mile square, in the eighth range of townships, in the territory of the United States, Northwest of the river Ohio, on which the petitioners have made an actual settlement. Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the committee appointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills for establishing offices for the purpose of granting lands within the territory of the United States.

A petition of Jonathan Lippincott, of the State of New Jersey, was presented to the House and read, praying the liquidation and settlement of a claim for services rendered, and money advanced, whilst a Captain of the militia in the actual service of the United States, during the late war.

Also, a petition of Elisha Bennett, praying compensation for his services as a Master's Mate on board the continental frigate called the Trumbull, from the seventh of January, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven, to the thirteenth of February, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight.

Ordered, That the said petitions, together with the petition of Jonathan Haskill, presented on the eighteenth of November, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, and the report of the Secretary of War thereon, be referred to the Committee of Claims. A petition of sundry manufacturers of snuff, in the State of New York, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House and read, praying a revision and amendment of an act passed at the last session of Congress, "to alter and amend the act laying certain duties upon snuff and refined sugar," so far as the same respects the manufacturing of snuff within the United States.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.

Mr. Tracey, from the Committee of Claims, to whom were referred the several petitions of Noble Benedict, and others, of Thomas Boyd, of Tristram Coffin, of Jesse Coles, of Jane Godfrey, of Ernst Greess, of John Hollingshead, of Andrew Johnston, of William McKee, of William Morris, and others, representatives of Thomas Morris, deceased, of Francis Procter, of Henry Shade, of Isaac Sherman, of Jacob Shoemaker, of Joseph Tatlow, and of John Turner, made a report; which was read, and considered: Whereupon.

Ordered, That so much of the said report as relates to the petitions of William Morris, and others, and of John Turner, be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.

Ordered, That Thomas Boyd, Tristram Coffin, Jesse Coles, Jane Godfrey, Ernst Greess, John Hollingshead, Andrew Johnston, William M'Kee, Francis Procter, Henry Shade, Isaac Sherman, Jacob Shoemaker, and John Tatlow, severally have leave to withdraw their petitions.

Ordered, That the consideration of such other parts of the said report as relate to the petition of Noble Benedict and others, be postponed until Monday next.

Mr. Venable, from the standing Committee of Elections, reported that the committee had, according to order, examined several other certificates and credentials of the members returned to serve in this House, and had agreed upon a report, which he delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same was read, and is as followeth :

"It appears to your committee that the credentials of the following members are sufficient to entitle them to take their seats in the House, to wit:

Ordered, That, in addition to the powers before given to the Committee of Elections, they be authorized to direct the taking of depositions, in any cases, where it may be impracticable or inconvenient for the witnesses to give their personal attendance, and to prescribe the mode.

Information being given to the House by the following members, in their places, to wit: Mr. Smith, of South Carolina, Mr. Murray, of Maryland, and Mr. Giles, of Virginia, that a person of the name of Robert Randall had made or communicated to them, respectively, certain overtures to obtain their several support in this House, to a memorial intended to be presented by the said Robert Randall, on behalf of himself and others, for the grant of a tract of land, containing eighteen or twenty millions of acres, bordering on Lakes Erie, Michigan, and Huron, and lying within the limits of the

United States; for which support, the said members, respectively, were promised to receive of the said Robert Randall, and his associates, a consideration or emolument in lands or money; and this House regarding the said information as sufficient evidence of a contempt to, and breach of the privileges of, this House, in an unwarrantable attempt to corrupt the integrity of its members:

Resolved, That Mr. Speaker, do issue his warrant, directed to the Sergeant-at-Arms attending this House, commanding him to take into custody, wherever to be found, the body of the said Robert Randall, and the same in his custody to keep, subject to the farther order and direction of the House.

A warrant, pursuant to the said resolution, was accordingly prepared, signed by Mr. Speaker, under his seal, attested by the Clerk, and delivered to the Sergeant, with order forthwith to execute the same, and make due return thereof to the House. Information being also given to the House, by Mr. Buck, one of the members from Vermont, of an application to him, by a person of the name of Charles Whitney, by which there is good reason to believe that the said Whitney is a partner and associate of the before named Randall, and equally concerned in the business and overtures of the said Randall, a similar warrant was ordered, signed, and delivered to the Sergeant, as aforesaid, for taking into his custody the body of the said Charles Whitney, subject, in like manner, to the further order and direction of this House.

Mr. William Smith, from the Committee of Ways and Means, made a report ; which was read, and ordered to committed to be a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow. The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. And then the House adjourned until to-morrow twelve o'clock.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1795.

Mr. Parker, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill for establishing trading houses with the Indian tribes; 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 Thursday next.

A petition of sundry citizens and inhabitants of the State of Vermont, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House and read, praying that the Representatives of the People in Congress assembled, will, in their wisdom, adopt such measures, touching the treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation, between the United States and Great Britain, lately negotiated by authority of the President of the United States, and conditionally ratified by the Senate, as shall most effectually secure, free from encroachment, the constitutional delegated powers of Congress, and the chartered rights of the People, and preserve to our country an uninterrupted continuance of the blessings of peace.

Also, the petitions of sundry citizens and inhabitants of the State of Virginia, whose names are thereunto subscribed, to the same effect.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

A petition of Philip Stimmel, a manufacturer of snuff in the city of Philadelphia, was presented to the House and read, praying to be exonerated from the payment of the duties on a quantity of snuff manufactured by the petitioner, which was lost and damaged by the injury done to the dam of his snuff mill, on Ridley creek, some time in the month of July last.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.

A memorial of James Ewing, Commissioner of Loans for the State of New Jersey, was presented to the House and read, stating the insufficiency of the compensation allowed him by law, and praying that the same be increased, and rendered more adequate to his services.

Ordered, That the said memorial be referred to Mr. Goodhue, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Earle, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Thomas; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.

A petition of sundry inhabitants of the Counties of Camden, Currituck, and Pasquotank, in the State of North Carolina, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House and read, praying that a post road may be established, from Norfolk by the Great Bridge, Doughty's, New Lebanon, and Jonesborough, to Eliza

bethtown, in lieu of the post road now established by law, from Edenton, through Hertfort, Nixonton, by Sawyer's ferry, to Indiantown.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the committee appointed to inquire if any, or what, alterations are necessary to be made in the act, entitled "An act to establish the post office and post roads within the United States."

A petition of Joseph Haynes was presented to the House and read, praying to be placed on the list of pensioners, in consideration of wounds and other injuries received, whilst a soldier in the Army of the United States, during the late war, which have rendered him incapable of obtaining his livelihood by labor.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Committee of Claims.

Ordered, That John Clark, who presented a petition to this House, on the fourteenth day of February, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, have leave to withdraw the same.

Mr. Harrison, from the committee to whom was referred the report of the committee to whom was recommitted a report on the petition of Parker, Hopkins, and Meers, made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Friday 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 of Ways and Means; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Muhlenberg reported that the committee had, according to order, had the said report under consideration, and come to a resolution thereupon; which he delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same was twice read, and on the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House as followeth:

Resolved, That an appropriation of money be made, to defray the expenses of the civil list, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six.

Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in, pursuant to the said resolution, and that the Committee of Ways and Means do prepare and bring in the same.

On motion,

Ordered, That the report of the Committee of Claims on the petition of Benjamin Titcomb, be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.

The House proceeded to consider the fifth, sixth, and seventh, resolutions reported on the seventeenth instant, from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union: Whereupon,

Resolved, That an inquiry be made whether further measures are necessary to re-enforce the existing provision for the redemption of the public debt.

Resolved, That an inquiry be made whether any, and what, further provisions are necessary for carrying the operation of the Mint more completely into effect.

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the actual state of the Naval equipment, ordered by a former law of the United States, and to report whether any, or what, further provision is necessary to be made on that subject.

Ordered, That the first resolution be referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. Ordered, That a committee be appointed, pursuant to the second resolution, and that Mr. Madison, Mr. Swanwick, and Mr. Freeman, be the said committee.

Ordered, That Mr. Parker, Mr. Hartley, Mr. Havens, Mr. Bourne, and Mr. Goodhue, be appointed a committee, pursuant to the last resolution.

Ordered, That the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, to whom was referred a letter from the Secretary of State, of the fourteenth instant, enclosing the reports of the late and present Director of the Mint, be discharged from the consideration of the same, and that it be referred to the committee appointed pursuant to the second resolution.

The Sergeant-at-Arms having returned, on the warrants issued to him yesterday, that he had executed the same on the bodies of Robert Kandall and Charles Whitney, the persons therein named, and that he now held them in his custody, subject to the further order and direction of this House: It was, on motion,

Resolved, That a Committee of Privileges, to consist of seven members, be appointed, and that the said committee be instructed to report a made of proceeding in the case of Robert Randall and Charles Whitney, who were taken into custody yesterday, by order of the House; and that the said committee have leave to sit immediately.

Ordered, That Mr. Baldwin, Mr. William Smith, Mr. Giles, Mr. Murray, Mr. Livingston, Mr. Coit, and Goodhue, be appointed a committee, pursuant to the said resolu

tion.

Mr. Baldwin, from the Committee of Privileges, to whom it was referred to report a mode of proceeding in the case of Robert Randall and Charles Whitney, made a report; which was read, considered, and agreed to by the House, as followeth :

Resolved, That the said Robert Randall and Charles Whitney be brought to the bar of the House, and interrogated by the Speaker, touching the information given against them, on written interrogatories, which, with the answers thereto, shall be entered on the minutes of the House. And that every question proposed by a member, be reduced to writing, and a motion made that the same may be put by the Speaker. That, after such interrogatories are answered, if the House deem it necessary to make any further inquiry on the subject, the same be conducted by a committee to be ap pointed for that purpose.

The said Robert Randall was accordingly brought to the bar of the House, in custody of the Sergeant; and the charge against him, as stated in the Journal of yesterday, being read, he was interrogated by Mr. Speaker, "whether he did admit, or deny the truth of the said charge?" to which interrogatory he answered, that he was not prepared to admit or deny the same, but requested that time might be allowed him to make answer, and offer a vindication of his conduct, until the day after to-morrow: Whereupon, It was ordered, that the said Robert Randall do now withdraw in custody, until the House shall presently decide on his request.

The said Robert Randall accordingly withdrew in custody, and, after debate,

It was resolved by the House, that time be allowed him until to-morrow twelve o'clock, to make answer in conformity to his request.

Resolved, also, That it be an addition to the charge against the said Robert Randall, "that he informed a member of this House, that a number of the members of this House, not less than thirty, had engaged, or were engaged to support his memorial and application, or words to that effect."

The said Robert Randall was then returned to the bar, in custody, and notified by Mr. Speaker, of the indulgence, and further proceeding of the House respecting him; after which,

It was ordered that the said Robert Randall be detained in custody of the Sergeant, and brought up again to the bar of the House to-morrow at twelve o'clock.

Charles Whitney, the other person named in the warrant of Mr. Speaker, was then brought to the bar, in custody of the Sergeant, and the charge against him, as stated in the Journal of the proceeding of yesterday, being read, the following interrogatories were propounded by him, by Mr. Speaker; to which he gave the respective answers thereto subjoined:

Question. What is your name'

Answer. Charles Whitney.

Question. Where do you reside?

Answer. In the State of Vermont.

Question. What is your occupation?

Answer. I am a farmer.

Question. When did you come to this city

Answer. About the first of this month.

Question. Where is your usual abode whilst in this city?

Answer. At the Green-tree Tavern, in Fourth street.

Question. Are you, or are you not, guilty of the charge which has been read to you, of being a partner and associate of Robert Randall, and equally concerned in the business and overtures of the said Randall?

Answer. I am not guilty; I am equally concerned with Mr. Randall in the present land business, but am ignorant of any improper motives, or improper conduct of the said Randall therein; and can only answer for myself.

Question. Are any other persons associated with Mr. Randall and yourself, in this business, and what appropriations or disposition of the said lands did you design to make Answer. Colonel Pepune and Mr. Jones, of Massachusetts, and Colonel Ebenezer Allen, of Vermont, agreed to associate with us in this business; and it was our intention to divide it into forty-one shares, and associate with us such other influential characters as we could engage, in order to divide with us the great expense and trouble of the undertaking.

Question. Are any persons within the British lines associated with you in this business' Answer. Yes. Mr. Askins, senior, Mr. Askins, junior, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Inness, a Mr. Patterson, merchants and traders residing at Detroit,- and its vicinity, are concerned with us.

Question. Are any of the persons you have named at Detroit as concerned with you. in civil or military commission under the British Government'

Answer. Yes. Mr. Askins, the elder, is said to be in civil commission as a judge, Question. Have you any instrument of association between yourself and partners'

Answer. I have: it is signed by the persons last named, and is, I believe, now at my lodgings.

Question. Have you any objection to produce the said instrument?

Answer. I don't know that I have ; but being without counsel, I wish for time to reflect upon it.

Question. Are you acquainted with a person of the name of John Gove, and did you make application to him to become an associate with you?

Answer. I am acquainted with Mr. Gove, and did apply to him, to become an associate; to which I understood him to have agreed.

Question. Where does Mr. Gove lodge?

Answer. At the Green-tree Tavern, in Fourth street.

Question. Was Mr. Gove authorized by you to apply to any members of Congress in favor of your proposal?

Answer. I did mention to Mr. Gove, that he might apply to the members in favor of our proposal.

Question. Were there any shares of the said land to be left open or unappropriated, between you and your associates?

Answer. There were shares left open to be filled at my pleasure.

Question. Did you make any, and what, application to Mr. Buck, one of the members of this House, from the State of Vermont, to support your application?

Answer. I did apply to Mr. Buck, at his House in Vermont, and represented to him, generally, the nature and advantages of our plan; but I made no proposal to him of benefit or advantage to himself, or of other improper inducement.

Mr. Buck then informed the House that the said Charles Whitney had made overtures to him in Vermont, offering a share in land, or an equivalent in money; or words to that effect: Whereupon,

It was moved and seconded that the said Charles Whitney do now withdraw in custody, and that all further proceedings respecting him be adjourned until to-morrow twelve o'clock.

And, on a question taken, the same was ordered accordingly, with an instruction to to the Sergeant, to keep him separate and apart from Robert Randall.

The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow.
And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning twelve o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER SO, 1795.

Another member, to wit: John Page, from Virginia, appeared, produced his credentials, and took his seat in the House; the oath to support the Constitution of the United States, being first administered to him, by Mr. Speaker, according to law.

A petition of Robert Randall, in custody of the Sergeant-at-arms, was presented to the House and read, praying that he may be indulged with the assistance of counsel, and a reasonable time to prepare for his defence, on the charges now depending against him before the House: Whereupon,

It was resolved that the prayer of the said petition be granted.

The said Robert Randall was then brought to the bar, in custody of the Sergeant, and it being demanded of him by Mr. Speaker, "what further time he required to prepare for his defence?" he answered, until Friday next.

Resolved, That further time be allowed the said Robert Randall, until Friday next, to prepare for his defence; and that, in the mean time, he be remanded in the custody of the Sergeant, until further order.

The Speaker laid before the House an instrument of writing, purporting to be "articles of agreement entered into and concluded at Detroit, the twenty-sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, for the purpose of obtaining the pre-emption right from the United States of America, and extinguishing the right of the native Indians to a certain Territory therein defined, containing, by computation, eighteen or twenty millions of acres, and lying on Lakes Erie, Huron, and Michigan, between Ebenezer Allen and Charles Whitney, of the State of Vermont, and Robert Randall, of the City of Philadelphia, on the one part; and John Askin, Jonathan Scheiffelin, William Robertson, John Askin, Junior, David Robertson, Robert Innes, and Richard Pattenson, all of Detroit, of the other part ;" which instrument of writing had been given up by Charles Whitney to the Sergeant-at-arms, and by the Sergeant delivered to the Speaker.

The said instrument of writing was read, and ordered to lie on the table.
Charles Whitney was then brought to the bar, in custody of the Sergeant, and the

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