timore, which was presented yesterday, be referred to Mr. Seney, Mr. Vining, and Mr. Parker; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.

A petition of Francis Taylor, was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for military services rendered during the late war.

Ordered, That the said petition, together with the petition of Isaac Mansfield, which was presented yesterday, be referred to the Secretary of War, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

An address and memorial of the People called Quakers, convened at their yearly meeting for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Eastern part of Maryland and Virginia, lately held in Philadelphia, was presented to the House and read, representing their objections to certain provisions of a bill now depending, entitled "A bill more effectually to provide for the National defence, by establishing a uniform Militia throughout the United States."

Ordered, That the said address and memorial do lie on the table.

A bill to continue an act, entitled "An act declaring the assent of Congress to certain acts of the States of Maryland, Georgia, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations," was read the second time, and ordered to be engrossed, and read the third time on Monday next.

A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary:

Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed the bill, entitled "An act supplementary to the act, entitled 'An act making further provision for the payment of the debts of the United States," to which they desire the concurrence of this House. And then he withdrew.

The said bill was read the first time.

The House, according to the order of the day, again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill more effectually to provide for the National defence, by establishing a uniform Militia throughout the United States; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Livermore reported that the committee had, according to order, again had the said bill under consideration, and made a farther progress therein.

Resolved, That this House will, on Monday next, again resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the said bill.

And then the House adjourned until Monday morning eleven o'clock.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 20.

Another member, to wit: Michael Jenifer Stone, from Maryland, appeared and took his seat.

An engrossed bill to continue an act, entitled "An act declaring the assent of Congress to certain acts of the States of Maryland, Georgia, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations," was read the third time, and the blank therein filled up.

Resolved, That the said bill do pass, and that the title be, "An act to continue an act, entitled 'An act declaring the assent of Congress to certain acts of the States of Maryland, Georgia, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations."

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 supplementary to the act, entitled 'An act making farther provision for the payment of the debts of the United States," was read the second time, and ordered to be read the third time to-morrow.

Mr. Benson, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill declaring the officer who, in case of vacancies, both in the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, shall act as President; also, a bill declaring the respective times when the electors to vote for a President of the United States shall be appointed or chosen, and shall give their votes; also, a bill directing the mode in which the lists of the votes for a President shall be transmitted to the Seat of the Government of the United States; which were severally received, and read the first time.

A petition from Barnabas Lucas was presented to the House and read, praying relief in consideration of wounds received in the service of the United States, during the

late war.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Secretary of War, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

A petition of William Robinson was presented to the House and read, praying the renewal of a final settlement certificate, the property of the petitioner, which was lost or destroyed some time in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the committee appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills declaring the mode in which the evidences of the debt of the United States, which have been or may be lost or destroyed, shall be renewed.

A petition of John Miller Russel was presented to the House and read, praying that the additional duty on hemp, imported from foreign countries, may be remitted to him on a quantity of hemp lately imported from Russia, and which was shipped from thence prior to the passing the act imposing the said additional duty. Also,

A petition of sundry merchants and traders of the city of Philadelphia, praying that pier-heads may be erected at the town of Chester, in the river Delaware, for the greater security and accommodation of the trade thereof.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

On a motion made and seconded, that the House do come to the following resolution, to wit:

Resolved, That provision be made for erecting a beacon at the entrance of the port of Georgetown, in the State of South Carolina:

Ordered, That the said motion be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

The House, according to the order of the day, again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill more effectually to provide for the national defence, by establishing a uniform Militia throughout the United States; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Livermore reported that the committee had, according to order, again had the said bill under consideration, and made a farther progress therein.

Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the said bill.

2

And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21.

The bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act supplementary to the act, entitled An act making farther provision for the payment of the debts of the United States," was read the third time; and, on the question that the said bill do pass,

It was resolved in the affirmative.

Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith.

A bill declaring the officer who, in case of vacancies both in the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, shall act as President, was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.

A bill declaring the respective times when the electors to vote for a President of the United States, shall be appointed or chosen, and shall give their votes, was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.

A bill directing the mode in which the lists of the votes for a President shall be transmitted to the Seat of the Government of the United States, was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.

A petition of the corporation of trustees of the public grammar school and academy of Wilmington, in the State of Delaware, was presented to the House and read, praying that compensation may be made for the use of, and the injuries done to, the buildings of the said academy, by the troops of the United States, duting the late

war.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

A memorial and remonstrance of the public creditors who are citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by their committee for that purpose appointed, was presented to the House and read, representing the insufficiency of the provision for the public creditors, made by an act passed at the last session of Congress, entitled “An act inaking provision for the debt of the United States;" and praying that a more adequate provision may now be made.

Ordered, That the said memorial and remonstrance do lie on the table.

A petition of Robert Ford was presented to the House and read, praying relief in consideration of wounds and injuries received in the service of the United States during the late war.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Secretary of War, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

Mr. Sency, from the committee to whom was referred the memorial of sundry inhabitants of the town of Baltimore, praying the establishment of a health office, made a report, which was twice read, and agreed to by the House, as followeth :

"Your committtee have had under their consideration the subject-matter of the said memorial, and are firmly persuaded that the same highly merits the attention of Congress: But being convinced that the regulation prayed by the memorialists, is not only essential for the port aforesaid, but for all others into which considerable imports are made, are of opinion that a law ought to be passed with general provisions in this respect."

Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in pursuant to the said report; and that Mr. Lawrance, Mr. Seney, Mr. Fitzsimons, Mr. Vining, and Mr. Goodhue, do prepare and bring in the same.

The House, according to the order of the day, again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill more effectually to provide for the national defence, by establishing a uniform Militia throughout the United States; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Livermore reported that the committee had, according to order, again had the said bill under consideration, and gone through the same, and made several amendments thereto, which he was ready to report whenever the House should think proper to receive the same.

Ordered, That the said report be received to-morrow.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter and report from the Commissioners appointed by the act passed at the last session of Congress, entitled "An act making provision for the reduction of the public debt;" stating the amount of the purchases which have been made of the public debt, in pursuance of the powers vested in them by the

said act.

Ordered, That the said letter and report do lie on the table.

And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning cleven o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22.

A petition of Simon Summers was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for military services rendered during the late war.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Secretary of War, 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 have appointed Mr. Foster, on their part, to be of the Joint Committee for Enrolled Bills. And then he withdrew.

Ordered, That Mr. Floyd and Mr. Peter Muhlenberg, be of the Joint Committee for Enrolled Bills, on the part of this House; and that the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith.

The House proceeded to consider the amendments, agreed to yesterday by the Committee of the Whole House to the bill more effectually to provide for the national defence, by establishing a uniform Militia throughout the United States, and made some progress therein.

Ordered, That the further consideration of the said amendments be postponed until to-morrow.

And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23.

Another member, to wit: Theodore Sedgwick, from Massachusetts, appeared, and took his seat.

An address of the representatives of the religious society called Quakers, residing in the State of New York and Western parts of New England, was presented to the House and read, representing their objections to certain provisions of a bill now depending, entitled "A bill more effectually to provide for the national defence, by establishing a uniform Militia throughout the United States."

Ordered, That the said address do lie on the table.

Ordered, That the petition of John Churchman, which was presented on Thursday last, be referred to Mr. Huntington, Mr. Madison, and Mr. Heister; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.

Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do communicate to the Senate that this House has received a report from the Secretary of State respecting coins, weights, and measures; and, also, a report from the Secretary of the Treaury, containing a plan for a National Bank; and that he carry attested copies of the said reports to the Senate.

A message, in writing, was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Lear, his Secretary, as follows:

UNITED STATES, December 23, 1790.

Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives:

It appearing, by the report of the Secretary of the Government Northwest of the Ohio, that there are certain cases respecting grants of land within that territory, which require the interference of the Legislature of the United States, I have directed a copy of said report, and the papers therein referred to, to be laid before you; together with a copy of the report of the Secretary of State upon the same subject.

G. WASHINGTON.

The report and papers referred to in the said message were read, and ordered to be sent to the Senate for their information.

The House resumed the consideration of the amendments agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House to the bill "more effectually to provide for the national defence, by establishing a uniform Militia throughout the United States," and made a farther progress therein.

Ordered, That the farther consideration of the said amendments be postponed until

to-morrow.

Mr. Floyd, from the Joint Committee for Enrolled Bills, reported that the committee had examined an enrolled bill, entitled "An act supplementary to the act, entitled 'An act making farther provision for the payment of the debts of the United States," and found the same to be truly enrolled: Whereupon,

Mr. Speaker signed the said enrolled bill.

And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24.

The petitions of Alexander Nelson, attorney in fact for sundry persons, of James Alexander, and William Cottle, were presented to the House and read, respectively praying compensation for services rendered to the United States during the late war. Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Secretary of War, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills to ascertain how far owners of ships and vessels shall be liable to the freighters of goods shipped on board thereof; and that Mr. Fitzsimons, Mr. Foster, and Mr. Silvester, be of the said committee.

A memorial of the People called Quakers, in their annual assembly for the Western Shore of Maryland, and the adjacent parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia, lately convened at Baltimore, was presented to the House and read, stating their objections to certain provisions of a bill now pending, entitled "A bill more effectually to provide for the national defence, by establishing a uniform Militia throughout the United States." Ordered, That the said memorial do lie on the table.

The House resumed the consideration of the amendments agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House to the bill more effectually to provide for the national defence, by establishing a uniform Militia throughout the United States; and, having gone through the same, some were agreed to, others amended and agreed to, and others disagreed to.

On motion,

Ordered, That the said bill, as now amended, be re-committed to Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Giles, and Mr. Tucker.

Mr. Floyd, from the Joint Committee for Enrolled Bills, reported that the committee did, this day, wait on the President of the United States, and present, for his approbation, an enrolled bill, entitled "An act supplementary to the act, entitled An act making further provision for the payment of the debts of the United States." And then the House adjourned until Monday morning eleven o'clock.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 27.

The several petitions of Stephen Clapp, of Samuel Buffinton, attorney to Francis Suzor Delevere, of Daniel Merrill, for himself and others, and of Joshua Orne, for himself and others, were presented to the House and read, respectively praying the settlement of claims against the United States.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Secretary of War, with instruction amine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

A petition of Isaac Osgood and Sons was presented to the House and read, praying that Congress would grant a sum of money, loan, bounty, or other encouragement, to the manufacture of malt-liquors in the United States.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House.

Mr. Fitzsimons, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill to ascertain how far the owners of ships and vessels shall be answerable to the freighters; which was received, and read the first time.

The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, of a farther provision for the establishment of the public credit; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Livermore reported that the committee had, according to order, had the said report under consideration, and come to several resolutions thereupon; which he delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same were severally twice read, and agreed to by the House, as follow:

"Resolved, That an additional duty of eight cents per gallon be imposed on all distilled spirits of common proof, and in the like proportion for all other distilled spirits which, after the day of next, shall be imported into the United States.

Resolved, That, from and after the — day of - next, a duty of eleven cents per gallon be imposed on all spirits of the first class of proof, distilled within the United States from molasses, sugar, or other foreign materials; and also a duty, in like proportion, on like spirits of all other classes of proof.

Resolved, That, from and after the day of next, a duty of nine cents per gallon be imposed on all spirits of the first class of proof, distilled within any city, town, or village, from materials of the growth or production of the United States; and also a duty, in like proportion, on like spirits of all other classes of proof.

Resolved, That, upon each still employed in distilling spirits from materials of the growth or production of the United States, in any other place than a city, town, or village, there be imposed a yearly tax or duty of sixty cents for every gallon, English wine measure, of the capacity of such still, including its head, in lieu of all other rates." Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in pursuant to the said resolutions; and that Mr. Sedgwick, Mr. Trumbull, Mr. Lawrance, Mr. Wynkoop, and Mr. Smith, of Maryland, do prepare and bring in the same.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Whole House be discharged from farther proceeding on the said report.

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills to alter the mode of collecting the duties on wines and teas, and to grant a longer time for the payment of such duties thereon; and that Mr. Sedgwick, Mr. Trumbull, Mr. Lawrance, Mr. Wynkoop, and Mr. Smith, of Maryland, be of the said coumittee.

The House, according to the standing order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Livermore reported that the committee had, according to order, had the state of the Union under consideration, and made some progress therein.

A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary:

Mr. Speaker: I am directed by the Senate to inform this House that the President of the United States has, this day, approved and signed "An act supplementary to the act, entitled 'An act making further provision for the payment of the debts of the United States." And then he withdrew.

Ordered, That a committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills to enable the Collector of the District of Pennsylvania to permit the landing of goods at other places within his district than the port of Philadelphia, when the navigation of the river Delaware shall be obstructed by ice; and that Mr. Fitzsimons, Mr. White, and Mr. Bourn, be of the said committee.

The several orders of the day were postponed until to-morrow.

And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28.

A bill to ascertain how far the owners of ships and vessels shall be answerable to the freighters, was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Friday next.

A memorial and remonstrance of the public creditors, who are citizens of the county of Burlington, in the State of New Jersey, and of the city of Trenton and its vicinity,