A petition of Joze Roiz Silva, of the city of New York, merchant, was presented to the House and read, praying that the sum of two thousand five hundred and twentyone dollars and sixty cents may be refunded to him, it being the difference in the amount of duties on a quantity of wines imported by the petitioner, and which, through mistake, was exacted from him by the Collector of the port of New York, beyond the legal duties. Also, a petition of sundry merchants and masters of vessels trading from the city of Albany to the city of New York, praying a revision and amendment of an act passed at the last session of Congress, "supplementary to the act to provide more effectually for the collection of the duties on goods, wares, and merchandise, imported into the United States, and on the tonnage of ships or vessels." Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their pinion thereupon, to the House. A petition of George Ogh, of the county of Montgomery, in the State of New York, formerly a private of militia, in the actual service of the United States, was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for injuries received whilst a prisoner taken by the enemy, during the late war, of which he has been hitherto debarred by the ⚫peration of the acts of limitation. Also, a petition of Samuel Coe, of the county of Ontario, in the State of New York, praying the liquidation and settlement of a claim for services rendered as a wagonmaster in the Army of the United States, during the late war. Ordered, That the said petitions, together with the petition of Richard and Thomas Martin, in behalf of themselves and others, presented the seventh of February, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, and the petition of George Lucas, which lay on the table, be referred to the Committee of Claims. A petition of sundry owners and masters of vessels, and others, inhabitants of the towns of Yarmouth and Dennis, and of the county of Barnstable, in the State of Massaehusetts, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House and read, praying a loan of money, or other aid of Government, to enable them to erect a pier and sundry beacons and buoys, at the entrance of Pase river, in the said State. 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. Ordered, That the petition of Frederick Guyer, which lay on the table, be referred to Mr. Page, Mr. Abiel Foster, and Mr. Maclay; 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 amendments reported yesterday, from the Committee of the Whole House, to the bill making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six; and the said amendments being severally twice read at the Clerk's table, some were agreed to, and others disagreed to. Ordered, That the said bill, with the amendments agreed to, be engrossed, and read the third time to-morrow. The Speaker laid before the House a report from the Department of War, relative to the state of the fortifications of certain ports and harbors in the United States; which was read, and ordered to be referred to the committee appointed to consider and report on the state of the fortifications of the harbors, and the measures which have been pursued for obtaining proper sites for arsenals, and replenishing the magazines with military stores. Mr. Tracey, from the Committee of Claims, to whom were referred the petitions of James Bonney, Joseph Clinton, Ebenezer Lord, and Sarah his wife, John Porham, and William Thomson, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. The House, according to the order of the day, proceeded to consider the report of the Committee of Elections, to whom was referred the petition of Burwell Bassett, of the State of Virginia, complaining of an undue election and return of John Clopton, to serve as a member of this House for the said State; and the said report being twice read at the Clerk's table, was, on the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House, as followeth : It appears that an election was held on the sixteenth day of March, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, in the district composed of the counties of Henrico, Hanover, New Kent, Charles City, and James City, in the State of Virginia, to elect a member to this House. That, upon an estimate of all the polls taken at the several elections, John Clopton had four hundred and thirty-two votes, and Burwell Bassett four hundred and twentytwo. That out of the number of persons who voted for John Clopton, thirty-seven were unqualified to vote; and of those who voted for Burwell Bassett, thirty-three were also unqualified to vote. Whereupon, your committee are of opinion, that John Clopton, who has the highest number of votes, after deducting the before mentioned defective votes from the respective polls, is entitled to a seat in this House. Mr. Tracey, from the Committee of Claims, to whom were referred the several petitions of William Courtney, Thomas Crigier, Elizabeth Cudney, Nathan Davis, Hemy Dresboh, Rufus Fitch, Frederick Foltz, David Grant, John Higby, Timothy Howe, Margaret Lent, John Andrew Mayer, Francis Monty, John Nevelling, Adam F. Raser, William Rideout, Ebenezer Stetson, and William Waddy, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1796. The Speaker being indisposed, The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 1796. The Speaker being indisposed, The several orders of the day were further postponed until Monday next. MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 1796. The bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act to amend an act, entitled 'An act to promote the progress of useful arts, and to repeal the act heretofore made for that purpose," was read the second time, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow. An engrossed bill making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, was read the third time, and a blank therein filled up. Resolved, That the said bill do pass, and that the title be, "An act making appropriations for the support of Government, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six." Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said bill to the Senate, and desire their concurrence. A memorial of William Leffingwell, and Hezekiah B. Pierpont, of the city of New York, co-partners in trade, under the firm of Leffingwell and Pierpont, was presented to the House and read, praying that an act may pass for rendering valid the register of the ship Confederacy, an American bottom, which has become subject to the payment of the duties on foreign vessels, in consequence of one of her former owners having been prevented, by indisposition, from taking the oath within the time prescribed by law. Also, a memorial of Richard Gernon and company, in opposition to the memorials of sundry manufacturers of snuff, 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 respects the manufacturing of snuff within the United States. Ordered, That the said memorials 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 Henry B. Livingston, of Rhinebeck, in the State of New York, formerly a Colonel in the continental Army, was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for military services rendered the United States, during the late war. Also, the several petitions of Philip Barlet, Robert Conkey, Philip Finch, Jonathan Gaylord, Jacob Gilson, Joseph Graves, Jabez Knapp, Uzal Knapp, Acy Oings, Lemuel Raymond, Josiah Smith, Robert Stogdill, John Taylor, and William Wilkins, late officers and soldiers in the Army of the United States, to the same effect. VOL. II.-54 Also, a petition of George Eimbeck, of Savannah, in the State of Georgia, praying the liquidation and settlement of a claim for services rendered the United States, as a Barrack Master, from the first of January, one thousand seven hundred and seventyeight, to the first of January, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three. Ordered, That the said memorial and petitions be referred to the Committee of Claims. A memorial of William Alexander, a surveyor, appointed by Thomas Hutchins, late geographer of the United States, was presented to the House and read, praying that such measures may be adopted, as Congress, in their wisdom, may deem proper, to enable the memorialist to execute certain warrants for military bounties of land to the officers and soldiers of the late continental Army; the lands set apart for that purpose, by the resolution of Congress, of the twenty-second of October, one thousaud seven hundred and eighty-seven, having been ceded to the Indians, by a late treaty. Ordered, That the said memorial 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 territories of the United States. Mr. Jeremiah Smith, from the committee to whom was referred the message from the President of the United States, of the eighth instant, enclosing a memorial from the commissioners appointed by virtue of the act, "for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the United States," made a report, which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next. Mr. Giles, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia of the United States; 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 Monday next. Ordered, That Mr. Coit be added to the committee, appointed on the sixteenth ultimo, to prepare and bring in a bill or bills for allowing compensation to the members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, and to the officers of both Houses, after the third day of March next. Mr. G.les, from the committee to whom was referred the petition of John Vest, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. The Speaker laid before the House two letters from the Secretary of the Treasury; one accompanying a return of the exports of the United States, from the first of October, one thousand seven hundred and ninety, to the thirtieth of September, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, inclusive; as, also, an explanatory letter to him from the commissioner of the revenue, on the subject thereof; the other accompanying a report and sundry statements, made in pursuance of the resolutions of this House, of the eighteenth instant, which were read, and ordered to be referred to the Committee of the Whole House, to whom is committed the motion of the fifteenth instant, respecting the navigation of the United States. Mr. Hillhouse, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill tə regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes, and to preserve peace on the frontiers; 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. The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 1796. Petitions and remonstrances from sundry inhabitants of the State of New Jersey, whose names are thereunto subscribed, were presented to the House and read, respectively praying a reduction of the salaries and other emoluments allowed by law to the members of both Houses of Congress, and to the executive officers of the Government of the United States. Ordered, That the said petitions and remonstrances be referred to the committee ap pointed to prepare and bring in a bill or bills for allowing compensation to the members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, and to the officers of both Houses, after the third day of March next. A petition of Peter Helphinstine was presented to the House and read, praying com pensation for provisions furnished a detachment of militia, stationed at the barracks near Winchester, in the State of Virginia, as a guard over a number of British prisoners, during the late war. Also, a petition of Sarah Wallace, of the city of Philadelphia, widow of Moses Wallace, deceased, praying relief, in consideration of the loss of her said husband, who died at Carlisle, whilst a soldier in Colonel Gurney's regiment of militia, on the late expedi tion against the insurgents in the Western counties of Pennsylvania. Also, a petition of Mary Fanning, of the city of Philadelphia, daughter of Joshua Fanning, late lieutenant on board the Randolph frigate, in the Navy of the United States, praying that the allowance of half-pay, or other emoluments granted to the widows and orphans of officers who were killed in the service of the United States, during the late war, may be extended to her. Ordered, That the said petitions, together with the petitions of Jacob Bailey, presented the twenty-fifth of May, one thousand seven hundred and ninety, of William Smith, of Baltimore, presented the twenty-sixth of December, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, and of Ezekiel Scott, presented the third of December one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, with the several reports thereon, be referred to the Committee of Claims. A petition of sundry merchants and masters of vessels trading from Lansingburgh, Waterford, and Troy, to the city 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, supplementary to the act to provide more effectually for the collection of the duties on goods, wares, and merchandise, imported into the United States, and on the tonnage of ships or vessels." 66 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 John Holker was presented to the House and read, praying the renewal of certain loan office certificates, the property of the memorialist, which were consumed by fire, on the second day of January, one thousand seven hundred and eighty. Ordered, That the said memorial be referred to the Secretary of the Treasury, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House. Mr. Tracey, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred a motion of the eleventh instant, respecting such officers and soldiers of the late Army and Navy of the United States, as appear entitled to arrearages of pay, or other emoluments, upon the books of the United States, made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next. The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Attorney General, accompanying his report on the petition of James Mackey; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. Tracey, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of John Griffin, made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next. Mr. Tracey, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of Gustavus Aldrich, made a report, which was read, and considered: Whereupon, Resolved, That the prayer of the petition of the said Gustavus Aldrich cannot be granted, and that he have leave to withdraw the same. Mr. Tracey, from the Committee of Claims, to whom were referred the petitions of Silas Clark, Amy Dardin, John Gillock, by James H. Davidson his guardian, Thomas Rutledge, administrator of William Rutledge, deceased, and Beverly Winslow, and Joseph Hawkins, made a report, which was read: Whereupon, Ordered, That so much of the said report as relates to the petition of Silas Clark be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next. Ordered, That the consideration of such other parts of the said report as relate to the petition of Amy Dardin, be postponed until the third Monday of February next. Resolved, That the prayer of the petitions of the said John Gillock, Thomas Rutledge, and Beverly Winslow, and Joseph Hawkins, cannot be granted, and that the petitioners, respectively, have leave to withdraw the same. Mr. William Smith, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill establishing offices for the sale of lands, in the territory Northwest of the river Ohio; 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 Tuesday next. Mr. Tracey, from the Committee of Claims, to whom were referred the memorials and petitions of Lewis Joseph Beaulieu, Daniel Bissel, James Crabtree, Africa Hamlen, Caleb Hammett, Anna Knolten, Jonathan Lippincott, John Matthews, Ellis Richardson, by George W. Campbell his attorney, John Story, and Joseph Spencer Taylor, made a report, which was read and considered: Whereupon, Resolved, That the prayer of the said petitions cannot be granted, and that the petitioners, respectively, have leave to withdraw the same. The House, according to the order of the day, proceeded to consider the report of the Committee of Claims, on the memorial of Reuben Colborn, and having made some progress therein, An adjournment was called for: Whereupon, The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1796. A petition of Edward Simpson, Pierce Manning, Matthew Bryne, and Joseph Tagert, of the town of Newbern, in the State of North Carolina, merchants, was presented to the House and read, praying a remission of the duties on a quantity of salt, the property of the petitioners, which they imported into the said town of Newbern, from sundry foreign ports, and was lost, in consequence of a violent storm which happened on the second day of August 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 petition of James Powell, of the City of New York, was presented to the House and read, praying the renewal of a certain Loan Office certificate, issued in the name of George Farragut, and legally transferred to the petitioner, which was taken by a British privateer, during the late war. Ordered, That the said petition do lie on the table. A memorial of sundry citizens and inhabitants of the Counties of Dauphin, Cumber land, Mifflin, Huntingdon, and Northumberland, in the State of Pennsylvania, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House and read, praying that certain post roads may be established, in addition to those now established by law, within the said State. Ordered, That the said memorial be referred to the committee appointed to inquire if any, and 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 memorial of Winthrop Sargent, Secretary of the Territory of the United States Northwest of the River Ohio, was presented to the House and read, stating the insufficiency of the compensation allowed him by law; and praying that the same may be increased, and rendered more adequate to his services. Also, a memorial of Jacob Hollingsworth, praying the renewal of certain certificates of public debt, the property of the memorialist, which have been lost by accident. Ordered, That the said memorials, together with the petitions of Basil Middleton, presented the eighth of April, one thousand seven hundred and ninety, of Thomas Flint, presented the sixth of May, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, and of Augustine Biddle, presented the fourth of February last, be referred to the Committee of Claims. The House proceeded to consider the report of the Committee of Claims on the pe titions of James Bonney, Joseph Clinton, Ebenezer Lord, and Sarah, his wife, John Porham, and William Thompson, which lay on the table: Whereupon, Resolved, That the prayer of the said petitions cannot be granted, and that the pe titioners, respectively, have leave to withdraw the same. Ordered, That the Committee of the Whole House to whom was referred the report of the Committee of Claims on the memorial of Francis Mentges, be discharged from the consideration of the same, and that it be re-committed to the Committee of Claims. The House resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee of Claims, on the memorial of Reuben Colborn: Whereupon, Ordered, That the said report 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. Muhlenberg reported that the committee had, according to order, had the said report under consideration, and made some progress therein. |