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Congressional Register.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

WEDNESDAY, November 14.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from Duncan M'Farland, relating to the contested election of Mr. Purviance from N. Carolina, referred to the Committee of Elections.

The Speaker also laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of the Navy enclosing a report on the navy pension fund, which was ordered to be printed.

Dr. Mitchell presented a memorial from Wm. Dunbar of the Mississippi territory on the subject of his claim to a certain tract of land at Natchez—referred to the Committee appointed on the same subject during the present session.

Mr. Crowningshield presented the Petition of Simeon Noyes, an old revolutionary soldier and non-commissioned officer, who was disabled in the service by wounds and sickness, who altho' admitted on the pension list by the judges in 1792 has never received any assistance from the United States, and praying a pension may be allowed him to enable him to support himself, his wife and eight children.—On motion the petition was referred to a select committee of three, but on the suggestion of Mr. F. C. Smith, the motion was re-considered, and it was referred to the Committee of Claims.

Gen. Varnum moved that the committee be instructed to consider at large the subject relative to invalid pensions, and the situation of all persons who were wounded or disabled in the service of the United States, during our revolutionary war with Great-Britain, and what further measures are necessary to render them that ample remuneration as justice may require—Ordered, that the committee be instructed accordingly.

Gen. Varnum presented a petition from Paul Noyes, praying for the payment of a balance due to him, for military equipments furnished the army during the years 1778, 9, 80 and 81— referred to the committee of Claims.

Mr. Eppes presented a petition from a number of the inhabitants of Alexandria in the territory of Columbia, praying for an alteration in their charter—Referred to a committee of three.

Dr. Leib mentioned to the House the condition in which the public buildings (the arsenal at Philadelphia) the property of the United States were, one of the sections was raised to the first floor, and some other parts were left unfinished, indeed all the uncovered parts of the buildings were more or less suffering dilapidation or going to decay: he thought it would be found prudent to finish them in order to preserve them. He therefore moved that a committee be appointed to enquire into the expediency of making provision by law for the completion of the public buildings belonging to the United States, near Philadelphia. Referred to a select committee of three members.

Mr. Lucas presented the petition of Susanna Taylor on the behalf of the children of her late husband Mr. Fullop, a lieutenant in the 11th Pennsylvania regiment praying that a warrant for 300 acres of land, the donation of the old Congress to officers of his rank, might issue. An enquiry had been made at the War Office into this subject: but it was rendered incomplete by the burning of the papers, however it did appear that a warrant had already issued on this account, but inasmuch as it had never reached those whose property it was; upon the issue of a second, Mrs. Taylor offers to indemnify the United States against the same, if it should ever appear. Referred to the committee of Claims.

Mr. Rodney presented a petition from John Crawford, an old soldier of 1776 In the Delaware regiment, and afterwards engaged in the sea service, who was twice wounded, and three times taken prisoner, twice he was confined on board the prison ships at New-York, and once at Halifax. Mr. R. wished some general regulation could be speedily made for the small remnant of this brave and meritorious, tho' neglected and suffering class of our fellow citizens. The petition was referred to the committee of Claims.

Mr. G. W. Campbell moved to instruct the committee appointed on that part of the President's Message which relates to an enlargement of the capital employed in commerce with the Indian tribes, to enquire into what alterations and amendments are necessary to the laws regulating trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes, and preserving peace on the frontiers, with leave to report by bill or otherwise. Agreed to.

Adjourned.

Thursday, November 15, 1804.

Mr. M. Clay presented the petition of the stockholders of the Alexandria Marine Insurance Company, praying to be authorized to make insurance on houses, &c. from loss by fire; referred to a select committee of three.

Mr. F. Randolph presented a petition from Joseph Jackson and Charles Spencer, executors of Doctor William Carter, stating that he was entitled by his services, during our revolutionary war in the hospital department to certain lands; but legislative aid being necessary to enable them to obtain the same, they pray Congress to consider the case, and do what justice requires. Referred to the committee of Claims.

Mr. J. Randolph moved the order of the day on the bill making further appropriation for carrying into execution the treaty between the United States and Great Britain.

Mr. J. C. Smith in the chair.

The blank was filled with 70,000 dollars, the committee then rose and reported the bill.

The House agreed to the same as reported, and ordered it to be engrossed for a third reading to-morrow.

A message from the President of the United States was received, accompanied by the report of the Secretary of the Navy communicating the documents requested by the House relative to the affair of the Intrepid Ketch under the command of captain Decatur, who it was announced had been promoted to the rank of captain in the navy of the United States. Ordered to be printed.

Mr. Sloan presented a petition from a number of the inhabitants of the townships of Weymouth, Galloway and Egg Harbour in New-Jersey, praying the establishment of a post road through the same. Referred to the Committee on post offices and roads.

Mr. Alston moved to refer the act of N. Carolina authorizing the state of Tennessee to perfect titles to lands reserved to that state by the cession act to a select committee of five, with leave to report by bill or otherwise. Agreed.

Dr. Mitchill made a report from the committee of Commerce and Manufactures on the petition of the Slate Companies of New-York and Dutchess counties, concluding that any additional duty on imported slate at this time will be inexpedient. The general principle upon which this report was bottomed, being of considerable importance, and likely to excite discussion, he moved to refer it to a committee of the whole, and that it be made the order for Tuesday next: agreed, and in the mean time ordered to be printed.

Mr. Newton stated a fact relative to a citizen of Georgia, who had been sued in that state; but the creditor finding the citizen was coming to Washington, dismissed his suit there, and procured his arrest here; The debtor as a stranger for want of bail must have gone to prison, but through the humanity of the marshal who accompanied him to several places in the territory in search of a friend, the debtor was fortunate enough to procure the requisite security, and thereby avoided the hardships of imprisonment. To prevent in future this species of oppression to which strangers are liable, he moved that a select committee of five be appointed to enquire whether any, and if any, what alterations are necessary to be made in the laws of the district of Columbia relative to holding persons to bail, and that they be authorized to report by bill or otherwise.

A committee of five was appointed accordingly.

On motion of General Stanton, the petition of a number of inhabitants of Westerly in the county of Washington, Rhode-Island, praying that a light-house may be erected on Watch-hill point; and another from Stonington, in connection for a similar purport, was referred to the committee of Commerce and Manufactures with leave to report by bill or otherwise.

Adjourned.