Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

CONGRESS.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THURSDAY, March 13

Mr. Nicholas made a motion, that it be Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, two thirds of both houses concurring, That the following articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the constitution of the United States.

That, After the third of march in the year one thousand eight hundred and one, the choice of Electors of President and Vice President shall be made by dividing each State into a number of districts equal to the number of electors to be chosen in such State, and by the persons in each of those districts who shall have the qualifications required for electors of the most numerous branch of the Legislature of such State choosing one Elector in the manner in which the Legislature thereof shall prescribe.

That the election of Representatives to Congress, who are to serve after the third day of March, in the year one thousand eight hundred and three, shall be by dividing each State into a number of districts equal to the number of representatives to which such State shall be entitled, and by the people within each of those districts who shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the legislature of such State choosing one representative in the manner which the legislature thereof shall prescribe.

Ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. D. Foster, from the Committee of Claims, made a report on the petition of Beriah Norton, agent for the inhabitants of Martha's Vineyard, who requested that Congress would grant him assistance to pursue a claim for supplies furnished to the British Government during the revolutionary war—The report states, that if any aid from the Department of State be requisite and proper to be afforded, there can be no doubt, on making application it would be extended—but that it would not be expedient for Congress to make a grant of money to prosecute a private claim of this nature.

On motion of Mr. Waln, a petition of sundry merchants and traders of the city of Philadelphia, relative to the piers in the river Delaware, presented at the last session, was referred to the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures.

Mr. Claiborne, from the Select Committee to whom was recommitted the petition of Cato West and others, of the Mississippi territory, together with sundry resolutions, abridging the power of the governor of that territory—made report that it would be inexpedient to adopt the said resolutions. The report was read a first and second time and committed for to-morrow.

Mr. Griswold, from the Committee of Revisal and unfinished business, reported "a bill providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations," which was read a first and second time and committed for to-morrow.

Mr. G. from the said committee, to whom was referred the amendments of the Senate to the bill declaring the assent of Congress to certain acts of the States of Maryland and Georgia, reported that it would be proper the house concur. The report was agreed to.

Mr. Marshall presented a petition of William Tazewell, Secretary to Mr. Gerry, while envoy at Paris, praying that the Secretary of state may be authorized to liquidate and settle his account for travelling expenses from Paris to Holland and London, in an official capacity—and for sundry articles plundered from him while on his passage to this country, having been captured and carried into Spain. Referred to a select committee.

Mr. M. also presented a petition of Joseph Abrams, formerly a post rider in the State of Virginia, praying to be allowed a balance due him by the old government. Referred to the post master General.

Mr. Fowler presented a petition of Obadiah Scott, of the State of Kentucky, praying the remission of a duty he was obliged to pay while his still remained unemployed from unavoidable necessity.—Referred to the Secretary of the Treasury.

On motion of Mr. Platt, the petition of John Little, praying to be placed on the pension list, heretofore presented, was referred to the committee of claims.

Mr. Evans presented a petition of Robert Yates, representing himself to be brother and heir of Bartholomew Yates, deceased, [that certain lands] may be granted him. Referred to the committee of claims.

The bill for the government of the marine corps, while on shore, was, on motion of Mr. Otis re-committed to a select committee.

Mr. H. Lee asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Page, for three weeks.

A message was received from the Senate, by Mr. Otis their Secretary, informing the house, that the Senate had passed the bill intituled "An act to allow a drawback of duties on goods exported to New Orleans, and therein to amend the act intituled "an act for regulating the collection of duties on imports and tonnage"—with an amendment, to which they request the concurrence of this house.

The house went into committee of the whole on the bill for removing any military force of the United States from the places of holding elections—after amending the bill, it was agreed to, and ordered to be engrossed and read a third time to-morrow.

The house went into committee of the whole on the bill to alter the times of holding the district courts in North Carolina, which was agreed to without amendment, and ordered to be engrossed and read a third time to-morrow.

The house went into committee of the whole on the report of the select committee, appointed to consider and report on the expediency of amending the judiciary system of the North Western Territory: and also on the expediency of dividing said territory into two distinct and separate governments—when the resolution reported by the committee, recommending a division of the territory was agreed to. The committee then rose, and upon the question, will the house agree with the committee in their agreement to the said resolution, a long debate ensued, and the house adjourned without taking a question upon it.