[1793. Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Theodore Sedgwick, Peter Silvester, Jeremiah Smith, Jonathan Sturges, Thomas Sumpter, George Thatcher, Thomas Tudor Tucker, Abraham Venable, Jeremiah Wadsworth, Alexander White, and Hugh Williamson. Thomas Hartley, James Madison, John Francis Mercer, John Page, and Thomas Tredwell. Ordered, That Mr. Grove be added to the committee appointed the fourteenth of November last, to take into consideration that part of the President's speech which relates to the transmission of newspapers, and report whether any, and what, alterations may be necessary in the act passed last session, for the regulation of the Post Office, in the room of Mr. Steele, excused from serving thereon. Ordered, That Mr. Mercer be added to the committee to whom was re-committed the report of the committee appointed to inquire into the causes of the failure of the expedition under Major General St. Clair. The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock. THURSDAY, JANUARY 17. A petition of John Miller, Conrad Laub, Samuel Boyd, George Weitzel, and James Boyd, was presented to the House and read, praying the liquidation and settlement of certain claims against the United States, for services rendered during 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. The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill to continue in force, for a limited time, and to amend the act, entitled "An act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations;" and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Key reported that the committee had, according to order, had the said bill under consideration, and made no amendment thereto. Ordered, That the said bill be engrossed, and read the third time to-morrow. The House resumed the consideration of the bill to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes, which lay on the table; and the said bill being further amended at the Clerk's table, was, together with the amendments, ordered to be engrossed, and read the third time to-morrow. The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill for determining the Northern boundary of the territory ceded to the United States by the State of North Carolina; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. White 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 to-morrow. ! The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18. An engrossed bill to continue in force, for a limited time, and to amend the act, entitled "An act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations," was read the third time. Resolved, That the said bill do pass, and that the title be, "An act to continue in force, for a limited time, and to amend the act, entitled "An act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations." Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said bill to the Senate, and desire their concurrence. An engrossed bill for determining the Northern boundary of the territory ceded to the United States by the State of North Carolina was read the third time. Resolved, That the said bill do pass, and that the title be, "An act for determining the Northern boundary of the territory ceded to the United States by the State of North Carolina." Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said bill to the Senate, and desire their concurrence. An engrossed bill to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes was read the third time, and the blanks therein filled up. Resolved, That the said bill do pass, and that the title be, "An act to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes." Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said bill to the Senate, and desire their concurrence. Mr. Silvester, from the committee to whom was referred the petition of Ezekiel Scott, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill to compensate John Tucker; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Key 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. On a motion made and seconded, "That a committee be appointed to bring in a bill to make provision of half pay for seven years, to the widows and orphans of such officers of the Army of the United States as have been killed in the service, since the third day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, or who may hereafter be killed in the service of the United States:" Ordered, That the said motion be referred to the consideration of a Committee of the Whole House on Wednesday next. The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the report of the committee to whom was referred the report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the petition of Joseph Henderson; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Steele reported that the committee had, according to order, had the said report under consideration, and directed him to report to the House their disagreement to the same. The House proceeded to consider the said report; and, on the question that the House do agree with the Committee of the Whole House in their disagreement to the same, It passed in the negative. And then the said report being amended at the Clerk's table to read as followeth : Resolved, That there be allowed to Joseph Henderson a yearly salary of one hundred dollars, for his services as Paymaster to the Navy Board for the Eastern Department, from the tenth day of August, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight, to the tenth day of August, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, being four years; and that the officers of the Treasury be authorized to pass the same to his credit and to settle his account accordingly ;" was, on the question put thereon, agreed to by the House. Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in pursuant to the said resolution, and that Mr. Ames, Mr. Benjamin Bourne, and Mr. Clark, do prepare and bring in the same. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary: Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed a bill, entitled "An act respecting fugitives from justice, and persons escaping from the service of their masters" to which they desire the concurrence of this House. And then he withdrew. The several orders of the day were further postponed until Monday next. MONDAY, JANUARY 21. An engrossed bill to compensate John Tucker was read the third time, and ordered to be recommitted to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow. Mr. Williamson, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill for the relief of sick and infirm seamen; which was received, and read the first time. On motion, The said bill was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on this day fortnight. The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill to authorize a loan in the certificates or notes of such States as shall have balances due to them upon a final settlement of accounts with the United States; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Steele reported that the committee had, according to order, had the said bill under consideration, and made some progress therein. On motion, Ordered, That the Committee of the Whole House be discharged from the farther consideration of the said bill, and that it be recommitted to Mr. Fitzsimons, Mr. Sedgwick, and Mr. William Smith. The bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act respecting fugitives from justice, and persons escaping from the service of their masters," was read the first time. On motion, The said bill was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Wednesday next. Mr. Fitzsimons, from the committee to whom was recommitted the bill to authorize a loan in the certificates or notes of such States as shall have balances due to them upon a final settlement of accounts with the United States, reported an amendatory bill; which was received, and read the first time. On motion, The said bill was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the whole House immediately. The House, accordingly, resolved itself into the said Committee; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Steele reported that the committee had, according to order, had the said bill under consideration, and made some progress therein. Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the said bill. The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. TUESDAY, JANUARY 22. A petition of Joseph Lawrence, of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for services as Barrackmaster in the Eastern Department, 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 memorial of the manufacturers of cordage, lines, and pack-thread, of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, was presented to the House and read, praying the attention of Congress to the said manufacture, by repealing the drawback of the duties imposed by law on the re-shipment and exportation of cordage, twine, and packthread, of foreign manufacture; and allowing a drawback of the aforesaid duties on foreign hemp, in case of its being manufactured and reshipped in the United States, or otherwise, as to the wisdom of Congress may seem meet. Ordered, That the said memorial be referred to Mr. Benjamin Bourne, Mr. Goodhue, and Mr. Moore; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of War, accompanying his report on the petition of Thomas Wishart; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. Williamson, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill to promote commerce by the increase of American seamen; which was received, and read the first time. On motion, The said bill was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on this day fortnight. The House proceeded to consider the report of the committee on the petition of Henry Emanuel Lutterloh, made the eighth of May last: Whereupon, Resolved, That the Accounting Officers of the Treasury cause the account of Colonel Henry Emanuel Lutterloh, for his travelling and passage expenses, incurred in coming to America and joining the Army of the United States, in one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven, being seven hundred and forty-six dollars, to be settled, and the amount thereof to be paid out of the Treasury of the United States." Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in, pursuant to the said resolution, and that Mr. Grove, Mr. Schoonmaker, and Mr. Benjamin Bourne, 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 to authorize a loan, in the certificates or notes of such States as shall have balances due to them upon a final settlement of accounts with the United States; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Steele 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. The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25. The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor of Maryland, enclosing a return of the election of William Hindman, to serve as one of the members of this House, for the said State, in the room of Joshua Seney, who has resigned his seat; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table. A petition of William Krow was presented to the House and read, stating that he hath discovered an improvement in the construction of guns, by means of which the same quantity of powder is made to act more powerfully, or a less quantity to produce the same effect, and praying that such reward may be granted him for the said discovery, on examination of its utility, as in the opinion of Congress it shall appcar to de serve. Ordered, That the said petition be referred to Mr. Heister, Mr. Sumpter, and Mr. Ward; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. Ordered, That the report of the committee on the petition of Ezekiel Scott, which lay on the table, be referred to the consideration of a Committee of the Whole House on Saturday next. On a motion made and seconded that the House do come to the following resolutions: Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be laid before this House copies of the authorities under which loans have been negotiated, pursuant to the acts of the fourth and twelfth of August, one thousand seven hundred and ninety, together with copies of the authorities directing the application of the moneys borrowed. Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause this House to be furnished with the names of the persons by whom, and to whom, the respective payments of the French debt have been made in France, pursuant to the act for that purpose; specifying the dates of the respective drafts upon the Commissioners in Holland, and the dates of the respective payments of the debt. A similar statement is requested respecting the debts to Spain and Holland. Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to lay before this House an account exhibiting, half-monthly, the balances between the United States and the Bank of the United States, including the several Branch Banks, from the commencement of those Institutions, to the end of the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two. Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to lay before this House an account of all moneys which may have come into the Sinking Fund, from the commencement of that Institution to the present time; specifying the particular fund from which they have accrued, and exhibiting, half-yearly, the sums uninvested, and where deposited. Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to report to this House the balance of all unapplied revenues at the end of the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, specifying whether in money or bonds, and noting where the money is deposited; that he also make report of all unapplied moneys which may have been obtained by the several loans authorized by law, and where such moneys are now deposited. The said resolutions were severally twice read at the Clerk's table; and, on the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House. Ordered, That the report of the Secretary of War on the petition of Thomas Wishart, which lay on the table, be referred to Mr. Parker, Mr. Gordon, and Mr. Ashe; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. A member in his place laid before the House a letter from the Governor of Kentucky, enclosing a representation from the Legislature of the said State, respecting an adjustment of a claim of that State against the United States, for the expense of certain expeditions against the Indians; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table. The House, according to the order of the day, again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill to authorize a loan in the certificates or notes of such States as shall have balances due to them upon a final settlement of accounts with the United States; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Steele reported that the committee had, according to order, again had the said bill under consideration, and made several amendments thereto; which he delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same were severally twice read, and agreed to by the House. A motion was then made, and seconded, further to amend the said bill at the Clerk's table; and debate arising thereon, An adjournment was called for: Whereupon, The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. THURSDAY, JANUARY 24. A petition of Joseph Smith, of the county of Ontario, in the State of New York, was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for services as a private in the Massachusetts line of the Continental Army, 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 Amelia Cress, widow and exccutrix, and George Cress, executor of Henry Cress, deceased, was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for the loss of the dwelling house of the deceased, which was taken as a guard-house by the American Army, and burnt by the enemy, on the fourth of December, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven. Also, a petition of Ralph Walsh, praying compensation for his services as Inspector of the Revenue at the port of New York: Also, A memorial of Peter Betts, of Norwalk, in the State of Connecticut, praying that the depreciation accruing on a certain sum, in paper currency, which he advanced in the months of January and February, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine, for the purpose of supplying the Continental troops with clothing, may be made good, or such other relief afforded him as may appear equitable and proper. Ordered, That the said petitions and memorial do lie on the table. The House resumed the consideration of the bill to authorize a loan in the certificates or notes of such States as shall have balances due to them, upon a final settlement of accounts with the United States: Whereupon, A motion was made, and the question being put, further to amend the said bill, by adding to the end of the second section the following proviso, to wit: "Provided, That no such notes or certificates shall be subscribable in any name, other than that of the original owner, if living, or if dead, of his legal representative, and except such as are, or may be, transferred by executors, administrators, or assigns, under any bankrupt act, unless accompanied with an affidavit, certified by a magistrate, that the transfer or assignment to the party, in whose name and behalf the subscription |