The Gazette

NATIONAL CONCERNS.
LEGISLATURE of the UNION.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 23.

SEVERAL bills passed thro' various stages.

A bill for the government of the Navy, was read and committed.

Mr. Smith reported a resolution respecting the augmentation of the salaries of the officers employed in the Executive Department of the United States,

A bill for the relief of sick and destitute seamen in foreign countries passed to be enacted.

A committee was raised to report a bill for the relief and protection of American seamen.

JAN. 24

The bill suspending all intercourse with France was discussed, but no definitive question taken.

The Senate communicated information of the death of Henry Tazewell, Esq. late member of that honorable body.--The house voted to attend the funeral.

JAN. 25.

A petition against the Alien and Sedition Laws from Suffolk county (N. Y.) was read.

The bill suspending Commercial Intercourse with France was amended & ordered to be engrossed

MONDAY, JAN. 28.

Mr. S. Smith's resolution respecting the augmentation of Executive Salaries was referred to the committee of Ways and Means. Yeas 55. Nays 33.

The Naval Committee was instructed to report on the necessary augmentation of the marine corps.

Message from the President.

The following message was received from the President to Congress.

Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives,

An Edict of the Executive Directory of the French Republic of the 29th of October, 1798 enclosed in a letter from our minister plenipotentiary in London of the 16th of November is of so much importance that it cannot be too soon communicated to you and the public.

JOHN ADAMS.
January 28, 1799.

Extract of a Letter from Rufus King, Esq. Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at London, to the Secretary of State, dated Nov. 16, '98.

"The annexed arrête would appear extravagant and incredible, if it proceeded from any other authority: but mankind is so accustomed to the violence and injustice of France, that we almost cease to express our surprise and indignation at the new instances that she continues to display."

[Translation.]

Decree of the Executive Directory, of Oct. 29, 1798.

The Executive Directory, upon the report of the Minister of Foreign Relations, considering that the Fleets, Privateers, and Ships of England and Russia are in part equipped by foreigners.

Considering that this violation is a manifest abuse of the rights of nations, and that the powers of Europe have not taken any measures to prohibit it. Decrees,

1st. Every individual, native (ou originaire) of friendly countries, allied to the French Republic or neutral, bearing a commission, granted by the enemies of France, or making part of the crews of ships of war and others, enemies, shall be by this single fact declared a pirate, and treated as such, without being permitted in any case to allege that he had been forced into such service, by violence, threats or otherwise.

2d. The Executive Directories of the Batavian, Ligurian, Cisalpine and Roman Republics shall be instructed to this effect.

3d. The provisions contained in the first article shall be notified to those powers which are neutral or allied to the French Republic.

4th. The Minister of Exterior Relations is charged with the execution of the present arrête which shall be printed in the Bulletin of the laws.

(Signed) TRIELHARD, President.

Progress of the American Navy.

TUESDAY, JAN. 29.

On motion of Mr. Josiah Parker, the House went into a committee of the whole on the Report of the Navy Committee, Mr. Rutledge in the chair; and after some discussion, the committee rose, and reported the following resolutions, which were adopted by the House:

1. Resolved, That two Docks be established in the United States, and that 50,000 dollars be appropriated therefor.

2. Resolved, That 100,000 dollars be appropriated for the purchase of Timber, to be used or preserved for the building ships or vessels of war of the United States.

3. Resolved, That the Navy of the United States be augmented by a number not exceeding six, of ships of war, to carry not less than 74 guns, to be built within the United States and a number not exceeding six, of sloops of war, carrying not less than 18 guns, to be built or purchased within the United States and that a sum not exceeding one million of dollars be appropriated therefor.

4. Resolved, That the President of the U. S. be authorized by law, to augment the number of guns on board any ship now in service, or building, above the number it may be rated at, and that 35,000 dollars be appropriated for that purpose.

5. Resolved, That the President of the United States, shall be authorized to take on the Navy establishment, such of the Revenue Cutters now in service, as may be in his opinion fit for foreign service.

No opposition was made to these resolutions: and the whole were referred to the select committee who reported them, to bring in a bill or bills accordingly.