Daily National Intelligencer

CONGRESS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FRIDAY, JULY 16

Mr. Nelson reported a bill "supplementary to the act to encourage the destruction of the armed vessels of war of the enemy" (appropriating $3000 to carry it into effect)—which was twice read and committed.

The House resumed the consideration of the bill to lay a duty on imported salt.

After some amendments had been made—

Mr. Macon moved to postpone the further consideration of the bill to the first Monday in November next.

For the motion 51
Against it 85

Further amendments were made, among which was one, on motion of Mr. Yancey, to reduce the duty from twenty to twelve and a half cents per bushel. On motion of Mr. Barnett, this vote was reconsidered; and the question being again taken to agree to the said proposed amendment, was decided in the negative

For the amendment 69
Against it 70

Mr. Wright moved to reduce the duty from twenty to fourteen cents per bushel.

For the motion 55
Against it 74

The title of the bill was then amended so as to read "A bill laying a duty on imported salt; granting a bounty on pickled fish and allowances to certain vessels employed in the fisheries;" and the bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

The engrossed bill laying duties on licenses to retailers of wines, spirituous liquors and foreign merchandize, was read a third time, and passed by the following vote:

For the bill 84
Against it 46

The engrossed bill laying duties on notes of banks, bankers and certain companies; on notes, bonds and obligations discounted by banks, bankers and certain companies; on bills of exchange of certain descriptions; was read a third time; and,

On motion of Mr. Bibb, the bill was ordered to lie on the table.

The House then went into secret session, and so remained until they adjourned.
SECRET PROCEEDINGS.

The House having yesterday, previous to adjournment, removed the injunction of secrecy as to their proceedings the two past days, it appears they were as follows:

Thursday, July 15.

Mr. Stuart submitted the following Preamble and Resolution for consideration:

"Whereas the seat of the general government, from the unprepared and defenceless state of the district of Columbia, is in imminent danger, if an attack should be made thereon; and whereas the fleet of the enemy is understood to be within a few hours sail of the capitol; and whereas the immense value of public property exposed to destruction, the great value of the public records and other deeply interesting considerations render it peculiarly important that any invasion of the metropolis should be met with vigour and successfully repelled; whereupon,

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this House, a distribution of such arms as are in the possession of the government within the district should be immediately made, to be placed in the hands of all able bodied men within the district willing to be embodied liable to perform military duty, and also in the hands of such members of this House as may be willing to receive them, to act against the enemy in any manner not incompatible with their public duties."

And a question being taken whether the subject matter of the said proposition requires secrecy, it was determined in the affirmative.

A motion was made by Mr. Rhea that the said proposition do lie on the table.

For the motion 64
Against it 74

A motion was made by Mr. Gholson, to strike out the preamble, and carried in the affirmative.

A motion was made by Mr. Burwell, to refer the motion to the military committee.

For the motion, 74
Against it, 44

And the doors were then opened.

Friday, July 16.

Mr. Troup, from the Military Committee, made the following report:

The committee on military affairs, to whom was referred a resolution of yesterday, having relation to the present movements of the enemy, report,

That they have examined into the state of preparation, naval and military, made to receive the enemy, and are satisfied that the preparation is in every respect adequate to the emergency, and that no measures are necessary on the part of the House to make it more complete.

On motion of Mr. Grosvenor, the report was ordered to lie on the table.

On motion of Mr. Bibb, the injunction of secrecy was removed from the proceedings of yesterday and to-day.