making provision for the claim of M. Poirey, as Secretary and Aid-de-camp to Major General La Fayette; 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 several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow.
And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1797.

Another member, to wit: Richard Winn, from South Carolina, appeared and took his seat in the House.

A petition of Robert Scot, engraver of the Mint, 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.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the committee appointed to inquire whether any, and what, alterations ought to be made in the compensations allowed by law to the officers of the United States.

A petition of Andrew McFarlan, of Schenectady, in the State of New York, was presented to the House and read, praying that an allowance of drawback may be granted on the exportation of rum distilled within the United States, to the Province of Upper Canada.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures.

Mr. Dwight Foster, from the Committee of Claims, to whom were referred the peti. tions of Jean Baptist Dumon, and of Michael Hillegas, made reports; which were read and considered: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the prayer of the petitions of the said Jean Baptist Dumon and Michael Hillegas cannot be granted.

Mr. Swift, from the committee to whom was referred so much of the speech of the President of the United States to both Houses of Congress as relates to the promotion of agriculture, made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Cen mittee of the Whole House on Monday next.

A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary:

Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed a bill, entitled "An act repealing the limitation to the act, in addition to the act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States,' and to continue in force the same," to which they desire the concur rence of this House. And then he withdrew.

The said bill was 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.

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 of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of Gilbert Dench; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Coit reported that the committee had, according to order, again had the said report under consideration, and directed him to report to the House their agreement to the same.

The House then proceeded to consider the said report at the Clerk's table, and the same being read in the words following, to wit:

"That it appears by the statement of the petitioner, and is proved by the documents which accompany his petition, that, in the years one thousand seven hundred and eightyone, he contracted with Jabez Hatch, then Deputy Quartermaster General, to transport clothing, &c. for the United States, and in one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, he made another contract with the same officer to transport military stores for the United States-which two contracts were both faithfully performed by him. The first contract was made for certificates, and paid according to the terms of it; the second con tract, to the amount of more than twenty-thousand dollars, was made for specie; and when it became due to the petitioner, the said Hatch had not cash to fulfil the contract on the part of the United States. Application was made to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and a loan obtained in certificates or orders, in anticipation of the Continental taxes then in collection. Having obtained these orders or certificates, the said Jabez Hatch paid the same to the petitioner in satisfaction of the contract, and he gave a receipt in full, as having received specie nominally. This loan was soon after reimbursed

in the Treasury of Massachusetts by an order from the Superintendent of Finance for the United States.

The committee find that those certificates, issued in anticipation of the taxes, like other public paper at that time, passed at a discount, and that the petitioner suffered by their depreciation. They are, however, of opinion that, at this time, to undertake to redress the injuries sustained by individuals in the depreciation of public paper dur ing the late war, would be productive of greater evils than any possible advantages resulting from the attempt could compensate.

The petitioner has heretofore brought this subject under the view of Congress, who, after a full investigation, resolved that the prayer of his petition ought not to be granted. Though the committee are sorry for the misfortunes of Mr. Dench, they cannot find sufficient reasons to justify an opinion that the House should now make a different decision; and therefore report that he have leave to withdraw his petition.”

The question was taken that the House do agree with the Committee of the Whole House in their disagreement to the said report,

And resolved in the affirmative.

The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill making provision for the claim of M. Poirey, as Secretary and Aid-de-Camp to Major General Lafayette; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Coit 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. 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, JANUARY 12, 1797.

An engrossed bill making provision for the claim of M. Poirey, as Secretary and Aid de-Camp to Major General Lafayette, was read the third time.

Resolved, That the said bill do pass, and that the title be, "An act making provision for the claim of M. Poirey, as Secretary and Aid-de-Camp to Major General Lafayette." Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said bill to the Senate, and desire their concurrence.

A petition of John Stephenson, of West Springfield, in the State of Massachusetts, was presented to the House and read, praying to be placed on the list of pensioners, in consideration of a wound received at the battle of the White Plains, whilst a soldier in the Army of the United States, during the late war, which has rendered him incapable of obtaining his livelihood by labor.

Also, a petition of Mehitabel Baker, late widow of Obadiah Newton, deceased, praying relief in consideration of services rendered and injuries sustained, by the deceased, as a soldier in Colonel Nixon's regiment of the Continental Army, during the late war. Also, a memorial of Arnold Martin, of Marblehead, in the State of Massachusetts, and Sarah, his wife, late widow of James Mugford, deceased, praying that they may receive the bounty of four hundred dollars, and the prize money due to the deceased, who was killed whilst Commander of the schooner Franklin, in the Navy of the United States, during the late war, to which the memorialists conceive themselves entitled by a resolution of Congress of the twenty eighth of November, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five.

Ordered, That the said petitions and memorial be referred to the Committee of Claims. Mr. Dwight Foster, from the Committee of Claims, to whom were referred the petitions of Fanny Forsyth, widow and relict of Robert Forsyth, deceased, and of James Ore, made reports; which were read: Whereupon,

Ordered, That the report on the petition of James Ore be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Wednesday next.

Resolved, That the prayer of the petition of Fanny Forsyth cannot be granted, and that the petitioner have leave to withdraw the same.

On motion,

Resolved, That the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures be instructed to inquire whether any, and, if any, what, alterations ought to be made in the act, entitled "An act to provide for mitigating or remitting the forcitures and penalties accruing under the revenue laws, in certain cases therein mentioned," and to report by bill or otherwise.

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 of Claims, of the twenty-ninth of

April last, to whom was referred the petition of John Gibbons; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Coit 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.

Mr. Gilman, from the Committee of Revisal and Unfinished Business, made a farther report; which was read: Whereupon,

Ordered, That the report of the Committee of Claims, of the twenty-sixth of May last, on the petition of Oliver Pollock, be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday 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, of the third instant, to whom it was referred to take into consideration the subject of further revenues: and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Dent 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 several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow.
And then the House adjourned until to-morrow morning eleven o'clock.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 1797.

A memorial of the Illinois and Wabash Land Company, signed by order and in behalf of the said company, by James Wilson, their President, was presented to the House and read, praying a re-consideration of their memorial, presented the thirteenth of December, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one; and that such method may be adopted for the speedy decision of their claims against the United States, as Congress, in their wisdom, may deem proper.

Ordered, That the said memorial be referred to Mr. Jeremiah Smith, Mr. Kittera, and Mr. Baldwin; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Attorney General, accompanying his report on the petition of Fanny Forsyth, widow and administratrix of Robert Forsyth, deceased; which were read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.

Mr. Dwight Foster, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the memorial of James Corrie and Samuel Briscoe, in behalf of themselves and Sidney George, in behalf of Joshua Louittit, deceased, made a report; which was read, and considered: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the prayer of the memorial of the said James Corrie, Samuel Briscoe, and Sidney George, cannot be granted.

Mr. Dwight Foster, from the Committee of Claims, to whom were recommitted, on the fourteenth ultimo, the petition of Henry Hill, and several reports thereon, made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.

On a motion made and seconded that the House do come to the following resolutions: Resolved, That the duty now paid on salt imported, be increased to — cents per bushel.

Resolved, That the duties on that class of goods, wares,and merchandises imported, which now pays ten per cent. ad valorem, be augmented to per cent. ad valorem. Resolved, That the duties on that class of goods, wares, and merchandises imported, which pays twelve and a half per cent. ad valorem, be augmented to — per centum, ad valorem.

Resolved, That the duties on that class of goods, wares, and merchandises imported, which pays a duty of fifteen per cent. ad valorem, be augmented to —— per centum, ad valorem. Resolved, That the duties now paid on Madeira wines imported, be augmented to per cent, on the duty now paid.

Resolved, That the duty now paid on Sherry and Lisbon wines imported, and also on the unenumerated wines, be augmented per centum on the present duty. Resolved, That the duties now in force on foreign spirits, not distilled from grain, be augmented per centum on the present amount.

Resolved, That the duty now paid on bohea tea, be augmented

the present amount.

per centum on

Resolved, That the duty now paid on brown sugar imported, be augmented

each pound.

be raised by a duty on stamps.

on

Resolved, That the sum of Resolved, That the sum of of apportionment among the States. Ordered, That the said motion be referred to the Committee of the Whole House to whom is committed the report of the Committee of Ways and Means on the subject of further revenues.

be raised by a tax on windows, according to the rule

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 of Ways and Means, of the third instant, to whom it was referred to take into consideration the subject of further revenues; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Dent 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. Samuel Smith, from the committee appointed, on the fifth instant, to inquire whether any, and what, amendments may be necessary in the act "to ascertain and fix the military establishment of the United States," made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Tuesday next. The several orders of the day were further postponed until Monday next. And then the House adjourned until Monday morning eleven o'clock.

MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1797.

A memorial of Henry P. Dering, Collector for the District and Port of Sagg Harbor, and Inspector of the Revenue for the said port, 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.

Ordered, That the said memorial be referred to the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures.

A petition of William Matthews was presented to the House and read, praying that he may receive a balance of pay due for his services as a Clerk to the Commissary of Purchases for the State of Georgia; also, as Commissary of Musters for the Georgia line, during the late war.

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

A petition of Jeremiah Libbey, Postmaster at Portsmouth, in the State of New Hampshire, 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.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Committee of the Whole House to whom is committed the bill in addition to the act, entitled "An act to establish the Post Office and Post Roads within the United States."

Ordered, That the petition of James Garnett, legatee and executor of James Mercer, deceased, presented the eighth of February last, be referred to the committee appointed on the fifth instant to inquire into the progress made in carrying into effect the act, entitled "An act providing for the sale of the lands of the United States in the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, and above the mouth of Kentucky River" that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the

House.

Mr. Dwight Foster, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of Frederick Hebner, made a report; which was read and considered: Whereupon, Resolved, That the prayer of the petition of the said Frederick Hebner be rejected. Mr. Dwight Foster, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the memorial of Andrew Dunscomb, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. Muhlenberg, from the committee appointed on the fifth instant to inquire whether any, and, if any, what, further rules are necessary to be adopted by this House, and added to the standing rules of the House, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

On motion,

Resolved, That the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures be directed to inquire

whether it is expedient, for the better security of the navigation, to place a number of buoys within, and near the harbor of Boston, and to report thereon by bill or otherwise. 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 of Ways and Means, of the third instant, to whom it was referred to take into consideration the subject of further revenues; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Dent 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.

A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary:

Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed a bill, entitled "An act giving effect to the laws of the United States within the State of Tennessee;" to which they desire the concurrence of this House. And then he withdrew.

The said bill was 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. William Smith, from the Committee of Ways and Means, to whom were referred, on the sixteenth ultimo, a letter and report from the Secretary of the Treasury, accompanied with estimates of the sums necessary to be appropriated for the service of the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.

Ordered, That Mr. Malbone be excused from serving on the Committee of Ways and Means, at his own request; and that Mr. Potter be appointed of the said committee, in his room.

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1797.

A memorial of Samuel Green, Postmaster at Annapolis, in the State of Maryland, 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.

Ordered, That the said memorial be referred to the Committee of the Whole House to whom is committed the bill in addition to the act, entitled "An act to establish the post office and post roads within the United States."

A petition of Griffin Griffith was presented to the House and read, praying that he may receive the pension heretofore allowed him in consideration of wounds received at the battle of Guilford, whilst a soldier in the sixth regiment of the Virginia line on continental establishment, during the late war.

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

Mr. Dwight Foster, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the petition of the widow of the late Scolacuttaw, or Hanging Maw, one of the Chiefs of the Cherokee nation of Indians, made a report; which was read, and ordered to be referred to the Committee of the Whole House to whom is committed the report of the Committee of Claims on the petition of James Ore.

Mr. Andrew Jackson, from the committee to whom was re-committed the report of the Secretary of War, on the petition of Hugh Lawson White, made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday

next.

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1797.

A petition of Andrew Finley, and others, citizens of Westmoreland county, in the State of Pennsylvania, was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for property furnished to, and destroyed by, the militia called out to suppress the late insurrection in the Western counties of the said State.

Also, the memorial and petition of Catharine Metcalfe, widow of Simon Metcalfe, deceased, and of Sarah Fenton, widow of Joseph Fenton, deceased, respectively praying compensation for military services rendered, or losses and injuries sustained, by the de ceased, during the late war.