Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith. The House, according to the order of the day, again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the report of the Committee to whom were referred the memorials of the people called Quakers, and of the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery. Mr. Speaker left the chair. Mr. Benson took the chair of the committee. Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Benson reported that the committee had, according to order, again had the said report under consideration, and made several amendments thereto; which he delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same were read, and ordered to lie on the table. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary: Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed the bill, entitled, "An act making appropriations for the support of Government, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety," with several amendments, to which they desire the concurrence of this House: And then he withdrew. The several orders of the day were read, and postponed until to-morrow. TUESDAY, MARCH 23. A memorial of James Wilson, on behalf of the United Land Companies of the Illinois and Wabash, was presented to the House and read, praying to be permitted to exhibit the documents of the titles of the said companies to certain tracts of Western lands, heretofore purchased by the said companies, under the sanction of lawful authority; and also to make proposals for obtaining the formal and regular confirmation of those titles from the United States. Also, A petition of Adolphus Brower, of the State of New York, praying relief in consideration of losses and injuries sustained in the service of the United States, during the late war. Ordered, That the said memorial and petition do lie on the table. The petitions of Ephraim M'Coy, of the State of Pennsylvania, and of Jacob Acker, of the State of New York, were presented to the House and read, respectively praying relief in consideration of losses or injuries sustained in the service of the United States, during the late war. Ordered, That the said petitions, together with the petitions of Edward Thompson, and John Baylor, executor of George Baylor, which were presented yesterday, be referred to the Secretary of War, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House. The House proceeded to consider the amendments proposed by the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of Government, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety," and the same being read, were amended and agreed to. Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith. Mr. Livermore, from the committee to whom was referred the petition of Richard Wells and Josiah Hart, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary: Mr. Speaker: The Senate disagree to the amendment proposed by this House to their last amendment to the bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of Government, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety," and do adhere to their said amendment. And then he withdrew. On a motion made and seconded that the House do now proceed to consider the amendments made by the Committee of the Whole House, and reported yesterday, to the report of the committee to whom were referred the memorials of the People called Quakers, and of the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery: It was resolved in the affirmative, {Ayes .... .26, Whereupon, the said amendments were read at the Clerk's table: And, On a motion made and seconded that the said report of the committee to whom were referred the memorials of the People called Quakers, and of the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery; and also, the report of the Committee of the Whole House, of amendments to the said report, be inserted in the Journal: It was resolved in the affirmative, Aves Noes .29, .25. The ayes and noes being demanded by one-fifth of the members present, Those who voted in the affirmative, are, "The committee to whom were referred sundry memorials from the People called Quakers; and also, a memorial from the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery, submit the following report: That, from the nature of the matters contained in those memorials, they were induced to examine the powers vested in Congress, under the present Constitution, relating to the abolition of slavery, and are clearly of opinion, First. That the General Government is expressly restrained from prohibiting the importation of such persons "as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, until the year one thousand eight hundred and eight.' Secondly. That Congress, by a fair construction of the Constitution, are equally restrained from interfering in the emancipation of slaves, who already are, or who may, within the period mentioned be, imported into, or born within any of the said States. Thirdly. That Congress have no authority to interfere in the internal regulations of particular States, relative to the instruction of slaves in the principles of morality and religion; to their comfortable clothing, accommodations, and subsistence; to the regulation of their marriages, and the prevention of the violation of the rights thereof, or to the separation of children from their parents; to a comfortable provision in cases of sickness, age, or infirmity; or to the seizure, transportation, or sale, of free negroes; but have the fullest confidence in the wisdom and humanity of the Legislatures of the several States, that they will revise their laws from time to time, when necessary, and promote the objects mentioned in the memorials, and every other measure that may tend to the happiness of slaves. Fourthly. That, nevertheless, Congress have authority, if they shall think it necessary, to lay at any time a tax or duty, not exceeding ten dollars for each person of any de scription, the importation of whom shall be by any of the States admitted as aforesaid. Fifthly. That Congress have authority to interdict, or (so far as it is or may be car ried on by citizens of the United States, for supplying foreigners) to regulate the African trade, and to make provision for the humane treatment of Slaves, in all cases while on their passage to the United States, or to foreign ports, as far as it respects the citi zens of the United States. Sixthly. That Congress have also authority to prohibit foreigners from fitting out vessels, in any port of the United States, for transporting persons from Africa to any foreign port. Seventhly. That the memorialists be informed, that in all cases to which the authori ty of Congress extends, they will exercise it for the humane objects of the memorialists, so far as they can be promoted on the principles of justice, humanity, and good policy." Report of the Committee of the Whole House. "The Committee of the Whole House, to whom was committed the report of the committee on the memorials of the People called Quakers, and of the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery, report the following amendments: Strike out the first clause, together with the recital thereto, and in lieu thereof, insert, "That the migration or importation of such persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, cannot be prohibited by Congress, prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight." Strike out the second and third clauses, and in lieu thereof insert, "That Congress have no authority to interfere in the emancipation of slaves, or in the treatment of them within any of the States; it remaining with the several States alone to provide any regulations therein, which humanity and true policy may require." Strike out the fourth and fifth clauses, and in lieu thereof insert, "That Congress have authority to restrain the citizens of the United States from carrying on the African trade, for the purpose of supplying foreigners with slaves, and of providing by proper regulations for the humane treatment, during their passage, of slaves imported by the said citizens into the States admitting such importation." Strike out the seventh clause." Ordered, That the said report of the Committee of the Whole House do lie on the table. The several orders of the day were read, and postponed until to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24. A petition of Christian Kuhn was presented to the House and read, praying relief in consideration of a wound received in the service of the United States, during the late war, which has disabled him from obtaining a livelihood by labor. Ordered, That the said petition, together with the petition of Rufus Hamilton, which was presented on the 17th instant, be referred to the Secretary of War, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House. Ordered, That the memorial of James Wilson, on behalf of ths United Land Companies of Illinois and Wabash, which was presented yesterday, be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House. The Speaker laid before the House a letter and reports from the Secretary of War, on the petition of David Oliphant and John Rogers, on behalf of himself and others, which were read, and ordered to lie on the table. The House proceeded to consider the reports of the Secretary of War, on the petitions of David Cook and Ezra Smith: Whereupon, Ordered, That the said reports be committed to Mr. Burke, Mr. Trumbull, and Mr. Thatcher. The House proceeded to re-consider the third amendment adhered to by the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for the Support of Government, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety: Whereupon, Resolved, That this House doth recede from their disagreement to the said amend ment. Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith. The House proceeded to consider the amendment proposed by the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act to provide for the remission or mitigation of Fines, Forfeitures, and Penalties, in certain cases:" Whereupon, Resolved, That this House doth disagree to the said amendment, and desire a conference with the Senate on the subject matter thereof. Ordered, That Mr. Ames, Mr. Huntington, and Mr. Jackson, be appointed managers at the said conference, on the part of this House. Another member from North Carolina, to wit, John Baptist Ashe, appeared, produced his credentials, and took his seat in the House, the oath to support the Constitution of the United States being administered to him by Mr. Speaker, according to law. An engrossed bill providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations was read the third time, and ordered to be recommitted to Mr. Sedgwick, Mr. Huntington, and Mr. Lee. The several orders of the day were read, and postponed until to-morrow. THURSDAY, MARCH 25. Mr. Gilman, from the Joint Committee for Enrolled Bills, reported that the committee had examined two enrolled bills, one entitled "An act to establish an Uniform Rule of Naturalization;" the other entitled "An act making appropriations for the Support of Government, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety;" and had found the same to be truly enrolled: Whereupon, Mr. Speaker signed the said enrolled bills. Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith. Ordered, That Mr. Floyd have leave to be absent from the service of this House until this day fortnight. On motion, Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a bill or bills further to suspend part of an act, entitled "An act to regulate the Collection of the Duties imposed by law on the Tonnage of ships or vessels, and on Goods, Wares, and Merchandises, imported into the United States; and that Mr. Lee, Mr. Cadwalader, and Mr. Seney, do prepare and bring in the same. A petition of May Wooster was presented to the House and read, praying to be allowed interest on the pension granted her by the former Congress, as widow of the late General Wooster. Also, A petition of Ichabod Johnson and others, late seamen and mariners in the Navy of the United States, praying to be granted the wages and allowances promised them by resolutions of the late Congress. Ordered, That the said petitions, together with the petition of Adolphus Brower, which was presented on Tuesday last, be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary: Mr. Speaker: The Senate agree to the conference desired by this House on the subject-matter of the amendment depending between the two Houses to the bill, entitled "An act to provide for the remission or mitigation of Fines, Forfeitures, and Penalties, in certain cases ;" and have appointed managers at the same on their part. And then he withdrew. The several orders of the day were read, and postponed until to-morrow. FRIDAY, MARCH 26. A memorial of the officers of the late Navy of the United States was presented to the House and read, praying to be allowed the half pay and other emoluments granted to the officers of the Army. Also, A petition of the merchants and traders of the town of Portsmouth, in the State of New Hampshire, praying that Congress will adopt measures to prevent foreigners from carrying the commodities of the continent to any port or place where the citizens of the United States are prohibited from carrying them; and also, that the District and Circuit Courts of New Hampshire may be held in the said town of Portsmouth. Ordered, That the said memorial and petition do lie on the table. Mr. Lee, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill further to suspend part of an act, entitled "An act to regulate the Collection of the Duties imposed by law on the Tonnage of ships or vessels, and on Goods, Wares, and Merchandises, imported into the United States;" which was received and read the first time. On motion, Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do provide a book, in which each member shall enter his account of compensation, for travelling to and from the seat of Government, and attendance, previous to obtaining the Speaker's certificate for the same. The House then, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill "to prevent the exportation of goods not duly inspected according to the laws of the several States." Mr. Speaker left the chair. Mr. Boudinot took the chair of the committee. Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Boudinot reported that the committee had, according to order, had the said bill under consideration, and made an amendment thereto, which he delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same was twice read, and agreed to by the House. Ordered, That the said bill, with the amendment, be engrossed, and read the third time on Monday next. Mr. Gilman, from the Joint Committee for Enrolled Bills, reported, that the committee did, yesterday, wait on the President of the United States, and present him with two enrolled bills, one entitled "An act to establish an Uniform Rule of Naturalization ;" the other entitled "An act making appropriations for the Support of Government, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety;" for his approbation. The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act to accept a cession of the claims of the State of North Carolina to a certain district of Western territory." Mr. Speaker left the chair. Mr. Boudinot took the chair of the committee. Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Boudinot reported that the committee had, according to order, had the said bill under consideration, and made an amendment thereto; which he delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same was twice read, and agreed to by the House. Ordered, That the said bill, with the amendment, be read the third time on Monday next. The several orders of the day were read, and postponed until Monday next. MONDAY, MARCH 29. An engrossed bill to prevent the Exportation of Goods not duly inspected according to the laws of the several States was read the third time. Resolved, That the said bill do pass, and that the title be, "An act to prevent the Exportation of Goods not duly inspected according to the laws of the several States." Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said bill to the Senate, and desire their concurrence. The bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act to accept a cession of the claims of the State of North Carolina to a certain district of Western territory," was read the third time.. Resolved, That the said bill do pass, with the following amendment : In the first line strike out the words "The honorable." Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith, and desire their concurrence to the said amendment. A bill "further to suspend part of an act, entitled "An act to regulate the Collection of the Duties imposed by law on the Tonnage of ships or vessels, and on Goods, Wares, and Merchandises, imported into the United States," was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next. On motion, Ordered, That so much of the petition of the merchants and traders of the town of Portsmouth, in the State of New Hampshire, as prays that Congress will adopt measures to prevent foreigners from carrying the commodities of this continent to any port or place where the citizens of the United States are prohibited from carrying them, be referred to Mr. Boudinot, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Ashe, Mr. Parker, Mr. Smith, of Maryland, Mr. Clymer, Mr. Vining, Mr. Benson, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Goodhue, and Mr. Foster; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. Ordered, That such other part of the said petition as prays that the District and Circuit Courts of New Hampshire may be held in the said town of Portsmouth, be referred |