Elizabeth Town Gazette

CONGRESS.

IN SENATE,

January 26.

The committee of finance, to whom was referred an enquiry into the expediency of prohibiting by law the exportation of the gold and silver and copper coins of the United States, made a report adverse to the expediency of such prohibition.

The same committee reported a bill to continue in force the act regulating the currency of the gold coins of Great Britain, France, Portugal and Spain, and the crowns of France and five franc pieces.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Monday, Jan. 25.

SEMINOLE WAR.

The House proceeded to the order of the day, and again took up, in committee of the whole, Mr. Pleasants in the chair, the report of the military committee, &c. on the subject of the Seminole war.

Mr. Storrs, of New-York, concluded the speech which he yesterday commenced, in support of the report and resolutions of censure.

Mr. P. P. Barbour, of Virginia, next took the floor, and addressed the committee more than an hour, against the adoption of the resolutions.

Mr. Sawyer, of North-Carolina, followed at some length, on the same side of the question.

Mr. Mercer (after an unsuccessful motion for the committee to rise) proceeded to unfold his views in support of the resolutions; and had spoken a short time, when, a motion for the committee to rise being made, the committee rose, reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again.

Mr. Mercer, then, agreeably to an intimation which he had given in committee of the whole, offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the Secretaries of War and the Navy be directed to lay before this house a copy of the military orders, in virtue of which the Negro Fort, within the territory of East Florida, was destroyed, in the month of July, 1816, together with the correspondence of Col. Clinch and Com. Patterson in relation to that event.

And any other information, which may be in their possession in relation to the movement of the Indians in the Seminole country.

Some conversation took place on this resolution, in which Mr. Mercer stated his object to be to show, by the papers called for, &c. that the United States were the aggressors in the war which ensued with the Seminole Indians.

On putting the question on Mr. Mercer's resolution, it was discovered that there was not a quorum of the members present; and the house adjourned.

January 26.

Mr. Smith of Md. from the committee of ways and means, reported a bill making appropriations for the support of government for the year 1819; which was twice read and committed.

Mr. Lowndes, from the select committee appointed on the 27th of November last, to enquire whether it be expedient to make any amendment in the laws which regulate the coins of the United States and foreign coins, made a detailed report thereon, accompanied by a bill 'supplementary to the act establishing a Mint.'

Mr. Bassett addressed the chair, and said, that he rose to perform a pleasing task, because it was connected with humanity. It was to give praise and honor where praise and honor were due. It was (continued Mr. B.) said last night, from that chair, that sensible objects most forcibly attracted us. My heart responds to its truth. Most sensibly did I feel, on beholding in that chair a man whose life has been devoted to the amelioration of the state of man; one who, without the influence of kindred or country, and without any aid save that of a common tongue, has passed the vast Atlantic, to make known the hidden powers and blessings of knowledge. Thousands, said Mr. B. are now enjoying the happy fruits of his exertions, and millions to come will reap their profits, and drink again and again of the never-failing spring. I should do injustice to the feelings of the house to dwell longer on this subject. Mr. B. then submitted the following resolution, which was read and agreed to.

Resolved, That Joseph Lancaster, the friend of learning and of man, be admitted to a seat within the hall of the House of Representatives.

On motion of Mr. Spencer, it was

Resolved, That the Senate of the United States be requested to permit the attendance of the Hon. Mr. Daggett and the Hon. Mr. Hunter, members of their body, before the committee of the House of Representatives, appointed to enquire into the official conduct of Wm. P. Van Ness and Matthias B. Tallmadge, to be examined touching the object of said enquiry.

SEMINOLE WAR.

The House then again proceeded, in committee of the whole, Mr. Pitkin in the chair, to the consideration of the report of the military committee, and the amendments moved thereto by Mr. Cobb, touching the transactions of the Seminole war.

Mr. Mercer, of Virginia, resumed the floor, and concluded, in about two hours, the speech which he commenced yesterday, in support of the report and resolutions.

Mr. Colston, of Virginia, followed, on the same side, and addressed the committee nearly an hour.

Mr. Strother, of Virginia, rose in opposition to the resolutions, and had proceeded for some time in his argument; when on motion,

The committee rose, reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again; and

The House adjourned.