National Gazette

PHILADELPHIA
CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THURSDAY. Feb. 2.

A petition was read, from Udney Hay, praying payment of a claim against the United States for advance of money to two American officers, prisoners in Canada, during the war—Referred for examination and report to the Secretary of the Treasury.

A resolution was laid upon the table for the appointment of a committee to enquire into several particulars relative to the expedition against the Indians, and the causes of the late unfortunate defeat.

The House took up for consideration the amendments proposed by the Senate to the post-office bill, and concurred in them all except one or two, which respect the cross-posts.

One of the amendments proposed by the Senate, and agreed to by the House, is in favor of the newspapers ; inasmuch as it permits any person whatever, without authority from the post master general, to "take up, receive, order, dispatch. convey, carry and deliver" newspapers for hire on the established post-roads, without being subject to any fine, penalty, or forfeiture for so doing.

By another amendment, it is enacted that if any person employed in any department of the post-office shall unlawfully detain, delay, or embezzle, or destroy any newspaper, with which he shall have been entrusted, such offender shall, for every such offence, forfeit a sum not exceeding fifty dollars : and the postmaster, in any contract he may enter into for the conveyance of the mail, may authorize the person, with whom such contract is made, to carry newspapers, other than those conveyed in the mail.

FRIDAY Feb. 3

Sundry petitions were presented to the House, which were read and referred to the proper departments.

A message was received from the Senate by Mr. Secretary Otis, notifying that the amendments made by the House of Representatives to the amendments to the post-office bill, were agreed to.

Mr. Goodhue moved that the House should resolve itself into a committee of the whole on the fishery bill; this motion, after some opposition by Mr. Parker and Mr. White, who urged the superior importance of immediate attention to the militia bill, was agreed to—and Mr. W. Smith took the chair ; the bill was then read by the Clerk, and on the first section's being repeated by the Chairman—Mr. Giles moved that this section should be struck out ; this motion being seconded, a debate ensued, in which Mr. Giles and Mr. Murray spoke in opposition to the bill—and Mr. Goodhue, Mr. Ames, Mr. Gerry, Mr. Laurance, Mr. Fitzsimons, and Mr. Barnwell, in favor of it : the committee rose without coming to a vote, and had leave to sit again.

The House adjourned till Monday.