of this country is bulky; that it requires a great extent of tonnage to import it-that the vessels frequently must return in ballast; and they will return as certainly in this way (as heretofore) as though they had brought it in return cargoes. If, as gentlemen contend, taking them on their own ground, this measure would be beneficial to the interests of our country; if it is to give us capital to carry on war and encourage manufactures, why limit the importation to the first of August? The act of limiting it, shows it to be an indulgence for a particular purpose, and not a measure predicated on the general good. The only solid ground on which it appears to me the argument in favor of this bill can stand, is the right of every citizen to indulgence when it can be granted consistently with the public good. Sir, I lament the situation of those who purchased goods in England prior to the non-importation act going into effect, and I wish we could relieve them without injury to the country. But the measure now in force was a prohibition of the importation of British manufactures, with a view to deprive them of the sale of their manufactures at the time they deprived us of the markets of Europe to counteract those measures of which we bad experienced the evil. What has been done to induce us to remove this restriction? Nothing; and I regret to see a disposition to remove it. This vacillating policy has greatly injured this nation, by raising a doubt whether it was possible for us to persist in any measure for a sufficient length of time to render it effectual. I should be highly gratified to see any one expedient persevered in till it had produced the effect expected from it; and therefore am opposed to the bill. The most important view of this subject is, that a passage of the bill would create distress in the mind of the American people, and have a tendency to impress them with an opinion that all our warlike preparations have not been intended to carry into effect the object we profess to have in view. The motion for indefinite postponement was negatived yeas 50, nays 60, as follows: YEAS-William Anderson, David Bard, William W. Bibb, William Blackledge, Adam Boyd, Robert Brown, John Clopton, William Crawford, Joseph Desha, Elias Earle, James Fisk, Thomas Gholson, Peterson Goodwyn, Isaiah L. Green, Bolling Hall, Obed Hall, John M. Hyneman, Richard M. Johnson, Joseph Kent, Abner Lacock, Joseph Lefever, Peter Little, Aaron Lyle, Nathaniel Macon, William McCoy, Alexander McKim, Arunah Metcalf, Samuel L. Mitchill, Jeremiah Morrow, Hugh Nelson, Anthony New, Thomas Newton, William Piper, Benjamin Pond, Samuel Ringgold, John Rhea, John Roane, Ebenezer Sage, John Sevier, Samuel Shaw, George Smith, William Strong, John Taliaferro, George M. Troup, Charles Turner, jun., Robert Whitehill, David R. Williams, William Widgery, Richard Winn, and Robert Wright. H. of R. Roger Davis, John Dawson, Samuel Dinsmoor, William Ely, James Emott, William Findley, Asa Fitch, Thomas R. Gold, Felix Grundy, John A. Harper, Aylett Hawes, Jacob Hufty, Richard Jackson, jun., Philip B. Key, William R. King, Joseph Lewis, jun., William Lowndes, Archibald McBryde, Samuel McKee, James Milnor, Jonathan O. Moseley, Thomas Newbold, Stephen Ormsby Joseph Pearson, Israel Elisha R. Potter, Josiah Quincy, William Reed, WilPickens, Timothy Pitkin, jr., James Pleasants, jr., liam M. Richardson, Jonathan Roberts, William Rodman, Adam Seybert, Daniel Sheffey, John Smilie, John Smith, Richard Stanford, Philip Stuart, Silas Stow, Lewis B. Sturges, Samuel Taggart, Benjamin Tallmadge, Uri Tracy, Laban Wheaton, Leonard White, and Thomas Wilson. Mr. PLEASANTS again spoke in explanation of his former remarks, and in support of the motion for postponement to Monday. Mr. LOWNDES also again spoke in support of the present motion. He said, if if should prevail, unless there should appear to be a change in the opinion of his friends, after a week's calm reflec tion, so great as to induce a majority of those with whom he acted to adopt his opinion in favor of the bill, against which he must say he had heard no sufficient objection urged, he should not feel himself at liberty to call up the bill on the day to which it was to be postponed. If there should appear to have been such a change, he should then call it up. The motion for postponement to Monday week was then put and carried. RECESS OF CONGRESS. Mr. BIBB called up his motion to appoint a committee, to join with such as should be appointed by the Senate, to examine into the unfinished business, and report whether and when an adjournment could take place. He said he did not propose to repeat the observations he had made on the subject yesterday. The resolution barely proposed an inquiry, and was of that nature that rarely met with opposition in the House. If, upon investigation, it should be found that the public interest would suffer from such a measure, he presumed the committee would report against it. If, on the contrary, it could be done without injury, they would report in favor of it. The report of the arrival of the Hornet was no argument against a motion to inquire. Mr. RHEA said, as he viewed this resolution as a part of the system to which the bill for sus pending the non-importation belonged, he wished them to go hand in hand; and therefore moved to postpone the further consideration of this motion to Monday week, the day to which that bill to the same Committee of the Whole. was postponed, and if possible he would refer it Mr. JOHNSON suggested to the gentleman the propriety of following the same course now as he had done in the case of the bill just alluded to. NATS-Willis Alston, jr., John Baker, Burwell He had better move an indefinite postponement, Bassett, Abijah Bigelow, Harmanus Bleecker, James and thus resolve that the House should never adBreckenridge, Elijah Brigham, William A. Burwell, journ. Mr. J. said he was for taking the subject William Butler, John C. Calhoun, Epaphroditus up at once, and deciding whether an inquiry Champion, Langdon Cheves, John Davenport, jun.,) should be made. No time was proposed by the 12th CoN. 1st SESS.-42 resolution, but merely an inquiry into the business which was most urgent, and whether the House could with propriety adjourn. It appeared to him that it would be more agreeable to some people that the House should never adjourn at all. Mr. SMILIE spoke in favor of the motion, and against postponement. Mr. BASSETT spoke warmly against the original motion. He said it would be considered by the people as giving the go-by to the question of war. There was nothing so much to be guarded against in this Government as vacillation. It was natural for men to differ, and it was therefore not to be wondered at that he did not take the same view of this subject as the gentleman from Georgia; but he really did believe an adjournment of Congress at this time would paralyze the spirit of the people and the action of the Government. There was more now at stake than the mere question of war or peace; for, if this and similar measures were adopted, the people never would believe that Congress or the Government possessed energy enough to support their rights. Mr. WRIGHT said, if the bill, which had been postponed to Monday week, should pass, he was prepared to adjourn. If such an anti-war measure was adopted, the sooner they adjourned the better. He should, therefore, vote for postponement of this motion, till he should see what was to be the fate of that bill. Mr. BURWELL said that the proposition now before the House embraced two objects: an inquiry what business was necessary to be done, and whether an adjournment could take place consistently with the public interest. It ought to be desired by every member of the House that an inquiry of this kind should be made, because it would present to the House the most important measures now before them, and their attention would be particularly turned to them. The other object-an inquiry into the propriety of adjourning-was not inconsistent with any course which Congress had thought proper to pursue, because they might meet again at as early a day as gentlemen pleased. No improper impression, therefore, could be made by the motion; and he hoped it would not be postponed. The question for postponement was negatived. The question on appointing the committee to inquire, &c., was then decided in the affirmative-yeas 72, nays 40, as follows: APRIL, 1812. kin, jr., James Pleasants, jun., Benjamin Pond, Elisha Mr. BIBB, Mr. MACON, Mr. PLEASANTS, Mr. MOSELEY, and Mr. ROBERTS, were appointed the committee on the part of this House. SATURDAY, April 11. A quorum not appearing, the House adjourned until Monday. MONDAY, April 13. Mr. MORROW presented a petition of Eligius Fromentin and Allan B. Magruder, delegates from the Convention of the Territory of Orleans, praying that the free use, in common, of the cypress swamps lying in the said Territory, may be granted to the inhabitants thereof.-Referred to the Committee on the Public Lands. Mr. BACON, from the Committee of Ways and Means, presented a bill making additional appropriations for the support of Government, for the year 1812; which was read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole on Wednesday next.. On motion of Mr. PITKIN, the documents presented to the House on the twenty-fourth ultimo, and tenth instant, relative to the burning of the ship Asia, and brig Gershom, by a squadron of French ships of war, was referred to the Secretary of State. Mr. WRIGHT, from the Military Committee, respecting a new mode of harbor defence by buoy made a report on the petition of Edward Clarke, forts. The report states that the committee had examined the model, but that it was impossible to judge of the effect without an actual experiment thereof. The committee therefore recommend a resolution that the Secretary of the Navy be authorized to make an experiment of the same. The report was read and ordered to lie on the YEAS-Willis Alston, jun., Ezekiel Bacon, John Baker, William W. Bibb, Abijah Bigelow, Harmanus Bleecker, Adam Boyd, James Breckenridge, Elijah Brigham, William A. Burwell, John C. Calhoun, Epaphroditus Champion, Martin Chittenden, John Davenport, jun., Roger Davis, Elias Earle, William Ely, James Emott, William Findley, James Fisk, Asa Fitch, Thomas R. Gold, Peterson Goodwyn, Isaiah L. Green, Aylett Hawes, Jacob Hufty, John M. Hyneman, Richard Jackson, jun., Richard M. Johnson, Joseph Kent, Philip B. Key, William R. King, Joseph Lewis, jun., Mr. BLACKLEDGE reported a bill relating to apNathaniel Macon, Archibald McBryde, Arunah Met- peals from the district to the circuit courts of calf, James Milnor, Jeremiah Morrow, Jonathan O. the United States. Twice read and committed. Moseley, Hugh Nelson, Thomas Newbold, Joseph The engrossed bill to authorize the Secretary Pearson, Israel Pickens, William Piper, Timothy Pit-of the Treasury to purchase the old City Hall in table. the city of New York, was read a third time and passed. The amendments of the Senate to the bill for establishing a corps of artificers were read, and referred to the Military Committee. The bill giving further time for registering claims to land in the eastern district of the Territory of Orleans was read a third time and passed. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, on the bill for ascertaining the titles and claims to lands in that part of Louisiana which lies east of the river Mississippi and island of New Orleans. The committee reported the bill to the House, and it was, with amendments, ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. H. OF R. in a mail or two. If the gentleman was not in so great a hurry, his friend (as he had reason to believe Judge Toulmin to be) would have the benefit of testimony which would go to his complete acquittal. To his mind this was a most extraordinary proceeding, requiring a committee forthwith to report, who had before them, to read and digest, on this subject, two hundred and fifty pages of manuscript. After a few words of reply from Mr. RHEA, his motion was negatived. LOUISIANA LEAD COMPANY. A confidential message from the Senate was announced by the SPEAKER; and the House was accordingly cleared of all persons but the members and officers of the House. The doors were soon opened; when Mr. McKIM offered to the House the following resolution, premising that he had been particuThe House resolved itself into a Committee of larly induced to offer it, by considerations result- the Whole, on the bill to incorporate Moses Ausing from the present state of things in the State tin, Henry Austin, John R. Jones, and others, in of New York, arising from the disability of the the Territory of Louisiana, by the name of the District Judge, by which upwards of seven hun- Lead Company of Louisiana. After considerable dred suits were kept in suspense, to the great in- debate, the first section of the bill was stricken jury of individuals and prejudice of the Govern-out, on motion of Mr. TROUP. The question on ment. In order to remedy that difficulty, a bill had passed both Houses, which had been returned by the President as objectionable on Constitutional grounds. It had been pronounced on this floor, by a respectable law authority, that if that bill was rejected there was no other remedy. He therefore, had been induced to offer the following resolution: concurrence with the committee was decided by YEAS-Willis Alston, jr., William W. Bibb, Robert NAYS-Ezekiel Bacon, John Baker, Burwell Bassett, William Blackledge, Harmanus Bleecker, Adam Boyd, James Breckenridge, Lewis Condict, John Dav The resolution was ordered to lie on the table, enport, jr., Joseph Desha, William Ely, James Emott, and to be printed-44 to 33. JUDGE TOULMIN. Mr. RHEA observed, that there had been an inquiry some time pending before a committee of that House into the conduct of Judge Toulmin. There appeared to him to be no disposition in that committee to report on this subject. It appeared to be a very general opinion that there was no truth in the charges preferred against that officer. The subject having been before that committee several months, he wished that they should be directed forth with to make report; and concluded by making a motion to that effect. Mr. POINDEXTER remarked on the novelty in all Parliamentary history of such a motion as that proposed. He stated, for the information of the House, that the chairman of that committee (Mr. P. himself) had recently received a mass of additional evidence on the subject, and expected more James Fisk, Asa Fitch, Thos. R. Gold, Charles Golds. TUESDAY, April 14. The Clerk being absent, it was moved by Mr. BLACKLEDGE, that the House proceed to the appointment of a Clerk for the time being; whereupon Geo. Magruder was unanimously appointed Clerk, pro tempore. Mr. WRIGHT, from the committee appointed on that part of the President's Message which relates to filling the ranks and prolonging the enlistment of the regular troops, to an auxiliary force, and to detachments of the militia, and to such preparation of the great body as will proportion its usefulness to its intrinsic capacity, to whom were referred the amendments of the Senate to the bill "for the organization of a corps of artificers," made a report, which was read and considered; whereupon, the House concurred in the amendments, with amendments. Mr. WRIGHT, from the last mentioned committee, to whom was referred the Message from the President of the United States, transmitting a treatise on the discipline of the infantry, made a report; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. Mr. CALHOUN, from the committee appointed on that part of the President's Message which relates to our foreign relations, presented a bill making further provision for the Army of the United States; which was read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole to-morrow. On motion of Mr. CRAWFORD, the House was cleared of all persons except the members, Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Doorkeeper, and the doors were closed; and, after remaining so for some time, they were again opened. An engrossed bill "for ascertaining the titles and claims to lands in that part of Louisiana which lies east of the Mississippi and island of New Orleans," was read the third time, and passed. APRIL, 1812. certain post roads. CUMBERLAND ROAD. Mr. MORROW, from the committee to whom was referred the Message of the President of the United States, of the 1st ultimo, transmitting a report and letter concerning the proceedings under the act, entitled "An act to regulate the laying out and making a road from Cumberland, in the State of Maryland, to the State of Ohio," and also petition from a number of the inhabitants of the western counties of the State of Pennsylvania, praying that an appropriation may be made for the purpose of erecting a bridge over the Youghiogany at the place where the new road crosses the said river, made the following report: which require Legislative provision, viz: the appropriThat two subjects are suggested by the said Message, ation of $30,000 for completing the said road to Tom linson's, where the old and new roads meet, and the granting authority to levy toll sufficient to keep the said road in repair. The reasons assigned in favor of such provisions, by the report and letter communicated by the Message, are, in the opinion of the committee, sufficient to show the expediency of the measure; they therefore refer the House to these documents. It is proper, however, to state that the appropriations A message from the Senate informed the House eys produced by the fund pledged to defray the expense already made for the objects have exceeded the monthat the Senate have passed the bill "making of the said road, which will appear by a letter from the provision for certain persons claiming lands under Treasury Department, accompanying this report. That the several acts for the relief of the refugees from circumstance, as also the present state of the public finanthe British provinces of Canada and Nova Sco- ces, the necessity arising out of the existing crisis in the tia" also, the bill to authorize the Secretary national concerns, for applying the public resources to of War to exchange lands with the Ursuline nuns, objects of security and defence, have been duly considin the city of New Orleans; and the bill "giving ered; and whatever ground of objection to the proposed further time to the purchasers of public lands measure these considerations may afford, the commitnorthwest of the river Ohio, to complete their pay-tee are of opinion, nevertheless, that the advantages the ments," with amendments to each; in which they desire the concurrence of this House. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, on the bill to amend the charter of the City of Washington. The bill was reported with amendments, which were concurred in by the House, and the bill ordered to be engrossed, and read the third time to-morrow. The House again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, on the bill to continue in force, for a limited time, the act, entitled "An act continuing, for a limited time, the salaries of the officers of Government therein mentioned." The bill was reported with several amendments, which were concurred in by the House; and the bill was ordered to be engrossed, and read the third time to-morrow. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, on the bill for the relief of Aaron Greeley. The bill was reported without amendment, and ordered to be engrossed, and read the third time to morrow. The House again resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, on the bill to alter and establish the new road to where it will intersect with the old, are public would derive from an immediate extension of sufficient to justify the appropriation. ing a bridge over the Youghiogany river would be im- resolutions: Resolved, That $30,000, in addition to the sums fund, shall be appropriated for making the road leadheretofore appropriated, and reimbursable by the same ing from Cumberland to Brownsville. toll sufficient to keep the same in repair. for erecting a bridge over Youghiogany river on the said APRIL, 1812. Proceedings. H. of R. The report was referred to a Committee of the one, and also concurred with the said committee Whole on Thursday next. WEDNESDAY, April 15. Mr. Lewis, from the Committee for the District of Columbia, presented a bill authorizing an increase of the capital stock of the Bank of Washington; which was read the first time, and oppo: sition being made thereto, the question was taken, in conformity to the rules and orders of the House, Shall the said bill be rejected? and determined in the negative. The bill was then read the second time, and committed to a Committee of the Whole on Friday next. Mr. CALHOUN, from the committee appointed on that part of the President's Message which relates to foreign relations, presented a bill authorizing the departure of ships and vessels from the ports and harbors of the United States, in certain cases; which was read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole to-morrow. Mr. JOHNSON, from the committee appointed on the 9th instant, presented a bill to extend the right of suffrage in the Illinois Territory, and for other purposes; which was read twice, and ordered to be engrossed, and read the third time on Monday next. Mr. WRIGHT presented an amendatory bill, supplementary to an act, entitled "An act more effectually to provide for the organization of the militia of the District of Columbia ;" which was read twice, and committed to a Committee of the Whole on Tuesday next. An engrossed bill further to amend the charter of the City of Washington was read the third time, and passed. An engrossed bill to continue in force, for a limited time, an act, entitled "An act continuing, for a limited time, the salaries of the officers of Government therein mentioned," was read the third time, and passed. An engrossed bill for the relief of Aaron Greeley was read the third time, and passed. The amendments of the Senate to the bill "making provision for certain persons claiming lands under the several acts for the relief of the refugees from the British Provinces of Canada and Nova Scotia," were concurred in. The amendments of the Senate to the bill "to authorize the Secretary of War to exchange lands with the Ursuline Nuns, in the City of New Orleans," were concurred in. The amendments of the Senate to the bill "giving further time to the purchasers of public lands northwest of the river Ohio, to complete their payments," were concurred in. in other amendments which they made to the said bill. The bill was then ordered to be engrossed, and read the third time to-morrow. to au A message from the Senate informed the House that the Senate have passed the bill "concerning the Levy Court of the county of Washington, in the District of Columbia ;" and the bill thorize the granting of patents for land, according to the surveys that have been made, and to grant donation rights to certain claimants of land in the district of Detroit, and for other purposes;" with amendments to each, in which they desire the concurrence of this House. The Senate have passed a bill" to incorporate a Bank in the town of Alexandria, by the name and style of the Mechanics' Bank of Alexandria ;" in which they desire the concurrence of this House. On motion of Mr. CRAWFORD, the House was cleared of all persons except the Members, Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Doorkeeper, and the doors were closed; and, after remaining so for some time, they were again opened, and the House adjourned. THURSDAY, April 16. Mr. WHEATON presented sundry documents concerning the capture and destruction of the American brig Comet, by a French privateer, on the twenty-eighth of January last; which were read, and referred to the Secretary of State. And then the House adjourned. FRIDAY, April 17. The bill from the Senate, "to incorporate a Bank in the town of Alexandria, by the name and style of the Mechanics' Bank of Alexandria," was read twice and referred to a select committee. Mr. CHEVES, Mr. PLEASANTS, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. ALSTON, and Mr. KEY, were appointed the committee. A message from the Senate informed the House that the Senate have passed a bill entitled "An act for the relief of Thomas and William Streshley ;" and a bill, entitled "An act granting to the Governor of the State of Louisiana, for the time being, and his successors in office, a lot of ground and the buildings thereon, in the city of New Orleans;" to which bills they desire the concurrence of this House. An engrossed bill "to alter and establish certain post roads" was read the third time and passed. The amendments proposed by the Senate to the bill to authorize the granting of patents for land, according to the surveys that have been made, The House proceeded to consider the report of and to grant donation rights to certain claimants the Committee of the Whole on the bill to alter of land in the district of Detroit, and for other and establish certain post roads, and, the amend-purposes," were read and concurred in by the ments being again read, the House concurred with the Committee of the Whole in their agreement to all of the amendments reported by the Committee on the Post Offices and Post Roads, except one: concurred with the Committee of the whole House in their disagreement to that House. The amendments proposed by the Senate, to the bill "concerning the Levy Court of the county of Washington, in the District of Columbia," were read and committed to the Committee for the District of Columbia. |