Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed the bill, entitled "An act providing for raising and organizing a corps of artillerists and engineers." And then he withdrew. The House proceeded to consider the report of the committee to whom was referred the petition of Philip Allen and Zachariah Allen: Whereupon, The resolution submitted to the House by the committee being read, in the words following, to wit: "Resolved, That the Collector of the Customs for the District of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, be authorized and directed to receive no other or higher duties on the goods, wares, and merchandise, imported into the said District, in March last, in the ship Marie Indienne, otherwise called the Abigail, Scott Jenks, master, than would have been payable if the said goods, wares, and merchandise, had been imported in a ship or vessel of the United States,” was, on the question put thereupon, disagreed to by 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 disagreed to by this House, and adhered to by the Senate, to the first section of the bill, entitled "An act to encourage the recruiting service," and have appointed managers at the said conference on their behalf. And then he withdrew. The House resumed the hearing on the trial of the contested election in the case of the petition of Abram Trigg, complaining of an undue election and return of Francis Preston, to serve as a Member of this House for the State of Virginia; and the observations, in writing, of the petitioner, on the depositions and other exhibits in the said case, being read, and the sitting Member fully heard in his defence, the parties retired from the bar. The House then proceeded to a decision on the said contested election; and, after debate thereon, the question being put, that the House do agree to the resolution reported by the Committee of Elections, in the words following, to wit: Resolved, That Francis Preston is not duly elected a Member of this House:" It passed in the negative. The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30. A petition of Samuel Franklin, William T. Robinson, and Abraham Franklin, of the City of New York, merchants, was presented to the House and read, praying that the ship called the Ontario, the property of the petitioners, may be released from the ope ration of the present embargo, and that they may be permitted to send the said ship, together with her cargo, from the port of New York to Canton, in China, the place of her destination. Ordered, That the said petition be referred to Mr. Watts, Mr. Fitzsimons, and Mr. Gilman; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. Mr. William Smith, from the committee to whom were referred two petitions of Spencer Man and Frantz Jacob Foltz, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. New, from the Joint Committee for Enrolled Bills, reported that the committee had examined an enrolled bill, entitled "An act providing for raising and organizing a corps of artillerists and engineers," and had found the same to be truly enrolled: Whereupon, Mr. Speaker signed the said enrolled bill. Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith. Mr. Clark, from the committee to whom was referred the petition of the inhabitants of Post Saint Vincennes, communicated by a written message from the President of the United States of the fifteenth instant, 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 supplementary to "An act to provide for the defence of eertain ports and harbors in the United States;" and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Parker 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. Mr. Hillhouse, from the committee appointed to report a state of facts, with their opinion thereon, relative to a settlement made by the State of North Carolina for certain claims against the United States, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. A message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Dandridge, his Secretary, notifying that the President did, this day, approve and sign an act which originated in this House, entitled "An act allowing Lieutenant Colonel Tousard an equivalent for his pension for life." 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 appointed to inquire whether any, or what, further or other revenues are necessary for the support of public credit; and, if further revenues are necessary, to report the ways and means; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Sherburne reported that the committee had, according to order, again had the said report 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 report. Ordered, That Mr. Wingate and Mr. Hartley have leave to be absent from the service of this House for the remainder of the session. 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, MAY 1. An engrossed bill supplementary to "An act to provide for the defence of certain ports and harbors in the United States" was read the third time. Resolved, That the said bill do pass, and that the title be, "An act supplementary to 'An act to provide for the defence of certain ports and harbors in the United States. Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said bill to the Senate, and desire their concurrence. The House proceeded to consider the report of the committee to whom were referred the petitions of Jonathan Jenkins and of Benjamin Folger: Whereupon, Resolved, That the District Court of the United States for the State of New York, be authorized and empowered to proceed in the trial of the suit instituted in the said Court by Jonathan Jenkins against Benjamin Folger, for the repeal of certain letters patent granted to the said Benjamin Folger, as the original discoverer of the art of separating the gross matter contained in common whale oil, and afterwards rendering such gross matter fit for candles, on the principles established by the act, entitled "An act to promote the progress of useful arts," passed the tenth day of April, one thousand seven hundred and ninety, any law to the contrary notwithstanding. Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in pursuant to the said resolution, and that Mr. Coffin, Mr. Holten, and Mr. Murray, 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 report of the committee appointed to inquire whether any, or what, further or other revenues are necessary for the support of public credit, and, if further revenues are necessary, to report the ways and means; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Sherburne reported that the committee had, according to order, again had the said report 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 report. Ordered, That Edward Telfair and John Wereat, who presented a petition to this House on the twenty-eighth of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three, have leave to withdraw the same. Mr. Watts, from the committee to whom was referred the petition of Samuel FrankIm, William T. Robinson, and Abraham Franklin, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. Ordered, That the report of the Secretary of the Treasury on the petition of George Blanchard, in behalf of Edward Blanchard, which was made to this House on the twenty-second of November, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, be referred to Mr. Ames, Mr. Swift, and Mr. Cobb; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. Mr. New, from the Joint Committee for Enrolled Bills, reported that the committee had examined an enrolled bill, entitled "An act to establish the Post Office and post roads within the United States," and had found the same to be truly enrolled: Where- Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith. FRIDAY, MAY 2. A memorial of the manufacturers of tobacco in the City of Philadelphia, was presented to the House and read, praying that the articles of tobacco and snuff, manufactured in the United States, may not be subjected to the excise duty proposed to be laid on them by the report of the Committee of Ways and Means now depending before the House. Ordered, That the said memorial be referred to the Committee of the Whole House to whom is committed the report of the committee appointed to inquire whether any, or what, further or other revenues are necessary for the support of public credit, and, if further revenues are necessary, to report the ways and means. The House then, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the report of the committee appointed to inquire whether any, or what, further or other revenues are necessary for the support of public credit, and, if further revenues are necessary, to report the ways and means; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Sherburne reported that the committee had, according to order, again had the said report 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 report. Mr. New, 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 to establish the Post Office and post roads within the United States." The several orders of the day were further postponed until Monday next. MONDAY, MAY 5. A memorial of the sugar bakers of the City of Philadelphia, was presented to the House and read, praying that sugar refined within the United States may not be subjected to the excise duty proposed to be laid by the report of the Committee of Ways and Means now depending before the House. Ordered, That the said memorial be referred to the Committee of the Whole House to whom is committed the report of the committee appointed to inquire whether any, or what, further or other revenues are necessary for the support of public credit, and, if further revenues are necessary, to report the ways and means. A memorial of Charles Bowman, of the City of Philadelphia, was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for services performed at the risk of his life, in giving information to the Marquis Lafayette of the movements of a detachment of the British troops, some time in the month of May, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight. Ordered, That the said memorial be referred to the Secretary of War, with instruction to examine the same and report his opinion thereupon to the House. A petition of George Gilbert and Jacob Gilbert, of the city of Philadelphia, Contractors for supplying the Army of the United States with clothing, was presented to the House and read, praying relief in consideration of the losses they will sustain in furnishing certain articles of clothing at the prices specified in their contract with the Secretary of the Treasury, from the enhanced rates of workmen's wages, occasioned by the late calamity in the city of Philadelphia, as well as from the operation of the present embargo. 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 petition of Zadock Long, of Somerset county, in the State of Maryland, was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for his services in securing, at the hazard of his life, a boat, together with a quantity of arms and military stores, which he took from the enemy near the island of Montezuma, in the State of New York, and de livered to a detachment of the American Army, sometime in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. Ordered, That the said petition be referred to Mr. Murray, Mr. Heath, and Mr. Peleg Wadsworth; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. Ordered, That the Committee of the Whole House to whom was referred the report of the Committee on the Reports of the Secretary of War, of the seventeenth of March last, on sixty petitions, be discharged from so much of the said report as relates to the memorial of Peter Perrit, and that that it be re-committed to Mr. Lee, Mr. Greenup, Mr. Heister, Mr. Mebane, and Mr. Gordon. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary: Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed a bill, entitled "An act for the remission of the duties on eleven hogsheads of coffee, which have been destroyed by fire," to which they desire the concurrence of this House. The Senate have also passed the bill, entitled "An act directing a detachment from the Militia of the United States," with several amendments; to which they desire the concurrence of this House. And then he withdrew. Mr. Dexter, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill authorizing the President of the United States to lay, regulate, and revoke embargoes; 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 to-morrow. Mr. Parker, from the committee to whom was referred the report of the Secretary of State, on the petition of Stephen Sayre, made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Thursday next. The House proceeded to consider the report of the committee to whom was referred the petition of Samuel Franklin, William T. Robinson, and Abraham Franklin: Whereupon, Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be authorized to direct clearances to be granted to any ships or vessels belonging to citizens of the United States, which are now loaded, bound from any port in the United States for any port beyond the Cape of Good Hope, any thing in the resolution for laying the embargo to the contrary notwithstanding: Provided, That, before the Collector of either of the Districts of the United States shall grant clearances, or any such vessel shall sail, the own ers thereof shall give sufficient security, to the satisfaction of such Collector, that she shall not unlade her cargo, or any part thereof, at any port or place, previous to her arrival at the Cape of Good Hope. Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said resolution to the Senate, and desire their concurrence. 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 appointed to inquire whether any, and what, further or other revenues are necessary for the support of public credit, and, if further revenues are necessary, to report the ways and means; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Sherburne reported that the committee had, according to order, again had the said report 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 report. The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. TUESDAY, MAY 6. The bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act for the remission of the duties on eleven hogsheads of coffee, which have been destroyed by fire," was read the first time. On motion, The said bill was read the second time, and ordered to be read the third time to morrow. Apetition of Peter Le Maigre, of the city of Philadelphia, merchant, was presented to the House and read, praying a remission of the duties on a quantity of goods imported in the brig Molly, and ship Hope, the property of the petitioner, which were captured VOL. II.-18. 1 by the British and carried into New Providence, under peculiar circumstances of hardship and distress to him. 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 petition of Thomas Flint, of the county of Hampshire, in the State of Massachusetts, was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for services in various departments of the Army of the United States, during the late war. Also, A petition of Stephen Zacharie, Francis Coopman, and John B. Vochez, of the town of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, merchants, and partners in trade, under the firm of Zacharie, Coopman, and Company, praying that they may be allowed the drawback on a quantity of claret, brandy, oil, candles, Geneva, and New England rum, exported from the port of Baltimore, and duly landed at Hispaniola, of which they are possessed of sufficient evidence, although not in the form prescribed by law. Ordered, That the said petitions do lie on the table. Ordered, That Mr. Shearjashub Bourne have leave to be absent from the service of this House after the tenth instant, for the remainder of the session. The House proceeded to consider the amendments proposed by the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act directing a detachment from the Militia of the United States;" and, the same being read, were agreed to. Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith. Mr. Coffin, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill supplementary to the act, entitled "An act to promote the progress of useful arts;" 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 to-morrow. The House proceeded to consider the report of the committee on the petition of James Bell: Whereupon, Resolved, That the accounting officers of the Treasury be authorized to liquidate and settle the accounts of the said James Bell, on equitable principles. Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in pursuant to the said resolution, and that Mr. Speaker: The Senate have agreed to the resolution of this House, "to authorize the President to grant clearances in the case of ships or vessels now loaded, and bound to any port beyond the Cape of Good Hope," with an amendment; to which they desire the concurrence of this House. And then he withdrew. The House proceeded to consider the said amendment, and, the same being read, was disagreed to. Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do acquaint the Senate therewith. Mr. Jeremiah Wadsworth, from the managers appointed on the part of this House, to attend the conference with the Senate, on the subject-matter of the amendment depending between the two Houses to the bill, entitled "An act to encourage the recruiting service," made a report; and, the same being read, was, on the question put thereupon, disagreed to by the House. Resolved, That this House doth adhere to their disagreement to the said amendmen Mr. Speaker: The Senate recede from their amendment, disagreed to by this House, to the resolution "to authorize the President to grant clearances in the case of ships or vessels now loaded and bound to any port beyond the Cape of Good Hope." And then he withdrew. The House, according to the order of the day, again resolved itselfinto a Committee of the Whole House on the report of the committee appointed to inquire whether any, or what, further or other revenues are necessary for the support of public credit, and, if further revenues are necessary, to report the ways and means; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Sherburne reported that the committee had, according to order, again had the said report 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 report. The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. |