ing provision for the further protection of the seamen and commerce of the United States, were referred to a select committee. The House took up the report of the Commit tee of the Whole on Mr. JACKSON's resolution making an appropriation of a certain part of the proceeds of lands, sold in Ohio, to the making public roads, and agreed to it without a division. After which several verbal amendments were made, and the resolution thus amended referred to a committee to bring in a bill. Mr. DAWSON called for the order of the day on two resolutions, some time since offered, respecting post roads. AMEY DARDEN. Mr. CLAIBORNE called for the order of the day on the bill for the relief of Amey Darden. The motion of Mr. DAWSON being lost, there being only thirty-two ayes in favor of it, Mr. CLAIBORNE's motion was taken up. Mr. SANFORD moved to postpone the order of the day on the bill for the relief of Amey Dardin till to-morrow, in order to introduce a resolution for the appointment of a committee to inquire into the expediency of extending the time for adjusting the claims of individuals for supplies furnished and services rendered during the Revolutionary war, with the view of trying previously to the granting individual relief the general principle, whether Congress would repeal the statutes of limitation. After a debate of considerable length, the motion to postpone was lost. The House then went into a Committee of the Whole on the bill, which was so amended as to allow Amey Darden two thousand five hundred dollars for the horse Romulus, being the estimated value thereof, not including interest. The Committee reported the bill so amended. The question was then taken on two thousand five hundred dollars, and decided in the negative by the vote of the SPEAKER. Mr. NICHOLSON moved to fill the blank with two thousand three hundred and twenty dollars, being the amount of principal and interest on the value of the horse. Mr. SANFORD moved to fill it with one thousand dollars. The House agreed to Mr. NICHOLSON's motion-ayes 58, noes 43. The yeas and nays were then taken on the engrossing of the bill for a third reading-yeas 57, nays 49, as follows: YEAS-Willis Alston, junior, Isaac Anderson, John Archer, David Bard, John Boyle, Robert Brown, Joseph Bryan, William Butler, Levi Casey, Thomas Claiborne, Joseph Clay, Matthew Clay, John Clopton, Frederick Conrad, Richard Cutts, William Dickson, John B. Earle, Peter Early, James Elliot, John W. Eppes, James Gillespie, Peterson Goodwyn, Thomas Griffin, Samuel Hammond, Seth Hastings, Joseph Heister, James Holland, John G. Jackson, Michael Leib, Joseph Lewis, jun., John B. C. Lucas, Matthew Lyon, Andrew McCord, David Meriwether, Jeremiah Morrow, Anthony New, Thomas Newton, jun., Joseph H. Nicholson, Gideon Olin, Thomas M. Randolph, H. OF R. NAYS-Nathaniel Alexander, Simeon Baldwin, Geo. Michael Bedinger, Silas Betton, William Chamberlin, Martin Chittenden, Clifton Claggett, Jacob Crowninshield, Manasseh Cutler, Samuel W. Dana, John Davenport, Thomas Dwight, William Eustis, William Findley, Calvin Goddard, Edwin Gray, Andrew Gregg, Gaylord Griswold, Roger Griswold, John A. Hanna, Josiah Hasbrouck, William Hoge, David Holmes, David Hough, Benjamin Huger, William Kennedy, Mitchill, Nicholas R. Moore, Thomas Moore, Thomas Henry W. Livingston, Nahum Mitchell, Samuel L. Sandford, Tompson J. Skinner, John Smilie, John Plater, John Randolph, jun., Erastus Root, Thomas Cotton Smith, John Smith of New York, William Stedman, James Stephenson, Benjamin Tallmadge, Samuel Tenney, David Thomas, George Tibbits, Peleg Wadsworth, John Whitehill, Lemuel Williams, and Thomas Wynns. Ordered, That the said bill be read the third time to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, November 30. The SPEAKER laid before the House sundry depositions and other papers, transmitted from the counties of Greenbriar and Rockbridge, in the State of Virginia, respecting the contested election of THOMAS LEWIS, one of the members returned to serve in this House for the said State; which were ordered to be referred to the Committee of Elections. Mr. JOHN RANDOLPH, jr., from the Committee of Ways and Means, presented a bill giving effect to the laws of the United States within the territories ceded to the United States by the treaty of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred and three, between the United States and the French Republic, and for other purposes; which was read twice, and committed to a Committee of the whole House on Monday next. An engrossed bill for the relief of the legal representatives of David Darden, deceased, was read the third time; and on the question that the said bill do pass, there appeared-yeas 58, nays 57. And Mr. SPEAKER having declared himself with the nays, the said question was, in conformity with the rules of the House, decided in the negative. And so the said bill was rejected. YEAS-Willis Alston, jr., Isaac Anderson, John Archer, David Bard, John Boyle, Robert Brown, Joseph Bryan, William Butler, John Campbell, Levi Casey, Thomas Claiborne, Joseph Clay, Matthew Clay, John Clopton, Frederick Conrad, Richard Cutts, William Dickson, John B. Earle, Peter Early, James Elliot, John W. Eppes, James Gillespie, Peterson Goodwyn, Samuel Hammond, Daniel Heister, Joseph Heister, John G. Jackson, Walter Jones, Michael Leib, Joseph Lewis, jr., Matthew Lyon, Andrew McCord, David Meriwether, Jeremiah Morrow, Anthony New, Thos. Newton, jr., Joseph H. Nicholson, Gideon Olin, Beriah Palmer, Thomas M. Randolph, John Rea, of Pennsylvania, John Rhea of Tennessee, Jacob Rich ards, C. A. Rodney, Thomas Sammons, John Smith of Virginia, Richard Stanford, Joseph Stanton, Philip R. Thompson, Abram Trigg, John Trigg, Philip Van Cortlandt, Isaac Van Horne, Joseph B. Varnum, Matthew Walton, Marmaduke Williams, Richard Winn, and Joseph Winston. NAYS Nathaniel Alexander, Simeon Baldwin, Geo. Michael Bedinger, Silas Betton, Phanuel Bishop, Wm. Blackledge, William Chamberlin, Martin Chittenden, Clifton Claggett, Jacob Crowninshield, Manasseh Cutler, Samuel W. Dana, John Davenport, John Dawson, Thomas Dwight, William Eustis, William Findley, Calvin Goddard, Edwin Gray, Andrew Gregg, Gaylord Griswold, Roger Griswold, Josiah Hasbrouck, William Hoge, David Holmes, David Hough, Benjamin Huger, Samuel Hunt, William Kennedy, Nehemiah Knight, H. W. Livingston, Thomas Lowndes, William McCreery, Nahum Mitchell, Samuel L. Mitchill, Nicholas R. Moore, Thomas Moore, John Randolph, jr., Erastus Root, Thomas Sandford, Tompson J. Skinner, John Smilie, John Cotton Smith, John Smith of New York, William Stedman, James Stephenson, John Stewart, Samuel Taggart, Benjamin Tallmadge, Samuel Tenney, Samuel Thatcher, David Thomas, George Tibbitts, Peleg Wadsworth, John Whitehill, Lemuel Williams, and Thomas Wynns. THURSDAY, December 1. Mr. EUSTIS, from the Committee to whom were referred, on the twenty-fourth ultimo, the amendments proposed by the Senate to the bill, entitled "An act for the further protection of the seamen and commerce of the United States," made a report thereon; which was read, and, together with the said amendments, ordered to be referred to a Committee of the Whole to-morrow. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the report of the Committee of Claims, of the sixteenth ultimo, on the memorial of Paul Coulon, a French citizen; and, after some time spent therein, the Committee rose and reported progress. Ordered, That the Committee of the Whole be discharged from the farther consideration thereof, and that the said report and memorial be recommitted to the Committee of Claims. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the report of the committee of the twenty-eighth ultimo, on the remonstrance and memorial of Zachariah Cox; and, after some time spent therein, the Committee rose and reported to the House their agreement to the resolution contained therein. Ordered, That the consideration of the said report and resolution be postponed until Monday next. Ordered, That the memorial and petition of the Illinois and Ouabache Land Companies, which was read and ordered to lie on the table on the twenty-seventh of October last, be referred to Mr. LEIB, Mr. THOMPSON, Mr. SANDFORD, Mr. TAGGART, and Mr. McCORD, to examine and report their opinion thereupon to the House. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the Message from the President of the United States, of the twenty-fifth ultimo, DECEMBER, 1803. Maryland, appeared, produced his credentials, was Another member, to wit: JOHN DENNIS, from qualified, and took his seat in the House. Mr. NICHOLSON, from the committee appointed the twenty-second of November last, who were directed by a resolution of the House, of the twen, ty-fourth of the same month, " to inquire into the expediency of amending the several acts providing for the sale of the public lands of the United Ssates," made a report, in part, thereupon; which was read, and ordered to be referred to a Committee of the whole House on Monday next. Mr. LEIB, from the committee appointed on the twenty-second of October last, presented a bill to reduce the Marine Corps of the United States;" which was read twice and committed to a Committee of the whole House on Monday next. BENJAMIN WELLS. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole on the report of the Committee of Claims on the petition of Benjamin Wells, which is as follows: "The object of the petitioner is to obtain indemnification for the losses he sustained by the insurrection in the western counties of Pennsylvania, in the year 1794. These were estimated by the commissioners appointed for that purpose, under the act of Congress passed the 27th of February, 1795, at one thousand two hundred and thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents; on account of which, there was advanced to the petitioner, by Government, the sum of eight hundred and twenty-seven dollars and fifty cents, for which he is held responsible by the terms of the act just mentioned. Government is bound to make reparation for damages "If your committee entertained the opinion, that the occasioned by rioters or insurgents, still they would not be disposed to admit the report of the commissioners in the present instance, as conclusive evidence of the just the best possible intentions to do complete justice, they amount of those damages. It is very obvious that, with were exposed, in an ex parte inquiry, to various impositions, from the representations of their losses by the parties interested. "From the best information your committee can obtain, they are satisfied that the sum already received from the Government by the petitioner, must be viewed as an adequate compensation for the actual destruction of property he has sustained. To exonerate him from further liability, to refund this sum, would, it is believed, under all the peculiar circumstances of the case, be an act of justice as well as of liberal policy. And, as there are other sufferers from the same unfortunate transac tions, to whom similar advances have been made, your committee are of opinion that relief should be extended to all, under one general provision. They, therefore, respectfully submit to the House the following resolu tion, to wit: "Resolved, That the officers of Government and other citizens to whom moneys were advanced by the President of the United States, pursuant to a law passed the twenty-seventh day of February, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five, entitled "An act to provide some present relief to the officers of Government, and other citizens, who have suffered in their property by the insurgents in the western counties of Pennsylvania," ought to be exonerated from any future responsibility for the moneys so advanced to them respectively." Messrs. J. C. SMITH, SMILIE, and FINDLEY, Supported, and Mr. CLAIBORNE opposed the report. The report was agreed to-ayes 64, noes 24. The Committee rose and reported the report of the Committee of Claims without amendment. Mr. JACKSON moved a postponement of the further consideration of the report until Monday. Messrs. JACKSON, HOLLAND, and CLAIBORNE, supported, and Messrs. J. C. SMITH and SMILIE opposed the postponement, which was lost. The House then concurred in the report of the Committee, and directed a bill to be brought in. STEPHEN KINGSTON. The House went into Committee of the Whole on the report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures on the petition of Stephen Kingston, which is unfavorable to the prayer of the petitioner. H. OF R. rolina, respecting the contested election of SAMUEL D. PURVIANCE, one of the members returned to serve in this House for the said State; which were ordered to be referred to the Committee of Elections. The SPEAKER laid before the House a letter from the Secretary of State, enclosing his report inhabitants of Post Saint Vincennes, in the Inon a petition, in the French language, of sundry diana Territory of the United States, referred to him by order of the House, on the second of March last; which were read, and ordered to lie on the table. A Message was received from the President of the United States, transmitting information that all differences with Morocco had been amicably adjusted. The said Message, and the papers transmitted therewith, were read, and referred to Mr. EUSTIS, Mr. DENNIS, Mr. CONRAD, Mr. GILLESPIE, and Mr. LOWNDES, to examine and report their opinion thereupon to the House. Mr. J. C. SMITH, from the Committee of Claims, presented a bill for the relief of the officers of the Government, and other citizens, who suffered in their property by the insurgents in the Western counties of Pennsylvania; which was received, read twice, and committed to a Committee of the whole House to-morrow. Mr. NICHOLSON observed, that when the City of Washington was laid out, a considerable portion of ground was surrendered by the proprietors to the Commissioners, for the purpose of providing for public walks and gardens, it being considered that when the population of the city should be advanced they would contribute to the health and convenience of the inhabitants. This ground was at present in a waste state; neither productive of profit nor embellishment. By putting it in a state of cultivation, it might contribute to the convenience of the inhabitants as well as of the members of Congress. This might be effected by leasing it for a number of years to one or more persons, on condition of their laying out the rent in its improvement. Mr. N. said he was unwilling to expend any public money on this object, but he believed it might be effected without The Committee then non-concurred in the re-expense. He therefore moved the following report of the Committee of Commerce and Manu- solution: factures-ayes 43, noes 57. Messrs. MITCHILL, J. CLAY, and R. GRISWOLD, opposed the report. Mr. NICHOLSON moved that the Committee should rise, in order to have the report recommitted to the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures. The motion was opposed by Messrs. J. CLAY and S. L. MITCHILL, and lost. The Committee then rose, and the House agreed to their report. Mr. J. CLAY then moved a resolution, "that the prayer of the petition of Stephen Kingston ought to be granted." Mr. R. GRISWOLD moved a recommitment of the report to the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures. Lost-ayes 25. The House then agreed to postpone the further consideration of the resolution until Monday. MONDAY, December 5. into consideration the present situation of the grounds Resolved, That a committee be appointed to take in the City of Washington, which were appropriated for the purpose of laying out public walks and gardens, and to report such measures to this House as may tend to carry into effect the original intention of the proprietors by whom the said lands were granted for public use. Agreed to without a division, and referred to Messrs. NICHOLSON, S. L. MITCHILL, CUTLER, ANDERSON, and J. SMITH of Virginia. A message was received from the Senate, advising that they had passed an amendment to the Constitution of the United States respecting the The SPEAKER laid before the House sundry de-election of a President and Vice President; which positions and other papers, transmitted from the was read twice, and committed to a Committee of county of Montgomery, in the State of North Ca- the Whole to-morrow. Sth CON.-21 THE POST OFFICE. On the motion of Mr. R. GRISWOLD, the following resolution was taken into consideration: Resolved, That the Postmaster General be directed to prepare and report to this House a statement of the gross sum received in each State for the postage of letters, packets, and newspapers, in the years 1801, 1802. and 1803, respectively, together with the sums which have been paid in each year, and in each State, for commissions to postmasters, for carrying the mail, and for all other expenses in relation to the Post Office, in each State, respectively. Mr. VARNUM inquired what was the object of the resolution? If the information it requested was important, he had no objection to calling for it. It appeared to him it could not be had without considerable expense and the loss of much time. A short debate then took place on the resolution. By Mr. R. GRISWOLD it was contended that the information desired was important; that with regard to the expenditures of all public moneys, it was important that that House and the nation should be acquainted with the details; that there were propositions before the House for applying the surplus proceeds of the Post Office establishment to the making and repairing of roads, and that it appeared in the first instance to be intended to commence the application to roads near the seat of Government; hence the propriety of knowing, before this object was decided on, the amount of revenue drawn from the different States, in order to determine where, if at all, it should be laid out. The information would also be useful, inasmuch as it would exhibit the progress of business in different quarters of the Union, indicated by the increased receipts of the Post Office establishment. Messrs. J. RANDOLPH and DAWSON also supported the resolution, on the ground that full information should be laid before Congress and the public of the application of all public moneys. Messrs. VARNUM and GREGG opposed the resolution, on the ground of the great trouble it would DECEMBER, 1803. impose on the Postmaster General to comply with it, and the expense that would unavoidably attend it. They acquiesced in the resolution so far as it respected obtaining the expenses generally, but objected to that part which required a statement of the receipts and expenses in each State. With regard to the propositions before the House for applying the surplus receipts of the Department to repairing or making roads, it was very doubtful whether they would receive the approbation of Congress. So far, therefore, as this resolution was predicated upon them, it was altogether premature. Mr. GREGG moved to strike out the parts in italic, which required a statement of the receipts and expenses in each State. Mr. R. GRISWOLD moved the taking the yeas and nays on the motion; which, being taken, were-yeas 19, nays 95, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. David Bard, George Michael Bedinger, William Blackledge, John Boyle, John Dawson, Andrew Gregg, John A. Hanna, William Kennedy, Matthew Lyon, Beriah Palmer, John Rea of Pennsylvania, Jacob Richards, Tompson J. Skinner, John Smith B. Varnum, Matthew Walton, and John Whitehill. of Virginia, Richard Stanford, David Thomas, Joseph NAYS-Willis Alston, jun., Nathaniel Alexander, Isaac Anderson, John Archer, Simeon Baldwin, Silas Betton, Phanuel Bishop, Robert Brown, Joseph Bryan, William Butler, John Campbell, Levi Casey, William Chamberlin, Martin Chittenden, Thomas Claiborne, Joseph Clay, John Clopton, Frederick Conrad, Jacob Crowninshield, Manasseh Cutler, Richard Cutts, Samuel W. Dana, John Davenport, John Dennis, William Dickson, Thomas Dwight, John B. Earle, Peter Early, James Elliot, John W. Eppes, William Eustis, William Findley, James Gillespie, Calvin Goddard, Peterson Goodwin, Gaylord Griswold, Roger Griswold, Samuel Hammond, Josiah Hasbrouck, Seth Hastings, Daniel Heister, Joseph Heister, William Hoge, David Holmes, David Hough, Benjamin Huger, Samuel Hunt, John G. Jackson, Nehemiah Knight, Michael Leib, Joseph Lewis, jun., Henry W. Livingston, Thomas Lowndes, John B. C. Lucas, Andrew McCord, William McCreery, David Meriwether, Nahum Mitchell, Samuel L. Mitchill, Nicholas R. Moore, Thomas Moore, Jeremiah Morrow, Anthony New, Thomas Newton, jun., Gideon Olin, John Patterson, Thomas Plater, Samuel D. Purviance, John Randolph, jun., A. Rodney, Erastus Root, Thomas Sammons, Thomas Thomas M. Randolph, John Rhea of Tennessee, Cæsar Sandford, Ebenezer Seaver, John Smilie, John Cotton Smith, John Smith of New York, Joseph Stanton, James Stevenson, John Stewart, Samuel Taggart, Benjamin Tallmadge, Samuel Tenney, Philip R. Thompson, George Tibbits, Abram Trigg, John Trigg, Isaac Van Horne, Peleg Wadsworth, Lemuel Williams, Marmaduke Williams, Richard Winn, Joseph Winston, and Thomas Wynns. The question was then taken by yeas and nays on the resolution as originally moved by Mr. R. GRISWOLD-yeas 108, nays 10, as follows: YEAS-Willis Alston, jun., Nathaniel Alexander, Isaac Anderson, John Archer, Simeon Baldwin, David Bard, George Michael Bedinger, Silas Betton, Phanuel Bishop, William Blackledge, John Boyle, Robert Brown, Joseph Bryan, William Butler, George W: Campbell, John Campbell, Levi Casey, Martin Chittenden, Tho mas Claiborne, Joseph Clay, Matthew Clay, John Clopton, Frederick Conrad, Jacob Crowninshield, Manasseh Cutler, Richard Cutts, Samuel W. Dana, John Davenport, John Dawson, John Dennis, William Dickson, Thomas Dwight, John B. Earle, Peter Early, James Elliot, John W. Eppes, William Eustis, William Findley, James Gillespie, Calvin Goddard, Peterson Goodwyn, Edwin Gray, Gaylord Griswold, Roger Griswold, Josiah Hasbrouck, Seth Hastings, Daniel Heister, Joseph Heister, William Hoge, David Holmes, David Hough, Benjamin Huger, Samuel Hunt, John G. Jackson, William Kennedy, Nehemiah Knight, Michael Leib, Joseph Lewis, jun., Thomas Lewis, Henry W. Livingston, Thomas Lowndes, John B. C. Lucas, Andrew McCord, William McCreery, David Meriwether, Nahum Mitchell, Nicholas R. Moore, Thomas Moore, Jeremiah Morrow, Anthony New, Thomas Newton, jun., Gideon Olin, John Patterson, Thomas Plater, Samuel D. Purviance, John Randolph, jun., Thomas M. Randolph, John Rea of Pennsylvania, John Rhea of Tennessee, Jacob Richards, Cæsar A. Rodney, Erastus Root, Thomas Sammons, Thomas Sandford, Ebenezer Seaver, John Smilie, John Cotton Smith, John Smith of New York, John Smith of Virginia, Richard Stanford, Joseph Stanton, William Stedman, James Stephenson, John Stewart, Samuel_Taggart, Benjamin Tallmadge, Samuel Tenney, Philip R. Thompson, George Tibbits, Abram Trigg, John Trigg, Isaac Van Horne, Peleg Wadsworth, Matthew Walton, Lemuel Williams, Marmaduke Williams, Joseph Winston, and Thomas Wynns. NAYS-Andrew Gregg, Samuel Hammond, John A. Hanna, James Holland, Beriah Palmer, Tompson J. Skinner, David Thomas. Joseph B. Varnum, John Whitehill, and Richard Winn. ment. Mr. RODNEY said, his solicitude that this business should be considered at an early day arose from his fear that, otherwise, it would, as it had been the last session, be deferred till the close of the session, and then, from the interference of other objects, be got rid of. But as gentlemen were anxious that New Jersey should be represented on that floor previously to a discussion of this business, he would give a pledge of his desire that the decision should be made with fairness, by acquiescing in the postponement. The question of postponement was then car ried-yeas 82. TUESDAY, December 6. A message from the Senate informed the House that the Senate have passed a bill, entitled "An act to divide the Indiana Territory into two separate governments;" in which they desire the concurrence of this House. H. OF R. AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. The order of the day for the House to resolve itself into a Committee on the amendment to the Constitution, received from the Senate, was called for. Mr. R. GRISWOLD.-The House of Representatives some time since passed a resolution, amendatory of the Constitution, and sent it to the Senate for their concurrence. Of this resolution the Senate have taken no notice, but have sent us a different resolution on the same subject. This proceeding is, I think, unprecedented and unparliamentary; and I think we ought not to decide upon this resolution until the Senate shall have answered our resolution. I move, therefore, a postponement of the resolution from the Senate, until to-morrow. Mr. ELLIOT hoped the consideration of the resolution from the Senate would not be postponed until to-morrow. How far it was proper to impeach the correctness of the course pursued by that body, it was not for him to say. Should they, on any occasion, invade the rights or the dignity of that House, no member would be found more ready to repel the invasion. In this case the Senate have sent us a proposition, embracing the same principle contained in our amendment, with other principles. He hoped, therefore, the House would immediately proceed to give the subject that attention which its intrinsic merits deserved. Mr. DAWSON only rose to correct the gentleman from Connecticut as to precedent. It must be in the recollection of every gentlemen on the floor, that the Senate have frequently sent us bills on the same subject with bills sent by us to them. Mr. R. GRISWOLD wished the gentleman from knew a bill sent to the Senate, which they neVirginia would name an instance. He never glected acting on, and in the room of which sent one of their own. The question was then taken on Mr. GRISWOLD's motion, and lost-yeas 32. Mr. R. GRISWOLD.-I will submit another motion, to wit; that the Committee of the Whole the resolution of the Senate. My grounds for be discharged from the further consideration of this motion are these;-that this resolution has not been transmitted to us by a Constitutional number of Senators, and therefore, that the House cannot act upon it. Mr. DAWSON inquired if the motion were in order. Mr. SPEAKER said it was in order. Mr. R. GRISWOLD.-The principle, I assume, is that this resolution has not passed the Senate by a Constitutional majority of that branch of the Legislature. By a certificate, obtained from the Secretary of that body, it appears that the resolution was passed by the votes of twenty-two members in favor of it; twenty-two voting in the affirmative, and ten in the negative. It is known to every gentleman that the Senate consists of thirtyfour members, and that it consequently requires twenty-three to constitute two-thirds of its members. The principle, I assume, is, that it requires two-thirds of the members of each House to pass |