The Gazette

Legislature of the Union.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

FEBRUARY 20.

MR. LYON took his seat. Soon after, the Hon. Mr. Bayard proposed the following Resolution :

Resolved, That Matthew Lyon, a member of this House, having been convicted of being a notorious and seditious person, and of a depraved mind, and wicked and diabolical disposition and of wickedly, deceitfully and maliciously contriving to defame the government of the United States, and of having with intent and design to defame the government of the United States, and John Adams, the President of the United States, and to bring the said Government and President into contempt and disrepute, and with intent and design to excite against the said Government and President the hatred of the good people of the United States, and to stir up sedition in the United States, wickedly, knowingly and maliciously written and published certain scandalous and malicious writings or libels, be therefore expelled this House.

Mr. Bayard observed that the above resolution was copied from the record of the trial-

Mr. Nicholas objected to the technical phraseology of it, containing particulars never enquired into upon trial. Mr. Bayard explained -

No decision was had on the question.

Several Vermont petitions against the Sedition Law, &c. were ordered to lie on the table.

The House took up the report of the Committee of the Whole, on the bill for encouraging the capture of French privateers, by allowing a bounty on guns and the motion being to strike out the first section of the bill, a long debate ensued, when it passed in the affirmative.

Yeas 52, Nays 48. The bill was of course negatived.

FEB. 22.

The motion to expel Lyon from the House, was decided. Yeas 49, Nays 45. Two thirds being necessary, the vote was not carried.

FEB 23.

The Treasury Department reported on the damages awarded, respecting the capture of the ship Niger. Committed.

The Marine Corps augmentation Bill, was read, and committed. Two Appropriation Bills passed.

Mr. Varnum called up a resolution for re-enacting the law, directing 80,000 militia to be held in readiness. After considerable discussion, in which the measure was opposed by Messrs. Allen, Dayton, Dana, Sewall and F. Williams ; and advocated by Messrs. Varnum, M'Dowell, Gallatin, the Claibornes, Harper, Nicholas, Venable, and S. Smith ; the resolution passed 48 to 40 ; and Messrs. Varnum, M'Dowell and Harper, were appointed to report a bill thereon.

The amendments of the Senate to the Land Tax, were taken up. That which empowers the Secretary of the Treasury, to increase, where he may think it necessary, the Assessors pay to Two Dollars per day, occasioned a long debate. It was however finally carried 57 to 36.

FEB. 25.

Information was received, that the President has approved the acts passed providing for the National Defence, which passed the Legislature.

The Navy Department bill, was read a third time, and passed; as was the Boon Island Beacon bill.

An additional Appropriation Bill, for 1799, was read and committed.

ALIEN and SEDITION LAWS, &c.

The Committee, to whom was referred, the petitions complaining of these and other Laws, reported, at much length thereon. After replying to all the complaints against them, and confirming their constitutionality and necessity; in a plain and impressive manner the Committee recommend the following resolutions, viz.

Resolved, That it is inexpedient to repeal the act passed the last session, entitled "An act concerning Aliens."

Resolved, That it is inexpedient to repeal the act passed the last session, entitled, "An act in addition to an act, entitled an act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States."

Resolved, That it is inexpedient to repeal any of the laws respecting the navy, military establishment, or revenue of the United States.

After these resolutions had been discussed, as usual, in committee of the whole, they were taken up in the House, and called upon, The question on the first resolution was put, and carried. Yeas 52, Nays 48.