Alexandria Daily Advertiser

The only business of much importance transacted in the House of Representatives during the three last days has been the further consideration of the bill prohibiting the importation of slaves into the U. S. Having been, for the greater part of these days, occupied with the proceedings of the Supreme Court on the motion to grant a writ of Habeas Corpus. (which we shall endeavor to present in detail) we can only cursorily state the proceedings of the House.

A long and warm debate was maintained on several of the provisions of the bill, entirely, however, confined to points previously discussed, the debates on which have been given at considerable length.

In committee of the whole, the punishment of death for importing slaves, was commuted into an imprisonment for not more than ten, nor less than five years.

In the House this decision was affirmed-- Yeas 67--Nays 43--with the imposition of a fine not exceeding 10,000, nor less than 5000 dollars.

The bill, after undergoing much amendment, was ordered to a third reading on Friday.

ibid.