JANUARY, 1796.] Proceedings. [SENATE. G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, January 13, 1796. sales, that all the buildings required for the accommo- tofore granted to defray the contingent charges of the dation of the Government of the United States may Government. be completed in season, without aid from the Federal Treasury. The subject is therefore recommended to the consideration of Congress, and the result will determine the measures which I shall cause to be pursued with respect to the property remaining unsold. G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, January 8, 1796. The Message and memorial therein referred to were read, and ordered to lie for consideration. The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill to regulate proceedings in cases of outlawry, and, after progress, the further consideration thereof was postponed. The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a Letter from Samuel Meredith, Treasurer of the United States, together with his specie account for the quarter ending the 30th December, 1795; which were read, and orderd to lie on the table. MONDAY, January 11. RICHARD POTTS, from Maryland, attended. The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a communication from the Secretary for the Department of Treasury, in consequence of the order of the 23d of December last, with a return (marked A) of the exports of the United States, supplemental to that transmitted on the 26th of February, 1795, which completes the returns of exports to the 30th of September, 1794: A statement (marked B) showing the specific articles imported into the United States in each calendar year, commencing with the establishment of the revenue, and ending on the 30th of December, 1794; and An abstract (marked C) containing a list of the articles of merchandise enumerated in the laws of the United States, as being subject to ad valorem rates of duty, prior to the year 1795; which papers were read. Ordered, That they lie for consideration. The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill to regulate proceedings in cases of outlawry, and, after agreeing to sundry amendments, the bill was ordered to a third reading. TUESDAY, January 12. The bill to regulate proceedings in cases of outlawry, was read the third time, and passed. WEDNESDAY, January 13. Mr. BUTLER, from the committee instructed to that purpose, reported a bill to amend an act, entitled "An act to promote the progress of Useful Arts, and to repeal the act heretofore made for that purpose; which was read and ordered to a second reading. The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: of the House of Representatives: I lay before you an official statement of the expendi ture to the end of the year 1795, from the sums here dered to lie for consideration. The Message and statement were read, and or Ordered, That Messrs. READ, ELLSWORTH, Ross, STRONG and LIVERMORE, be a committee to revise the Judiciary system of the United States, and to report what alterations or amendments may be necessary in the same. On motion to amend the bill, by subjoining the following proviso: "That such alien or aliens before he, she, or they, shall obtain such letters patent, shall take an oath, before the Secretary of State, that such invention has not been published and used, so far as his, her, or their knowledge extends, in any foreign country; and that he, she, or they, have not obtained letters patent for the same from any foreign Power :" It passed in the negative. On the question to agree to the bill, it passed in the affirmative-yeas 12, nays 11, as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Bloodworth, Burr, Butler, Ellsworth, Frelinghuysen, Langdon, Marshall, Martin, Potts, Read, Robinson, and Rutherfurd. NAYS-Messrs. Bingham, Bradford, Brown, Cabot, Henry, Latimer, Livermore, Paine, Strong, Trumbull, and Walton. So the bill was passed. WEDNESDAY, January 20. [JANUARY, 1796. Letter from the Secretary for the Department of No business was transacted in the Senate to- Treasury, with a statement from the Commis day. THURSDAY, January 21. Mr. KING attended to-day. Ordered, That Messrs. ELLSWORTH, BROWN, and BRADFORD, be a committee to inquire what laws will expire before the next session of Congress, and report thereon to the Senate. Mr. ELLSWORTH reported, from the committee appointed to consider the bill making provision for the purposes of trade with the Indians, that the bill pass without amendment. Ordered, That this bill lie on the table. FRIDAY, January 22. Mr. ELLSWORTH, from the committee appointed yesterday, to inquire what laws will expire before the next meeting of Congress, reported the following: The "Act for allowing compensation to the members of the Senate and House of Representa tives of the United States and to the officers of both Houses;" passed September 22d, 1789. The "Act declaring the consent of Congress to a certain act of the State of Maryland, and to continue, for a longer time, an act declaring the assent of Congress to certain acts of the States of Maryland, Georgia, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, so far as the same respects the States of Georgia, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations," passed March 19th, 1792. The "Act to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes ;" passed March 1, 1793. The "Act making further provision for the expenses attending the intercourse of the United States with foreign nations; and further to continue in force the act, entitled 'An act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations ;" passed March 20th, 1794. The "Act directing a detachment from the militia of the United States;" passed May 9th, 1794. And the "Act to continue in force for a limited time the acts therein mentioned;" passed March 2, 1795. The provisions of the "Act to regulate the compensation of clerks," extended only to the 31st of December last; passed March 3, 1795. The report was read. and ordered to lie for consideration. MONDAY, January 25. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate, that the House had passed a bill, entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six ;" in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. The bill was read, and ordered to a second reading. The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a sioner of the Revenue, of the exports of the United States, to the 30th of September, 1795, which were read, and ordered to lie for consideration. Mr. RUTHERFURD, from the committee appointed to take into consideration the bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of Government, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six," reported amendments, which were in part adopted; and the consideration of that part of the bill which respects the appropriations for the Mint was postponed until to-morrow. motion made yesterday, for a return of the exports and imports of the United States, which Treasury," in lieu of "proper officer." was amended, by inserting "Secretary of the The Senate resumed the consideration of the Ordered, That the further consideration of this motion be postponed until Monday next. FRIDAY, January 29. The Senate resumed the second reading of the bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of Government, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six," and, having agreed to the amendments reported by the committee, the bill was ordered to a third reading. The following Messages were received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: In pursuance of the authority vested in the President of the United States, by an act of Congress passed the third of March last, to reduce the weight of the copper coin of the United States, whenever he should think it for the benefit of the United States, provided that the reduction should not exceed two pennyweights in each cent, and in the like proportion in a half cent, I have caused the same to be reduced, since the twenty-seventh of last December; to wit, one pennyweight and sixteen grains in each cent, and in the like proportion in a half cent., and I have given notice thereof by proclamation. [SENATE. The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion made on the 27th of January last, that the Secretary of the Treasury make a return of imports and exports; and, on motion, permission was given to withdraw the motion, for the purpose of substituting the following: By the Letter of the Judges of the Circuit Court of "That the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to the United States held at Boston in June last, and the furnish, for the use of the Senate, a statement of the enclosed application of the under-keeper of the jail at imports into the United States, from the 30th of Septhat place of which copies are herewith transmitted-tember, 1791, to the latest period to which he may have Congress will perceive the necessity of making a suit- received returns from the different districts; specifying able provision for the maintenance of prisoners commit- therein, as particularly as the returns admit of, the artited to the jails of the several States, under the authority which they have been imported; together with the toncles imported; the cost thereof, and the countries from nage employed in the import trade, and the Kingdoms or States to which the vessels belong." of the United States. G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, January 29, 1796. Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: I send herewith, for the information of Congress1. An Act of the Legislature of the State of Rhode Island, ratifying an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, to prevent suits in certain cases against a State. 2. An Act of the State of North Carolina, making the like ratification. 3. An Act of the State of North Carolina, assenting to the purchase, by the United States, of a sufficient quantity of land on Shell Castle Island, for the purpose of erecting a beacon thereon, and ceding the jurisdiction thereof to the United States. 4. A copy from the journal of proceedings of the Governor, in his Executive Department, of the Territory of the United States Northwest of the river Ohio, from July 1, to December 31, 1794. On motion, it was agreed that this motion should be referred to Messrs. KING, BUTLER ELLSWORTH, CABOT, and LANGDON, to consider and report thereon to the Senate. TUESDAY, February 2. A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House have passed a bill, entitled "An act for establishing trading houses with the Indian tribes," in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. The bill last mentioned was read, and ordered to a second reading. The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a Letter from the Secretary of the Department of War, in reference to the order of Senate of the 22d December last, respecting the expenditures on the expedition against the insurgents in the four 5. A copy from the records of the Executive proceed-Western counties of Pennsylvania. ings of the same Governor, from January 1, to July 30, 1795; and 6 and 7. A copy of the journal of the proceedings of the Governor, in his Executive Department, of the Territory of the United States South of the river Ohio, from September 1, 1794, to September 1, 1795. 8. The Acts of the 1st and 2d sessions of the General Assembly of the same Territory. G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, January 29, 1796. Ordered, That the last recited Messages of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, with the papers therein mentioned, be severally referred to Messrs. LIVERMORE, WALTON, and MARSHALL, to consider and report thereon to the Senate. Mr. CABOT presented the petition of Jose Roiz Silva, praying that the officers of the revenue for the State of New York may be authorized to refund him two thousand five hundred and twentyone dollars, overrated duties, on a cargo of Graciosa wines, imported in the brigantine Mary, in June, 1793. The petition was read, and ordered to lie on the table. MONDAY, February 1. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act making appropriations for the support of Government, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six," was read the third time and passed. 4th CoN.-3 Ordered, That it lie for consideration. of the House of Representatives: I transmit herewith the copy of a Letter, dated the 19th of December last, from Governor Blount to the Secretary of War, stating the avowed and daring designs of certain persons to take possession of lands belonging to the Cherokees, and which the United States have, by treaty, solemnly guaranteed to that nation. The injustice of such intrusions, and the mischievous consequences which must necessarily result therefrom, demand that effectual provision be made to prevent them. G. WASHINGTON. UNITED STATES, February 2, 1796. The Message and Letter were read, and ordered to lie for consideration. WEDNESDAY, February 3. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrrence, entitled "An act for establishing trading houses with the Indian tribes," was read the second time; and, after consideration, the bill was postponed until to-morrow. THURSDAY, February 4. The Senate resumed the second reading, and consideration in paragraphs, of the bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act for establishing trading houses with the Indian tribes ;" and, having amended the same, the bill was ordered to a third reading. Mr. BUTLER presented the petition of John Howell, commander of the revenue cutter of the United States for the port of Savannah, and the coasts of the State aforesaid, which was read, praying that he, and the other commanders of the revenue cutters, may be placed on the full Naval Establishment. Ordered, That it be referred to Messrs. BUTLER, LANGDON, and WALTON, to consider and report thereon to the Senate. FRIDAY, February 5. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act for establishing trading houses with the Indian tribes," was read the third time; and on motion, it was agreed to expunge the 5th section, which is as follows: "And be it further enacted, That six thousand dollars be appropriated, under the direction of the President of the United States, for the purpose of paying the agents and clerks; which agents shall be allowed to draw out of the public supplies two rations each, and each clerk, one ration per day." [FEBRUARY, 1796. "That the petitioner prays for a law to be passed relative to the support of prisoners in jail, committed under the authority of the United States, in order to indemnify the sheriff or keeper of the jail for their cost and expenses in such support. The committee have considered the subject, and examined the laws relative thereto, and are of opinion that the existing laws are the memorialist have leave to withdraw his memorial." sufficient for the purpose aforesaid; and, therefore, that And the report was adopted. TUESDAY, February 9. Mr. Ross presented the memorial of Thomas Leiper & Co., and others, manufacturers of snuff, stating the discouragements they meet with in the prosecution of the business, and praying an entire repeal of the existing excise upon that article; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table. WEDNESDAY, February 10. Ordered, That the memorial of Thomas Leiper & Co., and others, manufacturers of snuff, be referred to Messrs. READ, BLOODWORTH, and LIVERMORE, to consider and report thereon to the Senate. On motion, it was agreed to amend the last sec-informed the Senate that the House have passed A message from the House of Representatives tion, by adding, after the word "years,” the words, "and to the end of the next session of Congress for receiving on Loan the Domestic Debt of the a bill, entitled "An act further extending the time United States;" in which they desire the concurrence of the Senate. thereafter." On motion, to add, after the word "aforementioned," section 6, these words, "and to defray all salaries, commissions, and charges, attending the same," it passed in the negative. This bill was read, and ordered to a second reading. Secretary of the Treasury make return of imports and exports; and the report was adopted. Where On motion, to amend the proviso, in the 7th sec-ed the first of February, on the motion that the Mr. KING reported, from the committee appointtion, by adding, after the word reside," these words, "or be found," it passed in the negative. On motion, it was agreed to commit the bill to Messrs. Ross, KING, and MASON, to consider rally, and report thereon to the Senate. gene Ordered, That the Message of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, of the 29th of January, with a copy of a Letter from the Judges of the District Court, held at Boston in June last, together with the application from the under-keeper of the jail there, be referred to the committee appointed to consider the petition of Jeremiah Allen. The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a Letter from the Treasurer of the United States, with his account of receipts and expenditures in the War Department, for the quarter ending the 31st of December last. The Letter was read, and ordered to lie on the upon, Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury the Senate in the month of January in each year: do cause to be annually prepared, and reported to A statement of the tonnage of the ships and vessels employed in the trade of the United States such report; distinguishing the foreign from the for one year, ending the first of October preceding domestic tonnage, and the quantity belonging to each foreign nation; distinguishing, also, the dothat engaged in the coasting trade and fisheries; mestic tonnage employed in foreign trade, from value of the exports of the United States, for the Also, a statement of the quantity and estimated like term of one year, showing the amount exported to each foreign nation; Also, a statement of the goods, wares, and merlike term of one year, distinguishing, in classes, chandise, imported into the United States, for the those which pay an ad valorem duty from those denominated enumerated articles, showing the value of the former, and the quantity of the latter; and showing, also, the amount of each imported from each foreign nation. Mr. Ross, from the committee to whom was referred the bill, entitled "An act for establishing trading houses with the Indian tribes," reported sundry amendments, which were read; and, after debate, the further consideration thereof was postponed until to-morrow. THURSDAY, February 11. The Senate resumed the consideration of the report of the committee to whom was referred the bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act establishing trading houses with the Indian tribes;" which was in part adopted as follows: Sec. 3, line 9, strike out "of this act," and insert "aforesaid." Line 10, after the word "shall," insert "upon conviction thereof." Same line, strike out the words, "a sum not exceeding." Line 11, strike out the words "upon conviction thereof." Line 13, after "United States," strike out the remainder of the section. Make a new section, as follows: "SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That offenders against this act may be prosecuted in the Circuit or District Courts of the United States, or in the Supreme or Superior Courts of the Territories of the United States, or in any State Court having jurisdiction over like offences; although the misdemeanor shall not have been committed within the bounds of their district or ordinary jurisdiction. And all forfeitures accruing under this act shall be one half to the use of the informant, and the other half to the use of the United States; except where the prosecution shall be first instituted by a public prosecutor, on behalf of the United States, in which case the whole shall be to their use." The bill was amended, agreeably to the above recited report. On motion, it was agreed to expunge the 7th 'section of the bill. On motion, it was agreed to add these words to the end of the new section reported by the committee: "And it shall be the duty of the superintendents of Indian affairs, and their deputies, respectively, to whom information of every such offence shall be given, to collect the requisite evidence, if attainable, and prosecute the offender without delay." On motion, to reduce the appropriation, from one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to one hundred thousand dollars, it passed in the negative. On motion, to substitute the following in lieu of the 4th section: “And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States to apply, of the moneys hereinafter appropriated, such sum as he may judge to be necessary, not exceeding the rate of ten thousand dollars per annum, for the compensation of the agents, and also of their clerks, where he shall authorize the employment of clerks; which agents shall be allowed to draw out of the public supplies two rations, and each clerk one ration per day:" It passed in the negative. On motion, it was agreed to expunge, from section 3d, these words: "is provided by this act;" and, in lieu thereof, insert, "shall be authorized by the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES." Whereupon, Resolved, That this bill pass as amended. FRIDAY, February 12. [SENATE. Mr. LANGDON presented the petition of Hopley Yeaton, commander of the revenue cutter called the Scammel, praying an allowance of rations and wages during the time he superintended the building and fitting out said cutter; which was read. Ordered, That it be referred to the committee appointed the 4th instant, on the petition of John Howell. Ordered, That Messrs. LANGDON, ELLSWORTH, and GUNN, be a committee to report a bill to regulate the compensation of clerks. Mr. Ross presented the memorial of the clerks under the Government of the United States, who remained in the city of Philadelphia, and attended to the duties of their station, during the prevalence of the yellow fever; which was read, and referred to Messrs. Ross, BRADFORD, and LIVERMORE, to consider and report thereon to the Senate. MONDAY, February 15. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act further extending the time for receiving on Loan the Domestic Debt of the United States," was read the second time, and ordered to a third reading. Mr. LANGDON, from the committee appointed for the purpose, reported a bill to regulate the compensation of clerks; which was read and ordered to a second reading. TUESDAY, February 1€. The bill to regulate the compensation of clerks was read the second time, and ordered to a third reading. The bill, sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, entitled "An act further extending the time for receiving on Loan the Domestic Debt of the United States," was read the third time, and passed. WEDNESDAY, February 17. The bill to regulate the compensation of clerks was taken into consideration, and the third reading of the bill was postponed. Ordered, That Messrs. STRONG, POTTS, and WALTON, be a committee to consider the expediency of amending "the act for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt," and, if they think proper, to report a bill for that purpose. THURSDAY, February 18. After receiving the report of the Committee on Enrolled Bills, the Senate went into the consideration of the Executive business. FRIDAY, February 19. On motion, that the bill to regulate the compensation of clerks be recommitted, it was agreed to refer it to a special committee, and Messrs. CA |