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Domestic News
January 20, 1821
Richmond Enquirer
Richmond, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Report on U.S. Congress sessions in Senate and House on January 15-16, covering motions on bank officers' fraud, roads and canals surveys, Alabama port petitions, sedition law constitutionality for Matthew Lyon, Missouri admission, bankruptcy system, army reduction, and related documents.
Merged-components note: Sequential reading order and continuous coverage of congressional proceedings in Senate and House.
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CONGRESS.
IN SENATE
MONDAY, JANUARY 15.
Mr. Smith submitted the following motion for consideration:
Resolved, That, the better to enable Congress, in considering a bill 'to amend the act entitled an act to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the U S' to apportion the punishment to be inflicted upon the presidents, directors, cashiers, or other officers or servants of the Bank of the U S. and of its several offices or branch banks, the President of the Bank be requested to transmit to the Senate, if any such exists, a statement of any and all fraudulent conversions by the said presidents, directors, cashiers, officers or servants or any of them, of any moneys, bills, notes, securities for money, evidences of debt or other effects whatsoever, belonging to the said bank to his or their own use: And in what offices these frauds have been practised, and to what extent, and by whom committed and at what times: And likewise to state what facilities each of those several officers have, by means of their stations respectively to commit frauds of this character.
On motion of Mr. Thomas, the committee on public lands were discharged from the further consideration of the resolution relative to the expediency of authorizing a map of the military bounty lands to be annexed to the patent of each soldier.
ROADS AND CANALS.
Mr. Trimble submitted the following resolutions for consideration:
Resolved, That the committee on roads and canals be instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing by law the employment of the topographical engineers, under the direction of the President of the United States, in surveying roads and canals through the lands of the U. S. at such places as would best promote the general interest and improve the military defence of the U. States.
Resolved, That the committee on roads and canals be instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing by law the employment of the topographical engineers in surveying, under the direction of the President of the U. S. Canals to connect the navigable waters between Boston harbour, in the state of Massachusetts and Pamtico Sound, in the state of North Carolina, in such direction and on such plan as will best promote the interest and the military and naval defence of the U. States.
Mr. King of Alabama presented a petition from the inhabitants of the town of Blakeley, praying for the establishment of a port of entry there; and petitions from nine other of the towns of Alabama, in support of the petition from Blakeley.
The resolution submitted by Mr. Eaton, on Friday was taken up and agreed to.
The Senate then according to the order of the day, proceeded to consider the report of the select committee on the petition of Matthew Lyon, who prays to be indemnified for the damages which were inflicted on him under the former sedition law. The report concludes with the following resolutions:
Resolved, That so much of the act, entitled an act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States approved the 14th of July, 1798, as pretends to prescribe and punish libels, is unconstitutional.
Resolved, That the fines collected under that act ought to be restored to those from whom they were exacted; and that these resolutions be recommitted to the committee who brought them in, with instructions to report a bill to that effect.
The resolutions having been read, Mr. Barbour rose in support of them, and spoke about two hours; when, not having finished his argument, he gave way for a motion to postpone the subject until to-morrow;—which prevailed.
After spending a short time on Executive business, the Senate adjourned.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16.
Mr. Eaton from the committee on finance, reported a bill supplementary to an act passed on the 11th of May, 1820, prescribing the mode of publishing the laws of Congress and treaties, in newspapers, (repealing that act so far as to authorize the private acts of Congress and Indian treaties, to be published in some one paper in the City of Washington,) and the bill was read.
On motion of Mr. Horsey, it was
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to lay before the Senate the latest statements he may have received showing the state of the several incorporated Banks of the District of Columbia.
The bill to establish a uniform system of Bankruptcy was, on the motion of Mr. Van Dyke, made the order of the day for Monday next.
The Senate then resumed the consideration of the report of the select committee on the case of Matthew Lyon,
Mr. Barbour concluded the argument which he left unfinished yesterday, in support of the resolutions.
Mr. Walker of Georgia, next rose and spoke some time against the resolutions.
Mr. Johnson of Kentucky replied to Mr. W. and advocated the resolutions.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, JAN. 15
On the Journal of Saturday being read—
Mr. Reed, stating that, in speaking of the Petition from the Legislature of Missouri, he meant to have styled it a Memorial and not a Petition, moved that the Journal be amended by substituting, in the third resolution moved by him, the word 'Memorial' for the word 'Petition' And the question thereon being taken, it was decided in the negative without a division.
On motion of Mr. Jackson, it was
Resolved, That the committee on Roads and Canals be instructed to enquire into the expediency of authorizing the appointment of Commissioners to make out and lay off a road from the Rapids of the Miami of Lake Erie to Lower Sandusky, in pursuance of the treaty of Brownstown, made with certain nations of Indians; also to extend the said location to Washington, Penn. by the way of Wellsburg, Virginia.
Mr. Ross offered for consideration the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to lay before this House a statement of the precise amount of special deposits to the credit of the Treasury of the U S. which is referred to in his supplementary report of the 28th ultimo, as not being available the current year; stating, particularly, of what such deposits consist—if of depreciated bank paper, the bank or banks which issued the same, with the amount by each, and the present current specie value thereof, and the year or years respectively when the same was received.
The resolution lies on the table one day of course.
A message was received from the President of the United States, transmitting certain documents in relation to correspondence with foreign governments on the subject of the Slave Trade, accidentally omitted to be transmitted from the Department of State, when the documents were sent which have been already published.
The documents now sent are the following:
Extracts of a letter from Mr. Rush to the Secretary of State, dated 19th Nov. 1819.
Lord Castlereagh to Mr. Rush, 11th Nov. 1819.
Address from House of Commons, 7th July, 1819. to the Prince Regent.
Same, House of Lords, 9th do.
Mr. Rush to Lord Castlereagh, 16th Nov. 1819.
The message was read, and referred to the committee having that subject under consideration.
A letter was presented by the Speaker from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting a list of Clerks employed in that office, and their pay; which was referred to the committee on that subject.
On motion of Mr. Eustis, the House proceeded to the consideration of the resolution submitted by him, for the conditional admission of Missouri into the Union: and, on his motion, in order that it might not interrupt the discussion of the Army bill it was referred to a committee of the whole on the state of the Union.
On motion of Mr. Lowndes, the House then took up the resolve from the Senate, for the admission of Missouri into the Union: and it was read a second time, and referred to a committee of the whole on the state of the Union.
The bill from the Senate, 'to incorporate the Columbia College of the District of Columbia,' was about to be read a third time, when
Mr. Campbell objected in this bill taking a course different from the ordinary practice, in regard to bills, which was, to refer them to a committee of the whole for discussion.
Mr. Mercer earnestly pressed the bill to a decision without commitment, and expressed great satisfaction in having it in his power to vote on a bill of this description, having for its object the encouragement of learning, &c. in the District.
After considerable conversation on the subject between Messrs. Mercer, Campbell, and Storrs—
The bill was ordered to lie on the table, and to be printed for the use of members.
On Friday last, Mr. B. Smith, of Virginia, obtained leave of absence in consequence of the state of his health.
[Nat. Int.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16,
Mr. Clay, (late Speaker) appeared this day, and took his seat.
The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, transmitting a Report, made in obedience to a resolution of the 4th instant, showing the balance of each distinct appropriation for the Navy, remaining in the Treasury, and in the hands of the Treasurer as agent for the Navy Department; which letter and documents were referred and ordered to be printed.
On motion of Mr. Ross, the resolution yesterday submitted by him, was taken up and agreed to.
The hour of meeting, which had been changed to 11 o'clock, was restored to 12 o'clock.
The House then again resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill for the reduction of the Army of the United States; the motion of Mr. Simkins, to strike out the first section yet depending—
Mr. Trimble delivered his sentiments at much length in favor of a reduction, not according to the plan proposed by the bill before the committee, but one similar to that recommended by the Secretary of War.
Mr. Wood advocated generally, but briefly, a reduction of the army.
Mr. Cocke spoke at considerable length in support of reduction, and of the bill under consideration.
Mr. Brush opposed decidedly, a diminution of the present number of the army; and
IN SENATE
MONDAY, JANUARY 15.
Mr. Smith submitted the following motion for consideration:
Resolved, That, the better to enable Congress, in considering a bill 'to amend the act entitled an act to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the U S' to apportion the punishment to be inflicted upon the presidents, directors, cashiers, or other officers or servants of the Bank of the U S. and of its several offices or branch banks, the President of the Bank be requested to transmit to the Senate, if any such exists, a statement of any and all fraudulent conversions by the said presidents, directors, cashiers, officers or servants or any of them, of any moneys, bills, notes, securities for money, evidences of debt or other effects whatsoever, belonging to the said bank to his or their own use: And in what offices these frauds have been practised, and to what extent, and by whom committed and at what times: And likewise to state what facilities each of those several officers have, by means of their stations respectively to commit frauds of this character.
On motion of Mr. Thomas, the committee on public lands were discharged from the further consideration of the resolution relative to the expediency of authorizing a map of the military bounty lands to be annexed to the patent of each soldier.
ROADS AND CANALS.
Mr. Trimble submitted the following resolutions for consideration:
Resolved, That the committee on roads and canals be instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing by law the employment of the topographical engineers, under the direction of the President of the United States, in surveying roads and canals through the lands of the U. S. at such places as would best promote the general interest and improve the military defence of the U. States.
Resolved, That the committee on roads and canals be instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing by law the employment of the topographical engineers in surveying, under the direction of the President of the U. S. Canals to connect the navigable waters between Boston harbour, in the state of Massachusetts and Pamtico Sound, in the state of North Carolina, in such direction and on such plan as will best promote the interest and the military and naval defence of the U. States.
Mr. King of Alabama presented a petition from the inhabitants of the town of Blakeley, praying for the establishment of a port of entry there; and petitions from nine other of the towns of Alabama, in support of the petition from Blakeley.
The resolution submitted by Mr. Eaton, on Friday was taken up and agreed to.
The Senate then according to the order of the day, proceeded to consider the report of the select committee on the petition of Matthew Lyon, who prays to be indemnified for the damages which were inflicted on him under the former sedition law. The report concludes with the following resolutions:
Resolved, That so much of the act, entitled an act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States approved the 14th of July, 1798, as pretends to prescribe and punish libels, is unconstitutional.
Resolved, That the fines collected under that act ought to be restored to those from whom they were exacted; and that these resolutions be recommitted to the committee who brought them in, with instructions to report a bill to that effect.
The resolutions having been read, Mr. Barbour rose in support of them, and spoke about two hours; when, not having finished his argument, he gave way for a motion to postpone the subject until to-morrow;—which prevailed.
After spending a short time on Executive business, the Senate adjourned.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16.
Mr. Eaton from the committee on finance, reported a bill supplementary to an act passed on the 11th of May, 1820, prescribing the mode of publishing the laws of Congress and treaties, in newspapers, (repealing that act so far as to authorize the private acts of Congress and Indian treaties, to be published in some one paper in the City of Washington,) and the bill was read.
On motion of Mr. Horsey, it was
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to lay before the Senate the latest statements he may have received showing the state of the several incorporated Banks of the District of Columbia.
The bill to establish a uniform system of Bankruptcy was, on the motion of Mr. Van Dyke, made the order of the day for Monday next.
The Senate then resumed the consideration of the report of the select committee on the case of Matthew Lyon,
Mr. Barbour concluded the argument which he left unfinished yesterday, in support of the resolutions.
Mr. Walker of Georgia, next rose and spoke some time against the resolutions.
Mr. Johnson of Kentucky replied to Mr. W. and advocated the resolutions.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, JAN. 15
On the Journal of Saturday being read—
Mr. Reed, stating that, in speaking of the Petition from the Legislature of Missouri, he meant to have styled it a Memorial and not a Petition, moved that the Journal be amended by substituting, in the third resolution moved by him, the word 'Memorial' for the word 'Petition' And the question thereon being taken, it was decided in the negative without a division.
On motion of Mr. Jackson, it was
Resolved, That the committee on Roads and Canals be instructed to enquire into the expediency of authorizing the appointment of Commissioners to make out and lay off a road from the Rapids of the Miami of Lake Erie to Lower Sandusky, in pursuance of the treaty of Brownstown, made with certain nations of Indians; also to extend the said location to Washington, Penn. by the way of Wellsburg, Virginia.
Mr. Ross offered for consideration the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to lay before this House a statement of the precise amount of special deposits to the credit of the Treasury of the U S. which is referred to in his supplementary report of the 28th ultimo, as not being available the current year; stating, particularly, of what such deposits consist—if of depreciated bank paper, the bank or banks which issued the same, with the amount by each, and the present current specie value thereof, and the year or years respectively when the same was received.
The resolution lies on the table one day of course.
A message was received from the President of the United States, transmitting certain documents in relation to correspondence with foreign governments on the subject of the Slave Trade, accidentally omitted to be transmitted from the Department of State, when the documents were sent which have been already published.
The documents now sent are the following:
Extracts of a letter from Mr. Rush to the Secretary of State, dated 19th Nov. 1819.
Lord Castlereagh to Mr. Rush, 11th Nov. 1819.
Address from House of Commons, 7th July, 1819. to the Prince Regent.
Same, House of Lords, 9th do.
Mr. Rush to Lord Castlereagh, 16th Nov. 1819.
The message was read, and referred to the committee having that subject under consideration.
A letter was presented by the Speaker from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting a list of Clerks employed in that office, and their pay; which was referred to the committee on that subject.
On motion of Mr. Eustis, the House proceeded to the consideration of the resolution submitted by him, for the conditional admission of Missouri into the Union: and, on his motion, in order that it might not interrupt the discussion of the Army bill it was referred to a committee of the whole on the state of the Union.
On motion of Mr. Lowndes, the House then took up the resolve from the Senate, for the admission of Missouri into the Union: and it was read a second time, and referred to a committee of the whole on the state of the Union.
The bill from the Senate, 'to incorporate the Columbia College of the District of Columbia,' was about to be read a third time, when
Mr. Campbell objected in this bill taking a course different from the ordinary practice, in regard to bills, which was, to refer them to a committee of the whole for discussion.
Mr. Mercer earnestly pressed the bill to a decision without commitment, and expressed great satisfaction in having it in his power to vote on a bill of this description, having for its object the encouragement of learning, &c. in the District.
After considerable conversation on the subject between Messrs. Mercer, Campbell, and Storrs—
The bill was ordered to lie on the table, and to be printed for the use of members.
On Friday last, Mr. B. Smith, of Virginia, obtained leave of absence in consequence of the state of his health.
[Nat. Int.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16,
Mr. Clay, (late Speaker) appeared this day, and took his seat.
The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, transmitting a Report, made in obedience to a resolution of the 4th instant, showing the balance of each distinct appropriation for the Navy, remaining in the Treasury, and in the hands of the Treasurer as agent for the Navy Department; which letter and documents were referred and ordered to be printed.
On motion of Mr. Ross, the resolution yesterday submitted by him, was taken up and agreed to.
The hour of meeting, which had been changed to 11 o'clock, was restored to 12 o'clock.
The House then again resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill for the reduction of the Army of the United States; the motion of Mr. Simkins, to strike out the first section yet depending—
Mr. Trimble delivered his sentiments at much length in favor of a reduction, not according to the plan proposed by the bill before the committee, but one similar to that recommended by the Secretary of War.
Mr. Wood advocated generally, but briefly, a reduction of the army.
Mr. Cocke spoke at considerable length in support of reduction, and of the bill under consideration.
Mr. Brush opposed decidedly, a diminution of the present number of the army; and
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Congress
Senate
House
Resolutions
Bills
Bank Fraud
Roads Canals
Sedition Law
Matthew Lyon
Missouri Admission
Army Reduction
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Smith
Mr. Thomas
Mr. Trimble
Mr. King Of Alabama
Mr. Eaton
Mr. Barbour
Mr. Walker Of Georgia
Mr. Johnson Of Kentucky
Mr. Horsey
Mr. Van Dyke
Mr. Reed
Mr. Jackson
Mr. Ross
Mr. Eustis
Mr. Lowndes
Mr. Campbell
Mr. Mercer
Mr. Storrs
Mr. B. Smith Of Virginia
Mr. Clay
Mr. Simkins
Mr. Wood
Mr. Cocke
Mr. Brush
Where did it happen?
Washington
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Washington
Event Date
January 15 16
Key Persons
Mr. Smith
Mr. Thomas
Mr. Trimble
Mr. King Of Alabama
Mr. Eaton
Mr. Barbour
Mr. Walker Of Georgia
Mr. Johnson Of Kentucky
Mr. Horsey
Mr. Van Dyke
Mr. Reed
Mr. Jackson
Mr. Ross
Mr. Eustis
Mr. Lowndes
Mr. Campbell
Mr. Mercer
Mr. Storrs
Mr. B. Smith Of Virginia
Mr. Clay
Mr. Simkins
Mr. Wood
Mr. Cocke
Mr. Brush
Event Details
Proceedings in the Senate and House of Representatives on January 15 and 16, including motions on bank fraud, public lands, roads and canals, petitions for ports, resolutions on sedition law and Matthew Lyon, bankruptcy bill, Missouri admission, army reduction, and other legislative business.