Gazette Of The United States

CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Wednesday, January 13.

The bill, "to establish trading houses for the Indian Tribes" was read the third time, and the blanks therein filled up.

The first blank was filled with the words one thousand, before dollars. The second blank was for the penalty for carrying on any other trade with the Indians by the agents, one thousand, was inserted before the word dollars.

For the purpose of paying the agents and clerks six thousand, was inserted before dollars. The blank for the sum to be appropriated for the purposes of this trade, it was moved should be filled with one hundred and fifty thousand, before the word dollars.

Mr. Williams objected to so large a sum in the outset of this business. It is, said he, an adventure at best; when we have entered on the business and find it succeed, we may then extend the supplies; at present he was not in favor of so large an appropriation—he moved that one hundred thousand dollars should be the sum.

Mr. Parker, who moved for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, supported his motion. He observed that this sum divided among sixty trading houses, which number must be established to answer any purpose, would be found as small as would answer. He recited the particular objects which were to be embraced in a commercial view, by the plan, and remarked that every man in the least acquainted with Indian affairs, must be convinced of the necessity of such an appropriation.