Alexandria Daily Advertiser

From the PHILADELPHIA GAZETTE

CONGRESSIONAL RETROSPECT

In consequence of various interruptions by sickness, our friendly correspondent at Washington was prevented, during the late session of congress, from fulfilling our expectations, by a regular communication of the proceedings of that enlightened body. His indisposition, however, did not prevent his attending their deliberations; and now that his bodily health is regained, he proposes to take a retrospective glance at the singular events of the session. We presume, that during the present vacuity of news, these light effusions will not be unacceptable to our readers.

After stating briefly the sing song proceedings of the first three days of the session, our correspondent, in his second communication, goes on thus:

Washington, Jan. 2.

FRIEND RELF,

I HAVE collected a few more scraps from the old fellow's notes, which I send thee.

Thine

Friday, Dec. 5. -How much talk, idle talk, about this confounded non-importation act,

Mr. Smilie. There is two points containing the marrow of this bill; first, shall we suspend at all? Next, to what time shall we suspend the act?

O, talk away, gentlemen, till you fatigue, if possible, your own tongues, you never will make one man of understanding believe, that the non-importation act has frightened one hair in the British lion's tail.

Two gods, or goddesses rather, hold divided empire in this house: insanity inanity. Put them both in a bag, and inanity will come out first, but so nearly together, that like Jacob and Esau, insanity's hand will lay hold of inanity's heel.

"Postpone till to-morrow this subject of suspension. Agreed.-Adjourn." Agreed.

Saturday, Dec. 6.--The house meet on Saturday, and this too the very first week of the Session. But there is a cause -The non-importation act was a hasty thing; and the President recommends a hasty suspension, or refusal. The house ought not to meet on Saturday. This is a day when the different committees ought to sit and attend to their different duties especially of claims. Were I a member of that committee, my jaw bone would at this moment be bare of flesh; shame have burnt away my cheek, to think that, year after year, persons who have claims on the government, are obliged to leave their business, families, &c. and dance attendance on this committee, who are so negligent in duty, that of a person living 300 miles from this place has a just claim against the government of 1000 dollars, he may consider himself fortunate if, after five years attendance, he can recover it at the expense of perhaps double that sum.

The house ought to improve their time well while in session. They ought to meet at 10 o'clock and adjourn at 3. And while they are sitting, every man ought to be all attention to business. One of the standing rules of the house ought to be, that when a member rises to speak, who is notorious for never speaking any thing to the purpose, if the Speaker put his finger to his lips--(mum's the word)- such member shall immediately sit down. A rule like this would enable the house to perform in two weeks, the whole business of a session. True, it would operate rather injuriously on about three-fourths of the speaking members of the house, who admire to send home to their constituents, their printed speeches, that, often, were never delivered, but how much would the public be benefitted, and the expense of the civil list decreased.

My mother often used to say to me -' My son, put every thing in its proper place, if you mean to do business properly.' If all things were put in their proper place, how many legislative things would be put out of this house. Who took Bidwell from the female tyranny of a country school, Sloan from his butchers stall, D. R. Williams from the handling of types, McFarland from Bridewell, Mat. Clay from tobacco planting or negro driving, Bedinger from felling timber, &c. The ways of Providence are inscrutable: I believe the scripture, though I cannot always comprehend it: The wise man says The great God who formed all things, both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors"--When a man looks at this house he sees the truth of the above quoted scripture, but he cannot discern the reasonableness of it; nor why things are put so much out of place.

Saturday night brings all home How many of these old proverbs are full of Duanisms, i. e. destitute of truth. How few are the members, of whom it can with correctness be said that in the house of representatives they are 'quite at home.'

And now the Speaker states the question. Shall this bill pass? i. e. the suspension bill. I need not wait till the ayes and noes are called. It shall pass. Blustering folly produced the non-importation act, and prudent cowardice suspends its operation.

I move the house now adjourn.' There is no man more busy in calling for adjournments than this same D. R. Williams. Every man has a talent for something. Yet this man sometimes mouths or speech! And, if the article would sell might make much by becoming the patentee of his own speeches, under the medical term of Genuine Essence of Smoke. But, majora canamus, who would waste breath in talking of vapor.