The New Hampshire Gazette

Federal Legislature.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, Jan. 28.

THE Speaker laid before the House a petition from a convention of the delegates of the abolition societies of the states of New-Jersey, New-York, Connecticut, Rhode-Island, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, praying the interposition of Congress to prevent the American shipping from being concerned in the slave trade.

Another petition of a similar import from a convention at Providence in 1793, was also read, and both of them on motion of Mr. Tracy, referred to a select committee.

Mr. Murray presented a petition from two French citizens, refugees, from Hispaniola, in behalf of themselves and others, praying a temporary relief from government, till such time as they can return to their own country and possessions, when they promise a reimbursement of any advances made to them in their present destitute situation.—Referred to the committee of the whole.

The house then went into committee of the whole on the report of the select committee, to whom had been referred the memorial of the Baltimore committee, of relief for the emigrant refugees from Hispaniola—the report being read.

Mr. S. Smith moved the following resolutions in substance, to be adopted as an amendment to the committee's Report, viz.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be empowered and requested to direct a sum not exceeding 10,000, to be paid for the relief of the indigent emigrants from the island of St. Domingo, now residing within the United States, and that the President also be requested to cause a reimbursement of the same to be negotiated and made out of the money due by the United States to France.

This amendment, after some debate was withdrawn by the mover, to admit another moved by Mr. Fitzsimons, which had for its object, the appointment of a committee to report a bill in the case.

This last amendment after further debate, was agreed to by a large majority—the committee rose and the chairman reported the amendment to the House.

In the House. Mr. Nicholas moved an amendment, the object of which was to qualify the first resolution with an avowal that the legislature of the United States were not authorized by the constitution to grant money in the present case, but trusting to the humanity of their constituents, had resolved that a sum not exceeding 10,000 dollars be granted &c.

This motion was negatived.

The resolutions were adopted by the House, and a committee of three, viz. Mr. Ames, Mr. Tracy, and Mr. Dayton, appointed to report a bill.

The House then went into committee of the whole on Mr. Madison's resolutions. Mr. Trumbull in the chair—The discussion continued till three o'clock—when the house adjourned.

Wednesday, Jan. 29.

In committee of the whole, Mr. Madison's propositions under consideration.

Mr. Smith, (S. C.) went into a discussion of Mr. Madison's reply to him. He travelled over much of the old ground. He concluded by apologizing to the committee for having taken up so much of their time.

Mr. Clarke rose, when Mr. Smith sat down, to request that the House might go into the appropriation bill. He wished they might not spend the whole day in making no progress, and in hearing harangues that were endless in every sense of the word.

The committee rose, and the House again resolved itself into committee on the appropriation bill. After discussing several clauses the House arose at three o'clock.

Thursday, Jan. 30.

The appropriation bill was again taken up in committee of the whole. A motion was brought forward to authorize the President to make a loan, under certain restrictions, to provide for these appropriations; and after considerable observations on the subject, the committee rose and asked leave to sit again.

In the House a motion was brought forward and agreed for the attainment of the information wanted from the treasury.

The House then having resolved itself into a committee of the whole, took up the further consideration of Mr. Madison's propositions, and rose without taking a question.

A message was received from the President communicating certain papers relative to the Creeks, by which it appears that the tranquility which had been established in that quarter, has been disturbed by some lawless whites, who murdered several friendly Indians, while hunting on their own territory. Also sundry papers received from the Governor of North
Carolina, viz. a petition of —Person respecting a purchase of land in the South-Western Frontier, and a representation from the trustees of the University of that state. Among the first mentioned papers is a letter from Governor Blount, giving an account of the murder of some whites. The communications relative to Indian affairs were referred to a committee of five.

A bill of St. Domingo emigrants was reported, twice read, and referred to a committee of the whole to-morrow.

FRIDAY, JAN. 31.

A message was received from the Senate by Mr. Otis their Secretary, informing the House that the Senate have considered the bill sent from the House, entitled "an act for completing and better supporting the military establishment of the United States," and have resolved that the said bill do not pass.

The House in committee of the whole, proceeded in consideration of Mr. Madison's resolutions—the debate continued till three o'clock, when the committee rose and reported progress, without deciding on the resolutions.

Monday, Feb. 3.

A number of petitions were read and referred.

Mr. Watts presented the petition of Pearfall and Pell, of New-York, who have established a manufacture of Hand-bellows, and praying the encouragement of Government, by laying enhanced duties on that article imported.

In committee of the whole on Mr. Madison's resolution—Mr. Trumbull in the chair.

Mr. Swift, after a few remarks, in which he adverted to sundry modifications of the introductory resolution suggested by the mover, which modifications, he observed, rendered the resolution of no importance in relation to those subsequent, moved that the first resolution should be struck out.

This motion occasioned another, for the rising of the committee, that time might be given for members who are now absent to be present at taking the vote—After some debate on this motion, it appeared that the House was as full as usual—97 members being present, the motion was therefore withdrawn—as was also the motion for striking out—the debate was continued on the resolution; at length an amendment was moved to strike out the word "certain," and to insert the following, before the word "cases"—this motion was withdrawn. The question will the committee agree to the first resolution was then put, and carried in the affirmative, 51 to 46.

This resolution is in the following words, viz.

Resolved, as the opinion of this Committee, that the interest of the United States would be promoted by further restrictions and higher duties, in certain cases, on the manufactures and navigation of foreign nations, employed in the commerce of the United States, than those now imposed.

The second resolution being read Mr. Fitzsimons moved that the words "Having no treaty with the United States," should be struck out this was succeeded by a motion for the committee to rise and report progress—which was accordingly done.

TUESDAY, FEB. 4.

The bill for the relief of the Refugees from St. Domingo, was brought in engrossed—read the third time and passed—the blank was filled up with fifteen thousand dollars.

In committee of the whole on Mr. Madison's resolutions. The motion made yesterday by Mr. Fitzsimons, for striking out the words, "Nations not having a commercial treaty with the United States" was, after a few observations, withdrawn, to make way for a motion by Mr. Nicholas, the object of which was to except from the discrimination proposed, sundry powers with whom the United States have no commercial treaty.—This motion leaves the discrimination to operate against Great Britain only—the powers proposed to be excepted are, Russia, Denmark, the Hanseatic Towns, the Imperial ports, Spain, and Portugal.

The debate continued till a quarter after 3 o'clock—when the committee rose without taking a vote—and the House Adjourned.