Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

Congress of the United States.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Tuesday, 17th December, 1811.
[REPORTED FOR THIS GAZETTE.]

Mr. Moseley presented the memorial of the Corporation of a fishing Company in Connecticut, praying the release of certain property taken by the customhouse officers. Referred to the committee of commerce and manufactures.

Mr. Newton from the committee of commerce and manufactures, to whom was referred so much of the President's message as related to the subject, reported a bill to deprive certain vessels of their American character and to prevent trading under licences from any foreign powers. Also a bill to prevent the exportation from the United States of any goods of foreign or domestic growth or manufacture to any place whatever under foreign licences. The bills were twice read, and referred to the committee of the whole for Friday next.

Mr. Cheves from the Committee to whom was referred so much of the President's message as relates to a naval establishment, reported a bill. The first section authorises the President to cause to be refitted all the public vessels not now in service which are worthy of repair. The second section provides for the building of 6 frigates not exceeding 38 guns each. The third section authorises the increase of officers and men The fourth appropriates ---- Dollars, for the purchase of ship timber, &c. The fifth provides a Dock-Yard or Dock-Yards, where deemed necessary. The sixth directs the appropriation from any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. The seventh directs the stationing of gun-boats, &c The bill was twice read, and referred to the committee of the whole for tomorrow.

Mr. Cheves from the committee to whom was referred so much of the President's message as relates to fortifications reported a bill appropriating one million of Dollars for the defence of our maritime frontiers. Twice read and referred to the committee of the whole for to-morrow.

Mr. Poindexter reported a bill to enable the people of Mississippi territory to form a constitution of government, and for admitting the same into the Union on an equal footing with the other states. Twice read and referred to the Committee of the whole for Monday next.

The bill from the Senate for completing the present military establishment was twice read and referred to the committee of foreign relations. [The bill gives 16 dollars and 160 acres of land to such as enlist for five years.]

Mr. Blackledge called for the consideration of the resolution laid on the table by him some days since, requesting the President to cause to be prepared and laid before the House such of the rules and regulations proper to be adopted for the training and disciplining the regular troops and militia of the U. S. The resolution was adopted ; and a committee of three appointed to wait on the President with the resolution.

A motion was made by Mr. Smilie to take up the apportionment bill, and carried, 68 in favor.

Mr. Randolph moved to postpone it till to-morrow, for the purpose of considering the sixth resolution of the committee of foreign relations.

The question was taken by ayes and noes and carried--Ayes 68--Noes 65.

The House resumed the consideration of the unfinished business of yesterday.

The fifth resolution of the committee of foreign relations, agreed to by the House, was referred to the same committee to whom was referred--the bill from the Senate, relative to the military establishment.

The fourth resolution was then on motion referred to the Committee of foreign relations.

The sixth resolution reported by the committee of foreign relations, and which was yesterday ordered to lie on the table, was taken up by the house. (This resolution authorises the arming of merchant vessels.)

Mr. Wright moved to amend the resolution by adding--'and if attacked by any British ship or vessel it shall be lawful to capture and bring into any port of the U. States, such British ship or vessel for adjudication."

Mr. Wright proceeded in a speech of considerable length to advocate his amendment.

Mr. Findley followed Mr. Wright, and when he sat down, the house adjourned (half past 3 o'clock).