Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

Congress of the United States.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Wednesday, March 25, 1812.
[Reported for This Gazette.]

Mr. Widgery presented the petition of persons in the District of Maine, praying permission to import Plaster of Paris. Referred to the committee of the whole house to which had been referred petitions of a similar nature.

Also the petition of Mr. Ellis, deputy marshal in the District of Maine, stating that he had in pursuance of directions from the attorney and collector, attached 500 barrels of flour which were sold and the proceeds paid to the collector, and that the marshal had since been sued by a gentleman of New York and $1,400 damages recovered against him, for the malfeasance of his deputy, which is more than the flour sold for—he prays that congress will interpose in his behalf and grant him relief. Referred to the committee of commerce and manufactures.

Mr. Mitchell presented the memorial of a manufacturer of N. York praying permission to import Wire from Birmingham ordered prior to the President's Proclamation. Referred to the committee of the whole.

Mr. Cheves presented the petition of Thomas Stayberry, praying compensation for supplies furnished the revolutionary army. Referred to the committee of claims.

Mr. Wynn presented the petition of Josiah Cantey of S. C. praying compensation for certain Cattle and Hogs made use of by the army in the revolutionary war. Referred to the committee of claims.

Mr. Gholson from the committee of claims reported a bill for the relief of Wm. Hubbell. Read twice and referred to a committee of the whole house.

Mr. Maxwell had leave of absence for two weeks from Saturday next.

Mr. Milnor offered the following: Resolved, that the attorney general of the United States be directed to examine and report to this house whether the penal code of the U. States requires any, and if any, what alterations, amendments and additions to render the same less sanguinary and more efficient.

Mr. Lacock moved to substitute a select committee, in lieu of the attorney general.—This motion gave rise to considerable debate, and was negatived—36 in favor, 63 against.

Mr. Roberts moved to lay it on the table—negatived; 36 in favor.

Mr. Little moved to substitute the President of the United States for Attorney General—negatived.

The question on agreeing to the resolution, was taken by ayes and noes, and were—Yeas 65, Nays 45.

An engrossed bill for establishing a corps of artificers, was read a third time and passed.

The House took up and agreed to the modifications made by the committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the Navy Bill—the bill has now passed both Houses.

House in committee of the whole, Mr. Breckenridge in the chair, on a bill for the protection, recovery and indemnification of American seamen.

Mr. Wright rose and in a speech of great length—advocated the principles of the bill. He was not done speaking when our letter came away.

Commodore Bainbridge is appointed Superintendent of the Navy-Yard, in Charlestown, Massachusetts.