The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

House of Representatives
7
FRIDAY, Nov. 4, 1803.

Mr. Early, in order to attract the attention of the House to a subject of some importance, that it might obtain an early decision, moved the following resolution.

Resolved, That the petition of John F. Randolph and Randolph M'Gillis in behalf of themselves and others, presented to this House at the last session, together with the report of the Secretary of War, accompanied with sundry documents respecting claims against the United States, or services of the militia of Georgia, made the 6th of February 1803, and also the report of the select committee thereon, made on the 10th of the same month, be referred to the committee of claims.

Agreed to.

Mr. Randolph invited the attention of the House to a subject of some importance to the revenue. Under an existing law a drawback of duties on goods exported to New-Orleans was allowed. Should this act remain in force, goods sufficient to supply the Mississippi territory and the other western country for several years might be stored in the ware houses of New-Orleans, which on possession being taken by the United States, may be carried into the United States, thereby evading the payment of duties. He therefore moved a resolution for the repeal of that act.

Resolution agreed to, and referred to the committee of ways and means.

A message was received from the Senate, stating that they had passed the act for the creation of a stock, as prescribed by the Louisiana treaty, with an amendment.

Referred to the committee of ways and means.

A message was received from the President as follows:

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States.

"By the copy now communicated, of a letter from Captain Bainbridge of the Philadelphia frigate to our Consul at Gibraltar, you will learn that an act of hostility has been committed on a merchant vessel of the United States, by an armed ship of the Emperor of Morocco. This conduct, on the part of that power, is without cause and without explanation. It is fortunate that Captain Bainbridge fell in with, and took the capturing vessel and her prize; and I have the satisfaction to inform you that, about the date of this transaction, such a force would be arriving in the neighbourhood of Gibraltar, both from the East and from the West, as leaves less to be feared for our commerce from the suddenness of the aggression."

"On the fourth of September, the Constitution frigate, captain Preble, with Mr. Lear on board, was within two days sail of Gibraltar, where the Philadelphia would then be arrived with her prize; and such explanations would probably be instituted as the state of things required, and as might perhaps arrest the progress of hostilities."

"In the mean while, it is for Congress to consider the provisional authorities which may be necessary to restrain the depredations of this power, should they be continued."

"TH: JEFFERSON."

Referred to Mess. Eustis, J. Clay, Sands, M'Creery, and Dana.

Mr. Newton said he had in his hand a resolution, which it was not his wish should be immediately acted upon, but at a future day. It would be recollected that during the last session the propriety of repealing the bankrupt law had come under the consideration of the House but that, owing to the lateness of the day, its consideration had been postponed. As he was desirous that the subject should be investigated this session, he made the following motion:

Resolved, That the act entitled an act to establish a uniform system of bankruptcy throughout the United States ought to be repealed.

Referred to a committee of the whole, and made the order for the 21st inst.

Mr. Early said he held in his hand a manuscript copy of the original report of the commissioners who had settled the accounts between the United States and the several states; as a document, throwing much light on this subject, he moved that it might be printed.

Agreed to.

Mr. Lyon called up his resolution for suspending the payment of duties of goods imported into the United States from Louisiana.

Referred to the committee of ways and means.

On motion of Mr. Dawson; a resolution laid by him on the table of continuing for years an act augmenting certain salaries, was referred to a committee of the whole, and made the order for Monday next.

Mr. Elliot offered a resolution for the appointment of a committee to inquire whether any, and if any, what provision was necessary to be made, to produce a more general circulation of copper coin through the United States.

Agreed to, and a committee of 5 appointed.