that an exclusive patent may be granted him for manufacturing shell buttons, of different dimensions, the art of doing which he has lately discovered. Also, a petition of sundry inhabitants of that part of the State of New Jersey known by the name of East New Jersey, praying that the District Court of the United States, to be held within the said State, may be fixed at Perth Amboy, as a place most central and convenient to the inhabitants of the said State at large. Ordered, That the said petitions do 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 sent from the Senate, entitled "An act to establish the Judicial Courts of the United 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 some progress therein. Resolved, That this House will, on Monday next, again resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the said bill. The order of the day for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill for establishing a land office in and for the Western Territory, was read, and postponed until Monday next. And then the House adjourned until Monday morning 10 o'clock. MONDAY, AUGUST 31. An engrossed bill 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 third time, and, on motion, ordered to be committed to Mr. Goodhue, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Bland, with instruction to the said committee, that they do insert a clause or clauses for establishing Bath and Frenchman's Bay, in the State of Massachusetts, ports of delivery for all foreign vessels. A petition of Hugh Williamson, of the State of North Carolina, on behalf of himself and the citizens of the said State, was presented to the House and read, praying that so much of a late act of Congress as subjects ships or vessels of that State to the same tonnage as is imposed on foreign ships or vessels, may be suspended. Ordered, That the said petition, together with the petition of the commanders of packets plying between Providence and Newport, in the State of Rhode Island, and the city of New York, presented on Friday last, be referred to the committee last appointed; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. Ordered, That Mr. Mathews have leave to be absent from the service of this House until Friday next. 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 establish the Judicial Courts of the United 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 a further progress therein. Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the said bill. Mr. Partridge, from the Committee for Enrolled Bills, reported that the committee had examined the enrolled bill, entitled "An act for registering and clearing vessels, regulating the coasting trade, and for other purposes,” and had found the same to be truly enrolled: Whereupon, Mr. Speaker signed the said enrolled bill. The order of the day for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill for establishing a land office in and for the Western territory, was read, and postponed until to-morrow. And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1. Mr. Partridge reported, from the Committee for Enrolled Bills, that the committee did this day, jointly with the committee of the Senate, wait on the President of the United States, and present him with two enrolled bills, one entitled "An act to establish the Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed a bill, entitled "An act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States," to which they desire the concurrence of this House. The Senate have also passed the bill, entitled "An act for allowing a compensation to the members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, and to the officers of both Houses," with several amendments, to which they desire the concurrence of this House. And then he withdrew. The House proceeded to consider the report from the Committee of Elections, of the eighteenth of August last, relative to the petition of a number of the citizens of the State of New Jersey, complaining of the illegality of the election of the members holding seats in this House, as elected within that State, which lay on the table; and having made some progress therein, Ordered, That the further consideration of the said report be put off until to-morrow. The orders of the day for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill for establishing a land-office in and for the Western Territory; also, on the bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act to establish the Judicial Courts of the United States;" were read, and postponed until to-morrow. And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2. Several petitions of the inhabitants of Philadelphia, Bucks, and Montgomery counties, in the State of Pennsylvania, were presented to the House and read, praying that the permanent seat of Congress may be established at the place known by the name of Old Philadelphia, on the West side of the river Delaware. Ordered, That the said petitions do lie on the table. Mr. Goodhue reported, from the committee to whom was committed the engrossed bill 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," that the committee had, according to order, had the said bill under consideration, and made no amendment thereto. Ordered, That the said bill be again engrossed, and read the third time to-morrow. On motion, Ordered, That the memorial of the public creditors in the State of Pennsylvania, presented on Friday last, which lay on the table, be referred to Mr. Madison, Mr. Vining, and Mr. Boudinot; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. The House resumed the consideration of the report from the Committee of Elections, touching the petition of a number of the citizens of the State of New Jersey, complaining of the illegality of the election of the members holding seats in this House, as elected within that State: Whereupon, A motion being made and seconded that the House do agree to the following resolu tion: "Resolved, That it appears to this House, upon full and mature consideration, that James Schureman, Lambert Cadwalader, Elias Boudinot, and Thomas Sinnickson, were duly elected and returned to serve in this House, as Representatives for the State of New Jersey, in the present Congress of the United States:" It was resolved in the affirmative. The House proceeded to consider the amendments proposed by the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act for allowing a compensation to the members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, and to the officers of both Houses:" Whereupon, Resolved, That this House doth disagree to the first, second, and third amendments, and doth agree to all the other amendments to the said bill. Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith. A message was received from the President of the United States, notifying that the President approves of two acts, one entitled "An act for registering and clearing vessels, regulating the coasting trade, and for other purposes;" and the other, entitled 'An act to establish the Treasury Department;" and has affixed his signature thereto, to wit: to the former on the first, and to the latter on the second instant. And the messenger delivered in the said acts, and then withdrew. Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith. The bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States," was read the first time. Ordered, That Mr. Sedgwick have leave to be absent from the service of this House for the remainder of the session. The orders of the day for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill for establishing a Land-Office, in and for the Western Territory; also, on the bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act to establish the Judicial Courts of the United States;" were read, and postponed until to-morrow. And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3. An engrossed bill 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 third time, and the blanks therein filled up. Resolved, That the said bill do pass, and that the title be, "An act 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." Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said bill to the Senate, and desire their concurrence. The Speaker laid before the House a letter from George Walton, Esquire, Governor of the State of Georgia, enclosing returns of the imports and exports of that State. Ordered, That the said letter, with its enclosures, do lie on the table. The bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States," was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday se'nnight. On motion, Resolved, That this House will immediately resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to take into consideration the motion, presented on Thursday last, for establishing the permanent residence of Congress. The House accordingly resolved itself into the said committee. 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 motion 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 motion. The orders of the day for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill for establishing a Land Office in and for the Western Territory; also, on the bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act to establish the Judicial Courts of the United States;" were read, and postponed until to-morrow. And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4. A petition of James Gibbon, of Petersburg, in Virginia, was presented to the House, and read, praying that his claim for military services, rendered during the late war, may be liquidated and satisfied. Ordered, That the said petition do lie on the table. A petition of certain non-commissioned officers and soldiers, invalid pensioners of the State of Pennsylvania, was presented to the House and read, praying relief, in consideration of the payment of their pensions being stopped by an act of the Legislature of that State. Ordered, That the said petition, together with the petitions of sundry other invalid pensioners, presented during the present session, be referred to Mr. Heister, Mr. Wadsworth, and Mr. Gilman; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to take into their consideration the motion, presented on the twentyseventh of August last, for establishing the permanent residence of Congress. Mr. Speaker left the chair. Mr. Boudinot took the ehair of the committee. Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Boudinot reported that the committee had, according to order, had the said motion 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 motion. The orders of the day for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill for establishing a Land Office in and for the Western Territory; also, on the bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act to establish the Judicial Courts of the United States; were read, and postponed until to-morrow. And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5. Mr. Seney, from the committee to whom was referred the memorial of John White, in behalf of himself, John Wright, and Joshua Dawson, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. A petition of Archibald M'Alister was presented to the House and read, praying that his claim for military services, rendered during the late war, may be liquidated and satisfied. Ordered, That the said petition, together with the petition of James Gibbon and William Finnie, which lay on the table, be referred to Mr. Heister, Mr. Wadsworth, and Mr. Gilman; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. A memorial of the Marquis de Chartier de Lotbiniere was presented to the House and read, stating his claim to two manors and seignories, situated at the head of Lake Champlain, and bordering on each bank of the head of the said lake; to the possession of which the United States have succeeded by virtue of the late treaty of peace with Great Britain; and praying that he may receive an equivalent for the same, and a just compensation for the time he has been deprived of the possession thereof. Ordered, That the said memorial do lie on the table. The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to take into their consideration the motion presented on the twenty seventh of August last, for establishing the permanent residence of Congress. 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 motion under consideration, and gone through the same, and come to several resolutions thereupon; which he delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same were read, and partly considered. Ordered, That the farther consideration of the said resolutions be put off until Monday next. The orders of the day for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill for establishing a Land Office in and for the Western Territory, also, on the bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act to establish the Judicial Courts of United States;" were read, and postponed until Monday next. And then the House adjourned until Monday morning eleven o'clock. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7. The Speaker laid before the House a letter from John Lamb, Collector of the port of New York, enclosing a petition from the weighers and measurers of the said port, comthe plaining of the insufficiency of the fees allowed them by law. Ordered, That the said letter and petition do lie on the table. The House resumed the consideration of the resolutions reported by the Committee of the Whole House on Saturday last, for establishing the permanent residence of Congress: Whereupon, The first resolution was, on the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House, in the words following: "Resolved, That the permanent seat of the Government of the United States ought to be fixed at some convenient place as near the centre of wealth, population, and extent of territory, as may be consistent with convenience to the navigation of the Atlantic Ocean, and having due regard to the particular situation of the Western country." The second resolution, in the words following, to wit: VOL. 1.-13. "Resolved, That the permanent seat of the Government of the United States ought to be at some convenient place on the East bank of the river Susquehannah, in the State of Pennsylvania, and that, until the necessary buildings be erected for the purpose, the seat of the Government ought to continue at the city of New York," being under debate, A motion was made and seconded, to amend the said resolution by striking out the words, "East bank of the river Susquehannah, in the State of Pennsylvania," and inserting, in lieu thereof, the words, "North bank of the river Potomac, in the State of Maryland." And on the question that the House do agree to the said amendment, The ayes and noes being demanded by one-fifth of the members present, Those who voted in the affirmative, are, A motion was then made and seconded, to amend the said resolution by striking out the word "permanent;" also, after the words," ought to be at," to strike out to the end of the resolution, and to insert in lieu thereof," the Borough of Wilmington, in the State of Delaware." And on the question that the House do agree to the said amendment, {Ayes .......... It passed in the negative, Noes 19, 32. The ayes and noes being demanded by one-fifth of the members present, Those who voted in the affirmative, are, Abraham Baldwin, Theodorick Bland, Elias Boudinot, Edanus Burke, Lambert Cadwalader, Isaac Coles, Benjamin Contee, Samuel Griffin, James Jackson, Richard Bland Lee, James Madison, junior, George Mathews, Andrew Moore, John Page, Josiah Parker, Thomas Sinnickson, William Smith, of South Carolina, Thomas Sumpter, and John Vining. |