New Hampshire Statesman

Congress of the United States.
MONDAY Jan. 10. 1825.
IN SENATE.—Mr. Barbour from the committee on Foreign Relations, reported a bill for the SUPPRESSION OF PIRACY, &c.
The Committee state in the report which preceded the bill,
"That our commerce, for years, has been harrassed, and the lives of our citizens destroyed, by pirates issuing from the Colonies of Spain, in the West Indies, is a fact derived not only from the Message of the President but is of universal notoriety. These outrages have been so long and so often repeated, and marked with such atrocious circumstances, that a detail of the particular Cases would be as impracticable as unnecessary. Our government, with a view to protect our citizens, has resorted to the means within their power, by stationing a naval force near the places where the pirates resort—a measure also pursued by other powers. Every effort, heretofore, has been unavailing, to put an end to these atrocities.—These desperadoes, acquiring confidence from impunity, becoming more ferocious from habit, and multiplying by recruits from the most abandoned of other nations, threaten the most disastrous mischief justly alarming to that highly valuable and most respectable portion of our fellow citizens whose pursuits are on the high seas. It is manifest as well from facts derived from other sources as from the Message of the President, that the continuance of this evil is ascribable to the asylum afforded the banditti in the colonies of Spain. The government of the United States, cherishing the most amicable disposition towards Spain, has presented the subject with great earnestness to the Spanish government, demanding reparation for the past and security for the future. To these reiterated remonstrances no answer was returned till that has been obtained is a promise of a satisfactory answer to the applications of the government of the United States: Although Spain has been solemnly warned, that if she did not promptly acquit herself of her obligations to us on this subject, our government would be constrained, from the nature of the outrages, to become its own avenger, and availing itself of its own resources, protect the commerce and the lives of the American citizens from destruction. In the same spirit of conciliation, an appeal has been made to the local authorities, accompanied with a request, that if from weakness they were unable to exterminate the hordes of banditti who took shelter from pursuit within their territories, that permission might be given to our forces to pursue them on land.
"This has been denied, on the vain punctilio of national dignity. The posture in which Spain now stands, is that of connivance in these injuries, or incapacity to prevent them. A sovereign who refuses to cause reparation to be made of the damage caused by his subject, or to punish the guilty, or in short to deliver him up, renders himself an accomplice in the injury, and becomes responsible for it. If the committee were of opinion that the refusal, on the part of Spain was wilful, and not the result of inability, they would with a full view of all the consequences which the measure involves, at once recommend an appeal to the last resort of nations against Spain and all her dependencies. But believing, as they do, that courtesy requires that her refusal to do justice should be placed on the ground of inability—an inability resulting from causes which the committee intentionally forbear to enumerate, they content themselves with recommending only such measures as are believed to be indispensible effectually to reach the mischief. And hence they beg leave to present a bill with suitable provisions for the end designed."
The bill was read twice, and assigned for Thursday next.
A bill from the House "to authorize the occupation of the Oregon river," was reported without amendment.
The Message from the President on his accounts, &c. (the same as that received in the House on Friday) was received and after a short conversation between Messrs. Hayne, Smith, Kelly and Barbour, on the destination it ought to have was laid on the table, to be taken up hereafter.
IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT
The bill for abolishing imprisonment for debt, after some remarks by Messrs. Noble and Johnson, was recommitted for amendment—Ayes 23. Nocs 21.
After the consideration of Executive Business the Senate
Adj.
TUESDAY, Jan. 11.
Several local and private papers were disposed of.
Mr. Holmes, Maine, reported a bill to provide for the security of public money in the hands of clerks, attorneys, marshals &c. which was read a first time.
A bill to authorize the President to cause a road to be marked out from the West frontier of Missouri to the confines of New-Mexico, was reported and read a first time.
On motion of Mr. Brown, a committee was instructed to report on the expediency of making an appropriation for constructing a road from Wheeling, in Virginia, to St. Louis in Missouri.
DRAWBACK ON CORDAGE.
The bill for allowing a drawback on the exportation of Cordage manufactured from foreign hemp, after some explanations from Messrs. Ruggles and D'Wolf, was amended, and made the order of the day for tomorrow.
A bill making compensation to the persons appointed to deliver the votes for President and vice President, was ordered to be engrossed.
Mr. Johnston, of Louisiana, submitted the following resolution for consideration:
Resolved, That the Committee on Naval Affairs be instructed to enquire into the expediency of purchasing a steam ship or vessel of large size, capable of carrying a great number of men and boats, to be employed on the coast of Cuba and in the gulph of Mexico for the suppression of piracy.
Adj.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, Jan. 10.
The Speaker laid before the House two communications from the Secretary of the Treasury, made agreeably to orders of the House. [One of them gave the amount paid as indemnity for losses during the late war, agreeably to the act of April 9, 1816, viz. $533,153. The other a return of the property on the Niagara frontier as enumerated and estimated by the Assessors of the Direct Tax, viz. Land, 751,464 acres houses 1218, out-houses 535, total value, $3,872,956.]
The communications were laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.
UNIVERSAL LEXICON
The committee of Ways and Means reported a bill to authorize Noah Webster to import into the United States his work on Languages, at a rate of duty therein specified.—Read twice.
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENTS.
On motion of Mr. Taylor, of N. Y. the Judicial Committee was directed to report what further legislative provision is necessary for the impartial administration of justice in the Territorial Governments.
DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM.
On motion of Mr. Richards (Delegate from Michigan) the Committee on the petition of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum of Kentucky, was instructed to report on the expediency of extending the aid of the National Legislature to similar Asylums in New-York, Philadelphia, and Detroit.
Niagara Claims. The bill on this subject being called up for a third reading, another animated discussion ensued; when on motion of Mr. Warfield, the further consideration of it was postponed for a week—Ayes 99—Nocs 69.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.
The following Message was read and ordered to be printed:
To the House of Representatives:
I should hasten to communicate to you the documents called for by a resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 4th instant, relating to the conduct of the officers of the Navy of the United States, on the Pacific Ocean, and of the public agents in South America, if such a communication might now be made, consistently with the public interest or with justice to the parties concerned. In consequence of several charges which have been alleged against Com. Stewart, touching his conduct, while commanding the squadron of the United States, on that sea, it has been deemed proper to suspend him from duty. and to subject him to trial on those charges. It appearing also, that some of those charges have been communicated to the Department, by Mr. Prevost political agent, at this time of the United States at Peru and heretofore at Buenos Ayres and Chili, and apparently with his sanction, and that charges have likewise been made against him, by citizens of the U. States, engaged in commerce in that quarter, it has been thought equally just and proper that he should attend here, as well to furnish the evidence in his possession, applicable to the charges exhibited against Com. Stewart, as to answer such as have been exhibited against himself. In this stage the publication of these documents might tend to excite prejudices, which might operate to the injury of both. It is important that the public servants, in every station, should perform their duties with fidelity, according to the injunctions of the law, and the order of the Executive in the fulfillment thereof. It is peculiarly so that this should be done by the commanders of our squadrons, especially on distant seas, and by political agents who represent the United States with foreign powers and for reasons that are obvious, in both instances. It is due to their right, and to the character of the government, that they be not censured without just cause, which cannot be ascertained, until, on a view of the charges, they are heard in their defence, and after a thorough and impartial investigation of their conduct. Under these circumstances, it is thought that a communication at this time, of these documents, would not comport with the public interest, nor with what is due to the parties concerned.
JAMES MONROE.
Washington 10th Jan. 1825.
MASSACHUSETTS CLAIM
Mr. Hamilton who had given notice that he should this day call up the consideration of the Claims of Massachusetts for military services during the late war, signified that for the present he would yield to the consideration of those of Georgia; but as soon as those were disposed of he should call up those of Massachusetts.
Mr. Forsyth of Georgia, then stated, that his colleagues believed it to be their duty to present the Claims of Georgia distinctly to the House, and that they would seize the opportunity of the first appropriation bill which should come before the House, to propose an amendment for a provision for paying them.
PENAL LAWS.
On motion of Mr. Webster, the House in committee, resumed the consideration of the bill to provide for the punishment of crimes against the United States.
Mr. P. P. Barbour suggested to the honorable Chairman of the Judicial committee (Mr. Webster) the propriety of so modifying the bill as to provide, that the federal Courts should have cognizance of all cases where punishment was necessary, and where the State courts have no jurisdiction, but that where the State Courts have jurisdiction. there none should be given to the United states. [Mr. B. at some length, pointed out the difficulties which existed in defining where the jurisdiction of the United States ended, and where that reserved to the State begins, and that he conceived that every necessary purpose contemplated by the bill would be subserved, if it should only make provision for the punishment of crimes committed without and beyond the jurisdiction of the several States. Mr. B remarked that no one better knew the difficulty to mark the exact line of jurisdiction, than the gentleman from Massachusetts, and trusted that he would not object to the modifications he wished to offer.]
Mr. Webster replied at some length.
Mr. Barbour remarked, that his difficulty still remained, but he would not, at present, make any motion,
Mr. Webster then suggested the consideration of the remaining sections, when the bill was reported by the committee, with amendments.
Adj.
TUESDAY, Jan. 11.
Estimates of the appropriations necessary for the service of the year 1825, were transmitted and referred.
SUPPRESSION OF PIRACY
Mr. Crowninshield, from the Naval Committee reported an additional bill for the suppression of Piracy. The bill appropriates $500,000 for the object.
Several local and private papers were disposed of.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE ON HIS OWN AFFAIRS,
Mr. Ingham moved to refer this message to a select committee. A long debate and discussion ensued, the report of which occupies nearly seven columns of the National Intelligencer, and in which Messrs. Bartlett, Ingham, Brent, Mercer, M'Lane, M'Coy, Livermore, Hamilton, Cocke, A. Stephenson, Buckingham, Trimble, Farrelly, Reynolds, Forsyth, Livingston, Mangum, Ellis, Warfield, McDuffie, and Lincoln, participated.
The following gentlemen constitute the committee:—Messrs. Ingham, Saunders, Poinsett, F. Johnson, Hayden, Tomlinson and Sloane.
Adj.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 12.
A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to borrow Twelve Millions of dollars, or to exchange a stock of four and one half per cent. for a certain stock bearing a interest of six per cent. was reported by the Committee of Ways and Means, and read twice.
On motion of Mr. Cocke the Committee of Naval Expenditures was instructed to report the expenditure of $195,000, for the contingent expenses of the Navy, and other items and whether the same has been expended according to law.
Numerous resolutions referred to various committees on local subjects, were discussed and adopted.
UNITED STATES PENAL CODE.
The House proceeded to the consideration of the important bill on this subject. Mr. Livingston offered a series of amendments to it embracing many new provisions; when on motion of Mr. Webster, the further consideration of the bill was postponed to Monday next, and the amendments ordered to be printed.
WESTERN NATIONAL ROAD.
The bill for continuation of the Cumberland road was considered in committee of the whole—The blank for the appropriation was filled with $20,000: when the Committee rose and had leave to sit again
Adjourned.
THURSDAY, Jan. 13.
A bill to establish certain Post Roads, and to discontinue others was reported and read twice.
PARDONED CRIMINALS.
The following resolution offered by Mr. Cooky yesterday, and modified by Mr. Webster was adopted—
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to communicate to this House a statement, shewing as far as it may be in his power,
1st. The number that have been convicted since the adoption of the Constitution, of capital offences against the laws of the United States.
2d. The number that have been executed.
3rd. The number that have been pardoned by the President of the United States and of what offences they were convicted.
4th. And also a statement of the number that have been convicted of any particular offence.
CHOICE OF PRESIDENT.
Mr. Wright, of Ohio, presented a resolution for the appointment of a Committee to report Rules to be observed by the House in the choice of President of the United States, if in counting the votes given in by the Electors, it shall appear that no person has received a majority; which was laid on the table.
Cumberland Road Continued. The House in committee resumed the consideration of the bill on this subject; when after debate, on motion of Mr. Clay, the Committee rose reported, and had leave to sit again.
Adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 12.
IN SENATE.—Four bills of a local nature passed.
The Cordage drawback bill, was on motion of Mr. Talbot of Ky. postponed to Monday next.
After passing on several acts, the Senate
Adj.
THURSDAY, Jan 13.
The greatest part of this day was spent with closed doors, on executive business.
Several resolutions, of no general interest were submitted.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.
Mr. Everett, private Secretary of the President, brought in the following Message:
To the Senate of the United States.
In compliance with two resolutions of the Senate, the first of the 21st and the second of the 23d December last, requesting information respecting the injuries which have been sustained by our citizens, by piratical depredations, and other details connected therewith, and requesting also information of the measures which have been adopted for the suppression of piracy, and whether, in the opinion of the Executive, it will not be necessary to adopt other means for the accomplishment of the object; and, in that event. what other means it will be most advisable to recur to, I herewith transmit a report from the Secretary of State, and likewise a report from the Secretary of the Navy, with the documents referred to in each.
On the very important questions submitted to the Executive, as to the necessity of recurring to other more effectual means for the suppression of a practice so destructive of the lives and property of our citizens, I have to observe, that three expedients occur: one. by the pursuit of the offenders to the settled as well as the unsettled parts of the island from whence they issue; another, by reprisal on the property of the inhabitants; and a third, by the blockade of the ports of those islands. It will be obvious that neither of these measures can be resorted to, in a spirit of amity with Spain, otherwise than in a firm belief, that neither the government of Spain. nor the government of either of the islands. has the power to suppress that atrocious practice, and that the United States interpose their aid for the accomplishment of an object which is of equal importance to them as well as to us. Acting on this principle, the facts which justify this proceeding being universally known and felt, by all engaged in commerce in that sea, it may fairly be presumed, that neither will the government of Spain, nor the government of either of these islands, complain of a resort to either of those measures, or to all of them, should such resort be necessary. It is, therefore, suggested, that a power commensurate with either resource be granted to the Executive, to be exercised according to his discretion, and as circumstances may imperiously require. It is hoped that the manifestation of a policy so decisive will produce the happiest result; that it will rid these seas and this hemisphere of this practice. This hope is strengthened by the belief, that the government of Spain and the government of the islands, particularly of Cuba, whose chief is known here, will faithfully cooperate in such measures as may be necessary for the accomplishment of this very important object. To secure such cooperation. will be the earnest desire, and, of course, the zealous and persevering effort of the Executive.
JAMES MONROE.
Washington, 13th January, 1825.
The bill for the security of public money in the hands of Attorneys &c. was discussed. and ordered to lie on the table. Adjourned.