The Massachusetts Spy, And Worcester County Advertiser

Twentieth Congress.
FIRST SESSION.

Thursday, Jan. 3.

HOUSE. Of the petitions presented to-day was one by Mr. Davis, from the Wool Growers and Woollen Manufacturers of Worcester County, Mass. and three others from New York and Pennsylvania, praying for the imposition of additional duties on foreign fabrics, by way of protection to domestic manufactures.

Friday, Jan. 4.

SENATE. A memorial from the Chamber of Commerce of Charleston, S. C. against, and one from Delaware (presented by Mr. President Calhoun) in favor, of an increase of the duty on imposts, were referred to the Committee on Manufactures.

A bill for the relief of F. Larche, of New Orleans, granting a compensation of $800 for a negro slave of the petitioner, who was impressed during the last war, and employed and killed in the service of the U. S. A discussion ensued on the merits of the bill, in which Gen. Chandler inquired, if any other slaves killed under like circumstances had been paid for by the Government? This inquiry was answered in the negative. The bill was ordered to be engrossed.

The bill, to abolish imprisonment for debt was taken up, and a debate of some length ensued.

HOUSE. The bill for the relief of Morigny D'Auterive for remunerating the claimant for the lost time of a slave impressed into the public service at New Orleans, and who was wounded, and also for hospital stores, occasioned a debate in committee of the whole, of great animation, and which turned upon the question, whether it was to be paid for as property lost, from which sprung up the general inquiry whether slaves were property or not. Messrs. Livingston, Owen, Fort, Hamilton and Kremer, warmly contended that they were property; and Messrs. Whittlesey, McCoy and Taylor, contended as decidedly, that they were not.

Monday, Jan. 7.

SENATE. Mr. Johnson, of Kentucky, moved the publication of a document now in the War Office, containing a list of the officers and soldiers of the Revolution who are entitled to Bounty Lands, whereupon some debate arose, which resulted in the adoption of a motion made by Mr. Branch, to refer the propriety and the manner of the publication to the consideration of the Judiciary Committee.

HOUSE. A great many petitions and resolutions were presented and referred. The House resolved itself into Committee of the Whole on the bill for the relief of Marigny D'Auterive. This is the question which occupied the House, in Committee, during part of Friday; a discussion having arisen on the allowance claimed by Mr. Livingston for injury done to a slave. The discussion was resumed with some warmth, and the Committee after some observations by Mr. Wright of New York, Mr. Randolph, Mr. Storrs, and Mr. Drayton, rose, reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again.

Tuesday, Jan. 8.

HOUSE. Mr. Hamilton offered a resolution, to refer to the Committee on the Library to consider the expediency of employing Washington Allston to paint a Picture of the Battle of New Orleans, to be placed in one of the vacant niches in the Rotunda. Mr. Ingersoll moved an amendment, to strike out the name of the artist, and insert 'some suitable artist.' This modification was accepted. Mr. Dwight moved to amend, by adding the battles of Bunker Hill, Monmouth, Princeton, and the attack on Quebec. Mr. Everett also suggested that the resolution be made more general. Mr. Storrs moved to amend the resolution, by making the inquiry embrace any naval actions which might be proper subjects. The House then adjourned.

Wednesday, Jan. 9.

SENATE. A bill was reported, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, for the relief of Mrs. Susan Decatur, widow of the late Com. Stephen Decatur. Several memorials in favor of, and several in opposition to, the Woollens Bill were presented, read and referred.

HOUSE. The House of Representatives was entirely occupied with the resolution offered by Mr. Hamilton on Tuesday, referring it to the Committee on the Library to inquire into the expediency of employing a suitable artist to paint the battle of New Orleans for one of the vacant panels of the rotunda. A great many attempts were made to take away the exclusive character of the resolution, by embracing in it the battles of Monmouth, Bunker Hill, Princeton, Quebec, Bridgewater, Chippewa, and the naval battles on Lake Erie and Lake Champlain, but all of them failed. The resolution was then amended on motion of Mr. Randolph, by making the reference to a Select Committee. The final question, after the Ayes and Noes had been taken five times on the several amendments, was then put, and the resolution was rejected. Ayes 98—Noes 108.

Thursday, Jan. 10.

SENATE. The consideration of the bill abolishing imprisonment for debt was resumed; and, after a long discussion, some amendments were adopted, and the Senate adjourned.

HOUSE. The day was occupied in the discussion of a motion to commit a bill to cancel a bond given for the exportation of certain slaves, and on the bill for the relief of Marigny D'Auterive.