The New Hampshire Gazette

After deducting the support of government, are taken and instead of being wholly laid out on casual and temporary objects, are applied in large sums to the reduction of the public debt — the treasury is full, and no money is borrowed.

Pol. Obser.

EIGHTH CONGRESS.

HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES

THURSDAY, MARCH 1.

Mr. Rodney presented a bill for the appointment of an additional judge for the Mississippi territory.

Referred to a committee of the whole.

The House went into committee of the whole. Mr. I. C. Smith in the chair, on the report of the committee of elections, respecting the election of Thomas Lewis, the sitting member, declaring him not entitled, and declaring Andrew Moore entitled to a seat: Messrs. Findley and Varnum supported; and Messrs. Baldwin, Jackson and Huger opposed the report.

Messrs. R. Griswold, Gregg, Dawson, Early and J. Randolph delivered their sentiments with a view principally to obtain explanations of facts or principles involved in the report.

When Mr. J. Randolph moved that the committee should rise, in order to give the petitioner an opportunity of being heard at the bar of the House.

The committee rose, and Mr. Randolph's motion was agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Huger, permission was given to the petitioner and the sitting member to be heard by counsel.

The further consideration of the report was then postponed until to-morrow.

A letter was received from the post-master general, giving by obedience to the order of the house. a detailed statement of the expences of the Post-Office department for the three successive years.

MONDAY, MARCH 5.

Dr. Mitchill from the committee of Commerce and Manufactures, made a report on the seamen of the United States, who in some ports and harbors at home. are excluded in certain cases although sick, from the benefit of hospital-money. The committee have taken an extensive view of the subject, in which the interests of our mariners are deeply concerned.

The House resumed the consideration of the report of the committee of Elections on the petition of Andrew Moore respecting the seat held by Thomas Lewis.

It was decided that Mr. Lewis, not being duly elected, was not entitled to his seat.

Andrew Moore, thereupon appeared, was qualified, and took his seat.

TUESDAY, MARCH 6.

General Varnum reported a bill supplementary to the militia law of Columbia.

Referred to a committee of the whole to-morrow.

General Varnum moved a resolution for the appointment of a committee to consider if any what alterations are necessary in the military peace establishment—agreed to.

Mr. Varnum founded this resolution on the expediency of increasing the number of surgeons mates, rendered necessary by the increased garrisons arising out of the possession of Louisiana and on an opinion entertained of the propriety of substituting malt, in the room of spirituous liquors.

Mr. Thompson, from the committee appointed on the message of the President respecting the state of the public buildings in Washington, made a report, stating the objects on which the sum appropriated the last session was expended, expressing their opinion that two annual appropriations of fifty thousand dollars ought to be made, and will be sufficient to finish the south wing of the Capitol in a commodious manner, & recommending an immediate appropriation of fifty thousand dollars.—Referred to a committee of the whole.

The bill for the relief of the sufferers by fire in the town of Norfolk was read the third time and passed.

Mr. Randolph, from the committee appointed to enquire into the official conduct of Samuel Chase, one of the associate justices of the supreme court of the United States, and of Richard Peters judge of the district of Pennsylvania; made a report concluding in the following manner: that Samuel Chase, Esq. an associate justice of the supreme court be impeached of high crimes & misdemeanors. That Richard Peters doth not appear to have so acted as to require the constitutional interposition of the House.

Referred to a committee of the whole House on Monday next.

Mr. Nicholson said he was instructed by the managers in the case of the Impeachment of John Pickering to report a statement of their proceedings. He said that as it had been hastily drawn up at his table, it might be, in some respects, incorrect, and might not embrace a full view of all that had occurred; but he believed that it stated all that it was necessary for the House to be possessed of.

After stating, in detail, the proceedings of the Managers, the report concludes with the declaration, that the Managers will not feel themselves bound or authorized to appear before the Senate until called upon by them to proceed with the trial, or until directed to appear by the House.

A motion was made by Mr. Smilie approbatory of the conduct of the Managers, on which no decision was made when the House adjourned.

The House came to a resolution, by a large majority, to close the session on the 3d Monday of the present month.

Wednesday, March 7.

The House went into committee on the bill providing for the settlement of claims to public lands, &c. This bill provides for the appointment of Commissioners to settle finally these claims, as before stated.

Two amendments were proposed, requiring the approbation of the settlement, by Congress, before it became valid; which were negatived.

Mr. Randolph moved an amendment to try the merits of the main question, which was also negatived.

Mr. Varnum moved that the committee rise, and report the bill. Mr. Rodney hoped they would first consider the resolutions offered by Mr. Randolph some days since.

Mr. Randolph also opposed the rising of this committee, contending in favour of first acting upon his resolutions.

Messrs. Elmer, Mitchell, Elliot, Eustis, Lyon, and Gregg advocated; and Messrs. Bedinger, Lucas, Sloan, and Macon, opposed the rising of the Committee. The question, Shall the Committee rise, and report the bill? passed, Ayes 59. Noes 48. The committee then rose, and reported the bill.

Mr. Randolph then moved, that his resolution be taken up: which was carried, Yeas 57. Nays 46. The House then adjourned.

Thursday, March 8.

Mr. Nicholson announced to the House, that his colleague (Gen. Daniel Heister) had, after a long illness, yesterday departed this life: as a tribute of respect due to his memory, he moved that the members of the House wear crape for thirty days; and that the House should, for the purpose of attending his funeral, adjourn at 12 o'clock.

The House immediately entered into resolutions to this effect, and instructed the Speaker to notify the Executive of Maryland of the vacancy occasioned by the death of General Heister.

About two o'clock the remains of the deceased were conveyed from his late lodgings, attended by the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives.

The body, we understand, will be interred at Hagerstown, the place where the General lately resided.

General Varnum reported a bill for establishing rules and articles for the government of the armies of the United States, which was read, and referred to a committee of the whole.

A message was received from the President of the United States, enclosing a letter from Gov. Claiborne, respecting the importation at New-Orleans of slaves from Africa, and his impression that he did not possess power to interpose respecting the same.

Dr. Leib presented a petition from sundry inhabitants of George-Town, praying for the passage of the bill amendatory of their charter, with certain amendments.

Dr. Mitchill made a report from the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, who were directed to enquire into the expediency of authorizing the President to cause to be explored certain unknown parts of Louisiana.

The report contains much interesting information respecting the topography and natural history of Louisiana, and concludes with the opinion that it will be honourable and useful for the United States to make some public provision for ascertaining the extent and boundaries of Louisiana, and to appropriate a sum not exceeding dollars, to make surveys on the Red River and Arkansas, or such other parts of Louisiana, as the President may see fit.

Made the order for Wednesday next.

The House adjourned about 12 o'clock, in consequence of their previous vote to attend the funeral of General Heister.

Monday, March 12.

The House went into committee of the whole—Mr. Varnum in the chair: on the following report:

The committee report—That in consequence of the evidence collected by them, in virtue of the powers with which they have been invested by the House, and which is hereunto subjoined, they are of opinion,

I. That Samuel Chase, Esq. one of the associate justices of the supreme court of the United States, be impeached of high crimes and misdemeanors:

2. That Richard Peters, district judge of the district of Pennsylvania, hath not so acted in his judicial capacity as to require the interposition of the constitutional power of this House.

The question was then taken on agreeing to the first resolution, and carried—Ayes 74.

The committee then agreed, without a division, to the second resolution, relating to Richard Peters.

The committee rose and reported their agreement to the report of the select committee.

The House immediately took the report into consideration.

The first resolution respecting Mr. Chase having been read, occasioned a short debate.

The question was then taken, by Yeas and Nays, on concurring in the report of the committee, agreeing to the first resolution and carried—Yeas 73—Nays 32.

The report of the committee, in relation to the second resolution, was agreed to unanimously.

Mr. J. Randolph moved that a committee be appointed to appear at the bar of the Senate, to impeach, in the name of the House of Representatives, Samuel Chase of high crimes and misdemeanors.

The motion was adopted, & Messrs. J. Randolph and Early appointed the committee.

Mr. Nicholson moved the postponement, until the first Monday of November, of the bill for the settlement of claims for Georgia lands.

Messrs. Eustis and Jackson opposed the postponement; which was carried —Yeas 59—Nays 49.

Tuesday, March 13.

A message was received from the Senate, stating their agreement to the resolution of the House for an adjournment of Congress, with an amendment extending the period of adjournment to Monday the 26th inst.

The House concurred in the amendment.

The House went into committee of the whole—Mr. Varnum in the chair; on the bill for opening several new land offices in the Indiana territory.

Several amendments were made, when the committee reported the bill. The House, after considering the amendments, ordered the bill to a third reading.

Mr. Randolph, from the committee appointed to perform that service, reported that they had appeared at the bar of the Senate, and had, in the name of the House, impeached Sam'l Chase of high crimes & misdemeanors.

On motion of Mr. J. Randolph, a committee of five was appointed to frame articles of Impeachment, with power to send for persons and papers.

Wednesday, March 14.

Dr. Eustis presented a memorial of sundry inhabitants of the city of Washington, praying an act of incorporation for a commercial company.—Ordered to lie on the table.

The House took up Mr. J. Clay's resolution for the appointment of a committee to enquire into the expediency of authorizing the legislature of Pennsylvania to lay a certain tonnage duty for improving the navigation of the river Delaware and the port of Philadelphia.

After a few remarks made by Mr. Clay in support of their resolution, it was negatived—Ayes 36—Noes 42.

The House went into a committee of the whole—Mr. Dawson in the chair—on the bill from the Senate, providing for the government of Louisiana.

Mr. Leib moved to amend the section, fixing the salary of the governor of New Orleans, by striking out 5000 dollars, for the purpose of inserting 3000 dols.

The sum of 2000 dollars was, he observed, higher than that allowed some of the heads of department, and was, in his opinion, above the necessary allowance.

Mr. Nicholson said he should have no objection to striking out 5000 dollars; but it would be for the purpose of inserting a higher sum.

The question was put to strike out 5000 dollars, and passed in the negative—Ayes 40—Noes 44.

Mr. Sloan moved an amendment inhibiting the admission of slaves into Louisiana as well from the United States, as from foreign places.

Mr. Sloan concisely stated his reasons in favor of this provision, when the question was taken, and the amendment agreed to.—Ayes 40, Noes 35.

Mr. Rhea (of Tennessee) offered a new section, declaring all grants of lands in Louisiana made subsequent to the treaty of St. Ildefonso void.

The amendment was then agreed to -Ayes 54.

A section appropriating 15,000 dollars was introduced to enable the President to transfer tribes of Indians, east of the Mississippi, with their consent, to the western banks.

Mr. Early moved to insert a new section in the room of the 4th section. This section provides for the choice of a legislative body by the people of Louisiana.

The committee rose, reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again.

Mr. Nicholson said it had been for some time in contemplation to establish a branch bank at New-Orleans. The business had been before the President and Directors of the bank of the United States, who were of opinion that they were not authorized to establish the branch. He therefore moved that the committee of Ways and Means be instructed to prepare and report a bill authorizing the President and Directors of the bank of the United States to establish offices of discount and deposit in any of the territories and dependencies of the United States.

The motion was immediately agreed to: and Mr. Nicholson reported a bill for that purpose.

Thursday, March 15.

The House went into committee of the whole on the bill providing rules for the government of the army.

After some consideration of the bill, the committee rose, and the House, by a great majority, refused them leave to sit again. This is probably a virtual rejection of the bill for the present session.

The House went into a committee of the whole on the bill for the government of Louisiana—Mr. Dawson in the chair.

The substitute of Mr. Early for the 4th section of the bill was, with some verbal amendment, agreed to—Ayes 51.

The bill was reported to the House, who concurred with the committee in striking out the 4th section of the bill, (giving the President the power of appointing the Legislative Council, Yeas 74—Noes 23—and in their agreement to Mr. Early's substitute— Yeas 58—Nays 42.