Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

CONGRESS
OF THE UNITED STATES.

House of Representatives.
Monday, January 3.

Mr. Leib presented the petition of John Miles and others, stating that they had established a manufactory of small arms, halberts, &c. and praying that the duty might not be taken off from those articles imported into the United States. Referred to the committee of the whole house, to whom was referred the resolution of Mr. Rutledge, on the 21st December, contemplating the release from duty of a quantity of small arms imported by the State of South Carolina, for the use of their militia.

Mr. Van Ness, handed a petition from the building company of the City of Washington. Referred to a select committee of five. Also a petition from John Hankins, of the City of Washington, snuff manufacturer, praying for a diminution of the duty on that article manufactured in the United States. Read and referred to the committee of commerce and manufactures.

Mr. S. Smith presented the petition of John H--. and Co. of Baltimore. Read and referred to the committee of commerce and manufactures.

Mr. Leib observed that he had at the last session offered a resolution for amending that part of the constitution of the U. States, which related to the choice of President and Vice President, which had been rejected. As his constituents were anxious that such an alteration should be made, he took the liberty to offer a similar one at this time, hoping that it would meet a better fate. A resolution purporting, "that hereafter in voting for President and Vice-President, it should be designated on the ballots, which name was intended for President and which for Vice. President," was agreed to, and referred to a committee of the whole on the state of the union.

Mr. Randolph, Chairman of the committee of ways and means, reported a bill making a partial appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars for the naval service for the year 1803; read the first and second time, and ordered for a third reading to-morrow.

The house resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the report of the committee of claims upon the petition of Chas. Hyde, Mr. Varnum in the chair.

After some conversation on the propriety of reference; whether to accounting officer of the treasury or war department, the committee rose and reported the following resolution: "Resolved, that the proper accounting officer be directed to liquidate and settle the accounts of Charles Hyde, as Judge Advocate of the army, from the 2d of December, '92, to the 18th of July, '93, inclusive; and that he be allowed the same as was allowed by law, at that time for such services."

The house concurred, and ordered the committee of claims to bring in a bill accordingly.

Mr. Randolph, (Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means) reported a bill making appropriations for the military establishment, for the year 1803--passed a first and second reading, ordered for a third reading to-morrow, and to be printed.

Mr. Eustis presented the petition of Samuel Blodget. Read, and referred to the same committee, to whom was referred the petition from sundry inhabitants of Geo. Town and the City of Washington, on the 31st December last.

The Speaker produced a letter from the Secretary of State, covering the Documents called for by the resolution of Mr. Morris, relative to the case of Charles P. L'Enfant, referred to the committee of the whole house, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Nicholson called up the order of the day on the bill for the relief of insolvent debtors within the District of Columbia.

The House resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. J. C. Smith in the chair.

The committee had progressed in reading to the 5th section, (with some light amendments) when a debate of some length ensued, [which will be published in course]

The committee rose, reported progress, & asked leave to sit again.

The Committee of Claims reported a bill for the relief of Charles Hyde. Referred to a committee of the whole house, and made the order for this day; Mr. Varnum in the chair. The committee rose and reported the bill without amendment.

The house concurred. Ordered for a third reading to-morrow.

Mr. Van Cortlandt presented the memorial of -- Lewis, of the state of New-York, stating that he had for some time been in possession of a medicine that would effectually cure the bite of a mad dog; requesting that Congress would cause an examination into the value of the discovery, and allow him such compensation or reward as they in their wisdom shall think proper. Referred to a select committee of five.

Mr. Newton moved that the Secretary of the Navy be instructed to report the situation of the timber deposited in the different Navy Yards, for the purpose of building ships of war, and whether the same should not be covered with sheds,

Mr. N. said he offered this, because he observed at Gosport, near Norfolk, the ship timber was much exposed to the weather, he thought it should either be sold, or put in a state of preservation. Carried.
From very inhabitants of Norfolk and Portsmouth, praying an amendment to the Bankrupt Law. Referred to a select committee of seven.

Mr. Varnum moved that the same committee be instructed to enquire into the expediency of repealing the act entitled 'An Act to establish a uniform system of Bankruptcy throughout the United States.'

Mr. Griswold thought the resolution would be incompatible with the petition from the inhabitants of Norfolk & Portsmouth; when it is before the committee for the purpose of revision, it will embarrass and perplex them to be obliged to consider the expediency of a repeal.

Mr. Varnum said, the Bankrupt Law was not calculated to promote the happiness and prosperity of the people; it opened a door for the greatest frauds--its operations had made the people in the quarter he represented, aside from every political consideration, anxious for its repeal.

Mr. Griswold replied, that the observations of the gentleman went to prove the impropriety of submitting his resolution to that committee. If a repeal is the object, the committee of the whole house is the proper one to decide whether we shall have a bankrupt law or not.

Mr. Varnum's resolution was carried--

Yeas 45--Nays 25.

Adjourned.