SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1797. An engrossed bill allowing a drawback upon domestic distilled spirits exported in vessels of less than thirty tons by the Mississippi, was read the third time. Resolved, That the said bill do pass, and that the title be, "An act allowing a drawback upon domestic distilled spirits exported in vessels of less than thirty tons by the Mississippi." Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said bill to the Senate, and desire their concurrence. A memorial of George Smith was presented to the House and read, praying a reimbursement of a certain sum of money, which he advanced for his ransom from captivity among the Algerines. Also, a memorial of John Robertson to the same effect. Ordered, That the said memorials be referred to the Secretary of State, with instruction to examine the same, and report his opinion thereupon to the House. A petition of Samuel Loudon, of the State of New York, was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for sundry supplies furnished Udney Hay, Deputy Quartermaster for the said State, by order of Timothy Pickering, Quartermaster General of the Army of the United States, during the late war. Also, a petition of William M'Kinly, praying relief, in consideration of the loss sustained by the petitioner on account of his contract with Isaac Craig, Deputy Quartermaster General, for the delivery of a certain quantity of Indian corn for the use of the Army of the United States, in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three. Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Committee of Claims. A petition of James Frazier, Collector for the District of Vienna, 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 petition do lie on the table. On motion Resolved, That, during the continuance of the present session, it shall be a standing order of the day, that a call of the House shall be had, as soon as the Speaker takes the chair, at the hour to which the House stands adjourned: Provided, That when a quorum appears, the Speaker be authorized to suspend the call. On motions Ordered, That the Committee of the Whole House to whom was committed, on the twenty-third ultimo, the bill in addition to an act, entitled "An act to provide for mitigating or remitting the forfeitures and penalties accruing under the revenue laws in certain cases therein mentioned," be discharged from the consideration thereof; and that the said bill recommitted to Mr. Sitgreaves, Mr. Samuel Smith, and Mr. Griswold. Mr. Nicholas, from the committee to whom was referred, on the sixteenth instant, a petition of sundry venders of wines and foreign distilled spirituous liquors, by retail, in the city and county of Philadelphia, made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to the committee last appointed. Mr. Dwight Foster, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the peti tion of Robert Ralston, assignee of Thomas Barclay, made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Tuesday next. Mr. Gallatin, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill in addition to the act "authorizing the grant and conveyance of certain lands to John Cleves Symmes and his associates;" 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. The House proceeded to consider the resolutions, reported yesterday, from the Committee of the Whole House on the report of the Committee of Ways and Means of the twenty hd ultimo, to whom it was referred to inquire whether any, and, if any, what, articles of foreign growth or manufacture, imported into the United States, or articles manufactured or used within the United States, will allow of an additional duty to be laid upon them, which lay on the table: Whereupon, The first resolution being twice read, and amended at the Clerk's table, was, on the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House as followeth : Resolved, That there be paid an additional duty of one half cent per pound, on brown sugar, imported into the United States; upon molasses, one cent per gallon, and nine cents per pound on sugar candy. The second and third resolutions being severally twice read, were agreed to by the House as follow: Resolved, That there be laid an additional duty of two cents per pound, on all bohea teas, imported into the United States. Resolved, That there be laid an additional duty of two and a half per cent, ad valorem, on all cotton goods, not printed, stained, or colored, imported into the United States. Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in, pursuant to the said resolutions; and that Mr. Harper, Mr. Davenport and Mr. Henderson, do prepare and bring in the same. The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the bill appropriating money for the purpose of finishing the frigates United States, Constitution, and Constellation, to which committee was also committed, the bill repealing so much of an act supplementary to an act, entitled "An act to provide a naval armament," as relates to the officering and manning the frigates building in the United States; and, after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Muhlenberg reported that the committee had, according to order, had the last mentioned bill under consideration, and made several amendments thereto; which he delivered in at the Clerk's table. The House proceeded to consider the said bill at the Clerk's table: Whereupon, The first amendment reported by the Committee of the Whole House, for adding a new section, to be the second section of the said bill, being read, in the words following to wit: "And be it further enacted, That the sum of dollars be, and the same is hereby appropriated for the purpose of finishing the frigates now building, called the United States, Constitution, and Constellation; and that the same be paid out of the surplus of revenue and income, which may accrue to the end of the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, after satisfying the objects for which appropriations have been heretofore made?" The question was taken, that the House do agree to the said amendment, Yeas And resolved in the affirmative, {Nays 59, 25. The yeas and nays being demanded by one-fifth of the members present, Those who voted in the affirmative, are, Matthew Locke, Samuel Lyman, William Lyman, Samuel Maclay, Nathaniel Macon, Richard Sprigg, jun. The other amendment reported by the Committee of the Whole House, for filling up the blank in the said second section, with the words "one hundred and seventy-two thousand," was, on the question being put thereupon, agreed to by the House. Ordered, That the said bill, with the amendments, be engrossed, and read the third time on Monday next. Mr. Gallatin, from the committee appointed, presented, according to order, a bill in addition to the act "making an appropriation to satisfy certain demands attending the late insurrection, and to increase the compensation to jurors and witnesses in the courts 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. The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole House, on the bill in addition to an act, entitled "An act concerning the registering and recording of ships or vessels ;" and to an act, entitled "An act for enrolling and licensing ships or vessels employed in the coasting trade and fisheries, and for regulating the same;" 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 no amendment thereto. Ordered, That the said bill be engrossed, and read the third time on Monday next. Mr. William Smith, from the Committee of Ways and Means, presented, according to order, a bill making appropriations to defray the expense of negotiations with Mediterranean powers; 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. The several orders of the day were further postponed until Monday next. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1797. An engrossed bill repealing so much of an act, supplementary to an act, entitled "An act to provide a naval armament," as relates to the officering and manning the frigates building in the United States; and appropriating money for the purpose of finishing the frigates United States, Constitution, and Constellation, was read the third time. Resolved, That the said bill do pass, and that the title be, "An act repealing so much of an act, supplementary to an act, entitled "An act to provide a naval armament," as relates to the officering and manning the frigates building in the United States; and appropriating money for the purpose of finishing the frigates United States, Constitution, and Constellation." Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said bill to the Senate, and desire their concurrence. An engrossed bill in addition to an act, entitled "An act concerning the registering and recording of ships or vessels, and to an act, entitled 'An act for enrolling and licensing ships or vessels employed in the coasting trade and fisheries, and for regulating the same," was read the third time. Resolved, That the said bill do pass, and that the title be, "An act in addition to an act, entitled 'An act concerning the registering and recording of ships or vessels," and to an act, entitled An act for enrolling and licensing ships or vessels employed in the coasting trade and fisheries, and for regulating the same." Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do carry the said bill to the Senate, and desire their concurrence. A memorial of John Black was presented to the House and read, praying that he may receive the pay and other emoluments due for his services as a sergeant of the sixth regiment of the south Carolina line, on continental establishment, during the late war. Also, a petition of William Erwin, of Iredell county, in the State of North Carolina, praying to be placed on the list of pensioners, in consideration of a wound received whilst a soldier in the militia of the Province of North Carolina, on an expedition against the Indians, in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty, which has rendered him incapable of obtaining his livelihood by labor. Ordered, That the said memorial and petition be referred to the Committee of Claims. Mr. Harper, from the committee appointed, presented according to order, a bill for raising a further sum of money, by additional duties on certain articles imported, and for other purposes; 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. Dwight Foster, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was re-committed, on the twenty-first of December last, their report on the petition of Reuben Colborn, made a report, which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow. On motion, Ordered, That the Committee of the Whole House to whom was committed, on the seventeenth instant, the bill directing the Secretary of War to place certain persons on the pension list, be discharged from the farther consideration thereof; and that the said bill be re-committed to the Committee of Claims. The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of War, accompanying a list of certain claimants, to be placed on the pension list, belonging to the State of Connecticut; as, also, the returns made to the War office, by the examining physicians, in the cases of the said claimants, pursuant to a resolution of both Houses of Congress of the eighteenth of April last; which were read, and ordered to be referred to the Committee of Claims, 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 the thirtieth ultimo, to whom it was referred 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;" and, also, whether any, and if any, what, alterations may be necessary in the same; 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 agreed to by the House as followeth : Resolved, That the evidences of the public debt of the United States shall be receivable in payment for all the lands that may be sold after the day of next; the six per cent stock, and foreign debt to be received at their nominal value; and, the rate at which the other species of stock shall be received, to bear the same proportion to their respective market prices, as the nominal value of the six per cent. stock shall, at the time of payment, bear to its market price. Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in, pursuant to the said resolution; and that Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Nathaniel Smith and Mr. Bard, do prepare and bring in the same. A petition of Thomas Butler and others was presented to the House and read, praying that a re-survey may be made of certain sections and fractional parts of sections of land, purchased by the petitioners, in the several ranges of townships lying on the West side of the river Ohio, in the Northwestern territory, and which, upon actual measurement, are found to be deficient in the quantity mentioned in the plat of the said sections, and the advertisement of the Secretary of the Treasury, relative thereto. Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the committee last appointed. On a motion made and seconded that the House do come to the following resolution: "Resolved, That, a sum, not exceeding· dollars, be appropriated for the expense of the military establishment, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven:" Ordered, That the said motion be committed to a Committee of the Whole House immediately. The House accordingly resolved itself into the said committeo; 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 motion 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, a sum, not exceeding dollars, be appropriated for the expense of the military establishment, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven. 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. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Otis, their Secretary: Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed the bill, entitled "An act to alter and amend an act, entitled 'An act to ascertain and fix the military establishment of the United States." And then he withdrew. On motion, Ordered, That the Committee of the Whole House, to whom was, this day, committed the bill for raising a further sum of money, by additional duties on certain articles imported, and for other purposes, be discharged from the consideration thereof; and that the said bill be re-committed to Mr. Harper, Mr. Davenport, and Mr. Henderson. 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 the tenth inst. to whom it was referred, on the sixteenth of December last, to inquire into the actual state of the fortifications of the ports and harbors of the United States; and whether any, and what further provision is necessary to be made on that subject; 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 agreed to by the House as followeth : Resolved, That the sum of twenty-four thousand dollars be appropriated for the purposes of fortifying the ports and harbors of the United States. 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. The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of War, transmitting an explanatory letter from the Secretary of the Treasury; also, sundry statements relative to the expenditures in the Military Department, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, in pursuance of a resolution of this House, of the fifteenth instant; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table. Ordered, That Mr. Hancock have leave to be absent from the service of this House for the remainder of the session. Mr. Sitgreaves, from the committee to whom was recommitted, on the eighteenth instant, the bill to provide for mit gating or remitting the forfeitures and penalties accruing under the revenue laws, in certain cases therein mentioned, reported an amendatory bill to provide for mitigating or remitting the forfeitures, penalties, and disabilities, accruing under the revenue laws, in certain cases 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 to-morrow. The several orders of the day were further postponed until to-morrow. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1797. Ordered, That Mr. Preston have leave to be absent from the service of this House for the remainder of the session. A petition of Pierre Joseph Flamend, for, and in behalf of, Louis le Guen, of the City of New York, merchant, was presented to the House and read, praying that the time allowed by law for the re-exportation of indigo, may be extended, so that the petitioner may be enabled to avail himself of the benefit of drawback on a quantity of that article. Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the Committee of Commerce and M.nufactures. Mr. Harper, from the committee to whom was recommitted, on the sixteenth instant, their report on the resolution of the Senate "for obtaining information relative to the amendment proposed by Congress to the Constitution of the United States, concerning the suability of States," made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow. |