The motion for $250,000 was put and negatived, 31 to 26; when $200,000 was put and carried.
Mr. BLOUNT said, they had had sufficient proof | Mr. GALLATIN believed the gentlemen from to lead them to believe, that the PRESIDENT did Virginia were mistaken. The committee which not think that House had the power mentioned had been appointed was to consider the fortifiby the gentleman from South Carolina, and, cations of our harbors only. The works at therefore, he doubted not but the first estimate West Point were of a different description, and was made with reference to the expense of the estimate included not only the completing taking possession of the posts. of the fortifications, but the building and repairs of barracks and stores which had been destroyed. The present item could not extend to fortifications in general, as had been apprehended; for, though the Secretary of the department does not confine the money appropriated to one object, to that particular purpose, yet, he cannot expend it on any object which was not contained in the act of appropriation. He moved to add, "magazines, storehouses, and barracks." Agreed to, and also the sum.
Mr. W. SMITH, moved to fill the blank for contingencies of the War Department with $30,000; which was carried without opposition. He then proposed to fill the blank for the defence and protection of the frontiers with $150,000. Mr. GALLATIN said, he certainly wished the frontier to be protected, but he could not think so large a sum necessary for that purpose. The sum last year appropriated was $130,000; and now we had peace with the Indians, which was secured not only by a treaty with them, but by treaties with Great Britain and Spain, he could not account for an increased expense.
The motion for $150,000 was put and negatived; $130,000 was then proposed and carried, 34 to 33.
Mr. W. SMITH proposed to fill the next blank, for the completion of the fortifications, &c., at West Point, with $20,000.
Mr. NICHOLAS inquired if there was any law on this head?
Mr. W. SMITH said, there was an act to authorize a provision for this purpose, but that act had expired. He believed, however, it might properly come in there. This expense, he was told, was necessary to make the posts tenable, and that if no money was expended, the fortifications would be lost. He believed this item might properly be considered as a part of the Military Establishment.
Mr. NICHOLAS said, he did not object to the propriety of the expense, but to the manner of introducing it. It would apply to New York as well as West Point. He considered the admission of West Point as the admission of a principle to which all the surplus appropriations might be applied. All the fortifications, he said, were in the power of the Executive; but, as they had had a committee appointed on the business, whose report they had considered, he thought they should act consistently. He therefore moved to strike out the clause.
Mr. WILLIAMS hoped this item would not be struck out, and that the PRESIDENT would be enabled to extend aid to the fortifications at
New York; if not, the works would go to decay. Mr. VAN CORTLANDT said, that fortifications ought to be attended to, and that he should vote for them.
Mr. GILES hoped the motion would prevail. There had been a committee most of the session, to consider the subject of fortifications. If these fortifications stood in need of repair, the PRESIDENT should have given the information to that committee. He thought the item improper in the present bill.
Mr. W. SMITH then moved to fill the blank for the fortification of forts and harbors with $50,000.
Mr. GALLATIN said, this item he should move to strike out. A committee had been appointed, and had reported on this subject, and that it was not necessary to attend to it at present, as there was a surplus of $23,000 unexpended. It they were to agree to the present sum, it would be appropriating an additional sum of $50,000 for the same object; he hoped, therefore, that it would be struck out.
Mr. W. LYMAN was in favor of striking it out.
Mr. WILLIAMS hoped it would be agreed to, on the ground of the necessity of some attention being paid to the works at New York.
Mr. DAYTON was in favor of striking out this item altogether, as there really was not money to spare for objects not essential. If any par ticular harbor had been, or could be mentioned, the committee might better be enabled to judge whether it would be fit, at this time, pressed as they were for resources, to make an appropria tion for fortifying it, and how much. But, as he knew of none, and believed there were no such, he should certainly be opposed to appropriating a single shilling for this purpose. He meant not to say, that there were not ports in the United States which might be advanta geously fortified, but only, that this country was not yet in a situation to justify their encountering such an expense, especially as it did not appear to be immediately necessary.
The motion for striking out was put, and car ried.
Mr. W. SMITH moved to fill the blank for the pay of officers, seamen, and marines, with $113,025.
Mr. NICHOLAS hoped this item would be struck out. It was certainly an expense for which there was no occasion. He did not wish to see men raised when they could be of no service. The frigates, he said, could not be fit for service before the next session. He hoped, therefore, no opposition would be made to the striking out of the clause.
Mr. W. SMITH said, they had authorized by
law the building of three frigates, and it was wished that they should go into service the present year. If the whole sum was not appropriated, there would certainly be a necessity for a part of it.
Mr. NICHOLAS moved to strike out the item as it stood, and insert, "the pay of the captains of three frigates."
Mr. MACON believed these were the only offi
cers at present appointed.
Mr. HAVENS wished gentlemen to say why these captains should be paid at all. He believed that building of ships was not their business, and that these places were at present mere sinecures. He should therefore vote against the amendment.
Mr. W. SMITH said, it would be necessary to add subsistence as well as pay of three captains, and moved to fill the blank with five thousand dollars; which, after a few observations, was agreed to.
On motion of Mr. W. SMITH, the blank for military pensions was filled, without opposition, with $114,259.
*The whole sum appropriated for the Military and Naval Establishments of the year, was, $1,818,873-the strength of the army being 8000 men, and the debate is given as an instance of the closeness with which appropriations were scrutinized in the early ages of the Government, and also as showing the expense of maintaining troops in the northwest-then as far off (time and cost considered) as our Paci
The committee then rose and the House entered upon the consideration of the amendments which had been made, when all were agreed | fic possessions now are.
Acts of Congress.-Propriety of limiting the period of their
operation, note, 82; safe-keeping of, 129.
ADAMS, JOHN, elected Vice President in 1789, 10; voted for
as President in 1789, 10; in 1793, 885; addresses the
Senate on taking the chair as Vice President, 11; Vice
President U. S., 441, 520.
Address, Inaugural.—Washington, 12.
Address of the Friends in Pennsylvania, &c., urging the
discontinuance of the Slave Trade, 201.
Address of House to President.-In committee, on answer
to the President's Address; clause respecting the West-
ern expedition against the Indians under consideration,
256; alarm occasioned by the Greek treaty, 256; secret
articles thus early, 256; sufferings of the people of Geor-
gia, 286.
Encouraging navigation considered, 257; too early
for the House to commit itself, 257; mode of expres-
sion might conduce to the exclusion of foreign bot-
toms, 257; expressions of the President, 257; amend-
ment proposed, 257; exclusion ruinous to Southern
States, 257; the words of the report and amendment,
257; not be hasty to declare all exports shall be in
American bottoms, 257; tonnage duties paid in Geor-
gia, 257; a substitute proposed, 258; no reason to think
the House will be committed by adopting the Address,
258; two modes of answering the Address, 258; amend-
ment lost, 258.
Answer to the President's Speech, debated, 532; note,
532; the House should not bow so much to the President
as to approve of his proceedings without knowing what
they were, 582; he says his policy in regard to foreign na-
tions is founded in justice; we intend to convey a gen-
eral sentiment of approbation, 582; the amendment pro-
poses substantial approbation, 582; the distinction is
trifling, 532; the mission of Mr. Jay should not be ap-
proved till we know his instructions, 532; better with-
draw the motion than to bring it forward at such an
expense of temper, 533; motion withdrawn, 583; amend.
ment moved relating to self-created societies, 533; an
excitable expression, 533; self-created societies of the
country, 533; as improper to pass a vote of censure as
one of approbation, 534; the conduct of these people had
tended to blow the insurrection, 584; objected that these
societies will acquire importance by a vote of censure,
534; amendment of no weight, 535; leave the societies
to their own conscience, 585; this declaration from the
House will tend to discourage Democratic Societies, 535;
persons most violent against the excise laws had been
equally so against the insurgents, 535; the President did
not want them to intermeddle with the societies, 536;
the societies had produced Western insurrection, 536;
the effects of the societies, 586; the societies composed
of patriots, 537; amendment can answer no purpose but
that of disturbing he public peace, 588; the evils arose
from the excise aws, not from Democratic Societies,
538; the Democratic Societies in a great measure ori-
ginated the late disturbances, 539; misinformation exist-
ed, 540; amendment lost, 540.
Answer to President's Message to 1st Session of 4th
Cognress, considered in the Senate, 594; nothing should
be contained in it such as to force the Senate to precipi-
tate decisions, 594; note, 594; two clauses objectionable;
our situation is not in every way auspicious, 594; no-
thing reasonably objectionable, 594; some members
could not vote for the Address without palpable incon-
sistency, 595; every article of the Treaty objectionable,
595; the term " firm " applied to the Executive impro-
per, 595; the ratification of the Treaty in all its aspects
is advisable, 595; the objections considered, 595; the
clauses record a fact, 596; further consideration of the ob-
jections, 596.
Answer to President's Speech, 1st Session of 4th Con-
gress, considered in the House, 605; practice of addresses
disapproved, 605; practice coeval with the constitution,
605; moved to strike out certain words, 606; clause goes
too far, 606; the confidence of a part of the people was
diminished, 607; motion denies confidence of the House
and the public in the President, 607; such a thing was
once supposed impossible, 607; what are the facts? 607;
defence of the President, 608; recommitted, 608.
African Slaves.-Motion to bring in a bill relative to their
importation, 84. See Duties on Imports and Slavery.
Algerine War, report of the committee on, 475; resolution
to build four ships of forty-four, and two of twenty guns
considered, 475; cannot be done in a year, 475; two
points to be considered-do the Algerines act from their
own impulse in this matter? if so, they can be bought,
475; if excited by Britain, they cannot be bought, 475;
there is danger of a British war from fitting out the
ships, 475; the combined powers would regard their
equipment as an opportunity to pick a quarrel, 475; the
ships would be too small to be important in Europe,
475; British would attempt to search them, hence a
quarrel, 475; bribery alone can purchase security from
the Algerines, 476; not a match for the Algerines, 476;
harbors for American ships in Europe, 476; views on
the subject, 476; no security if we buy a peace, 477; an
armament urged, 477; Britain is the cause, Algiers
the instrument, 477; this expedient unlikely to answer
the purpose, 477; competency of the ships examined,
478; the charge against Britain unfounded, 478; this
country not in a state for war, 478; note, 478; six vessels
sufficient, 479; the bill regarded as affording protection
to commerce against the Algerines, and as the founda-
tion of a permanent Naval Establishment, 480; various
objections urged to this view, 480; the question is
simply whether our commerce requires protection
against the Algerines, and whether this is the best
course to protect it, 482; these points considered, 482; |
objections to the bill reviewed, 482; argument against a
Naval Establishment considered, 482; passage of the
bill, 482.
Allegiance, Foreign.-See remarks of Madison and Jackson,
97 and 98.
Amendments to the Constitution.-Application of the Legis-
lature of Virginia for a convention to consider defects,
and report amendments, 47; debate, 47; this applica-
tion should remain on the files until proper number of
applicants come forward, 47; any subject can be re-
ferred to a committee, 47; the propriety of committing
it doubtful, 47; Congress has no deliberative power on
this occasion, 48; the application of a State should be
respected and regarded, 48; it should be entered at
large on the files of the journal, 48; so ordered, 48.
Proper mode of amending considered, 188; proposi-
tion to insert after the words "We the people," in the
first paragraph, a brief clause, 183; not the proper mode
of amending the constitution, 183; it should be done by
supplement, 183; moved to amend by a resolution de-
claring, "That the following articles be proposed as
amendments," &c., 183; form of less importance than
substance, but there is a neatness and propriety here in
incorporating articles, 184; method proposed by the re-
solution incompatible with the constitution, which re-
quires amendments to form a part of the constitution,
184; all amendments should stand separate from the
constitution-see precedents, 184; supplementary form
most desirable, 184; by incorporation the original in-
strument may be entirely gone, 185; can the mode make
any possible difference, 185; how can amendments be
incorporated, 135; report of committee founded on re-
commendation of State conventions, 185; the original
constitution should remain inviolate, and not be patched
from time to time like Joseph's coat, 186; magna
charta never altered by incorporation of amendments,
186; arguments for incorporation considered, 136; motion
lost, 187; see note, 187.
Freedom of conscience considered, 187; proposition
to insert the words, "no religion shall be established by
law, nor shall the equal rights of conscience be infringed,”
187; the words liable to a wrong construction-have a
tendency to abolish religion altogether, 187; amend-
ment unnecessary-Congress no authority to make reli-
gious establishments, 187; many sects think they are
not well secured, and the effect of amendment will be
conciliatory for the new government, 187; some States
had desired it, 187; reason thereof, 187; experience of
Rhode Island, 187; apprehensions of the people, 188;
result, 188.
Right of instruction considered.—On a motion to in-
sert the words, "to instruct their representatives," an
amendment proposed, 188; arguments against the right,
188; its propriety in this country, 189; if our constituents
have a constitutional right to instruct, we are bound to
obey, 189; the words are calculated to mislead by convey-
ing the idea to the people that they have a right to in-
struct, 189; duty of a representative, 189; dangerous ten-
dency of the doctrine, 140; what may be the consequence
of binding a man to vote according to the will of others in
all cases, 140; arguments in favor, 140; this amendment
is of a doubtful nature, and will have a tendency to pre-
judice the whole system, 141; if sovereignty resides
with the whole people, they cannot, in detached bodies,
contravene an act established by the whole, 141; the
clause would not bind representatives, 141; it will ope-
rate inconveniently to the more distant States, 141; un-
der its adoption, one member as good as many, 141; no
law of the House would be of force if a majority were in-
structed against it, 141; subversive of the principles of
the constitution, 141; must members violate the con-
stitution if instructed, 142; objections further considered.
142; no instruction should have binding force, 143; right
of State Legislature to instruct the House opposed. 143;
absolute necessity of adopting the amendment, 143; no
right of obligation claimed for instructions heretofore,
144; constitutions of several States recognize the right,
144; motion lost, 144; another motion. 144.
Amendments proposed in the Senate relative to the
Judiciary power of the United States, 445; do. passed in
Senate, 446.
AMES, FISHER, Representative from Massachusetts, 21, 173,
255, 815, 888, 527, 637; on duty on molasses, 80; on
duty on hemp and cordage, 87; moves duty on barley
and lime, 88; remarks on tonnage duties, 48; remarks
on tonnage duties, 54; on the scale of duties on imports,
59, 62, 65; would make no bargain or compromise re-
lative to duties on imports, 69; further remarks, 70,
71; opposes the motion to lay duty on African slaves,
74; thinks a limitation of the impost bill injurious to
public credit, 79; further remarks, 80, 84; on the admis-
sion of Rhode Island, 101; on the President's power to re-
move officers, 106; on the organization of the Treasury
Department, 110; on the compensation of the Vice Pre-
sident, 122; on the right of instructions, 143; on the loos-
tion of the seat of government, 158; further remarks, 160;
on manner the Secretary of the Treasury shall make his
report, 177; on the discrimination between foreign and
domestic debts, 195; on discrimination of public creditors,
215; moves to strike out " Potomac," and insert German-
town as seat of Government, 249; on excise officers,
271; further, 272; on the commitment of the bill for s
Bank of the United States, 278; do. speech on the bank,
278; on report of Secretary at War, 817; on the bill for
the encouragement of the Cod Fisheries, 358; on si-
tendance of Secretary of War, 891, 392; on discharging
Committee on defeat of St. Clair, 898; on petition of
Warner Mifflin, 897; on official conduct of Secretary of
Treasury, 486; on the commerce of the United States,
468; on fighting the Algerines, 477; in favor of taxing
salt, 506; urges duties on manufactured tobacco and
refined sugar, 507; on the advance of money to France,
514; on an increase of the army, 515; on raising a force
for protection of S. W. frontier, 517; on the President's
speech, 532; on resolutions of thanks to General Wayne,
545; on the renunciation of nobility for citizenship, 301;
on reference of letter of Secretary of War, 568, 569; on
the execution of the British treaty, 748.
AMY DARDIN's horse, claim for, 763; note, 763.
Apportionment Bill, see Ratio of Representation; veto of
874; action of the House on, 874.
Appropriations.-Bill for the appropriations for 178
considered, 880; various amendments proposed, 30 ;
bill recommitted, 330,
The Right of Congress to withhold appropriations
from existing establishments considered, 625; note, 605;
moved to strike out all appropriated for the officers of
the mint, 625; such motion cannot regularly be brought
forward, 626; the bill is conformed to the state of the
public engagements, 626; an investigation should be
made on an independent footing, 626; a discretionary
power in the House to appropriate or not, 626; when
legal establishments are made, neither branch has a
right to withhold its assent to appropriations conforma
able to the public engagements, 626; illustration, 626;
the House is not to pass an appropriation bill as a
matter of course, 627; amendment agreed to, 627;
in the House, moved to strike out all appropriated to
the mint,627; motion to strike out an appropriation for the
purpose of bringing the policy of a law into discussion, is
repugnant to legislative duties, 627; doctrine of discre-
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