The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

House of Representatives.
FRIDAY, November 18, 1803.

The House resolved itself into a committee of the whole—Mr. Varnum in chair—on the bill fixing the salaries of certain officers therein mentioned.

Mr. J. Randolph moved to fill the blank in relation to the salary of the secretary of state with "five thousand dollars."

Mr. Chittenden moved to postpone the bill until Monday.

Motion lost—Ayes 49—Noes 63.

Mr. Leib moved to fill the above blank with "three thousand five hundred dollars."

Whereupon a debate of considerable length ensued. Messrs. J. Randolph, Alston, Findley, Sanford, and Skinner advocated the filling of the blank with 5,000 dollars: and Messrs. Leib, Chittenden and J. Clay, supported the motion to fill it up with 3,500 dollars.

When the question on 5,000 dollars was taken and carried—Ayes 79

It was then carried, without a division, to fill up the blank respecting the salary of the secretary of the treasury with 5,000 dollars.

Mr. Randolph moved to fill the blank respecting the salary of the secretary of war with 4,500 dollars.

Mr. Leib enquired the reasons wherefore there was a difference between the compensation of the secretary of war, and of the secretaries of state and treasury.

Mr. Nicholson said if the gentleman from Pennsylvania would move to fill the blank with 5,000 dollars, he would second the motion.

Mr. Randolph explained the reasons for the difference.

The question to fill the blank with 5,000 dollars, was lost without a division, when that to fill it with 4,500 dollars, was carried—Ayes 74.

The blank for the salary of the secretary of the navy, was filled with 4,500 dollars by the same vote.

Mr. J. Randolph moved to fill the blank for the salary of the attorney general with 3,000 dollars.

Mr. J. Clay moved 2,000 dollars.

Mr. J. Randolph spoke at some length in favor of 3,000 dollars, and was followed on the same side by Mr. Skinner and Mr. Nicholson.

Mr. J. Clay and Mr. Goddard spoke in favor of 2,000 dollars.

When the question was taken on 3,000 dollars, and carried—Ayes 69 Noes 30.

It was then agreed, without a division, to fill the several other blanks with the same sums allowed by the act of March 1799, to the Comptroller, the Treasurer, the Auditor, the Register, the Accountants of the War and Navy departments.

On filling the blank respecting the salary of the Post-Master General, Mr. Lyon moved to fill it with 3,500 dollars.

Lost without a division.

It was then agreed to fill it with 3,000, and that respecting the Assistant Post-Master General with 1,700 dollars.

Mr. Eustis moved an amendment to the first section, so as to make it read "that from the end of the present year the following annual compensations, as established by an act passed on the 2d of March 1799," &c.

This motion was opposed by Messrs. Lowndes and Goddard.

Carried Ayes 65 Noes 43.

The committee then rose and reported the bill with amendments, which the House immediately took up.

On the question to agree to the first amend. (that moved, as above, by Dr. Eustis) Mr. J. Clay hoped it would not be agreed to: as it decided the principle of the bill he called for the yeas and nays, which, being taken, were Yeas 69 Nays 46.

The second amendment was to fill the blank in relation to the Secretary of State, with 5,000 dollars.

Mr. J. Randolph observed that as this question would more correctly than the last try the sense of the House on the principle of the bill he desired the taking the yeas and nays; which, being taken, were Yeas 82 Nays 28—

The remainder of the report was then agreed to without a division:

When the question on engrossing the bill for a third reading on Monday was taken by yeas and nays, and carried in the affirmative—Yeas 78—Nays 28.

(The debate in course.)