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Domestic News
May 4, 1802
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
U.S. House of Representatives proceedings from April 12-17, including passage of bills for relief of Theodorus Fowler, Paul Coulon, Fulwar Skipwith, Louis Tousard; amendments to seamen relief act; provisions for widows of lost naval officers; redemption of public debt; naval appropriations; and other legislative business.
Merged-components note: Continuation of the National Legislature proceedings and presidential message across pages.
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National Legislature.
House of Representatives.
MONDAY, April 12.
The bill for the relief of Theodorus Fowler, was read the third time and passed—Ayes 56—Noes 23.
A bill for the relief of Paul Coulon, was agreed to in committee of the whole, and after being reported, was ordered to a third reading to-day.
The house went into committee of the whole; Mr. John C. Smith in the chair; on the bill for the establishment of certain districts, and to amend an act for regulating the collection of tonnage and duties, &c.
The bill was amended, and reported to the house, wherein it was agreed to, and ordered to a third reading to-morrow.
The house went into committee of the whole; Mr. Davis in the chair; on the report of the secretary of state, on the memorial of Fulwar Skipwith.
Mr. Dawson moved two resolutions; the first for providing by law for the payment to Fulwar Skipwith of $4,550 dollars; advanced by him for the United States, with interest, from November 1, 1795; the second for allowing Mr. Skipwith $1,731 for his services from Nov. 1, 1796, to May 1, 1799.
Messrs. Randolph and Dawson advocated the adoption of the resolutions, which were carried without a division; reported to the House; agreed to, and a bill ordered in.
A report of a select committee was made on the state of the clerk's office.
A bill was reported for the relief of Louis Tousard, allowing him $670 dollars—committed to committee of whole house to-morrow.
The house went into committee of the whole; Mr. L. R. Morris in the chair; on the report of a select committee on the petitions of
The committee recommend the adoption of three resolutions; the first allows to the widows and children of the seamen lost on board of the Insurgent and Pickering, four months pay of the latter; the second provides for allowing hereafter five years half pay to the widows and children of naval officers who shall be slain in battle, or die in the line of their duty; the third extends the benefit of the second provision to the widows and children of the officers lost in the Insurgent and Pickering.
These resolutions were agreed to, reported, agreed to in the House, and a bill ordered in.
The House went into committee of the whole on the bill for the relief of sick and disabled seamen. Mr. John C. Smith in the chair.
Mr. Eustis moved to strike out the 1st section which forms the monies devoted to the above object into a general fund, to be applied according to the discretion of the President, instead of suffering it to remain as heretofore, applied to the particular ports (or those in the vicinity) from which the monies are derived.
This motion was supported by Messrs. Eustis, Mitchell and Dana, and opposed by Messrs. S. Smith, Milledge, Davis, Macon and Huger.
The question was then taken on Striking out the 1st section and lost;—when the committee rose, and reported the bill with several amendments.
A committee appointed on Friday, reported the unfinished business before Congress, which in their opinion it would be expedient to pass upon during the present session, concluding with an opinion that an adjournment may take place in two weeks.
TUESDAY, April 13.
The House took up the bill to amend an act for the relief of sick and disabled seamen, as reported by the committee of the whole, and agreed to the amendment, with other amendments.
Mr. Bishop moved to add to the 1st section a provision for applying $20,000 dollars to the erection of a Hospital in Massachusetts,
Mr. S. Smith moved to insert in the room of $20,000 the sum of $15,000 dollars, which he considered as adequate to commencing such a building.
Mr. Bishop agreed to the amendment.
This motion was supported by Messrs. Bishop, S. Smith, Huger, Bacon and Eustis, and opposed by Messrs. Elmendorf, Davis, Milledge, and Randolph.
Mr. Milledge moved an amendment applying $5,000 dollars to the erection of a Hospital in Savannah.
The proposition to appropriate $15,000 dollars to the erection of a Hospital in Massachusetts was agreed to—ayes 59—noes 29.
Bill ordered to be engrossed for a 3d reading to morrow.
The House went into committee of the whole.—Mr. L. R. Morris in the chair—on the bill providing, for the payment of the whole debt of the United States.
Mr. Mott moved to Strike out that part of the 1st section that pledges $7,300,000 dls. annually until the entire discharge of the debt, and to substitute an appropriation of that sum for two years.
Mr. Mott spoke in favor of this motion and Mr. Randolph against it.
When the question was taken on the amendment, and lost without a division.
Mr. Griswold moved to strike out the 4th section, which authorizes a reloan of installments of Dutch debt, becoming due previously to 1807, in order to equalize the installments annually payable.
The motion was supported by Mr. Griswold and Mr. Bayard; and opposed by Mr. Randolph and Mr. Nicholson; when the committee rose without coming to a decision and obtained leave to sit again.
Wednesday, April 14.
The engrossed bill, for the better security of Public Money in the hands of public agents, was passed.
The engrossed bill to amend an act for the relief and protection of disabled Seamen, was passed—56 to 33.
Previously to the passage, Mr. Elmer spoke at some length against the bill.
The House went into com. on the bill for redeeming the whole of the Public Debt, Mr. L. R. Morris in the chair. Mr. Randolph spoke in favor of the retaining the 4th section, and Mr. Griswold against it, when the question was taken on striking out and lost 27 to 41.—The 6th section under consideration, which authorizes the appointment of an agent in Europe for the purpose of transacting any business respecting the discharge of the Public Debt, with a salary of $3,000 dollars; Mr Griswold moved to strike out this section, assigned, his reasons therefor, and was answered by Mr. Randolph—motion lost, yeas 30, nays 38.
Thursday, April 15.
The engrossed bill, making provision for the redemption of the whole of the Public Debt, was read the third time. Mr. Dane made a few remarks against the passage of the bill, when the question was taken on the passage and carried. Yeas 55. Nays 19.
The House went into com. of the whole, Mr. Davis in the chair, on the bill to fix the compensation of the officers of the Senate and House of Representatives. The several blanks were filled, on the motion of Mr. Davenport, with the following sums—an annual allowance of $9,000 dollars to the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House of Representatives, to the principal Clerk of each House $1,300 dollars, to the engrossing Clerk of each House $1,000 dols, to the Sergeant at Arms of each House $800 dols. to the Door Keeper of the House of R. $500 dols, with a per diem allowance during the session of two dols. and to the assistant Door Keeper of each House $450 dols. with a per diem allowance during the session of $1 dols.
The com. rose and the house took up the report, agreed to it, and ordered the bill to a third reading; afterwards read a third time and passed.
FRIDAY, April 16.
Three engrossed bills; viz. "to abolish the board of commissioners in the city of Washington, and to make provision for the repayment of loans made by the state of Maryland, for the use of the city." "for the relief of Fulwar Skipwith;" "and "for the relief of Lewis Tousard; were read the third time and passed.
Mr. S. Smith, from the committee of Commerce and Manufactures reported on the petition of sundry calico printers of Philadelphia; of sundry citizens of New Jersey and Delaware—of sundry cordwainers of Massachusetts and Delaware—of Samuel Corp—of sundry merchants of Richmond and Manchester—of sundry shoemakers of Lynn, Mass. of Thomas Stagg jun. and Thomas Snell—and on a resolution of the house of Feb. 18th, to enquire into the expediency of erecting a port of entry at Beaufort.
Ordered that the consideration of the said memorials and petitions, and resolution of the House, be postponed until the 3d Monday in November next.
MESSAGE from the President.
Gentlemen of the H. Representatives,
I now transmit the papers desired in your resolution of the sixth instant. Those respecting the Berceau will sufficiently explain
lain themselves. The officer charged with her repairs states, in his letter received August 27, 1801, that he had been led by circumstances, which he explains, to go considerably beyond his orders. In questions between nations who have no common empire but reason, something must often be yielded of mutual opinion to enable them to meet in a common point.
The allowance which had been proposed to the officers of that vessel being represented as too small for their daily necessities, and still more so, as the means of pay before their departure, debts contracted with our citizens for subsistence, it was requested on their behalf that the daily pay of each might be the measure of their allowance. This being solicited, and reimbursement assumed by the agent of their nation, I deemed that the indulgence would have a propitious effect in the moment of returning friendship. The sum of $870 dollars and 8 cents, was accordingly furnished them for the five months of past captivity; and a proportional allowance authorized until their embarkation.
TH: JEFFERSON.
The accompanying documents are very long. They were ordered to be printed.
Message and papers accompanying it, were then referred to Messrs. Eustis, Tallmadge, Thompson, Campbell, and Hanna.
The House went into committee of the whole, Mr. J. C. Smith in the chair, on the report of the committee to whom were referred a letter, from the Secretary of the Treasury, and sundry documents relative to the claim of Comfort Sands and others, after considerable debate on taking up the business at this late period of the session. Considerable debate took place in the committee, who modified the report, which the house agreed to with an amendment. As the resolutions agreed to are long, we decline their immediate insertion. They authorize under prescribed limitations, the institution of an amicable suit before the circuit court of the United States, for the final adjustment of the claim.
SATURDAY, April 17.
The house went into committee of the whole Mr. Hanna in the chair, on the bill making certain provisions for the widows and children of the officers lost on board the Insurgent and Pickering, &c.
Several amendments were made in committee, when the house was resumed, and the bill, as amended, was ordered to a third reading.
Mr. S. Smith, reported a bill to amend the act allowing compensations to those employed in the collection of the customs, &c.
The bill among other provisions directs that hereafter the clear annual receipts of a collector shall not exceed $4000, of a naval officer $3500, and of surveyor $3000 dollars.
The house went into committee of the whole—Mr. L. R. Morris in the chair, on the bill making appropriations for the naval service, for the year 1802.
Mr. Randolph moved to fill up the several blanks in the bill, with specified sums, which were all agreed to, the total of which amounts to $900,000 dollars.
Mr. Dana moved to insert $305,000 dollars, for the purchase of timber &c. for the seventy-fours, the sum in the first estimate of the Secretary of the Navy, instead of $195,000 dollars, in the last estimate.
Motion lost—ayes 14.
Mr. Dana moved to insert $100,000 dollars, for Navy docks. &c. the sum in the first estimate of the secretary, instead of $50,000 dollars in the last estimate.
Motion lost—ayes 17.
Dr. Eustis moved to add a new section to the bill, authorizing the secretary of the Navy, with the approbation of the President of the United States, to carry the excess of any specific appropriation beyond the sum expended to the deficiency arising under any other specific appropriation of the bill.
Messrs. Randolph, Macon, and Bacon, opposed; and Messrs. Eustis, and S. Smith, supported the motion, which was lost.
The committee rose, when Mr. Huger moved to disagree to the report of the committee for filling the blank for contingent expenses of the navy with $50,000 dollars, with the view of filling it up with $100,000 dollars.
This motion was supported by Messrs. Huger and Dana, and opposed by Mr. Randolph,
When the question was taken by yeas and nays, and lost—Yea 39—Nays 24.
Mr. Huger objected to the appropriation of $195,000 dollars to purchase timber for 74's &c. which was, however, agreed to—yes 40; as was $50,000 dollars for docks; &c. also objected to by Messrs. Huger and Dana.
Mr. S. Smith moved a new section authorizing the Secretary of the Navy, with the approbation of the President, to apply any excess of the appropriation, beyond the expenditure of the specific sums appropriated, to the repair of vessels in actual service, if the exigency of the service shall require it; except the sums appropriated for purchase, &c. of timber for 74's and for the improvement of navy yards and docks.
Motion lost.
The bill was then ordered to a third reading on Monday.
House of Representatives.
MONDAY, April 12.
The bill for the relief of Theodorus Fowler, was read the third time and passed—Ayes 56—Noes 23.
A bill for the relief of Paul Coulon, was agreed to in committee of the whole, and after being reported, was ordered to a third reading to-day.
The house went into committee of the whole; Mr. John C. Smith in the chair; on the bill for the establishment of certain districts, and to amend an act for regulating the collection of tonnage and duties, &c.
The bill was amended, and reported to the house, wherein it was agreed to, and ordered to a third reading to-morrow.
The house went into committee of the whole; Mr. Davis in the chair; on the report of the secretary of state, on the memorial of Fulwar Skipwith.
Mr. Dawson moved two resolutions; the first for providing by law for the payment to Fulwar Skipwith of $4,550 dollars; advanced by him for the United States, with interest, from November 1, 1795; the second for allowing Mr. Skipwith $1,731 for his services from Nov. 1, 1796, to May 1, 1799.
Messrs. Randolph and Dawson advocated the adoption of the resolutions, which were carried without a division; reported to the House; agreed to, and a bill ordered in.
A report of a select committee was made on the state of the clerk's office.
A bill was reported for the relief of Louis Tousard, allowing him $670 dollars—committed to committee of whole house to-morrow.
The house went into committee of the whole; Mr. L. R. Morris in the chair; on the report of a select committee on the petitions of
The committee recommend the adoption of three resolutions; the first allows to the widows and children of the seamen lost on board of the Insurgent and Pickering, four months pay of the latter; the second provides for allowing hereafter five years half pay to the widows and children of naval officers who shall be slain in battle, or die in the line of their duty; the third extends the benefit of the second provision to the widows and children of the officers lost in the Insurgent and Pickering.
These resolutions were agreed to, reported, agreed to in the House, and a bill ordered in.
The House went into committee of the whole on the bill for the relief of sick and disabled seamen. Mr. John C. Smith in the chair.
Mr. Eustis moved to strike out the 1st section which forms the monies devoted to the above object into a general fund, to be applied according to the discretion of the President, instead of suffering it to remain as heretofore, applied to the particular ports (or those in the vicinity) from which the monies are derived.
This motion was supported by Messrs. Eustis, Mitchell and Dana, and opposed by Messrs. S. Smith, Milledge, Davis, Macon and Huger.
The question was then taken on Striking out the 1st section and lost;—when the committee rose, and reported the bill with several amendments.
A committee appointed on Friday, reported the unfinished business before Congress, which in their opinion it would be expedient to pass upon during the present session, concluding with an opinion that an adjournment may take place in two weeks.
TUESDAY, April 13.
The House took up the bill to amend an act for the relief of sick and disabled seamen, as reported by the committee of the whole, and agreed to the amendment, with other amendments.
Mr. Bishop moved to add to the 1st section a provision for applying $20,000 dollars to the erection of a Hospital in Massachusetts,
Mr. S. Smith moved to insert in the room of $20,000 the sum of $15,000 dollars, which he considered as adequate to commencing such a building.
Mr. Bishop agreed to the amendment.
This motion was supported by Messrs. Bishop, S. Smith, Huger, Bacon and Eustis, and opposed by Messrs. Elmendorf, Davis, Milledge, and Randolph.
Mr. Milledge moved an amendment applying $5,000 dollars to the erection of a Hospital in Savannah.
The proposition to appropriate $15,000 dollars to the erection of a Hospital in Massachusetts was agreed to—ayes 59—noes 29.
Bill ordered to be engrossed for a 3d reading to morrow.
The House went into committee of the whole.—Mr. L. R. Morris in the chair—on the bill providing, for the payment of the whole debt of the United States.
Mr. Mott moved to Strike out that part of the 1st section that pledges $7,300,000 dls. annually until the entire discharge of the debt, and to substitute an appropriation of that sum for two years.
Mr. Mott spoke in favor of this motion and Mr. Randolph against it.
When the question was taken on the amendment, and lost without a division.
Mr. Griswold moved to strike out the 4th section, which authorizes a reloan of installments of Dutch debt, becoming due previously to 1807, in order to equalize the installments annually payable.
The motion was supported by Mr. Griswold and Mr. Bayard; and opposed by Mr. Randolph and Mr. Nicholson; when the committee rose without coming to a decision and obtained leave to sit again.
Wednesday, April 14.
The engrossed bill, for the better security of Public Money in the hands of public agents, was passed.
The engrossed bill to amend an act for the relief and protection of disabled Seamen, was passed—56 to 33.
Previously to the passage, Mr. Elmer spoke at some length against the bill.
The House went into com. on the bill for redeeming the whole of the Public Debt, Mr. L. R. Morris in the chair. Mr. Randolph spoke in favor of the retaining the 4th section, and Mr. Griswold against it, when the question was taken on striking out and lost 27 to 41.—The 6th section under consideration, which authorizes the appointment of an agent in Europe for the purpose of transacting any business respecting the discharge of the Public Debt, with a salary of $3,000 dollars; Mr Griswold moved to strike out this section, assigned, his reasons therefor, and was answered by Mr. Randolph—motion lost, yeas 30, nays 38.
Thursday, April 15.
The engrossed bill, making provision for the redemption of the whole of the Public Debt, was read the third time. Mr. Dane made a few remarks against the passage of the bill, when the question was taken on the passage and carried. Yeas 55. Nays 19.
The House went into com. of the whole, Mr. Davis in the chair, on the bill to fix the compensation of the officers of the Senate and House of Representatives. The several blanks were filled, on the motion of Mr. Davenport, with the following sums—an annual allowance of $9,000 dollars to the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House of Representatives, to the principal Clerk of each House $1,300 dollars, to the engrossing Clerk of each House $1,000 dols, to the Sergeant at Arms of each House $800 dols. to the Door Keeper of the House of R. $500 dols, with a per diem allowance during the session of two dols. and to the assistant Door Keeper of each House $450 dols. with a per diem allowance during the session of $1 dols.
The com. rose and the house took up the report, agreed to it, and ordered the bill to a third reading; afterwards read a third time and passed.
FRIDAY, April 16.
Three engrossed bills; viz. "to abolish the board of commissioners in the city of Washington, and to make provision for the repayment of loans made by the state of Maryland, for the use of the city." "for the relief of Fulwar Skipwith;" "and "for the relief of Lewis Tousard; were read the third time and passed.
Mr. S. Smith, from the committee of Commerce and Manufactures reported on the petition of sundry calico printers of Philadelphia; of sundry citizens of New Jersey and Delaware—of sundry cordwainers of Massachusetts and Delaware—of Samuel Corp—of sundry merchants of Richmond and Manchester—of sundry shoemakers of Lynn, Mass. of Thomas Stagg jun. and Thomas Snell—and on a resolution of the house of Feb. 18th, to enquire into the expediency of erecting a port of entry at Beaufort.
Ordered that the consideration of the said memorials and petitions, and resolution of the House, be postponed until the 3d Monday in November next.
MESSAGE from the President.
Gentlemen of the H. Representatives,
I now transmit the papers desired in your resolution of the sixth instant. Those respecting the Berceau will sufficiently explain
lain themselves. The officer charged with her repairs states, in his letter received August 27, 1801, that he had been led by circumstances, which he explains, to go considerably beyond his orders. In questions between nations who have no common empire but reason, something must often be yielded of mutual opinion to enable them to meet in a common point.
The allowance which had been proposed to the officers of that vessel being represented as too small for their daily necessities, and still more so, as the means of pay before their departure, debts contracted with our citizens for subsistence, it was requested on their behalf that the daily pay of each might be the measure of their allowance. This being solicited, and reimbursement assumed by the agent of their nation, I deemed that the indulgence would have a propitious effect in the moment of returning friendship. The sum of $870 dollars and 8 cents, was accordingly furnished them for the five months of past captivity; and a proportional allowance authorized until their embarkation.
TH: JEFFERSON.
The accompanying documents are very long. They were ordered to be printed.
Message and papers accompanying it, were then referred to Messrs. Eustis, Tallmadge, Thompson, Campbell, and Hanna.
The House went into committee of the whole, Mr. J. C. Smith in the chair, on the report of the committee to whom were referred a letter, from the Secretary of the Treasury, and sundry documents relative to the claim of Comfort Sands and others, after considerable debate on taking up the business at this late period of the session. Considerable debate took place in the committee, who modified the report, which the house agreed to with an amendment. As the resolutions agreed to are long, we decline their immediate insertion. They authorize under prescribed limitations, the institution of an amicable suit before the circuit court of the United States, for the final adjustment of the claim.
SATURDAY, April 17.
The house went into committee of the whole Mr. Hanna in the chair, on the bill making certain provisions for the widows and children of the officers lost on board the Insurgent and Pickering, &c.
Several amendments were made in committee, when the house was resumed, and the bill, as amended, was ordered to a third reading.
Mr. S. Smith, reported a bill to amend the act allowing compensations to those employed in the collection of the customs, &c.
The bill among other provisions directs that hereafter the clear annual receipts of a collector shall not exceed $4000, of a naval officer $3500, and of surveyor $3000 dollars.
The house went into committee of the whole—Mr. L. R. Morris in the chair, on the bill making appropriations for the naval service, for the year 1802.
Mr. Randolph moved to fill up the several blanks in the bill, with specified sums, which were all agreed to, the total of which amounts to $900,000 dollars.
Mr. Dana moved to insert $305,000 dollars, for the purchase of timber &c. for the seventy-fours, the sum in the first estimate of the Secretary of the Navy, instead of $195,000 dollars, in the last estimate.
Motion lost—ayes 14.
Mr. Dana moved to insert $100,000 dollars, for Navy docks. &c. the sum in the first estimate of the secretary, instead of $50,000 dollars in the last estimate.
Motion lost—ayes 17.
Dr. Eustis moved to add a new section to the bill, authorizing the secretary of the Navy, with the approbation of the President of the United States, to carry the excess of any specific appropriation beyond the sum expended to the deficiency arising under any other specific appropriation of the bill.
Messrs. Randolph, Macon, and Bacon, opposed; and Messrs. Eustis, and S. Smith, supported the motion, which was lost.
The committee rose, when Mr. Huger moved to disagree to the report of the committee for filling the blank for contingent expenses of the navy with $50,000 dollars, with the view of filling it up with $100,000 dollars.
This motion was supported by Messrs. Huger and Dana, and opposed by Mr. Randolph,
When the question was taken by yeas and nays, and lost—Yea 39—Nays 24.
Mr. Huger objected to the appropriation of $195,000 dollars to purchase timber for 74's &c. which was, however, agreed to—yes 40; as was $50,000 dollars for docks; &c. also objected to by Messrs. Huger and Dana.
Mr. S. Smith moved a new section authorizing the Secretary of the Navy, with the approbation of the President, to apply any excess of the appropriation, beyond the expenditure of the specific sums appropriated, to the repair of vessels in actual service, if the exigency of the service shall require it; except the sums appropriated for purchase, &c. of timber for 74's and for the improvement of navy yards and docks.
Motion lost.
The bill was then ordered to a third reading on Monday.
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
What keywords are associated?
House Proceedings
Bills Passed
Public Debt
Seamen Relief
Naval Appropriations
Fulwar Skipwith
Louis Tousard
Insurgent Pickering
What entities or persons were involved?
Theodorus Fowler
Paul Coulon
John C. Smith
Davis
Fulwar Skipwith
Dawson
Randolph
Louis Tousard
L. R. Morris
Eustis
Mitchell
Dana
S. Smith
Milledge
Macon
Huger
Bishop
Bacon
Elmendorf
Mott
Griswold
Bayard
Nicholson
Elmer
Dane
Davenport
Hanna
Tallmadge
Thompson
Campbell
Thomas Jefferson
Comfort Sands
Domestic News Details
Event Date
April 12 To April 17
Key Persons
Theodorus Fowler
Paul Coulon
John C. Smith
Davis
Fulwar Skipwith
Dawson
Randolph
Louis Tousard
L. R. Morris
Eustis
Mitchell
Dana
S. Smith
Milledge
Macon
Huger
Bishop
Bacon
Elmendorf
Mott
Griswold
Bayard
Nicholson
Elmer
Dane
Davenport
Hanna
Tallmadge
Thompson
Campbell
Thomas Jefferson
Comfort Sands
Outcome
multiple bills passed including relief for individuals (fowler, coulon, skipwith, tousard), amendments to seamen relief act with hospital appropriations, provisions for widows of lost officers, redemption of public debt, compensation for congressional officers, naval appropriations of $900,000, and postponement of various petitions; message from president jefferson on berceau vessel.
Event Details
Daily proceedings of the House of Representatives involving committee debates, amendments, and passage of bills on relief for individuals, establishment of districts, payment to Skipwith, state of clerk's office, provisions for widows and children of lost seamen from Insurgent and Pickering, relief for sick and disabled seamen with hospital funding in Massachusetts and Savannah, redemption of public debt, security of public money, compensation for officers, abolition of Washington commissioners, customs collection amendments, and naval service appropriations; referral of President's message on Berceau and claim of Comfort Sands.