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Domestic News
March 5, 1796
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Report on U.S. House of Representatives proceedings from February 3-9, 1796, covering bills on domestic debt, Indian trade, federal city funding, excise laws, public debt reduction, contested elections, pensions, and member compensation.
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CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Wednesday, Feb. 3.
R. W. Smith reported a bill further extending the time for receiving on loan the domestic debt of the United States. It proposes to extend the time to the 31st of December next—Twice read and committed.
Mr. Milledge presented a number of petitions against the Treaty, from the State of Georgia. Referred to a committee of the whole on the state of the Union.
The bill making appropriations for 1796 was presented as truly enrolled and signed by the Speaker.
The bill to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indians was called up and after some debate recommitted, and the committee enlarged so as to consist of a member from each State.
Mr. Blount then moved the following in substance:
That the above committee be instructed to enquire and report, by bill or otherwise whether any and what relief ought to be granted to persons claiming lands in the South Western Territory, purchased from the State of North Carolina which lands, since they had been purchased, had been ceded by treaty to the Indians. This motion was agreed to.
The report of the committee relative to the Federal City was taken up in committee of the whole, and after much desultory debate, the committee rose, reported progress and asked leave to sit again. Adjourned.
THURSDAY, Feb. 4.
In Committee of the whole on the report of the select Committee relative to the federal city.
The motion for striking out the sums of 500,000 and 200,000 before the word dollars in the first resolution, under consideration.
The motion for striking out 500,000 & 200,000 was carried, there is a blank consequently before the word "dollars;" no amendment was made to the second resolution.
The Committee rose and reported the two resolutions with the amendments to the first.
The amendments were taken into consideration by the house and agreed to.
The question then was, on the first resolution as amended.
The first resolution was agreed to, 57 members rising in the affirmative.
The second resolution was also adopted. They were then referred to the select committee who brought in the report, to prepare and bring in a bill or bills.
Mr. Harper after a considerable preparatory address relative to the excise laws, in which he recited the difficulties embarrassments and perplexities attending the execution of those laws: offered three resolutions, the objects of which are.
1st. To transfer the duties from the commodities to the instruments or machines used.
2d. To transfer the collection to the collectors of the state taxes.
3d. To give the state courts cognizance of causes arising under those laws; laid on the table.
Mr. W. Smith of the Committee of ways and means brought in a report relative to re-inforcing the existing provisions for reducing the public debt.
This report contains several resolutions on the subject; they were twice-read and committed for Monday next. In the interim to be printed.
On motion of Mr. Swift the House took up the report of the committee on the contested election of Mr. Smith, one of the members from the state of Vermont.
The report was read which concludes thus—“That they are of opinion that Israel Smith is entitled to take his seat in this House.”
Mr. Tracy moved that the report be postponed; this was agreed to, and Monday assigned.
A report of the committee of claims on the petition of John Griffin, was taken up in committee of the whole.—This report contains a resolution for placing on the pension list such non commissioned officers, musicians, privates and volunteers of the militia as may be wounded or disabled when in actual service, called out by any law of the United States.
The report was agreed to—and reported to the House. —The House adopted the same—and this committee of claims was directed to bring in a bill accordingly.
Mr. New of the committee of enrolment informed the House that the Committee had yesterday laid before the President of the United States, the bill making appropriations for the support of Government for the year 1796.—Adjourned.
FRIDAY, Feb.
The treasurer of the United States account of receipts and expenditures for the war department was read, and the usual number of copies ordered to be printed.
In committee of the whole, Mr. Bonner in the chair, on a report of the committee of claims, to whom had been referred a resolution respecting a list of arrearages of pay or other emoluments, which may appear by the books of the treasury, to be due to the officers and soldiers of the late army of the United States. for services performed during the late war.
The report is lengthy, and states various reasons for not instituting the enquiry proposed by the resolution.
MONDAY, Feb. 8.
The house resolved itself into a committee of the whole. Mr. Muhlenberg in the chair, on the bill for allowing a compensation to the members of both houses, which proposes an annual salary of, 1000d. to each member instead of six dollars per day.
The motion for striking out the word 'annually,' was called for and passed.
The committee rose and asked leave to sit again, which being granted, the house resumed itself, and the motion being put by the speaker for leave that the committee sit again, it was negatived.
Mr. Harper gave notice that he should make a motion to-morrow respecting the sale of lands on the Ohio.
Mr. Henderson moved a resolution in nearly the following words.
Resolved, that the committee of revision and unfinished business. be instructed to enquire into the number of clerks that are now employed in the department of the treasury, the department of the state, and the war department, and that they enquire into the number of clerks that in their opinion, may be necessary for the services annexed to those departments and officers, and that they make report thereon, Agreed.
Mr. Sherman took notice of the very great expence attending the present mode of paying of the interest on the domestic debt, and, with a view to remedy the evil, moved.
a That the committee of ways and means do enquire whether any and what alterations and amendments are necessary in the mode of paying the interest of the national debt."
Mr. Murray moved, " That a committee be appointed to enquire whether any and what alterations are necessary in the offices of the government of the United States." Ordered to lie on the table.
Mr. W. Smith moved for the order of the day for taking into consideration the bill for further extending the time for receiving on loan the national debt of the United States. The house accordingly formed itself into a committee of the whole read the bill, and agreed to it without amendment. The house being again resumed. Mr. Swift requested the bill might lie over till to morrow, as he wished then to propose an amendment. Agreed.
TUESDAY, FEB.9.
Mr. Swanwick presented a memorial from the manufacturers of Snuff in Philadelphia, against the Excise on their manufacture, and against Excise in general, particularizing the injurious effects arising therefrom and the abuses to which is was liable : referring for a full display of the evils.of the system to a pamphlet on the subject.
The bill for allowing a certain compensation per day to members of both houses was read a first and second time, ordered to be referred to a committee of the whole to-morrow, and the usual number of copies to be printed.
Mr. Ames, from Massachusetts, took his seat in the house.
Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Wednesday, Feb. 3.
R. W. Smith reported a bill further extending the time for receiving on loan the domestic debt of the United States. It proposes to extend the time to the 31st of December next—Twice read and committed.
Mr. Milledge presented a number of petitions against the Treaty, from the State of Georgia. Referred to a committee of the whole on the state of the Union.
The bill making appropriations for 1796 was presented as truly enrolled and signed by the Speaker.
The bill to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indians was called up and after some debate recommitted, and the committee enlarged so as to consist of a member from each State.
Mr. Blount then moved the following in substance:
That the above committee be instructed to enquire and report, by bill or otherwise whether any and what relief ought to be granted to persons claiming lands in the South Western Territory, purchased from the State of North Carolina which lands, since they had been purchased, had been ceded by treaty to the Indians. This motion was agreed to.
The report of the committee relative to the Federal City was taken up in committee of the whole, and after much desultory debate, the committee rose, reported progress and asked leave to sit again. Adjourned.
THURSDAY, Feb. 4.
In Committee of the whole on the report of the select Committee relative to the federal city.
The motion for striking out the sums of 500,000 and 200,000 before the word dollars in the first resolution, under consideration.
The motion for striking out 500,000 & 200,000 was carried, there is a blank consequently before the word "dollars;" no amendment was made to the second resolution.
The Committee rose and reported the two resolutions with the amendments to the first.
The amendments were taken into consideration by the house and agreed to.
The question then was, on the first resolution as amended.
The first resolution was agreed to, 57 members rising in the affirmative.
The second resolution was also adopted. They were then referred to the select committee who brought in the report, to prepare and bring in a bill or bills.
Mr. Harper after a considerable preparatory address relative to the excise laws, in which he recited the difficulties embarrassments and perplexities attending the execution of those laws: offered three resolutions, the objects of which are.
1st. To transfer the duties from the commodities to the instruments or machines used.
2d. To transfer the collection to the collectors of the state taxes.
3d. To give the state courts cognizance of causes arising under those laws; laid on the table.
Mr. W. Smith of the Committee of ways and means brought in a report relative to re-inforcing the existing provisions for reducing the public debt.
This report contains several resolutions on the subject; they were twice-read and committed for Monday next. In the interim to be printed.
On motion of Mr. Swift the House took up the report of the committee on the contested election of Mr. Smith, one of the members from the state of Vermont.
The report was read which concludes thus—“That they are of opinion that Israel Smith is entitled to take his seat in this House.”
Mr. Tracy moved that the report be postponed; this was agreed to, and Monday assigned.
A report of the committee of claims on the petition of John Griffin, was taken up in committee of the whole.—This report contains a resolution for placing on the pension list such non commissioned officers, musicians, privates and volunteers of the militia as may be wounded or disabled when in actual service, called out by any law of the United States.
The report was agreed to—and reported to the House. —The House adopted the same—and this committee of claims was directed to bring in a bill accordingly.
Mr. New of the committee of enrolment informed the House that the Committee had yesterday laid before the President of the United States, the bill making appropriations for the support of Government for the year 1796.—Adjourned.
FRIDAY, Feb.
The treasurer of the United States account of receipts and expenditures for the war department was read, and the usual number of copies ordered to be printed.
In committee of the whole, Mr. Bonner in the chair, on a report of the committee of claims, to whom had been referred a resolution respecting a list of arrearages of pay or other emoluments, which may appear by the books of the treasury, to be due to the officers and soldiers of the late army of the United States. for services performed during the late war.
The report is lengthy, and states various reasons for not instituting the enquiry proposed by the resolution.
MONDAY, Feb. 8.
The house resolved itself into a committee of the whole. Mr. Muhlenberg in the chair, on the bill for allowing a compensation to the members of both houses, which proposes an annual salary of, 1000d. to each member instead of six dollars per day.
The motion for striking out the word 'annually,' was called for and passed.
The committee rose and asked leave to sit again, which being granted, the house resumed itself, and the motion being put by the speaker for leave that the committee sit again, it was negatived.
Mr. Harper gave notice that he should make a motion to-morrow respecting the sale of lands on the Ohio.
Mr. Henderson moved a resolution in nearly the following words.
Resolved, that the committee of revision and unfinished business. be instructed to enquire into the number of clerks that are now employed in the department of the treasury, the department of the state, and the war department, and that they enquire into the number of clerks that in their opinion, may be necessary for the services annexed to those departments and officers, and that they make report thereon, Agreed.
Mr. Sherman took notice of the very great expence attending the present mode of paying of the interest on the domestic debt, and, with a view to remedy the evil, moved.
a That the committee of ways and means do enquire whether any and what alterations and amendments are necessary in the mode of paying the interest of the national debt."
Mr. Murray moved, " That a committee be appointed to enquire whether any and what alterations are necessary in the offices of the government of the United States." Ordered to lie on the table.
Mr. W. Smith moved for the order of the day for taking into consideration the bill for further extending the time for receiving on loan the national debt of the United States. The house accordingly formed itself into a committee of the whole read the bill, and agreed to it without amendment. The house being again resumed. Mr. Swift requested the bill might lie over till to morrow, as he wished then to propose an amendment. Agreed.
TUESDAY, FEB.9.
Mr. Swanwick presented a memorial from the manufacturers of Snuff in Philadelphia, against the Excise on their manufacture, and against Excise in general, particularizing the injurious effects arising therefrom and the abuses to which is was liable : referring for a full display of the evils.of the system to a pamphlet on the subject.
The bill for allowing a certain compensation per day to members of both houses was read a first and second time, ordered to be referred to a committee of the whole to-morrow, and the usual number of copies to be printed.
Mr. Ames, from Massachusetts, took his seat in the house.
Adjourned.
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
What keywords are associated?
House Of Representatives
Congressional Proceedings
Domestic Debt
Federal City
Excise Laws
Indian Trade
Public Debt
Member Compensation
Contested Election
What entities or persons were involved?
R. W. Smith
Mr. Milledge
Mr. Blount
Mr. Harper
Mr. W. Smith
Mr. Swift
Mr. Tracy
Israel Smith
John Griffin
Mr. New
Mr. Bonner
Mr. Muhlenberg
Mr. Henderson
Mr. Sherman
Mr. Murray
Mr. Swanwick
Mr. Ames
Domestic News Details
Event Date
February 3 9, 1796
Key Persons
R. W. Smith
Mr. Milledge
Mr. Blount
Mr. Harper
Mr. W. Smith
Mr. Swift
Mr. Tracy
Israel Smith
John Griffin
Mr. New
Mr. Bonner
Mr. Muhlenberg
Mr. Henderson
Mr. Sherman
Mr. Murray
Mr. Swanwick
Mr. Ames
Outcome
bills reported, committed, amended, and agreed to on domestic debt extension, indian trade regulation, federal city funding, public debt reduction, pensions for disabled militia, and member compensation; resolutions on excise laws, land claims, clerk numbers, and debt interest payments laid on table or committed; contested election of israel smith postponed; appropriations bill signed and sent to president.
Event Details
Detailed account of U.S. House of Representatives sessions including reporting and debating bills on extending time for domestic debt loans, petitions against treaty from Georgia, appropriations for 1796, regulation of trade with Indians and relief for land claimants in Southwestern Territory, federal city funding resolutions amended and adopted, excise law reform resolutions offered, public debt reduction report committed, contested election of Vermont's Israel Smith, pension list for disabled militia, war department accounts, arrearages of pay report, member compensation bill debated, motions on government clerks and debt interest payments, national debt extension bill agreed, memorial against excise from Philadelphia snuff manufacturers, and seating of Mr. Ames.