in the territory of Indiana, and for other purposes; which being gone through, Mr. Wright reported it to the House, and it was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Congress Proceedings
Senate Bills
House Debates
Land Grants
Military Affairs
Venezuela Relief
Infrastructure
Territorial Annexation
What entities or persons were involved?
Arthur St. Clair
Ninian Pinkney
James Wilkinson
John Thompson
Wm. Gamble
A. B. Woodward
Domestic News Details
Event Date
Friday, May 1; Monday, May 4
Key Persons
Arthur St. Clair
Ninian Pinkney
James Wilkinson
John Thompson
Wm. Gamble
A. B. Woodward
Outcome
bills passed on tennessee land grants (18-6), st. clair annuity ($450, 17-9), ordnance regulation, venezuela relief ($50,000, 45-29); others committed, tabled, or advanced; senate adjourned may 4
Event Details
Senate passed bills authorizing Tennessee land grants and annuity for Arthur St. Clair; reported bills for John Thompson relief and post roads; referred petitions from Ninian Pinkney and James Wilkinson; advanced vessel entry bill and appropriations; recommitted imprisonment discharge bill. House received memorials on harbor defense and Michigan judicial complaints; committed Senate bills; passed ordnance bill; tabled Mississippi territory annexation; debated and advanced quartermaster bill (retaining section 38-35); approved $50,000 for Venezuela earthquake relief; advanced Maryland canal assent, Ohio road appropriation ($30,000), army provisions, Washington College incorporation, and Indiana sheriff election bills.