The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

CONGRESS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

FRIDAY, FEB. 17.

THE translation of a letter from Monsieur Morel, containing a project for civilizing the Indians; which was read and ordered to lie on the table. [One of these plans, is said to be the encouraging whites to intermarry with them. This, it is well known, was the former policy among the French when they held Canada, and operated so powerfully in attaching the Indian tribes to that nation, that they could at all times command them, to the prejudice of the English. Hence too, it is thought originated the filial style of affection in use among the savages to the French monarch, whom they always termed their father, whereas it was by dint of great presents only that they could be brought to call the King of England their brother.]

The House then resolved itself into a committee of the whole, on the Representation Bill--[Mr. Smith (S. C.) in the chair).

After some debate on the apportionment of Representatives, the Committee agreed to settle it as follows: New-Hampshire 4; Massachusetts 15; Vermont 2; Rhode-Island 2; Connecticut 7; New-York 11; New-Jersey 5; Pennsylvania, 14; Delaware 1; Maryland 9; Virginia 21; Kentucky 2; North-Carolina 11; Georgia 2.

An amendment was made to the first section of the Bill setting forth that the members are to be elected "agreeably to the ratio of one representative for every thirty thousand inhabitants in each State, computed according to the rule prescribed by the Constitution."

A motion was made to strike out the second section which provides for a second enumeration; -it being thought unnecessary to subject the United States to the expense of a new census at so early a period as was contemplated.

It being alleged however, that there is reason to suppose the late census not accurately taken, on account of an unwillingness in many heads of families, from a misapprehension of the object in view, to make a true declaration of the number of their respective households; --It being likewise thought necessary to give those States, which now labor under a disadvantage, from unrepresented fractions of people, to gain an equivalent advantage from the increase of population-the motion was negatived.

It was then agreed, that the next enumeration shall commence on the 1st Monday of January, in the year 1796, and be closed within 6 calendar months: after which, the returns shall be made to the President of the United States by the marshals of the several districts, within 2 calendar months. The marshals are, in their returns, to note the Sexes and colours of the free persons, and to distinguish the free males of sixteen years from those under that age. In other particulars, the marshals and their assistants are to be bound by like oaths, vested by like powers, governed by like regulations, subjected to like penalties and recoveries, and entitled to like compensations, as prescribed by the former act.

A motion made by Mr. Hillhouse to amend the third section, by limiting the representation [from the third of March 1797] to 100 members to be appointed among the several States, according to their respective numbers-- was, without any debate, negatived; after which,

The Committee reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again.

SENATE-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20.

The House by message, informed the Senate that The PRESIDENT of the U. S. had signed the Post- Office Act.

Messrs. Sherman, Langdon, and Strong,were chosen a committee,

on the part of the Senate, to confer with a committee of the House on the business necessary to be done the present session- that the same may be regulated, so as to close the session by the first Tuesday in April. [The House has concurred.]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEB. 21.

The REPRESENTATION BILL. was read a third time, and passed. Yeas 34. Nays 16.

The third section of this Bill enacts, that after the 3d of March, 1797, the Representatives shall be elected in the several States at the ratio of one for every 30,000 persons in each State.

VACANCY BILL.

The Senate informed the House, by message, that they had agreed to all the amendments proposed by the House to the Bill relative to the election of a President and Vice President, and declaring what Officer shall act as President, in case of double vacancy, except one; from which the House on motion, receded. For receding 31-against it 24.--[The Bill now provides that the President of the Senate, pro tem. or in case there shall be no President of the Senate, then the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall be the officer to act as President.]

THE MILITIA BILL

Then came under consideration of the Committee of the whole.

Various amendments were suggested--agreed to or negatived--among the latter was one to substitute sixty forty instead of "forty five years," as the utmost age for militia duty; and to alter the age of 18 years to some more advanced period, for the commencement of militia duty.

A motion was made to strike out the clause which obliges every militia man to arm and accoutre himself, but this was not acted upon:

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22.

The House adjourned for the purpose of complimenting THE PRESIDENT, on the anniversary of his Birth Day.

Mr. Gerry read, and laid on the table, a motion that a Committee be appointed to bring in a Bill for reducing the rates of postage on newspapers, [Every patriot in the United States must feel himself indebted to this gentleman for his attention to this business, and for his Zeal to effect the alleviation of a measure justly pronounced "ODIOUS."]

A Resolution respecting a debt due to the estate of Gen. Greene, for supplies for the southern army, was debated, but no decision had on the question.