to whom was referred the petition of Daniel W. Coxe and others, merchants of Philadelphia, report: JANUARY, 1802. ceived, read, and ordered to lie on the table, on the twenty-fifth instant, be referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. "That the petitioners state that they are deprived of the drawbacks on goods of foreign growth and man- The House resolved itself into a Committee of ufacture, and on salted provisions, shipped by them the whole House on the bill to authorize the setfrom the port of Philadelphia to ports of foreign nations, tlement of the account of Samuel Dexter, for his although they had complied with every requisite re-expense in defending against the suit of Joseph quired by law for the obtaining of such drawbacks, save Hodgson; and, after some time spent therein, the only the taking of the oaths within the ten days pre- Committee rose, and reported the bill without scribed by law, to wit: That the goods were truly intended to be exported, and were not intended to be relanded within the United States;' and the giving bond that the said goods, or any part thereof, should not be landed within the United States. amendment. Ordered, That the bill be engrossed, and read the third time to-morrow. On motion, it was The petitioners further state, that they appeared at Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inthe custom-house within a very few days after the ten quire into the situation of the several tracts and days (prescribed by law) had expired, and offered to take parcels of land which have been granted, approprithe said oaths, and to give the bond required by law; ated, or reserved, for the support of public schools when, to their surprise, the Collector informed them and seminaries of learning, and for the support of that it was no longer in his power to afford them relief: religion, within the Territory of the United States They, therefore, solicit Congress to authorize the Col- Northwest of the river Ohio; and that the comlector for the port of Philadelphia to issue the deben-mittee take into their consideration what measures tures due to them respectively. "The committee are of opinion that the prayer of the petitioners ought to be granted, and submit a bill to that effect." Mr. SAMUEL SMITH, from the same committee, presented a bill for the relief of Daniel W. Coxe and others; which was read twice and committed to a Committee of the whole House on Thursday next. Mr. SPRIGG reported a bill for the government of the Territory of Columbia. [The bill establishes a Legislature, chosen by the taxable citizens of the United States one year resident in the Territory, composed of a House of Representatives, to consist of twenty-five members, seven whereof to be chosen by the district of Rock Creek, seven from the part west of Rock Creek, and eleven by the county of Alexandria. The Governor to be appointed by the President of the United States. The Territory to pay the Legislature, and the United States the Governor. The judges to hold their offices during life, unless removed by the President on the application of two successive Legislatures.] Referred to the Committee of the whole House on Tuesday next. A memorial and remonstrance of sundry inhabitants of the county and town of Alexandria, in the District of Columbia, was presented to the House and read, praying that Congress will not agree to any plan, or pass any bill respecting the government of the said District, which shall, by the establishment of a subordinate Legislative or subordinate Executive, or otherwise, tend to unite under its power, the two parts of the district, as separated by the river Potomac.-Referred to the Committee of the whole House last appointed. Ordered, That the letters of the Secretary of the Department of the Navy and of State, enclosing copies of instructions heretofore issued from the said Departments, under the direction of the President, to commanders of armed ships and vessels of the United States, in virtue of an act of Congress, entitled "An act further to protect the commerce of the United States," which were re are necessary, and ought to be adopted, to carry fully into effect the design of every such grant, appropriation, or reservation. Ordered, That Mr. FEARING, M. Davis, Mr. GRAY, Mr. ROBERT WILLIAMS, and Mr. FOSTER, be appointed a committee, pursuant to the said resolution; and that the said committee be authorized to report by bill, or bills, or otherwise. Mr. MITCHILL, from the committee appointed, on the fifteenth ultimo, presented a bill for revising and amending the acts concerning naturalization; which was read twice and committed to a Committee of the whole House on Monday next. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House on the report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, of the fifteenth instant, to whom was referred the memorial of Thomas K. Jones; and, after some time spent therein, the Committee rose and reported to the House their disagreement to the resolution contained therein; which is in the words following, to wit: "Resolved, That the Collector for the port of Boston and Charlestown be, and he hereby is, authorized to issue to Thomas K. Jones the debentures on ten pipes of wine, imported by said Jones, in the ship Juno, Captain Thomas Dingley, and exported, on the fifteenth of June, last, in the ship Enterprize, Captain Hearsy, for Havana, on full and satisfactory proof being made to the said Collector of the actual quantity of wine in the said pipes at the time of their being shipped, as aforesaid: Provided, that every other requisite shall have been pursued, agreeably to law, for the obtaining the said drawback." On the question to agree with the Committee of the whole House in their disagreement to the said resolution, an adjournment was called for; whereupon, the House adjourned. WEDNESDAY, January 27. An engrossed bill to authorize the settlement of the account of Samuel Dexter, for his expense in defending against the suit of Joseph Hodgson, was read the third time; and the further consider ation of the said bill was postponed until Monday next. Petitions of sundry inhabitants of the Territory of the United States Northwest of the river Ohio, whose names are thereunto respectively subscribed, to the same effect with the petitions of sundry other inhabitants of the said Territory, presented on the twentieth instant, were presented to the House and read.-Referred to the Committee of the whole House to whom is committed an act of the Legislature of the said Territory, entitled "An act declaring the assent of the Territory Northwest of the river Ohio to an alteration in the ordinance for the government thereof." A memorial of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, signed by Thomas Fitzsimons, their President, was presented to the House and read, praying that a law may be passed by Congress to authorize an appropriation for the expenses of supporting, and keeping in repair, certain piers heretofore erected in different places in the river Delaware, for the protection of vessels, in inclement seasons, navigating the said river.-Referred to the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures. Mr. JONES, from the committee appointed on the fourteenth instant, presented a bill authorizing the payment of two thousand and eight hundred dollars to Philip Sloan; which was read twice and committed to a Committee of the whole House to-morrow. Mr. JOHN C. SMITH, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred, on the thirteenth instant, the petition of John Carr, and two reports of committees thereon, made a report; which was read, and ordered to be committed to a Committee of the whole House to-morrow. A Message was received from the President of the United States, transmitting the accounts of Indian trading houses, as rendered up to the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and one, with a report of the Secretary of War thereon, explaining the effects and the situation of that commerce, and the reasons in favor of its further extension. The Message and the documents accompanying the same were read, and ordered to be referred to the committee appointed, on the seventh instant, to whom was referred the memorial of Evan Thomas and others. Ordered, That the report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, of the fifteenth instant, on the memorial of Thomas K. Jones, to which the Committee of the whole House reported their disagreement on the twenty-sixth instant, be recommitted to the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures. NORTHWEST TERRITORY The House again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on an act of the Legislature of the Territory of the United States Northwest of the river Ohio, entitled "An act declaring the assent of the Territory Northwest of the river Ohio to an alteration in the ordinance for the government thereof;" to which Committee of the whole House were also referred the petitions of sundry inhabitants of the said Territory in opposition H. of R. thereto : Whereon a debate of some length ensued, on the motion of Mr. FEARING, deciding the constitutionality of the act, which was supported by Messrs. FEARING, and GRISWOLD; and opposed by Messrs. DAVIS, GILES, and BAYARD. On the question being taken, it was lost. Mr. GILES's motion, verbally modified, was then agreed to; when Mr. JOHN C. SMITH, the Chairman, reported that the Committee had come to the following resolution: Resolved, As the opinion of this committee, that the act passed by the Legislature for the Territory Northwest of the river Ohio, entitled "An act declaring the assent of the Territory Northwest of the river Ohio to an alteration in the ordinance for the government thereof," ought not to be assented to by Congress. The House then proceeded to consider the said resolution, and the same being again read, the question was taken, that the House do concur with the Committee of the whole House in their agreement to the said resolution, and resolved in the affirmative-yeas 81, nays 5, as follows: YEAS-Willis Alston, John Archer, John Bacon, James A. Bayard, Phanuel Bishop, Richard Brent, Campbell, Thomas Claiborne, Matthew Clay, John Robert Brown, William Butler, Samuel J. Cabell, John Condit, Richard Cutts, John Davenport, Thomas T. Davis, John Dawson, John Dennis, William Dickson, Lucas Elmendorf, Ebenezer Elmer, John Fowler, William B. Giles, Calvin Goddard, Edwin Gray, Andrew Gregg, William Barry Grove, Daniel Heister, Joseph Heister, William Helms, Joseph Hemphill, Archibald Henderson, William H. Hill, William Hoge, James Holland, David Holmes, Benjamin Huger, George Jackson, Charles Johnson, Michael Leib, Ebenezer Mattoon, John Milledge, Samuel L. Mitchill, Thomas Moore, Lewis R. Morris, James Mott, Anthony New, Thomas Newton, jr., Joseph H. Nicholson, Thomas Plater, John Randolph, jr., Nathan Read, John Rutledge, John Smilie, Israel Smith, John Cotton Smith, John Smith, of New York, John Smith, of Virginia, Josiah Smith, Samuel Smith, Henry Southard, Richard Sprigg, Richard Stanford, John Stanley, Joseph StanTallmadge, Samuel Tenney, Thomas Tillinghast, Philton, jr., John Stratton, John Taliaferro, jr., Benjamin ip R. Thompson, Abram Trigg, John Trigg, Philip Van Cortlandt, John P. Van Ness, Joseph B. Varnum, Isaac Van Horne, Benjamin Walker, Lemuel Williams, Robert Williams, and Henry Woods. NAYS-Thomas Boude, Manasseh Cutler, Abiel Foster, Seth Hastings, and George B. Upham. THURSDAY, January 28. The House went into a Committee of the Whole on the bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act authorizing the discharge of Lawrence Erb from his confinement; and, after some time spent therein, the Committee rose, and reported the bill without amendment. Ordered, That the said bill be read the third time to-morrow. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the bill to allow a drawback of duties on goods exported to New Orleans, and therein to amend the act, entitled "An act to regulate the collection of duties on imports and tonnage;" and, after some time spent therein, the Committee rose, and reported several amendments thereto; which were severally read twice, and agreed to by the House. Ordered, That the said bill, with the amendments, be engrossed, and read the third time to morrow. Mr. SPRIGG, from the committee appointed on the eighth ultimo, to inquire whether any, and, if any, what, alterations or amendments may be necessary in the existing government and laws of the District of Columbia, to whom was referred, on the 11th instant, the memorial of Samuel Harvey Howard, register of the court of chancery in the State of Maryland, made a report; which was read and considered: Whereupon, JANUARY, 1802. of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, as a testimony of the high sense they entertain of the nautical skill and gallant conduct of Lieutenant Andrew Sterret, commander of the United States' schooner Enterprize, manifested in an engagement with, and in the capture of, a Tripolitan corsair, of superior force, in the Mediterranean sea, fitted out by the Bey of that Regency to harass the trade, capture the vessels, and enslave the citizens, of these States, the President of the United States be requested to present Lieutenant Sterret with a gold medal, with such suitable devices thereon, as he shall deem proper, and emblematic of that heroic action, and the mercy extended to a barbarous enemy, who three times struck his colors, and twice recommenced hostilities; an act of humanity, however unmerited, highly honorable to the American flag and nation; and that the President of Resolved, That it is expedient to pass a law au- the United States be also requested to present to each thorizing and directing the Marshal for the Dis- of the Lieutenants, Porter and Lawson, of the Navy, trict of Columbia to collect, by distress and sale of and Lieutenant Lane of the Marines, who were serving the goods and chattels of the debtors, or by exe- on board the Enterprize in the engagement, and concution against their persons, all fees due from re-tributed, by their gallant conduct, to the success of the sidents in the said territory, which have become day, a sword, with such suitable devices as the Presidue, or may become due, to the solicitors, attor- dent may deem fit. neys, registers, clerks, and other officers of any courts in Maryland, on any suits, process, or proceedings, pending in the said courts on the twentyseventh day of February, one thousand eight hundred and one. Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in, pursuant to the said resolution; and that Mr. SPRIGG, Mr. BRENT, Mr. FOSTER, Mr. GREGG, Mr. PLATER, Mr. STRATTON, and Mr. BACON, do prepare and bring in the same. Mr. EUSTIS, from the committee appointed on the seventh instant, to inquire and report whether any, and, if any, what, amendments are necessary in the laws respecting the fortifications of the harbors of the United States, made a report; which was read and considered: Whereupon, Resolved, That no amendments in the laws aforesaid are necessary. "Be it further resolved, In consideration of the intrepid behaviour of the crew of the Enterprize, under the orders of their gallant commander, and their receiving no prize money, the corsair being dismantled and released after her capture, that one month's pay, over and above the usual allowance, be paid to all the other offcers, sailors, and marines, who were actually on board and engaged in that action; for the expenditure of which charge Congress will make the necessary appropriation." The question was taken that the House do concur with the Committee of the whole House in their disagreement to the same, and resolved in the affirmative. The resolutions contained in the report of the select committee, to which the Committee of the whole House reported their agreement, being twice read, in the words following, to wit: "Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representasembled, That they entertain a high sense of the gallant tives of the United States of America in Congress asconduct of Lieutenant Sterret, and the other officers, seamen, and marines, on board the schooner Enterprize, in the capture of a Tripolitan corsair, of fourteen guns and eighty men. "Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to present to Lieutenant Sterret a sword, commemorative of the aforesaid heroic action; and that one month's extra pay be allowed to all the other officers, seamen, and marines, who were on board the Enterprize when the aforesaid action took place." The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the report of a select committee of the nineteenth instant, on the resolutions of the Senate, in the form of joint resolutions of the two Houses, "in respect to Lieutenant Sterret, the officers, and crew of the United States' schooner Enterprize;" to which Committee of the whole House were also referred the said resolutions of the Senate; and, after some time spent therein, the Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. DAVIS reported that the Committee had had the said report and resolutions under consideration, and di- The question was taken that the House do conrected him to repeat to the House their disagree-cur with the Committee of the whole House in ment to the said resolutions of the Senate, and their agreement to the same, and resolved in the their agreement to two resolutions contained in affirmative. the report of the select committee thereupon, in the form of joint resolutions of the two Houses; which he delivered in at the Clerk's table. The House then proceeded to consider the said report and resolutions: Whereupon, the resolutions of the Senate, to which the Committee of the whole House reported their disagreement, being twice read at the Clerk's table, in the words following, to wit: Ordered, That the said resolutions be engrossed, and read the third time to-morrow. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, of the twenty-fifth instant, to whom was referred the memorial of Lyon Lehman; and, after some time spent therein, the Committee rose, and reported a resolution thereupon; which was twice read, and agreed to by the "Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives | House, as follows: Resolved, That the prayer of the petition of the said Lyon Lehman is reasonable, and that the said petitioner ought to be refunded the sum of one thousand six hundred and eighty-four dollars, being the amount of duties he paid on the importation of three thousand five hundred rifles and carbines, and two hundred and eighty-seven pair of pistols, into the United States, in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine. Ordered, That a bill or bills be brought in, pursuant to the said resolution; and that the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures do prepare and bring in the same. Mr. GILES laid on the table a resolution to the following purport: Resolved, That the census of the Northwestern Territory be referred to a committee, to consider whether any and what measures are necessary at this time relative to granting the people of that Territory a State Government, and to provide for their being admitted iuto the Union." Mr. NICHOLSON offered a resolution to the following effect: "Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to report to this House what loan office and final settlement certificates are outstanding and not paid, and whether accounts have been so kept at the Treasury that provision can be made for paying them without subjecting the United States to be defrauded." This resolution brought on a debate which occupied the remainder of the sitting. In the course of it a great diversity of opinion appeared, and the propriety of altering the statutes of limitation was discussed. A majority of the House appeared to be opposed to touching those statutes, and the resolution was finally rejected. Mr. SAMUEL SMITH, from the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, presented a bill for the relief of Lyon Lehman; which was read twice and committed to a Committee of the whole House to-morrow. Ordered, That the committee appointed, on the twenty-second ultimo, to prepare and bring in a bill or bills for a revision and amendment of the laws for regulating the militia of the United States, have leave to sit during the sessions of the House. On motion, it was Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be directed to lay before this House a statement of the vessels now belonging to the Navy of the United States, with their present state of equipment, and the service in which they are, respectively, employed. FRIDAY, January 29. An engrossed bill to allow a drawback of duties on goods exported to New Orleans, and therein to amend the act, entitled "An act to regulate the collection of duties on imports and tonnage," was read the third time; and, on a motion made and seconded, ordered to be recommitted to the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures. H. OF R. his confinement," was read the third time and passed. The resolutions in the form of joint resolutions of the two Houses, which were ordered to be engrossed on the twenty-eighth instant, "expressing the sense of Congress on the gallant conduct of Lieutenant Sterret, the officers, and crew, of the United States' schooner Enterprize," were brought in engrossed, and read the third time: Whereupon, Resolved, That this House doth agree to the same, without amendment; and that the Clerk of this House do carry the said resolutions to the Senate, and desire their concurrence. A petition of George Ash was presented to the House and read, praying that Congress will pass a law to confirm to the petitioner a right, in fee simple, to a certain quantity of land opposite the mouth of Kentucky river, in the Territory of the United States Northwest of the river, which has heretofore been granted to him by the Shawanese tribe of Indians, for various services rendered to the said tribe of Indians by the petitioner; and, also, that he may be entitled to the benefits and privileges of a citizen of the United States.-Referred to Mr. DAVIS, Mr. MATTOON, and Mr. GREGG; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. Ordered, That Lewis Dupre, who presented a petition to this House on the fifth instant, relative to the principles of perpetual motion, which, as the petitioner suggests, have been discovered by him, have leave to withdraw his said petition. Mr. J. C. SMITH, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred, on the twenty-fifth instant, the petition of John Brainerd and others, made a report; which was read: Whereupon, Ordered, That the consideration of the said report be postponed until Monday next. Mr. NICHOLSON moved the following resolution: for the payment of such loan office and final settlement "Resolved, That provision ought to be made by law certificates, as may have been lost, and for the payment or renewal of which application was made prior to the 12th of June, 1799." Mr. NICHOLSON wished the resolution to be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. GRISWOLD suggested the propriety of making the first reference to the Committee of Claims, to ascertain facts; in which he was supported by Mr. BAYARD, and opposed by Mr. SOUTHARD. The reference to a Committee of the Whole was lost; and then it was referred to the Committee of Claims. On motion of Mr. GILES, it was Resolved, That the census of the inhabitants of the Territory Northwest of the river Ohio be referred to a select committee, with instructions to report whether any, and what, measures ought, at this time, to be taken for enabling the people of the said Territory to form a State government for themselves, to be admitted into the Union upon the same terms with the original States. The bill sent from the Senate, entitled "An act Ordered, That Mr. GILES, Mr. GRISWOLD, Mr. authorizing the discharge of Lawrence Erb from | ROBERT WILLIAMS, Mr. RUTLEDGE, Mr. JONES, Mr. LEWIS R. MORRIS, and Mr. CONDIT, be appointed a committee, pursuant to the said resolution. Petitions from sundry inhabitants of the Territory of the United States Northwest of the river Ohio, whose names are thereunto respectively subscribed, were presented to the House and read, praying that Congress will consider the present situation of the petitioners, and disagree to any law or plan that may be passed or devised, contrary to their benefit and accommodation, and which may tend to a separation of the said Territory into one or more divisions, in opposition to the wishes and interest of the petitioners, and other inhabitants of the said Territory; also, that Congress will be pleased to consider what measures may, at this time, be proper to be taken for the establishment of a State government in the said Territory, and its admission into the Union. Ordered, That the said petitions, together with such parts of the petition of sundry other inhabitants of the said Territory, as relate to the admission of new States into the Union, whenever it may be deemed expedient by Congress, presented on the twentieth, twenty-fifth, and twenty-seventh instant, be referred to the committee last appointed; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. A memorial of George Helmbold, jun., of the city of Philadelphia, was presented to the House and read, praying that Congress will, by law, extend to all paintings, portraits, and engravings, executed and published within the United States, the benefits and privileges contained in the act, entitled "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned," passed the thirty-first day of May, one thousand seven hundred and ninety. Ordered, That the said memorial be referred to Mr. JONES, Mr. CUTLER, and Mr. MITCHILL; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. The bill authorizing the payment of two thousand and eight hundred dollars to Philip Sloan; was taken up in Committee of the Whole, and ordered to be engrossed, and read the third time on Monday, next. Resolved, That the Committee of Revisal and Unfinished Business be directed to inquire into the expediency of continuing in force, for a longer time, the whole, or any part of an act, entitled "An act to augment the salaries of certain officers therein mentioned," passed the second of March, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine, which act will expire the second of March next, and that the committee be authorized to report such alterations in the salaries of said officers as to them may seem advisable; and that said committee report by bill, or otherwise. Mr. GILES said as a report was soon expected from the Committee of Ways and Means, it was important to ascertain the sense of Congress on FEBRUARY, 1802. the continuance of an establishment attended with a considerable expense. He said he alluded to the Mint. If it should appear that this establishment cost more than the benefits derived from it, he presumed it would be discontinued. He, therefore, submitted a resolution, declaring that the several acts in relation to the Mint ought to be repealed. Ordered to lie on the table. MONDAY, February 1. An engrossed bill authorizing the payment of two thousand and eight hundred dollars to Philip Sloan was read the third time, and passed. Mr. LEWIS R. MORRIS, one of the members for the State of Vermont, presented to the House two resolutions of the General Assembly of the said State, agreed to by the two branches of the Legislature, on the nineteenth and twenty-third of October, one thousand eight hundred and one, proposing certain amendments to the Constitution of the United States in the case of the choice of Electors for President and Vice President of the United States, and of Representatives to Congress from the States, respectively, which were read. and ordered to lie on the table. On motion, it was Ordered, That the committee appointed, on the thirty-first of December last, on "so much of the Message of the President of the United States as relate to naval preparations, and the establishment of sites for naval purposes," be authorized to cause such documents to be printed for the use of the members, as may be deemed proper by the said committee, previous to the presentation of the same to the House. A message from the Senate informed the House that the Senate have passed the bill, entitled "An act for the protection of the commerce and seamen of the United States, in the Mediterranean and adjoining seas," with several amendments; to which they desire the concurrence of this House. The House proceeded to consider the amendments of the Senate to the bill last mentioned: Whereupon, Ordered, That the said amendments, together with the bill, be committed to a Committee of the Whole to-morrow. The SPEAKER laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, enclosing a statement of the vessels now belonging to the Navy of the United States, with their present state of equipment, and the service in which they are respectively employed, in pursuance of a resolution of the House of the twenty-eighth ultimo; which were read and ordered to lie on the table. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the bill to prevent intrusion on the public lands, and for other purposes; and, after some time spent therein, the Committee rose, reported progress, and had leave to sit again. SAMUEL DEXTER. A bill for the settlement of the account of Sam-! uel Dexter, Esq., relative to the suit instituted by Joseph Hodgson, was read a third time. |