Berkeley And Jefferson Intelligencer

CONGRESS of the U. STATES.

HOUSE Of REPRESENTATIVES.

December 12.

Mr. Thomas presented a petition from Sarah Bladgden, widow of lieutenant colonel Bladen, of the cavalry, praying compensation for sundry services performed by the deceased during the revolutionary war. Referred to the committee of claims.

Mr. Lyon presented a petition and memorial from sundry inhabitants of the counties of Randolph and St. Clair, in the Indiana territory, stating their claim as actual settlers to the pre-emption right to certain lands, and trusting that congress will enable them to obtain their lands on moderate terms. Referred to a select committee of five.

Mr. Dana from the committee of claims reported severally on the petitions of James M'Pherson, for lands granted him by certain Indian Chiefs whilst prisoner among them; that the Indian deed was so defaced and utterly void of proof and so peculiarly objectionable as to induce the committee to report a resolution that the petition be rejected. This resolution was concurred in by the house.

Mr. Newton presented the petition of Gideon Parrat, an old soldier in our revolutionary war, stating his being engaged in several battles and receiving several wounds in their service, by which and his advanced age, he is rendered incapable of obtaining a decent support and praying to be placed upon the pension list. Referred to the committee of claims.

Mr. Jackson called for the order of the day on the bill relative to the clearance of armed merchant vessels, if gentlemen were prepared to consider the same. He thought a law on the subject should be enacted as speedily as possible; for a number of merchants in our seaports had embarked extensively in an illicit commerce, which he considered dangerous to our peace and national honour.

Mr. J. Clay requested the bill might be suffered to lie until the memorial from the Chamber of Commerce of Philadelphia was printed which had been ordered a few days since.

Mr. Jackson did not know of this memorial or of an order for printing; if the business could be understood on its being read to the House by the clerk; he should incline to consider the bill; he wished however the House to decide on the postponement.

Dr. Eustis wished the bill to lie on the table.

A question was taken for postponing till to-morrow, and carried, 72 voting in favor of the motion.

Mr. Jackson called up the order of the day on the bill making application of the monies heretofore appropriated by law for making a post road from the navigable waters of the Atlantic to the Ohio river.

Mr. Eppes informed that the Senate had a bill on the same subject at this moment before them, and that too in the same form.

Mr. Jackson, withdrew his call -and then the House adjourned.

December 13.

The Speaker laid before the house a letter addressed to the worthy gentlemen in Congress, from John Gregory, a black man, a native of Nansemond, in Virginia, praying to be liberated from the British service, on board the Alcma, where he was detained. Referred to the secretary of state.

On the petition of Timothy Phelps, late a sheriff in Vermont, who had been prosecuted there in maintaining the claim of New-York against the same. The committee observe that whatever claim he has upon the justice or magnanimity of those states, he has none upon the treasury of the United States, and they proposed as a resolution, that the prayer of the petition cannot be granted. The house took the same into consideration and concurred in the report of the committee of claims.

On the petition of John Pantry for sundries supplied certain recruits in 1799 -remarking that they saw nothing in this claim to preclude its coming before the accounting officers, and therefore proposed to resolve, that the petitioner have leave to withdraw his petition. This resolution was also concurred in by the house.

On the petition of John Steels, late secretary of the Mississippi territory of the United States. The committee observed that his claim to compensation for expenses and for the duties he performed as secretary subsequent to the expiration of his office, was just and fair. But his claim to compensation for executing certain duties of the governor was not admissible, inasmuch as he knew before his acceptance of the office of secretary that the law devolved such duties of the governor's upon him. They recommended a resolution in conformity to this statement, and the report was referred to the committee of the whole for to-morrow.

Mr. Eustis presented a petition from Gilbert Tench, praying his loss by depreciation on certain specie contracts entered into with the deputy quarter master general, for the transportation of certain cloathing and military stores, during our revolutionary war may be made to him. Referred to the committee of claims.

Mr. Walton presented a petition from George Ach, of Tennessee, stating that he had been a long time prisoner with the Shawnee Indians, who have for sundry services rendered them, given him a tract of land on the Ohio, opposite the mouth of Kentucky river, where he and his wife now reside and praying Congress to quiet them in the same. Referred to the committee of claims.

A petition from James Middleton and others, securities for a collector of the United States internal taxes, praying a suit instituted against them in the year 1800 for the recovery of 800 dollars lost by their principal may be staid for three years. Referred to the committee of claims.

Gen. Staunton presented a petition from William Ogden, an old soldier, praying a pension in consideration of his incapacity to obtain a livelihood in consequence of the wounds he received in fighting the battles of our revolutionary war. Referred to the committee of claims.

The order of the day was called for by Mr. Eustis, on the bill to regulate the clearance of armed merchant vessels.

Gen. Varnum in the chair.

Several amendments were made in the committee of the whole; the first important one is in italic and was to oblige the owner master or commandant to give bond in a sum equal to double the value of the vessel her tackle apparel, furniture and cargo. The second to subject the officers and seamen who should use their arms to depredate out rage, unlawfully assault or violently abuse subjects vessels or territory of nations at peace with the United States to the same punishments as would be incurred if the like offences had been committed on shore.

The committee rose and reported the bill with the amendments, which being taken up in the house, the Yeas and Nays were called by Mr. R. Griswold, on agreeing to the first amendment before mentioned; and being supported by the constitutional number of one fifth of the members present, they were taken accordingly and were Yeas 53 - Nays 55 - so the amendment was not agreed to.

A discussion took place on the amendment relative to the punishment of offences committed by armed merchant vessels as above stated, and some doubts arising as to the accuracy with which the section was penned, a motion was made at a late hour for an adjournment which was carried.

Adjourned.