United States Northwest of the river Ohio, respecting the loss of three horses in the public service, which was laid before the House on the twenty-fourth of May, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, be referred to the Committee of Claims. Mr. Goodhue, from the committee to whom was re-committed the bill for allowing compensation to the members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, and to certain officers of both Houses, 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 to-morrow. The House proceeded to the consideration of the bill further extending the time for receiving on loan the domestic debt of the United States, to which the Committee of the Whole House, yesterday, reported no amendment: Whereupon, Ordered, That the said bill 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 report of the Committee of Ways and Means, to whom it was referred to report whether further measures are necessary to reinforce the existing provisions for the public debt; 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. Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the said report. The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee af the Whole House, on the report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, to whom were referred the several memorials and petitions of Israel Loring, sundry merchants of the Cities of Philadelphia and New York, Joze Roiz Silva, Nehemiah Somes, and James Strange; 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 several resolutions thereupon, which he delivered in at the Clerk's table. Ordered, That the said report and resolutions do lie on the table. Another member, to wit: Fisher Ames, from Massachusetts, 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. Ordered, That Mr. Hartley have leave to be absent from the service of this House until Tuesday next. The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1796. An engrossed bill further extending the time for receiving on loan the domestic. debt of the United States, was read the third time. Resolved, That the said bill do pass, and that the title be, "An act further extending the time for receiving on loan the domestic debt of the United States." Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said bill to the Senate, and de sire their concurrence. A memorial of John B. Murray and John P. Mumford, co-partners in trade, under the firm of Murray and Mumford, and William Leffingwell and Hezekiah B. Pierpont, co-partners in trade, under the firm of Leffingwell and Pierpont, of the City of New York, was presented to the House and read, praying that an act may pass for rendering valid the register of the brig Nancy, of New York, 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. Ordered, That the said memorial do lie on the table. The petitions of Lawrence Furlong, by Theophilus Bradbury, his agent, of Francis Guillow, of Eliphalet Hamilton, and of Darby McNamara, were presented to the House and read, respectively praying compensation for services rendered, and losses and inju ries sustained, in the Army and Navy of the United States, during the late war. Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Committee of Claims. Ordered, That the petition of Gurdon Backus and David Meade Randolph, presented the sixteenth of May, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, 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, The House proceeded to consider the resolutions reported yesterday, from the Committee of the Whole House, on the report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, to whom were referred the several memorials and petitions of Israel Loring, sundry merchants of the Cities of Philadelphia and New York, Joze Roiz Silva, Nehemiah Somes, and James Strange, which lay on the table: Whereupon, The said resolutions being severally read at the Clerk's table, as follow: 1st. "Resolved. That the Collector of the District of New York be authorized, at any time within sixty days, to receive from Joze Roiz Silva, of the City of New York, merchant, invoices and other proofs, respecting the value of a cargo of wines by him imported into the said district, in or about the month of June, one thousand seven hun dred and ninety-three, in the brig Mary, William Hopper, master, from the Island of Graciosa; and if it shall appear to the satisfaction of the said collector, that the said cargo, or any part thereof, was subject to a less duty than that charged to, and paid by, the said Joze Roiz Silva therefor, then, and in such case, the said collector is hereby required to allow or refund to the said Joze Roiz Silva, such excess or sum as shall ap pear to have been overcharged and paid on the same, in like manner as if such invoices and proofs had been produced in due time. 2d. "Resolved, That the prayer of the petitions of James Strange and Nehemiah Somes, ought not to be granted, and that they have leave to withdraw the same. 3d. "Resolved, That the Collector of the District of New York be authorized to allow the drawback upon such a quantity of indigo as was imported into New York from New Orleans, on the tenth of July, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, by Israel Loring, in the brigantine Diana, Allen Hill, master, and which was, on the nineteenth of August following, entered for exportation on board the brig Lydia, John H. Shackerley, master, for Amsterdam, notwithstanding bonds were not given, and an oath was not taken at the time of exportation: provided that every other requisite has been complied with, relative thereto, which by law is required to entitle him to the same. 4th. "Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be empowered to allow to such vessels and their cargoes, whose registers have already, or that may, before the close of the present session of Congress, become invalid, by reason of a non-compliance with the terms of the fifth section of the act "concerning the registering and recording of ships or vessels," the same privileges and benefits they would have been entitled to, if no such invalidity had taken place: provided it shall appear to him, that such non-compliance did not proceed from wilful negligence, or an intention of fraud.” A motion was made, and the question being put, that the first resolution be now re-committed to a Committee of the Whole House, It was resolved in the affirmative. 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 first resolution under consideration, and made no amendment thereto. On the question, that the House do agree with the Committee of the Whole House in the said first resolution, It was resolved in the affirmative. The second and third resolutions being again read at the Clerk's table, were, on the question severally put thereupon, agreed to by the House. Ordered, That the consideration of the fourth resolution be postponed until to morrow. The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. On motion, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1796. in Resolved, That a committee be appointed to report a bill, authorizing the President of the United States to cause to be examined, and where necessary to be surveyed, the general route most proper for the transportation of the mail, between Maine, and in the State of Georgia, and to cause to be laid before Congress the result of such examination and survey, with an estimate of the expense of render ing such route fit, in all its parts, to be the established route of the post; the expense of such examination and survey to be defrayed out of the surplus revenues of the Post Office. Ordered, That Mr. Madison, Mr. Thatcher, Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Henderson, and Mr Sherburne, be appointed a committee, pursuant to the said resolution. The House resumed the consideration of the fourth resolution of the Committee of the Whole House on the report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, to whom were referred the several memorials and petitions of Israel Loring, sundry merchants of the Cities of Philadelphia and New York, Joze Roiz Silva, Nehemiah Somes, and James Strange: Whereupon, The said fourth resolution being twice read at the Clerk's table, was, on the ques tion put thereupon, agreed to by the House, as followeth: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be empowered to allow to such vessels and their cargoes, whose registers have already, or that may, before the close of the present session of Congress, become, invalid, by reason of a non-compliance with the terms of the fifth section of the act "concerning the registering and recording of ships or vessels," the same privileges and benefits they would have been entitled to, if no such invalidity had taken place: provided it shall appear to him, that such noncompliance did not proceed from wilful negligence, or an intention of fraud. Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in pursuant to the said resolution agreed to yesterday, and that the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures do prepare and bring in the same. The House resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee of Elections, to whom was referred the petition of Matthew Lyon, of the State of Vermont, complaining of an undue election and return of Israel Smith, to serve as a member of this House for the said State, and made a further progress therein. Ordered, That the farther consideration of the said report be put off until to-morrow. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1796. An address and memorial of the People called Quakers, at a meeting held at Philadelphia, on the tenth instant, was presented to the House and read, praying an exemp tion from personal service in the militia, and from the forfeitures and penalties proposed in lieu thereof, by a bill now depending before the House. Ordered, That the said address and memorial be referred to the Committee of the Whole House, to whom is committed the bill to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia of the United States. A petition of Hopely Yeaton, of Portsmouth, in the State of New Hampshire, commander of the Revenue Cutter, called the Scammell, was presented to the House and read, praying that he may receive adequate compensation for his past services and expenditures in superintending the building and fitting out the said cutter; and also such additional allowance for future s.rvices, as Congress, in their wisdom, may deem proper. 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 memorial of sundry clerks, under the Government of the United States, and the widows of sundry clerks, deceased, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House and read, praying that they may receive such compensation, in ad dition to the salaries allowed them by law, as may be deemed equitable and proper, to reimburse the extraordinary expenses they incurred in the discharge of their official duties, during the calamity in the city of Philadelphia, in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three, where they remained at the great personal hazard of them selves and families. Also, a petition of Josiah Witter, a lieutenant in the late Connecticut line of the continental army, praying to be placed on the list of pensioners, in consideration of wounds and other injuries received in the service of the United States, during the late war; also, that be may be allowed an arrearage of pay, and other emoluments, to which he conceives himself justly entitled by resolutions of the late Congress. Ordered, That the said memorial and petition, together with the petition of Moses White, presented the eleventh of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, and the report of the Secretary of the Treasury thereon, be referred to the Committee of Claims. A petition of Richard Duryee and others, Clerks in the office of the Commissioner of Loans, for the State of New York, was presented to the House and read, stating the insufficiency of the compensation allowed them by law; and praying that the same may be increased, and rendered more adequate to their services. Ordered, That the said petition be referred to Mr. Goodhue, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Earle, VOL. II.-56 Mr. Williams and Mr. Thomas; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary: Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed the bill, entitled "An act for establishing trading houses with the Indian tribes;" with several amendments; to which they desire the concurrence of this House. And then he withdrew. The said amendments were read, and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. Goodhue, from the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, presented, according to order, a bill for the relief of Israel Loring; 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. Mr. Goodhue, from the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, presented, according to order, a bill for the relief of Joze Roiz Silva; 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 Commitmittee of the Whole House on Monday next. Mr. Goodhue, from the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, presented, according to order, a bill providing relief, for a limited time, in certain cases of invalid registers; 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. Mr. Livingston, from the committee to whom was referred the memorial of Nicholas Roosevelt and Jacob Mark, in behalf of themselves and their associates, made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Tuesday next. The House resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee of Elections, to whom was referred the petition of Matthew Lyon, of the State of Vermont, complaining of an undue election and return of Israel Smith, to serve as a member of this House, for the said State, and made a further progress therein. Ordered, That the farther consideration of the said report be postponed until Monday next. Mr. Hillhouse, from the committee to whom was recommitted the bill to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes, and to preserve peace on the frontiers; and to whom was also referred the message from the President of the United States, of the second instant, accompanying the copy of a letter from the Governor of the Territory South of the river Ohio, submitted to the decision of the House the following question, to wit: "Can this House proceed to legislate upon the treaty said to be made by General Wayne, with the Indians Northwest of the river Ohio, upon the information now be fore the House?" Ordered, That the consideration of the said question be postponed until Monday next. On motion, Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be laid before this House the treaty mentioned in his communications to both Houses of Congress, at the opening of the present Session, as having been negotiated with certain Indian nations Northwest of the river Ohio. Ordered, That Mr. Dearborn and Mr. Dent be appointed a committee to wait on the President, with the foregoing resolution. The several orders of the day were further postponed until Monday next.. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1796. Memorials and representations of sundry citizens and inhabitants of the State of New York, whose names are thereunto subscribed, to the same effect with others from the States of Vermont, Virginia, and Georgia, on the subject of the late treaty nego tiated with Great Britain, and in opposition thereto. were presented to the House and read. Also, a memorial of sundry merchants of the town of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, whose names are thereunto subscribed, praying relief from the Government of the United States, by way of loan or advance on their respective claims, for the property which have been unjustly taken from them by the armed vessels of the British, when in the regular pursuit of their commerce. Ordered, That the said memorials and representations be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. A petition of William Nesbit, and others, citizens of the State of Kentucky, was presented to the House and read, praying that they may permitted to purchase a tract of land, on the East side of Sciota river, in the territory Northwest of the river Ohio, on certain terms and conditions stated in the said petition. Also, a petition of Reuben Clark and others, to the same effect. Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Committee of the Whole House to whom is committed the bill establishing offices for the sale of the lands in the ter ritory Northwest of the river Ohio. Ordered, That the petition of Robert Ralston, assignee of Thomas Barclay, returned by the Secretary of the Treasury, the fifth of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, be referred to the Committee of Claims. Mr. Gilman, from the committee to whom was referred the report of a committee of the nineteenth of February, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three, on the petition of John Blake, Joseph Bindon, John D. Mercier and Benjamin Thompson, Canadian refugees, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. Jeremiah Smith, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill authorizing a loan for the use of the City of Washington, in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes therein mentioned; 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 Wednesday next. On a motion made and seconded that the House do come to the following resolution: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to consider whether any, or what, alteration is necessary in the compensation of the Officers of the Government of the United States: It passed in the negative. The House proceeded to consider the amendments proposed by the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act for establishing trading houses with the Indian tribes," which lay on the table: Whereupon, Ordered, That the said amendments be committed to Mr. Parker, Mr. Samuel Lyman and Mr. Tatom. The House resumed the consideration of the report of the Committee of Elections, to whom was referred the petition of Matthew Lyon, of the State of Vermont, com plaining of an undue election and return of Israel Smith, to serve as a member of this House for the said State: Whereupon, A motion was made, and the question being put, that the farther consideration of the said report be postponed until Tuesday the fifteenth of March next, It passed in the negative. Another motion was then made, and the question being put, that the said report be re-committed to the Committee of Elections, It passed in the negative. Another motion was then made, and the question being put, that the farther consideration of the said report be postponed until Tuesday the twenty-ninth of March next, It was resolved in the affirmative. The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of State, accompanying the copy of a Treaty of Peace between the United States and certain Indian nations Northwest of the River Ohio, communicated by order of the President, in pursuance of the resolution of this House, of the twelfth instant; which were read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow. The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill establishing offices for the sale of the lands in the territory Northwest of the river Ohio; 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 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. |