Daily National Intelligencer

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5.

THE REMOVAL.

The House of Representatives has begun seriously to discuss the question of a removal of the seat of government from this city; and a Debate has commenced, which, we risk nothing in saying, will consume several days. As the reporting of debates of such continuity and length is too laborious to be encountered by the corporeal or mental ability of any one or even two individuals, we shall on this subject only publish such speeches at length as shall be furnished to us for publication.

CONGRESS.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4.

After the presentation and reference of two or three petitions—

On motion of Mr. Eppes of Va. leave was given to the committee of Ways and Means to sit, after this day, during the sessions of the House.

Mr. Yancey of N. C. from the committee of Claims, reported unfavorably to the petition of Edwin Lewis; which report was concurred in.

Mr. Y. also made an unfavorable report on the memorial of Thomas Cutts; which was read and referred to a committee of the whole House.

Mr. Pleasants of Va. from the committee on Naval Affairs, who were instructed to enquire into the expediency of extending to merchant recaptors the provisions of the bill allowing a bounty on prisoners to the owners and crews of private armed vessels, reported, that it was inexpedient to extend the provisions of the said act to the case just stated.

Mr. King of Mass. opposed the adoption of this report, on various grounds. The risk and importance of the recapture of merchantmen was not, he said, inferior to the risk and importance of captures by private armed vessels. The cause of humanity would be also served by it, as the lives of the enemy's seamen might in some instances be preserved, in consequence of such an inducement, &c. He hoped it would never be said, that this House by a large majority determined to offer a bounty on deserters from the army of the enemy, and yet refused a small premium on seamen of the enemy thus meritoriously made prisoners. Mr. K. concluded his observations by moving to amend the report by striking out inexpedient, and inserting expedient.

Mr. Pleasants of Va. stated the reasons which had given birth to this report. The principal reason was, that whilst the proposed extension of bounty to such cases would add very little inducement to recapture, it would add very greatly to the hardship and suffering of those of our citizens who might be captured, who would undoubtedly be more rigidly secured, perhaps in irons, in consequence of the passage of the law.

Mr. King replied. He did not apprehend that such oppression would be exercised as the gentleman supposed, and believed the objection not valid against the proposition to afford this small reward to our brave seamen for their adventurous valor. He considered this vote as the test whether the friendship expressed on all hands for our brave tars was substantial or mere profession.

Mr. Lowndes of S. C. explained his ideas of the policy of the act now proposed to be amended, which he did not look upon in the light of a bounty to privateers, but as an inducement to them to bring in prisoners when captured, instead of releasing them. The proposed amendment he did not consider as at all essential to, or connected with the policy of that act—and the inducements to recapture he considered to be quite sufficient already without it.

The motion of Mr. King was negatived, and the report accepted, by a large majority.

On motion of Mr. Gholson of Va.

Resolved, That the committee of Ways and Means be instructed to enquire into the expediency of so amending the act laying a duty on Licenses to distillers, &c. as to allow the proprietors of spirituous liquors distilled from domestic materials, of which they themselves are the growers, to sell without License any quantity thereof not exceeding one gallon.

REMOVAL FROM WASHINGTON.

The House, on motion of Mr. Lewis of Va. having taken up this subject, and being about to resolve itself into a committee of the whole thereon—

Mr. Newton of Va. observed that he believed much debate was not necessary, as gentlemen had not only deliberated but already made up their minds. He wished to come at the question, and with many others had rather render his vote on this subject than hear any discussion whatever; and therefore moved an indefinite postponement of the question.

This motion was opposed by Mr. Pickering of Mass. and Mr. Goldsborough of Md. both of whom placed their opposition on the ground of a desire for further information—the one however declaring his present opinion in favor of, and the other against, removal.

The question was then taken on indefinite postponement, and decided in the negative: many of those opposed to removal, having, with Mr. Goldsborough, voted against indefinite postponement of the motion.

For the postponement 61
Against it 77

The House then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Nelson in the chair, on the report above mentioned.

Mr. Pearson of N. C. rose to speak against the resolution, and continued to speak with great ability and force of reasoning, as well on the question of expediency as on that of constitutionality, until about 3 o'clock: when

The committee rose, reported progress, and the House adjourned.