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The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
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On April 24, the U.S. House of Representatives debated a Senate bill authorizing the President to raise a provisional army of up to 20,000 men if needed. Opposition led by Mr. Nicholas argued Congress should directly provide for it. Debate paused pending dispatches from commissioners in Paris, expected soon via ship Pomona. The House adjourned.
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CONGRESS.
The house was on the 24th ult. principally engaged in a discussion, on a bill from the Senate authorising the President of the United States to raise a provisional army, not exceeding 20,000 men, in case the circumstances of the country shall, in his opinion require it. On motion to read this bill a second time it was objected to by Mr. Nicholas, on the ground of principle, stating it to be his opinion that if an army was necessary, Congress ought immediately to provide it, and not place the power of raising it in the hands of the President. The question, therefore, became, Shall this bill be rejected? It was advocated by Messrs. Nicholas, Gallatin, Baldwin, Macon, and M'Dowell; and opposed by Messrs. Otis, Dana, Sewall, Harper, Rutledge, Craik, S. Smith, and J. Williams. After the debate had continued till nearly 3 o'clock, Mr. Rutledge having suggested that he had reason to believe that dispatches up to the 1st of March, would be received by the Executive from our commissioners in 12 hours from that time, Mr. Nicholas expressed his readiness to withdraw his opposition to the second reading, in order that gentlemen might have an opportunity of being acquainted with the contents of these dispatches, before they gave their vote on this bill. Mr. Nicholas having made this declaration. Mr. Rutledge said, he tho't it proper to state upon what ground he made the assertion with respect to these dispatches. He stated that he had received a letter by this day's post from a friend in Charleston, who had received a letter from one of our commissioners in Paris, stating that a gentleman of South-Carolina, was about to sail for America, in the ship Pomona, who would carry with him dispatches from our ministers; and Mr. R. said he had been informed by a gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Smith) that he had just received a letter from Baltimore, informing him of the arrival of the Pomona, and of the gentleman alluded to. Mr. R. said having had this information, would, he thought justify his communications to the house. Adjourned.
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Domestic News Details
Event Date
24th Ult.
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Outcome
the house adjourned after the debate, with opposition to the second reading withdrawn pending receipt of dispatches from u.s. commissioners in paris.
Event Details
The U.S. House debated a Senate bill authorizing the President to raise a provisional army of up to 20,000 men if circumstances required. Mr. Nicholas objected to the second reading, arguing Congress should directly provide for any necessary army rather than delegating to the President. The bill's rejection was advocated by Nicholas, Gallatin, Baldwin, Macon, and M'Dowell, and opposed by Otis, Dana, Sewall, Harper, Rutledge, Craik, S. Smith, and J. Williams. After debate until nearly 3 o'clock, Rutledge noted expected dispatches up to March 1 from commissioners arriving soon via the ship Pomona, leading Nicholas to withdraw opposition for review of the dispatches before voting.