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Story
December 16, 1823
Alexandria Gazette & Advertiser
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
Proceedings of the 18th US Congress: House on Dec 11, 1823, discussed postal defalcations, bankruptcy, duties on potatoes and books, defenses, lighthouses, Supreme Court reports; Senate on Dec 10 handled petitions, resolutions on frauds, land titles; additional House motions on lands, navy, salt duties, militia arms.
Merged-components note: These components form a continuous report on the Eighteenth Congress proceedings in the House of Representatives.
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Eighteenth Congress.
Thursday, Dec 11, 1823.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
After the presentation and reference of petitions—
The several resolutions yesterday offered by Mr. M'Lane and Mr. Storrs, were respectively agreed to, without opposition.
The resolution moved by Mr. Gazlay, of Ohio, was then taken up, in the following words:
Resolved, That the Postmaster General be directed to lay before this House the amount of defalcations in his Department, which occurred previous to July 1823, and which were not sued for, as directed by the 29th section of the act regulating the Post Office Establishment, designating the years when each occurred, and not to extend beyond sixteen years.
This resolution being under consideration—
Mr. Gazlay rose and said, that, by a reference to the act of Congress of 1792, regulating the Post Office Department, it appeared that all the Postmasters of the United States were directed to settle their several accounts with the General Post Office every quarter; and, if they neglected to do so, the Postmaster General was required to sue within three months. In 1810, the act was so altered as to extend the period within which the Postmaster General must sue, from three months to six—Under such a regulation, expressly provided by the law, it was not to have been anticipated that so much defalcation should occur as the amount stated in the President's Message. From reports laid before this House by the late Postmaster General, it appeared that, in 1814, there was a balance due the Department, from Postmasters, of upwards of $200,000. In 1822, this amount had increased to 400,000; and it now stood, as appeared by the President's Message, at upwards of 300,000. The object of the resolution he had just offered, was to possess this House of the true state of these defalcations, in those particulars of which it was at present unadvised.
Mr. Storrs said, that, as he understood the law, that the amount of the deficiency of any Postmaster retained in office, should, after the lapse of a certain time, be charged to the Postmaster General. To ascertain whether that part of the law had been complied with, or not, Mr. S. moved to add the following words, by way of amendment to the resolution. "and the amount of any such deficiencies as may have been charged against the Postmaster General of the United States"
Mr. Gazlay accepted this modification as a part of his motion; and, thus modified, the resolution was agreed to without opposition.
The resolution yesterday moved by Mr. Hemphill, was then taken up and agreed to, nem con.
On motion of Mr. Breck, it was
Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law a uniform system of bankruptcy throughout the United States.
On motion of Mr. Kidder it was
Resolved that the committee on Commerce be instructed to inquire into the expediency of imposing a specific duty on Potatoes imported from Nova Scotia, Ireland, and other foreign countries.
On motion of Mr. Richards, it was
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of constructing some works of defence, at some suitable point near the line dividing the U. States from Canada, on the margin of Lake Champlain.
On motion of Mr. Garrison, it was
Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce be directed to inquire into the expediency of erecting a beacon light near the extremity of Cape Henlopen.
On motion of Mr. Garrison, it was also
Resolved, That the committee on Commerce be directed to inquire into the expediency of erecting a permanent light-house on the lower end of the Brandywine Shoal, in the Bay of Delaware.
DECISIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT.
Mr. Trimble, in offering to the House the following resolution, said it was well known that the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States are sometimes not published until twelve or fifteen months after their rendition. He did not complain of this under the present system; but his object was to ensure an earlier publication of the Reports. He thought that those who are interested in the principles decided should not be left so long ignorant of what those decisions were. To remedy this defect, he proposed the following:
Resolved, That the committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire whether any, and what, provision ought to be made by law, to ensure a more speedy publication of the decisions of the Supreme Court of the U. States.
Mr. Plummer, of New Hampshire, said, he could have no possible objection to the inquiry, but that the fact is, that the existing laws allows 9 months for the completion of the publication, and that the time taken for that work had never, he believed, exceeded six months.
Mr. Trimble said, he was sure that the gentleman could have no objection to the inquiry. He thought it pretty obvious, that those decisions might be published in two weeks, or at all events in three weeks. Now, I think, said Mr. T. that the people are entitled to know what the Constitution is when a construction is given to it. At all events, the subject was worth inquiring into. He was sure that the inquiry could do no harm.
He did not believe it was necessary to wait nine months for the reports, with no other view but to make it a profitable business to the Reporter.
The resolution was then agreed to. without opposition.
Mr. Carter offered the following:
Resolved, That the committee of Ways and means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of repealing the duties at present imposed on books. charts, maps, and mathematical and philosophical instruments, imported into the United States for individual use.
The question being taken on the adoption of this resolution, without debate, it was decided in the negative by a large majority.
The remainder of this day's session was spent on the bill for the relief of D. D. Tompkins.
IN SENATE.....FRIDAY, December 10.
The following petitions were presented to-day, and referred to appropriate committees, viz.
By Mr. Lowrie, the memorial of the City and County of Philadelphia, praying a revision of the present tariff:
By Mr. Lowrie, also, the petition of Richard O'Brien, praying that his accounts, as Consul at Algiers, may be settled, by the proper accounting officers, upon principles of equity, with reference to the modes of doing business at Algiers:
By Mr. Noble, the petition of Eliza Dill, one of the heirs of Gen. Arthur St. Clair, stating that the Government is indebted to her late father for military services, and praying for the relief of Congress
By Mr. Barton, the petition of Isaac Clark, concerning certain quarter sec—
On motion of Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, the petitions of Thaddeus Mathew, and of Marie Louise de la Gautrois, which were presented at the last session, but not then acted upon, were again referred.
The resolution offered yesterday, by Mr. Holmes, of Maine, instructing the committee of Finance to inquire whether any further provisions are necessary to prevent frauds in the revenue, on the eastern frontier of the U. States, was again read and passed.
The resolution submitted yesterday by Mr. Barton, concerning the French and Spanish titles to lands in Missouri and Arkansas, was again read and passed.
Another resolution, offered yesterday by Mr. Barton, respecting the claim of Samuel Gilbert, of Missouri, was taken up, and passed.
The joint resolution offered yesterday by Mr. Benton, proposing an amendment of the Constitution, so as to give the election of President & Vice President to the people, in primary assemblies, received its second reading.
On motion of Mr. Macon, it was ordered that, hereafter, when the Senate adjourned on Fridays, it will adjourn till the ensuing Monday, unless otherwise ordered; and the Senate then adjourned till Monday next, at twelve o'clock.
HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr. Rankin, from the committee on Public Lands, reported a bill "for authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish, for the use of the Territory of Arkansas, an abstract of the Military Bounty Lands lying within the same; which was twice read, and, being under consideration for a third reading
Mr. Taylor moved an amendment, designating the Governor of Arkansas as the person to whom the abstract is to be sent: which was adopted.
The bill was then ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
Mr. Williams, from the committee on Claims, reported unfavorably on the petition of the Levy Court of Calvert county, Maryland: and the report was laid on the table.
Mr. Fuller submitted the following:
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to communicate to this House a plan for a Peace Establishment of the Navy of the United States.
The resolution lies on the table for one day of course.
On motion of Mr. Cobb, it was
Resolved, That the committee of Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of repealing so much of the laws of the U. States as imposes a duty on imported salt.
On motion of Mr. Tomlinson, it was
Resolved, That the committee of Commerce be instructed to inquire whether it be expedient to amend the act, entitled "An act to regulate the collection of duties on imports & tonnage" as to abolish the office of Measurer: to provide that the duties heretofore performed by the measurers, in virtue of said act, shall be performed by the inspectors, and to prohibit the allowance of any additional compensation to inspectors for measuring
On motion of Mr. Test, it was
Resolved, That the committee on the Public Lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reducing the price of all the public lands in the state of Indiana lying east of a line drawn from the mouth of Kentucky river northwardly to Fort Recovery, near the head waters of the Wabash river; also, all the public lands in said state included in a purchase made by the United States of the Delaware, Pottawatamie, Miami, and Eel river tribes of Indians, by treaty concluded at Fort Wayne by William Henry Harrison, as agent for the said United States, and the last mentioned Indians, bearing date the thirtieth day of September, in the year A. D. 1809 immediately adjoining to and lying eastwardly along the aforesaid line running from the mouth of Kentucky river to Fort Recovery.
On motion of Mr. Whipple, it was
Resolved, That the committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of amending the act making provision for arming and equipping the militia of the United States, passed April 3, 1808, so that the arms, provided by virtue of said act, and transmitted to the several States and Territories of the Union, shall, by each State and Territory, be deposited and kept in proper arsenals, to be provided by said State or Territory, ready to be delivered to the militia thereof only when called into the actual service of the United States, or of the State or Territorial government, and to be returned to such place or places of deposit when said service shall cease.
On motion of Mr. Cushman, it was
Resolved, That the subject of the Public Buildings and the Public Lands in the City of Washington be referred to a Select Committee (of Seven).
Mr. Cook submitted the following:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to communicate to this House all the information in his possession, tending to show the circumstances connected with a recent robbery of the Land Office at Vandalia in the State of Illinois, and the justice of releasing the receiver of public moneys from his liability to the Government for the sum lost by the said robbery
This resolution lies on the table one day of course.
On motion of Mr. Conway, it was
Resolved, That the committee on Indian Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of the agencies west of the Mississippi.
On motion of Mr. Isaacs, it was
Resolved, That the committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the several laws allowing a bounty to enlisted soldiers or their heirs, and also the laws authorizing the commutation of the land bounty for half pay that the same bounty in land, or the allowance of half pay, may be extended to the children of such soldiers who may have been regularly enlisted, but who may have fallen in action or died before they had been mustered into service, as by law is allowed in other cases.
A resolution from the Senate being read, for appointing a joint committee on the Library the House concurred in it, and directed the appointment of a committee of three on its part.
The House concurred in the resolution of the Senate for appointing a joint committee for the disposal of the apartments of the Centre Building of the capitol, being the part completed this summer.
The engrossed bill appropriating a certain sum of money for the relief of Daniel D. Tompkins was read a third time, passed, and sent to the Senate for concurrence.
And then the House adjourned to Monday.
The following resolution was adopted in the H. of Representatives, on the 9th inst. on motion of Mr. Lee, of Maryland:
Resolved, That the committee on the Post Office and Post Roads be instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a post route from Newtown Trap, in the county of Frederick, to Crampton's in the state of Maryland.
Thursday, Dec 11, 1823.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
After the presentation and reference of petitions—
The several resolutions yesterday offered by Mr. M'Lane and Mr. Storrs, were respectively agreed to, without opposition.
The resolution moved by Mr. Gazlay, of Ohio, was then taken up, in the following words:
Resolved, That the Postmaster General be directed to lay before this House the amount of defalcations in his Department, which occurred previous to July 1823, and which were not sued for, as directed by the 29th section of the act regulating the Post Office Establishment, designating the years when each occurred, and not to extend beyond sixteen years.
This resolution being under consideration—
Mr. Gazlay rose and said, that, by a reference to the act of Congress of 1792, regulating the Post Office Department, it appeared that all the Postmasters of the United States were directed to settle their several accounts with the General Post Office every quarter; and, if they neglected to do so, the Postmaster General was required to sue within three months. In 1810, the act was so altered as to extend the period within which the Postmaster General must sue, from three months to six—Under such a regulation, expressly provided by the law, it was not to have been anticipated that so much defalcation should occur as the amount stated in the President's Message. From reports laid before this House by the late Postmaster General, it appeared that, in 1814, there was a balance due the Department, from Postmasters, of upwards of $200,000. In 1822, this amount had increased to 400,000; and it now stood, as appeared by the President's Message, at upwards of 300,000. The object of the resolution he had just offered, was to possess this House of the true state of these defalcations, in those particulars of which it was at present unadvised.
Mr. Storrs said, that, as he understood the law, that the amount of the deficiency of any Postmaster retained in office, should, after the lapse of a certain time, be charged to the Postmaster General. To ascertain whether that part of the law had been complied with, or not, Mr. S. moved to add the following words, by way of amendment to the resolution. "and the amount of any such deficiencies as may have been charged against the Postmaster General of the United States"
Mr. Gazlay accepted this modification as a part of his motion; and, thus modified, the resolution was agreed to without opposition.
The resolution yesterday moved by Mr. Hemphill, was then taken up and agreed to, nem con.
On motion of Mr. Breck, it was
Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law a uniform system of bankruptcy throughout the United States.
On motion of Mr. Kidder it was
Resolved that the committee on Commerce be instructed to inquire into the expediency of imposing a specific duty on Potatoes imported from Nova Scotia, Ireland, and other foreign countries.
On motion of Mr. Richards, it was
Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of constructing some works of defence, at some suitable point near the line dividing the U. States from Canada, on the margin of Lake Champlain.
On motion of Mr. Garrison, it was
Resolved, That the Committee on Commerce be directed to inquire into the expediency of erecting a beacon light near the extremity of Cape Henlopen.
On motion of Mr. Garrison, it was also
Resolved, That the committee on Commerce be directed to inquire into the expediency of erecting a permanent light-house on the lower end of the Brandywine Shoal, in the Bay of Delaware.
DECISIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT.
Mr. Trimble, in offering to the House the following resolution, said it was well known that the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States are sometimes not published until twelve or fifteen months after their rendition. He did not complain of this under the present system; but his object was to ensure an earlier publication of the Reports. He thought that those who are interested in the principles decided should not be left so long ignorant of what those decisions were. To remedy this defect, he proposed the following:
Resolved, That the committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire whether any, and what, provision ought to be made by law, to ensure a more speedy publication of the decisions of the Supreme Court of the U. States.
Mr. Plummer, of New Hampshire, said, he could have no possible objection to the inquiry, but that the fact is, that the existing laws allows 9 months for the completion of the publication, and that the time taken for that work had never, he believed, exceeded six months.
Mr. Trimble said, he was sure that the gentleman could have no objection to the inquiry. He thought it pretty obvious, that those decisions might be published in two weeks, or at all events in three weeks. Now, I think, said Mr. T. that the people are entitled to know what the Constitution is when a construction is given to it. At all events, the subject was worth inquiring into. He was sure that the inquiry could do no harm.
He did not believe it was necessary to wait nine months for the reports, with no other view but to make it a profitable business to the Reporter.
The resolution was then agreed to. without opposition.
Mr. Carter offered the following:
Resolved, That the committee of Ways and means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of repealing the duties at present imposed on books. charts, maps, and mathematical and philosophical instruments, imported into the United States for individual use.
The question being taken on the adoption of this resolution, without debate, it was decided in the negative by a large majority.
The remainder of this day's session was spent on the bill for the relief of D. D. Tompkins.
IN SENATE.....FRIDAY, December 10.
The following petitions were presented to-day, and referred to appropriate committees, viz.
By Mr. Lowrie, the memorial of the City and County of Philadelphia, praying a revision of the present tariff:
By Mr. Lowrie, also, the petition of Richard O'Brien, praying that his accounts, as Consul at Algiers, may be settled, by the proper accounting officers, upon principles of equity, with reference to the modes of doing business at Algiers:
By Mr. Noble, the petition of Eliza Dill, one of the heirs of Gen. Arthur St. Clair, stating that the Government is indebted to her late father for military services, and praying for the relief of Congress
By Mr. Barton, the petition of Isaac Clark, concerning certain quarter sec—
On motion of Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, the petitions of Thaddeus Mathew, and of Marie Louise de la Gautrois, which were presented at the last session, but not then acted upon, were again referred.
The resolution offered yesterday, by Mr. Holmes, of Maine, instructing the committee of Finance to inquire whether any further provisions are necessary to prevent frauds in the revenue, on the eastern frontier of the U. States, was again read and passed.
The resolution submitted yesterday by Mr. Barton, concerning the French and Spanish titles to lands in Missouri and Arkansas, was again read and passed.
Another resolution, offered yesterday by Mr. Barton, respecting the claim of Samuel Gilbert, of Missouri, was taken up, and passed.
The joint resolution offered yesterday by Mr. Benton, proposing an amendment of the Constitution, so as to give the election of President & Vice President to the people, in primary assemblies, received its second reading.
On motion of Mr. Macon, it was ordered that, hereafter, when the Senate adjourned on Fridays, it will adjourn till the ensuing Monday, unless otherwise ordered; and the Senate then adjourned till Monday next, at twelve o'clock.
HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr. Rankin, from the committee on Public Lands, reported a bill "for authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish, for the use of the Territory of Arkansas, an abstract of the Military Bounty Lands lying within the same; which was twice read, and, being under consideration for a third reading
Mr. Taylor moved an amendment, designating the Governor of Arkansas as the person to whom the abstract is to be sent: which was adopted.
The bill was then ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
Mr. Williams, from the committee on Claims, reported unfavorably on the petition of the Levy Court of Calvert county, Maryland: and the report was laid on the table.
Mr. Fuller submitted the following:
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to communicate to this House a plan for a Peace Establishment of the Navy of the United States.
The resolution lies on the table for one day of course.
On motion of Mr. Cobb, it was
Resolved, That the committee of Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the expediency of repealing so much of the laws of the U. States as imposes a duty on imported salt.
On motion of Mr. Tomlinson, it was
Resolved, That the committee of Commerce be instructed to inquire whether it be expedient to amend the act, entitled "An act to regulate the collection of duties on imports & tonnage" as to abolish the office of Measurer: to provide that the duties heretofore performed by the measurers, in virtue of said act, shall be performed by the inspectors, and to prohibit the allowance of any additional compensation to inspectors for measuring
On motion of Mr. Test, it was
Resolved, That the committee on the Public Lands be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reducing the price of all the public lands in the state of Indiana lying east of a line drawn from the mouth of Kentucky river northwardly to Fort Recovery, near the head waters of the Wabash river; also, all the public lands in said state included in a purchase made by the United States of the Delaware, Pottawatamie, Miami, and Eel river tribes of Indians, by treaty concluded at Fort Wayne by William Henry Harrison, as agent for the said United States, and the last mentioned Indians, bearing date the thirtieth day of September, in the year A. D. 1809 immediately adjoining to and lying eastwardly along the aforesaid line running from the mouth of Kentucky river to Fort Recovery.
On motion of Mr. Whipple, it was
Resolved, That the committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of amending the act making provision for arming and equipping the militia of the United States, passed April 3, 1808, so that the arms, provided by virtue of said act, and transmitted to the several States and Territories of the Union, shall, by each State and Territory, be deposited and kept in proper arsenals, to be provided by said State or Territory, ready to be delivered to the militia thereof only when called into the actual service of the United States, or of the State or Territorial government, and to be returned to such place or places of deposit when said service shall cease.
On motion of Mr. Cushman, it was
Resolved, That the subject of the Public Buildings and the Public Lands in the City of Washington be referred to a Select Committee (of Seven).
Mr. Cook submitted the following:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to communicate to this House all the information in his possession, tending to show the circumstances connected with a recent robbery of the Land Office at Vandalia in the State of Illinois, and the justice of releasing the receiver of public moneys from his liability to the Government for the sum lost by the said robbery
This resolution lies on the table one day of course.
On motion of Mr. Conway, it was
Resolved, That the committee on Indian Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of the agencies west of the Mississippi.
On motion of Mr. Isaacs, it was
Resolved, That the committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the several laws allowing a bounty to enlisted soldiers or their heirs, and also the laws authorizing the commutation of the land bounty for half pay that the same bounty in land, or the allowance of half pay, may be extended to the children of such soldiers who may have been regularly enlisted, but who may have fallen in action or died before they had been mustered into service, as by law is allowed in other cases.
A resolution from the Senate being read, for appointing a joint committee on the Library the House concurred in it, and directed the appointment of a committee of three on its part.
The House concurred in the resolution of the Senate for appointing a joint committee for the disposal of the apartments of the Centre Building of the capitol, being the part completed this summer.
The engrossed bill appropriating a certain sum of money for the relief of Daniel D. Tompkins was read a third time, passed, and sent to the Senate for concurrence.
And then the House adjourned to Monday.
The following resolution was adopted in the H. of Representatives, on the 9th inst. on motion of Mr. Lee, of Maryland:
Resolved, That the committee on the Post Office and Post Roads be instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a post route from Newtown Trap, in the county of Frederick, to Crampton's in the state of Maryland.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What keywords are associated?
Congressional Proceedings
Postal Defalcations
Bankruptcy Law
Import Duties
Military Defenses
Supreme Court Reports
Land Petitions
Constitutional Amendment
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Gazlay
Mr. Storrs
Mr. Trimble
Mr. Plummer
Mr. Lowrie
Mr. Noble
Mr. Barton
Mr. Rankin
Mr. Taylor
Mr. Fuller
Mr. Cobb
Mr. Tomlinson
Mr. Test
Mr. Whipple
Mr. Cushman
Mr. Cook
Mr. Conway
Mr. Isaacs
Mr. Lee
Where did it happen?
United States Congress
Story Details
Key Persons
Mr. Gazlay
Mr. Storrs
Mr. Trimble
Mr. Plummer
Mr. Lowrie
Mr. Noble
Mr. Barton
Mr. Rankin
Mr. Taylor
Mr. Fuller
Mr. Cobb
Mr. Tomlinson
Mr. Test
Mr. Whipple
Mr. Cushman
Mr. Cook
Mr. Conway
Mr. Isaacs
Mr. Lee
Location
United States Congress
Event Date
December 10 11, 1823
Story Details
Congressional sessions in House and Senate addressed resolutions on postal defalcations, bankruptcy system, import duties on potatoes and books, military defenses near Canada, lighthouses, Supreme Court publication speed, land bills, navy plans, salt duties, militia arms, public buildings, land office robbery, Indian agencies, soldier bounties, joint committees, and post routes.