The Providence Journal, And Town And Country Advertiser

Congress of the United States.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Tuesday, April 8.

Mr. Harper, from the committee of ways and means, presented a bill to authorize the sale and conveyance of land in certain cases, by the marshals of the United States, and to confirm former sales—which was committed to a committee of the whole House.

The report of the committee of ways and means, to whom was referred the amendments of the Senate to the bill for establishing a general stamp-office, was taken up and agreed to.

Whereupon,

Resolved, That this House do disagree to the 2d, 3d and 4th amendments, and ask a conference on the same!

Three managers were appointed for that purpose. A

Mr. Harrison, from the committee to whom was referred the petition of a number of the ancient inhabitants of the Illinois country, made a report, recommending the agreement of the House to a bill therewith submitted, in addition to the act entitled an act for granting lands to the inhabitants and settlers of St. Vincennes, in the Illinois country, in the N. W. Territory, and for confirming them in their possessions—which was read a first and second time, and committed to a committee of the whole House, and made the order of the day for to-morrow.

Mr. Harper said, he was instructed by the committee of ways and means, to move that the House do come to the following resolution, viz.

Resolved, That the committee of ways and means have leave to prepare and report a bill or bills, for authorizing the commissioners under the act to provide for the valuation of lands and dwelling-houses, and the enumeration of slaves within the United States, in those States whereof the valuations have not yet been completed and returned, to revise, vary and adjust the valuation of unseated lands, in the several assessment districts and sub-divisions within their respective States; so as that the relative valuations of different tracts of such lands in the same sub-division be not varied or affected:

And also for enabling the surveyors of the revenue under the said act to add to the lists of valuations within their districts respectively, all such lands or dwelling-houses therein, as shall from time to time appear to have been omitted, by the assessors or otherwise, in receiving, making or returning such lists.

And also for authorizing the said surveyors to erase from the said lists all lands and dwelling-houses wherefrom the persons interested in the said lists respectively shall have been ejected in due course of law, or upon the title whereto there shall have been a decision in due course of law against such person:

The resolution was agreed to, and Mr. Harper accordingly brought in a bill to provide for equalizing the valuation of unseated lands; which was read a first and second time, and committed for to-morrow.

Mr. D. Foster, from the committee of claims, to whom was referred the petition of Josiah Jones, who asked for a pension, made a report that the prayer of the petitioner ought not to be granted, and that he have leave to withdraw his papers.

The House concurred.

A message was received from the Senate, notifying that they have agreed to the conference requested by this House.

A message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Shaw, his secretary, informing the House, that the President did, on the 2d instant, approve and sign the following acts, viz.

An act to allow a draw back of duties on goods exported to New-Orleans, and therein to amend the act entitled "an act to regulate the collection of duties on imports and tonnage"—and an act to discharge Robert Sturgeon from his imprisonment.

The House resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill to authorize the President of the United States to accept, for the United States, a cession of jurisdiction of territory, lying west of Pennsylvania, commonly called the Western Reserve of Connecticut. Mr. Morris in the chair, when

Mr. Cooper moved to amend the bill by striking out that part which goes to conciliate and adjust the right of Pennsylvania to some of the land in question—and thereby to defeat the bill.

Messrs. Marshall and Gallatin opposed this motion, which was negatived—ayes 25.

Mr. Elmendorf then moved to strike out that part of the first section which provides for the acceptance of the cession of a jurisdiction of soil by the United States from the State of Connecticut and to amend the bill so as to accept the cession of jurisdiction only. After some debate, Mr. Gallatin called for a division of the question,

Mr. Marshall then entered into a lengthy discussion in favour of the bill, and against striking out.

The committee then rose, and the House adjourned.

Wednesday April 9.

Mr. Nicholas, from the committee appointed to enquire into the expediency of making further provision for the widow and orphan children of Col. John Harding, and orphan daughters of Major Alexander Trueman, deceased, reported a bill for that purpose, which was committed for to-morrow.

Mr. Marshall, from the committee to whom was referred the petition of William Tazewell, Esq. late secretary of Elbridge Gerry, Esq. while one of the Envoys to Paris, made report, recommending the adoption of the following resolution, viz.

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives, &c. That in settling the account of William Tazewell, Esq. late secretary of Elbridge Gerry, Esq. one of the Envoys to Paris, the secretary of state be authorized to allow the expenses incurred by him in consequence of his being captured on his return to this country.

The report was committed to a committee of the whole House, and made the order of the day for Monday next.

Mr. Leib presented a memorial of sundry merchants of the city of Philadelphia, complaining of the conduct of the measurers of salt and coal in that port—referred to the committee of commerce and manufactures.

A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their secretary, informing the House, that the Senate have passed the bill to alter and establish sundry post-roads; with certain amendments, to which they request the concurrence of the House.

The House again resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill to authorize the President of the United States to accept for the United States, a cession of Jurisdiction of territory west of Pennsylvania, commonly called the Western Reserve of Connecticut—Mr. Morris in the chair; and Mr. Elmendorf's amendment, to accept the jurisdiction only, being under consideration—Messrs. Randolph and Nicholas spoke at length in favour of it; and Mr. Griswold against it—when the question was taken and negatived—ayes 34, noes 51.

Mr. Gallatin moved to amend the bill by inserting that nothing in the act should be construed to draw into question the settlement made between the states of Pennsylvania and Connecticut by the federal decree of Trenton, in 1782.

Mr. Bird and Mr. Sedgwick (Speaker) opposed the motion, and Messrs. Gallatin and Griswold supported it.

The motion was carried—ayes 62.

The committee then rose and reported their agreement to the bill as amended; and it was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time to-morrow. Adjourned.
Congress of the United States.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THURSDAY, April 10.

An engrossed bill, entitled, an act authorizing the President of the United States to accept, for the United States, a cession of jurisdiction to the west of Pennsylvania, commonly called the Western Reserve of Connecticut, was read.

Mr. Elmendorf entered at length into the question in opposition to the bill : he was followed by Mr. Bird on the same side; who contended that the State of Connecticut had no right to this land, but even if they had, inasmuch as no State had a right to dissolve itself in the Union, and consequently no part thereof, this State had no right to make the cession. Mr. Randolph spoke on the same side. Answers were given by Messrs. Edmond and E. Goodrich.

Mr. Harper believed the various titles to this land might be supported on different grounds; being a matter of opinion, different decisions would be given ; he was in favour of the bill, because it would put an end to those litigated claims, which could not fail giving much uneasiness to the claimants as well as to the general government.

The question was taken on the passing of the bill. Yeas 54, nays 36.

FRIDAY, April 11.

Mr. Waln presented a counter-petition of the inhabitants of the state of Delaware, praying that the District Court of the United States may be continued to be held at Dover, in said state, and not at Wilmington, as prayed for by the inhabitants of Kent county.---Referred to the committee of the whole, to whom was referred the bill for better organization of the Courts of the United States.

Mr. Waln. also presented a petition of Andrew Montgomery, for eleven years a prisoner in Algiers, praying relief.

Referred to a select committee.

Mr. Harper brought in a bill to enlarge the powers of surveyors of the revenue---which was read a first and second time, and committed to a committee of the whole House.

The bill making appropriations for the support of government for the year 1800, was taken up in committee of the whole, agreed to, and the bill ordered to be engrossed for a third reading on Monday next.

Mr. D. Foster, from the committee of claims, made two reports, one on the petition of Samuel Trigg, praying a pension, &c. the other on the petition of Marinaduke Mayples, praying allowance in consideration of services during the revolutionary war. These claims are barred by the acts of limitation, and the report was against the petitioners.

The House concurred.

The bill to make appropriations for the navy of the United States, for the year 1800, was agreed to, in committee of the whole, and ordered to receive its third reading on Monday next.

On motion of Mr. D. Foster, the committee of claims were discharged from the further consideration of the petition of John Pitchlynn.

Mr. Varnum laid the following resolution on the table :

Resolved, That the clerk of this House be directed to procure, for the use of the House, some volumes of Hartley's digest of the laws of the United States, printed at Baltimore.

The House went into committee of the whole on the bill to authorize sales and conveyances of land by marshals of the United States, in certain cases, and to confirm former sales, Mr. Rutledge in the chair: and after amending the bill, it was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time on Monday next.

Mr. H. Lee laid the following resolution on the table :

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare a system of rules and regulations respecting the territory of Columbia.

The bill to continue in force an act in addition to the act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States, was agreed to in committee of the whole, and ordered to be read a third time on Monday next.

Mr. Griswold brought in a bill to continue in force for a limited time an act, entitled an act to prescribe the mode of taking evidence in cases of contested elections for members of the House of Representatives of the United States, and to compel the attendance of witnesses; which was read a first and second time, and ordered to be read a third time on Monday next.

Mr. Nott moved that when the House adjourn, it adjourn till Monday.

Mr. D. Foster opposed this motion, which was negatived.

Mr. Harper called for a decision on the report of the committee of claims, on the petition of Stephen Sayre---ayes 32, noes 37.

The House resolved into a committee of the whole on the bill to incorporate a company by the name and style of the Mine and Metal Company--Mr. Rutledge in the chair, when Mr. Nicholas moved to strike out the 3d section, which authorizes the President, when the capital of the company shall amount to 150,000 dollars, to subscribe, on the part of the United States, a number of shares to the amount of 50,000 dollars.

After some observations from Messrs. Sewall, Harper and Waln, against the motion, and Messrs. Nicholas and Gallatin in favour of it, Mr. Champlin moved that the committee rise, which was carried, and the House adjourned.

SATURDAY, April 12.

Mr. Speaker laid before the House the following letter from the secretary of the treasury :

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

April 12, 1800.

SIR,

I have the honour to transmit herewith a statement exhibiting the tonnage of the shipping of the United States, at the close of the year 1798.

This account has been extracted from the records kept in pursuance of the acts of Congress for registering and recording, and for enrolling and licensing ships or vessels, and is presumed to be correct, except that it includes a considerable number of vessels which have been condemned or detained by foreign nations, and respecting which particular information has not been obtained.

I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect,

Sir, your obedient servant,

OLIVER WOLCOTT.

The Hon. Speaker of the House of Representatives,

Ordered to be printed.

Mr. Christie asked and obtained leave of absence from the service of the House for ten days from Monday next---ayes 41.

The House again resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the bill to incorporate a company by the name and style of the Mine and Metal Company---Mr. Rutledge in the chair---and Mr. Nicholas' motion to strike out the third section being under consideration, Messrs. S. Smith and Parker spoke against it, and Messrs. Macon and Nicholas in favour of it.

Mr. Kitchell said this appeared to him to be a very important subject, and one upon which he would wish to have better information, which might be procured from a Mr. Hornblower, who resided in the vicinity of the mine, had worked it for many years, and had come to this country for that purpose---he would therefore move that the committee rise, report progress, and ask for leave to sit again.

This motion, after a short debate, was carried. and upon the question Shall the committee have leave to sit again, it passed in the affirmative---ayes 44, noes 33.

The report of the committee of claims, which was instructed to enquire whether any and what further time ought to be allowed for the settlement of final certificates, indents of interest, &c. was taken up in committee of the whole. The report, which is against suspending the limitation act, was opposed by Messrs. D. Foster. Harper, Gordon, Shepherd, Dana, Hill and Reed : and advocated by Messrs. Macon, Griswold, Varnum, Edmond and Smith. The report was concurred in---ayes 42, noes, 30; and the petitions of Henry and Sarah Waters, and Lucius Ames, referred to the committee, were consequently rejected. Adjourned.

MONDAY, April 14.

The following bills were read the third time, and passed, viz.

An act making appropriations for the support of government, for the year 1800.

An act to make appropriations for the navy of the United States during the year 1800.

An act to continue in force, for a limited time, an act entitled, an act to prescribe the mode of taking evidence, in cases of contested elections for members of the House of Representatives of the United States, and to compel the attendance of witnesses.

An act to authorize the sale and conveyance of lands, in certain cases, by the marshals of the United States, and to confirm former sales---and

An act to provide for rebuilding the light-house at New-London; for the support of a light-house at Clark's Point; for the erection and support of a light-house at Wigwam Point, and for other purposes.

Mr. Harper, from the committee to whom was referred the amendments of the Senate to the bill to extend the privilege of obtaining patents, &c. reported that it would be proper the House should concur.

The report was agreed to.

A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their secretary, informing the House, that the Senate have passed the bill for the relief of the Corporation of Rhode-Island College.

Mr. Waln presented a petition of James Thomas Bishop, merchant and mariner, praying to be admitted a citizen of the United States---Referred to a select committee.

Mr. Davis laid the following resolution on the table:

Resolved, That the next annual meeting of the Congress of the United States shall be held on the first Monday in November, 1800.

Mr. Harper called for the order of the day on the bill to provide for the better organization of the courts of the United States.

Mr. Kitchell, after expressing his opinion that the principle of the bill had been already negatived, moved that the further consideration of it be postponed till the first Monday in December next. After considerable debate, the question was taken by yeas and nays, as follow :

Ayes, 48; Nays, 45.

A message was received from the Senate, notifying that they have passed the resolution relative to the copper-bed on Lake Superior.

A message was received from the President of the United States, by his secretary, Mr. Shaw, informing the House, that the President did, on the 12th instant, approve and sign the following acts, viz.

An act to continue in force, for a limited period, the act entitled, an act relative to certain fisheries of the United States; for the government of the fishermen employed therein, and for other purposes as therein mentioned---and

An act to alter the form of certain oaths and affirmations directed to be taken by the act entitled, an act to provide for the second census or enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States.

The House went into a committee of the whole on the resolution reported by the committee of revisal and unfinished business, for continuing in force the act laying an additional duty on salt, Mr. Rutledge in the chair; and after a short debate, the resolution was agreed to, ayes 49---the committee then rose, and upon the question, will the House concur with the committee in their agreement to the said resolution, it passed in the affirmative---Yeas, 54; nays 38.

The House resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the report of the committee of claims, on the petition of Stephen Sayre, Mr. Rutledge in the chair.

The report, which is unfavourable to the petitioner, was opposed by Mr. Harper, who spoke at great length in favour of the claim. The question was then taken, and the report agreed to, yeas 47, nqes 27. The committee then rose, and the House concurred, yeas 42, noes 24.

The bill to continue in force the act entitled. " An act in addition to the act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States," was read a third time, and passed.

Adjourned.

TUESDAY, April 15.

The House resolved itself into a committee on the bill for the regulation of public arsenals and magazines, which was amended and ordered to be engrossed for its third reading.

Mr. D. Foster, from the committee appointed to enquire whether any and what alterations ought to be made in the law entitled " An act to prohibit the carrying on the slave trade from the United States to any foreign place or country," reported an additional bill on that subject, which was twice read, and committed to the whole House.

Mr. Harper, from the committee of conference on the act to establish a general stamp-office, made a report, which while reading was reported as agreed to by the Senate. The House concurred.

A message was received from the Senate, informing the House that they had passed the act to enable the protection of our merchant vessels against French depredations, and the act for the preservation of peace with the Indians on the frontier, with sundry amendments.

Also, that they had passed a bill entitled. An act permitting the exportation of certain parcels of gun-powder, muskets and cutlasses, to which they desired the concurrence of the House.